Summer’s over… although with this heat wave you wouldn’t know it!
FYI - when temperatures climb above 90 degrees, the City of West Hollywood activates a Cooling Center at Plummer Park. Be sure to check the City’s website. To confirm Cooling Center hours, please call the Center at (323) 848-6530.
In case you were out-of-town this summer, the City hosted a number of events, including an Eastside Neighborhood Festival (Engage A-lot), the WeHo Pedals Bike Share Launch, Women's Equality Day, National Night Out, Sexual Assault Awareness Kickoff, WeHo Sheriff's Station Open House and Public Safety Awards, to name a few!
While Council's meeting schedule was a bit lighter than usual, it didn't stop us from getting a lot done -- from approving our City's 2016/17 budget to reviewing our Social Services programming.
Several new initiatives I worked on were adopted by Council...
City Special Events Policy: an initiative directing staff to develop policies and procedures for special events held in the City to include requirements for agreements, financial disclosures, and data collection to evaluate events.
Focus on Homeless Issues: an item establishing guiding principles in the City’s response to homelessness and authorizing a City Council Homelessness Subcommittee. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tempore John Heilman, for initiating and allowing me to co-sponsor. MPT John Heilman and I will also be serving on the subcommittee together.
Green Building Standards: an initiative to proactively address California's new mandatory Residential and Lower-Scale Commercial Zero Net Energy measures, update or revise local policy to reflect California's most recently adopted State Green Building Code, Title 24 Energy Compliance Standards and State Energy Code, and eliminate outdated Green Building incentives. Thank you, Councilmember John D’Amico, for co-sponsoring.
Celebrating Route 66: an item directing staff to coordinate events and programs to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Route 66! The event will take place in November. Stay tuned!
Animal Rights: an item supporting AB 797, the Right to Rescue Act, which would protect individuals from civil and criminal liability for necessary actions taken in good faith to rescue an animal from a hot vehicle. This bill was passed! I also brought forward an item with Councilmember D’Amico supporting H.R. 752 (Rep. Hastings) condemning the dog meat festival in Yulin, China. The proposed resolution has been referred to the the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
What’s “news” in the City…
West Hollywood Library to Celebrate 5th Anniversary with Events
The City of West Hollywood will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the opening of the West Hollywood Library with two days (September 30 and October 1) of free events.
West Hollywood City Hall will be a Vote By Mail Ballot Drop-Off Location Beginning October 11
Vote By Mail voters can easily and securely drop off their general election Vote By Mail (VBM) ballots at West Hollywood City Hall, located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard, beginning on Tuesday, October 11, 2016. The last day to drop off VBM ballots is Monday, November 7, 2016.
City of West Hollywood will Host 18th Annual Disability Service Awards, October 26
The City of West Hollywood will host its 18th Annual Disability Service Awards on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 5 p.m. at the City of West Hollywood’s City Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room at West Hollywood Library, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Our very own Cathy Blaivas and Stephanie Harker are the award recipients!
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, October 31
This year’s West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval will take place on Monday, October 31, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard.
City Council Approves Support of Ballot Measure M, the L.A. County Traffic Improvement Plan
The City Council has unanimously approved support of Measure M, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro’s) ballot measure, which Los Angeles County voters will decide upon in the general election on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
City Teams-Up with L.A. County Fire and Sheriff’s for Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Exercise
On Monday, September 12, 2016, the City of West Hollywood conducted two Emergency Operations Center (EOC) simulation
exercises in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and with the assistance of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and its West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station.
Check out the video! WeHo EOC Drill 2016
The PickUp Says ‘Sunday Funday 4EVR’ as it Begins Year-Round Service on Sundays
The PickUp will now celebrate summer all year with extended, year-round “Sunday Funday” service. Beginning on Sunday, October 2, 2016, riders will be able to hook-up with The PickUp on Sundays from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. at any one of its regular stops along Santa Monica Boulevard. “Nighttime Ride” service will continue its regular schedule on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
City of West Hollywood Seeks Feedback from Young Adults in the Community
The City of West Hollywood is launching a very brief online survey to seek feedback from young adults in the community as part of an effort to ensure that the voices of young adults in West Hollywood are represented within the community and in local government.
Please note...
For City News and Top Stories, check out the City's website.
For Minutes on past City Council meetings, visit the City's web page, Document Central.
Don't forget to check the City Calendar for upcoming City meetings and events.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions!