The County lifted all restrictions on June 15th but City Hall is still closed to the public. The City Council meetings are also still closed to the public. Monday’s city council meeting has no items that reflect re-opening plans. But large pay increases are tucked into City Council agenda item 2M.
Despite a request by Councilmember D’Amico at the June 7th City Council meeting to resume meetings in Council Chambers this Monday’s City Council meeting will be held again via Zoom.
West Hollywood City Hall closed in March 2020 over 15 months ago. But although all restrictions were lifted Countywide on June 15th the West Hollywood City Hall remains closed. Beverly Hills City Hall announced on April 24th they would be open for appointments on May 3rd. Palm Springs City Hall opened on June 1st. West Hollywood is more than two months behind Beverly Hills in re-opening procedures.
The City Manager Paul Arevalo has retired and is in his last two weeks. The interim City Manager David Wilson will take over leadership at West Hollywood City Hall on July 7th 2021. Mayor Lindsey Horvath has announced her run for County Supervisor.
Residents have no counter access to City Hall for permits, questions, planning, or other issues. One resident reported to WEHOville today: “I’ve been waiting for a year and a half to return a bucket of used batteries to the city hall drop center but they are still closed.” Numerous requests by residents have went unanswered.
The ground floor of City Hall is already built with partitions to protect employees. Bullet-proof glass surrounds the information desk in the lobby of City Hall. All City Staff operate in their own private offices or behind closed doors. Yet City Hall remains closed to the public and City Staff continues to work from home. City Councilmembers can be seen socializing mask less at Out on Robertson and other City Events.
On this weeks City Council agenda, eight positions were re-classified with large pay increases. Item 2M on the consent calendar includes the following from the City Staff report detailing item 2M.
Russian Community Outreach Coordinator:staff report: It is recommended that the incumbent be reclassified from Grade 5270e ($96,189.39 to$122,910.32) to Grade 5280e ($104,678.70 to $133,751.07 annually). This position is
represented by WEHOME/AFSCME.
Transportation Assistant: It is recommended that the incumbent be reclassified from Grade 5190n ($59,760.90 to
$76,360.96 annually) to Grade 5200n ($60,824.61 to $77,720.45 annually). This position is represented by WEHOME/AFSCME.
Arts Coordinator: It is recommended that the incumbent be reclassified from Grade 5260e ($94,417.65 to
$120,645.82 annually) to Grade 5280e ($104,678.70 to $133,751.07 annually). This position is represented by WEHOME/AFSCME.
Accounting/Finance Specialist: It is recommended that the incumbent be reclassified from Grade 5220n ($78,505.02 to $100,312.16 annually) to Grade 5270e ($96,189.39 to $122,910.32 annually). This position is represented by WEHOME/AFSCME.
Public Access Coordinator: It is recommended that the incumbent be reclassified from Grade 5220n ($78,505.02 to
$100,312.16 annually) to Grade 5260n ($94,418.27 to $120,646.03 annually). This position is represented by WEHOME/AFSCME.
Senior Management Analyst: It is recommended that the incumbent be reclassified from Grade 4290e ($113,161.98 to
$144,597.65 annually) to Grade 4300e ($118,820.83 to $151,830.85 annually). This position is represented by ACE.
Management Specialist: It is recommended that the incumbent be reclassified from Grade 4290e ($113,161.98 to
$144,597.65 annually) to Grade 4300e ($118,820.83 to $151,830.85 annually). This position is represented by ACE.
Innovation Analyst: It is recommended that the incumbent be reclassified from Grade 5280e ($104,678.70 to
$133,751.07 annually) to Grade 5290e ($113,161.98 to $144,597.65 annually). This position is represented by WEHOME/AFSCME.
The City of West Hollywood has previously projected a deficit of up to 20 million dollars in the current fiscal year and has issued over 100 million dollars in new bonds to finance capital improvements and service the debt.
Councilmember Erickson is the former President of WEHOME/AFSCME. Councilmembers Erickson and Horvath have been direct recipients of donations from the City of West Hollywood Labor Unions. Councilmember Shyne, Erickson and Horvath are all backed by the Hotel Workers Unions.
What happened to the Senior Citizen low income apartment buildings that were supposed to be financed from the vast amount of hotel taxes and digital billboard revenue?
Hey I heard that the city is considering guaranteed income. Does anyone know where I sign up? I’m really tired of busting my ass for a living. I really want to live off somebody else for a change and see what it’s like. Thanks in advance for your help.
Thought you were kidding however the City just included that as part of THE HOMELESS INITIATIVE which arrived moments ago in an email. It seems as though the City is “pledging support for Mayors for a guaranteed income to address financial insecurity faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual older adult renter households on fixed incomes who may be at risk of homelessness.”
WHAT? Now that West Hollywood has moved into the “social justice” arena how would they defend this notion against having it appear prejudicial and discriminatory? Just a fundamental question in regard to fair practices.
I love what Horvath is doing as Mayor:
H&H
Homeless & Hotels
She’s like the Trump of Weho
& closes down Govt. to get HER stuff done:
Viva Trump=Viva Horvath
Our own little-Trump
This is asinine. I would like to call for an independent investigation of the items passed during closure and the item association with each council member from March 20, 2020 to present. The citizens of West Hollywood are being screwed. Erickson’s association with WEHOME/AFSCME is a conflict of interest and should disqualify his participation and any Council voting on the raises now and in any future business involving WEHOME/AFSCME. I want an investigation into any interaction of his with WEHOME/AFSCME since becoming a council member and how much they have invested in his campaign and gifts received. This City is… Read more »
From an outsider’s perspective, many of these increases seem pretty whooping. But the change in classification does not necessarily mean that the current employee is being raised to the maximum level; it just allows for a rather generous amount of growth over time. None of this means that anyone is getting a one time $20,000 raise. It is not that our City employees are not dedicated or hardworking, but it does appear that our compensation levels, particularly for management, are “generous” to say the least. But at some point the City’s main function may be to pay pensions rather than… Read more »
What a racket. The city is slipping into the abyss……..and now we raise the payroll????
Get ready for residents to start showing up at meetings big time.
They’re embezzling your tax dollars to prop up a scheme of cronys and self dealing, while their policy platform is immiseration for you, and the destruction of a thriving community.
You’re paying for this, and you voted for this
There is absolutely NO reason city hall should STILL be closed!!! I’ve been to many movies, stores, and restaurants here in WeHo (or adjacent), and I’m sure all workers at city hall have as well. AND THERE SHOULD BE NO RAISES for already high-paying jobs WHEN SOME RESIDENTS ARE STILL OUT OF WORK!
In my last comment,I mentioned the position of Innovation Analyst and couldn’t figure out what it does.To me,it sounds like a position at Disney, not West Hollywood city hall.
There is the position of Public Access Coordinator that is up for a raise.The title sounds pretty straight-forward,so I take it the person is responsible for public gatherings and locked doors.No mystery there.
Maybe the analyst and coordinator can be persuaded to get together, get off their duffs and “innovate” ways to re-open city hall and allow residents to do business there.
Let’s not be so harsh in our comments. These people need time off to consult with their wealth managers. Please, be kind..
HA! Ex-ACT-LY!!!
Why? Wasn’t city hall closed. Hmm Teachers no pay increase ans they had to be with students and some pretty horrible ones I met I say no raises. I didn’t get one for working at home This is a weird place. Trim trees from top while roots destroys walkways, sewed pipes from houses. Should gigantic ficus be count down for root systems that go father down into the ground. Sewer linkage broken three times. Lovely. And tree trimmed and all shade gone just the top. Destructive trees. Maybe a new system of deeper sewers links maybe ne ways to plant… Read more »
What relevance does the opening of Palm Springs City Hall have to WeHo?
Does a city have to be WeHo-adjacent for you to get the point? Local government is local government regardless, and answerable to the citizens.