Another summer come and gone, and the hot topics for Council this summer were: Short-term rentals (STRs), Recreational Cannibus and Sunset Strip Billboard policy. All of these items will be coming back to Council for more discussion, so stay tuned.

Last quarter...

In July, I attended the Westside Cities Council of Governments meeting -- it was my first meeting as Chair. In the upcoming months, our workload will focus on homelessness and housing (a regional perspective), as well as the state's forthcoming legalization of recreational cannabis, and LA County Metro Measure M westside projects. 

In August, the City celebrated National Night Out, and as usual, WeHo neighborhoods outdid themselves! The City also hosted Women's Equality Day, the 3rd Annual Cannabis Education Forum and WeHo Pedals Bike Share Anniversary Party and Ride. 

In September, I participated in the 2nd Annual Cities' Summit to Prevent and Combat Homelessness, hosted by Los Angeles County. This summit included presentations from cities, law enforcement, social services providers and the LA County Public Health Department. Homelessness is a high priority issue for me. As a member of the City Council's West Hollywood's Homeless Initiative sub-committee, I, along with the mayor, am working with City staff to address homelessness with a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency, collaborative approach. Homelessness is a complex issue and there are no easy or quick answers. However, please know that we are working diligently with social service providers, the Sheriff's department and Los Angeles County on solutions. Outreach and services are offered Monday through Friday by teams from Ascencia, Step Up on Second, the LA LGBT Center’s Youth Center, A Safe Refuge, Tarzana Treatment Centers, Friends Community Center and the LA LGBT Center’s Mental Health Services. If you are concerned about a community member who is homeless, please call the West Hollywood Homeless Initiative Concern Line at (323) 848-6590. If your concern requires time-sensitive assistance during nights or weekends, please call the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310) 855-8850. If there is an emergency, call 911. 

What we accomplished third quarter 2017...

Council adopted several of my initiatives this past quarter, including:

• An item directing staff to develop policies and programs that require affordable housing projects and inclusionary units to be designed with accessibility features that go above and beyond the requirements laid out in the City’s building codes to ensure that community members living in these affordable units can age in place.
• A free sunscreen program, including the installation of sunscreen dispensers, in the City’s parks and other appropriate locations.
• A parking meter donation program to increase community education and awareness of the City’s Homeless Initiative and to provide limited financial benefit efforts to address homelessness in West Hollywood.
• An item directing staff to provide resources to encourage the West Hollywood community to respond and donate to disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria and future disasters.  

What else?

For City News and Top Stories, check out the City's website.

Don't forget to check the City Calendar for upcoming City meetings and events.

For Minutes on past City Council meetings, visit the City web page Document Central.

Be sure to check the City's website for the Agenda. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions!