Letter Backs Accused Streetscape Managers

A Community Redevelopment Agency administrator wrote to the City Council last week backing two agency project managers the North Hollywood Project Area Committee accused of wrongdoing and requested be removed from the agency.

The letter by John Molloy was a show of support for Lillian Burkenheim-Silver and Walter Beaumont, the CRA representatives overseeing the North Hollywood Streetscape Plan, and maintains the managers’ position that they did nothing wrong.

“I support the efforts of my staff in North Hollywood who are achieving excellent results in a difficult environment,” Molloy wrote to Council President John Ferraro on Feb. 23.

Molloy gave a four-page chronological account of the events leading up to the project area committee’s Jan. 27 request that the City Council dismiss Burkenheim-Silver and Beaumont. Committee President Mildred Weller maintained that the agency reneged on an agreement to let her group review confidential proposals by contractors to design the streetscape improvements.

Burkenheim-Silver and Beaumont have said such an agreement never existed.

“There’s no way it could happen,” Beaumont said. “We’re glad Mr. Molloy wrote the letter supporting us, but we’re not worried about their allegations.”

Weller said she was unaware of the letter, but not surprised by its contents.

“We expect him to defend his people. What we don’t expect is to get the silent treatment from Ferraro. We still haven’t heard anything about our request. This is the reason we feel this is a dysfunctional agency,” she said.

While awaiting a decision from the council, the groups agreed in early February on a consultant they plan to contact about a streetscape plan design.

“Everything’s on schedule,” Beaumont said.