Los Angeles City Council Regular Meeting - March 4, 2025
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Los Angeles City Council Regular Meeting - March 4, 2025
The Los Angeles City Council convened on March 4, 2025, at 9:29 AM in the John Ferraro Council Chambers. The meeting addressed a range of items including routine approvals, a resolution on electric water heaters, a discussion on rent protections after the wildfires, and a contentious appeal of the termination of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. After extensive public comment and debate, the council voted to receive and file the appeal, effectively upholding the mayor's decision to remove Chief Crowley.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of February 28, 2025, on a motion by Councilmember Price, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez.
- Approved commendatory resolutions on a motion by Councilmember Padilla, seconded by Councilmember Hutt.
- Voted on items 1 through 8, 10, 18 through 29: passed 15 ayes.
- Voted on item 17 (local emergency on homelessness): passed 14 ayes, 1 no.
- Voted on item 11 (public convenience or necessity application in CD 8): passed 15 ayes.
- Voted on item 12 (waive late fees on a lien): passed 15 ayes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Numerous firefighters and union representatives (Chung Ho, David Fabella, Dave Riles, Kent Kaufler, Pat McOscar, Freddie Escobar, and others) spoke in support of Chief Crowley, stating that the mayor's stated reasons for firing her (sending home 1,000 firefighters, failing to communicate about wind conditions, refusing an after-action report) were false. They argued that there were not enough apparatus to hold 1,000 firefighters, that the mayor was aware of the weather, and that an independent after-action report is already underway.
- Several community members and organizational representatives (Eric Aguilar, Benjamin Torres, Glavis Diego, and others) supported Mayor Bass's decision to remove Chief Crowley, asserting that leadership changes are necessary when performance fails public safety standards, and that the attacks on the mayor are rooted in racism and political opportunism.
- Other speakers addressed item 13 (rent protections), item 16 (water heater mandate), item 17 (homeless emergency), and general concerns about city spending and fire department racism.
Discussion Items
- Item 13 – Rent Protections for Fire-Impacted Tenants: Councilmember Hernandez introduced a motion initially with urgency, but it was amended and whittled down. She expressed disappointment that the city failed to pass strong protections, while the LA County Board of Supervisors did. The council voted to note and file the report and motion 13A (12 ayes, with Councilmember Price recused as a landlord).
- Item 16 – Resolution Supporting South Coast AQMD Rules 1111 and 1121 (Electric Water Heaters): Councilmember Hutt opposed the resolution, citing high costs ($3,000–$5,000 for a tankless heater, plus up to $10,000 for panel upgrades) that would burden low-income residents. Councilmember Yarzovski supported the resolution, noting that the rules only apply when replacing a broken system, not to functioning units. Councilmember Rodriguez echoed equity concerns. The resolution passed 12 ayes, 2 noes (Hutt and Rodriguez).
- Item 30 – Appeal of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley's Termination: The central debate. Chief Crowley testified, refuting the mayor's allegations: she did not refuse an after-action report (she recommended an independent one by FSRI), she did not send home 1,000 firefighters (there were not enough working apparatus), and she properly notified the mayor's office about the windstorm. Councilmembers Rodriguez and Park moved to reinstate the chief, arguing that the reasons were pretextual and that the mayor's action was political. Councilmembers Padilla and McCosker argued for upholding the mayor's authority to ensure a functional government. The council voted to call the question (13 ayes, 1 no), then voted on the motion to receive and file the appeal (13 ayes, 0 no? – the transcript indicates 13 ayes to no, meaning the motion passed, killing the appeal).
Key Outcomes
- Fire Chief Appeal: The council voted 13 to 0 (or 13 to 2? unclear) to receive and file the appeal, sustaining the mayor's termination of Chief Kristin Crowley.
- Electric Water Heater Resolution: Passed 12 to 2, directing the city to support AQMD rules.
- Rent Protections: Motion to note and file committee report passed 12 to 0 (Price recused).
- Homeless Emergency Extension: Passed 14 to 1.
- Other Items: All remaining items on the consent calendar passed unanimously or with large majorities.
- Directives: The council did not direct any further action on the fire chief matter; the appeal was dismissed.
Meeting Transcript
And here's what's happening in LA this week. In honor of African American Heritage Month, Councilmember Kern Price directed our attention to Central Avenue. This geographical corridor has been pivotal in supporting black entrepreneurs and businesses from the very beginning of Los Angeles. Well, we're here in the rotunda of the Los Angeles City Hall. Today we have a celebration for African American Heritage Month. Specifically, we're celebrating Central Avenue. It's a long, beautiful history of people, pieces, and activities going on. Frequently, we associate Citroën Avenue with music and with jazz. But today we learned it is much more than that. Places of commerce, civic engagement, involvement. I am honored and just thrilled to be able to represent my family. My parents started the business in 1950, and I am second generation, and we are, if you do the numbers, 75 years strong. My husband and I, Greg Cowan, have been there for about 30 years as the owner operators now. So it is an honor. A lot of people today don't realize that the African American history began in Los Angeles from downtown all the way down to Slaussen around the Central Avenue Corridor in the early part of the state's formation in the early wave of migration during the 19th century, and then during the Great Migration, the early part of the 20th century. People really need to take a moment away from their phones to really look at the historic buildings on these streets, the amazing businesses, sweet potato pie. I mean, the bakery that makes that is just one of the most famous places in South LA. Record stores, funeral parlors, amazing architecture by people like Paul R. Williams, one of the most amazing architects that LA ever saw. Well, I hope they recognize that Central Avenue has a rich and long history of service and activities. And so these pictures certainly highlight pieces from the past, but I think they also underscore the hope for the future. Certainly underscores the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that exists on Central Avenue today. The Department of Recreation and Parks is celebrating African American heritage throughout the city. In South LA, St. Andrews Recreation Center is highlighting some previously hidden contributions that helped to shape black history. Here at St. Andrews Recreation Center, we have a Black History program. We have people coming out from all throughout the community, all walks of life to celebrate Black history with us. Not so much on the people that we do know, but black history of what we don't hear about or don't know so much. Just by working here, they've actually taught me a lot about uh just hidden black history facts. So it's a very strong month to kind of come together and learn about hidden facts. You can't really put a number on how many contributions were made by black people in history that revolutionized the world. We have to pass down this information about black inventors, engineers, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, astronomers, some of everything. So if we honor the past, the future will be bright. Uh Google, go on the internet, find out all kind of information as you can about where you came from and know about your culture. This event is always coming together. We have great food here. Like, you know, it's like a family working here. Come through. Uh St. Andrews is a really great part. The more we come together, the more that we can accomplish. Black is loud, black is beautiful, black is everything. And thanks to St. Andrew's Rec Center for those highlights. STEM. Skills of science, technology, engineering, and math are foundational for building the future. To encourage the next generation to think of becoming engineers, Councilmember Eunice Hernandez led Engineers Week for Elementary Students. Councilmember Hernandez is hosting Engineers Week as the chair of the Public Work Committee. It's a week-long celebration to really encourage the next generation of youth to be engineers.
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