CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD
MINUTES
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2023
WEST HOLLYWOOD PARK PUBLIC MEETING ROOM - COUNCIL CHAMBERS 625 N. SAN VICENTE BOULEVARD
6:00 P.M. – REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Meister called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Tina Calderon performed a song.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Ayla Rahmani led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmember Byers, Councilmember Erickson,
Councilmember Heilman, Mayor Pro Tempore Shyne, and
Mayor Meister.
ABSENT: None.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Wilson, City Attorney Langer, Administrative Services Director Jimenez, City Clerk Crowder, and Assistant City Clerk Morales.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
City Clerk Crowder indicated that there were no changes to the agenda from staff.
Motion by Councilmember Heilman, seconded by Councilmember Byers to approve the January 9, 2023 agenda.
ADJOURNMENT MOTIONS:
Councilmember Erickson adjourned in memory of Helena Jannetje Tanis-Redert.
Mayor Pro Tempore Shyne requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of the protestors who have been killed by the government of the Islamic Republican of Iran, Charles Edwin Thompson, Anita Pointer, and Barbara Walters.
Councilmember Heilman requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of in Edwin Chiloba.
SUPERVISOR LINDSEY HORVATH ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE TO MAYOR SEPI SHYNE.
FORMER COUNCILMEMBER ABBE LAND ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE TO MAYOR PRO TEMPORE JOHN ERICKSON.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1FAFD996- AA21-4EAD- 815B-B2161E32C473 City Council Minutes
Monday, January 9, 2023
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson thanked the attendees and congratulated Mayor Shyne.
He thanked Councilmember Meister for her leadership during her tenure as Mayor and thanked his colleagues for selecting him as Mayor Pro Tempore. He stated that he was extremely grateful and honored to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore, thanked his family and his friends, thanked Abbe Land for her guidance and friendship and for changing his life after she selected him as her deputy. He commented on achieving the future in West Hollywood his mother hoped he’d have and expressed his love for the community.
Mayor Shyne thanked all of the performers, her family, her mother, her father who was there in spirit, her chosen family and friends, Supervisor Horvath as well as, thanked all elected and appointed officials for attending, Team Shyne, City Councilmembers, staff, and ambassadors. She congratulated Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson and thanked outgoing Mayor Meister for her service. She spoke on achievements attributed to forward thinking policies, pride, innovative processes, and on West Hollywood being a city with purpose. She voiced her honor in serving as the first Iranian American, woman of color, and part of the LGBTQ+ community on the City Council, and now as current Mayor. She highlighted future plans under her Mayorship such as, creating greater access for individuals with disabilities, business recovery solutions, collaborating with Los Angeles County to ensure behavioral programs were well supported, and working with the West Hollywood Sheriffs station to ensure safety and training to reduce crime.
She noted that she will continue “Sips with Sepi” to engage the community and pledged to support the Iranian community in creating an equitable democracy.
INTRODUCTION OF DIGNITARIES:
The following dignitaries provided their well-wishes to newly installed Mayor Shyne and Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson: Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, District Attorney George Gascon, Beverly Hills Councilmember Sharon R. Nazarian, Anne-Marie Williams (Field Deputy for the Los Angeles Assessor’s Office Jeffrey Prang), Robert Oliver ( District Director from Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur’s Office), Los Angeles Councilmember Nithya Raman, Los Angeles Councilmember Hugo Soto Martinez, District Director Davis Han on behalf of Senator Ben Allen, Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Nick Melvoin, and Mike Aguilera-Gaudette on behalf of Congressman Adam Schiff’s Office.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT:
RICHARD EASTMAN, EAST HOLLYWOOD, spoke on concerns regarding taxes and expressed his love for West Hollywood.
ADAM DARVISH, WEST HOLLYWOOD, thanked Councilmember Meister for her service to the City as Mayor and congratulated newly elected Councilmembers, DocuSign Envelope ID: 1FAFD996- AA21-4EAD- 815B-B2161E32C473 City Council Minutes
Monday, January 9, 2023
CATHERINE ENG, WEST HOLLYWOOD, spoke on her involvement in the community, the encouragement she received from Mayor Shyne, and congratulated Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson.
MITRA SAMANI, WEST HOLLYWOOD, congratulated Mayor Shyne and Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson, congratulated Councilmember Byers, and thanked outgoing Mayor Meister. She also commented on Iranian persecution and thanked the Council for their support.
MIKIE FREIDMAN, WEST HOLLYWOOD, commented on the pushback received by the City Council regarding the scooter pilot program, and the reasons she resigned from the Disabilities Advisory Board.
SHANE IVAN NASH, WEST HOLLYWOOD, thanked Mayor Shyne for her support and for approving drug test strips for drinks.
NICHOLAS ROYBAL, WEST HOLLYWOOD, thanked the City Council and congratulated Mayor Shyne and Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson.
HELEN KRIEGER, WEST HOLLYWOOD, congratulated Mayor Shyne, Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson, Councilmember Byers, and outgoing Mayor Meister. She also requested that the City Council support the reduction of carbon emissions.
JACKIE STEELE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, requested that the City Council be leaders for the LGBTQ+ community.
NOOSHIN MESHKATY, BEVERLY HILLS, congratulated Mayor Shyne and the newly elected Councilmembers. She also commented on the revolution in Iran.
DANIELLE WILSON, WEST HOLLYWOOD, spoke on behalf of the hotel workers union, thanked the City Council for their contribution in adopting higher minimum wages for hotel/service works as well as, supporting renters.
RUSTY WIGGS, WEST HOLLYWOOD, requested better communication from the City Council within the community.
BAMBY SALCEDO, LOS ANGELES, expressed hopefulness for the future of the City and County, congratulated Mayor Shyne and Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson and dedicated a song to Mayor Shyne.
SAUDI FAROKHINA, MISSION VIEJO, recognized the achievements of Mayor Shyne for being the first Iranian on the list of firsts.
NEDA FARID, GLENDALE, congratulated Mayor Shyne and thanked the City Council for their support on behalf of the Iranian community and thanked them for their service.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1FAFD996- AA21-4EAD- 815B-B2161E32C473 City Council Minutes
Monday, January 9, 2023
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS:
Councilmember Meister congratulated Mayor Shyne. She reported attending the SCAG CEHD committee meeting where water conversation was discussed and commented on bringing an item to the City Council for consideration. She announced that Congressman Schiff secured funding to assist the City with its Behavioral Health Crisis Unit. She reported on UCLA’s collaboration with West Hollywood to offer mobile mental health services to those in need. Additionally, Councilmember Meister thanked the WeHo Gives Back Program where 10% of parking meter revenue is used to assist with providing essentials such as sleeping bags, toothbrushes, socks, etc. to the City’s unhoused community.
Councilmember Heilman congratulated Mayor Shyne and Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson and extended his support.
Mayor Shyne thanked Mikie Freidman for speaking and stated that she was committed to meet with her so that they may collaborate further with the Disabilities Advisory Board. She presented a Proclamation and award on behalf of the City Council to outgoing Mayor Meister for her leadership.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:
City Manager Wilson thanked outgoing Mayor Meister and congratulated Mayor Shyne and Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson.
FISCAL IMPACT ON CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Crowder stated there were no expenditures, no revenues, or waived fees associated with the fiscal impact on the agenda.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR:
2.A.,B.,C.,D. Motion by Councilmember Heilman, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson, and approved.
2.A. POSTING OF AGENDA:
SUBJECT: The agenda for the meeting of Monday, January 9, 2023, was posted at City Hall, Plummer Park, the Sheriff’s Station, and at the West Hollywood Library on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
ACTION: Receive and file. Approved as part of the Consent Calendar.
2.B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
SUBJECT: The City Council is requested to approve the minutes of the prior Council meeting.
ACTION: Approve the minutes of December 19, 2022. Approved as part of the Consent Calendar.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1FAFD996- AA21-4EAD- 815B-B2161E32C473 City Council Minutes
Monday, January 9, 2023
2.C. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTER NO. 920 [ L. QUIJANO, C.
CORRALES, S. STEPHENS]:
SUBJECT: The City Council shall receive the Demand Register for period ending December 30, 2022 pursuant to Sections 37201 to 37210 of the Government Code of the State of California.
ACTION: Approve Demand Register No. 920 and adopt Resolution No. 23-5579, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST HOLLYWOOD APPROVING PAYMENT OF DEMANDS
PRESENTED ON DEMAND REGISTER NO. 920.” Approved as part of the Consent Calendar.
2.D. AB 361 - ALLOW FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF VIRTUAL
TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS FOR SOME CITY BROWN ACT
MEETINGS [ M. CROWDER, L. MORALES, A. POBLADOR, L.
LANGER]:
SUBJECT: The City Council will authorize the continued use of virtual teleconference meetings for some of the City’s Brown Act meetings as required under AB 361.
ACTION: Allow for the continued use of virtual teleconference meetings for some of the City’s Brown Act meetings under AB 361 by finding that a statewide state of emergency continues to exist, and local and state health officials continue to recommend measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including distancing, ventilation, and others depending on the space and activity. Approved as part of the Consent Calendar.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
SUZANNE DIAMOND RUDMAN, WEST HOLLYWOOD, congratulated Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson and thanked him for his support.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS:
Councilmember Byers thanked all the speakers and dignitaries for their attendance and kind wishes. She expressed her gratitude to staff and patience to residents as she transitioned into her role. Additionally, she commented that she was excited to move forward under Mayor Shyne and Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson’s leadership.
Mayor Shyne thanked all for attending and invited attendees to join them in the lobby of the Pacific Design Center’s Blue Building for a reception.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 8:34 p.m. to its next regular adjourned meeting, which will be on Monday, January 23, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. at West Hollywood Park Public Meeting Room - Council Chambers.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1FAFD996- AA21-4EAD- 815B-B2161E32C473 City Council Minutes
Monday, January 9, 2023
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of West Hollywood at an adjourned regular meeting held this 23rd day of January, 2023 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember: Byers, Heilman, Meister, Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson, and Mayor Shyne.
NOES: Councilmember: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember: None.
ABSTAIN: Councilmember: None.
SEPI SHYNE, MAYOR
ATTEST:
MELISSA CROWDER, CITY CLERK
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