Climate-friendly Food

The West Hollywood City Council adopted a resolution mandating that all City-sponsored events in which food is provided must be plant-based foods by default, but allow people to opt into food that contains animal products. The policy shall apply to City-sponsored events and meetings in which the City provides food to participants. It does not apply to co-sponsored events or private events taking place in the City of West Hollywood or events with food for purchase from food trucks or other vendors. 

As per this resolution, for City-sponsored events and meetings, the West Hollywood City government commits to serving plant-based food and refreshments by default, giving attendees the choice to opt into options with animal products. 

To ensure adherence to the policy, City staff will make sure that plant-based foods will be made available at the beginning of the menu or buffet. In addition, City staff will ensure a default of plant-based options for food and refreshments and provide animal product options to supplement plant-based options so that event and meeting attendees may opt into these choices.

The public lauded this resolution. Alex Cerussi via Zoom said, “On behalf of Mercy For Animals, a non-profit dedicated to building a just and sustainable food system, and our thousands of West Hollywood supporters, I sincerely thank the City Council for supporting item 5A (The Plant Based Food Policy for City-Sponsored Events). West Hollywood’s climate action adaptation plan provides that every aspect of a food system from production to distribution intersects with the climate crisis and that food production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. This policy is a strategic step to combating the climate crisis. Thank you so much for taking action.”

Another via Zoom said, “I’m Leah Kelly, and I’m a local Los Angeles resident representing the national environmental nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity and our many California supporters. We are happy to support a climate-friendly food policy for West Hollywood.” She added, “A climate-friendly food procurement plan can dramatically reduce the city’s climate impact. Half of all food emissions come from meat and dairy. Sustainable policies that focus on plant-based foods can increase climate resilience, improve public health, and protect water and biodiversity. The urgency of these issues demands action in climate-friendly municipal food policy. West Hollywood has an opportunity to take a strong step forward toward these goals. Thank you so much!”

Two-Year Capital Improvements Outlook

The city council also voted to adopt the City of West Hollywood Two-Year Operating Budget and Capital Work Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-25 & 2025-26. 

Per the staff report: “The City remains focused on maintaining a structurally balanced budget emphasizing community safety, the delivery of core services, and investment in an ambitious capital improvement plan, supported in part with the recent issuance of Lease Revenue Bonds. Planning for the next fiscal year is ongoing. West Hollywood depends on a healthy tourism industry to provide a significant portion of its municipal revenues. Travel and tourism-related spending remain strong but are not experiencing the high growth rates that were realized immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 

All Funds: The budget for FY25 presents a spending plan across all funds that anticipates total revenues of $195 million, inter-fund transfers of $35.5 million, and total operating expenses of $192 million. The budgeted amount for capital improvement projects is $41.9 million for all funds and includes funding for the Fiber Optic Cable & Wireless Infrastructure project, utility undergrounding in the Design District, and renovation of the Log Cabin. 

General Fund: In the General Fund, FY25 revenues are projected to exceed expenditures by $54,792. The budget anticipates revenues of $160.6 million, operating expenditures of $146.5 million, capital expenditures of $2.7 million, and transfers out to other funds of $11.3 million. The total change in proposed General Fund expenditures for FY25 is an increase of $7.1 million compared to the FY24 approved mid-year budget. Planned drawdowns from reserves are projected at $2.0 million for Proposition A purchases, $14.4 million for capital improvements, and $1.5 million for internal technology infrastructure projects. 

Projected Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 

All Funds: The projected budget for FY26 projects a spending plan across all funds that anticipates total revenues of $198 million, inter-fund transfers of $36.2 million, and total operating expenses of $195 million. The budgeted amount for capital improvement projects is $26.8 million for all funds and includes funding for the City Playhouse. 

General Fund: In the General Fund, FY26 revenues are projected to exceed expenditures Page 4 of 20 by $89,345. The budget anticipates revenues of $162.8 million, operating expenditures of $148.9 million, capital expenditures of $1.9 million, and transfers out to other funds of $11.9 million. The total change in proposed General Fund expenditures compared to FY25 is an increase of $2.2 million. Planned drawdowns from reserves include $2.0 million for Proposition A purchases, $15.2 million for capital improvements, and $1.1 million for internal technology infrastructure projects

Council Gives Itself a Raise 

The council also voted to increase the compensation for city council members to $1,724.79 per month, as well as increase the stipend amount paid to advisory board and commission members to $100 per meeting. 

This item increases the compensation for city council members from $1,568 to $1,724.79 per month and the stipend amount paid to advisory board and commission members from $75 to $100 per meeting. The increase for city council members will go into effect on December 17, 2024. The increase in appointed officials’ stipends will go into effect on January 1, 2025. The increased amounts will be incorporated into the FY 2024-25 Budget and will have no fiscal impact at this time. 

Approved a Five-year Agreement with the Sheriff’s Department 

The City Council also approved a five-year Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement by and between the County of Los Angeles and the City of West Hollywood. 

According to the staff report: “Every five years, all contract cities that choose the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as their law enforcement services provider are required to renew their Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement (MLESA) with the County of Los Angeles. The current MLESA between the City of West Hollywood (City) and the County of Los Angeles (County) is set to expire on June 30, 2024. In preparation, a new five-year agreement is provided for the City Council’s review and approval, with the next term starting on July 1, 2024, and concluding on June 30, 2029.”

Photo is a screen capture.