City Council Talks Presidential Motorcades, Tobacco Permits and 9-02-10 Day

Beverly Hills drivers had a hard time adjusting to the reality of a presidential visit. Wherever President Obama goes, traffic disruptions follow.

Some call it an 'Obamajam.'

Obama's motorcade passed through Beverly Hills at around 8 p.m. Monday after he attended a fundraiser in Hancock Park. All lanes of Olympic Boulevard were closed between Century City and Hancock Park starting at about 5 p.m., according to authorities.

At this week's City Council meeting, Councilwoman Nancy Krasne said she received several phone calls from residents who reported that commutes and errands typically taking minutes turned into hours-long gridlock because of the closure. She said she recently met with former first lady Nancy Reagan, who told her such street closures were a new policy implemented by the U.S. Secret Service.

In the past, the California Highway Patrol and local police departments would conduct rolling closures of streets for 10 minutes at a time during a presidential visit rather than shut local streets for hours.

"I find it really inappropriate to shut down a city during peak traffic," Krasne said. "I feel it's wrong for them to do this to our city."

Mayor Jimmy Delshad sarcastically suggested Obama use Pico Boulevard during his next visit.

The council Tuesday also unanimously approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance to establish a tobacco retailer permit program, which would require retailers that sell tobacco products to obtain an annual permit from the city.

According to a staff report, the purpose of the ordinance is to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors.

Vice Mayor Barry Brucker asked whether the city could look at alcohol sales as well, but his request was denied by Assistant City Attorney Roxanne Diaz, who told Brucker that the state is the only authority that licenses and regulates the sale of liquor.

Diaz explained that cities, including Beverly Hills, can regulate only where alcohol-selling stores can be located. The council is expected to give final approval of the tobacco permit ordinance next month.

"Now we move on to one of my favorite subjects," said Delshad, before the council unanimously approved a contract with Berridge LLC, also known as Best Events, to provide services for the city's 9-02-10 Day and Taste of Beverly Hills event.

In a presentation to the council, Deputy City Manager Cheryl Friedling said so far 600 tickets to 9-02-10 Day had been sold (worth $70,000) and that $220,000 in sponsorships had been received. She also said the $25,000 that the council budgeted to cover city services for the event has jumped to approximately $45,000 for public safety, traffic control, transportation, promotions and permits.

Friedling and Delshad stressed that the 9-02-10 Day and the events surrounding it would take place at no cost to taxpayers. Delshad said he was working on securing additional talent and sponsorships for the event, but declined to identify them until contracts are signed.

"When I'm done, there will be a lot more stars coming," Delshad said. "I'm blessed to be the mayor of Beverly Hills. I'm doing this for the city."