CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
Council Chamber
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AND PARKING AUTHORITY MEETING March 4, 2025
7:00 p.m.*
Members of the public may participate in the meeting by attending in-person or telephonically and may view the meeting through live webcast or BHTV Channel 10 on Spectrum Cable.
City Council/Parking Authority meetings are broadcast on local Beverly Hills television and on other media platforms. Anyone who participates at the meeting and/or enters the City Council Chamber is subject tohaving their image displayed. These recordings will remain publicly accessible in perpetuity.
The City CouncillParking Authority may act on any item listed on the agenda.The City Council Regular Meeting was called to order by Mayor Friedman at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Former DRC Commissioner Sandy Pressman A. ROLL CALLS
Present: Councilmember/Director Wells, Councilmember/Director Corman, Councilmember/Director Mirisch, Vice MayorNice Chair Nazarian, Mayor/Chair Friedman
Absent: None
B. PRESENTATIONS
1. PROCLAMATION - Honoring Former Mayor Donna Eliman Garber Mayor Friedman, along with the entire Council, presented a proclamation and key to the City to former Mayor Donna ElIman Garber. They recognized her 12 years of service on the City Council and acknowledged her upcoming 100th birthday.
2. RECOGNITION OF RETIRING COMMISSIONERS
-Charitable Solicitations Commission - Ira Friedman-Community Charitable Foundation - Mark Schwartz -Design Review Commission - Barry Bernstein-Design Review Commission- Sandra Pressman-Rent Stabilization Commission - Kandace Lindsey-Cerqueira Mayor Friedman, along with the entire Council, recognized retiring Design Review Commissioners Barry Bernstein and Sandra Pressman, as well as retiring RentStabilization Commissioner Kandace Lindsey-Cerqueira. Charitable Solicitations City Council/Parking Authority Meeting
March 4, 2025
Commissioner Ira Friedman and Community Charitable Foundation Commissioner Mark Schwartz will be recognized at a later date.
3. TEXT BH — Text messages on any City-related topic may be sent to (310) 596-4265.
City staff will acknowledge receipt of the text message within one business day, however, resolution of issues may take longer.
If you would like to receive updated text alerts from the Beverly Hills Police Department, please text “BHPDalert” to 888777. Text alerts will keep you informed of any Police activity within the City.
C. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. TELEPHONE CALL-IN: (310) 288-2288 Members of the public are invited to listen to the meeting telephonically or share oral communications on this phone line.
2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: Any person wishing to address the City Council/Parking Authority on any matter may do so in writing, through email or in-person. However, the State open meetings law (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.) prohibits the CityCouncil/Parking Authority from providing a detailed response or acting upon any item not contained on the agenda posted 72 hours before a regular meeting and 24 hoursbefore a special meeting. If you wish to address the City Council/Parking Authority at this time, please email or provide an in-person speaker card to the City Clerk prior to or during the meeting. The City Clerk will read only the first three minutes (approximately 350 words) of a written comment. In the event of a large number of written comments on one item, written comments may be summarized by the City Clerk’s Office. The entire written comment shall be archived in full as part of the record. Public comment via video conference or in-person will be no longer than three (3) minutes per each individual comment, subject to City Council discretion based on the anticipated lengthin the meeting.
Speakers:
1. Chandler Weber re: Representative from Small Business Administration
2. Barbara Pullan re: Parking issues on Spalding Drive
3. David Hunt-Stafford re: Gratitude to the City on behalf of Theatre 40
4. Steve Mayer re: City Council Policy Manual Ad Hoc Committee Telephone Public Comment:
1. Alma Ordaz re: Parking issues on Spalding Drive
D. PARKING AUTHORITY CONSENT CALENDAR
FISCAL IMPACT REPORT
MOVED by Director Wells, seconded by Director Corman to approve item D-1 on the Parking Authority Consent Calendar.
City Council/Parking Authority Meeting
March 4, 2025
Minutes
1. CONSIDERATION BY THE PARKING AUTHORITY OF THE MINUTES of the Meeting of January 28, 2025.
ITEM D-1: APPROVED
APPROVAL OF:
Other Business
None
Vote on the Parking Authority Consent Calendar:
Ayes: Director Wells, Director Corman, Director Mirisch, Vice Chair Nazarian, Chair Friedman
Noes: None
CARRIED
E. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
FISCAL IMPACT REPORT
MOVED by Councilmember Corman, seconded by Councilmember Mirisch to approve all items on the City Council Consent Calendar, and direct that theappropriate accounts be charged on items E-4 and E-5.
Minutes
1. CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Special Meeting of January 16, 2025.
ITEM E-1: APPROVED
2. CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Adjourned Study Session Meeting of January 28, 2025.
ITEM E-2: APPROVED
3. CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Adjourned Regular Meeting of January 28, 2025.
ITEM E-3: APPROVED
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Demands Paid
4. REVIEW OF BUDGETED DEMANDS PAID, covering dates February 11 2025 to February 24, 2025.
ITEM E-4: APPROVED
5. PAYROLL DISBURSEMENT REPORT, covering dates February 11, 2025 to February 24, 2025.
ITEM E-5: APPROVED
Other Business
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS:
None
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS:
6. AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PERMANENT
LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION PROGRAM ISSUED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
Comment: Staff recommends City Council approve a resolution for the application and participation in the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (PLHA) issued by the Los Angeles County Development Authority to accept the City’s allocation of PLHA designated funds.ITEM E-6: ADOPTED, #25-R-1 3545
7. ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF A REPORT MADE BY THE FIRE CHIEF OF THE
BEVERLY HILLS FIRE DEPARTMENT REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE
ANNUAL INSPECTION OF CERTAIN OCCUPANCIES PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13146.2 AND 13146.3 OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE.
Comment: California Health and Safety Code Sections 13145 and 13146 mandateCity and County Fire Departments enforce building standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal. Included in these standards are requirements for annual inspections of identified hotels, motels, lodging houses, and apartment houses, as well as identified residential care facilities, private, and public schools.ITEM E-7: ADOPTED, #25-R-1 3546 APPROVAL OF:
8. REQUEST FROM NOT TODAY CANCER TO HOST “RUN OF THE STARS”, A 5K RUN/WALK ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2025.
City Council/Parking Authority Meeting
March 4, 2025
Comment: Proposed 2025 Event Date and Fee Waiver Request from Not TodayCancer for Annual Event to be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at El Rodeo Elementary School.ITEM E-8: APPROVED
9. REQUEST TO OPEN THE BEVERLY HILLS PUBLIC LIBRARY LATE ON THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025 FOR THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA TO HOST THEIR GRAND OPENING EVENT.
Comment: The Paley Center for Media is requesting to host their grand opening event at the Beverly Hills Public Library on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 9am to 11:30am.Staff is recommending that the Library open to the public at noon to accommodate the request and have the least amount of impact to patrons.
ITEM E-9: APPROVED
10. AN AGREEMENT WITH FLAMEMAPPER, LLC. FOR THE CREATION OF THE COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN (CWPP); AND
APPROVAL OF A CORRESPONDING PURCHASE ORDER TO FLAMEMAPPER, LLC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $143,000 FOR THESE SERVICES.
Comment: On November 20, 2024, the City was awarded a total funding of $50,000and the non-federal match that the City has agreed to supplement in the amount of$93,000 towards the project’s grand total amount of $143,000 to procure a contractor to create the City’s first-ever Community Wildfire Protection Plan. It aims to save lives, act as a living document, and assess the agency’s readiness in mitigating wildfire risks based on a community-driven method. It also serves as a blueprint and a strategic approach, in terms of effectively dealing with wildfire threats, saving lives and protecting properties by addressing fuel reduction in at-risk areas located in the wildland urban interface and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, to include identifying safety zones in the event of a major wildfire.
ITEM E-10: APPROVED, AG #82-25
11. AN AGREEMENT WITH RUSS BASSETT CORP FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT DISPATCH FURNITURE REPLACEMENT PROJECT; AND
APPROVAL OF A CORRESPONDING PURCHASE ORDER IN THE NOT-TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $194,669; AND
APPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS THEREFOR WITH RESPECT TO DESIGN CRITERIA.
Comment: Staff recommends that City Council approve the Police Department Dispatch Furniture Replacement project contract with Russ Bassett Corp.ITEM E-1 1: APPROVED, AG #83-25 City Council/Parking Authority Meeting
March 4, 2025Page 6
12. AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE AGREEMENT WITH STAR SPORTS THEATRE ARTS AND RECREATION, INC. DBA STAR EDUCATION FOR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM INSTRUCTION THROUGH THE CITY’S COMMUNITY SERVICESDEPARTMENT; AND APPROVAL OF A CHANGE PURCHASE ORDER FOR STAR SPORTS THEATREARTS AND RECREATION, INC. DBA STAR EDUCATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $700,000 FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $1,400,000 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.
Comment: Staff seeks City Council approval of an amendment and change purchaseorder for STAR Theatre Arts and Recreation, Inc. DBA STAR Education for afterschool instruction for a total not to exceed amount of $1,400,000.
ITEM E-12: APPROVED, AG #84-25
13. AMENDMENT NO. I TO THE AGREEMENT WITH BBB-CA, INC. DBA BLOCK BY
BLOCK, CALIFORNIA FOR SAFETY AND HOSPITALITY AMBASSADOR SERVICES; AND
APPROVAL OF A CHANGE PURCHASE ORDER FOR BBB-CA, INC. DBA BLOCK BY BLOCK, CALIFORNIA IN THE AMOUNT OF $453,999 FOR A TOTAL NOT TOEXCEED AMOUNT OF $1,639,248 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025; AND AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF $220,722; ANDAN APPROPRIATION FROM THE PARKING ENTERPRISE FUND OF $233,277.
Comment: Staff seeks City Council approval of an amendment and change purchaseorder for BBB-CA, Inc. DBA Block by Block, California for a total not to exceed amount of $1,639,248.
ITEM E-13: APPROVED, AG #85-25
14. SECOND AMENDMENT OF LEASE BY AND WITH UMRO REALTY CORP. DBA THE AGENCY AT 331 FOOTHILL ROAD, SUITE 100 AND 150; AND BROKER LEASING COMMISSION AGREEMENT BY AND WITH CBRE, INC. FOR LEASING OF 331 FOOTHILL ROAD; AND
AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF $153,956.72.
Comment: The Second Amendment of Lease with UMRO Realty Corp. DBA The Agency extends the term of the lease for 331 Foothill Road, Suite 100 and 150 by five years and five months. The Broker Leasing Commission Agreement is for payment of the tenant’s broker fees associated with this lease extension.
ITEM E-14: APPROVED, UMRO REALTY CORP. DBA THE AGENCY - AG #86-25, CBRE, INC. - AG #87-25
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Vote on the City Council Consent Calendar:
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman, Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Noes: None
CARRIED
F. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING
TO SET:
None
TO CONSIDER:
AN APPEAL OF STAFF’S OCTOBER 3, 2024 INCOMPLETE APPLICATION
DETERMINATION, PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65943(c), PERTAINING TO THE REVIEW OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PROPOSED 15-STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AT 140 SOUTH CAMDENDRIVE; AND, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS DENYINGAN APPEAL OF STAFF’S OCTOBER 3, 2024 INCOMPLETE APPLICATION DETERMINATION AND UPHOLDING THE CITY’S INCOMPLETE APPLICATION
DETERMINATION, AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.
Comment: On Friday, October 16, 2024, Masoud “Max” Netty, on behalf of the property owner, filed a timely appeal of the City’s October 3, 2024 incomplete application determination pertaining to the review of a proposed 15-story residential building at 140 South Camden Drive. The applicant has filed applications to initiate the review of the proposal as a “Builder’s Remedy” project, which relies on the provisions of the Housing Accountability Act, codified in Government Code §65589.5, and the related filing of a preliminary application pursuant to Government Code §65941.1.City Planner Masa Alkire presented information related to this item.
Applicant/Appellant Representative Ryan Leaderman provided his comments.
Written Public Comment:
1. Jody Horwitz
2. Matthew Gelfand, Californians for Homeownership
Applicant/Appellant Representative Ryan Leaderman provided additional comments.
Council provided their questions and comments.
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City Planner Masa Alkire, Director of Community Development Michael Forbes, Assistant City Attorney Dave Snow, Applicant/Appellant Representative Ryan Leaderman, City Attorney Laurence Wiener, Principal Planner Cindy Gordon, and Assistant City Manager Ryan Gohlich responded to Council questions.
Assistant City Attorney David Snow discussed amendments to acknowledge the timing of communications, adjusting language, noting the timing of the City’s incompleteness letter during business hours as well as the subsequent revision later on, and clarifying that the incompleteness letter during business hours renders the Appellant’s afterhours transmittal argument moot. He also added language regarding the formal application’s inconsistency with the City’s Zoning Ordinance and General Plan.
MOVED by Councilmember Wells, seconded by Councilmember Corman to approve item F-i as follows:
THAT THE AMENDED RESOLUTION ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS DENYING AN APPEAL OF STAFF’S OCTOBER 3, 2024 INCOMPLETE APPLICATION
DETERMINATION AND UPHOLDING THE CITY’S INCOMPLETE
APPLICATION DETERMINATION, AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT”, AS
AMENDED, BE ADOPTED
Ayes: Councilmember Wells, Councilmember Corman, Councilmember Mirisch, Vice Mayor Nazarian, Mayor Friedman
Noes: None
CARRI ED
ITEM F-I: ADOPTED AS AMENDED, RES #25-R-I 3547
G. CITY COUNCIL CONTINUED AND NEW BUSINESS
I. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
2. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER
3. CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS AND COMMENTS Councilmember Wells reported on recent events including the Next Liaison Committee meeting, Municipal Water District inspection trip, Recreation and Parks Commission liaison meeting, and the Vanity Fair Oscar party.
Councilmember Corman reported on the City Council Policy Manual Ad Hoc meeting.Councilmember Mirisch reported on the Municipal Water District inspection trip. He also spoke in memory of former Recreation and Parks Commissioner Susan Mishler who recently passed away. He also spoke against Qatar.
City Council/Parking Authority Meeting
March 4, 2025
Vice Mayor Nazarian also spoke in memory of former Commissioner Susan Mishler.
She also spoke about Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostageby Hamas since the October 7th massacre. She also reported on recent meetings and events including Traffic and Parking Commission interviews, Legislative Lobby Committee meeting, LA Italian Film Festival, Vanity Fair Oscar Party, City Council Policy Manual Ad Hoc meeting, Female Empowerment Summit and International Women’s Day, and the Municipal Water District inspection trip.
Mayor Freidman wished everyone a Happy International Women’s Day.
H. COMMISSION SYNOPSIS
I. ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION - Meeting of January 14, 2025.
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION -Meeting of January 16, 2025.RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION — Special Meeting of January 28, 2025.
PLANNING COMMISSION -Meeting of February 13, 2025.
ITEM H-I: NO ACTION TAKEN
I. OTHER BUSINESS
J. ADJOURNMENT
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2025.
There being no further business, Mayor Friedman, with the consent of the City Council, adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
PASSED, Approved and Adopted
this 22F day of April, 2025
HUMA AHMED, City ClerklSecretary
SHARONA R. NAZARIAN, PS D,
MAYORIChair
This meeting was broadcast on live television, on City of Beverly Hills municipal government television access Channel BHTVIO Spectrum Cable.