Politics & Government

Rosendahl Leaves Inspiring Political Career in City Hall Farewell

Rosendahl is uncertain what his future holds, although a return to journalism is a possibility.

The famous Bill Rosendahl line of "great, great, great, great, great" echoed one last time throughout the Los Angeles City Hall council chambers Friday in a momentous send-off for the 11th district's councilman who, since being elected in 2005, has been the compassionate voice for the Westside.


Council chambers were packed with colleagues and residents from all over the city wanting to say good-bye to Rosendahl, who announced he will not be seeking a third term in office.

Rosendahl ran for office as openly gay, which was something that had never been done before.

Last July, after collapsing suddenly, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer of the ureter, a tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. He was told he did not have long.

For several months, he said, he would suffer from delirium and underwent numerous chemotherapy treatments, which reduced him from a hale 225 pounds to 170.

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It was only after his doctor suggested he use marijuana to help him ease the pain and get more sleep that he began to recover. The extra rest helped save his life, said Rosendahl, who announced he was in remission in April and celebrated his 68th birthday May 15.

Coming out of the cannabis closet was another historic first for any elected official. While still sick in the fall of 2012, he threw himself into getting a medical marijuana law passed.

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"You inspire people you may never know about," said Councilman Paul Krekorian.

In a day of send-offs in Los Angeles government Friday, Mayor-Elect Eric Garcetti kept the momentum on Rosendahl, saying he "disrupted a city" that needed Rosendahl's social and spiritual compassion to be an agent of change.

When Garcetti, Rosendahl and other colleagues and friends would have quiet dinners and lionize one another, Rosendahl would keep pressing on what's left to be done.

"You still struggle with that," Garcetti said. "You're always striving to be better and asking how others can do better." 

During Friday's city council meeting, more than an hour and a half was devoted to saying farewell to Rosendahl. Several references were made to Rosendahl's inviting nature and is always willing to share from his urban farm at home in Mar Vista, including gifting his chicken and turkey eggs.

Writer and radio-television personality Patt Morrison kicked things off. During a video segment from those who could not attend but wanted to send Rosendahl a message, like outgoing Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the message was clear: Rosendahl has been the conscience of the L.A. City Council.

He's got a great heart and cares deeply about people," said Nancy Freedman, president of the Brentwood Community Council, who was at City Hall Friday. "And I hope he's healthy and productive for years to come."

On the video, Sherri Akers, of Mar Vista, said Rosendahl shared a vision of what Los Angeles can be like, whether it was taking on issues such as the expansion of LAX, advocating for the homeless, pushing for a coal-free Los Angeles or even the subject of fracking.

"Whenever we took an initiative on something, Bill was first to sign the petition," Akers said.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck said he's never met a man who's more enthusiastic about his job, to be a public servant, more than Rosendahl.

"I answered every [phone] call," Beck said. "It was always, 'how can we fix this?'"

All of the L.A. City Council remarked on Rosendahl's passion for social reforms. Councilwoman Jan Perry said he changed the future for veterans in L.A. when the issue was dormant for many years. Councilman Mitch Englander, who was one of the last to speak, tried to keep it short.

"Keep it within the time frame? Yeah right," Englander said. "I'll try. I'll try not to break down."

"When you speak on an issue, I'm in awe." Englander added. "The passion behind your convictions is mesmerizing."

Rosendahl's Chief of Staff Mike Bonin, who will take over as city councilman of District 11 on Monday, July 1, said the scariest parts of the week day is between 9:15 and 9:45 a.m. when Rosendahl would call in with ideas.

"We'd be baffled with it if we didn't have the time or the money, or if it defied the laws of physics, and, almost always, Bill somehow got it done," Bonin said. He challenged us every day to fill a circle up."

"Working with Bill has been a seminar every day in possibility," Bonin added.

Toward the end of the send-off in the chambers, Rosendahl finally spoke, giving credit to his Mar Vista family and his family at City Hall, for being responsible in his striving to do well.

"There's a lot of homework done ahead of time to know about an issue," Rosendahl said. "Sometimes we're successful and sometimes we're wrong."

"Let's make the best we can with what the time we have," he added. "Let's stay positive everybody."

Rosendahl is uncertain what his future holds, although a return to journalism is a possibility. 

Rosendahl's Brentwood accomplishments and ongoing work includes:

  • Barry Building - Rosendahl supported Dutton's Books/Barry Building cultural historic monument status (Green Hollow Square).
  • Crestwood Hills Park Prop K project - Rosendahl pushed to spend $200,000 for facility enhancements to this recreation building and new irrigation system for its south lawn. An additional $150,000 in Quimby funds and Prop 12, respectively, were used for this project.
  • Darlington Ave/San Vicente traffic signal - Rosendahl secured funding and implemented a community driven plan for the design and installation of a new traffic signal to provide safe pedestrian crossing.
  • Montana Ave/Barrington Ave. left signal turn - Rosendahl ensured the addition of a dedicated left hand turn signal to this congested intersection to allow safer movements for northbound traffic.
  • Brentwood monument signs - In working with the Brentwood Rotary Club, Rosendahl helped fund the support and design and implementation of granite welcome signs, dedicated in 2006 on San Vicente Boulevard at the east and west ends of the business district.
  • Mandeville speed humps - In response to speeding concerns in Mandeville, speed humps were installed under former Councilmember Cindy Miscikowski. Residents soon learned they did not want the humps and lobbied to have them removed. Over time, due to restriping and repaving efforts, the speed humps were not replaced. Under Rosendahl, stop signs were installed at several key locations on Mandeville Canyon and Westridge Road.
  • Left turn signal at Kenter and Sunset - Rosendahl fought to ensure the design and installation of a left turn phase at Susnet Boulevard at the cost of $20,000.
  • Sunset sewer project for 5 homes - Rosendahl worked with the Bureau of Engineering to facilitate the necessary work to convert five homes from septic tanks to city sewer service. This was completed in 2006, which required extraordinary cooperation between homeowners and public parties.
  • Mandeville Canyon Bicycle Task Force - A horrible bicycle vs. vehicle accident on July 4, 2008 on Mandeville Canyon Road prompted a response by Rosendahl to create a task force to address traffic safety, with the goal of making the road safer and a more hospitable place for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Road hazards have been identified and educational materials have been prepared due to this initiative. LADOT added speed feedback signs and restriped the roadway, and the LAPD increased enforcement efforts in this area.
  • Sepulveda Reversible Lane - Started in 2007, the goal of this project was create a reversible lane in the Sepulveda Tunnel, creating a third southbound lane on the approach to Skirball Center Drive and include bike lanes and an access lane to the 405 Freeway. The project was delayed in 2008 due to a delay by the Department of Water and Power utility relocation and the 405 Freeway project. It remains a work in progress.
  • Remote Automated Weather Stations - Rosendahl allocated $10,000 in city funds to jumpstart the Los Angeles Fire Department Mandeville Canyon Remote Automated Weather Stations project, which will give LAFD realtime conditions on the ground to help structure deployment of resources. 
  • Speed feedback signs - In working with community groups to secure funding, Rosendahl had several speed feedback signs installed along Sunset Boulevard, Bundy Drive and Sepulveda Drive as part of his Safety on Sunset Campaign for 2012-13.
  • Saving Brentwood Glen - Working with Caltrans, LADOT and the community, Rosendahl successfully was able to realign the I-405 widening project to he east, saving a large part of the Brentwood Glen community.
  • Traffic Control Officers - In 2012, Rosendahl worked with Metro and Caltrans to ensure that traffic control officers, critical to key business areas during the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project, remain deployed and not paid for at city expense.
  • Brentwood Village BID - Assisted in developing the Brentwood Vilalge Business Improvement District

- City News Service contributed to this report.

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