OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Los Angeles City Council Meeting - December 10, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, December 10, 2025
BodyLos Angeles, California
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, December 10, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:22:14

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

spaces and and made it so people can congregate, have commerce, made it feel safer, right?

0:05

But the service was the street light.

0:08

Now we're adding other things that not only reduce the cost of infrastructure itself, but make it so that there's new services that can go on to the city like 5G connectivity, right?

0:19

So LA became one of the first 5G cities in America back in 20, I believe 2017, 2018.

0:25

And that's because we started working together with industry practitioners.

0:29

See what else we could do.

0:31

Very very cool.

0:39

All right so you've worked with the city for a long time.

0:42

I mean you've worked in the mayor's office you know through a couple of tenures of different mayors and now now you're here and you've been here what was the biggest surprise coming into this bureau when you looked around and saw what your opportunities were and what your challenges were the scope of the bureau the opportunities in the bureau the history the fun the possibility what was it that you really went oh wow this is cool.

1:10

What what I was most impressed with was the people when I came in here.

1:17

Because of their willingness to actually try new things and because of the people we have tremendous potential right so when we're talking about these new technologies these more efficient ways to light the streets we're we're talking about connectivity with telecom partners we're talking about dynamic lighting we're talking about air quality sensors that can help inform uh policymakers about what's going on in their neighborhoods right now right so the people actually led to some of these progressions right these new things and and these opportunities that we have and so the bureau itself with what it has again a quarter of a million street lights an electrical system this pen ultimate electrical system that when we're thinking about the future of the city is going to empower a lot of the new services that we do now we actually see ourselves now more of a platform right so yes we have the the street light but there's many different things that you can attach to it right there's many different services that you can uh kind of uh uh create from from that point there where where we have a very uh valuable piece of real estate on the public right of way that has energy well people want to learn more about the hundredth anniversary or just about how to call in if they need some help with the lighting on their streets or just have any questions what's the best way for people to get in touch the best way for people to get in touch well two things right if if there's any issues that you have with street lighting please log your service requests with myel A311 or call 311 itself for for all other things and if you're inquisitive about our history please visit LA lights dot la city dot or gank you so much this is really really fun and that's a wrap on this LA Currents Hello everyone I'm Susan Huckle and here's what's happening in LA this week roll out the red carpet strike up the band it's time to get this season of goodwill started council women Monica Rodriguez and Heather Hutt joined the stars for a legacy event that's bringing all the holiday spirit the Hollywood Christmas parade today we're celebrating the 93rd annual Hollywood Christmas parade and this is such a special occasion for so many members in our community that come together so it's really special to be part of this time honored tradition I came here as a kid and we will bring hot chocolate and all that kind of stuff you know you waited to see Santa all night long I am always excited to see Santa you know what I've been on the good list all the time well except for that one time in college yeah so I'm on the good list.

5:00

Yeah, so I'm on the good list.

5:03

I'm excited to be here today because I'm receiving a humanitarian award for my philanthropic work within the community.

5:10

I don't do it for fanfare.

5:12

I just try to move in silence with that in the community knows what I do because I do it for them.

5:27

Well we take shelter and food for granted.

5:30

Not everyone has that.

5:32

And there are young people that won't be able to celebrate this holiday season without toys for tots.

5:37

So that's why I'm here.

5:48

They do services or leadership for kids all year round.

5:52

I really look forward to seeing all the Marines every year because as a daughter of a Marine, it makes me proud to know that this is a legacy that continues here in Los Angeles.

6:01

And so I'm grateful for their work.

6:09

Represented as China, represented as uh Panama, Bolivia.

6:14

It's an international show tonight.

6:16

And it's so inclusive and really reflective of the diversity of Los Angeles, which makes it so uniquely different.

6:25

When everyone sees all of the different communities that have come together to celebrate the holidays in this way, it's uh something that everyone can be proud of.

6:40

The holidays aren't about what you get.

6:43

The holidays are about what you give.

6:45

There is nothing better than helping someone else.

6:48

Not everyone can do everything, but everybody can do something to make a difference.

6:53

We need all of us to be the village that takes care of one another.

6:58

Be kind to each other.

6:59

Remember to check on your neighbors and really have a wonderful holiday season.

7:09

Councilmember Isabel Harado joined LA Public Library for a groundbreaking at the Benjamin Franklin Library in Boyle Heights.

7:17

This is a major renovation project which will return the branch building back to the community with many improvements.

7:28

Today we are at the groundbreaking of the Benjamin Franklin Library here in Boyle Heights.

7:34

It was my first motion to figure out what is going on because the library has been closed since 2020, and less than a year later, we are here doing a groundbreaking to make sure it's open in 14 months.

7:52

It's taken a while.

7:53

The Benjamin Franklin branch library has been closed for a while.

7:55

There have been some issues with the building, but we're really looking forward to finally having our branch back.

8:01

And staff is really excited to come back into the building and to serve the Boyle Heights community.

8:06

This building's gonna be upgraded in terms of uh energy efficiency.

8:09

We're gonna be putting in some landscaping, some new uh HVAC systems, some lighting systems.

8:14

We're also doing some improvements on the outside in addition to the landscaping.

8:17

There's a new entryway and exit way, and we're gonna do some refurbishment on the painting.

8:23

It's gonna be a state of the art.

8:24

It's gonna be more green and sustainable.

8:27

We're gonna have better landscaping outside that is also gonna be sustainable.

8:32

And we're also gonna have a new citizens' corner where folks can learn how to be citizens and take their citizenship classes.

8:40

And at the end of the day, it's gonna be bigger, more beautiful, and have this beautiful space for our community members.

9:08

Probably a later con alphabetization for adult.

9:20

This library is more than just a place for books.

9:23

It's a community resource hub.

9:25

That's where kids can go to read, they can get tutoring, where seniors can get reprieved from the hot hot.

9:33

I'm so excited to uplift and make sure that this comes to fruition.

9:38

For more information about the library, please visit LAPL.org.

9:45

A small support can make a big difference.

10:03

We are at a distribution event at the West Adams Senior Center, and we are giving out DME equipment for seniors.

10:12

In that program, LA City residents can get either a manual wheelchair, different type of rollators.

10:19

They also could get different types of shower benches, erase toilet seats, and air purifier.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment██████████████████18%
Arts and Culture█████████████13%
Procedural████████████12%
Economic Development████████████12%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Public Safety██████6%
Public Works█████5%
International Solidarity█████5%
Community Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Los Angeles City Council Meeting - December 10, 2025

On December 10, 2025, the Los Angeles City Council convened to address administrative matters, public hearings, and major committee reports regarding city consolidation and economic development. The meeting opened with introductions of visiting Guatemalan legislators and extensive public commentary, heavily focused on housing advocacy, Measure ULA, and criticism of council members and Scientology. Key administrative actions included the confirmation of liens, continuation of several items, and a contentious debate followed by votes on consolidating city departments.

Consent Calendar

  • Confirmation of Liens: Items 2 through 9, 11, 12, 15, 17 through 20 confirmed as paid; Items 13, 14, and 16 receive and filed.
  • Commendatory Resolutions: Approved following a motion by Councilmember Yaroslavski and second by Councilmember Hutt.
  • Item Continuances: Items 10, 20, 21, and 41 continued to January 14, 2026; Item 12 continued to January 14, 2026; Item 6 and 19 continued to January 14, 2026.
  • Reconsideration: Items 41 and 58 were agreed to be reconsidered; Item 41 referred to Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee; Item 58 adopted as amended.
  • Recusals: Councilmember Price recused himself from voting on Items 48 and 51.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Measure ULA Support: Multiple speakers, including representatives from Power Comunitaria Collective, Sage, Act LA, ACE, and LA Forward, expressed full support for Measure ULA, stating it has raised nearly one billion dollars, provided free legal representation against eviction, and is vital for tenant protection. Speakers expressed firm opposition to any attempts to weaken or dissolve the measure, characterizing opposition as an attack by wealthy landlords, developers, and anti-tax associations.
  • Olympic Wage Support: Airport workers and community advocates voiced strong support for the Olympic Wage ordinance, expressing frustration and opposition to efforts to delay or weaken the wage increase before it takes effect.
  • Scientology Criticism: Several speakers expressed concern and opposition regarding the influence of Scientology on public events, specifically the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the New Year's Eve permit. Speakers alleged the organization engages in slave labor and restricts freedom of speech, urging the council to revoke permits or ensure transparency.
  • Department Consolidation Criticism: Speakers from Bets Edicts and the Historic Core Business Improvement District expressed concern regarding the proposed consolidation of the Economic, Workforce Development, and Disability (EWDD) into the Community Investment and Fairness Department (CIFD), fearing detrimental effects on small business services and a lack of transparency in the process.
  • Service Requests & Grievances: A member of the public expressed anger regarding the use of abatement liens instead of assistance for citizens and criticized the council's handling of homelessness and budgeting. Another speaker requested support for the Benjamin Franklin Library renovation and criticized the delay in reopening.
  • Immigrant & Community Rights: Speakers urged the council to protect immigrant rights and opposed "caring sweeps" that dispose of belongings without providing services. Speakers supported the "Know Your Rights" campaign but criticized the LAPD's failure to protect immigrants from federal raids.
  • Specific Property Sale: Buyers for Item 43 requested support for the sale of a property easement to allow for the construction of their single-family home.

Discussion Items

  • Guatemalan Congressional Delegation: Councilmember Soto Martinez introduced a delegation from the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala to discuss the political shift in Guatemala and the challenges faced by Guatemalans in the US. Councilmembers Hernandez, Padilla, and others expressed appreciation and solidarity with the visiting officials.
  • Item 53 (Marvin Braude Bike Trail Access): Councilmember Park proposed revoking an administrative exemption that closed an access point to the bike trail, expressing safety concerns for commuters and support for restoring public access to the coast.
  • Item 63 (Donald C. Tillman Groundwater Replenishment Project): Councilmember Padilla expressed strong support for expanding the project capacity from 25 million to 45 million gallons per day, highlighting its importance for groundwater stability, job creation, and STEM education in the San Fernando Valley.
  • Item 65 (Know Your Rights Campaign): Councilmember Hernandez proposed a campaign to educate communities on their rights at bus stops, expressing support for the initiative to empower immigrant and non-immigrant communities amidst federal raids.
  • Item 69 (Tosco Theater Renovation): Discussion highlighted the renovation of the Tosco Theater in Canoga Park. Speakers expressed praise for the project's role in nurturing local artists and providing community programming, emphasizing the value of the arts.
  • Item 52 (Department Consolidation):
    • Councilmember Rodriguez opposed the consolidation of the Economic Development division into CIFD, expressing concern that it would lose critical economic development capacity, citing high projected costs, lack of data on system integration expenses, and the need for a standalone department to attract major business investments. She argued the consolidation would disrupt the city's ability to compete with other cities for business.
    • Councilmember Price supported the consolidation via the Economic Development and Jobs (EDJ) report, expressing confidence in the efficiencies of pooling administrative staff and the need for structural reform, citing existing challenges with small departments.
    • CAO Staff testified that while the standalone department proposal would cost an estimated $4.2 million more and shift 70% of costs to the General Fund, the consolidation would yield $5.3 million in annual savings starting in FY27, though acknowledged that specific system integration costs were still being estimated.
    • Council members Jurado and Harris Dawson expressed apprehension regarding the loss of private sector deal-making capabilities, with Councilmember Jurado seeking assurance that the new department would maintain the ability to execute complex deals in redlined areas.
    • Councilmember Yaroslavsky and Councilmember Bloomfield expressed support for the EDJ report but concern that the economic development function would be diluted within the larger consolidated department.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 52 D (Amendment to EDJ Report): Failed (7 Ayes, 8 Nays). Councilmember Rodriguez's amendment to preserve the standalone Economic Development division was rejected.
  • Item 52 (Adoption of EDJ Report): Approved (12 Ayes, 3 Nays). The motion to adopt the Economic Development and Jobs Committee recommendation to consolidate departments without a standalone Economic Development division prevailed.
  • Item 52 (Adoption of GIA Report): Failed (6 Ayes, 9 Nays). The motion to adopt the Government Efficiency, Innovation, and Audits Committee recommendation failed.
  • Item 6 (Reconsideration of 6): Continued to January 14, 2026.
  • Item 19 (Reconsideration of 19): Continued to January 14, 2026.
  • Item 41 (Reconsideration): Referred to PLUM Committee.
  • Item 58 (Reconsideration): Approved as amended (12 Ayes).
  • Holiday Door Contest: Council District 7 (Councilmember Rodriguez) won the City Council Holiday Door Decorating Contest; other districts (CD 1, 6, 9, 10) received honorable mentions.
  • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned after a group photo of council members.

Meeting Transcript

spaces and and made it so people can congregate, have commerce, made it feel safer, right? But the service was the street light. Now we're adding other things that not only reduce the cost of infrastructure itself, but make it so that there's new services that can go on to the city like 5G connectivity, right? So LA became one of the first 5G cities in America back in 20, I believe 2017, 2018. And that's because we started working together with industry practitioners. See what else we could do. Very very cool. All right so you've worked with the city for a long time. I mean you've worked in the mayor's office you know through a couple of tenures of different mayors and now now you're here and you've been here what was the biggest surprise coming into this bureau when you looked around and saw what your opportunities were and what your challenges were the scope of the bureau the opportunities in the bureau the history the fun the possibility what was it that you really went oh wow this is cool. What what I was most impressed with was the people when I came in here. Because of their willingness to actually try new things and because of the people we have tremendous potential right so when we're talking about these new technologies these more efficient ways to light the streets we're we're talking about connectivity with telecom partners we're talking about dynamic lighting we're talking about air quality sensors that can help inform uh policymakers about what's going on in their neighborhoods right now right so the people actually led to some of these progressions right these new things and and these opportunities that we have and so the bureau itself with what it has again a quarter of a million street lights an electrical system this pen ultimate electrical system that when we're thinking about the future of the city is going to empower a lot of the new services that we do now we actually see ourselves now more of a platform right so yes we have the the street light but there's many different things that you can attach to it right there's many different services that you can uh kind of uh uh create from from that point there where where we have a very uh valuable piece of real estate on the public right of way that has energy well people want to learn more about the hundredth anniversary or just about how to call in if they need some help with the lighting on their streets or just have any questions what's the best way for people to get in touch the best way for people to get in touch well two things right if if there's any issues that you have with street lighting please log your service requests with myel A311 or call 311 itself for for all other things and if you're inquisitive about our history please visit LA lights dot la city dot or gank you so much this is really really fun and that's a wrap on this LA Currents Hello everyone I'm Susan Huckle and here's what's happening in LA this week roll out the red carpet strike up the band it's time to get this season of goodwill started council women Monica Rodriguez and Heather Hutt joined the stars for a legacy event that's bringing all the holiday spirit the Hollywood Christmas parade today we're celebrating the 93rd annual Hollywood Christmas parade and this is such a special occasion for so many members in our community that come together so it's really special to be part of this time honored tradition I came here as a kid and we will bring hot chocolate and all that kind of stuff you know you waited to see Santa all night long I am always excited to see Santa you know what I've been on the good list all the time well except for that one time in college yeah so I'm on the good list. Yeah, so I'm on the good list. I'm excited to be here today because I'm receiving a humanitarian award for my philanthropic work within the community. I don't do it for fanfare. I just try to move in silence with that in the community knows what I do because I do it for them. Well we take shelter and food for granted. Not everyone has that. And there are young people that won't be able to celebrate this holiday season without toys for tots. So that's why I'm here. They do services or leadership for kids all year round. I really look forward to seeing all the Marines every year because as a daughter of a Marine, it makes me proud to know that this is a legacy that continues here in Los Angeles. And so I'm grateful for their work. Represented as China, represented as uh Panama, Bolivia. It's an international show tonight. And it's so inclusive and really reflective of the diversity of Los Angeles, which makes it so uniquely different. When everyone sees all of the different communities that have come together to celebrate the holidays in this way, it's uh something that everyone can be proud of. The holidays aren't about what you get. The holidays are about what you give. There is nothing better than helping someone else. Not everyone can do everything, but everybody can do something to make a difference. We need all of us to be the village that takes care of one another. Be kind to each other. Remember to check on your neighbors and really have a wonderful holiday season. Councilmember Isabel Harado joined LA Public Library for a groundbreaking at the Benjamin Franklin Library in Boyle Heights. This is a major renovation project which will return the branch building back to the community with many improvements. Today we are at the groundbreaking of the Benjamin Franklin Library here in Boyle Heights. It was my first motion to figure out what is going on because the library has been closed since 2020, and less than a year later, we are here doing a groundbreaking to make sure it's open in 14 months. It's taken a while. The Benjamin Franklin branch library has been closed for a while. There have been some issues with the building, but we're really looking forward to finally having our branch back. And staff is really excited to come back into the building and to serve the Boyle Heights community. This building's gonna be upgraded in terms of uh energy efficiency. We're gonna be putting in some landscaping, some new uh HVAC systems, some lighting systems. We're also doing some improvements on the outside in addition to the landscaping. There's a new entryway and exit way, and we're gonna do some refurbishment on the painting. It's gonna be a state of the art. It's gonna be more green and sustainable. We're gonna have better landscaping outside that is also gonna be sustainable. And we're also gonna have a new citizens' corner where folks can learn how to be citizens and take their citizenship classes. And at the end of the day, it's gonna be bigger, more beautiful, and have this beautiful space for our community members.

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