Beverly Hills Council Votes Against County Restaurant Order and Inquires About Pasadena Model

The Beverly Hills City Council, which on Monday unanimously approved a resolution opposing the Los Angeles County Public Health Officer order prohibiting outdoor dining in the city and across the county, had its staff look into the possibility of forming a separate Health Department for Beverly Hills, much like the one serving Pasadena.

Over the course of the meeting, according to a report in Patch, many councilmembers brought up Pasadena, which is not in the county’s health enforcement jurisdiction and has been able to continue outdoor dining because it has its own Health Department.

The resolution also demands that a motion be placed on the Dec. 8 agenda of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to repeal the Nov. 24 order, which is expected to last until at least Dec. 20.

It also asks that the county localize orders based on data surrounding certain locations and industries, arguing that Beverly Hills has maintained extra stringent health standards and that outdoor dining actually has the potential to decrease COVID-19 by providing safe, socially distanced spaces outdoors.

Along with having the city attorney look into legal action against the county, councilmembers also cited the hardships caused to already struggling restaurants and a lack of scientific evidence indicating that limiting outdoor dining prevents COVID-19.

The Beverly Hills City Council received 900 letters from local residents urging their elected officials find a way to keep restaurants open for outdoor dining. Several residents implored the council to look to Pasadena for answers.

“I urge you to follow Pasadena’s excellent example and to continue to allow restaurants, many who are already dangling from a financial thread needlessly, to continue to remain open an functioning as they have been with more than enough safety precautions in place,” wrote Beverly Hills Resident Beverly Assil. 

On Wednesday, the ban survived a legal challenge from the California Restaurant Association. Though Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant appeared sympathetic to the restaurant owners’ concerns, he said he needed more scientific evidence on the effects of outdoor dining.

The agenda item was requested by Councilmember Lili Bosse, who said that she disagreed with the Board of Supervisors’ 3-2 vote due to lack of scientific evidence and the negative effect she feels it will have on the community.

“At [the County Supervisors’ meeting] the question was asked and answered if there was any data to suggest a correlation between outdoor dining and COVID, and the answer was no, there was no data. From my perspective, that was a huge, huge, huge statement, as well as the fact that with the outdoor dining, there have been very strict protocols in place to ensure safety for the employees and the diners as well,” Bosse said.