Los Angeles City Council, Journal/Council Proceeding
Friday, June 19, 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, Huizar, Koretz,  LaBonge,  O'Farrell, Price and President Wesson (10); Absent: Cedillo, Fuentes, Krekorian, Martinez 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)

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 (LAMC) and/or Los Angeles Administrative Code (LAAC).

Recommendation for Council action:

HEAR PROTEST, APPEALS OR OBJECTIONS relative to proposed lien for nuisance abatement costs and/or non-compliance of code violations/Annual Inspection costs, pursuant to LAMC and/or LAAC and CONFIRM said lien for the following properties:

(a)15-0160-S93
15-0160-S93
CD 7

13304 West Sayre Street. (Lien: $1,586.63)

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED - LIEN CONFIRMED
(b)15-0160-S94
15-0160-S94
CD 6

14525 West Nordhoff Street. (Lien: $526.42)

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED - LIEN CONFIRMED
(c)15-0160-S95
15-0160-S95
CD 3

18159 West Kittridge Street. (Lien: $295.08)

 

 

Adopted to Continue, Unanimous Vote (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
CONTINUED TO JUNE 26, 2015
(d)15-0160-S96
15-0160-S96
CD 12

12000 North Balboa Boulevard aka 11918 North Balboa Boulevard. (Lien: $1,901.42)

 

 

Adopted to Receive and File, Unanimous Vote (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
RECEIVED AND FILED INASMUCH AS LIEN HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL
(e)15-0160-S97
15-0160-S97
CD 7

13282 West Beaver Street. (Lien: $1,733.82)

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED - LIEN CONFIRMED
(f)15-0160-S98
15-0160-S98
CD 7

14257 West Herron Street aka 14280 Sayre Street. (Lien: $3,768.95)

 

 

Adopted to Receive and File, Unanimous Vote (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
RECEIVED AND FILED INASMUCH AS LIEN HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL
(g)15-0160-S99
15-0160-S99
CD 7

14329 West Hubbard Street. (Lien: $1,426.73)

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED - LIEN CONFIRMED
(h)15-0160-S100
15-0160-S100
CD 6

15041 West Bassett Street. (Lien: $1,593.07)

 

 

Adopted to Continue, Unanimous Vote (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
CONTINUED TO JUNE 26, 2015
(i)15-0160-S59
15-0160-S59
CD 8

375 West Manchester Avenue aka 369 West Manchester Avenue aka 361-375 West Manchester Avenue. (Lien: $613.74)

 

(Continued from Council meeting of June 5, 2015)

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED - LIEN CONFIRMED
(j)15-0160-S70
15-0160-S70
CD 7

13697 North De Garmo Avenue.  (Lien: $4,373.59)

 

(Continued from Council meeting of June 5, 2015)

 

 

Adopted to Receive and File, Unanimous Vote (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
RECEIVED AND FILED INASMUCH AS THE PROPERTY IS AN OWNER-OCCUPIED, SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING AND EXEMPT FROM LIEN PROCESSING
(k)15-0160-S71
15-0160-S71
CD 1

3518 East Lavell Drive.  (Lien: $3,930.70)

 

(Continued from Council meeting of June 5, 2015)

 

 

Adopted to Continue, Unanimous Vote (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
CONTINUED TO JULY 28, 2015
(l)15-0160-S54
15-0160-S54
CD 2

11232 West Vanowen Street. (Lien: $27,798.21)

 

(Continued from Council meeting of June 12, 2015)

 

 

Adopted to Continue, Unanimous Vote (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
CONTINUED TO JULY 28, 2015, LIEN AMOUNT REDUCED TO $22,541.33
Items for which Public Hearings Have Been Held
ITEM NO.(2)14-0506
14-0506

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT and COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY ETHICS COMMISSION relative to the reappointment of Mr. Cris Liban to the Board of Transportation Commissioners.

 

Recommendation for Council action:

 

RESOLVE that the Mayor's reappointment of Mr. Cris Liban to the Board of Transportation Commissioners for the new term ending June 30, 2020, is APPROVED and CONFIRMED. Mr. Liban resides in Council District 11. (Current Commission gender composition: M= 5; F=2)

 

Financial Disclosure Statement: Filed.

 

Community Impact Statement: None submitted.

 

TIME LIMIT FILE - JULY 6, 2015

 

(LAST DAY FOR COUNCIL ACTION - JULY 1, 2015)

 

 

Adopted, (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
ITEM NO.(3)11-0329-S12
11-0329-S12

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT relative to a new independent cost estimate and construction schedule for the proposed LA Streetcar Project.

 

Recommendations for Council action:

 

  1. RECEIVE and FILE the document entitled City of Los Angeles, Restoration of Historic Streetcar Service, Independent Cost Estimate & Cost Methodology Report, Class C Cost Estimate, dated September 17, 2014, and an updated cost and project schedule with cover memo dated May 26, 2015, prepared by AECOM formerly known as URS Corporation under contract to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT).

  2. APPROVE an amendment to the Council adopted Summary Project Management Plan for the streetcar project to include an exception allowing Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc. (LASI) to competitively contract with a firm to conduct preliminary engineering (30%) using existing funds under LASI's control, with the completed preliminary engineering plans subject to final approval by the City.

  3. DIRECT the City Engineer, in coordination with the LADOT, to:

    1. Provide ongoing regular peer review of the streetcar preliminary engineering (30%) work planned to be conducted by a separate consulting firm under contract to LASI.

    2. Establish a project cost estimate target of $250 million or less inasmuch as the project is financially constrained and this amount is the maximum project cost eligible for federal Small Starts grant funding.

    3. Complete the final review and sign off on the completed preliminary engineering work if it is acceptable or recommend that the City reject the work if it is not acceptable.

  4. INSTRUCT the City Clerk to place on the agenda for the first regular Council meeting on or after JULY 1, 2015, or shortly thereafter, the following instructions:

    1. Resolve that position authority for one Principal Civil Engineer, Class Code 9489, to oversee the preliminary engineering work to be conducted by LASI's consultant on behalf of the City, and full year funding of $167,138 in the Bureau of Engineering, for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 is APPROVED and CONFIRMED.

    2. Transfer $167,138 from the Measure R Local Return Fund No. 51Q, Downtown LA Streetcar-AB1290 Funds Project Account No. 94K690, to the Bureau of Engineering, Fund No. 100/78, Account No. 001010, Salaries, General, for salary costs of one Principal Civil Engineer for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

    3. Transfer $137,321 within the Measure R Local Return Fund No. 51Q, from the Downtown LA Streetcar Project Account No. 94K690 to the Reimbursement of General Fund Costs, account number to be determined, for Fiscal Year 2015-16.

    4. Authorize the City Engineer to hire a consultant to complete a third party cost estimate at the completion of the 30 percent preliminary engineering work at an estimated cost not-to-exceed $120,000.

    5. Transfer $120,000 from Measure R Local Return Fund No. 51Q, Downtown LA Streetcar Project Account No. 94K690 to a new account within the Engineering Special Services Fund No. 682/50, entitled Downtown LA Streetcar PE Cost Estimate, for the cost to hire a consultant to complete a third party cost estimate at the completion of the 30 percent preliminary engineering work.

    6. Instruct the City Engineer to report to Council once the work is completed to share whether or not the preliminary engineering documents were formally accepted by the City Engineer along with any major findings from the plans.

    7. Authorize the General Manager, LADOT, to make any technical corrections or clarifications as necessary to the above instructions in order to effectuate the intent of this action.

  5. INSTRUCT LADOT, in coordination with the City Administrative Officer (CAO) and the City Engineer, to report to Council with the following items prior to requesting the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to evaluate and rate the project for grant funding:

    1. Recommended significant changes to the project including modifications to the route, project delivery method, etc.

    2. Recommended reasonable financial plan for the streetcar project that funds the full cost of construction.

    3. Project update, if a reasonable financial plan that funds the full cost of construction cannot be developed and/or the project is no longer eligible for Small Starts funding.

  6. DIRECT the CAO, in coordination with the City Engineer and the LADOT, to report with a recommended consultant firm, estimated costs, and a proposed funding source to provide financial analyst services for the streetcar project including assistance in developing a potential public-private partnership.

  7. DIRECT the CAO, City Engineer, and LADOT to report to the Transportation Committee in five months relative to the 30% preliminary engineering process for the project, which is intended to further refine the project description and arrive at a more accurate cost estimate; the impacts of routing, headways, number of streetcars and speed on ridership; and, updated options for addressing the funding shortfall for this project.

Fiscal Impact Statement: The CAO, City Engineer, and LADOT report that there is no impact to the budget as the above recommendations do not commit the City to expend any additional funds for the streetcar project. The Community Facilities District (CFD)tax funds will be used by the City as the local match for federal grant funding (if approved by the FTA), and the City has committed to use approximately $295 million in local Measure R funds over the next 30 years for streetcar operations. An additional funding source must be identified by the City to eliminate the projected construction funding shortfall. The FTA will not consider the project for Small Starts grant funding unless the estimated project cost is reduced to below $250 million and the City submits a balanced financial plan for construction that does not contain a funding shortfall.

 

Community Impact Statement: None submitted.

 

(Budget and Finance Committee waived consideration of this matter.)

 

 

Adopted - FORTHWITH, (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
 
ITEM NO.(4)15-0732
15-0732

RULES, ELECTIONS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT relative to approval of a contract with SouthTech Systems, Inc. for the use of eDisclosure/DisclosureDocs, their proprietary software.

 

Recommendation for Council action:

 

AUTHORIZE the Executive Director, City Ethics Commission, to execute the contract with SouthTech Systems, Inc., attached to the Council file, when the City's contracting processes have been satisfied and subject to the City Attorney's review as to form. 

 

Fiscal Impact Statement:  None submitted by the City Ethics Commission.  Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has submitted a financial analysis of this matter.

 

Community Impact Statement:  None submitted.

 

Adopted, (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
 
ITEM NO.(5)15-0635
15-0635

HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the 2016-17 Community Services Block Grant Community Action Plan.

 

Recommendation for Council action:

 

AUTHORIZE the General Manager, Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department, or designee, to sign and submit the 2016-17 Community Action Plan to the Department of Community Services and Development by June 26, 2015, for the provision of funding programs designed to increase the self-sufficiency of residents whose incomes meet federal poverty guidelines, subject to the review of the City Attorney for approval as to form, and compliance with the City's contracting requirements.

 

Fiscal Impact Statement:  The City Administrative Officer reports that there will be no impact to the General Fund. The recommendation in this report is in compliance with the City's Financial Policies in that the services in the Community Action Plan will be fully funded by federal grant funds.

 

Community Impact Statement:  None submitted.

 

 

Adopted, (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
 
ITEM NO.(6)15-0354
15-0354

HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2015-16 Handyworker Program Year.

 

Recommendations for Council action:

 

  1. AUTHORIZE the General Manager, Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA), or designee, to issue an RFP (Attachment A to the HCIDLA transmittal dated March 18, 2015, attached to Council file No. 15-0354) for organizations or contractors to provide minor home repairs, accessibility improvements, and installation of security and safety devices under the Handyworker Program, subject to the approval of the City Attorney.

  2. INSTRUCT the  General Manager, HCIDLA, or designee, to report back with recommendations regarding the selection of Handyworker Program service providers for the 2015-16 Program Year.

  3. AUTHORIZE the  General Manager, HCIDLA, or designee, to increase funding in each Neighborhood Service Area (and/or contract) in an amount equal to the six-month prorated amount upon, and consistent with, the approval of the 41st Program Year of the Consolidated Plan (41st PY Con Plan).

Fiscal Impact Statement:  The HCIDLA reports that there is no impact to the General Fund. Based on the federal Community Development Block Grant entitlement amount for the 41st PY Con Plan, $2.13 million has been allocated to this Program during April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016, including $1,065 million for the extension of the five contracts and $1,065 million for contractors to be selected through the proposed RFP.

 

Community Impact Statement:  None submitted.

 

 

Adopted, (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
 
Items for which Public Hearings Have Not Been Held - (10 Votes Required for Consideration)
ITEM NO.(7)

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-S197
15-0005-S197
CD 10

2915 South 11th Avenue (Case No. 274339) Assessor I.D. No. 5051-024-025

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
 
(b)15-0005-S198
15-0005-S198
CD 13

636 North Rampart Boulevard (Case No. 144769) Assessor I.D. No. 5402-010-011

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
 
(c)15-0005-S199
15-0005-S199
CD 13

636 North Rampart Boulevard (Case No. 197234) Assessor I.D. No. 5402-010-011

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
 
(d)15-0005-S200
15-0005-S200
CD 13

636 North Rampart Boulevard (Case No. 326962) Assessor I.D. No. 5402-010-011

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
 
(e)15-0005-S201
15-0005-S201
CD 13

636 North Rampart Boulevard (Case No. 386155) Assessor I.D. No. 5402-010-011

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
 
(f)15-0005-S202
15-0005-S202
CD 13

5425 West Sierra Vista Avenue (Case No. 231641) Assessor I.D. No. 5536-019-018

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
 
ITEM NO.(8)15-0742
15-0742
CD 8

MOTION (PARKS - LABONGE) relative to funding for three annual events in Council District Eight.

 

Recommendation for Council action:

 

DIRECT the City Clerk to place on the Council agenda for JULY 1, 2015, or soon thereafter as possible, the following recommendations for adoption:
           

  1. Utilize $80,000 in the Council's portion of the Heritage Month Celebration and Special Events line item in the General City Purpose Fund No. 100/56 as follows:  $15,000 to fund any aspect of the Kwanzaa Foundation - Spoken Word Project, $15,000 to fund any aspect of the Ebony Repertory Theatre and $50,000 to fund any aspect of the NAACP Theatre Awards.

  2. Direct the City Clerk to prepare and process the necessary document(s) and/or payment(s) in the above amounts, for the above purposes, with the respective appropriate agencies or organizations, subject to the approval of the City Attorney as to form, if needed; and that the City Clerk be authorized to execute any such documents on behalf of the City.

  3. Authorize the City Clerk to make any technical corrections or clarifications to the above instructions in order to effectuate the intent of this Motion.

 

 

Adopted - FORTHWITH, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
 
ITEM NO.(9)15-0743
15-0743
CD 14

MOTION (HUIZAR - O'FARRELL) relative to funding for a dog agility course in Hermon Dog Park to provide dogs with appropriate exercise and play equipment.

 

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

 

  1. TRANSFER/APPROPRIATE $10,000 in the Central Los Angeles Recycling and Transfer Station Community Amenities Trust Fund No. 47S/14 to the Department of Recreation and Parks, Fund No. 302/89, Account No. 814M for a dog agility course at Hermon Dog Park.

  2. AUTHORIZE the Department of Recreation and Parks to make any technical corrections to the above fund transfer instructions in order to effectuate the intent of this Motion.

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
ITEM NO.(10)15-0744
15-0744
CD 9

MOTION (PRICE - CEDILLO) relative to installing street banners announcing the 20th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival on July 25-26, 2015 in the Vernon-Central neighborhood of South Los Angeles.

 

Recommendations for Council action:

 

  1. APPROVE the  street banner program announcing the 20th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival, as a City of Los Angeles Event, for the period of July 25-26, 2015.

  2. APPROVE the content of the street banners for the above specified event, attached to the Council file.

 

 

 

Adopted, (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
 
ITEM NO.(11)15-0745
15-0745

RESOLUTION (BLUMENFIELD - WESSON) relative to authorizing gifts to the City from voluntary non-governmental sources to finance Councilman-elect Marqueece Harris-Dawson's transition staff, facilities, events, and activities.

 

Recommendations for Council action:

  1. AUTHORIZE Councilman-elect Marqueece Harris-Dawson to solicit and accept gifts made to the City for the purpose of financing the Councilman-elect's transition staff and expenses incurred between June 12, 2015 and September 15, 2015, and to deposit such cash gifts in a public benefit trust fund hereby established for such transition purposes (the Fund) in a cumulative amount not to exceed $100,000 and with no gift from any one source to exceed $1,000.

  2. AUTHORIZE the Councilman-elect's transition organization to make expenditures out of the Fund for the sole purposes of paying the reasonable costs and expenses associated with the Councilman-elect's transition, such as for staff, equipment, supplies, meeting space, parking, telephones, postage, and oath-of-office events; and, AUTHORIZE the office of the City Controller to deposit any unspent cash gifts on hand after payment of all of the costs and expenses associated with the Councilman-elect's transition into the City's General Fund.

  3. ACCEPT the gifts made by the donors to the City for such purposes on behalf of the City.

  4. REQUEST the City Controller to process any requests for disbursements submitted to the City Controller by a designated representative of Councilman-elect Marqueece Harris-Dawson's transition organization within 24 hours of receipt of such request for disbursement.

  5. AUTHORIZE and REQUEST the City Attorney to prepare any necessary agreements, documents, or other instruments to memorialize and implement the foregoing; and, AUTHORIZE and DIRECT Councilman-elect Marqueece Harris-Dawson to execute on behalf of the City any such agreements, documents, or other instruments in the form approved by the City Attorney.

 

 

Adopted to Refer, Unanimous Vote (11); Absent: Cedillo
, Krekorian
, Martinez
, Parks
(4)
REFERRED TO RULES, ELECTIONS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
RECONSIDERED ITEM(s)
15-0348
15-0348

Reconsidered Item No. 5 from Council Meeting of June 17, 2015

 

HEAR PROTESTS against the proposed improvement and maintenance of the Hesperia Avenue and Santa Rita Street No. 1 Street Lighting District, in accordance with Sections 6.95-6.127 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code and Proposition 218.

Received and Filed, Unanimous Vote (13); Absent: Cedillo
, Martinez
(2)
MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED PURSUANT TO RULE NO. 16 - TO BE PLACED ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE AGENDA
09-0010-S18
09-0010-S18MOTION (BLUMENFIELD - ENGLANDER) relative to reinstating the reward offer in the death of Howard Steindler on March 9, 1977.
14-0273-S4
14-0273-S4MOTION (LABONGE - WESSON) relative to funding for the 2015 Special Olympic World Games.
COMMENDATORY RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED IN HONOR OF:
15-0004-S1
Society of the Promotion of Japanese Animation Price - LaBonge
School on WheelsKoretz - Huizar - Price
At the conclusion of this day's Council Session ADJOURNING MOTIONS WERE ADOPTED in tribute to the memory of:
15-0003-S1
15-0003-S1
Lee Wolkowitz Wesson - All Councilmembers
Camper OsbornBonin - All Councilmembers

9 Victims in Charleston, South Carolina Shooting

Price - All Councilmembers
Louis Joseph ReynosoBuscaino - All Councilmembers
Ingrid Margaret RobertsBuscaino - All Councilmembers
Cookie Spanser Krekorian - All Councilmembers
ENDING ROLL CALL
Ending
Blumenfield, Bonin, Buscaino, Englander, Fuentes, Huizar, Koretz, Krekorian, LaBonge, O'Farrell, Parks, Price and President Wesson (13); Absent: Cedillo and Martinez (2)
Whereupon the Council did adjourn.
Signature

ATTEST: Holly L. Wolcott, CITY CLERK

 

 

By:

 

 

            Council Clerk                                           PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL