Community members brought forward a range of issues, from environmental concerns to housing and public safety. The session included statements from individuals advocating for changes in city policies, infrastructure improvements, and better support for vulnerable populations.
Bob Claster raised concerns about artificial turf being used in a local dog park. He reminded the council that the community had previously campaigned against similar plans, citing environmental and health hazards. He questioned why a material deemed unsafe at one park would be considered acceptable elsewhere and urged the council to reconsider.
Stephanie Harker expressed gratitude to city staff for their responsiveness and their role in advancing renovations at Plummer Park. She also relayed concerns from firefighters about a traffic signal outside the station. Currently, they must activate it manually, delaying emergency response times. She suggested a remote control system to improve efficiency.
Cathy Blaivias echoed appreciation for planned park improvements and emphasized the importance of public input. She also voiced enthusiasm for a new streetscape project, saying the design reflected the city’s creative character. She reiterated concerns about the fire station signal, supporting calls for a remote activation system.
Andrew Solomon spoke about the challenges families face in finding childcare. He pointed out that nearby cities provide more resources and urged the council to develop similar programs. He welcomed the city’s willingness to address the issue and looked forward to a town hall discussion.
Sam Borelli, representing the Human Services Commission, provided information about mental health resources. He emphasized that stigma and financial barriers should not prevent residents from seeking help. He listed organizations offering free support services and encouraged anyone in crisis to reach out.
Michael Russnow discussed issues related to rent control. He shared his experience with a rent reduction hearing, arguing that maintenance standards for rental units should be more strictly enforced. He pointed out disparities between older and newer units, with long-term tenants often left with deteriorating living conditions.
Marquita Thomas proposed updates to city regulations to ensure landlords repair essential appliances within a reasonable timeframe. She shared her personal experience of going over a month without a working refrigerator. She also called for older rent-stabilized units to receive the same upgrades as newly vacated apartments, arguing for greater housing equity.
Jeff McMullen encouraged residents to engage in local politics and highlighted the importance of participation in elections. He shared information about an ongoing delegate election and invited community members to learn more about the process.
Wendy Goldman questioned the placement of large advertisements in the city. She expressed concerns over a recently installed billboard and asked for clarification on what qualifies as a public benefit in such projects.
Steve Martin injected humor into the discussion by noting the city’s tradition of having pet-related mayors, celebrating a shift from canine to feline representation. He also expressed enthusiasm for the planned improvements at Plummer Park and looked forward to continued collaboration with city officials.
Mike Nuttall praised recent city initiatives, including an ice-skating rink and a mobile app for reporting local issues. He also spoke about the increased threats faced by the transgender community and urged the council to continue providing strong support.
Joshua Marin-Mora, speaking on behalf of Assembly Member Rick Chavez-Zabur’s office, provided an update on legislative efforts at the state level. He highlighted two funding bills that were recently supported, one aimed at protecting California taxpayers from federal actions and another providing $25 million for immigration legal aid and services. He reiterated the Assembly Member’s commitment to defending residents from policies that could impact vulnerable populations.
Ramesses Setepenre offered a strong critique of the city’s handling of homelessness. He argued that city officials were failing to provide adequate resources and called for the construction of a dedicated shelter. He also expressed frustration with how law enforcement interacts with unhoused residents.
Jamie Francis Wendell raised concerns about pedestrian safety, specifically citing a high-traffic intersection prone to accidents. He described a recent incident in which an influx of vehicles overwhelmed a residential street and questioned whether the city had coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions to manage traffic.
Mayor Chelsea Byers thanked the speakers for their input at the conclusion of the public comment period.
I agree step up,people concerned,ect.make money by collecting homeless people’s information without helping them ! it’s a scam,city hall should have their own homeless outreach workers,so they can keep track of the progress in real time while letting residents know where taxpayer funds are going,because it’s a safety issue on both sides..!
These issues impact both residents and slope first responders.
If only we could replace or update the horrendously ugly, dilapidated, and outdated buildings in Plummer Park, but sadly we’re stuck with those ancient, wholly generic, and non-architecturally significant eyesores. I’m pretty sure the resident off-leash dogs of Plummer go out of their way to pee on them.
Thank you WeHo Online for summarizing the public comments from our City Council meetings. It would be equally beneficial for residents unable to attend or watch the full council meetings to provide a brief synopsis of relevant agenda items and their resolution.