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It's that time again! We're gonna live-tweet a meeting of our local elected officials! This time it's the Los Angeles City Council.
Technically we're supposed to be 17 minutes into it at this point, but meeting is running behind. There are muffled voices on the live-stream.
Technically we're supposed to be 17 minutes into it at this point, but meeting is running behind. There are muffled voices on the live-stream.
And THERE WE GO! Rolling now.
First note: Nury decided to wear a mask this time around.
First note: Nury decided to wear a mask this time around.
All 15 members are present.
Follow along here!
https://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=130&event_id=12855
Follow along here!
https://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=130&event_id=12855
74 items on the agenda today! It's going to be a long meeting.
They're discussing special agenda items right now. It's a little difficult to follow along as multiple folks don't seem to remember how to use their mute buttons on Zoom. And the mics are all at different levels.
They're discussing special agenda items right now. It's a little difficult to follow along as multiple folks don't seem to remember how to use their mute buttons on Zoom. And the mics are all at different levels.
Bonin is up first, moves to amend item 61 to specifically call out HR 6515 Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act. Seconded by Koretz.
Wesson seconds the proposed amendment to item 38 to strike "consumer" from the motion.
Wesson seconds the proposed amendment to item 38 to strike "consumer" from the motion.
This first part of the meeting where they read out the amendments to the motions is super fun and just thrilling content. Gonna go make some coffee while listening for the fun stuff to start.
Reminder: per the new state rules, they *HAVE* to take you public comments via "telephony" today.
"To participate in public comment during the meeting, call (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID No. 459-499-150, then press #. Press # again when prompted for participant ID."
"To participate in public comment during the meeting, call (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID No. 459-499-150, then press #. Press # again when prompted for participant ID."
We have now had three folks called for comment but nobody responded. Looks like fourth try is the charm.
In case folks want a guide for this meeting, check out what Ktown For All put together! https://ktownforall.org/2020/04/21/guide-to-the-april-22-la-city-council-meeting/
Doug Haines just complained about emergency code enforcement being suspended because the motion lacks a sunset clause.
In case you didn't know who he is... https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-hollywood-activist-city-council-election-20161111-story.html
In case you didn't know who he is... https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-hollywood-activist-city-council-election-20161111-story.html
Dolores Cruces called in and asked the council to support renters in this time of crisis.
Guadalupe Ortiz called in to echo the same sentiments, translation was requested but Nury seems to have missed that.
Guadalupe Ortiz called in to echo the same sentiments, translation was requested but Nury seems to have missed that.
There we go, we have interpretation working now. Guadalupe is asking for support in suspending rent and mortgage payments for April. She points out that with so many folks out of work they cannot make payments on rent because they don't have income with which to pay!
A hotel worker is speaking now, asking for stronger laws for rehiring folks who have been laid off as a result of this crisis. Caller points out that he, as an unemployed worker, doesn't have health insurance and asks the city to support him on that.
Stuart Waldman, president of VICA (Valley Industry & Commerce Association), just called in and listed a litany of issues to complain about the difficulty for businesses to rehire folks after this crisis. Echoed the comments he made last time he gave public comment.
Missed the details of the last call.
Current caller is making the "think about the landlords" plea.
Landlords genuinely seem to have missed the fact that their "jobs" are largely "investments" that carry inherent "risks" like losing value and defaulting.
Current caller is making the "think about the landlords" plea.
Landlords genuinely seem to have missed the fact that their "jobs" are largely "investments" that carry inherent "risks" like losing value and defaulting.
Next caller is asking for more support for healthcare workers, including expanding curbside testing support for clinics that are often operating in low income communities. Caller is also asking for support during this crisis for undocumented workers -- the backbone of our economy
Anne from https://www.independenthospitality.org/ pointed out that impact of some of the motions on the agenda today on "independent restaurants" - I believe. Missed the details as I was googling the name of the org and the comment was super quick.
Caller from Unite Here local 11 called in asking for support for LAX workers who are being impacted by this crisis.
Current caller from @SunriseMvmtLA and @DSA_LosAngeles (Kevin?) demanding expansion of eviction moratorium. Supporting motions from Bonin all around. Calling for rent/mortgage moratorium during the crisis. He's now echoing the points I tweeted earlier: https://twitter.com/KNOCKdotLA/status/1253019401571282944
Caller from Reseda is worried about how he is going to pay bills/rent. He's been a resident of LA for 20 years and never been out of work like this before (laid off due to COVID-19) he is asking for support for workers across the city so that folks can return to work post-crisis.
Note from a local organizer, @tommykellyinla:
"If one of us gets on, please bring up the fact that they can set rent to $0 under emergency price controls"
And he includes receipts:
http://www.pilpca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Letter-to-San-Jos%C3%A9-City-Council-re-Supporting-Rent-Suspension-2020-04-06.pdf
"If one of us gets on, please bring up the fact that they can set rent to $0 under emergency price controls"
And he includes receipts:
http://www.pilpca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Letter-to-San-Jos%C3%A9-City-Council-re-Supporting-Rent-Suspension-2020-04-06.pdf
Current caller, a landlord who "gives back" by working with LAHSA (volunteering for annual count?) keeps being muffled and coming back. Impossible to hear much of what she has to say. Complaining that the council is stripping her of all her rights as a landlord. Amazing.
Rob Quan calling re: item 7, cites that no budget has been pushed yet. Item 28, Responsible Banking Ordinance shouldn't be limited in scope to Rent Stabilization Ordinance impacted units, urges expanding the protections afforded by RBO. Urges support for HealthyLA demands.
Rob is also excoriating Nury and the council for inability to handle public comment and for repeatedly cancelling meetings. Also point out how LAPD is *not* wearing masks, like, at all. More here: https://twitter.com/CourtWatchLA/status/1253017260693700609
Rob is also dragging the city for continuing to let cops retire in the DROP system, which is hugely damaging to the city's budget. This is especially poignant in a time of massive budget shortfalls. Read up on this shitty program here: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-drop-pension-20180206-story.html
Brian, a grad student at UCLA school of public policy, urging the council to support right of recall for workers, urges rejecting any amendment that would exempt USC from any of the requirements in the right of recall legislation.
Current caller giving comment on items 39, 28, general public comment. Strongly supports HealthyLA, -- demanding strong eviction protections, she can't provide any of her workers with jobs right now as all large events have been cancelled.
She is heavily critical of LAPD's continued actions in response to protests, folks being detained by cops who were failing to practice social distancing or wearing masks. Gets cut off by Nury but demands that the city house the homeless in hotels and should have been since day 1.
President of the Rampart Village Neighborhood Council is calling for rent forgiveness for folks who live below the poverty line. Seems weird to suggest that we means test this shit further.
He has moved on to how the city has screwed up the EmpowerLA governance of meetings.
He has moved on to how the city has screwed up the EmpowerLA governance of meetings.
Current caller from Central City Association supports items 67-71 because they'll help businesses restart their operations in the city.
Lots of callers missed the instructions that they need to turn down their devices when they're giving public comment. Really hearing the words of Rob Quan ringing in my ears as Nury keeps repeating "Speaker, are you there?"
This could, and should, be handled so much better.
This could, and should, be handled so much better.
Cannot tell what this caller is asking for on item 44 outside of accepting grant money to support folks. He delivered that comment in a hurry.
Luke is calling for a full mortgage and rent moratorium for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis and for a full 30 days after the crisis is over. He lost his grandmother last week to COVID-19. Calls out landlords for predatory and profiteering practices during the crisis.
Luke's general comment is calling out the city attorney's office for lies re: the limits of what the city can do on rent. Points out that this issue will haunt him in his mayoral bid. Calls Mitch a snake and demands he resign and "party on his own dime," I think. Cheers, Luke!!
**Correction: he said John Lee, not Mitch. My bad. Same sentiment.
Caller Marie from Central City Association is speaking on Item #10 in opposition, calls out the unintended consequences for business owners. Points out that it's going to impact hotels and other industries deeply impacted by the pandemic. Trailed off suddenly and is gone now.
AUDIO FEEDBACK LOOP!!!!
The guy on the mic is chastising folks for not following instructions. Again, Rob Quan pointed out how they could EASILY handle this issue by having someone act as an operator to clean all of this up. Unbelievable how badly they're STILL running this.
Caller from Chateau Mormont who has been there for decades is pleading for support for Item 10 to help all of the employees who have been laid off and lost their health insurance in this crisis.
Current caller is thanking council members from amendments to exempt restaurants from right of recall legislation. Says that giving furloughed employees 10 days to respond to a notice that their job exists again will stop restaurants from being able to open quickly.
Sarah Armstrong from Americans for Safe Access talking on 43, 44, and public comment. Urging city to adopt the motions and secure the grants to support local social equity applicants. She has done spot checks on medical cannabis businesses and found no issues with PPE.
Last caller is speaking on Item 10: he was fired from Chateau Mormont and is asking for support on the item to help protect himself, his family, and all of the other workers who were summarily fired during the crisis.
That's it for the public comment period for today's meeting (outside of new motions that are introduced or other issues that trigger a new public comment period).
And now we're going into a 20 minute recess.
Be back shortly!
And now we're going into a 20 minute recess.
Be back shortly!
Quick second correction: Luke called Mitch O'Farrell a snake and told John Lee to "resign and party on his own dime." https://twitter.com/KNOCKdotLA/status/1253028324818817025
We're getting the same hand-pan music as ... every other City Council meeting under COVID-19 lockdown.
Super weird to be able to still hear muffled discussions from the clerk or someone else who doesn't have their mic muted in the background.
Super weird to be able to still hear muffled discussions from the clerk or someone else who doesn't have their mic muted in the background.
