Los Angeles City Council Meeting

February 19, 2025

The Los Angeles City Council met on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, to conduct routine business, hear public comments, and vote on several items. The meeting began with a special recognition of National Girls and Women in Sports Day at Harbor Recreation Center, highlighting the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation's sports-based youth development programs. The Department of Cultural Affairs also announced the 75th anniversary of African American Heritage Month in LA, with events starting at the Dunbar Hotel. The council then proceeded to its regular agenda, with a key focus on preserving two historic buildings on Terminal Island.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from February 18, 2025 (moved by Councilmember Padilla, seconded by Councilmember Hernandez).
• Commendatory resolutions (moved by Councilmember Hutt, seconded by Councilmember Nazarian).
• Item 23 was continued to February 26, 2025, without objection.
• Items 2 and 22 were held on the desk.

Items 1–12: Items for which public hearings had been held. A corrected Budget and Finance Committee report was submitted for items 2 and 10. Items 1, 3–11 were voted on and passed. Item 2 was amended by Councilmember Yaroslavsky (adoption of corrected BNF report, seconded by Councilmember Blumenfield) and passed. Item 12 was voted on after Councilmember Price recused himself, and passed.

Public Comments & Testimony

Special Public Comment on Item 22 (Terminal Island Preservation) – Taken Out of Order

• Terry Hara (President, Terminal Islanders Association, retired LAPD deputy chief): Expressed support for preserving the two remaining structures of the Japanese American fishing village, calling it an important American story. He noted that his family was from Terminal Island and that the community of 3,000 was forced off the island after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
• Paul Hiroshi Boye (Board member, Terminal Islanders Association; coalition chair): Spoke in support of preservation, sharing that his mother was born on Terminal Island in 1919 and that his grandfather fought anti-Japanese legislation. He emphasized that the buildings represent history, culture, and family.
• Tim Yuji Yamamoto: Shared his grandfather's story and that one of the remaining buildings was his family's store, Nakamura Company. He noted that under Executive Order 9066, Terminal Islanders were among the first to be evacuated within 48 hours and sent to concentration camps, and urged preservation for future generations.
• Andrew Salimian (Los Angeles Conservancy): Supported the Historic-Cultural Monument designation, calling the buildings a testament to survival and a reminder of a grave injustice.

General Public Comment (Items 13–21 and general comments)

• Monica Mejia (president, ELAC – East LA Community Corporation): Discussed their food bank, preparedness for ICE visits, and a forthcoming rental assistance program funded by the city.
• A speaker (name not given) commented on economic inequality, referencing Senator Bernie Sanders.
• A speaker requested additional services in the Skid Row area.
• Anj Singh (student, Chotzo Charter High School, Lead 12 Leadership Program): Thanked Councilmember John Lee and shared a personal faith message.
• Alexander Lester (Granada Hills Charter High School, Lead 12): Thanked Councilmember Lee and asked about the city's support for schools displaced by fires.
• Jenny Canley (senior, Chastel Tritter High School): Discussed LAUSD's cell phone ban, arguing it is unfair that staff can use devices while students cannot, especially in emergencies.
• Kelly Chen (senior, Granada Hills Charter High School): Thanked Councilmember Lee for the leadership program.
• Samuel Alvandano (junior, Granada Hills Charter High School): Spoke on the importance of youth voices in politics.
• Sean Yu (junior, Granada Hills Charter High School): Thanked Councilmember Lee and commented on community resilience after the fires.
• Several speakers (including Jaden Connellin, Stacey Segara, and others) gave general comments on homelessness, walk of fame items, and criticism of council priorities; some used profanity and were warned to stay on topic.

Public Comments on Items 13–21:

• A speaker criticized the Hollywood Walk of Fame installations (Items 13 and 14 for John Carpenter and Trisha Yearwood) as misplaced priorities given the homelessness crisis and fire damage.
• Another speaker expressed concern about Item 17 (contract extension for Community Build Incorporated) noting that the project name "Project Save" was not found on the organization's website.
• General comments demanded restoration of phone public comment and criticized the council's spending on art projects versus fire department funding.

Discussion Items

Item 22 – Historic-Cultural Monument Designation for Two Terminal Island Buildings

• Councilmember McCosker (15th District): Spoke at length about the history of Terminal Island's Japanese American community, the tuna fishing industry, and the forced removal after Pearl Harbor. He noted that Terminal Island was one of the first neighborhoods where residents were illegally arrested and transported. He called the designation "the right thing" and thanked the Terminal Islanders Association for their advocacy.
• Councilmember Rodriguez (7th District): Thanked the Terminal Islanders for persistence, linking their story to Tuna Canyon Detention Center in her district and to current anti-immigrant sentiment. She stressed the importance of not repeating history.
• Councilmember Raman (4th District): Recalled installing a plaque at Griffith Park for internment sites and emphasized the need to never forget.
• Council President Harris-Dawson: Acknowledged the multiracial council's unity in marking the history and warned that such forces can reemerge. He noted that entire neighborhoods in the Crenshaw district were cleared during internment.

Item 21 – Continuance Motion (North Valley Caring Services contract)

• Councilmember Padilla (6th District): Moved to continue Item 21 to February 26, 2025, citing need for more time to check with the department general manager about $500,000 for the Van Nuys Family Source Center. She noted the organization was not listed in the motion and wanted more information.
• Councilmember Rodriguez (7th District): Opposed the continuance, arguing the measure was administrative and needed to pay a nonprofit providing critical services in her district. The motion passed 9-1 (one no vote from Rodriguez).

Key Outcomes

• Item 22 (Terminal Island Historic-Cultural Monument): Passed unanimously (motion carried forthwith). The designation will preserve the last two remaining structures of the Japanese American fishing village on Terminal Island.
• Items 1–12: Approved as listed, with item 2 amended and passed.
• Items 13–20: Approved in a single roll call vote.
• Item 21: Continued to February 26, 2025, by a 9-1 vote.
• Item 23 (closed session): Continued to February 26, 2025, without objection.
• Recusals: Councilmember Price recused himself from Items 12 and 21.
• Homeless Count Announcements: Councilmembers Raman, Soto Martinez, Blumenfield, and Yaroslavsky urged volunteers to participate in the remaining nights of the homeless count (February 19–20), noting a shortage of volunteers due to the date change.
• Community Events: Councilmember Hutt announced a "Love Hut" food giveaway on February 20; Councilmember Blumenfield promoted a native plant fair; Councilmember Soto Martinez reported a groundbreaking for 37 youth mental health beds in Echo Park; Councilmember McCosker highlighted the groundbreaking for the "One San Pedro" affordable housing project.
• Adjournments: Councilmember Nazarian adjourned in memory of Sona Luz Baron (age 98, Armenian immigrant and business owner). Councilmember Hernandez adjourned in memory of Amanda Abigail Torres (activist, educator, killed January 26, 2025).