CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024
WEST HOLLYWOOD PARK PUBLIC MEETING ROOM - COUNCIL CHAMBERS 625 N. SAN VICENTE BOULEVARD
6:00 P.M. – ADJOURNED REORGANIZATION AND INSTALLATION MEETING CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Shyne called the meeting to order at 6:17 p.m.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Linda Ravenswood read a version of the Land Acknowledgement.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Harry Kazanegras led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
Councilmember Byers, Councilmember Heilman, Councilmember Meister, Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson, and Mayor Shyne.
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 Mayor Pro Tempore Erickson to approve the January 16, 2024, agenda. (5/0)
ADJOURNMENT MOTIONS:
Councilmember Heilman requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Andrew Campbell.
Emma Tenhagen administered the Oath of Office newly elected Mayor John M. Erickson.
Santa Monica City Councilmember Gleam Davis administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers.
Vice Mayor Byers thanked everyone in attendance, and Mayor Erickson for his leadership. She commented on the many ways that West Hollywood is special. She thanked her family, her partner Austin, her co-workers, and Santa Monica Councilmember Gleam Davis for their support. She also thanked the dignitaries in attendance, outgoing Mayor Shyne for her leadership, and Councilmembers Heilman and Meister as well as City staff. She looks forward to building bridges, creating DocuSign Envelope ID: BC3FEB23- 427F-4A28- 8DC2-A945E752524A City Council Installation & Reorganization Minutes
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relationships in the community, and partnerships that will add value to the community, and spoke of the challenges facing our community in the coming year.
Mayor Erickson spoke about his childhood in Ripon, Wisconsin. He shared his tenure with the City from intern to Mayor. He acknowledged his family, partner, friends, City staff, dignitaries, and colleagues on the City Council. He commented that when he thinks of his vision for West Hollywood that it reminds him of the parable of the Pearl of Great Price that we stay true to the dream of Cityhood. He concluded by noting that it is an honor and privilege to serve as Mayor.
INTRODUCTION OF DIGNITARIES:
The following dignitaries provided their well-wishes to newly installed Mayor Erickson and Vice Mayor Byers: Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, City of Santa Monica Councilmember Gleam Davis, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, District Representative Teresa Lamb on behalf of Congressman Adam Schiff, West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors President Scott Houston, District Representative Davis Han on behalf of Senator Ben Allen, Field Representative Joshua Marin Mora on behalf of Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, Illinois State Controller Susana Mendoza, City of Beverly Hills Vice Mayor Lester Friedman, City of Culver City Councilmember Freddy Puza, Culver City School Boardmember Triston Ezidore, Los Angeles Unified School District 4 Boardmember Nick Melvoin, Chief Executive Officer of Planned Parenthood Sue Dunlap, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Chief Dennis Kneer and Commander Mark Reyes behalf of Sheriff Luna, City of Bellflower Councilmember Victor Sanchez, City of Lakewood Councilmember Jeff Wood, Executive Director of California Contract Cities Association Marcel Rodarte, and Executive Boardmember of California Contract Cities Association Lindsey Skolnik.
PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING MAYOR SHYNE:
The City Council presented Mayor Shyne a Proclamation for her year of service as Mayor.
She provided outgoing comments.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT:
MELINDA HOFFMAN, MAYOR ERICKSON’S SISTER, spoke regarding Mayor Erickson’s childhood and congratulated him on his leadership and advocacy efforts.
ALLISON TENHAGEN, MAYOR ERICKSON’S SISTER, spoke regarding his role as an uncle, shared childhood memories, and expressed her admiration and pride for Mayor Erickson’s achievements.
MIKIE FREIDMAN, WEST HOLLYWOOD, spoke regarding various issues in the City, including high rent, unhoused community members, builders remedy, and furthering equal access for the disabled community. She also mentioned Bird’s bankruptcy and inquired if the City will continue to do business with them.
DocuSign Envelope ID: BC3FEB23- 427F-4A28- 8DC2-A945E752524A City Council Installation & Reorganization Minutes
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STEFANIE LAHART, WEST HOLLYWOOD, congratulated Vice Mayor Byers and Mayor Erickson and thanked them for listening to her concerns regarding Sierra Bonita. She also expressed additional concerns regarding the vacant lot on Sierra Bonita.
NICHOLAS ROYBAL, WEST HOLLYWOOD, spoke regarding President’s Biden’s word possibility” when asked by President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping to use one word to describe America. He asked that West Hollywood’s word for this year be discernment.”
ERIC D’ARBELOFF, ON BEHALF OF WEST HOLLYWOOD WEST RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION, thanked outgoing Mayor Shyne for her service and congratulated Mayor Erickson and Vice Mayor Byers. He also spoke regarding the Association and noted that he looks forward to working with staff and the City Council.
REED D’EUGENIO, WEST HOLLYWOOD, thanked the City Council for their assistance and support in opening his business in the City.
ANNIE JUMP VICENTE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, spoke regarding her challenges as a Transgender community member in West Hollywood. She also played a video of an interaction that she had with a Block by Block Security Ambassador.
DAVID NASH, WEST HOLLYWOOD, spoke regarding his appreciation for leaders who take the time to serve their community and congratulated Mayor Erickson and Vice Mayor Byers.
ERICK MATOS, WEST HOLLYWOOD, spoke regarding the support he’s received from Mayor Erickson professionally and personally and thanked him for his friendship. He also congratulated Mayor Erickson and Vice Mayor Byers.
ADAM DARVISH, WEST HOLLYWOOD, thanked outgoing Mayor Shyne for her service and commented on Mayor Erickson’s leadership. He congratulated Vice Mayor Byers and expressed his pride to be a City of West Hollywood resident, noting he was thankful to live in a sanctuary city.
BAMBY SALCEDO, TRANSLATIN@ COALIATION, thanked outgoing Mayor Shyne, Mayor Erickson, and Vice Mayor Byers for their support, noting that the City Council is an inspiration and a beacon of hope for the Transgender community.
JAMIE KENNERK, LOS ANGELES, congratulated Councilmember Shyne and Vice Mayor Byers for their leadership. She expressed her admiration for Mayor Erickson and thanked him for all he’s done for her and the community.
YOLA DORE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, thanked the City Council for their leadership and thanked outgoing Mayor Shyne for her service. She spoke regarding Mayor Erickson’s initiatives during his tenure as a Councilmember and congratulated Mayor Erickson and Vice Mayor Byers.
DocuSign Envelope ID: BC3FEB23- 427F-4A28- 8DC2-A945E752524A City Council Installation & Reorganization Minutes
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CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:
City Manager Wilson thanked outgoing Mayor Shyne and congratulated Mayor Erickson and Vice Mayor Byers. He thanked all of the speakers who spoke under Public Comment, noting that staff is addressing concerns regarding Sierra Bonita and Ms. Jump Vicente’s comments regarding Block by Block.
FISCAL IMPACT ON CONSENT CALENDAR:
City Clerk Crowder stated that the fiscal impact on the Consent Calendar is $ 0 in expenditures, $0 in potential revenue, and ($0) in waived fees.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR:
2.A.,B.,C. Motion by Councilmember Heilman, seconded by Vice Mayor Byers, and approved. (5/0)
2.A. POSTING OF AGENDA:
SUBJECT: The agenda for the meeting of Tuesday, January 16, 2024 was posted at City Hall, Plummer Park, the Sheriff’s Station, and at the West Hollywood Library on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
ACTION: Received and filed.
2.B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
SUBJECT: The City Council is requested to approve the minutes of the prior Council meeting.
ACTION: Approved the minutes of December 18, 2023.
2.C. APPROVAL OF DEMAND REGISTER NO. 940 [ L. QUIJANO, C.
CORRALES, S. HERNANDEZ]:
SUBJECT: The City Council shall receive the Demand Register for period ending December 29, 2023 pursuant to Sections 37201 to 37210 of the Government Code of the State of California.
ACTION: Approved Demand Register No. 940 and adopted Resolution No. 24-001, “ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST HOLLYWOOD ALLOWING AND APPROVING THE PAYMENT OF
DEMANDS ON DEMAND REGISTER NO. 940”.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE REPORTS:
Councilmember Meister reported her attendance at the SCAG Energy and Environment Committee, the Regional Council meetings representing the West Side Cities COG and welcomed volunteers to the City’s MLK Day event at West Hollywood Elementary School.
She welcomed Mayor Erickson’s and Vice Mayor Byers’ family to the City of West Hollywood and shared that she hoped Councilmember Shyne’s mayoral term was rewarding. She congratulated Vice Mayor Byers on being the first Vice Mayor of the City and gave a few words of advice to the incoming Mayor.
DocuSign Envelope ID: BC3FEB23- 427F-4A28- 8DC2-A945E752524A City Council Installation & Reorganization Minutes
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Councilmember Heilman thanked outgoing Mayor Shyne and congratulated Mayor Erickson and Vice Mayor Byers. He noted that he looked forward to working with his colleagues to make this year successful.
Councilmember Shyne reported her attendance at the City’s MLK Day event at West Hollywood Elementary School and the Chinese New Year celebration in Hollywood. She also extended her support to Mayor Erickson and Vice Mayor Byers.
Vice Mayor Byers thanked everyone for their participation this evening and making it a memorable night. She also noted that the City Council’s work continues in six days and looks forward to a momentous year ahead.
Mayor Erickson invited everyone to the reception, noting art and sweet treats were awaiting.
ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned in memory of Andrew Campbell at 8:04 p.m. to its next regular meeting, which will be on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at West Hollywood Park Public Meeting Room - Council Chambers.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of West Hollywood at a regular meeting held this 22nd day of January, 2024 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember: Heilman, Meister, Shyne, Vice Mayor Byers, and Mayor Erickson.
NOES: Councilmember: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember: None.
ABSTAIN: Councilmember: None.
JOHN M. ERICKSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
MELISSA CROWDER, CITY CLERK
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