On October 9, 2022, the Los Angeles Times reported on statements made approximately one year earlier during a meeting among Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin De León and Gil Cedillo, along with local labor leader Ron Hererra.   During that meeting, which was secretly recorded, the group participated in extended discussions that were fraught with blatantly racist and hateful comments.  These comments included racial slurs and cruel mockery directed at members of the African American, LGBTQ, indigenous and Armenian American communities, as well as derisive comments about “white members” of the Council.  Some of the comments were directed at an African American child who is the son of a Member of the City Council.  The comments made during that meeting were abhorrent and indefensible.  Continue reading

WHEREAS, on September 12, 2022, Azerbaijan yet again attacked its Armenian neighbors, shelling civilians and infrastructure within Armenia’s borders, and over 100 more Armenians are dead in this latest round of Azeri aggression; and Continue reading

MOTION-- The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has committed sworn resources to numerous fire incidents since July 1, 2021. Major response efforts including the Dixie, Monument and Caldor fires have significantly drawn upon LAFD resources and burdened the Sworn Overtime account. Continue reading

On March 25th, Governor Newsom announced a mortgage payment relief package with support from Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and nearly 200 state-chartered banks, credit unions, and servicers. The package includes a 90-day grace period for mortgage payments, no negative credit impacts for taking advantage of forbearance, a moratorium on foreclosure sales, and relief from mortgage related fees. Continue reading

WHEREAS, California Revenue and Taxation Code Chapter 8, Article 1, Section 7056 provides that the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) shall, when requested by resolution of the legislative body of any county, city and county, city, or district, permit any duly authorized officer or employee of said entity or other person designated by that resolution, to examine all of the sales or transactions and use tax records of the CDTFA pertaining to sales or transactions and use taxes collected by CDTFA for said entity pursuant to contract entered into between CDTFA and the entity under the Bradley-Bums Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law or the Transactions and Use Tax Law. Continue reading

MOTION-- Climate change is a rapidly-worsening global emergency already affecting communities throughout LosAngeles, particularly low-inco:q1e renters and communities of color, who disproportionately experience theimpacts of extreme heat, pollution, and environmental degradation. Decades of local, state, and federal policyhave placed unequal burdens on these communities while affording benefits to others. Without equity-focusedpolicy intervention, climate change will only exacerbate these historic environmental injustices. Continue reading

MOTION-- I THEREFORE MOVE that $1 5,000 in the Council District Two portion of the StreetFurniture Revenue Fund 43D, Dept. 50 be transferred and appropriated to the Street Services FundNo. 100-86, Account No. 1010 (Salaries - General) for the Oxnard/Radford Refuge Island Projectin Council District 2. Continue reading

MOTION-- The City of Los Angeles is facing a humanitarian crisis. Homelessness has continued to rise despiteefforts to build more shelters and more housing solutions. Our neighbors are forced to live on thestreet in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Offering these individuals a pathway into housing andinto a better life is of critical importance. Continue reading

MOTION-- In 2016, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion (CF 16-0243, Krekorianand Bonin) recognizing that "the city has an opportunity to re-create its utility in a way thatrecognizes the potential for a fossil-free future, demonstrates global leadership in itscommitment to clean energy, and protects ratepayers from the increasing costs of carbon-basedfuels." The motion instructed the Department of Water and Power (DWP) to develop apartnership with the US Department of Energy and other entities to determine what investmentsmust be made to achieve a 100% fossil-free energy portfolio for the DWP. This project is knownas LA100. Continue reading

MOTION-- Congress is poised to pass an unprecedented investment in the nation's physical and socialinfrastructure. Federal funding is expected to be approved later this year for traditional “hard"infrastructure as well as social infrastructure and climate change investments. Additionally, the2021 California state budget includes billions of dollars in one-time discretionary funding tosupport many of the same policy priorities. Together, these funds represent a once-in-a-generationopportunity for Los Angeles, and the City must be organized and strategic in order to maximize thepotential benefit. Continue reading