I’m hoping you will join me tomorrow, March 7th at 7pm for the Beverly Hills City Council Meeting.  The City Council has the authority to HALT and review this project.  Your participation is paramount in helping to stop the city from killing all the trees on Robertson Blvd. as well as to stop the City from removing over 1000+ mature trees that are desperately needed in the City.  You can participate by sending an email to City Council by 12pm on Tuesday March 7th, call-in for comment or even sending a quick email will help.  

A Robertson Blvd Special Task Force (RBSTF) has been established by Robertson Blvd business owners and residents to review the City’s action in removing all of the trees on Robertson Blvd along with the sidewalk repair and irrigation system construction planned for March 2023 through December 2024. The RBSTF is requesting an immediate halt of the Robertson Blvd Tree Project until further review.  

On Friday, March 3, 2023, I met with the Mayor, Lili Bosse and the City Manager, Nancy Hunt-Coffey, to discuss how we can resolve this matter.  Lili asked what the RBSTF would like to have happen in terms of next steps.  We proposed the following action items:

1.  The Robertson Tree Project be added to the Agenda on March 7, 2023 so that Council can vote to temporarily halt the project, until a review can be completed by Public Works, City Council and the RBSTF.
2. An affirmative Vote on March 7th by Council to temporarily halt the project until a review can be completed by Public Works, City Council and the RBSTF.
3. The Robertson Tree Project added to the Agenda on March 7, 2023 so that a meaningful discussion can be initiated by Council and RBSTF.
4. A timeline of events and all information requested by the RBSTF. The City of BH's is currently in violation of the California Information Act. 
5. A review of the Robertson Blvd Tree Project (RBTP) to include options and alternatives to save the trees, wildlife and all species. 
6. A review of the RBTP to include options and or alternatives which are in accordance with the Dudek Urban Forest Management Plan.
7. A review of the RBTP to include new tree species that are not Mexican Palm Fans and Crape Myrtles, which are not native and more importantly are not shade trees as the current options.  This is for the trees already cut down.
8. A review of the irrigation system planned.  RBSTF is confident this irrigation system is an unnecessary expense to the City budget, especially because more appropriate trees can be selected which do not require an irrigation system.
9. The RBSTF would like to be represented and included in all hearings as it relates the RBTP.
10. Communication Strategy and Outreach.  To be included and have a voice in how projects are communicated to the public.  The RBSTF believes this project was not communicated properly, with little to no outreach and thus has caused significant pain and suffering along with damages to business owners and residents.  We believe a better communication strategy is necessary and required.
11. A proper environmental and ecological impact report  (EIR) to be created to mitigate damages to the environment and wildlife.

The RBSTF has been made aware the City has stopped similar projects in the past to properly review the projects and to make sure all of the residents and business owners were included, i.e. Trousdale, El Camino, etc.  These projects were stopped by influential residents so that the City and the Community could work together.  Again, the City has the power to temporarily halt this project.  We are asking for the same consideration and accommodation as has been given to other projects.

Please join me in participating in-person, by email (comments due by 12pm March 7th) or call-in for Public Comment tomorrow at 7pm.

EMAIL:  cityclerk@beverlyhills.org.  Comments due by noon March 7th.   Subject line - "Public Comment - City Council Meeting”.  Begin the email with "Please read at Tuesday 7PM meeting”.  Please limit your email remarks to three (3:00) minutes in length or 350 words.

IN PERSON:  Beverly Hills City Hall, Council Chamber, 455 North Rexford Dr. Beverly Hills 90210.  Arrive by 7PM and submit a speaker card to the Clerk to request to comment/speak.

PHONE: (310) 288-2288 and press #1 

Video During public comment only: http://beverlyhills.org/cityclerk/publiccomment/

Watch Video Live:  http://beverlyhills.org/live

On-Demand: http://beverlyhills.org/citycouncilmeetings

Share The Petition:  Change.org/savethetreesBH

The Trees thank you, the Birds and the Bees thank you, the residents thank you, the environment thanks you!!!

#TreesMatter

I wanted to thank you again for your support of SAVE THE TREES!!!

Thank you so much!!!! 
Wendy