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BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • BH council candidate, pg. 3 Partly cloudy, •Hit-and-run highs in the victim dies, pg. 4 mid-80s Volume 31 No. 29 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities July 22, 2021 COVID-19 mandate further West Hollywood approves hotel ordinance n Council votes 4-1 to complicates decisions in BH establish hotel worker protections n Officials ‘continue’ on, but questions linger By AAron Blevins By AAron Blevins met on the heels of an announce- ment by the Los Angeles County Hotel employees in West The city of Beverly Hills sudden- Department of Public Health that Hollywood will likely have new ly found itself playing a game of masks are again required in all protections at their workplaces in “Red Light, Green Light” with its indoor public places, with some the near future after the City response to the ever-evolving exceptions. Council voted 4-1 on Monday to COVID-19 pandemic, as city offi- During its study session, the approve a proposed hospitality cials grappled with how to proceed council unanimously approved workers ordinance. in the face of uncertainty during spending $400,000 on “Holiday It requires hotels to offer per- meetings on July 15. Helpers,” the Rodeo Drive The Beverly Hills City Council sonal security devices to employ- See BOLD page 21 ees, provides employees the “right to recall” and worker retention photo courtesy of UNITE HERE Local 11 protections, establishes worker Hotel workers with UNITE HERE Local 11 protested outside West training protocols, and creates workload and compensation stan- Hollywood City Hall prior to Monday’s vote on the hotel ordinance. dards. Championed by Mayor Lindsey However, opponents say the it’s on the backs of our businesses Horvath, Councilwoman Sepi ordinance was put together hastily and our workers,” Morrill said, Shyne and UNITE HERE Local with little outreach at a time when adding that the hotels will figure 11, the ordinance further estab- hotels are already suffering. out how to operate under the new lishes the city’s commitment to West Hollywood Chamber of ordinance. “But, it won’t help the social justice and respect and sup- Commerce President and CEO workers.” port for all people, one of the Genevieve Morrill said the cham- During Monday’s meeting, city city’s core values, Horvath said. ber is “highly disappointed” with staff requested that the City “I am thrilled to see our city pri- the outcome and that the vote was Council give them direction on oritizing a working relationship “disgraceful.” She said the ordi- several elements of the ordinance. photo courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills with our workers and protections nance approval was politically- For the “right to recall” and for our frontline hospitality work- With COVID-19 cases rising and mask mandates reinstated, organizers motivated. worker retention portion, council ers,” she said. “It’s really unfortunate because are unsure how to proceed with events such as BOLD Holidays. See Ordinance page 21 Ruling on U.S. Private Vaults Program expands to fight hunger in Hollywood n Vine Street facility unlocks hope for customers enables nonprofits to n Seized items to be March 22 and confiscated the distribute more food contents of more than 400 boxes. returned to some The federal government has filed property owners a criminal complaint against U.S. By edwin folven Private Vaults Inc., a Nevada- A grassroots nonprofit formed in By edwin folven based company, but has not 2020 by the Central Hollywood charged its owner or any employ- Neighborhood Council to ensure A federal judge ruled on July ees, or any of the individual box homebound seniors received gro- 16 that the federal government holders. Authorities said U.S. ceries during the pandemic has cannot keep property belonging Private Vaults was involved in expanded to offer food to more to two individuals who had three separate conspiracies to people. stored cash and valuables at U.S. violate federal law, but they have Hollywood Harvest is now oper- Private Vaults in Beverly Hills, not offered specifics. The federal ating in a space at 1235 Vine St. in which FBI agents raided in warrant authorizing the search partnership with the Hollywood March. remains sealed. Food Coalition. The coalition uses While the ruling was viewed as Robert Frommer, an attorney the site to store food and distribute photo by Edwin Folven positive, according to an attorney with the national nonprofit it to other nonprofits, which in turn Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, second from right, joined members of the representing the two property Institute for Justice, called the sit- gives the food to their clients. Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council and the Hollywood Chamber owners, it still does not mean uation a “cash grab” by the gov- Volunteers deliver the food to of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting at a new food distribution space. they will be getting their property ernment. The Institute for Justice homebound seniors. back anytime soon. It also does has filed lawsuits on behalf of Los Angeles City Councilman not answer the question of what seven people who had items Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, mutual interests. There is nothing President Elvina Beck, Vice will happen to property belong- stored at U.S. Private Vaults. On joined members of the Central more important than helping people President Ferris Wehbe and Board ing to hundreds of others who July 16, U.S. District Judge R. Hollywood Neighborhood Council, in need with their food insecurities Member Louis Abramson started stored items at U.S. Private Gary Klausner issued a ruling Hollywood Harvest, the as we slowly emerge from the pan- the effort to ensure seniors received Vaults, which was formerly locat- that the FBI cannot keep items Hollywood Food Coalition and the demic,” O’Farrell said. “We will be enough food to eat. Abramson iden- ed at 9182 W. Olympic Blvd. belonging to Joseph Ruiz, who Hollywood Chamber of Commerce here to support this incredible orga- tified seniors who potentially need- U.S. Private Vaults offered safe had approximately $57,000 in a on July 15 for a ribbon-cutting at nization.” ed help using voter rolls that the deposit boxes that the company safe deposit box, and Travis May, the new space. Hollywood Harvest started in neighborhood council had previ- advertised as being more secure who had approximately $63,000 “Hollywood Harvest exemplifies late March 2020 after stay at home ously purchased for conducting than those at banks. Federal in cash and gold in a box at U.S. the importance of collaboration orders were implemented. Central outreach. Within weeks, the volun- agents raided the business on See Judge page 22 when there are parties of inspired Hollywood Neighborhood Council See Hollywood page 22 2 July 22, 2021 Beverly Press/Park Labrea News CALENDAR BH City Council to consider a virtual discussion titled “Black West Coast Identity Through Television” on LACMA virtual Saturday, July 24, at 11 a.m. The Jewish Theatre live virtual panel will be moderated storytime ‘Connect Beverly Hills’ plan West Coast Jewish Theatre’s virtual Join the Los Angeles County by Gil Robertson, president of the “Magical Musical Mystery Follies” Museum of art for an installment of The Beverly Hills City Council engagement process, the final plan African American Film Critics show is available for viewing on- the virtual Andell Family Sundays will consider adoption of the final includes recommended pedestrian Association, and will include pan- demand. From Thursday, July 22, Anytime series on Sunday, July 25, plan for the “Connect Beverly mobility improvements at 30 inter- elists Stephanie Allain, Steven through Saturday, July 31, tickets from 12:30 to 9 p.m., via LACMA’s Hills: Meet Me on Wilshire and La sections and midblock locations Canals, Cierra Glaude, Little have been discounted to $18. YouTube channel. Be creative, dis- Cienega” project at a study session along both corridors to improve Marvin and Patrik Ian-Polk. The Directed by Howard Teichman, the cover new art and have fun during meeting on Tuesday, July 27, at safety and access, as well as side- discussion will examine the diversi- show includes singing, music, com- the online program. Author Karen 2:30 p.m. walk amenities such as pedestrian ty within Black identity through the edy, drama and magic. Registration Yin will read her book “Whole “Connect Beverly Hills” will lighting, bus shelters and landscap- panelists’ distinguished careers in requested 24 hours in advance; a Whale,” a story featuring animals develop a series of streetscape ing. The final plan will also include television. In preparation for the Vimeo link to the show will be and rhymes about making space for plans and design standards for com- design standards recommending panel, recommended viewing emailed. (323)821-2449, wcjt.org. all. Viewing is free. includes “Dear White People” mercial corridors in Beverly Hills. the types and styles of sidewalk youtube.com/channel/UCBrtMtJE5t (Netflix), “Pose” (FX), “P-Valley” The city is beginning with Wilshire amenities, and concepts for a poten- qHLpCCqoPw-lg/playlists. and La Cienega boulevards to pre- tial mobility hub to support first and (Starz), “Queen Sugar” (OWN) and pare for the upcoming Metro Purple last mile connections with a combi- Cinelounge “Them” (Amazon Prime). ameri- Cinelounge Outdoors and Line Extension subway project. It nation of transportation and com- cancinematheque.com. Cinelounge Sunset are showing History of Fairfax will bring two new subway stations munity-serving amenities at the La “Old,” “The Big Boss” and “Cat to Beverly Hills at Wilshire/La Cienega station construction stag- Video Fest 2021” from Thursday, Theatre Cienega in 2023, and ing yards. July 22, through Thursday, July 29.

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