Lester J. Friedman
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 36
- Total speaking time
- 5:55:54
- Avg per meeting
- 9:53
- Segments
- 3963
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Top issues during term (20)
One Beverly Hills amendments: Aman condo rentals, surgery center, art program
An estimated $10–20 million a year in new transient occupancy tax and surcharge revenue, plus a share of surgery center revenue.
Tennis and pickleball ball recycling
Costs would be limited to collection infrastructure at city facilities if an ordinance is drafted.
October 7 Permanent Memorial — 'Shared Light Between Us'
Donation of up to $10,000 from the State of Israel; the revision caps the city's financial exposure at its $500,000 commitment.
Westside Cities Affordable Housing Trust membership
No direct city cost now, but $377,000 in first-year trust administrative costs (8% of the Measure A pot), with cities potentially on the hook for fees if costs exceed the 12.5% cap.
SB 79 transit-oriented development rules near Metro stations
No direct dollar figure; the plan shapes how state-mandated housing density is distributed across the city.
Parking Garage Cleaning Accountability
Up to $450,000 combined across two vendors.
Commissioner Recruitment Process Review (Item A-1)
No direct cost, but delays in commission review can slow development decisions citywide.
State housing mandates and the housing element
Failure to comply could expose the city to uncontrolled builder's remedy projects; compliance drives roughly $10 million in parking spending on this site alone.
100% affordable senior housing at 327-335 South Robertson Boulevard
Roughly $9.6 million to build the parking, $500K-$750K for equipment, and about $200K-$250K a year to operate, if the council proceeds.
Historic pavers preserved at 8484 Wilshire
Metro, not the city, bears the cost of restoration and any preservation consultant Metro hires.
2027 Golden Globes street closures and fee waiver
$25,000 new request for Festival Beverly Hills; major-event activations unfunded this year.
Three-Stream Solid Waste Collection Transition
Rate adjustments could hit ratepayers as early as July 2027, and the city is drawing down reserves because no rate adjustment occurred this year.
Firefighters' Association labor agreement
$134,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2025-26.
Red-curb parking striping policy
Potential liability exposure if the city's striping is deemed inconsistent, per the commenter.
Lower speed limits under new state law
New signage is budgeted; opting into lower school-zone limits early would cost roughly $15,000 twice.
Golden Globes Golden Week 2027 partnership
About $11,000 in new city spending for banners and lighting, on top of $25,000 already in the CVB budget.
Purchase of Judy Chicago's 'Trinity' sculpture
$626,800 from the city's dedicated fine art fund — the purchase will not happen, so no city money is spent.
Wikipedia resolution postponed
Louis Vuitton flagship plan-review contract
Up to $161,975, fully offset by LVMH project processing fees — no hit to the General Fund balance.
George S. Hall facilities maintenance contract increase
$1.6 million more in contract spending plus $880,000 in new appropriations from the Capital Assets and Parking Enterprise funds.
Decisions during term (185)
Recorded while Friedman was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Parking Authority Consent Calendar (Items D.1–D.3)
City Council Consent Calendar, Items E.1–E.4 and E.7–E.23
Items E.5 and E.6 — Minutes of July 21, 2026 meetings
Item E.9 — Westside Cities Affordable Housing Trust Joint Powers Agreement
CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Adjourned Regular Meeting of June 23, 2026.
CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE MINUTES of the Regular Meeting of July 7, 2026.
REVIEW OF BUDGETED DEMANDS PAID, covering dates September 15, 2026 to October 12, 2026.
PAYROLL DISBURSEMENT REPORT, covering dates September 15, 2026 to October 12, 2026.
METRO PURPLE LINE SECTION 2 – CONSIDERATION FOR REJECTION OF REQUEST TO WORK DURING THE 2026 HOLIDAY MORATORIUM BETWEEN THANKSGIVING DAY THROUGH NEW YEAR’S DAY.
A PURCHASE ORDER TO LOS ANGELES TRUCK CENTER, LLC DBA LOS ANGELES FREIGHTLINER FOR A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $532,576.30 FOR PURCHASE OF ONE (1) COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUELED SOLID WASTE COLLECTION VEHICLE.
A PURCHASE ORDER TO RUSH ENTERPRISES FOR A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $467,207.72 FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOUR (4) PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT VEHICLES.
A PURCHASE ORDER TO NATIONAL AUTO FLEET GROUP FOR A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $191,779.65 FOR THE PURCHASE OF FIVE (5) POLICE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES.
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT WITH THE CLEAN POWER ALLIANCE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR ITS ENERGIZED COMMUNITIES PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING.
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO AN AGREEMENT WITH HF&H CONSULTANTS, LLC FOR SOLID WASTE CONSULTATION; AND APPROVAL OF A FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 PURCHASE ORDER IN THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $203,700.13.
REQUEST FOR A ONE-TIME FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 GENERAL FUND APPROPRIATION OF $250, 000 FOR STORM PREPARATION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE EQUIPMENT RENTALS; AND WAIVE FORMAL BIDDING REQUIREMENTS PURSUANT TO BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION…
AN APPROPRIATION OF $330,500.00 FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT FUND SLESF-COPS ALLOCATION TO FUND FRONTLINE MUNICIPAL POLICE RESOURCES; AND CONTINUE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO MODIFY PREVIOUSLY AND CURRENTLY APPROVED…
AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE ASSET FORFEITURE FUND IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $174,752 TO FUND SWAT AMMUNITION, FORCE- ON- FORCE EQUIPMENT, SWAT ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING, AND DRONE TOWER ROOFTOP CONSTRUCTION.
Adoption of consent agenda (items 1, 2, 3, 6-13, 15)
Planning Commission appointment (Item D4) — appointment rejected, application process reopened
Arnaz Mini Park Playground Improvements contract (Item 14)
Voting record (120)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Parking Authority Consent Calendar (Items D.1–D.3)
City Council Consent Calendar, Items E.1–E.4 and E.7–E.23
Items E.5 and E.6 — Minutes of July 21, 2026 meetings
Item F.1 — One Beverly Hills Overlay Specific Plan and Development Agreement amendments
Adoption of consent agenda (items 1, 2, 3, 6-13, 15)
Planning Commission appointment (Item D4) — appointment rejected, application process reopened
Reopening unfairly makes candidates interview a third time and will delay seating the Planning Commission by two to three months.
Resolution amending FY 2026-2027 schedule of taxes, fees, and charges (Item E-2)
Parking Authority Consent: First Amendment of Lease with WGACA, LLC at 9520 Brighton Way
City Council Consent Calendar (Items E-1 through E-17, excluding E-7, E-9 and E-11)
Fee Waiver of $7,302 for Palisades Charter High School Senior Breakfast (Item E-9)
His granddaughter attends Palisades Charter High School and may attend the senior breakfast.
Set September 22, 2026 Hearing Date for Appeal of Excavation Permit PW2600515 (Item F-1)
Concluded the equities favor completing the project in time for the Milken Conference.
Option to Ground Lease with Robertson Sunflower LLC, 327-335 South Robertson Boulevard (Item G-1)
Parking Authority Consent Calendar (Items D-1 and D-2)
City Council Consent Calendar (Items E-1 through E-10)
Proposed agreement with Jeffrey Deitch, Inc. for Judy Chicago's 'Trinity' (G-1)
He wanted the stricter Delta E 2 warranty standard the liaisons recommended.
Parking Authority Minutes of May 19, 2026
City Council Minutes (Study Session and Regular Meeting of May 19, 2026)
Budgeted Demands Paid and Payroll Disbursement Report (July 14-27, 2026)
Police Department Military Equipment Use Ordinances (Items E.5 and E.6)
Run of the Stars 5K Event and Fee Waiver (Item E.7)
October 7th Memorial Project Participation Agreement with State of Israel (Item E.9)
J. Lee Engineering Agreement for One Beverly Hills Plan Review (Item E.10)
Will Rogers Park Water Fountain Replacement Contract (Item E.11)
Parking Structure Painting Contract (Item E.12)
Parking Lot and Garage Power Washing Contracts (Item E.13)
Acceptance of Completed Contract Work — Water Mains and Site Improvements (Items E.14 and E.15)
Second Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement — 401 South Robertson Boulevard (Item E.8)
ADU Ordinance — Introduction (Item F.1)
Parking Authority Consent Calendar — Adoption of May 5, 2026 Minutes
City Council Consent Calendar (Items E-1 through E-7 and E-9 through E-16) — Approved
Item F.1 — Appeal of 232 Tower Drive Development Plan Review — Appeal Denied, Project Approved
Reluctantly concluded the HAA bar for denial could not be met and would not risk Builder's Remedy 2.0
Item F.2 — Ordinance Extending Transit-Oriented Development Alternative Plan (SB 79) — Adopted
Resolution Reciting the Results of the June 2, 2026 General Municipal Election
Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor (Council Reorganization)
Parking Authority Consent Calendar (April 21, 2026 minutes)
City Council Consent Calendar (items E.1–E.14)
Adoption of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan (F.1)
Deny request to rescind Resolution 72-R-4552 and encroachment permit at 8484 Wilshire Boulevard (G.8)
Amendment No. 5 — Huma Ahmed employment agreement (G.6)
Central Business Security Committee safety and hospitality recommendations (G.1)
Adoption of the FY 2026-27 Budget and appropriations resolutions (G.2)
Parking Authority FY 2026-27 budget resolution (G.2)
Trailer parking prohibition ordinance — first reading (G.3)
Internet Service and Telephonic Service Disruption Policy (G.4)
Amendment No. 4 — Nancy Hunt-Coffey employment agreement (G.5)
Amendment No. 2 — Richards, Watson and Gershon legal services agreement (G.7)
Adoption of Consent Calendar (Items D.1-D.12)
Urgency Ordinance — Amended Transit-Oriented Development Alternative Plan (SB 79)
It exercises the limited local control available and exports the maximum allowed density from single-family areas.