August 4, 2025 City Council Meeting

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD APPROVING THE GROUND LEASE WITH THE OPTION TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8327-8329 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, IN THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD [S. CAMPBELL, B. LEAGUE, A. BARTLE]

Using city funds, this proposal would cost residents approximately $9,539,164 to secure a ground lease with an option to purchase property at 8327-8329 Santa Monica Boulevard. This investment aims to provide the city with strategic control over a key location, potentially for future development or community use, enhancing local infrastructure and services.

Why it matters For West Hollywood residents, this decision means the city is investing in property that could be used for community projects or services in the future. While there is no immediate change to daily life, the long-term potential includes new public spaces or facilities that could enhance community life. However, this also means a significant allocation of city funds, which could impact budget allocations for other services.

Fiscal impact $9,539,164

CO-SPONSORSHIP OF REWRITE THE BILINE’S "BI+ NARRATIVES IN FILM, TV, AND THE ARTS" PANEL [C. BYERS, Y. QUARKER, A. LOVANO, J. DEL TORO, M. MARQUEZ]

Using city funds, this proposal would cost residents approximately $1,418 by waiving fees for a cultural event that promotes BiVisibility Week. The event aims to enhance community engagement and visibility for the Bi+ community through a panel discussion in the arts, benefiting cultural inclusivity in West Hollywood.

Why it matters This event provides an opportunity for residents to engage with and support the Bi+ community, fostering inclusivity and cultural awareness. Residents attending the event will benefit from waived parking fees, making it more accessible. The event also highlights West Hollywood's commitment to diversity and inclusion, potentially enhancing community pride and cohesion.

Fiscal impact Cost to city: $1,418

CO-SPONSORSHIP OF ONE ARCHIVES CIRCA: LGBTQ+ HISTORIES FESTIVAL [C. BYERS, J. HEILMAN, Y. QUARKER, A. LOVANO, J. DEL TORO]

Using city funds, this proposal would cost residents approximately $30,000 to co-sponsor the Circa: LGBTQ+ Histories Festival in October 2025. This event aims to celebrate and educate about LGBTQ+ histories, enhancing cultural engagement and community pride in West Hollywood. Residents can expect increased cultural activities and potential boosts to local businesses due to increased foot traffic during the festival.

Why it matters For West Hollywood residents, this co-sponsorship means a month-long series of events celebrating LGBTQ+ histories will take place in October 2025. This could lead to increased cultural activities and events in the city, providing opportunities for community engagement and education. Local businesses might see increased patronage due to the influx of visitors attending the festival events.

Fiscal impact The event will cost $30,000 from city funds.

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7710 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, IN THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD [S. CAMPBELL, B. LEAGUE, A. BARTLE]

Using city funds, this would cost residents approximately $2,150,000 to purchase real property at 7710 Santa Monica Boulevard. This acquisition could potentially be used for community development or public services, impacting local infrastructure and amenities.

Why it matters This purchase may lead to new community facilities or services at 7710 Santa Monica Boulevard, potentially enhancing local amenities. Residents might see changes in property use, which could affect neighborhood dynamics and property values. However, the immediate financial impact is covered by city reserves, so there won't be a direct increase in taxes or fees for residents.

Fiscal impact Cost of $2,150,000 from city reserves.

DIRECTION TO INCLUDE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENT IN SOCIAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS FOR THE OCTOBER 1, 2025 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2028 TERM [L. MEISTER, Y. QUARKER, A. LOVANO, J. DEL TORO]

This proposal mandates that social service providers in West Hollywood include emergency communication requirements in their contracts from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2028. This ensures that during emergencies, such as evacuations or public safety alerts, these agencies will assist in communicating vital information to their clients, enhancing community safety and preparedness.

Why it matters For West Hollywood residents, this means that if you receive services from local social service providers, you can expect better communication during emergencies. This could include timely alerts about evacuations or safety measures, potentially improving your safety and response time in critical situations.

PROHIBITING SALE AND USE OF ALGORITHMIC DEVICES FOR RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PRICES [C. BYERS, J. ERICKSON, Y. QUARKER, A. LOVANO, J. DEL TORO, J. CARTER]

This proposal aims to prohibit the use of algorithmic devices for setting residential rental prices in West Hollywood. By potentially eliminating these tools, the city seeks to prevent automated systems from driving up rental costs, which could help stabilize housing affordability for renters. The ordinance is still in the drafting phase, with no immediate fiscal impact on taxpayers as it involves policy development rather than direct expenditure.

Why it matters If you are a renter in West Hollywood, this ordinance could help keep your rent from increasing due to algorithm-driven pricing strategies that landlords might use to maximize profits. For landlords, this means they may need to rely on traditional methods for setting rental prices, which could involve more manual market analysis. The ordinance aims to maintain fair rental practices and prevent sudden rent hikes driven by automated systems.