CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Room 280A
In-Person / Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
SYNOPSIS
Thursday, November 7, 2024
9:00 AM
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Date/Time: November 7, 2024 / 9:05 AM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Geller and Ignarro, Vice-Chair Afra-Maghen, Chair Schwartz
Commissioners Absent: None.
Staff Present: Jessie Holzer Carpenter, Daren Grilley, Ilene Knebel
PRESENTATION
RECOGNITON OF SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS
Chair Schwartz read and presented special recognition to Beverly Hills Unified School District Crossing Guards Vanessa Brown, Mary Scott, Robert Smith, and Steven Endo.
The commission took a break at 9:17 AM. Chair Schwartz departed the meeting.
The commission returned from break at 9:24 AM.
Vice Chair Afra-Maghen continued the meeting on behalf of Chair Schwartz.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items on the Agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. By State law, the Commission may not discuss or vote on items not on the agenda.
Public Comment: Public comment was heard from Michael Karric.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By order of the Chair, the agenda was approved as presented.
Traffic and Parking Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis November 7, 2024
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Consideration of Minutes
Consideration of Minutes of the Traffic and Parking Commission special meeting of October 2, 2024.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Ignarro, SECONDED by Commissioner Geller to approve the consent calendar item as presented (3/0).
AYES: Commissioners Geller, Ignarro, Vice-Chair Afra-Maghen NOES: None
CARRIED
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
Police Department Report
Lieutenant Renato Moreno reported on the projected $100,000 grant from the Office of Traffic Safety and how the funding will help with officer training and overtime. He reported on successful events recently including the Beverly Hills Art Show and Halloween gathering, and the upcoming holiday lighting program on Rodeo Drive. The Commission commented about e-bike usage and enforcement.
Monthly Educational Speaker Series – Hollywood Blvd. Protected Bike Lanes Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter introduced Lameese Chang, Supervising Transportation Planner with the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) who leads the development and implementation of projects that aim to improve traffic safety for all road users. Over the past year, LADOT has made the Hollywood Boulevard Safety Mobility Project a reality. The project design and safety, community comments and next steps/enhancements for the project were reviewed.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
2. Clifton-Le Doux Corridor Mobility Study
Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter presented traffic data and community survey results for the six-month demonstration project for traffic calming on Clifton. Staff asked for a recommendation to present to City Council to either keep the project in its current configuration or be modified, be upgraded to permanent materials, or be removed entirely. The history and goals of the project were reviewed.
Public comment: Public comment was heard from Pamela Kohanchi and Michael Karric.
Public comment was read into the record from Greg Dixon, Barbara Miller, Bill and Cathy Shpall, Arnie Berghoff, CC Woo, Jim Cohen, Mitch Miller, Shiva Mon.
The Commissioners discussed the study results and presented the following motion:
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Ignarro, SECONDED by Commissioner Geller, that the traffic circle demonstrations should remain and be upgraded, the curb extensions size should be reduced, and a center line should be added to guide drivers (3/0).
Traffic and Parking Commission Regular Meeting Synopsis November 7, 2024
AYES: Commissioners Geller, Ignarro, Vice-Chair Afra-Maghen NOES: None
CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
3. Conceptual Design from Proposed Pedestrian Crossings Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter reviewed two proposed designs for pedestrian crossings at Robertson and Gregory Way and Wetherly and Almont Drive including an explanation of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (aka “HAWK” signal). Staff is seeking feedback, will finalize the designs and anticipate going to bid in early/mid 2025 and be considered by City Council in mid-2025.
Public comment: Public comment was heard from Michael Karric. Public comment was read into the record from Carol May and Glen “Bubba” Chung.
The Commission asked if there could be an accommodation for those walking to local synagogues to not activate the signal, which staff will investigate. The Commissioners agreed on the designs and locations and for staff to move forward for the next steps.
PROJECT UPDATES AND FOLLOW-UP ITEMS
4. Project Updates and Follow-up Items
Transportation Planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter briefly reviewed updates including the fall traffic safety message: “I know the dangerous consequences for driving under the influence.” Also, at the November 19 the City Council Study Session, staff will be presenting the results of the traffic control warrant analysis for Coldwater Canyon as well as the Clifton next steps. A follow up will be presented to the Commission at the December meeting.
The Commission inquired about the well construction at La Cienega and the sidewalk blockage.
It is being requested to add additional signage about the project or rails to guide pedestrians around the area.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
5. Chair’s Report
No comments.
COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
6. Department Report
Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Daren Grilley noted the Thursday, November 14th Holiday Lighting Event on Rodeo Drive.
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: November 7, 2024 / 11:14 AM
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Room 280A
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
1 In-person / Telephonic / Video Conference Meeting
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
SYNOPSIS
Monday, November 18 2024
4:00 p.m.
OPEN MEETING
4:01pm
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Fire Administrator Michael Liongson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Baker, Chang, and Hilborne, Vice Chair Rosenthal, and Chair Felsenthal
Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present: Deputy Fire Chief Alfred Poirier, EMS Division Chief Sean Stokes, Fire Administrator Michael Liongson, Human Services Outreach Manager Enisha Clark, Human Services Specialist Susana De La Torre, Police Captain Elisabeth Albanese, Director of Community Development Michael Forbes, Code Enforcement Manager Leslie Medina, Management Assistant Austin Brault, Administrative Secretary Roger Askin, and Commission Secretary Karen Gutierrez
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Members of the public may address the Commission regarding any items not on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. By State law, the Commission may not discuss or vote on items not on the agenda.
There was no public comment.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
With the concurrence of the Commission, the Chair may choose to amend the order of the items on the agenda.
By order of the Chair, the agenda was approved as presented.
Health and Safety Commission Special Meeting Synopsis
November 18, 2024
2 CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Consideration of minutes from the Health and Safety Commission regular meeting on October 28, 2024.
Motion: MOVED by Commissioner Hilborne, SECONDED by Vice Chair Rosenthal to approve the minutes as amended (5-0).
AYES: Commissioners Baker, Chang, and Hilborne, Vice Chair Rosenthal, Chair Felsenthal
ABSENT:
NOES: None
REPORTS FROM PRIORITY AGENCIES
• Beverly Hills Community Development Department (Community Preservation) – Code Enforcement Manager Leslie Medina provided an update on smoking, vaping, and tobacco retail enforcement from July – September 2024. Director of Community Development Michael Forbes provided an update on coyote activity in the City. • Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) – BHUSD representative Rachelle Marcus spoke about various events and activities such as the first update of the Strategic Plan for 2024-2025 and graduation credits and remediation classes for academic growth. • Beverly Hills Police Department – Police Captain Elisabeth Albanese presented the department’s month-to-month crime statistics and response time metrics for September and October 2024, and November 1-11, 2024; and shared holiday season safety tips. • Beverly Hills Fire Department – Deputy Fire Chief Alfred Poirier presented the department’s year-to-year comparable metrics for October 2023 and 2024. He highlighted the recent Active Adult Club Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by the Beverly Hills Firefighters Association.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
2. Moment of Mindfulness
The Commission will be led in a Moment of Mindfulness.
Human Services Outreach Manager Enisha Clark and Human Services Specialist Susana De La Torre lead the commission in a “Moment of Mindfulness” to build community strength and resilience.
Health and Safety Commission Special Meeting Synopsis
November 18, 2024
3 NEW BUSINESS
3. Thirdhand Smoke
A presentation by Sarah Lavallee, Center Coordinator, Center for Tobacco and the Environment, and Lydia Greiner, DrPH, Associate Director, Thirdhand Smoke Resource Center, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, College of Sciences, San Diego State University.
Sarah Lavallee, Center Coordinator for the Center for Tobacco and the Environment, spoke about what thirdhand smoke is and why we should care. Secondhand smoke is the precursor of thirdhand smoke and spreads and transforms into thirdhand smoke. It remains on surfaces, re-emit back into gas, re-suspends in the air, re-acts with other compounds in the environment.
4. Long Covid and Resiliency
A presentation by Jaime Seltzer, Scientific Director at #MEAction, about how to recognize, diagnose and manage the illness.
Jaime Seltzer, Scientific Director at #MEAction, spoke about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid. She discussed infectionassociated chronic illness, which is a chronic disease that are triggered by infection or other immunological provocation; and ME/CFS, an infection-associated neurological disease.
ME/CFS
PROJECT UPDATES
• Health and Safety Commission Emergency Water Supply Initiative - Blue Can waters are available to Beverly Hills residents and businesses at a discounted price by emailing [email protected]. - Each case contains 24 cans; each can is a 12 oz serving. - The cost for each case is $19.95.
- 132 cases have been sold.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COMMISSION
• Chair’s Report –
o Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting Highlights – October 8, 2024
- Meeting highlights for the October 8, 2024, Mayor’s Cabinet Meeting were included in the packet for Commissioners to read.
• Commissioner Items –
- Commissioner Baker shared comments.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM STAFF
• Director’s Report –
Health and Safety Commission Special Meeting Synopsis
November 18, 2024
4 - Staff shared information about the City Council / Commission Standardization Ad Hoc Committee Meeting. Commissioner Hilborne requested to include in the record the public comment he submitted to the Ad Hoc Committee. • Health and Safety-Related Supplemental Information:
1. Smoking and Tobacco Quarterly Report
2. Beverly Hills Police Department Metrics (September and October 2024; November 1-11
th, 2024)
3. Beverly Hills Fire Department Metrics (October 2023 – 2024)
4. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Newsletter November 2024
5. Caregiver Self-Care Checklist: Managing Stress & Support Groups
6. Schizophrenia and Mental Illness
7. Beverly Hills Fire Department Presents: Reduce Home Vulnerability During Wildfires
8. Cognitive Health and Older Adults
9. Diabetes in Older People
10. Lung Cancer Risk Factors
11. Blue Can Water – Product Information
- Health and safety-related supplemental information was included in the packet for Commissioners to read.
ADJOURNMENT
Date / Time: November 18, 2024 / 6:29 p.m.