denser you make parks, the busier you make parks, the more people are getting out and getting to meet their neighbors , and the safer the places become because there's more eyes in the parks on our children, on our kids. So I believe in making sure that it's multigenerational , and it's also a busy environment. So we're expanding soccer fields. We're, uh, we've already opened two different parks in the area to make sure that there's a lot of activity going on inside the parks. We're turning small patches into pocket parks so that it's a place for folks to be able to congregate and get engaged. I want to make sure we have enough, you know, chess tables so that some of our more aging, more senior members can get together and congregate in parks. And so that that way, the park also becomes multigenerational. You know, small things like this, uh, create a, a spin off opportunity for more for things to grow. And my goal is to make sure that we're making parks as utilized as possible and as available to as many people as possible. I hear a lot of hope and promise in everything that you've been saying. What do you love best about being a council member right now? Being able to make an impact. That's the goal of this. You want to make an impact. You want to you want to make things. Obviously, you want to make things better off than, uh, when you took the role. Um, but I also want to make sure that this is a place that my kids are. My children are able to succeed. And the same way I was, I came to Los Angeles with English being my fourth language. Uh not knowing the culture, not knowing my surroundings. Uh I think every child that's the bare standard if every child comes in with that circumstance, what are the things that need to be done for them to succeed? Um and that's what we need to strive to make Los Angeles a place where everyone who is coming in for a second chance is able to find their success and able to be a contributing members back to their society. Well your office is doing an immense amount of work. I mean, just even going through when I was learning about you and what was happening out here in Council District two, there's a lot happening. So if people want to keep up on it and people want to know what you're doing or ask you questions or just keep informed, what's the best way for them to follow up on our conversation in a more intimate way? Uh, multiple ways. They can, first of all, call our office to traditional way. Uh, they can follow us on one of our handles, Instagram handle is CD two Los Angeles. Uh, or they can go to our website at LA City.org and be able to follow us as well. I also have to thank your office for being so gracious and so quiet while we've been chatting this morning. They've all been very kind and very courteous. We really appreciate it. Thank you for saying that. I have a wonderful team. They make me look good. Well, I'm sure they're attracted to that because you are such a good person. So thank you so much. It's been wonderful to talk to you and I hope we get a chance to talk again. Looking forward. Thank you. And that's a wrap on this LA currents . Hello everyone. I'm Natalia Bilbao and I'm here at the historic Watts Towers Arts Center campus, a place that, much like Los Angeles itself, stands as a testament to creativity, resilience and community. Welcome to LA. This week. More than six decades ago, Doctor Martin Luther King Jr stood before a nation at the March on Washington and shared a dream, one rooted in justice, equality and hope. This week in South Los Angeles, that dream continued to echo through the streets. As mayor Karen Bass, City Council members and thousands of Angelenos came together to honor Doctor King's legacy and to reaffirm a commitment to keep his vision alive for future generations. This is a time for us to certainly celebrate the life and legacy of Doctor Martin Luther King, and we're reminded every day about the values the principles that he died and he fought for. We celebrate MLK every year here in Los Angeles. But this year is special because we're in a fight and we're fighting over all the things that Martin Luther King stood for. So freedom to work and freedom to be in your home and freedom to walk the streets as a human being, to not be targeted because of how you talk or how you look. Those are things that Doctor King left to us, that we got to fight to make sure we leave to the next generation. I've never been. So it's my first time. Martin Luther King is kind of cool because he helped black people and white people come together as one. So it's kind of cool to see that this day means a lot. You know, I think there's an effort being done to erase days like this. And I think it's important to show up to events like this. So it can't be erased. We're all equal and we're all trying to enjoy the day. Sunny day with MLK. It's important. Especialmente en Los tiempos. Estamos viviendo la division se ha creado queremos q q siga escuchamos esta voz de apoyo para la gente de color Q ha estado luchando por décadas y creemos Q. Es importante continua para Los Q vienen la generacion Q sigue. There's so much divide and hate today and all he preached about was love and union. We're all humans. We're all here on this planet at the same time in the same life. It's important that we all work together to bring a sense of peace. Life is hard enough. And if we lean on each other, we can make it so much easier. When we begin to talk about what we're faced with in the headlines, with immigration rights and everything, like that at the epicenter of all the doctor King's advocacies were advancing full citizenship rights. We have the right to protest via the Constitution. And so when we disagree with government, then we can peacefully protest. And that was the foundation of his work. I think it's important that people be able to look back and kind of see how we were able to move without causing a lot of hostility and violence and still get our point across and move us to where we are now. He had no fear. He had courage and that is a role model for all of us, regardless of our ethnicities, to attack racism in whatever form it is. That's why I believe that this holiday is very important, especially now with the current administration. We are certainly experiencing some real challenges from our federal government, and it's important that we come together as a community and stand in solidarity with each other. We've got so many great movements in Southern California , whether it's the peace patrols that helps tell people where Ice is going to be to everyday people who are saying, you can come to our church and we'll help you out. Those are the kinds of things that people can do and are doing here in LA. The state of the world. While it has changed nothing has changed. Um it's been many, many years. And how many of its teachings can still be applied today? I think a lot, but the legacy is one of service. One of commitment and one of not giving up. And really, at the end of the day, it's about loving humanity, love one another. Y'all We must always remember Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Change is taking place in South Los Angeles, where the revitalization of Jordan Downs is bringing new life to a long standing community. As older housing makes way for new modern units, city leaders and developers are keeping a critical promise that progress will not come at the cost of displacement. One way. We are in the heart of what's at Jordan Downs, and we're here today to celebrate the completion of another phase of our Jordan Downs revitalization Cyprus view. And it's 119 units of beautiful housing. Jordan Downs is a traditional public housing community of just over 700 units built in the 1950s and over time grew dilapidated. Not enough federal investment. And so we started conversations with this neighborhood about redeveloping and really reimagining what this community would look like from the beginning. We said to the residents of this community that the redevelopment would not lead to any displacement. And this is a promise that we've kept. Bridge housing has been around for 40 plus years now and has been 100% committed to providing affordable housing, coming into communities of need like this, being able to guide it to the point that it is right now, that's that's special. El Nido has been around for 100 years. We provide a lot of supportive services in the community. You know, we could open up these new facilities, but if families get into trouble and they lose their housing because they lost their job, because they got injured, because they need counseling, for example, we have the Ice raids. Some families can't go to work because of that. There's so many things going on. So making sure that the families are connected to the resources that's going to support them and ensure that they're able to stay in their housing is very, very important. Este es un compromiso hicimos a esta comunidad de qué vamos a crear vivienda digna. Vivienda de calidad. Vamos a crear mas parques. Entonces hoy también celebramos el nuevo parque. Pearl Park y la vision de esta comunidad. Es de qué watts tenga las humanidades cualquier otra comunidad de Los Angeles. Tenga Our history of legacy of Jordan has been demolished and so part of us to. So I've been living here 46 years. Really all my life that process is emotional. It has a bittersweet moment because it's my heritage as well. Has been demolished a lot of heartfelt moments when you give birth to your kids and your mom raised you there. So to transform from there to here has been a challenge mentally. But now that I'm here, it's more because I'm older now, it's more my speed. It's I can walk around the park. I love to do that. I love to sit on my porch and read a book or sew or just take it all in and then just my bathroom is my therapy. It's my sanctuary. So the help of counseling, therapy , therapists and people coaching you need it can do it by yourself. I grew up in this community. I remember the challenges that were here in 1965, and to see the transformation it makes my heart feel good to see the families are starting to get the resources, services and the type of facilities they deserve. I think it's so important, you know, when we in government begin these efforts and these initiatives, they really have to be centered on people and their dreams and aspirations. The residents. Right. They were here. They were cheering. They were celebrating. And that's the barometer that we are on the right track. But men and women who run toward danger are asking Angelenos for support. The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City are currently gathering signatures for a November ballot initiative. Their proposal, a half cent sales tax aimed at funding new fire stations and upgrading equipment. We're here today because we kicked off our campaign for our ballot measure to fund LA fire Department. This is a perfect example of a fire station in the city of Los Angeles that is downsized. We are not adequately staffed and resourced to serve the needs of our community. They used to have two engines and a truck inside this fire station, and now we only have an engine. We cut a truck and an engine out of this fire station. In 2011, 15 years later, we haven't got it back. LAFD has been woefully underfunded. I came on the job in 1992 and we have less firefighters today than we did in 1992, and it's a shame. This is a ballot measure that we are gathering signatures to get on the November ballot. It's a half cent sales tax increase that will raise funds dedicated to building and maintaining fire stations and adding staffing and equipment here in the city of LA from Angelenos. What we need right now is signatures, signatures, signatures in order to qualify to get on the ballot for November of 2026. There's signature gatherers that will be in front of your grocery stores, in front of other facilities. Please sign the petition and help support the lAFD. We urge everybody to sign the petition. Have your friends have your neighbors sign it. This is going to be an all hands on deck effort for the next few months. This is a ballot initiative that is being led directly by our firefighters themselves, not City Hall. It's money that cannot be used for other purposes, and it finally makes an investment in dragging our public safety resources into a modern century. We're going to more fires, going to more medicals. Our our calls have gone from 100,000 to 500,000 from 1960 to this year. We're going on more runs. We need more resources. We're short staffed. We're shorthanded. It's like the Dodgers playing baseball with eight people on the field instead of nine. Can still play the game, but you're not as effective. In South Central Los Angeles, a long awaited green space is now open, and it's already bringing the community together. Today we are at Richardson Family Park. We are reopening the park after the council office spearheaded the complete renovation and modernization of the park. We are very pleased that the improvements of the park incorporate health and wellness and also green space and a much needed South L.A. community in communities like South Central LA. You don't see a lot of green space. And so when community members say, we want to see this in our community, you see the what comes of that? And it's incredible the fact that young people can come and have a place where they feel safe and even the families themselves be able to say, we want this and we're going to fight for it. We're going to fight for what our community needs and deserves. That's what this is. And those are the results and the outcome of that. Bueno. Yo digo, qué es bueno tener un parque porque este vienen Los ninos. La gente Los adultos tanto Como Los ninos vienen a tener diversion y mas en estos tiempos. También Los ninos tengan algo de divertirse en vez de las calles o hacer otras cosas. Y creo también nos sirve para estimular. So we changed out the apparatus and we changed out the sandboxes and replaced them with some more family friendly materials, put up this new fence for the basketball court. We're still going to resurface the court and put a mural in here. There are other things that still need to be done, but we've turned the place into a real community center and it is a center, not just for the kids to come and play, but also for the adults to come and learn and exercise. It's really exciting for the neighborhood to have a place like this where we can count that it's a safe space and that people can enjoy themselves without reservation. Still ahead , a snapshot of some of the stories making waves around the city. An international honor for a local star educator. A dedicated streetlight repair team, Brighton Council District 13, and a new care based services division launching at Metro. These stories and more. Up next on City Beat. Doctor Edwin Krupp, the director of Griffith Observatory, has been honored by the American Astronomical Society. The International organization recognized Krupp with its 2026 Education Prize. It cited his outstanding contributions educating the public, students, and future astronomers. Krupp has been the director of the landmark Griffith Observatory for over five decades, and has shown the workings of the cosmos to millions of visitors. For more information, visit Griffith Observatory .org. L.A. City Council has approved $1 million to establish a dedicated streetlight repair team for Council District 13. The team will work in the council district to address long repair times that currently exceed nine months. Hiring is underway for electricians and laborers, with repairs expected to begin in the next two months. For more information, go to CD 13. L.A. city Dot gov slash news. Metro has launched a new care based services division under its Department of Public Safety, which includes transit ambassadors, outreach and intervention teams. The new Crisis Response teams will address behavior related incidents. Metro's priority is the safety of riders and employees. Learn more at the source dot. Metronet. California history came to life this week at the Campo de Cahuenga. The signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga marked a turning point in the state's past, and through a live reenactment that story is being preserved for younger generations. Everybody ready? Here we go. We're here in Council District two, in my district, celebrating the 179th anniversary of the signing of the treaty of the Campo. It doesn't get any more historical of a site than the Campo. We here in Los Angeles have not the birthplace of California, but the place that preceded by about 11 months. The birthplace of California. This is where Campo de Cahuenga is, where the treaty of the Campo was signed. This is an amazing part of history. It's really wonderful to have all the folks who are going to be doing the reenactment, keeping this history alive. General administrators can offer to join America at this time. We're just really here, just really just to celebrate the museum and all of its history and the history of California. Hey there. It's really important for us to remember the past, to learn from the past. Events like this are critical to teach younger generations. So they understand how the history of California came about, how California interacted with its indigenous peoples. So the campo we're situated at a crossroads where a mountain pass meets a river ford. And humans, as long as they've been in California from the indigenous to today, pass through this pass. That's why the armies that had been fighting met here to end the fighting and transfer California. And that's worth remembering. The motivation is to teach California history. This is the most historic site west of the Mississippi River that no one knows about. Equal rights and privileges are vouchsafed to every citizen of California, as are enjoyed by the citizens of the United States of North America. Recreation and parks just want to thank the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Museum Association, just really for their support year round. To learn more about our programs, please visit. LA parks.org. From candy sculptures to a wall of wishes oshogatsu the New Year celebrations of Japanese Americans brought the community together in little Tokyo. Today we're celebrating what we call oshogatsu in Japanese. It's the new Year and it's put on yearly by the Japanese American national Museum. So this is our celebration of the New Year. It's the Japanese New Year and the Japanese American New Year. So we have lots of activities and performances really geared towards kids. And it's everything from taiko demonstrations from Kodama taiko, where they're also pounding mochi or rice cakes. We have the candy man. He's doing candy sculptures. We have lots of crafts that are all year of the horse themed and lots of other community partners and activities happening as well. I totally recommend coming out here, enjoy the great food, great people. It happens every year. Come on down. Have some fun. We have a variety of performances from local artists, performers and community members . We also have a wide variety of stands that you can visit from our America's Wish wall to discover Nikkei to Nikkei. Progressives who have all come together here to share their resources, activities and different things for the community members to come. Do today. We're Japanese, so it's always kind of nice to show the kids, you know what our heritage is all about. We celebrate our heritage. It's a yearly thing. There's a lot of custom to it, and it brings good luck. As a museum, we want to keep upholding our history and our culture of, you know, Japanese immigrants to the present day Japanese American culture. So it's really important for us to keep celebrating together. My favorite part about these festivals is that you see families different people, all walks of life that come through here to come celebrate the culture to come celebrate community, and to be together. So it's a wonderful way to ring in the new year, and we're really thankful for everyone who's been a part of this to making this happen to everyone who's come to celebrate with us . They make it look effortless, but staying ready to save lives takes grit, endurance and constant training. LA city lifeguards invited us behind the scenes to see the demanding recertification process. They must complete to stay on the job. Let's dive in. Today, we're here at Celeste King. We are hosting the 2026 Recertifications behind me. We have our life saving staff in which we will be testing them today in their water skills. We will be testing them in the 500 meter swim. All right, swimmers, take your mark. Go go! 500m. Which is about 22 laps in this pool. It was a little bit tiring , but it's a good metric for people to swim in open water. We have to get in under ten minutes. So it's just to see that all lifeguards meet the requirements to keep lifeguarding for the city of Los Angeles. I think being a lifeguard is a great job because you learn a lot of water safety skills for dummies. So it does take some skill and effort to be able to bring out the dummy from the bottom of the pool. It does take experience and practice for a lifeguard to be able to complete this event. Swimming is a really important life saving skill. I myself have almost drowned when I was little, so it was definitely a big motivator for me to learn how to swim. And I think anyone that has struggled in the water knows that fear and it's definitely a good, life saving technique to have. I grew up swimming my entire life and eventually started helping others swim. Teaching lessons, teaching programs, finally, I started swimming open water and that changed my entire perspective on lifeguarding. What we do and how we prevent people from having a very unfortunate day. Anybody that's interested in a job opportunity to work with aquatics, they're more than welcome to visit any LA city pool. There. They can find resources and information about any job opportunities that they have. If you want to become a lifeguards locker, tenants or pool clerks, it is open to anybody. I came back this year to do another year as being a lifeguard for the city. I really think it's one of the best jobs out there. That's what brings me back every year. Because. Now, in its 45th year, the annual Black Doll show at the William Grant Still Arts Center continues to inspire and educate more than an exhibit, it's a celebration of identity, craftsmanship, and the power of representation. The Black Doll Show is something that goes on at William Grant Still Arts Center every year. It's been going on for the past 45 years. There's a different theme every year. The history is that we wanted to showcase dolls that represent people of color. There have always been kind of a stigma, and this show exhibits how gorgeous dolls in all colors are. And so we wanted to exhibit that. And also honor the artists who make them. We just have a wonderful time showing our black dolls. The dolls are so unique in their own way. The most unusual, very unusual doll show that you'll ever see. I've been working here in the Cultural Affairs department for almost a year now, and now I have my own piece in the Black Doll show a lot of people don't know how dolls are made, and we also give classes after the show, so it gives them a chance to see how they're made. And the variations of them, whether they're clay or cloth. This highlights community , especially community of color. And so I like to be involved in something powerful, positive and beautiful. I feel honored to have a piece of work in this art show, especially since it's been going on for 45 years. The annual Black Doll show, and this is the first black doll I've ever made, and I'm just very happy to be a part of this show . You are always welcome to come here to the center right now we have the 45th Annual Black Doll Show. However throughout the year we have different exhibits that you can come and see. They're free, so don't just come for one art exhibit. Come throughout the year. If you're looking for something to do around LA, we've got you covered. Check out what's happening this week on Things to Do. Celebrate all things green at the Central Library. Support Ocean conservation and sustainability at altasea and have a whale of a good time with the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. All this up next on things to do . Spring is coming and the Los Angeles Public Library has some advice workshops and general help for your plants. They are devoting a day to celebrating plants at the Central Library, where there will be keynote speakers, gardening tips and resources from La sanitation. Learn how to repot your plants or paint the flower pots and experience the joy of connecting with nature. Visit the central library for Plant Day, a celebration of plants on Saturday, January 31st from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. for more details on the events, visit lapl.org. Slash plants Day. Alta Sea at the Port of Los Angeles invites you to their first open house of 2026 on Saturday, January 31st. Join the Alta Sea team from 10 a.m. to learn more about the Re-Up our Ocean campaign, which is turning plastic pollution into surfboard fins and other upcycled sustainable products. The open House shares resources with the community through informative presentations, workshops and exhibits that aim to inspire ideas and fuel the blue economy. While preserving the well-being of the ocean. Head to the port of LA for all the seas. Open house, re-up our ocean on Saturday, January 31st at 10 a.m. for more information, visit Alta Sea .org. What better way to celebrate the beginning of whale watching season in California than by having a whale fiesta? Join Cabrillo Marine Aquarium on Sunday, February first for Whale Fiesta , which marks the start of the migration of the Pacific Great Whale. This family fun day is filled with activities and exhibits for all and will include games, arts and crafts, puppet shows, expert guest lectures and festive music. Experience the incredible life sized inflatable whales and the famous duct tape whale contest. Visit Cabrillo for well. Fiesta on Sunday, February 1st from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Find out more at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. Dot org. And that's a look at some things to do. And that's all for this week. Thank you so much. The Watts Towers Arts Center campus for hosting us today. Check out their website if you're visiting hours. And from all of us at LA city. Thank you so much for joining us. Remember, you can watch us anytime online at la Cityview. Org and follow us at La City on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. We'll see you next time. You. >> WELCOME TO THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING FOR JANUARY 23 2026. PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE TAKEN IN THIS COUNCIL CHAMBER. MADAM CLERK, LET'S BEGIN BY CALLING THE ROLL. >> Clerk: BLUMENFIELD, HARRIS-DAWSON HERNANDEZ HUTT JURADO LEE MCOSKER NAZARIAN PADILLA PARK PRICE RAMAN RODRIGUEZ SOTO-MARTINEZ YAROSLAVSKY. 11 MEMBERS PRESENT AND A QUORUM MR. PRESIDENT. >> Council President: ALL RIGHT. FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS? A. >> Clerk: APPROVAL AVENUE MINUTES OF JANUARY 21. >> Council President: ALL RIGHT, COUNCILMEMBER YAROSLAVSKY MOVES, COUNCILMEMBER RA MOON SECONDS. WHAT'S NEXT. >> Clerk: COMMENDATORY RESOLUTIONS FOR APPROVAL. >> Council President: CAN WE RUN THROUGH THE AGENDA. >> Clerk: 1 AND 2 ARE ITEMS FOR WHICH PUBLIC HEARINGS HAVE BEEN HELD. TEN VOTES REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION. >> Council President: ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE ANY SPECIALS? SEEING NO SPECIALS, WHAT DAM CLERK WHAT ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VOTES? >> Clerk: THE COUNCIL MAY NOW VOTE ON ITEMS 1 AND 2. >> Council President: OPEN THE ROLL, CLOSE THE ROLL, TABULATE THE VOTE. >> Clerk: 12 AYES. >> Council President: ALL RIGHT, WHAT'S NEXT? >> Clerk: WOULD THE COUNCIL LIKE TO MOVE ON TO PRESENTATION ?Z >> Council President: YES, WE HAVE A GREAT DAY OF PRESENTATIONS, WE'LL BEGIN WITH COUNCILMEMBER PADILLA OF THE 6th COUNCIL DISTRICT. >> I. Padilla: HELLO, EVERYONE BEFORE WE GET INTO OUR PRESENTATION, I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO WELCOME THE STUDENTS OF LAKE BALBOA, CAN THEY STAND UP AND CAN WE GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE? [APPLAUSE] I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOUR TEACHER, CARMEN AND ADRIANA. THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING YOUR STUDENTS TO CIVICS, BY BRINGING THEM HERE. I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A FUN TIME SEEING HOW OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPERATES. LEAVE THIS PLACE, REMEMBERING THAT THIS IS YOUR CITY HALL AND EVERYBODY THAT SITS AT THIS TABLE, ONCE UPON A TIME WAS IN YOUR POSITION. AND THIS COULD BE YOUR JOB ONE DAY. I HOPE YOU HAVE A DAY WHERE YOU LEARN A LOT AND COME BACK AND NEVER BE INTIMIDATED TO REACH OUT. HAVE A GREAT DAY AND WE'LL SEE EACH OTHER SOON. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Council President: THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE HAVE ANOTHER INTRODUCTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER YAROSLAVSKY? >> K. Yaroslavsky: THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I'M HONORED TO BE HOSTING, THE 20th UCLA LUCEKIN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT CITY HALL. CAN ALL THE STUDENTS STAND UP? WELCOME. IT'S AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU ALL AGAIN THIS YEAR, FOR YOU IT'S BEEN THE FIRST TIME BUT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20 YEARS. THEY'RE HERE WITH THE DEAN OF LUSKIN SCHOOL, ANASTAIA, APOLOGIES IF I DIDN'T PRONOUNCE THAT RIGHT. THEIR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND SOCIAL CHANGE IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS CITY NEEDS PARTICULARLY IN THIS MOMENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CHOOSING PUBLIC SERVICE. THEY HAVE AN EXCITING DAY AHEAD INCLUDING A REFORM AND AN IMMIGRATION PANEL WHICH COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN. THANK YOU, PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECOGNIZING THEM TODAY AS THEY SPEND TIME HERE AT CITY HALL LEARNING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN CITY GOVERNMENT. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A PICTURE IN THE BACK, SO ALL OF YOU UCLA GRADS IN THE COUNCIL, WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT NOW. >> Council President: ALL RIGHT, FIRST FORMAL PRESENTATION WILL BE BROUGHT TO US AGAIN BY COUNCILMEMBER BLUMENFIELD. OF THE THIRD COUNCIL DISTRICT. I WANT TO WELCOME BACK OUR COLLEAGUE COUNCILMEMBER. YOUR TURN. >> B. Blumenfield: ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING, GATHER AROUND. >> Council President: MR. BLUMENFIELD. >> B. Blumenfield: GREAT, THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, IT'S MY HONOR TO RECOGNIZE TODAY THE FRIENDS OF TAXCO CITY, SISTER CITY EXCHANGE PROGRAM. AND IT'S INCREDIBLY LONG HISTORY OF STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP, CULTURAL CHANGE AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION BETWEEN THE CITY OF CANOGA PARK AND ITS SISTER CITY OF TAXCO DEALACON, MEXICO. THEY ESTABLISHED A SISTER-CITY RELATIONSHIP BACK IN 63. WE THINK OF THE SISTER CITY BETWEEN THE WHOLE CITY OF LOS ANGELES AND A CITY SOMEWHERE. WELL BACK THEN THIS WAS REALLY RARE. AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WAS RARE AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE REQUIRED DEEP COMMUNITYITIMENT IMENT--COMMITMENT. BUT THERE WERE LEADERS THROUGH ART, EDUCATION AND SHARED CULTURAL HERITAGE. THAT SAME YEAR, THEY ORGANIZED A TRIP BY MORE THAN 20 RESIDENTS TO TAXCO, MEXICO MARKING THE FIRST DELEGATION BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES AND FIRMLY RULING A PARTNERSHIP THAT WOULD SPAN GENERATIONS. BY THE LATE 1960s AND LATE 1970, THE SISTER-CITY RELATIONSHIP WAS THRIVING. THEY CREATED MURAL AND ARTS IN ARTIFACTS AND STRENGTHEN CANOGA PARK'S IDENTITY. FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS, THIS ORGANIZATION, FRIENDS OF TAXCO HAS SERVED AS A VITAL BRIDGE BETWEEN COMMUNITIES AND SHARED CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH INITIATIVES AND ARTISTIC COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGE. --ENGAGEMENT. IN FACT THIS TIE BETWEEN CANOGA PARK AND TAXCO MEXICO, IS SO DEEP THAT RECENTLY WHEN WE OPENED THE COMMUNITY THEATER, AND WE ASKED THE COMMUNITY WHAT DO WE WANT TO NAME THIS THEATER? YOU KNOW WHAT NAME POPPED AT THE END OF THE LIST? TAXCO,--THAT'S WHAT WE NAMED THE THEATER, OF COURSE, BETWEEN THESE TWO COMMUNITIES. THEIR PEN PAL PROGRAM ACTIVE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS HAS CONNECTED PEERS IN TAXCO MEXICO STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND FRIENDSHIP AMONG OUR YOUNG COMMUNITY. JUST LAST MONTH P THE ORGANIZATION SUCCESSFUL COMPLETED A CULTURAL ADULT EXCHANGES BRINGING PARTICIPANTS FROM CANOGA TO TAXCO FOR AN EMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE. AND IT GOES BOTH WAYS. I REMEMBER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE WERE HOSTING A TASK FORCE FROM TAXCO. AT A TIME WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SEEMS TO DEMONIZING CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, THE WORK OF LIKE THE FRIENDS OF TAXCO IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE BARBARA WHITE OR FOR THOSE WHO HAVE KNOWN HER FOR MANY YEARS, BARB, PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS OF TAXCO TO SHARE A FEW WORDS. SHE A LONG TIME CANOGA PARK RESIDENT WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE VERY FIRST EXCHANGE IN 1963 AT JUST 18 YEARS OLD. INSPIRED BY THAT EXPERIENCE SHE PURSUED SPANISH STUDIES AND ROOTED CAREER. TODAY SHE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AS PRESIDENT OF FRIENDS OF TAXCO,. BARB, I WOULD LIKE IF YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO SAY A FEW WORDS. >> Speaker: YES, THANK YOU FOR INVITING US HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE CANOGA PARK ORGANIZATION, THE FRIENDS OF TAXCO. WE'VE BEEN GOING STRONG ALL OF THESE YEARS WITH CULTURAL EXCHANGES TO LIVE IN MEMBER'S HOMES AND GET A SENSE OF WHAT TAXCO AND MEXICO ARE ALL ABOUT, NOT JUST FROM THE TOURIST POINT OF VIEW. AND ONCE A YEAR TO SHARE THEM CANOGA PARK AND BROADER LOS ANGELES. PRESIDENT EISENHOWER PRESIDENT, STARTED THE PEOPLE TO PEOPLE PROGRAM IN 1966 WHEN THEY WERE SEPARATED BY THE COLD WAR. HE WAS SURE THAT BY NURTURING A PROGRAM BY PEOPLE, BARRIERS COUD BE BROKEN DOWN AND THIS CAN PROMOTE PEACE. THE BUILDINGS ARE WHITE, THE ROOFS ARE RED TILES AND STREETS ARE COBBLE STONE, SILVER MINES AND FACTORIES, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SILVER PIECE TO SEE USE ON YOUR DINNER TABLE AS WELL AS JEWELRY AND ART. IN 63 CANOGA WAS LIT EN FACILITY, FRANCIS LETTER AND MARRIAN LETTERER THOUGHT THAT THESE TWO CITIES, THE COLONIAL AND THE SPACE AGE MIGHT MAKE A WONDERFUL MATCH. SO THEY TRAVELED WITH A GROUP OF ABOUT 20 MEMBERS TO MAKE THE TIES OFFICIAL. THEY WORKED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AS WELL. I HAVE A CERTIFICATE HERE FROM 1963 FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN TAXCO MEMORIALIZING OUR BEGINNING. WE EXPERIENCED A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIVING, LANGUAGE, FOOD AND FAMILY. THE MISSION OF THE GROUP IS FRIENDSHIP. >> B. Blumenfield: AND NOW WE HAVE ANA BONILLA, THE VICE PRESIDENT. >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, WHO WOULD IMAGINE THAT 63 YEARS AGO, THE PROGRAM WOULD STILL BE HERE TODAY? LAST YEAR, MY BROTHER AND I WENT TO TAXCO AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME. EVERY TIME WE GO, WE'RE ENCHANTED BY THE WHITE HOMES AND RED ROOF TOPS. WORKING ON THE COBBLE STONES ALL WAY TO THE SOCALO AT THE IN THE TOWN. ONCE WE GOT THERE, THIS CHURCH, THIS SANTA BRUISECA, ONCE WE WENT, WE ARE PERPLEXED BY THE DETAIL ON THE WALLS AND CEILINGS AND BY THE NUMEROUS, THE ALTERS MADE OF PURE GOLD. WE WERE REFRESHED BY LOOKING AT THE LOCAL IN DEEP PRAYER. THE SANTA PRESCA IS A NATIONAL TREASURE. OUR HOSTED WEEKEND, GAVE US A WARM WELCOME. WE TRIED FOREIGN FOODS ON THURSDAY WE WENT TO A FAMILY FOR DINNER WITH TRY MOLE, BECAUSE THURSDAY IS MOLE DAY IN TAXCO. WE VISITED SID ER MINE AND AND THE PRECESSION OF VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE. WE TOOK THE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION, THE CONDI, THE VWs FROM THE 60s AND 70s BUT TAKE ITING OFF AND REPLACED BY BENCHES AND THE DOORS LEFT OPEN TO HELP PEOPLE IN AND OUT. WE ALSO, I'M WONDERING IF YOU, QUESTION WHERE ALL THE VWs BUGS WENT? WHERE THEY ARE IN TAXCO, THEY ARE THE LOCAL TAXES. AND THEY TAKE THE FRONT SEAT OFF AND THE SPACE IS USED FOR THE LUGGAGE, THE PASSENGERS GO IN THE BACK SEAT. AND THE DRIVER USES A CHAIN TO CLOSE THE DOOR. WE FELT LIKE WE WERE IN A DISNEYLAND RIDE ESPECIALLY GOING BACKWARD IN A STEEP HILL. THE TRIP WAS FABULOUS, WHAT GAVE ME THE BEST SATISFACTION IS A VISIT TO THE JUNIOR AND HIGH SCHOOL, THEY PUT PERFORMANCE TO SHOW THEIR GRATITUDE TOWARDS THE HELP THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM FRIENDS OF TAXCO. FRIENDS OF TAXCO, SELECTS A AND DIRECT FUNDS TOWARDS THAT PROJECT. LAST YEAR, HOWEVER, FRIENDS OF TAXCO, GAVE 3000 FOR TWO SCHOOL PROJECTS. THE MONEY WAS USED TO BUY A REFRIGERATOR AND A MICROWAVE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL THAT PREPARES A MEAL FOR STUDENT DAILY. AND WE ALSO BOUGHT COMPUTERS FOR THE, FOR THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. THE TRIP WAS VERY MEMORABLE AND WE MADE LONG LASTING FRIENDSHIPS. THANK YOU. >> B. Blumenfield: WELL, AN INCREDIBLE SISTER-CITY RELATIONSHIP THAT LASTED MORE THAN THREE DECADES IS SOMETHING TO BE CELEBRATED. AND I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THIS CERTIFICATE TO ALL OF YOU SIGNED BY THE MAYOR AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL AROUND THE HORSESHOE. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THIS UP FOR SO MANY YEARS. >> Council President: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. BLUMENFIELD. WE'VE GOT COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ ON THE QUEUE. >> M. Rodriguez: THANK YOU, I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO TAKE YOUR PHOTO REAL QUICK. SO LET ME HOLD ON A SEC. THANK YOU, MR. BLUMENFIELD FOR BRINGING IN THIS PRESENTATION. AND THANK YOU ALL, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WAY OF MAKING YOUR CONNECTION TO ANOTHER, TO YOU KNOW, DOING A SISTER-CITY OUTSIDE OF THE STRUCTURE THAT TT CITY DOES IT AND TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO DO THAT I THINK IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. I KNOW SO OFTEN, PEOPLE HAVE THE MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT. WEST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AND CANOGA PARK IN PARTICULAR. I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE SPENT, WHILE WORKING FOR MAYOR RAOERD DO --REAREDON, AND HAVE BEEN HOW THE COMMUNITY IS DRIVEN, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH DIA DE LOS MUERTOS. THIS IS SOMETHING I HAVE NOT FAMILIAR WITH. IT IS SPECIAL TO SEE HOW WHAT YOU'VE DONE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE PARTICIPATING AND ENGAGING. I WANTED TO THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATE YOU, THAT IS, 60 YEARS IS, YOU KNOW, SIX DECADES, THAT'S NOTHING TO LAUGH AT. THAT'S A LOT OF WORK. THAT'S A LOT OF INTENTIONALITY AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, AS MR. BLUMENFIELD INDICATED AT A TIME WHEN SO MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE UNDER ASSAULT, IT'S REALLY REFRESHING HOW EVERY DAY PEOPLE ARE HELPING TO MAKE THESE LASTING CONNECTIONS THAT ARE VITAL TO CELEBRATING THE DEEP ROOTED CONNECTIONS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Council President: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU MR. BLUMENFIELD. OUR NEXT PRESENTATION WILL BE BROUGHT TO US BY COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ OF THE FIRST DISTRICT. >> E. Hernandez: THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I'M ALSO GOING FOB JOINED BY COUNCILMEMBER PARK. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. COLLEAGUES GOOD MORNING. TODAY, WE ARE HERE TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE MOUNT SAINT MARY'S 100tH ANNIVERSARY. WELCOME TO THE LEADERSHIP, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND STUDENTS. AND AS IS LOOK AROUND IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE AND I SEE ALL OF YOU. I SEE THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE LEADERSHIP IN OUR CITY. AND TODAY YOU'LL HEAR FROM TWO SPECIAL GUESTS, DR. ANNE, PRESIDENT OF MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY AND STEPHANIE, PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION. THIS MILESTONE IS VERY IMPORTANT AND I WANT TO OFFER A FEW POINTS TO PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE. THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN HAD ONLY BEEN STANDING FOR A FEW YEARS WHEN THEY STARTED. AND WOMEN HAD JUST WON THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE COUNTRY AND NOW WE'RE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. SO LET'S GO! [APPLAUSE] FOR 100 YEARS, MOUNT SAINT MARY'S HAS AVERAGE ORED OPPORTUNITIES. EDUCATED MORE THAN 20,000 ALUMNI WHO CONTRIBUTE TO LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE REGION. AND THE MOUNT IS ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD. THIS CELEBRATION ALWAYS TAKE PLACE IN A CHALLENGING TIME. THIS CELEBRATION ALSO TAKE PLACE IN A CHALLENGING TIME. WHEN INSTITUTION THAT'S SUPPORT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ARE UNDER ATTACK. IN THAT CONSENT, MOUNT SAINT MARY'S STANDS FIRMS FOR EDUCATION AND THE ONLY WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY IN LOS ANGELES. WOMEN ARE CRITICAL TO THE FUTURE OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND EVERY STUDENT AT THE MOUNT, YOU'RE ALSO PART OF THE MILESTONE AND YOUR VOICE IS KEY TO MOVING THIS FORWARD. SO HURRY UP, BECAUSE I WANT RETIRE YOUNG. THANK YOU FOR MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY FOR YOUR SUCCESS, THE CITY IS BETTER BECAUSE OF YOU. NOW TO HELP US CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCILMEMBER TRACI PARK. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> T. Park: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ FOR LEADING TODAY'S RECOGNITION AND THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE FACULTY STUDENTS, LEADERSHIP AND ALUMNI OF MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSE FOR BEING WITH US. A CENTURY EDUCATION IS OF COURSE AN EXTRAORDINARY MILESTONE. BUT WHAT IS DES STING WISHED. THEY HAVE OPENED THE DOORS AT MOMENTS WHEN THERE WERE TOO OFTEN CLOSED TO WOMEN. PUBLIC SERVICE AND THE ARTS. THE IMPACT OF THAT WORK IS FELT BEYOND THE CAMPUS GATES AND WELL BEYOND ANY SINGLE DISCIPLINE. MOUNT SAINT MARY'S INCLUDE TRAILBLAZERS IN LAW, MEDICINE, CIVIC LIFE, WOMEN WHO SHAPE POLICY, HEAL COMMUNITIES, TELL OUR STORIES AND BUILD OUR ECONOMY. AMONG THE GRADUATES ARE WOMEN'S WORK WHO HAVE SHAPED NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES ALIKE. DOROTHY CHANDLER, PUBLISHER OF THE "L.A. TIMES" AND ONE OF THE MOST CIVIC LEADERS, LUCILLE BALL ELLARD, THE FIRST MEXICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN TO CONGRESS. AND SISTER MICHELLE AMBEHR ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE AND PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL RECIPIENT. CALISTA ROY WHO'S WORK TRANSITIONED NURSING EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE PRACTICES. AND SHELLEY AMBER WEEKS WHO'S HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP AND LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS JUST TO NAME A FEW REMARKABLE ALUMNI FROM MOUNT SAINT MARY'S. THEIR ACHIEVEMENT ARE NOT ANOMALIES, THEY'RE AN EDUCATION DESIGNED TO PRODUCE LEADERSHIP. THAT TRADITION, CONTINUES AT THE CHASHALON DISTRICT 11 WHERE YOUNG WOMEN ARRIVE WITH AMBITION AND LEAVE PREPARED TO LEAD WHAT MAKES THIS LEGACY ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL. DECADE AFTERDECK AID, MOUNT SAINT MARY'S HAS RESPONDED TO THE NEED OF THE MOMENT PREPARING WOMEN NOT JUST FOR THE WORD AS IT IS BUT AS IT OUGHT TO BE. SO TODAY WE CELEBRATE MORE THAN 100 YEARS BEHIND YOU, WE CELEBRATE THE GENERATIONS AHEAD BECAUSE L.A. REMAINS STRONGER, FAIRER AND MORE RESILIENT WHEN WOMEN HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION THAT EXPECTS LEADERSHIP FROM THEM. AND UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MOUNT SAINT MARY'S PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATOR FACULTY AND STUDENTS LEADERS HERE WITH US TODAY, WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CONGRATULATE THEM AS THEY CONTINUE EVOLVING, WHILE REMAINING FIRMLY GROUNDED IN THEIR MISSION. THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ FOR PRESENTING THE HONORS TODAY. >> E. Hernandez: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> E. Hernandez: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PARK. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME THE PRESIDENT OF MOUNT SAINT MARY'S TO SHARE A FEW WORDS WITH US. >> Speaker: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ AND COUNCILMEMBER PARK. GOOD MORNING AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE STUDENT BODY, OUR FACULTY STAFF AND OUR ALUMNS AND OUR FOUNDERS OF SISTER OF MOUNT MARY, WE COME TO YOU FOR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FOR RECOGNIZING MOUNT SAINT MARY'S TODAY AND HONORING THIS INSTITUTION THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 100 YEARS. I'M JOINED AS COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ SAID WITH SOME OF OUR STUDENT LEADERS AS WE COME TO YOU TODAY WITH JUST GREAT GRATITUDE FOR YOUR RECOGNITION. THIS INSTITUTION WAS FOUNDED 100 YEARS BY THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH WHO HAD A ROD CAL NOTION THAT WOMEN SHOULD HAVE EQUAL ACCESS IS TO HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION SO THAT NOTHING SHOULD STAND IN THEIR WAY. THEY ALWAYS FOCUSED AND WE CONTINUE TO AS WE CALL DAUGHTERS OF LOS ANGELES, AS THE ONLY WOMEN UNIVERSITY OF LOS ANGELES, WE BELIEVE IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS OTHERWISE. LIKE WOMEN 100 YEARS AGO. TODAY WE'RE PROUD TO SAY THAT ALMOST 70 PERCENT OF OUR UNDERGRAD AOUT WOMEN ARE FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE. RECEIVING EDUCATION THAT THEY MAY NOT DREAMED BUT FULLY WITHIN THEIR REACH. WE'RE VERY VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE DO AND AGAIN, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR FOUNDERS SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH, ROOTED IN FAITH, JUSTICE AND COMPASSION THROUGH THEIR LEADERSHIP, THEY HAVE SHAPED MANY WHO HAVE GONE ON TO LEAD AND ADVOCATE AND WORK FOR JUSTICE. 95 PERCENT OF OUR STUDENTS COME FROM THE LOCAL AREA AND MANY OF THEM STAY HERE AND WORK TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITIES. SO AS YOU SAID, COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ, THEY MAY BE COMING AND TAKING THESE ROLES SOONER THAN LATER. I KNOW I HAVE STUDENTS BEHIND ME WHO ARE READY TO GO. THANK YOU FOR HONORING US, WE 100 YEARS, WE OPENED OUR SHALON CAMPUS, WHICH IS COUNCILMEMBER PARK'S DISTRICT AND IN 1962 EXPANDED TO THE DOHENY ESTATE AND OPENED OUR DOHENY CAMPUS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, WE HAVE FOR YOU, A VERY SHORT VIDEO TO GIVE YOU A SNAP SHOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TODAY, 100 YEARS LATER WITH THE SUPPORT OF CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR US. [APPLAUSE] >> NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A FEW WOMEN W.OUR FOUNDERS, BLAZED TRAILS, MOVED MOUNTAINS AND BUILT ONE OF OUR NATION'S MOST TRANSFORMATIVE INSTITUTION TZ OF HIGHSER EDUCATION. FOR 100 YEARS, MOUNT SAINT MARY'S HAS INSPIRED MEMBER TO TAKE CHARGE, AND CREATE MORE. SCIENCE OF NURSING, TRANSFORM A DOWNTOWN INTO A THRIVING COMMUNITY. LAUNCHED THE FIRST WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES AND ADVANCEDS THE CAUSE OF WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD IN CALIFORNIA AND BEYOND. AND THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING. WE'RE KICKING OFF OUR SECOND CENTURY TO LAUNCH OUR STUDENTS AND CAREERS INTO THE WORLD AND THE OPENING OF OUR DYNAMIC PAVILLION. FOR OVER CENTURY, WE'VE GRADUATED LEADERS, HEALERS, TEACHERS, TRAILBLAZERS, AND WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED! [APPLAUSE] >> E. Hernandez: THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. DR. ANNE AND SAY IT ONE MORE TIME FOR US, I WANT TO SAY IT CORRECTLY. >> E. Hernandez: MACALAINY JOHNSON. THANK YOU FOR LEADERSHIP AND THIS COULD NOT BE DONE WITHOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP. ONE THING I WANT TO UPLIFT IS 100 YEARS, BUT ALSO THE 100 MORE THAT ARE COMING BEHIND. YOU HAVE GA LAXER THE YOUNG GIRLS AT GALA SAYING, THAT'S WHERE I WANT TO GO NEXT. I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU CONSTANTLY OPENING THE DOORS FOR OTHERS. THANK YOU. NOW WE HAVE, THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THE SGA PRESIDET, STEPHANIE ALHORO FROM MOUNT SAINT MARY'S THANK YOU. >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TODAY. IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO SPEAK TO YOU AS PRESIDENT OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AND AS A PROUD STUDENT OF MOUNT SAINT MARY, AND I'M ALSO HONORED TO BE JOINED BY MY FELLOW. JOSIE, KEORI AND NADIA. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO BE HERE AS YOU RECOGNIZE THE 100 YEARS OF SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND IMPACT IN LOS ANGELES. WHEN I FIRST DISCOVERED THE MOUNT I WAS TO THE PROGRAM. THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE NOT ONLY NURSING BUT ALSO HEALTHCARE POLICY. THE MOUNT ENCOURAGED ME TO EXPLORE THE CLINICAL SIDE OF HEALTHCARE AND POLICY POSITION THAT'S SHAPE ACCESS AND QUALITY OF CARE, PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES OF THOSE MANY OF US CALL HOME HERE IN LOS ANGELES. THE LEADERSHIP ROLES AND CONFERENCE SXZ REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES HAVE GROWN IN WAYS I NEVER IMAGINED. MY INVOLVEMENT AT THE MOUNT HAS BEEN CENTRAL TO THAT GROWTH IN ADDITION TO SERVING IN THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT, I WORK CLOSELY WITH THE SCIENCE POLITICAL DEPARTMENT. LAST SPRING, HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD A STUDENT DELEGATION TO SACRAMENTO TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY ISSUES THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR COMMUNITIES. [APPLAUSE] ONE OF THE MOST MEAN INGFUL MOMENTS WAS ATTENDING MY FIRST PUBLIC POLICY AND LEADERSHIP IN WASHINGTON DC, REPRESENTING MOUNT SAINT MARY AND THAT MADE ME SPARK THE COMMITMENT TO HELP OTHER STUDENTS FIND THEIR VOICE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN WHO MAY NOT SEE IN POLICY SPACES. AS I PREPARE TO GRADUATE THIS MAY, I I ARRIVED AS A STUDENT WITH GOALS AND CURIOSITY BUT I LEAVE AS A CONFIDENT LEADER AND NURSE AND SERVANT TO COMMIT TODAY THIS COMMUNITY. THE MOUNT TAUGHT ME TO LEAD WITH PURPOSE AND LIFT OTHERS AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER. I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE MENTORSHIP I RECEIVED FROM FACULTY AND STAFF, THEIR GUIDANCE AND BELIEVE REFLECT ON WHAT THEY--PREPARING THEM NOT JUST FOR CAREERS BUT FOR THE LIVES OF SERVICE AND PURPOSE. AS THE UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES ITS 100tH ANNIVERSARY I'M PART OF THE TO BE PART A STUDENT BODY TO EDUCATING LEADERS WHO SERVE LOS ANGELES AND BEYOND. ON BEHALF OF THE STUDENTS AT MOUNT SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY, THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION AND FOR RECOGNIZING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE AND I AM PACK. IT MEANS MORE THAN YOU KNOW TO THE UNSTOPABLE STUDENTS THAT ARE CARRYING THIS LEGACY FORWARD. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> WELL STEPHANIE, THANK YOU FOR SHOWING US THAT THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT. I'M VERY EXCITED. COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I PASS IT BACK TO YOU FROM OUR COLLEAGUES. >> N. Raman: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS PRESENTATION. I HAVE MY DAUGHTER WHO IS HOME FROM SCHOOL TODAY AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR WOMEN'S EDUCATION IN THE FUTURE AND JUST TO SEE IT AND TO SEE WHAT IT OFFERS TO STUDENTS THERE, IT IS REALLY INSPIRING. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING HERE. AND THE GALA TOO, THIS UNIVERSITY PIPELINE IS A REAL ONE THAT I ALREADY HEARD ABOUT. SO IT'S EXCITING. WE HAVE SOME MEMBERS ON THE QUEUE, COUNCILMEMBER JURADO AND COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER JURADO. >> Y. Jurado: THANK YOU, SO MUCH, MOUNT SAINT MARY'S, I'M AN ALL-GIRL ALUMN, I WENT TO IMMACULATE HEART, IT WAS A PIPELINE TO YOUR UNIVERSITY. I HAVE MANY FRIENDS THAT WENT FOR BUSINESS AND NURSING THERE. IS WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SHOUT OUT MY INCREDIBLE CHIEF OF STAFF LAUREN WHO IS A MOUNT SAINT MARY'S ALUMN. YAY! SHE IS STILL WITH ME AND SHE IS SO AWESOME AND I WILL SAY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHE DID WHILE SHE WAS THERE, SHE WENT A LITTLE ROUGE AND CREATED THEIR OWN LITTLE NEWSPAPER AND REPORTING THE NEWS ON THE LOCAL THINGS AND THAT WAS GALA WAS EVEN THERE. BUT, YOU KNOW, SUCH A BIG FAN, SOUM FAMILIES AS A PROUD FILIPINA, MANY NURSES HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT PIPELINE. I'M EXCITE TODAY SEE ANOTHER FELLOW API FILIPINA IN THE MIX. WE LOVE OUR MOUNT SAINT MARY'S. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE FOR FRONT COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ AND PARK. THIS IS VERY EXCITING. SO THANK YOU. >> N. Raman: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER JURADO. COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ? >> M. Rodriguez: THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILMEMBERS HERNANDEZ AND PARK FOR THIS WONDERFUL PRESENTATION. I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING AT BOTH CAMPUS APPROXIMATES MULTIPLE OVER THE LAST DECADES. THERE WAS SO MUCH INCREDIBLE WORK THAT CAME OUT OF THE MOUNT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN TO TALK ABOUT THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS. IN THE CITY. AND I KNOW THAT WAS AN EFFORT THAT WAS VERY DEEP COLLABORATION WITH OUR FORMER FIRST LADY AMY WAKELAND AND MAYOR GARCETTI'S WORK. IT'S BEEN REMARKABLE TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THAT WORK AND HOW IT WAS INSTRUMENTAL. I DECLARE MYSELF ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS WHEN MAYOR GARCETTI TOOK OFFICE TO MAKE SURE THAT WOMEN WERE POSITIONED IN LEADERSHIP IN PARTICULARLY IN NON TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLES AND WE SAW THAT IN ALL THE APPOINTMENTS OF GENERAL MANAGERS. THAT LEVEL OF INTENTIONALITY WAS BORN OUT SO MUCH OF THE WORK AND STUDIES THAT CAME OUT OF THE MOUNT. I REMEMBER MY FRIENDS EVERYBODY THAT WAS SO DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE WORK. AND I SAW IN THE VIDEO, JESSICA LOPEZ WHO WAS SOMEBODY THAT I MET AT ONE OF THE EVENTS AT THE MOUNT. IN FACT, AT THE ONE HERE IN, IN DOWNTOWN WHERE SHE THEN BECAME INVOLVED AND SUPPORTIVE OF ME LONG BEFORE I RAN FOR OFFICE. BUT THEN START WORKING AT THE CITY. SHE WAS INVOLVED IN PUBLIC WORKS. SO THERE IS SO MUCH SYNERGY AROUND THE WORK THAT YOU DO BUT IT'S THE STUDENTS THAT HAVE SUCH A DEEP COMMITMENT AND UNDERSTANDING TO ADVANCING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN. AND YOU EXEMPLIFY THAT, NOT JUST IN YOUR STUDIES BUT HOW YOU EXTEND YOURSELF TO MAKING SURE THAT IT IS NOT JUST LIMITED TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE CAMPUS, IT ACTUALLY EXPANDS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. AND IT'S SO GREAT NA IT'S ANCHORED SO BROADLY BETWEEN BEING HERE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND BEING ON THE WEST SIDE. YOU'RE MAKING SURE THAT THE REACH AND THE SUPPORT THAT WOMEN GET, WHICH, YOU KNOW, DOESN'T MATTER, YOU LOOK AT THE COMPOSITION OF THIS COUNCIL, IT LOOKS LIKE PROGRESS BUT WE STILL HAVE SO MUCH TO DO IN THE WAKE OF SO MUCH THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY. BUT, I'M HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC BASED ON WHAT I'VE CONTINUED TO SEE THE ADVANCEMENT, SO MUCH LEAD BY THE WORK OF THIS INCREDIBLE INSTAOUXES. CONGRATULATIONS ON 100 YEARS. LOOK FORWARD TO 100 MORE. >> THANK YOU. >> N. Raman: THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS ON THE QUEUE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILMEMBERS HERNANDEZ AND PARK AND I WANT TO THROW IT BACK TO YOU TO CLOSE US OUT. >> E. Hernandez: GREAT THANK YOU SO MUCH. GO AHEAD. COME ON THIS WAY, COUNCILMEMBER PARK. WE'LL SQUEEZE RIGHT HERE. WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU ALL WITH A CERTIFICATE CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF WORKING HERE IN THE CITY, PRODUCING A FUTURE IN THE CITY, ROOTED IN THE CITY, SO FROM PARK AND HERNANDEZ, WE WANT TO GIVE THIS ALL TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> N. Raman: THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO IS HERE FROM MSMU, ALL THE STUDENTS AND ALL THE FACULTY AND ALL THE LEADERSHIP THERE WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO HERE IN LOS ANGELES. MEMBERS, I BELIEVE THAT IS ALL OUR PRESENTATIONS FOR TODAY. SO CLERKS AND CITY IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO PREPARE US FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, WE CAN MOVE ON TO THAO PART OF THE MEETING. >> City Attorney: YES, MADAM PRESIDENT. SO FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, IF YOU LOOK AT THE AGENDA, THE ONLY TWO ITEMS THAT WERE ON THERE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT SATISFIED FOR COMMITTEE. SO TODAY YOU'LL HAVE ONE MINUTE MAXIMUM FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. WHILE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT IS BROAD, YOU STILL HAVE TO SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY. ONCE YOU COME UP TO THE PODIUM OR IF YOU REQUIRE A WIRELESS MICROPHONE, YOU CAN BEGIN SPEAKING AND WE WILL START YOUR ONE-MINUTE AT THAT TIME. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE ORDER IN WHICH WE CALL THE NAMES, NA IS RANDOMLY GENERATED SO IN ORDER TO RUN AN EFFICIENT PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU PLEASE WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR THE NAME YOU SIGNED UP BEFORE COMING UP TO THE PODIUM TO SPEAK. I HAVE ONE MORE ANNOUNCEMENT, IF I CAN HAVE THE INTERPRETERS MAKE IT ALOUD TO THE ROOM PLEASE. IF YOU REQUIRE A SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO PAUSE EVERY FEW SENTENCES SO THE INTERPRETERS CAN INTERPRET. >> Interpreter: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> City Attorney: DON'T WORRY, WE WILL PAUSE YOUR TIME WHILE THE INTERPRETERS ARE INTERPRETING SO YOU WILL GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME AS EVERYONE ELSE. >> Interpreter: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> City Attorney: AND WITH THAT, WE CAN START CALLING NAMES. >> Clerk: I'LL BEGIN BY CALLING THE FOLLOWING NAMES, SERGEANT BEGUN', JILL BART, SIPGT I CAN'T GONZALEZ, IRMA, CARL NELSON AND TOMASA. >> City Attorney: SO AGAIN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LINE UP IN THE ORDER YOUR NAME IS CALLED BUT ONCE YOU HEAR YOUR NAME CALLED ALLOWED, PLEASE LINE UP ON THE LEFT HAND OF THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. THANK YOU. >> Speaker: HI GOOD MORNING. I'M SORRY? GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS CYNTHIA GONZALEZ AND I ORGANIZE WITH TENANT WORKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS LOS ANGELES IN SPECIFIC WITH THE EAST SIDE. WE ARE ALSO PART OF THE STAY HOUSED L.A. PROGRAM AND WE'RE HERE, I'M HERE AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER AND TENANT ORGANIZER TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE LETTING YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE DEEPLY WORRIED ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS BEING DETAINED. OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING EVICTED AND CAN'T PAY RENT BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT ICE RAIDS. FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING TO STAY HOUSED AND WE NEED YOU ALL TO SUPPORT US AND TO SUPPORT THE WORK WE DO TO MAKE MEASURE ULA A REALITY. DURING THE BEGINNING OF MEASURE ULA, I REMEMBER TALKING TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT MEMBERS ACROSS THE EAST SIDE ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO ALLOCATE FUNDING FOR ULA AND I WANT TO ENSURE THAT HERE TODAY, WE REPRESENT THE PEOPLE AND WHAT THE CONSTITUENTS WANT FROM EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR DISTRICTS. WE'RE ASKING YOU TO ENSURE THAT ULA GOES DIRECTLY--. >> City Attorney: AND BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT SPEAKER, I SEE THAT MR. HERMAN HAS JOINED US AGAIN. I DID NOT WANT TO DISRUPT THE PRESENTATIONS, TO BE CLEAR THIS IS NOT JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE BEHAVIOR IS DISRESPECTFUL BUT BECAUSE YOU DISRUPTED BY GOING BEHIND THE PRESENTERS AND STAYING BEHIND THEM A FOOT. THAT REQUIRED US TO GET SERGEANT TO STAND. WHILE WE CANNOT CONTROL WHAT T-SHIRTS OR SWEAT SHIRTS YOU WEAR OR WHAT YOU SAY DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DISRUPT THIS MEETING. SORRY SPEAKER. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> Speaker: BUENOS DIAS. MI NOMBRE ES TOMASA MARTINEZ. >> Interpreter: MY NAME IS A TOMSA AND I'M A MEMBER OF ACE AND MEMBER AND RENTER OF BOYLE HEIGHTS 14th DISTRICT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I WAS GOING TO GO ON BUT LET'S GO TO WHAT WE CAME FOR. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I'M HERE TO DEMAND THAT WE RESPECT MEASURE ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: FOR THOSE THAT WEREN'T EVEN THERE TO SUPPORT US, DON'T PUT IN YOUR DIRTY HANDS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: BECAUSE IF THIS IS ALLOWED, SO MANY OF US LIKE ME CAN END UP ON THE STREETS AND SO MANY OF MY HOPES AND DREAMS WILL BE RUINED. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: ALL BECAUSE OF YOUR SUCH BEAUTIFUL IDEAS THAT YOU HAVE, ACCORDING TO YOU. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I'M ABOUT TO BE EVICTED FROM MY HOME, I'M SUFFERING THROUGH DEPRESSION, STRESS, ANXIETY ALL DUE TO THE HARASSMENT OF THE DAUGHTER OF THE LANDLORD. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: GET IT TOGETHER AND SUPPORT THIS MEASURE BUT NOW. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] . >> Clerk: BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER BEGINS, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP CHRISTINA GARCIA A ANA MARTINEZ, RAM, RAM, 'EM LY RAMIRES. >> Interpreter: GOOD MORNING, I'M IRMA MARTINEZ. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I'M A RENTER AND I LIVE HERE IN LOS ANGELES. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: MEASURE ULA IS ONE OF THE MOST AFFECTIVE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED IN LOS ANGELES. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: IT'S WORKING. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: IT'S HELPED AVOID MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE LOSE THEIR HOMES AND END UP HOMELESS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE COUNCIL IS NOW MOVING TO PUT AMENDMENTS TO ULA IN THE BALLOT. THIS IS NOT ABOUT STOPPING THE HOWARD DARVISA APPEAL. INTERPRETER CORRECTION, THAT CAMPAIGN IS BEHIND AND THE BACKERS REFUSE TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THANK YOU. >> Speaker: HI, MY NAME IS KYLE NELSON I'LL BE GIVING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. I'M HERE AS A TENANT ORGANIZER POLICY ADVOCATE AND CD5 RESIDENT. MEASURE ULA IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT THE CITY SHOULD BE CELEBRATING. L.A.'S LARGEST SOURCE OF HOUSING FUNDING PROVIDING AT A SCALE THAT THE CITY HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE. AND SINCE ULA'S PASSED, THEY HAVE SEEN THE FIRST SUSTAINED DROP IN HOMELENESS IN YEARS. INITIATIVED FUNDED BY ULA WORK. INSTEAD WE'RE HERE YET AGAIN BECAUSE ULA IS UNDER ATTACK. IT'S NOT ABOUT PROTECTING ULA TO APPEAL BUT GIVING IN TO THOSE THAT LOST THE DEFEAT AT THE BALLOT BOX AND IN COURT. ANY AMENDMENTS OR CHANGES TO ULA SHOULD COME FROM A TRANSPARENT PROCESS THAT INCLUDES THE UNITED HOUSE COALITION, NOT THROUGH SHADY ATTEMPTS. LET'S MAINTAIN OUR COMMITMENT TO ENDING HOMELENESS IN THE CITY L.A., STAND WITH US TO DEFEND ULA. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS ANA AND I'M HERE WITH COMMUNITY PARK COLLECTIVE IN EAST LOS ANGELES AND I'M ALSO A TENANT. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT MEASURE ULA. MEASURE ULA GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY, AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN SOCIAL HOUSING, TO PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOMES AND TO PROVIDE LEGAL SUPPORT SO TENANTS CAN ACTUALLY DEFEND THEMSELVES. THESE ARE REAL NEEDS AND THIS FUNDING HAS ALREADY FUNDED DIRECTLY IN OUR COMMUNITY. YES, MEASURE ULA IS NEW AND WE'RE STILL NAVIGATING IT. BUT INSTEAD OF WEAKENING IT WE SHOULD BE GIVING IT A CHANCE TO DO WHAT VOTERS ASKED FOR TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOT JUST BUILDINGS WITH A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF AFFORDABLE UNITS. BUT HOUSING THAT ACTUALLY SERVES THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE. WE VOTE FOR YOU TO REPRESENT US TO STAND WITH THE PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT, NOT JUST PROTECT PROFITS. PLEASE GIVE OUR COMMUNITIES THE CHANCE TO STAY HOUSED, SUPPORTED AND SAFE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: BUENOS DIAS. MI NOMBRE ES CHRISTINA GARCIA. [SPEAKING SPANISH] , GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS CHRISTINA GARCIA, I'M FROM COMMUNITY POWER COLLECTIVE AND I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO PROTECT MEASURE ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THROUGH MEASURE ULA, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GENERATE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO RECEIVE PRO-BONO LAWYERS TO HELP PROTECT US AGAINST EVICTIONS AND HARASSMENT FROM OUR LANDLORDS. AND THEN, ALSO WE'RE RECEIVING PROTECTION FOR THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY NA IS UNDER ATTACK DUE TO THE TACTICS THAT ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND THAT IS WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR TO YOU PROTECT MEASURE ULA, IT SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED OR APPEALED AND IT WAS VOTED ON DEMOCRATICALLY FOR US TO HAVE IT. PLEASE PROTECT IT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] . >> Clerk: BEFORE NEXT SPEAKER BEGINS, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP BARBARA SHULTZ, DANA SHRIMP, AND CASH PATEL. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: HI, GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS AVA AND I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH COMMUNITY POWER COLLECTIVE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I'M HERE TO TELL YOU TO STOP PLAYING THIS CAT AND MOUSE GAME WITH MEASURE ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: YOU NEED TO PRO ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THANK GOD THROUGH THIS, THROUGH THIS MEASURE, WE HAVE FREE LAWYERS WHO ARE ABLE TO PROTECT TENANTS SO THAT THEY DON'T END UP IN THE STREETS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THERE ARE LESS PEOPLE LIVING IN THE STREETS THANKS TO MEASURE ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: WHEN HAVE YOU SEEN ANOTHER MEASURE LIKE THIS ACTUALLY PROTECT L.A. RESIDENTS IN THESE TIMES? >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: IT DOES NOT EXIST. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND NOW RICH PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT MEASURE ULA DOES NOT WORK. AND IT'S ONLY BECAUSE WE'RE MAKING THEM PAY THEIR TAXES, THAT'S NOT RIGHT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: BECAUSE THE RICH ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO HE --EVADE THEIR TAXESMENT WE PAY MORE TAXES THAN THEY DO AND WE'RE NOT CRYING ABOUT IT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: SO THAT'S WHY YOU, YOUR DUTY AS COUNCILMEMBERS AUTO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND PROTECT MEASURE ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: BECAUSE YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE DEMAND AS A COMMUNITY. [APPLAUSE] >> City Attorney: GO AHEAD MR. HERMAN, YOU HAVE A MINUTE. >> Speaker: UNA MINUTO [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: ONLY ONE FUCKEN MINUTE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING IN THIS GOD FORSAKEN FUCKEN CITY. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> City Attorney: MR. HERMAN, YOU WILL ADDRESS THIS BODY OR YOU WILL FORFEIT THE REST YOUR TIME. >> Speaker: TRANSLATE PLEASE. >> Interpreter: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: SO THIS GUY IS OVER HERE TALKING BUT HE'S NOT TALKING ABOUT OUR RIGHTS. YOU KNOW, HE'S JUST FUCKEN LOSER. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: SO FATSO, MELON HEAD, LISTEN TO ME WHILE, SMOKING SCAN. >> Speaker: IN THE NAME OF THE TRUTH OF THE LAW, 42 USC, 1983, 52.1, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THAT FUCKEN KOREAN CAN EAT DOG. FUCK YOU! >> City Attorney: NEXT SPEAKER. >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS EMILY RAMIREZ AND I'M A HOUSING POLICY ASSOCIATE AT THE NONPROFIT HOUSING. THIS IS A CRITICAL MOMENT FOR MEASURE ULA WHICH HAS GENERATED ONE BILLION DOLLARS. IT A VOTER-APPROVE AND VOTERS WERE EXPLICIT ABOUT WHAT THEY WANTED THESE FUNDS USED FOR. THEY WANT PEOPLE PERMANENTLY HOUSED NOT PLACED IN HOUSING THAT REMOVES THE VISIBILITY OF HOMELESSNESS. WE STAND WITH VOTERS AND HOMELESSNESS SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THE CONTINUUM OF CARE IN EXPOSING REDIRECTION OF U L.A.'S FUNDS TOWARDS INTERIM HOUSING. ANGELINOS WANT THE CITY COUNCIL TO HOUSE PEOPLE. FURTHERMORE, CHANGING OUR OWN MEASURE WILL IN NO WAY PROTECT OUR FUNDSING AGAINST THE HA WARD JARVIS TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION. WE WILL RESPECTFULLY URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO NOT ADVANCE THIS MOTION AND TO VOTE NO IF IT COMES BEFORE COUNCIL. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, ALL ITEMS AND GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. I WANT TO START OFF WITH THE MINUTES, WHEN WE HAVE THE MINUTES, YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO KEEP A SUMMARY WHAT EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON AS WELL AS WHETHER THEY ARE OR FOR AGAINST A MOTION. THERE IS A BEEN A LAWSUIT WHERE THE CITY HAS EDITED VIDEO FOOTAGE AND NOT ACCURATELY REFLECTING WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MAKE ING COMMENTS ON AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO HAVE MINUTES THAT REFLECT THE SUMMARY OF WHAT EACH SPEAKER IS SPEAKING ON. THAT WAY WE GET AN ACCURATE RECORD ON WHAT PEOPLE ARE FOR OR AGAINST AND OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY NOT BE ON THE AGENDA. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE COME HERE FOR YEARS AND I'VE SEEN THEM MYSELF TALKING ABOUT HOUSING RELATIONED ISSUES THAT THE CITY AND INITIATING. AND NONE OF NA IS BEING REFLECTED ON THE PUBLIC RECORD. MANY VIDEOS THE CITY COUNCIL HAS EDITED TO NOT REFLECT WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT. >> City Attorney: YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED. I KNOW YOU GOT HERE BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT. NO ITEMS OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SO EVERYONE GETS A MINUTE FOR GENERAL. NEXT SPEAKER. >> Clerk: BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP, GORDIE, NIKO, WAYNE AND MICHAEL ACKERMAN. >> City Attorney: GO AHEAD, YOU HAVE A MINUTE. >> Speaker: BARBARA SHULTZ LEGAL AID OF LOS ANGELES AND STAY HOUSED L.A. YOUR JOB IS TO PASS LAWS THAT PROTECT AND BENEFIT ANGELINOS. BUT ULA WAS A CITIZEN INITIATIVE BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE. AND THE MOTION YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR TODAY, SEEKS TO SUBVERT THE PEOPLE'S LAW. ULA WAS AND IS MADE TO HELP TENANTS IN ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES IN THE COUNTRIES, ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSING MARKETS. THIS NEW INITIATIVE ATTEMPT ONLY HARMS TENANTS BY TAKING RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND NEW HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES. SO PLEASE STAND UP FOR ANGELINOS AND THE PEOPLE'S LAW AND OPPOSE THIS MOTION. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> City Attorney: GO AHEAD, YOU HAVE A MINUTE. >> Speaker: AMY NE VA RES FOR PUBLIC COME. I'M HERE TO URGE COUNCIL TO VOTE AGAINST ANY AMENDMENT. THIS IS NOT ABOUT PROTECT ITING ULA FROM APPEAL BUT CARVE OUTS EXEMPTIONS AND DELAYS. DOING SO WILL SIGNAL TO THE DEVELOPERS THAT THEY SHOULD DELAY AND WAIT FOR CARVE OUT THAT WILL NEVER COME. THEY WILL LEARN ABOUT THEIR EFFORTS. THEY WILL COME OUT AND VOTE FOR THEIR PEOPLE, NOT FOR THE DEVELOPERS, EVERY TIME. BUT THEY WILL WHERE YOU STAND THE NEXT TIME YOU NEED THEM. DO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ULA. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT YOU ALL WORK VERY HARD TO FIND MONEY FOR LAPD, WHY DON'T YOU LOOK FOR THE SAME FUNDS TO FUND HOMELESSNESS INSTEAD OF COMING FOR L.A.'S ONLY STABLE RESOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE PEOPLE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS MARIO VENEZUELA I'M WITH THE TEACHERS. WE'RE AGAINST THE HOWARD JARVIS AND BROADER REAL ESTATE PRESSURE, CITY LEADERS SUGGESTED AMENDMENTED MAY BE NEEDED TO GET HOWARD JARVIS TO BACK DOWN. WE AGREE THAT JARVIS IS REAL BUT ALSO THAT ULA IS WORKING. CLARIFICATIONS TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION. NO CHANGES THAT REDUCE REVENUE OR WEAKEN VOTER PROGRAM. THE HA WARD JARVIS IS BEHIND THIS EFFORT AND THEY REFUSE TO ENGAGE WITH HOUSING ADVOCATE, LABOR OR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS DESPITE THIS CITY LEADERS ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH A BA LID AMENDMENT OR EFFORT THAT WOULD REASSIGN FUNDS AWAY FROM VOTER APPROVED USES. THIS MAKES CLEAR THAT THE PROPOSED MEASURE IS NOT ABOUT STOPPING THE APPEAL AND ATTACK ON REVENUES BUT ABOUT GIVING INTO REAL ESTATE PRESSURES AND RESHAPING L.A. LET'S STOP UNDERMINING VOTE OF THE PEOPLE. >> City Attorney: NEXT SPEAKER. >> Clerk: BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER BEGINS, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL MAGDOLANA, SERENA AND G AND ROB M. >> Speaker: I KNOW YOU KNOW I'M TELLING TRUTH WHEN POLICE ARE FAILING TO INVESTIGATE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS. YOU'RE THINKING, HOW BAD COULD IT BE? I DON'T SEE BODIES PILED UP IN THE STREETS. THIS IS HOW BAD, SUPPOSE THEY'RE THREATENED WITH VIOLENCE UNLESS THEY REPORT SUSPICIOUS DEATHS AS NATURAL UNLESS THERE IS TRAUMA, AN UNTRAINED PERSON WOULD NOT BE. THEY MAY SUSPECT SOMETHING FISHY BUT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVE IT. YOU NEED TO GET THIS INVESTIGATED, YOU NEED TO WRITE THE GOVERNOR. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: BUENOS DIAS. MI NOMBRE ES HE LOISA. >> Interpreter: MY NAME IS ELOISA, AND I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO PROTECT ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH A SERIOUS HOUSING CRISIS IN LOS ANGELES AND MEASURE ULA PROTECTS FAMILIES AND STUDENTS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I'VE BEEN HERE FOR SEVERAL DAYS NOW, EVEN WITH WAS AT LAUSD GIVING PUBLIC COMMENT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I KNOW WHO THE POLITICIANS REALLY BEHIND THE COMMUNITY. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND I THINK IT'S TRULY AN EMBARRASSMENT A SHAME THAT KAREN BASS HAS NOT COME TO THE PEOPLE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND THAT NOW WE'RE SEEING HER WANT TO TAKE DOWN MEASURE ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND WE SEE HER WALKING AROUND WITH ANTONIA VILLA REGOIS A WHO VOTE TO PROTECT TENANTS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND IT IS TRULY IS A SHAME THAT WE HAVE POLITICIANS OUT THERE, THAT ARE SIDING WITH THE CHARTER ASSOCIATION AND THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION WHO WANT TO PRIVATIZE SCHOOL. GET TO WORK! >> Speaker: BUENOS DIAS. MI NOMBRE ES MAG DALENA. [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THE COMMUNITY IS NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH YOU TAKING AWAY FUNDS FROM MEASURE ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND IF YOU DO THIS T THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE SO MANY FAMILIES IMPACTED BY IT AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE EVEN MORE DESTRUCTION THAN WE'RE ALREADY SEEING NOW. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THOSE FUNDS ARE FUNDS THAT THE COMMUNITY WORKED HARD FOR, WE WORKED TO GET THOSE VOTES SO THAT WE CAN GET THOSE FUNDS TO HELP US. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] SO HOW MUCH LONGER ARE GOING TO KEEP COMING HERE AND KEEP FIGHTING FOR SAME VOTES TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY? YOU'RE OR POLITICIANS, YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND SO WE'RE COMING TO YOU AND WE'RE BRINGING THIS NEED BEFORE YOU, FOR YOU TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND SO WE ASK FOR YOU TO PLEASE DO THIS SO THAT WE ALL CAN THRIVE TOGETHER. AND WHEN WE THRIVE, EVERYONE CAN THRIVE. THANK YOU. >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, I'M HERE FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. I'M NICHOLAS I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH TEACHERS LOS ANGELES. THE 30,000 EDUCATORS ARE UNITED BEHIND PROTECTING MEASURE ULAMENT WE KNOW FIRSTHAND THE TOLL OF HOUSING INSECURITY TAKES ON STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. EDUCATORS ARE BEING PRICED OUT OF LOS ANGELES. THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY TEACH AND DRIVING OTHERS. THERE IS NOWHERE IN THE CITY WHERE A FIRST-YEAR EDUCATORS CAN AFFORD IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ULA IS IS THE FIRST. 10,000 HAVE BEEN KEPT OFF STREETS AND 800 UNITS ONLINE. AND 10,000 JOBS UNION JOBS HAVE BEEN CREATED. VOTERS STAND WITH ULA AND THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT THE CARVE OUTS AND EXEMPTIONS HELP ARE BILLIONAIRE SXZ CORPORATIONS. WE ASK THE COUNCIL TO STAND WITH THE VOTERS AND WORKERS AND REJECT THIS INITIATIVE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] . >> Clerk: BEFORE NEXT SPEAKER, EARNEST CYNTHIA LIDIA MAYSONG AND MICHAEL McFARLON. >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, ROB WITH THE FEDERATION OF LABOR TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC COMMENT. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO ANY AMENDMENT TO ULA THAT WOULD CREATE A 15-YEAR EXEMPTION. AS A REMINDER, ULA WAS PASSED BY CITY AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, HOME CARE WORKERS, THE VERY WORKERS TODAY BEATING THE RESISTANCE OF MINNEAPOLIS AND WOMEN OF COLOR. ULA WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT PRACTICES THAT KEEP PEOPLE BUILT, WHY WOULD WE TAKE THAT AWAY? IT'S BEEN UNDER ASSAULT BY THE BILLIONAIRE CLASS AND VIEWED AS CARRYING THE WATER FOR THE BILLIONAIRES. LASTLY, IT IS FINALLY STARTING TO WORK. FOUR 100 MULTI PROJECTS JUST SOLD LAST QUARTER. THE MARKET IS ADJUSTING TO LET IT BREATHE. AND WE'LL BE WATCHING TO SEE IF YOU'RE WITH BILLIONAIRES OR WORKING FAMILIES. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, CITY COUNCIL AS WE ENTER 2026 AND REFLECT ON TOXIC NEWS, LET US HOPE FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE. WE MUST REFLECT ON OURSELVES AND BEGIN KINDNESS AND CONSIDERATION WITH ONE ANOTHER THE IT STARTS WITH OURSELVES. PEACE CAN BE ACHIEVED WHEN HE WE HAVE A HEART FOR ONE ANOTHER. LOS ANGELES IS A BIG CITY AND WE HAVE A LONG ROAD. IT STARTS WITHIN OUR HOMES, SCHOOLS WORKPLACE AND COMMUNITIES. THE WORKPLACE HAS TO PRODUCE DECENT AND CIVIC PEOPLE, IT'S ABOUT HELPING EACH:00 THE SECTOR, LARGE OR SMALL MUST EN STILL AN ARENA. THE STAKEHOLDERS OF LOSS SHOULD COOPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER SO WE CAN LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY. THESE THOUGHTS OCCUR TO ME ON MARTIN LUTHER KING AND THANK YOU POP ROCKS FOR YOUR HELP AND HELP THAT YOU HONOR US. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] . >> Clerk: BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER BEGINS, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP ANA MARTINEZ, MARIA OSORIA. >> Speaker: HOLD MY TIME. THAT'S THE OLDEST MEMBER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL. WHO-->> City Attorney: YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> Speaker: CAN YOU IMAGINE? 30 YEARS OF CLEANING UP, PUBLIC COMMENT SIR. PUBLIC COMMENT. LAST WEEK, I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT HERE I ALMOST FAINTED. AND I THE FINE OFFICERS, THE GROUP THAT IS LISTENING, THEY WATCHED OUT AND OFFERED ME WATER AND MADE SURE I WAS OKAY. THEN WE WENT DOWN TO SANTE KNOWN AS ICE, AND WE SUPPORTED BY BUYING AND EATING THERE. SO IF YOU WANT TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDOCUMENT INSTEAD OF JUST TALKING, GO DOWN AND WHEN YOU SEE ONE THESE EVENTS GO AND SUPPORT THOSE WORKERS. GO AND SUPPORT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING HUMILIATED BY BEING TREATED LIKE COWS. DO THAT, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT ELSE I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT. THANK YOU OFFICERS AND, WHOEVER THAT IS. THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING GOOD CARE OF AN OLD MAN. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: GENERAL COMMENT PLEASE. [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] >> Interpreter: GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBERS MY NAME IS LIDIA I'M A TENANT IN LOS ANGELES. MEASURE ULA IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROGRAM FOR ME. IT ABOUT WHETHER PEOPLE LIKE ME CAN STAY IN OUR HOME. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] >> Interpreter: THIS FUNDING HAS ALREADY HAVE PREVENT EVICTION AND STAY HOUSED. WITHOUT RESOURCES LIKE THIS, MANY FAMILIES WILL BE ONE EMERGENCY AWAY FROM LOSING EVERYTHING. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] >> Interpreter: MANY TENANTS LIKE ME, TENANTS LIKE ME NEED ULA ASSISTANCE AND INCOME SUPPORT. ALSO WE NEED ULA FUNDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AS WELL. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] >> Interpreter: IF MEASURE ULA OR DELAY, WILL DISAPPEAR. I URMG YOU TO STOP ANY AMENDMENT TO ULA. GOD BLESS EVERYONE. LET'S PRAY TOGETHER FOR TENANTS. >> Speaker: AMEN. >> Speaker: HELLO I'M CYNTHIA AND A TEN AT IN KOREA TOWNMENT OUR COMMUNITY WON A HARD FIGHT TO WIN MEASURE ULA. RESIDENTS UNDERSTOOD THE NEED TO CREATE LONG TERM HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO VEER US AWAY FROM A CRISIS RESPONSE BY TAXING THE WEALTHIEST PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE CITY. TODAY, YOU CELEBRATED YOUTH, STUDENTS, WOMEN AND THEIR EDUCATION. HOW MANY OF THEM WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO WORK AND LIVE HERE. THIS IS NOT TIME TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO. CREATE PATHWAYS TO BUILD BUT NOT BY CUTTING A TAX ON THE WEALTHY. THEY'RE DOING JUST FINE AS THE REST US QUESTION HOW MUCH LONGER WE CAN STAY IN THE CITY. WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOMES TO BUILD SOCIAL HOUSING MANY WE WANT TO PUT THESE FIRST BILLION DOLLARS TO WORK. AN AMENDMENT DONE IN THE INTEREST OF DEVELOPERS AND UNDERMINES OF VOTERS SENDS A VOTER. GIVE ULA A CHANCE IT DESERVES AND GIVE ANGELINOS THE CHANCE WE DESERVE. THANK YOU. >> City Attorney: THANK YOU. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS JAMARA I'M A MEMBER OF ACE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I'VE ONLY BEEN GIVEN ONE MINUTE TO EXPLAIN WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOCIETY. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] STR*EP -- >> Interpreter: I'M OBSERVING THAT THERE IS NOBODY HERE, THERE IS NO FIREMEN, NO DOCTORS THERE IS NO ONE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: WE ARE HERE TO RAISE VOICE OF THOSE WHO COULD NOT JOIN US. AND I SEE YOU ALL HERE, THOSE IN SKIRTS AND TIES. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: WHAT DO YOU DO EVERY DAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP AND COME HERE AND SIT DOWN? >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: WHAT MENTALITY ARE YOU BRINGING WITH YOU WHEN YOU COME AND SIT HERE AND LISTEN AND OUR ORGANIZATIONS? >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I ASK MYSELF HOW YOU ARE ABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT WITH ALL THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON OUT HERE ON OUR STREETS? >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: PLEASE THINK ABOUT. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: BUENOS DIAS MI NOMBRE IS MARIA. >> Interpreter: GOOD MORNING, I'M MARIA AND I'M A MEMBER OF ACE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I'M HERE TO PLEASE ASK ALL OF YOU TO PLEASE PROTECT ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE WE WORKED SO HARD TO GET AHOLD OF THOSE FUNDS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] SO THAT THAT MEASURE WOULD PASS AND BE IN PLACE. WE WENT OUTDOOR KNOCKING. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: WE WENT AND COLLECTED SIGNATURES DESPITE, EXCUSE ME, INTERPRETER CORRECTION, WE WENT AND COLLECTED SIKTS RAIN OR SHINE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: WE WENT OUT TO COLLECT SIGNATURES IN ORDER FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GIVE THEIR VOTE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND IT IS JUST NOT RIGHT FOR YOU TO WANT THIS MONEY TO DO ALL OF YUSH LITTLE PROJECTS AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT WITH IT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THAT MONEY BELONGS TO US THE COMMUNITY, PLEASE TRY TO BE CONSCIOUSOUS OF THIS AND LEAVE IT TO US. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THIS IS GOING TO HELP US MAINTAIN OUR HOMES, STAY WITH OUR FAMILIES AND NOT JUST BECOME ANOTHER STATISTIC ON THE STREET. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: PLEASE PROTECT IT AND LEAVE THESE FUNDS IN PLACE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> Clerk: BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER BEGINS, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP JOHNNY G, TOM C, CYNTHIA AND MR. LEFIA AND DIANA DEAN. >> Speaker: BUENOS DIAS. >> Interpreter: GOOD EVENING, I'M DELVIN AND I'M MEMBER OF SAGE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF ULA AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT THE MONEY THAT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE, STAY TO THE PEOPLE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I AM INTERGENT AND I'M HOMELESS AND NOBODY HAS HELPED ME. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I WAS IN PARKING LOT FOR THREE YEARS AND WHEN I SAID THAT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: ON MY BIRTHDAY WHEN I ASKED FOR HOUSING, THEY PUT ME OUT ON THE STREETS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THIS REALLY AFFECTED MY MENTAL HEALTH SINCE IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY AND I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND AS FAR AS ULA, THEY'VE HELPED ME RECEIVE 7725.28 IN ORDER FOR ME TO STAY IN MY HOME. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND THEY ALSO PROVIDE ME WITH FREE COUNSEL TO GO TO COURT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: IF YOU TAKE AWAY ULA LL BE MORE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: US HERE IN THE STREET, WE LIVE DISCRIMINATED BY THE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS. PLEASE DON'T TAKE THE MONEY FROM THE PEOPLE, IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE. >> N. Raman: THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH SPEAKER. AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER COMES UP, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS GOING TO BE FOR FULL HOUR TODAY. WE STARTED AT 10:50 AND WE'LL GO TO 11:50. SO WE HAVE 20 MORE MINUTES OF PUBLIC COMMENT. BUT I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE SURPRISED BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FULL HOUR. I KNOW THERE IS A LOT PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO SPEAKMENT SO I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO BE SURPRISED WHEN WE ENDED IT UP. PLEASE SIR. >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING. ANTONIA MARTINEZ. >> Interpreter: GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS ANTONIO MARTINEZ. I AM FROM BOYLE HEIGHTS FROM PODER COLLECTIVO. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: IF ULA WAS WON DEMOCRATICALLY AND PUT ON BALLOT DEMOCRATICALLY, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PUT IT AGAIN FOR A VOTE? >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: ULA HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PROVIDING FREE LEGAL COUNSEL IN COURT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: IT'S AVOIDED MANY EVICTIONS AND ASSISTED WITH PREVENTING HOMELENESS IN THE CITY. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: TELL ME WHAT OTHER LAW HAS DONE AS MUCH AS ULA HAS DONE? >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: THIS IS WHY WE ASK YOU KLA*ERLY, --CLEARLY, RESPECT OUR VOTE. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: RESPECT OUR VOTE WHICH WAS DEMOCRATIC AND ACCEPT THAT ULA IS ALREADY WON. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, IS WEALTHY PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: BUT LET'S BE CLEAR, WE ALL PAY TAXES. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND THEY SHOULD ALSO PAY ACCORDING TO LAW. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: YOU AS COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> City Attorney: SPEAKER YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED. >> Interpreter: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> City Attorney: NEXT SPEAKER. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: HELLO GOOD MORNING, GOD BLESS EVERYBODY HERE TODAY. THIS MORNING. I'M VERY HAPPY FOR ALL THE FOLKS OUT HERE, RIGHT NOW. SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS THAT ULA HAS BEEN MAKING. MY EXPERIENCE PERSONALLY, I LOVE JUST TELLING YOU GUYS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE BEING IN L.A. AS A TRANSPARENT FOCUSED ON THE RIGHTS OF ANGELINOS, EXPERIENCING INTERACTION WITH LAPD. REALLY IS A FACT OF MOTIVATION FOR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND NEVER FEARING TO NEGOTIATE BUT, NOT NEGOTIATING OUT OF FEAR. AND FOCUSING ON WHAT IS THE IMPERATIVE OF OUR SOCIAL VICTIM AND MORAL RIGHTS AND DISPENSATION TO THE BEST OF ONE ANOTHER, TO THE BEST OF ONE OF YOU BRING TO ONE ANOTHER AND TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THANK YOU ALL. GOD BLESS. [APPLAUSE] >> N. Raman: THANK YOU, SO MUCH. AND BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER SPEAKS, I DO, THERE ARE BEEN A NUMBER OF COMMENTS ABOUT MEASURE ULA AND PROTECTING ULA, I KNOW WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A LONGER DISCUSSION. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT, I HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE LARGEST SUPPORTER OF MEASURE U LA SINCE THE MEASURE WAS PROPOSE, I PHONE BANK FOR IT, I ENDORSED IT. I WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST SEQUENTIAL MEASURES THAT VOTERS ARE PASSED IN LOS ANGELES. AND I'M VERY VERY EAGER TO PROTECT IT FOR THE FUTURE AND TO BE HONEST, ABOUT ABOUT THE CONDITIONS THAT WE'RE OPERATING IN, MULTI FAMILY AND MIX USE HOUSING PRODUCTION HAS SLOWED IN THE L.A., LENDERS ARE PULLING BACK FROM THE MARKET ENTIRELY AND THERE IS MULTIPLE EFFORTS TO UNDUE ULA ENTIRELY TO TAKE IT AWAY. WE'RE PRODUCING FEWER UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH ULA IN PLACE THAN WITHOUT ULA IN PLACE AND THAT IS A PROBLEM. AND THERE IS MULTIPLE MULTIPLE EFFORTS AFOOT TO TAKE THIS AWAY FROM US. IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCES WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE DISAGREEMENT ABOUT HOW IT OPERATES AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT IT FROM PEOPLE. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY AS SOMETHING THAT HAS FOUGHT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, ALONGSIDE WORKING PEOPLE TO PUT TENANT PROTECTIONS IN PLACE AND TO MAKE KIND OF INVESTMENTS IN-HOUSING THAT THE CITY NEEDS. I HOPE THAT WE CAN HAVE THE CONVERSATION. I'VE BEEN HAVING IT AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE IT T.I THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUTS AND TO SAY THAT, I STRONGLY AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE SAYING. THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT WAYS THINKING HOW WE PROTECT THIS GOING FORWARD BUT I STAND HERE WITH YOU IN DEEP AGREEMENT WITH THE COMMENTS THAT YOU'RE TAKING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> PERSON IN AUDIENCE: BRAVO. >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS ROSE IS PUBLIC COMMENTS. I'M A TENANT LIVING IN KOREA TOWN. I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO OPPOSE ANY MOTION TO AMEND ULA AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY PLEASE, RESPECT THE VOTERS THAT PASS ULA. AS TENANT, I EXPERIENCE LANDLORD HARASSMENT AND I FACE AN EVICTION. THROUGH ULA SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND MY RIGHTS AS TENANT. AND KEWA ALSO SUPPORT ME TO FIND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. WITHOUT ULA SUPPORT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNHOUSED AND LIVING ON THE STREET. ULA IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MILLIONS OF TENANTS LIKE ME. AND ULA DEFINITELY PREVENT FURTHER HOMELESS CRISIS. THIS IS THE TIME TO STRENGTHEN AND RUSHMORE FUNDS FOR ULA. >> City Attorney: SPEAKER, YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED. NEXT SPEAKER. >> Speaker: GRAND RELIEF AND INCOME SUPPORT. >> City Attorney: SO, SPEAKER, WE HAVE TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SPEAK PER. WE HAVE TO GIVE EVERYBODY ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME. AND THIS GOES FOR EVERYONE AND IF I CAN HAVE THE INTERPRETERS SUMMARIZE THE STATEMENT ALOUD TO THE ROOM. IF YOU RUN OUT OF TIME, BECAUSE I KNOW ONE MINUTE CAN GO QUICKLY OR IF WE HAVE A TIME TO HEAR FROM YOU TODAY, YOU CAN PROVIDE WRITTEN COMMENT. AT L.A.COUNCIL.COM. YOU CAN FIND THE URL AT THE TOP OF EVERY AGENDA OR BY DOING A QUICK GOOGLE CHURCH. >> Interpreter: [SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] GRACIAS. >> City Attorney: GO AHEAD. >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS EMMY, I'M A HOUSING POLICY ASSOCIATE AT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION AND NONPROFIT HOUSING MANY WE SERVE IN THE STIRRING COMMITTEE ON UNITED TO HOUSE COALITION. TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSE HOG. ULA EXIST TO ADDRESS THE LIMITATIONS OF TRADITIONAL HOUSING SOURCES WHICH ARE NOT ENOUGH. THE NUMBERS PROVE THIS NEED, THEY HAD FUNDING REQUESTS TOTALING 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS. WE HAVE SUCCESSFUL RAISED 1 BILLION DOLLARS. BUT THE NEED STILL EXIST. THE 65 MULTI FAMILY HOUSING COMMUNITIES REQUESTING THIS CAPITAL REPRESENTING OVER 6400 HOMES FOR FAMILY SENIORS AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS FROM SAN FERNANDO TO SAN PEDRO. THE REDIRECTION OF FUNDS, CHANGES TO MEASURE ULA WILL NOT PROTECT THIS FUNDING AGAINST THREATS FROM SACRAMENTO OR HOWARD JARVIS ASSOCIATION. >> City Attorney: SPEAKER, YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED. NEXT SPEAKER. >> Speaker: HELLO GOOD MORNING. SORRY. >> City Attorney: THAT'S OKAY. YOU HAVE A MINUTE. >> Speaker: I'M DIANA DEAN I AM FROM DISTRICT 10. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE, I FEEL BACK STABBED. I FEEL BELITTLED AND I FEEL LIKE YOU HATE OUR COMMUNITY FOR DOING THIS TO US, I WORK SO HARD JUST TO HAVE THIS, TELL US IN OUR FACES THAT ULA IS GOING TO BE, DEFUNDED? LIKE HOW, WE TRIED SO MUCH TO HAVE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. WE PUT IT IN THE BALLOT AND VOTED AND GOT THE COMMUNITY OUT TO SPEAK AND SPEAK UP THEIR VOICES FOR THE END NONE OF THAT MATTERS? NONE OF THAT EXIST? WE ARE NOBODY, BECAUSE THAT'S HOW I FEEL? WE'RE ALREADY STRUGGLING AS A COMMUNITY TRYING TO KEEP OUR JOBS, TRYING TO MAKE SURE OUR CHILDREN GET HOME FROM SCHOOL SAFE. EVERYTHING IS HORRIBLE AND WE'RE JUST TRYING TO KEEP A ROOF OVER OUR HEAD. DON'T DO THIS TO US, PLEASE. [APPLAUSE] >> City Attorney: GOOD MORNING, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> Speaker: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SMOKING SCAN, CITY ATTORNEY. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CRISIS ON FIGUEROA STREET. LAST WEEK, I WAS DATING DANA ON FIGUEROA STREET, I WAS EATING HER OUT AT THE SIDE OF THE STREET. BUT MORE THAN 25 GANG BANGERS SURROUNDED US. THEY WERE DRAGGING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THEY WERE TRYING TO RAPE DANA. SO I HAVE TO SACRIFICE MY ASS IN ORDER TO PROTECT DANA'S ASS. >> City Attorney: PLEASE CONNECT THIS TO THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, YOU'RE YOU'LL FORFEIT. >> Speaker: IN ORDER TO SAVE HER VAGINA. YOU CONTINUE TO CALL ME OUT OF TOPIC, THAT'S OKAY, I DON'T CARE FM I HAVE TO TAKE A 40-INCH DOWN MY THROAT IN ORDER TO SAVE DANA, SO DANA CAN GO SAFE. >> City Attorney: YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED. NEXT SPEAKER. >> Clerk: BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER BEGINS, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP CANDY, TONY MARTINEZ AND ANTONIO GARCIA. >> City Attorney: GO AHEAD, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> Speaker: MY NAME IS CYNTHIA I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC JUSTICE FOR JUST ECONOMY. I'M ALSO A Ph.d IN ANTHROPOLOGY FROM UCLA DID MY SCHOOL AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND MEMBER OF SOCIETY. I'M HERE TO ARGUE AGAINST ANY AMENDMENT. DEVELOPERS ARE TRYING TO JANG UP ANXIETY. AND I CAN--TO DANGER THE DEVELOPERS THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE TO PAY THE TAX. ANYONE THAT TELLS YOU IS BEING DISINGENUOUS OR THEY'RE NOT GOOD AT THEIR JOB. I WOULD URGE THE COUNCIL RATHER THAN RUSHING INTO SOME ACTION TO TRY TO WAIT UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND IMPACTS OF THIS VERY IMPORTANT INITIATIVE BEFORE DOING SOMETHING OB JECTIVELY FOOLISH. THANK YOU. [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]. >> Clerk: BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER BEGINS, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP STE FA NO, AND CHRISTINA BOYR. >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, I'M LEANNE PARKS. I THOUGHT I WAS HERE BY MYSELF BUT A LOT OF US HERE ON THE SAME SUBJECT. LAST FOUR YEARS, IEB GOING THROUGH THE INTERM HOUSING. I EVEN STOPPED THE LIFE OF CRIME AND I'M NO LONGER IN DRUGS. BUT BUT YOU AT L.A. FAMILY HOUSING, THEY OD WITH FENTANYL AND WHEN YOU COME TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AND TELL THEM, YOU GET RETALIATED AND KICKED OUT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. EVERYTHING I GOT IS HERE ON THIS CELL PHONE. VIDEOS. I'VE GOT SENT TO MY CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL AND MY PRIMARY DOCTOR WAS THERE AND SAID I CANNOT TALK TO ANYONE ELSE. WHERE EVER YOU TELL ME TO GO. WHERE EVER. >> City Attorney: SPEAKER YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED. SPEAKER, WE HAVE TO GIVE EVERYBODY THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME. IF YOU WAIT OVER ON YOUR RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OKAY. AT THIS POINT, YOU'RE DISRUPTING THE MEETING. IF YOU WAIT ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF COUNCIL CHAMBERS. >> City Attorney: SPEAKER, THIS IS YOUR SECOND WARNING, PLEASE DO NOT DISRUPT PUBLIC COMMENT. JUST WAIT OVER THERE AT THE SIDE. AT THIS POINT, YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR REMOVAL FOR DISRUPTING MEETING. WE NEED TO MOVE TO THE NEXT SPEAKER. IF TUCK WAIT THERE PATIENTLY. >> City Attorney: GO AHEAD YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> N. Raman: HOLD ON FOR ONE SECOND. WE WANT TO HEAR YOU SPEAKER. SO IF YOU CAN HOLD ON UNTIL HE, SIR. >> Interpreter: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> N. Raman: YOU'RE DISTURBING THE MEETING, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE'S INPUT BUT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DISTURB THE MEETING. >> City Attorney: MADAM PRESIDENT, AT THIS POINT HE'S ELIGIBLE FOR REMOVAL. SIR, YOU'VE RECEIVED MULTIPLE WARNINGS. YOU'RE ON WARNING FOUR OR FIVE. JUST LIKE WE WANTED TO HEAR FROM YOU, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM OTHER SPEAKERS. THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY THIS ENTIRE TIME. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: MY NAME IS SOPHIA MEN DO SA I'M AN ACE MEMBER. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] I'M HERE TO TELL TO YOU PROTECT MEASURE ULA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AS TENANTS, THIS MEASURE IS VERY HELPFUL FOR US. I PERSONALLY HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO DIFFERENT EVICTIONS AND MEASURE ULA HAS HELPED ME TO NOT END UP IN THE STREETS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND YOU AS COUNCILMEMBERS, KNOW VERY WELL THAT WHEN SOMETHING IS PASSED INTO LAW, YOUR JOB IS NOT TO TAKE IT AWAY, YOUR JOB IS TO PROTECT IT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND NOW YOU'RE ACTING LIKE OUR PRESIDENT, BREAKING LAWS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND IT'S NOT RIGHT BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? ULA IS NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO APPEAL IT. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: BECAUSE AS MUCH AS WE FOUGHT TO WIN THIS MEASURE, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING TO KEEP IT. THANK YOU. >> City Attorney: GOOD MORNING, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> Speaker: MY NAME IS JESSICA AND DPIRS I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THE SO-CALLED FINDINGS NINGT NITHYA WAS SIGHTING, WERE WRONG. I HAVE WORKED WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE FOUGHT FOR MEASURE ULA AND PROGRAMS FUNDED LA. SINCE ULA PASSED, ULA HAS SEEN FIRST DROP. TO ENSURE THAT THE MILLIONS GENERATED BY THE WEALTH PROPERTY OWNERS ARE BEING USED TO. REMAIN HOUSED THROUGH OUT REACH, EDUCATION AND LEGAL SERVICES OFFERED BY A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM. AND EVENTUALLY WE'LL--EQUAL. I SHOULD KNOW THAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE CREATING PERMANENT HOUSING, NOT INTERIM HOUSING. SO PLEASE DON'T APPEAL ULA AND KEEP WHAT THE VOTERS VOTED FOR. [APPLAUSE] >> Speaker: GOOD MORNING, COUNCILMEMBERS AND COUNCILMEMBER RAMAN, MY NAME IS STEPHEN MEDINA AND I'M AN ATTORNEY FOR ACE. AND I HOPE I DON'T GET IN TROUBLE FOR WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY. I'M GOING TO SAY IT BECAUSE THIS IS MY COMMUNITY IS THINKING. COUNCILMEMBER RAMAN YOU MADE GOOD POINTS AND IT SOUNDED REASONABLE BUT WHAT EVAN WAS THINKING WHILE YOU WERE TALKING, IS IF THIS IS TRUE, WHY DID WE AND BY WE, I MEAN TENANTS IN LOS ANGELES FIND OUT ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TODAY YESTERDAY? [APPLAUSE] WHY DID WE FIND OUT ABOUT THIS? WHY DIDN'T OUR ALLIES IN COUNCIL? WHY WEREN'T THEY INFORMED? WHAT CAN FIX THIS ISSUE IS COGOVERNANCE. IF WE GIVE EACH OTHER A HEADS UP, AND WORK TOGETHER, WE'RE NOT RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING, BUT WE HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCED AND WE THINK THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION. THANK YOU. >> City Attorney: GOOD MORNING, GO AHEAD. >> Speaker: CHRISTINA I'M AN ATTORNEY WITH PUBLIC COUNSEL. I WANT TO ADD TO WHAT EVERYBODY SAID TODAY. PUBLIC COMMENT COUNSEL WORKED FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS TO DEVELOP ULA IT INVOLVED DEEP DISCUSSIONS AND MANY OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. IT IS A THOUGHTFUL PROCESS AND IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITY TO RUSH THROUGH THE 11th HOUR THAT WOULD WEAKEN THE BEST SOURCE FOR FUNDING FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS. ALL OF THESE FOLKS TURNED UP AT THE MOMENT'S NOTICE BECAUSE THESE ARE DIRE. ANY CHANGE SHOULD GO THROUGH A COMMUNITY PROCESS AND NOT BE RUSHED FOR THE PROFIT OF REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY. PLEASE RESPECT VOTERS. LET'S NOT NEGOTIATE AGAINST OURSELVES. THANK YOU. >> Speaker: HOLA. BUENOS DIAZ, MI NOMBRE IS ELIZABETH. >> Interpreter: GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS ELIZABETH GARCIA. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: I'M HIRE TO COMMENT THAT ANY CHANGE OR AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BE HAPPENING TO MEASURE ULA SHOULD GO THROUGH A THOUGHTFUL REFLECTIVE PROCESS. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND IT SHOULD BE TRANSPARENT THAT ALSO INCLUDES A STAKEHOLDERS THAT ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: SO PLEASE DON'T RUSH TO PASS SOMETHING TO PUT AN END TO WHAT THE VOTERS ASKED FOR. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: AND PLEASE DON'T DO THAT ANY CONFUSING OR UNJUST WAY. >> Speaker: [SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Interpreter: PLEASE DON'T TAKE THE ULA PROGRAM FOR THE MANY PEOPLE WHO NEED IT. >> Speaker: GRACIAS. >> Interpreter: THANK YOU. >> Speaker: MY NAME IS ELIZABETH HERNANDEZ I'M AN ACE ORGANIZER AND JUST AS EVERYONE THAT HAS SPOKEN, WE WERE WORKING TO GET THE VOTE OUT FOR ULA AND WE PASSED. AND IT'S UPSETTING THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE CHANGES NOW. WE STARTED TALKING TO THE COMMUNITY. WE TOLD THEM, ULA WILL BE A BENEFIT FOR THE COMMUNITY. SOMETHING DIRECT FOR THE TENANTS, NOT FOR CORPORATIONS. NOT FOR DEVELOPERS. SO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GUYS HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY. NOT TO THIS DEVELOPERS. THEY ALREADY HAVE SO MANY IN OUR CITY. THEY ALREADY HAVE SO MUCH AND THEY KEEP TAKING MORE AND MORE AND MORE AND THE TENANTS KEEP PICKING UP THE SLACK AT THE END OF THE DAY. WE AS TENANTS CANNOT EVEN AFFORD OUR RENT AT THIS POINT. AND NOW YOU TRY TO TAKE MONEY THAT IS HELPING MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. IT'S NOT FAIR, SO VOTE NO ON IT. >> N. Raman: THANK YOU SO MUCH AND WITH THAT WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF OUR TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE TAKEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR OVER AN HOUR TODAY. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME. MADAM CLERK, WHAT IS NEXT ON THE AGENDA? >> Clerk: THE COUNCIL HAS MOTIONED FOR POSTING AND REFERRAL. >> Council President: OKAY, THOSE ARE POSTED AND REFERRED. JAOT DESK IS CLEAR. >> Council President: MEMBERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ? >> M. Rodriguez: THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, AND I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COMING OUT AND PROVIDING THEIR, RAISING THEIR CONCERNS. I WANT TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT MAY NOT BE AWARE. THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER ARREST BY THE U.S. ATTORNEY OFFICE AROUND FRAUD ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORK AROUND HOMELESSNESS AND SOME SFT EXPENDITURES, IT'S BEEN ALLEGED 23 MILLION DOLLARS OF MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, 5 MILLION DERIVED DIRECTLY FROM LAHSA IN CONTRACTS. AND COLLEAGUES I WANT IT TO EVERYONE'S ATTENTION AGAIN, I THINK IT'S BEEN A FEW YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS. THE ELEPHANT IS IN THE ROOM. LAHSA IS STILL A PROBLEM AND WE'VE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO CHANGE IT! THESE ARE PUBLIC FUNDS THAT HAVE R SUPPOSE TO BE DEDICATED TO HELPING TO ADDRESS HOMENESS CRISIS IN THE STREET. IF YOU CARE ABOUT HOMELESSNESS, YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT PUBLIC DOLLARS ARE BEING MAXIMIZED FOR AFFECTIVE RESULTS THAT ARE TANGABLY SHOWN TO ALL OF US. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT BAD HOMELESS COUNTS TRYING TO RATIONALIZE OR JUSTIFY THE EXPENDITURE THAT'S ARE BEING MADE BUT DAM IT, WE NEED TO HAVE A REAL CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW HOMELESS DOLLARS ARE SPENT. THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT ARE MAKING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABILITY. IF YOU CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THEN SCHEDULE THE ITEM IN COMMITTEE SO WE CAN HAVE THE CONVERSATION. BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. HOW MANY MORE ARRESTS NEED TO BE MORE? HOW MANY MORE INDIVIDUALS NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THEIR APPOINTMENTS FOR THIS NEW STRUCTURE OF LA CASA? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOW BEING CHARGED? WITH GROSS MISCONDUCT AND MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS. ENOUGH! WE WERE ELECTED TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS NOT TO SHOW THEM, NOT TO HIDE THEM OUT OF PUBLIC VIEW AND NOT TO A LAW ONE EXECUTIVE LEADER TO CONTROL THE CONVERSATION. SO I LOOK FORWARD, COLLEAGUES, TO ENSURING THAT THIS DIALOGUE OCCURS APPROPRIATELY IN OUR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE. MS. RAMAN, I HAVE A MOTION FOR THE CONVERSATION AROUND CENTRALIZING THIS WORK IN A DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESSNESS. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN PIECEMEAL, WE ARE IN A CRISIS AND EVERY ARREST IS EXEMPLIFYING THE ABUSE AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY OF PUBLIC DOLLARS. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. LET'S STOP HIDING BEHIND THE FACTS. HOW MANY MORE ARTICLES DO YOU NEED TO SEE HOW MANY MORE ARRESTS AND HOW MANY MORE CONTRACTS NEED TO BE AWARDED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THIS COUNCIL BEFORE YOU DECIDE TIME'S UP. SO I LOOK FORWARD AGAIN AND DEMAND THE SCHEDULING OF MY MOTION AND A COMPREHENSIVE CONVERSATION, I KNOW MR. MR. BLUMENFIELD, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS HOW MANY YEARS? THERE IS NO EXCUSE NOT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION BY THIS BODY. THAT'S WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO, I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT HAPPENING BEFORE THE NEXT ARREST IS PUBLISHED BY THE "L.A. TIMES". THANK YOU. >> N. Raman: THANK YOU, MEMBERS SO MUCH. COUNCILMEMBER HERNANDEZ. >> E. Hernandez: I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT SHOWED UP. AT LEAST FOR ME IT WAS PROFOUND TO SEE ALL THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WERE HERE. ALL THE COMMUNITY BASE ORGANIZATION THAT'S WERE HERE AND ALSO THE DEEP LABOR BENCH THAT WAS HERE IN SUPPORT OF ULA. I HEARD YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING TIMEOUT OF YOUR DAY, WALKING HERE, BUSING HERE, PAYING FOR PARKING TO BE HERE. AND I WANT TO UPLIFT A MOTION THAT I PUT FORWARD AND NA IS THE MOTION THE CITY TO DIRECTLY CONTRACT FOR CITY OF LOS ANGELES ON OUR HOMELESSNESS SERVICES. IT WAS SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER BLUMENFIELD. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE THAT MOVE FORWARD AS WE'RE LOOKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY. THANK YOU. >> N. Raman: GREAT. OTHER MEMBERS WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER JURADO. >> Y. Jurado: YES, I WANT TO JOIN THE CHORUS, THANK YOU TO ALL MY CONSTITUENTS. GRACIAS PARA MISCONSTITUENTS THAT CAME OUT HERE, AND THE FACT THAT TENANTS AND LABOR GOT TOGETHER TO PUSH SOMETHING TO NOVEL AND INNOVATIVE TO CHANGE OUR ECONOMY FOUNDATIONALLY IS SO IMPORTANT AND DEFENDING IT IS SO IMPORTANT AND WE KNOW THAT IT DOES NOT COME WITHOUT STRUGGLE. I WANT TO UPLIFT WHAT THE OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS SAID, AS WE THINK ABOUT OUR HOMELESSNESS SPENDING, I LOOK FORWARD TO THINK ABOUT THE DIVERSE SET OF OPTIONS AND CHOICES THAT WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE STEWARTS OF OUR HOMELESSNESS POLICY AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND TO NOT JUST THINK ABOUT IT IN A SINGULAR ADVANTAGE POINT. I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN COMMITTEE. >> Council President: GREAT, OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER McOSKER, NO ANNOUNCEMENTS, ALL RIGHT. NOTHING IN THE 1-5 THIS WEEKEND. MEMBERS IF WE CAN RISE FOR ADJOURNING MOTIONS. YOU HAVE TO GET UP. I'M SORRY, YOU HAVE TO GET UP. ANY ADJOURNING MOTIONS TO MY LEFT? ADJOURNING MOTIONS TO MY RIGHT? ANY ADJOURNMENTS? COUNCILMEMBER YAROSLAVSKY? NO? OKAY. GREAT, SEEING NONE, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU ALL.