Los Angeles — 2024-02-16

Board of Public Works

#1 Item
(1)\nBPW­2024­0102\nCD 7\nTREE REMOVAL – 15827 ROXFORD STREET\nRecommending the Board:\n1. FIND under the California Public Resources Code, Section 21166 and the State’s\nEnvironmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15070, on the basis that there is no\nsubstantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect contained in the whole\nrecord, that since the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) No. ENV­2021­8928­MND\nthere have been no changes to the project, changes with respect to the circumstances\nBPW­2024­0102\nCD 7\nTREE REMOVAL – 15827 ROXFORD STREET\nRecommending the Board:\n1. FIND under the California Public Resources Code, Section 21166 and the State’s\nEnvironmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15070, on the basis that there is no\nsubstantial evidence that the project may have a significant effect contained in the whole\nrecord, that since the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) No. ENV­2021­8928­MND\nthere have been no changes to the project, changes with respect to the circumstances\nunder which the Project is being undertaken, or new information of substantial importance\nconcerning the Project, which causes new significant environmental effects or a\nsubstantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects, and therefore\nno subsequent MND, supplemental MND, or other analysis is required for the Project;\n2. SPECIFY that the Bureau of Street Services, Urban Forestry Division, located at 1149\nSouth Broadway, is custodian of the documents or other material that constitute the record\nof proceedings upon which the Board’s decision is based; and\n3. REVIEW AND APPROVE the request for a fee permit to remove five (5) Coast Live\nOak (Quercus Agrifolia) Trees. Tree replacements are required.

City Council

#1 Item
(1) 24-1200-S1 NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the appointment and withdrawal from appointment of Lacy Wright to the Board of Library Commissioners. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR DATED FEBRUARY 12, 2024 Recommendation for Council action: RECEIVE and FILE the appointment of Lacy Wright to the Board of Library Commissioners, inasmuch as Lacy Wright has withdrawn from further consideration. NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Recommendation for Council action: RESOLVE that the Mayor’s appointment of Lacy Wright to the Board of Library Commissioners for the term ending June 30, 2026 is APPROVED and CONFIRMED. The appointee resides in Council District 13. (Current composition: M=1; F=2; NB=1; Vacant=1) Financial Disclosure Statement: Filed. Background Check: Pending.
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(10) 24-0005-S11 CD 1 CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF COMMUNICATION FROM THE LOS ANGELES HOUSING DEPARTMENT (LAHD) and RESOLUTION relative to removing the property at 4933 East Echo Street (Case No. 760350), Assessor I.D. No. 5467-014-011, from the Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP). Recommendation for Council action: APPROVE the LAHD report recommendation dated January 3, 2024, attached to the Council file, and ADOPT the accompanying RESOLUTION removing the property at 4933 East Echo Street (Case No. 760350), Assessor I.D. No. 5467-014-011, from the REAP. Fiscal Impact Statement: None submitted by the LAHD. Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.
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(11) 24-0010-S2 MOTION (RODRIGUEZ - PADILLA) relative to an offer of reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Francisco Garcia on January 12, 2024. Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: PROVIDE an offer reward in the amount of $50,000 for information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Francisco Garcia on January 12, 2024. FIND that the subject reward complies with the provisions of Chapter 12, Article 1, Division 19, of the Los Angeles Administrative Code. DIRECT the City Clerk to publish the required notices and/or advertisements to effectuate this reward. Motion (Rodriguez - Padilla) dated 2-09-24
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(12) 21-1186-S6 CD 2 MOTION (KREKORIAN - HERNANDEZ) relative to funding for an outdoor performance arts event center and theater attached to the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies (TUMO) in Council District Two. Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: AUTHORIZE the Community Investment for Families Department, subject to the confirmed eligibility and readiness review, to: Reprogram $2,500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds included in the Program Year 48 (2022-23) Consolidated Plan from the Kittridge Street Park project line item to a new line item entitled TUMO Foundation-Phase 2 Outdoor Performing Arts Center Project. Effectuate an amendment to the Consolidated Plan, if necessary. Prepare additional technical corrections and/or Controller Instructions that may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this Motion, subject to the approval of the Chief Legislative Analyst; and, authorize the Controller to implement these instructions. REQUEST the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners to instruct the Department of Recreation and Parks to allocate available Council District Two Quimby Funds to fully fund the Kittridge Street Park Project. Motion (Krekorian - Hernandez) dated 2-09-24
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(13) 18-0269-S8 CD 14 MOTION (DE LEON - BLUMENFIELD) relative to the acceptance of public benefit payments on behalf of Lightstone DTLA, LLC, developer of a project located at 1240 - 1260 South Figueroa Street and 601 West Pico Boulevard, for blight removal, facade improvements, street cleaning, and graffiti removal services within Council District 14. Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: ACCEPT the sum of $30,00 paid by Downtown Live, LLC, for Lightstone DTLA, LLC, the developer of a project located at 1240-1260 South Figueroa Street and 601 West Pico Boulevard (Planning Case No. ENV-2016-2594-EIR) and Development Agreement dated August 13, 2018 (Contract No. C-131790) approved by Ordinance No. 185667, and cause this sum to be deposited into the Board of Public Works, Bureau of Street Services, Fund 100/86, Revenue Source Code 5188, Miscellaneous Revenue, and therefrom appropriated into Board of Public Works, Bureau of Street Services, as follows: $30,000 in Fund 100/86, Account 003040, Contractual Services. ACCEPT the sum of $200,000 paid by Downtown Live, LLC, and Beacon Property Management, LLC, for Lightstone DTLA, LLC, and cause this sum to be deposited into the Council District 14 Public Benefits Trust Fund No. 57L/14, for the purpose of addressing blight removal, facade improvements, street cleaning, graffiti removal, etc., within Council District 14. AUTHORIZE the City Clerk to make any corrections, clarifications or revisions to the above fund transfer instructions, including any new instructions, in order to effectuate the intent of this Motion. Motion (de Leon - Blumenfield) dated 2-09-24
#14 Item
(14) 24-0143 CD 1 MOTION (HERNANDEZ - PRICE) relative to funding for permit education, financial assistance, and outreach to support street vendors, especially vendors who are struggling to economically survive and grow their businesses, in Council District 1. Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: TRANSFER $20,000 in the Council District 1 portion of the Neighborhood Service Enhancements line item in the General City Purposes Fund No. 100/56, Account No. 579 to Bureau of Street Services Fund 100/86, 003040 Contractual Services Account, for Sidewalk Vending education and outreach in Council District 1. AUTHORIZE the Bureau of Street Services to make any corrections, clarifications, or revisions to the above instructions, including any new instructions, in order to effectuate the intent of this Motion, and including any corrections and changes to fund or account numbers; said corrections/clarifications/changes may be made orally, electronically or by any other means. Motion (Hernandez - Price) dated 2-09-24
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(15) ----- Verbal update from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and County 2-1-1 regarding the Augmented Winter Shelter Program and needed improvements to sheltering people experiencing homelessness in the City during inclement weather events. Verbal update only. No vote taken. (1) 24-0164 CD 5 CONSIDERATION OF MOTION (YAROSLAVSKY – BLUMENFIELD) relative to appropriating funds to demolish the property and remove the surrounding debris on Caribou Lane in Council District 5 caused by a landslide. Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: ESTABLISH a new account in the Capital and Technology Improvement Expenditure Program Fund No. 100/54 entitled the “10334 Caribou Lane February 2024 Storm Response,” and transfer $65,000 within Fund No. 100/54, from Account No. 00P234 “Contingency for Construction” to the new account entitled “10334 Caribou Lane February 2024 Storm Response”. AUTHORIZE the City Administrative Officer to make any technical corrections or clarifications to the above fund transfer instructions in order to effectuate the intent of this Motion, including any corrections and changes to fund or account numbers.
#2 Item
(2) 23-1200-S166 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the appointment of Scott Fajack to the Community Forest Advisory Committee. Recommendation for Council action: RESOLVE that the Mayor's appointment of Scott Fajack to the Community Forest Advisory Committee, at the request of Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, as the Council District Thirteen primary representative, is APPROVED and CONFIRMED. (Current composition: M=2; F=6; Vacant=8) Financial Disclosure Statement: Not applicable. Background Check: Not applicable.
#3 Item
(3) 23-0722 CD 4 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to report requests regarding the LA RiverWay Phase IV Project. Recommendations for Council action, pursuant to Motion (Raman - Blumenfield): INSTRUCT the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), with assistance from the Bureau of Street Services and the Bureau of Engineering (BOE), to report to the Council within 45 days on implementing a design for the LA RiverWay Phase IV Project that prioritizes maximizing space and enjoyment for all uses, and forms a continuous segment with an outlet at Forest Lawn Drive or another identified bicycle/pedestrian facility. This report should include encroachments/easements or other agreements necessary with other jurisdictions in order to eliminate mixing modal uses, maintain a minimum 10 feet equestrian-only path, construct fencing, bend cycling segments to slow cyclists at trail junctions, and any other needed design elements. The report should also outline steps to protect the trail from the negative impacts of the CA-134 freeway. The report should outline anticipated costs of any needed encroachments/easements and elements to protect the trail from the negative impacts of the CA-134 freeway and methods to cover those costs. DIRECT the LADOT, with assistance from the BOE, to report to the Council within 90 days with a project development plan to close the anticipated short-term gap between the western terminus of the LA RiverWay Phase IV Project and the intersection of Forest Lawn Drive and Zoo Drive. This report should identify a potential lead agency or partner agencies, anticipated cost, funding sources, and design constraints and should outline how a gap closure can be completed at the same time as LA RiverWay Phase IV. The report should also outline whether the short-term gap closure should be led by the LADOT or California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). INSTRUCT the LADOT, with the assistance of the BOE, to report to the Council within 90 days with a desired scope for a long-term gap closure traversing the CA-134 freeway for the LA RiverWay and improvement of the CA-134 westbound off ramp and Forest Lawn Drive intersection. The report should identify Caltrans as the preferred lead agency, and should identify any other partner agencies and speak to the overlapping jurisdictions, land ownership, and projects of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the City of Los Angeles, the City of Burbank, and Caltrans. The report should outline project outreach steps to take with Caltrans. Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.
#4 Item
(4) 23-1208 CDs 2, 3, 4, 6 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to a report request to identify funding and recommendations for completing the Valley LARiverWay Project in an accelerated manner. Recommendations for Council action, pursuant to Motion (Raman - Blumenfield - et al. - Soto-Martinez): INSTRUCT the City Administrative Officer (CAO), with the assistance of the Bureau of Engineering, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Department of Recreation and Parks, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and any other relevant departments, to report to the Council within 60 days, with recommendations for how to best proceed with identifying funding and completing project delivery in an accelerated manner for the Valley LARiverWay, including: A summary of all secured funding to date for the completion of the Valley LARiverWay, specifically Sections 1-9 between Vanalden Avenue and Forest Lawn/Zoo Drive as identified in the LARiverWay - San Fernando Valley Completion Project. An updated estimate of the funding gaps which remain for completing essential connectivity and the full build out for the Valley LARiverWay. Overall staff resources needed to implement the full completion of the Valley LARiverWay. A catalog of grant opportunities and the anticipated necessary resources required to perform grant writing over the next several fiscal years in pursuit of those opportunities. An overview of alternative delivery models that may be employed to accelerate the Valley LARiverWay project delivery including any that may be used to fund both planning/design/construction and operations and maintenance. Engaging relevant external agency stakeholders including Los Angeles County, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to discuss the potential of using various funding sources in a pooled approach in pursuit of an accelerated delivery model. A description of potential implementation and funding partnerships via City, county, federal, private, foundation, and nonprofit entities. Details regarding the potential financial benefits and cost savings of accelerating the Valley LARiverWay project delivery with proposed resources to hire consultant support to perform the analysis. INSTRUCT the CAO to identify up to $500,000 in current fiscal year funding for consultant services or City resources that could be made available to effectuate the intent of the Motion. Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the CAO nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.
#5 Item
(5) 24-0022 EXEMPTION and ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the Letter Agreement between the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and Union Pacific Railroad Company for the purchase of real property located adjacent to the Tinemaha Reservoir operation facility near Big Pine, Inyo County, California. Recommendations for Council action: DETERMINE that this item is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(2) that states that an activity is not subject to CEQA if it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment; therefore, the execution of the Letter Agreement to purchase the subject property is not subject to CEQA as it will not result in any physical change in the environment. CONCUR with the Board of Water and Power Commissioners' action of December 19, 2023, Resolution No. 024 102, which approves the Letter Agreement, including long-term indemnification provisions, between the LADWP and Union Pacific Railroad Company for the purchase of approximately 167.476 acres of unimproved land (Assessor's Parcel Numbers 018-110-12, 018-190-02, and 018-230-11) located adjacent to the Tinemaha Reservoir operation facility near Big Pine, Inyo County, California, for a total cost of $213,531.90. Fiscal Impact Statement: The City Administrative Officer reports that there is no impact with the City’s General Fund. The purchase price and related expenses for the transaction, which include escrow fees, closing costs, and related expenses totaling $213,531.90 are available from and will be paid by the LADWP Water Revenue Fund.
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(6) 23-0600-S54 TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT relative to Mobility Plan 2035 cost of implementing the Bicycle Enhanced Network, Bicycle Lane Network, and sidewalks in the Pedestrian Enhanced District. Recommendations for Council action: NOTE AND FILE the City Administrative Officer (CAO) report dated November 7, 2023, attached to the Council file, relative to implementation of Mobility Plan 2035’s Bicycle Enhanced Network, Bicycle Lane Network, and sidewalks in the Pedestrian Enhanced District. Fiscal Impact Statement: Not applicable
#7 Item
(7) 22-1324 CD 7 HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE REPORT relative to funding for the pilot RV-to-Home Recreational Vehicle Recycling Program. Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: APPROVE and TRANSFER appropriations in the amount of $750,000 from the Unappropriated Balance, Fund No. 100/58, Account No. 580422, City Recreational Vehicle Program, to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Fund No. 100/70, Account No. 003040, Contractual Services, for the recycling of recreational vehicles. INSTRUCT the City Administrative Officer (CAO), with assistance from the LAPD, to provide a report to replenish funds for the City Recreational Vehicle Recycling Program, to the LAPD, Fund No. 100/70, Account No. 003040, Contractual Services, for the recycling of recreational vehicles once the account reaches $250,000 for this fiscal year, with an estimated cost to continue funding through the next fiscal year. Fiscal Impact Statement: The CAO reports that there is no General Fund impact associated with the approval of the recommendations contained in the report, as budgeted funds are being used for their intended purpose. There may be a future General Fund impact as subsequent year funding will need to be identified through the annual budget process. Financial Policies Statement: The CAO reports that approval of the recommendations in the report complies with the City’s Financial Policies as budgeted funds are being used for their intended purpose.
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(8) 20-0841-S41 CDs 4, 6, 9, 12, 13 STATUTORY EXEMPTION and HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE REPORT relative to funding allocation and lease extension for continued use of the Tiny Home Village located at 1455 North Alvarado Street; and the 22nd report regarding COVID-19 Homelessness Roadmap funding recommendations; and related matters.  Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: DETERMINE that the lease, funding allocation, and continued use of the Tiny Home Village located at 1455 North Alvarado Street is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21080.27 and Government Code (GC) Section 65660(b), applicable to City of Los Angeles low barrier navigation centers, GC Section 8698.4, governing homeless shelter projects under a shelter crisis declaration, and PRC Section 21080(b)(4) and State CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 15269(c) as a specific action necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. This determination is consistent with, and supported by, the City Council’s prior actions for the development and use of the property as a Tiny Home Village shelter and navigation center; and the CEQA determination made on December 9, 2020 (Council file No. 20-0841). APPROVE Recommendation Nos. 2 through 26, contained in the City Administrative Officer (CAO) report dated February 2, 2024, attached to Council file No. 20-0841-S41. Fiscal Impact Statement: The CAO reports that there is no additional General Fund impact as a result of the recommendations in this report. The recommendations in this report utilize the City’s General Fund that was previously budgeted and approved for homelessness interventions. Additionally, the recommendations in this report also utilizes the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention and County Roadmap funds for homelessness interventions. Financial Policies Statement: The CAO reports that the recommendations in this report comply with the City’s Financial Policies in that budgeted funds are being used to fund recommended actions.
#9 Item
(9) 23-1320 CIVIL RIGHTS, EQUITY, IMMIGRATION, AGING AND DISABILITY COMMITTEE REPORT relative to Reserve Fund loan requests for the Proposition 47 Cohort 3 Grant and the California Department of Transportation Grant (Caltrans). Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: APPROVE and REQUEST the Controller to process, a Reserve Fund loan in the amount of $400,000 for cash flow purposes related to the Proposition (Prop) 47 Cohort 3 Grant, to be repaid upon receipt of grant funds. APPROVE and REQUEST the Controller to process a Reserve Fund loan in the amount of $560,000 for cash flow purposes related to the Caltrans Cooperative Agreement grant, to be repaid upon receipt of grant funds. AUTHORIZE the Mayor, or designee, to prepare Controller instructions and/or make technical adjustments that may be required to implement the actions approved by the Mayor and Council on this matter, subject to the approval of the City Administrative Officer (CAO), and authorize the Controller to implement the instructions. Fiscal Impact Statement: The CAO reports that the proposed Reserve Fund loans in the amounts of $400,000 for Project Impact and $560,000 for the New Roads to Second Chances Program will be used to address cash flow issues and will be repaid upon reimbursement of Prop 47 Cohort 3 Grant funds from the California Board of State and Community Corrections and New Roads Cooperative Agreement grant funds from Caltrans. Financial Policies Statement: The CAO reports that the recommendations in the report are in compliance with the City’s Financial Policies in that eligible grant activities will be funded by grant funds.