Los Angeles City Council, Journal/Council Proceeding
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
JOHN FERRARO COUNCIL CHAMBER ROOM 340, CITY HALL 200 NORTH SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 - 10:00 AM



(For further details see Official Council Files)

(For communications referred by the President see Referral Memorandum)

ROLL CALL
Members Present: Blumenfield, Bonin, Buscaino, Englander, Krekorian, LaBonge, Martinez, O'Farrell, Price and President Wesson (10); Absent: Cedillo, Fuentes, Huizar, Koretz and Parks (5)
Approval of the Minutes
Commendatory Resolutions, Introductions and Presentations

Public Testimony of Non-agenda Items Within Jurisdiction of Council
Items Noticed for Public Hearing
ITEM NO. (1) 14-1320
14-1320
CD 7

CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF HEARING PROTESTS and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION relative to the improvement and maintenance of the Terra Vista Way and Pierce Street No. 1 Lighting District.  

 

Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

 

  1. DENY the protests and confirm the assessments.

  2. PRESENT and ADOPT the accompanying ORDINANCE levying the assessments and ordering the maintenance of the above lighting district, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Government Code Section 53753 (Proposition 218).  

 

(Public Hearing held January 14, 2015)

 

 

Adopted, (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED

ITEM NO. (2) 14-1344
14-1344
CD 6

CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF HEARING PROTESTS and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION relative to the improvement and maintenance of the Saticoy Street and Hinds Avenue Street Lighting District.  

 

Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

 

  1. DENY the protests and confirm the assessments.

  2. PRESENT and ADOPT the accompanying ORDINANCE levying the assessments and ordering the maintenance of the above lighting district, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Government Code Section 53753 (Proposition 218).  

 

(Public Hearing held January 14, 2015)

 

 

Adopted, (
13)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Huizar
(2)

PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED

ITEM NO. (3) 14-1345
14-1345
CD 12

CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF HEARING PROTESTS and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION relative to the improvement and maintenance of the West Hills Street Lighting District.  

 

Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

 

  1. DENY the protests and confirm the assessments.

  2. PRESENT and ADOPT the accompanying ORDINANCE levying the assessments and ordering the maintenance of the above lighting district, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Government Code Section 53753 (Proposition 218).  

 

(Public Hearing held January 14, 2015)

 

 

Adopted, (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED

ITEM NO. (4) 14-1575
14-1575
CD 4

HEAR PROTESTS against the proposed improvement and maintenance of the Rowena Avenue and Herkimer Street Lighting District, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Proposition 218.

 

(Ordinance of Intention adopted on December 3, 2014 - Continue hearing and present Ordinance on February 25, 2015 to consider report of protests to be submitted as a result of balloting, pursuant to Proposition 218)

 

Adopted, (
13)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Huizar
(2)

CONTINUE HEARING AND PRESENT ORDINANCE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2015

ITEM NO. (5) 14-1576
14-1576
CD 11

HEAR PROTESTS against the proposed improvement and maintenance of the Burlingame and Montana Avenues Street Lighting District, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Proposition 218.

 

(Ordinance of Intention adopted on December 3, 2014 - Continue hearing and present Ordinance on February 25, 2015 to consider report of protests to be submitted as a result of balloting, pursuant to Proposition 218)

 

Adopted, (
13)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Huizar
(2)

CONTINUE HEARING AND PRESENT ORDINANCE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2015

ITEM NO. (6) 14-1577
14-1577
CD 14

HEAR PROTESTS against the proposed improvement and maintenance of the Yosemite Drive and Eagle Rock Boulevard Street Lighting District, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Proposition 218.

 

(Ordinance of Intention adopted on December 3, 2014 - Continue hearing and present Ordinance on February 25, 2015 to consider report of protests to be submitted as a result of balloting, pursuant to Proposition 218)

 

Adopted, (
13)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Huizar
(2)

CONTINUE HEARING AND PRESENT ORDINANCE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2015

ITEM NO. (7) 14-1590
14-1590
CD 1

HEAR PROTESTS against the proposed improvement and maintenance of the Isabel and Bank Streets Lighting District, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Proposition 218.

 

(Ordinance of Intention adopted on December 3, 2014 - Continue hearing and present Ordinance on February 25, 2015 to consider report of protests to be submitted as a result of balloting, pursuant to Proposition 218)

 

Adopted, (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

CONTINUE HEARING AND PRESENT ORDINANCE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2015

ITEM NO. (8) 14-1591
14-1591
CD 5

HEAR PROTESTS against the proposed improvement and maintenance of the Overland and La Grange Avenues Street Lighting District, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Proposition 218.

 

(Ordinance of Intention adopted on December 3, 2014 - Continue hearing and present Ordinance on February 25, 2015 to consider report of protests to be submitted as a result of balloting, pursuant to Proposition 218)

 

Adopted, (
13)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Huizar
(2)

CONTINUE HEARING AND PRESENT ORDINANCE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2015

ITEM NO. (9) 14-1592
14-1592
CD 14

HEAR PROTESTS against the proposed improvement and maintenance of the 1st and Broadway Streets Lighting District, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Proposition 218.

 

(Ordinance of Intention adopted on December 3, 2014 - Continue hearing and present Ordinance on February 25, 2015 to consider report of protests to be submitted as a result of balloting, pursuant to Proposition 218)

 

Adopted, (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

CONTINUE HEARING AND PRESENT ORDINANCE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2015

ITEM NO. (10) 14-0160-S376
14-0160-S376
CD 7

HEARING PROTEST, APPEALS OR OBJECTIONS to Building and Safety Department report and confirmation of lien for nuisance abatement costs and/or non-compliance of code violations/Annual Inspection costs, pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code and/or Los Angeles Administrative Code, for property located at 8247 West Grove Street. (Lien: $1,357.85)

 

(Continued from Council meeting of January 21, 2015)

 

 

Adopted to Receive and File, Unanimous Vote (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

RECEIVED AND FILED - INASMUCH AS THE SUBJECT DWELLING WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN OWNER-OCCUPIED SINGLE FAMILY HOME

ITEM NO. (11) 14-0160-S380
14-0160-S380
CD 2

HEARING PROTEST, APPEALS OR OBJECTIONS to Building and Safety Department report and confirmation of lien for nuisance abatement costs and/or non-compliance of code violations/Annual Inspection costs, pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code and/or Los Angeles Administrative Code, for property located at 10616 West Rainier Street. (Lien: $2,571.30)

 

(Continued from Council meeting of January 21, 2015)

 

 

Adopted to Continue, Unanimous Vote (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

CONITNUED TO FEBRUARY 18, 2015

ITEM NO. (12) 14-0160-S383
14-0160-S383
CD 12

HEARING PROTEST, APPEALS OR OBJECTIONS to Building and Safety Department report and confirmation of lien for nuisance abatement costs and/or non-compliance of code violations/Annual Inspection costs, pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code and/or Los Angeles Administrative Code, for property located at 10215 North Balboa Boulevard. (Lien: $1,566.13)

 

(Continued from Council meeting of January 21, 2015)

 

 

Adopted, (
13)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Huizar
(2)

PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED - LIEN CONFIRMED

ITEM NO. (13) 14-0160-S385
14-0160-S385
CD 15

HEARING PROTEST, APPEALS OR OBJECTIONS to Building and Safety Department report and confirmation of lien for nuisance abatement costs and/or non-compliance of code violations/Annual Inspection costs, pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code and/or Los Angeles Administrative Code, for property located at 1028 North Broad Avenue. (Lien: $3,227.68)

 

(Continued from Council meeting of January 21, 2015)

 

 

Adopted to Continue, Unanimous Vote (
13)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Huizar
(2)

CONTINUED TO FEBRUARY 11, 2015

Items for which Public Hearings Have Been Held
ITEM NO. (14) 14-1746
14-1746
CD 13

MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION and PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to an appeal filed for property located at 1146-1152 North Beachwood Drive.

 

Recommendations for Council action:

 

  1. FIND that this project will not have a significant effect on the environment, pursuant to the City's Environmental Guidelines and is in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act; that the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) reflects the independent judgment of the City of Los Angeles; that the documents constituting the record of proceedings in this matter are located in Council File No. 14-1746 in the custody of the City Clerk and in the files of the Department of City Planning in the custody of the Environmental Review Section; and ADOPT the Mitigated Negative Declaration [ENV-2014-1464-MND] filed on July 11, 2014.

  2. ADOPT the FINDINGS of the Central Los Angeles Area Planning Commission (CLAAPC), including the Environmental Findings, as the Findings of the Council.

  3. RESOLVE TO DENY THE APPEAL filed by John Coluccio on behalf of the Beachwood Gardens Neighborhood Association, from the entire determination of the CLAAPC in sustaining the decision of the Deputy Advisory Agency, and THEREBY APPROVE Vesting Tentative Tract No. 72899-SL for the development of 12 small lot single-family dwellings in the Hollywood Plan Area, subject to Conditions of Approval, for property located at 1146-1152 North Beachwood Drive.

 

Applicant:  Raffi Shirinian, OPS Beachwood, LLC

Representative:  Steve Nazemi, DHS and Associates, Inc.

 

Case No. VTT-72899-SL-2A

 

Fiscal Impact Statement: The CLAAPC reports that there is no General Fund impact as administrative costs are recovered through fees.

 

Community Impact Statement: Yes

 

Against

Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council

 

TIME LIMIT FILE - FEBRUARY 6, 2015


(LAST DAY FOR COUNCIL ACTION - FEBRUARY 6, 2015) 

 

 

Adopted, (
13)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Huizar
(2)

 

Items for which Public Hearings Have Not Been Held - (10 Votes Required for Consideration)
ITEM NO. (15)

RESOLUTIONS relative to removing various properties from the Rent Escrow Account Program.

Recommendation for Council action:

ADOPT the accompanying RESOLUTIONS removing the following properties from the Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP), inasmuch as the owner(s) have corrected the cited REAP violations and provided proof of compliance with the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (LAHCID), Code Enforcement Unit, habitability citations, pursuant to Ordinance 173810, and ADOPT the Findings contained in the LAHCID's report attached to the Council File:

(a)15-0005-S21
15-0005-S21
CD 9

855 West 41st Drive.  (Case No. 450531) Assessor I.D. No. 5019-003-005

 

 

Adopted, (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

 

(b)15-0005-S22
15-0005-S22
CD 10

1443 South Meadowbrook Avenue.  (Case No. 174626) Assessor I.D. No. 5070-014-043

 

 

Adopted, (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

 

(c)15-0005-S23
15-0005-S23
CD 13

142 North Edgemont Street.  (Case No. 332080) Assessor I.D. No. 5518-016-003

 

 

Adopted, (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

 

Closed Session
ITEM NO.(16)14-1208
14-1208

The City Council shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Irene Woodford v. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. EC 060235. (This matter involves a wrongful death case resulting from an auto versus pedestrian accident which occurred on March 14, 2012 at Vineland Avenue and Erwin Street.)

 

(Budget and Finance Committee considered the above matter in Closed Session on January 26, 2015)

 

ADOPTED

 

MOTION (KREKORIAN - ENGLANDER)

 

Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

  1. AUTHORIZE the City Attorney to pay a total of $250,000 in settlement of the above-entitled matter from the City Attorney, fund No. 100/59, Account 009770.

  2. AUTHORIZE the City Attorney to draw a demand thereon in the amount of $250,000 and made payable to the Law Offices of Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell and Irene Woodford.

  3. AUTHORIZE the City Attorney, or designee, to prepare Controller instructions for any necessary technical adjustments, subject to the approval of the City Administrative Officer, and AUTHORIZE the Controller to implement the instructions.

 

This matter was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee (Krekorian - Englander - Blumenfield - Bonin "yes") at its meeting on January 26, 2015, in Closed Session as permitted by Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).

 

 

 

 

Adopted, (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

MOTION ADOPTED IN OPEN SESSION

ITEM NO.(17)14-1754
14-1754

The City Council shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Gutierrez v. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC497004. (This matter involves an inverse condemnation for damages to private property located at 955 Embury Street, Los Angeles, CA allegedly caused by a sewer backup due to a blocked sewer line.)

 

(Budget and Finance Committee considered the above matter in Closed Session on January 26, 2015)

 

ADOPTED

 

MOTION (KREKORIAN - ENGLANDER)

 

Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

  1. APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the City Attorney to execute a settlement agreement and all other documents necessary to implement the settlement with Gustavo Gutierrez and Teresa Gutierrez for $122,500.

  2. INSTRUCT the Chief Accounting Office for the Department of Public Works to draw a demand warrant in the amount of $122,500 from the Sewer Operations and Maintenance Fund No. 760, Account No. 50LX82 - Sanitation Expense and Equipment, Object No. 653 Liability Payouts, payable to the Rosen Law Firm Client Trust Account.

  3. AUTHORIZE the City Attorney to deliver the warrant payable to the Rosen Law Firm Client Trust upon delivery to the City Attorney of proof permitted installation of the backwater Valve.

  4. AUTHORIZE the City Attorney, or designee, to prepare Controller instructions for any necessary technical adjustments, subject to the approval of the City Administrative Officer, and AUTHORIZE the Controller to implement the instructions.

 

This matter was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee (Krekorian - Englander - Koretz - Blumenfield - Bonin "yes") at its meeting on January 26, 2015, in Closed Session as permitted by Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1).

 

 

 

Adopted, (
12)
; Absent: Buscaino
, Englander
, Huizar
(3)

MOTION ADOPTED IN OPEN SESSION

ITEM NO.(18)15-0111
15-0111

The City Council shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the cases entitled Los Angeles By-Products v. City of Los Angeles, et al, Los Angeles Superior Court (LASC) Case No. BC149989 and Penrose, LLC, v. City of Los Angeles, et al, LASC Case No. BS149963. [(This matter involves a written settlement offer in litigation challenging the adoption of two legislative motions by the City Council, one on April 4, 2014 (Martinez - Huizar) (Council file No. 14-0056), and one on May 13, 2014 (Martinez - Krekorian) (Council file No. 14-0399).]

 

(Planning and Land Use Management Committee considered the above matter in Closed Session on February 3, 2015.)

 

 

NO ACTION TAKEN

 

MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED PURSUANT TO RULE NO. 16 - TO BE PLACED ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE AGENDA
14-1235
14-1235MOTION (WESSON - MARTINEZ) relative to amending prior Council action of September 17, 2014 regarding an allocation of Council District 10 AB 1290 funds for Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative and Neighborhood Improvement Activities.
15-0011
15-0011MOTION (MARTINEZ - O'FARRELL) relative to the posting of signs prohibiting sales of vehicles parked in the streets in Arleta in Council District Six.
15-0010-S6
15-0010-S6MOTION (LABONGE - O'FARRELL) relative to an offer of reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of Antonia Maria Yager.
15-0132
15-0132MOTION (CEDILLO - BUSCAINO) relative to the issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Pilgrim Tower and Leaster Apartments.
15-0054
15-0054MOTION (KORETZ - PARKS) relative to rescinding prior Council action of January 20, 2015 regarding the scheduling of 2201 South Prosser Avenue/Appeal/Charter Section 245 for the Council meeting of February 27, 2015.
15-0133
15-0133MOTION (FUENTES - BONIN) relative to additional bulky item pickup, alley cleanup, and community beautification projects and services in Council District Seven.
15-0134
15-0134MOTION (O'FARRELL - WESSON - LABONGE) relative to the acceptance of payment  for City resources by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to hold the 87th Annual Academy Awards ceremonies.
At the conclusion of this day's Council Session ADJOURNING MOTIONS WERE ADOPTED in tribute to the memory of:
15-0003
15-0003
Thomas Carlyle Parks
Andrew Santiago         Fuentes - All Councilmembers
Frank PatchettLaBonge - All Councilmembers
ENDING ROLL CALL
Roll Call

Members Present: Blumenfield, Bonin, Cedillo, Fuentes, Koretz, Krekorian, LaBonge, Martinez, O'Farrell, Parks and Price (11); Absent: Buscaino, Englander, Huizar and President Wesson (4)



Whereupon the Council did adjourn.
Closing Text

ATTEST: Holly L. Wolcott, CITY CLERK
 
 
 
By
 
 
 
        Council Clerk                                                       PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL

******************************************************************************************************************
Regular meeting recessed at 11:56 am
Special meeting convened at 11:56 am
Special meeting adjourned at 12:04 pm
Regular meeting convened at 12:04 pm