Los Angeles City Council Meeting - June 17, 2025
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Los Angeles City Council Meeting - June 17, 2025
The Los Angeles City Council convened on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10:14 AM. The meeting began with a roll call showing 12 members present, later reaching 15 for votes. The agenda included introductions, public comments, and votes on various items, including the Stay House LA contract, the Little Tokyo Business Improvement District (BID) conversion, and multiple resolutions. Key speakers addressed the council on tenant services, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Little Tokyo BID.
Consent Calendar
- Items 9 through 15, 17, and 18 were approved with 13 ayes.
- Items 1 through 3, 20 through 24, 26 through 31, and 33 through 36 were approved with 15 ayes.
- Items 7 and 8 were approved with 14 ayes and 1 no.
- Item 16 was approved with 11 ayes and 2 noes.
- Item 19 was approved with 15 ayes after an amendment to place it on the July 1, 2025 council agenda.
- Item 32 was approved with 15 ayes as amended by Councilmember Padilla.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Stay House LA Contract: Multiple speakers, including representatives from United Teachers Los Angeles, Basta Universal, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Public Counsel, Community Power Collective, and People Organized for West Side Renewal, urged the council to direct the LA Housing Department to execute the Stay House LA contract, which was approved on April 25, 2025. They emphasized that the contract provides legal assistance, rental assistance, and tenant education, and that delays would harm thousands of tenants, especially amid ICE raids and the housing crisis. Speakers noted that the contract is funded by Measure ULA and that the city attorney cannot withhold approval under the state of emergency on homelessness.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame: A speaker (Anna Martinez) argued that the Bureau of Engineering reports for items 30 and 31 are incorrect, and that the city has not followed council file 78-3949 requiring Board of Public Works authorization and city council approval for Walk of Fame stars. The speaker specifically criticized the Donald Trump star, calling it an "adjudicated insurrectionist" and urging its removal, citing over 6,000 petitioners and support from council members.
- Little Tokyo BID (Item 6): Public comment was exhausted on the proposed conversion of the Little Tokyo Business Improvement District from a merchant-based to a property-based BID.
- Supporters: David Ikigami (LTBA president), a Little Tokyo business owner (who described an employee being shot), Irene Sakata Simonian (business and property owner), Jan Fukuhara (senior resident and board member), Yuriko Shikai (Japanese Chamber of Commerce board member), and Ellen Endow (co-chair of LTBID) argued that the current volunteer-based BID is unsustainable, that security and cleanliness are critical, and that the conversion is necessary to maintain services, especially after recent unrest. They noted that the merchant-based BID has seen declining collections and that property owners have largely approved the transition.
- Opponents: Rosalyn Kawahira (homeowner/merchant), Mario Correa (community organizer), Cindy Lynn (resident property owner), Kwan Lu (first-time homeowner), Philip Hero Sam (business owner), Midori Tachibana (property owner representative), Joanne Hero Say (small building owner), and Chris Castillo Romo (homeowner) cited lack of transparency, poor community outreach, insufficient budget details, and concerns that the assessment would burden residents, especially those on fixed incomes. They also argued that the BID could lead to gentrification and displacement, and that the outreach was inadequate, with many residential owners not receiving ballots.
Discussion Items
- Stay House LA Contract: The council heard multiple public comments urging immediate execution of the contract. No council discussion was recorded, but the issue was raised during public comment.
- Little Tokyo BID: The public hearing was closed, and the tabulation of ballots was scheduled for later that day in Room 223, with a public announcement on July 1, 2025. Councilmember Herado's office was involved, but no council floor discussion was noted.
- Item 32 Amendment: Councilmember Padilla moved an amendment to item 32, which was seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez and passed unanimously (15 ayes).
- Item 19 Amendment: Councilmember Herado moved to amend item 19 to authorize the city clerk to place it on the July 1, 2025 council agenda after approval. The amendment was seconded by Councilmember McCosker and passed unanimously (15 ayes).
- Announcements: Councilmember Nazarian announced a free screening of the film "Dialike" on June 28, 2025, at El Portal Theater in honor of Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: All consent calendar items passed with large majorities (see Consent Calendar).
- Little Tokyo BID: The public hearing was closed, and the ballot count was to proceed immediately after the meeting. The results will be announced on July 1, 2025.
- Public Comment: The council president directed staff to work with Councilmember Padilla and ITA to create a system for video public comment, recognizing that some residents are afraid to attend in person due to ICE raids.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned without further announcements.
Meeting Transcript
Ages, all backgrounds. It makes me feel empowered. It makes me feel seen. It makes me feel like I'm cared for. It makes me feel here and we're not going nowhere. We're here here and we're not going nowhere. We're here, we're clear, period. Councilwoman Tracy Park and the Los Angeles Public Library curated an exhibition at City Hall's Bridge Gallery for this year's LGBT Heritage Month. Pride in Print is just one event in a month full of celebrations of unity and pride. Today is just the kickoff of what is going to be an extraordinary month of unity and pride and celebrations. For passing the torch, as it were. This year's theme, building community through collective power couldn't be more timely. That's why I'm especially proud to recognize one of this year's council district honorees, the Rainbow Book Bus. This isn't just a bus. It's a rolling symbol of joy, defiance, and hope. Reminding young people that they're not alone and that their stories matter. We are going to be doing a very, very special presentation down in Council Chambers today, and we are lighting up City Hall today for LGBTQ Pride Month. Mayor Karen Bass joined LA Metro to celebrate the opening of Metro Connections to LAX. A free shuttle will connect two metro lines and 14 bus routes to LA's international airport, benefiting the traveling public in and out of LA. We're very excited to announce the grand opening of the LAX Metro Transit Center. It's going to connect people from Los Angeles International Airport with the Metro Rail Network. We have 109 miles of rail that can be accessed by people that are flying into Los Angeles, getting them everywhere they need to go in Los Angeles County with the Metro Rail system. Today we are delivering on a project that has been one of our region's most important transportation priorities for decades. But be clear, this is not just a piece of infrastructure. It's a powerful symbol of what Los Angeles is building, a connected, accessible, and sustainable future. And it's a future that puts our climate goals front and center. So now we have wonderful electric rail, which you can get from wind and solar, electricity can come from clean sources like that, and it often does. So you can get here quickly, efficiently, and in a very environmentally sound manner. So I'm in favor of everything going on here today. It really really improves your flight in and out of Los Angeles International Airport. Our goal is to make it easier for people that are flying into Los Angeles to be able to enjoy all of the world-class destinations that LA has to offer. And they're gonna have this new option to get them where they need to go. Normally, that should be about ten to twelve this time of year. Job orders for our dock workers at the International Longshore and Warehouse Union are down nearly 50% compared to what they should be. Today we had a chance to hear from everyone at a round table where folks can speak frankly. These are bumpy times ahead, and there is not one quick fix. Help the decision and policymakers understand these impacts so we can move forward with trade policy that is good public policy. After eight weeks of study, the entrepreneurs are city approved and ready to grow their businesses. And at their completion of their training, they're able to open their business or expand it. So I've met people throughout the courses and the different presenters. It's really important for us to provide technical assistance and resources to small businesses, in particular those that have a great idea like entrepreneurs. We want to make sure that they are in compliance, and most important that they are a registered business in the city of Los Angeles so that then they can actually expand, earn revenues, and really be able to effectively run a business. Los Angeles City Council today is Tuesday, the seventeenth day of June at the year twenty twenty-five at ten fourteen in the morning. My name is Mark Quisers Dawson. Madam Clerk, let's begin our proceedings by calling the role. Yes, sir. Bloominville, Harris Dawson, Hernandez, Hut, Herado, Lee, McCosker, Nazarian, Padilla, Park, Price, Rahman, Rodriguez, Soda Martinez Yaroslavsky, twelve members present in quantum, Mr. President. All right. Councilmember Park moves, Councilmember Rodriguez seconds.
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