Dear City Council –
I believe that the state mandate to have West Hollywood update the Parks and Recreation section of its general plan to reflect open space opportunities can be met by joint special study sessions that draw on the capabilities of already existing commissions, boards, and city staff.
Do not approve the $147,200 contract in Consent Item B.10. on your April 21 agenda. Let’s have a community conversation before expending already budgeted funds that could be redirected to other pressing issues such as public safety and social services.
The professionals on city staff should address two of the three goals the State is now requiring: Climate resilience and other co-benefits of open space, correlated with the safety element; and Rewilding opportunities, correlated with the land use element.
The remaining goal is to address: Access to open space for all residents in a manner that considers social, economic, and racial equity, correlated with the environmental justice element or environmental justice policies in the general plan, as applicable.
I believe that joint sessions of the city’s Social Justice Advisory Board and the Public Facilities Commission should convene to discuss how to ensure more open green space. Arrange such sessions, promote them to the public, and analyze the results.
Combined with city staff input and public comments from the joint sessions, an updated report on open space goals should then be provided to the state. Thank you for wisely managing the city’s financial resources in these increasingly fraught economic times.
Victor Omelczenko, 23-Year West Hollywood Resident and Former Public Facilities Commissioner
Open space. Do it for the people. Do it for the pollinators. Just do it!
This is a simple endeavor, complicated by lawmakers overthinking what should be common sense. Open space, plant trees, install park benches and just leave people to use it. Think of grand parks and parklets found in other major (sophisticated) cities throughout the world. I was in Mexico City last week and was inspired by the many many green spaces that were made up of open space, many trees, and park benches. All were crowded with people enjoying simple open spaces, walking, sitting, reading, conversing, holding hands, and enjoying the moment. Instead, we’ll hire yet another expensive consultant that will encourage… Read more »
All times should be treated as economic times. I don’t know that the budget of West Hollywood is particularly fraught, but $147,000 contract should not be entered into lightly. I agree that our city should consider using existing municipal resources to address the state’s mandate in the context of a geographically small city with very discreet existing green space.