Weho is going through some changes...

Weho's long-time City Manager, Paul Arevalo, is set to retire in early July and Assistant City Manager, David Wilson, will be taking over the helm (congrats, David!). If you'd like to find out more about Weho's new City Manager, David Wilson, click here. We wish Paul much happiness (and fun) in his post-Weho life!

What else is new?

The City of West Hollywood will host a community conversation about equity and public safety featuring Constance “Connie” Rice, who is a lawyer, author, and public intellectual renowned for fighting systemic injustice and advancing multiracial democracy. The free virtual event will take place on Monday, July 12, 2021 at 6 pm on Zoom Webinar. For more information, click here.

Governor Newsom has signed AB 832, which extends statewide protections and rent relief programs enacted by SB 91 in January 2021. Most significantly, the Act extends the state’s residential eviction moratorium for non-payment of rent due to COVID-19 related reasons to September 30, 2021 and expands the State Rent Relief Program. In addition to protection from eviction due to COVID-19-related financial hardship, after June 30, West Hollywood residential tenants will be covered by the County of Los Angeles eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021. For more information, click here.

On June 21, West Hollywood City Council approved Urgency Ordinance No. 21-1156U, which extends the City’s temporary moratorium on commercial evictions through September 30, 2021. For more information, click here.

The City of West Hollywood launched its “Dockless Mobility” pilot program on Thursday, July 1, 2021 with e-scooters and e-bikes from Bird, Lime, and Wheels. For more information, click here. Please note, complaints and concerns may be registered through the City of West Hollywood Official App, by emailing [email protected], or by calling the ABM bike program mobile number at 213-247-7720. We encourage all concerns be sent through these methods, so that our partners can respond quickly and we can keep abreast of persistent issues and/or any problem areas that may arise.

New Initiatives:

This last quarter I worked with my colleagues on a number of initiatives that were adopted by Council. Here are some highlights...

Environment:

Community Garden Program - item to temporarily re-establish the community garden program at 1201 N. Detroit Street and to include consideration for a permanent community garden in the visioning process for Plummer Park. Thanks to Councilmember Erickson for co-sponsoring.

Addressing Cigarette Butt Pollution - directs staff to develop ways to address cigarette butt pollution in the City, such as installing cigarette butt disposal containers throughout the City and developing a public education campaign about cigarette butt pollution and littering in general. Thanks to Councilmember Erickson for co-sponsoring.

Solar Power Plus Battery Storage for Resiliency and Emergency Preparedness - directs staff to continue to work with the Clean Power Alliance Power Ready Program to explore the feasibility of utilizing solar power and battery storage as critical load backup to support community facilities during emergency operations and report back on findings and next steps. Thanks to Councilmember D'Amico for co-sponsoring.

Privately-owned Public Spaces Program - directs staff to hold a symposium regarding privately owned public spaces, such as pocket parks or roof terrace spaces, in new residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. The purpose of the symposium is to encourage a public discussion of a potential zone text amendment allowing for a program in the City of West Hollywood. Thanks to Councilmember Shyne for asking me to co-sponsor.

Community Engagement:

Eastside Community Update Meeting - directs staff to organize an Eastside town hall to give members of the public an opportunity to 1) receive updates from staff on projects and initiatives impacting the Eastside of West Hollywood and to 2) provide comments on issues or concerns facing residents of the Eastside. Thanks to Councilmember Erickson for asking me to co-sponsor.

Economic Development:

Eastside Gateway Lighting - directs staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design and installation of decorative lanterns across Santa Monica Boulevard on the eastside of West Hollywood, and, return to council with design options and proposed boundaries. Thanks to Councilmember Erickson for asking me to co-sponsor.

Planning and Land Use:

Zoning Code Definitions and Design Standards for Various Housing Types - directs staff to initiate a Zone Text Amendment to define various housing types, specifically congregate care facilities, co-living, and micro-units, and develop appropriate design standards. Thanks to Councilmember Shyne for co-sponsoring.

Human Services:

Panel Discussion on Wellbeing in Time of COVID-19 - a panel discussion focusing on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and re-opening of the economy and society. Thanks to Councilmember Shyne for asking me to co-sponsor.

Last but not least...

While we are beginning to return to business as usual, it is still important to:

• Wash your hands frequently, 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, 
• Self-isolate if you are sick, 
• Wear a mask and practice social distancing indoors, particularly when you don't know everyone's vaccination status*,
• Get vaccinated!

*According to an LA County Public Health statement issued on Monday, June 28, 2021: “Public Health strongly recommends people wear masks indoors in settings such as grocery or retail stores; theaters and family entertainment centers; and workplaces when you don’t know everyone’s vaccination status. Until we better understand how and to whom the Delta variant is spreading, everyone should focus on maximum protection with minimum interruption to routine as all businesses operate without other restrictions, like physical distancing and capacity limits.”  For more information and county updates, visit LA County's Public Health website:  http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Enjoy the summer and be safe!