City Council Approves Increases in Parking Fees

Parking tickets will go up by $3 across the board, the City Council decided at its Monday night meeting.

City staffers reported that the increase is in line with other parking fees on the Westside. Councilman Jeffrey Prang said he was uncomfortable raising parking fees even if they are competitive, while Councilwoman Abbe Land called the hikes “reasonable.”

These fee increases are expected to generate an additional $500,000 for the city each year.

Along with the parking fees, the city also approved other fee hikes and several new fees.

A daytime valet fee will see the city charge $240 each month for valet use of a parking space during lunch periods. A smoking ordinance fee will require nightclubs wishing to establish designated smoking areas under the city’s new outdoor smoking ordinance to pay $309. Additionally, the city will require businesses entering into a development agreement to pay a $100,000 processing fee.

General Plan

The council postponed discussion of the proposed new General Plan until its Aug. 15 meeting. In the interim, another public workshop to discuss the General Plan will be held at a date to be announced.

Councilman John D’Amico, who  that will guide development for the next 25 years, said the city has a responsibility to get the plan finished.

Artwork

The council approved the art for the lobby wall of the new council chambers on the ground floor of the new library. The art to be created and installed by Echo Park-based artist (who also created the Barack Obama “Hope” poster) features scenes of Weho landmarks.

D’Amico said the artwork challenges viewers to see themselves as political, to see themselves as participants in the city. Councilman John Heilman had reservations about the piece, noting that people might not recognize the representation of the . Prang said he considered himself a lay person as far as art goes, but knew what he liked and liked Fairey's design.

Sunset Strip Beer Garden

The council endorsed having a craft beer garden on Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m. during July on the Sunset Strip. The beer garden will feature high-end beers sold in a fenced off area in the Hammond/Hilldale lot located at 8950 Sunset Blvd.

Sponsored by the Sunset Strip Business Association, the purpose of the beer garden is to get residents and visitors alike to come to the Strip during the day.

Heilman expressed concerns about endorsing an event that is purely alcohol related and suggested doing “A Taste of the Sunset Strip” type event that included food, but ultimately, the endorsement passed unanimously.

Living wages

The council also approved adjusting the living wage rate to $11.42 for businesses offering health benefits and $12.67 for businesses not offering health benefits. The panel further agreed to begin incorporating living wage requirements, when applicable, into development agreements.

Heilman noted that living wages were designed to make sure those businesses that contract with the city pay their employees fairly. He said the adjustments make West Hollywood’s living wage more consistent with other Westside living wages.

Commission appointees

Heilman named several more direct appointees to various city commissions and the council voted on at-large appointees for five of the nine commissions. Weho Patch will run a list of those appointees later in the week.

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