OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Los Angeles City Council Meeting – October 31, 2025 (Halloween) in Van Nuys

City CouncilFriday, October 31, 2025
BodyLos Angeles, California
SessionCity Council
DateFriday, October 31, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:44:55
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

3424 or you can send an email to LAFD.

0:05

Brush.

0:06

ACCTG at LACity.org.

0:10

We understand that many people might be worried about their neighbors' property and that they might have a fire hazard because of some overgrown brush.

0:20

And how would you report that?

0:22

So, first off, we want you to know that the fire department wants to hear your concerns so we can provide the clearance necessary for our firefighters to protect your property and your neighborhood.

0:34

So you can report a brush fire hazard by email to LAFD brush at LACity.org.

0:43

Now please make sure that you include the exact location of the brush hazards, the address.

0:50

If you have the APN, that would be even better.

0:52

But of course, you need to put a brief description of what the hazards are and where those hazards are on the property.

1:00

And of course, it's best not to go looking at those hazards on that neighbor's property without permission.

1:07

You also can make your complaint by phone.

1:09

That same phone number we provided before to our brush clearance unit is 1-800-994-444.

1:17

And again, we welcome your complaint, but remember too that we have limited resources to take your call, and those hours are from 7 a.m.

1:24

to 3 p.m.

1:25

Monday through Friday.

1:57

But before a big project can become a reality.

2:00

You need big ideas.

2:02

Ideas that make a big impact that deliver the good.

2:06

To serve the greater good.

2:08

You have what it takes.

2:09

To make a lasting contribution.

2:12

Can you right to the occasion?

2:14

Are you ready to be part of something?

2:15

That's bigger than you.

2:17

Bigger than what you thought was possible, if so.

2:20

Come be a part of LADWP.

2:22

Be part of something big.

2:52

We're not prepared for a flood.

2:57

Sure, in the movies, this is all pretend, but in real life, you gotta be prepared for any type of an emergency.

3:02

You can't predict, but you can prepare.

3:04

Yeah.

3:04

How'd you know?

3:05

The ball called be prepared at LAFD.org.

3:31

Hello everyone, I'm Natalia Vilvao, and here's what's happening in LA this week.

3:37

Light is overcoming the darkness.

3:40

Council Member Nathia Rahman hosted a celebration of Duwali, known as the Festival of Lights at City Hall.

3:47

The Indian community came together to celebrate with all the joy that this spread festival brings.

3:58

We are here in Council Chambers, and we are doing our Diwali presentation, and we have two incredible guests.

4:09

As well as the new consul general for a new consulate that's opening up right here in Los Angeles, the second consulate here in the state of California.

4:17

Appropriate given the number of South Asians and people who want to travel to India, but it's incredibly exciting to welcome them as well as so many members of our community here.

4:25

So I'm so proud to return to City Hall for the first time in three years as a guest of Council Member Ramon to celebrate Diwali.

4:32

And the last two and a half years, I've been representing Los Angeles and representing our country as U.S.

4:37

ambassador in India.

4:38

And as exciting as Diwali is here, let me tell you, in India, it is a moment when the entire country celebrates.

4:46

You see lights and dias, these blessings that people put out, firecrackers going off, people dancing, singing, and really remembering the things that are about light, overcoming darkness, good, overcoming bad.

4:59

So this is very close to my heart because every other country has representation here, but our Indian consulate wasn't here.

5:10

So it means a lot that Diwali is brought to a lot of people and that we can share our culture as well as the teachings of our festival.

5:20

It's not religious, it's more victory of a good over evil, but it's more celebration of lights.

5:26

So that everybody is getting on the lighted path.

5:30

We are quite excited in the community, and also having opened the Indian consulate for the first time ever in Los Angeles.

5:37

We look forward for this collaboration and cooperation between the two countries, and especially with Los Angeles, which is so diverse today.

5:56

And so many Indian people with the Indian outfits coming to the city hall, which reaching here, it's not easy with the LA traffic, but a lot of Indian community came here to represent Diwali as now it is as our California state holiday.

6:12

So it means a lot to represent at this level.

6:16

It's such a proud moment for us Indian Americans to be celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights, uh the Los Angeles City Hall.

6:25

We've worked so hard, there's so many of us, and to have that representation in Los Angeles, it really means so much to us.

6:32

Definitely, it means so much to finally be represented on such a big stage, and very big special uh shout out to Councilwoman Nitya Rahman for all the work that she's done to put together such a wonderful, lovely event.

6:47

I know how hard it is to grow up without others knowing your culture.

6:52

So I felt it's very that it was very important for us to get Diwali approved within California.

7:00

Governor Newsom signed AB 286 into law this year, designating Diwali as a state holiday, only the third state in America to do so, and this was in no small part thanks to the efforts of the Valley Indian Seniors Association and Nishta Goal, who lobbied and pushed for this.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████21%
Community Engagement████████████████████20%
Parks and Recreation██████████████14%
Procedural██████████████14%
Homelessness██████████10%
Economic Development█████5%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Transportation Safety████4%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Los Angeles City Council Meeting – October 31, 2025 (Halloween)

The Los Angeles City Council met on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Van Nuys City Hall for its regularly scheduled meeting. The session began at approximately 9:26 AM and included roll call, approvals, votes on agenda items, multiple presentations, public comment, and announcements. The meeting concluded with an adjournment.

Consent Calendar

  • Items one through four on the regular agenda (for which public hearings had already been held) were approved unanimously (10–0). Item four was sent forthwith without objection.

Presentations & Recognitions

  • Dia de los Muertos Festival 25th Anniversary – Councilmember Bob Blumenfield recognized Main Street Canoga Park for hosting the annual Dia de los Muertos Family Festival for 25 years. The festival began with four altars on Sherman Way and now spans a mile, attracting over 50,000 attendees each year. Founders and volunteers were awarded a City certificate.
  • Dr. Jimmy Hara – Fire Commissioner Service – Councilmember John Lee honored Dr. Jimmy Hara for more than a decade of service on the Los Angeles Board of Fire Commissioners. Dr. Hara, a Vietnam War veteran and physician, was commended for his leadership and contributions to the LAFD.
  • Ace Building Materials – Councilmember Imelda Padilla recognized Ace Building Materials, a family‑owned hardware business in operation since 1950. The Sakaria family took over in 1994 and continues to run the business with a focus on community support. A certificate was presented.
  • Coach LA Day – Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, together with the Department of Recreation and Parks and partners Nike and LA28, declared October 6, 2025, as Coach LA Day in Los Angeles. The initiative provides evidence‑based training for volunteer and professional coaches, supported by a $160 million investment from LA28 to expand youth sports, including adaptive programs. Multiple council members spoke about the importance of coaches in youth development.

Discussion Items

  • Item 6 – Temporary RV Storage Site – Councilmember Imelda Padilla introduced a motion authorizing a two‑year lease agreement with Metro for a lot in her district to serve as a temporary storage site for abandoned RVs. The site will be secured with 24/7 on‑site security, cameras, and decorative art fencing. It will only store empty RVs for one to two months before disposal, and is not an interim housing location. Councilmember Monica Rodriguez noted that California Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez’s bill has expedited the disposition process. The item was moved forthwith and approved 11–0.
  • Item 5 – Technical Amendment – A motion (5A) introduced by Councilmembers Rodriguez and Hutt was circulated and posted. No discussion was offered; the item as amended was approved unanimously (11–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Support for Item 6 (RV Storage) – Several speakers representing local businesses, a youth soccer league (AYSO 33 with 1,500 participants), and property owners expressed strong support for the temporary RV storage site. They described the hazards of illegally parked RVs, including lost parking spaces and safety issues. One speaker requested proper screening and fencing.
  • Demand for Removal of LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell – Multiple speakers called for the removal of Chief McDonnell, citing violent responses to protests, use of less‑lethal rounds on protesters and journalists, failure to de‑escalate, and collaboration with ICE. Speakers argued that LAPD is violating First Amendment rights and incurring legal liabilities for the city. Several referenced a town hall with Mayor Bass scheduled for November 3.
  • Other Issues – One speaker opposed a proposed mandate for apartment owners to install air conditioning, suggesting whole‑house fans as an alternative. Another speaker advocated for more California native street trees. A representative from South Coast AQMD announced new funding initiatives for space and water heaters. Two speakers criticized the city for not providing food aid during federal benefit cuts. Emotional appeals were made against police brutality and the treatment of protesters.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Items (1–4, 5 as amended, 6) – All routine agenda items and the two special items (RV storage lease and technical amendment) were passed unanimously.
  • Coach LA Day Declared – The council adopted a resolution declaring October 6, 2025, as Coach LA Day.
  • Referrals – Motions for posting and referral were approved without objection.
  • Announcements – Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez announced the departure of Zanthy Sheps, a long‑time staffer who worked in multiple council offices. Councilmember Monica Rodriguez invited the public to the Dia de los Muertos celebration at San Fernando Mission Cemetery on November 1 from 1:30 PM to 6 PM.

The meeting was adjourned without further business. The council wished attendees a happy Halloween.

Meeting Transcript

3424 or you can send an email to LAFD. Brush. ACCTG at LACity.org. We understand that many people might be worried about their neighbors' property and that they might have a fire hazard because of some overgrown brush. And how would you report that? So, first off, we want you to know that the fire department wants to hear your concerns so we can provide the clearance necessary for our firefighters to protect your property and your neighborhood. So you can report a brush fire hazard by email to LAFD brush at LACity.org. Now please make sure that you include the exact location of the brush hazards, the address. If you have the APN, that would be even better. But of course, you need to put a brief description of what the hazards are and where those hazards are on the property. And of course, it's best not to go looking at those hazards on that neighbor's property without permission. You also can make your complaint by phone. That same phone number we provided before to our brush clearance unit is 1-800-994-444. And again, we welcome your complaint, but remember too that we have limited resources to take your call, and those hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. But before a big project can become a reality. You need big ideas. Ideas that make a big impact that deliver the good. To serve the greater good. You have what it takes. To make a lasting contribution. Can you right to the occasion? Are you ready to be part of something? That's bigger than you. Bigger than what you thought was possible, if so. Come be a part of LADWP. Be part of something big. We're not prepared for a flood. Sure, in the movies, this is all pretend, but in real life, you gotta be prepared for any type of an emergency. You can't predict, but you can prepare. Yeah. How'd you know? The ball called be prepared at LAFD.org. Hello everyone, I'm Natalia Vilvao, and here's what's happening in LA this week. Light is overcoming the darkness. Council Member Nathia Rahman hosted a celebration of Duwali, known as the Festival of Lights at City Hall. The Indian community came together to celebrate with all the joy that this spread festival brings. We are here in Council Chambers, and we are doing our Diwali presentation, and we have two incredible guests. As well as the new consul general for a new consulate that's opening up right here in Los Angeles, the second consulate here in the state of California. Appropriate given the number of South Asians and people who want to travel to India, but it's incredibly exciting to welcome them as well as so many members of our community here. So I'm so proud to return to City Hall for the first time in three years as a guest of Council Member Ramon to celebrate Diwali. And the last two and a half years, I've been representing Los Angeles and representing our country as U.S. ambassador in India. And as exciting as Diwali is here, let me tell you, in India, it is a moment when the entire country celebrates. You see lights and dias, these blessings that people put out, firecrackers going off, people dancing, singing, and really remembering the things that are about light, overcoming darkness, good, overcoming bad. So this is very close to my heart because every other country has representation here, but our Indian consulate wasn't here. So it means a lot that Diwali is brought to a lot of people and that we can share our culture as well as the teachings of our festival. It's not religious, it's more victory of a good over evil, but it's more celebration of lights. So that everybody is getting on the lighted path.

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