West Hollywood’s City Council unanimously approved a revamped organizational structure on May 19, 2025, adding 10 new full-time positions and launching a Transportation & Mobility Division to tackle housing, tenant rights, and street safety priorities. The $1.1 million expansion, offset by revenues and reduced contract costs, aims to enhance service delivery as the city braces for events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
The new positions span critical areas: two Accounting/Finance Specialists for payroll and accounts, a Mediator and Staff Attorney to streamline rent stabilization disputes, a Principal Plan Check Engineer for building safety, an Assistant Planner for housing and land use, an Administrative Specialist III for communications, a Senior Recreation Supervisor for the Aquatic and Recreation Center, and a Transportation & Mobility Manager and Specialist for the new division. This division, housed in Public Works, consolidates six staff—four transferred from Long Range Planning, Business Development, and Human Services—to oversee bike lanes, transit, and scooters, addressing traffic congestion and pedestrian safety.
Long Range Planning (LRP) staff, however, warned that the additions may not suffice for the council’s ambitious goals. “We are concerned that these changes will not be enough to… realize the City Council’s… progressive agenda,” wrote planners Christine Shen, Paige Portwood, Michelle Montenegro, Tahirah Farris, Emily Rotman, and David Fenn. They highlighted West Hollywood’s staffing lag—2 sustainability staff per 35,775 residents compared to Santa Monica’s 9 per 89,947—and LRP’s burden, handling 17% of city directives. They urged an additional planner and administrative support for the Mobility Division, citing its $8.2 million CARB grant and expanded duties.
Vice Mayor John Heilman echoed LRP’s concerns: “I have some sympathy to the concerns about the long-range planning… workload that we continuously add to.” He also pushed for proactive rent stabilization enforcement, hoping the new Mediator and Attorney reduce tenant burdens by holding landlords accountable. Councilmember Lauren Meister suggested evaluating proactive code compliance’s impact on tenant complaints, aligning with Heilman’s call for assertive action.
Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers and Councilmember Danny Hang praised the Mobility Division as a response to public demands for safer streets. “Seeing a division named on the org chart will certainly be a start,” Byers said, noting its role in advancing mobility projects. Hang called it “a great start” for easing workloads. The council’s approval, which includes the FY 2025-26 salary schedule, aligns with the General Plan’s goals of fiscal sustainability and transparency.
The staffing boost brings West Hollywood’s total to 274, up 17% since 2021, with an Arts Coordinator approved last year included. The changes aim to meet rising service demands, but LRP’s plea signals ongoing challenges. As Assistant to the City Manager Christine Safriet and Budget Officer Melissa Lindley noted, the city will monitor effectiveness for future budget cycles, ensuring alignment with community needs.
Nice that there are offesets (TAX PAYER MONEY) for 10 new GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. Do they recieve medical and retirement benefits? Is that included in the offsets? In CA, those things are forever.