The Los Angeles City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 9:37 AM in the John Ferraro Council Chambers. The meeting included roll call (13 members present), approval of previous minutes, flag salute, and consideration of 43 agenda items. Public comment, debate on the Homeless Emergency Account (Item 36), and closed session (Item 43) occupied the bulk of the session. Multiple items were continued, amended, and voted on, with the council approving most items on the consent calendar and taking up several contested items separately.
So important. For so long, they feel like they get left out or deprioritized for other wealthier neighborhoods. You're not going to see the underground work, some biofiltrations that you'll see, you'll see some trees. It also has educational signage, all these aesthetics that the community benefit as we're investing in our stormwater infrastructure. You know, we may be in a fiscal crisis, but as long as we can collaborate and be creative, we can make projects like this. CD 14 is here to work with you to find these creative solutions even at this time. You might not know the name or have any awareness of this 1898 legal case, but the landmark ruling is still being talked about today. A panel at El Pueblo discuss the United States versus Wong Kim Ark. We are the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles, and I'm moderating a panel called Advancing Equality, uh United States versus Wang Kim Ark with experts and community members about how important this legal case is. Wang Kim Ark was born in San Francisco, and so he was automatically a U.S. citizen at that time. He went to China for a visit, and when he tried to come back, they said that because his parents were immigrants, he did not have the rights of U.S. citizen, even though he was born in the United States. He fought that case, and that case went all the way to the Supreme Court justice, and they ruled in his favor in 1898, saying that if you are born in this country, you automatically have the rights of U.S. citizenship, regardless of your parents' immigration status. I'm very proud of my great grandfather Won Kim Ark. I feel privileged to be here and the other people recognize what he did. His struggle winning birthright citizenship. It validates my life. That birthright citizenship, that question was answered over 125 years ago. We're fighting an old battle. What we want to do is educate people on this important legal case, a precedent case, Wang Kim Arc, and what is the significance of birthright citizenship and what impact is had on Asian American communities, but all immigrants and refugees. You know, citizenship for immigrants is so vital because it protects their rights, it gives them protection. It also gives them opportunities to participate as full members of civil society and um participate in the United States and its democracy. The Board of Public Works has a new president. LAX carries out its full-scale emergency exercise, and the electric Dash Poquoima bus goes into service. The stories up next on City Beat. Appointed by Mayor Karen Bax, Kang's election during Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a notable milestone for the community. Kang's prior experience includes serving as vice president of the Central Area Planning Commission. As board president, Kang will oversee public infrastructure, services, and sustainability projects critical to the city's future. For more information, visit dpw.lacity.gov. Los Angeles World Airport's Lawa recently conducted its full-scale emergency response exercise known as AirX, the unrehearsed emergency simulation test, disaster planning, and is required at least once every three years by the Federal Aviation Administration. Around 400 participants took part in the exercise, including first responders, law enforcement, airline personnel, staff, and about 150 volunteers who portray the injured passengers. According to Lawa, the test helps the airport strengthen coordination, identify improvements, and ensure it is prepared to effectively respond to any emergency situation. For more info, visit lawa.org slash news-releases. LA's Department of Transportation marked the beginning of Dash Pocoima, a new all-electric bus service operating in the San Fernando Valley. According to Councilmember Amilda Padilla, the new route on the Bandai's corridor lays the groundwork for a connected and sustainable future across the valley. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, who helped secure funding for Dash Pocoima, said that safe, reliable public transportation remains a priority for the community. Dash Percoima will operate on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. And on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with service every 30 minutes. Fares are 50 cents in cash and 35 cents with a tap card. But to celebrate the service, Angelinos can ride Dash Procoima free through May 31st. For more information, visit LADLT Transit.com. We know moms make a lot happen every day, and councilwoman Heather Hutt and her colleagues know that too. To honor the occasion of Mother's Day, they hosted a musical program for moms to relax and enjoy. We're celebrating the people that nurture our city. They did an amazing job.