Los Angeles City Council Meeting – September 9, 2026

The Los Angeles City Council convened on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (estimated) to consider a full agenda including budget appropriations for the 2028 Olympics, legal settlements, a library commission appointment, and extensive public testimony on rent increases and police funding. The meeting featured robust public comment from tenants and community organizers demanding a rent freeze, eviction moratorium, and redirection of funds from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to housing and social services.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes of September 8, 2026 (moved by Councilmember Price, seconded by Yaroslavsky).
• Commendatory resolutions approved (moved by McCosker, seconded by Nazarian).
• Several routine items were adopted without separate debate, including items 4 and 6 (vote: 10 ayes).

Public Comments & Testimony

Dozens of speakers testified, overwhelmingly in opposition to Item 9 and in support of tenant protections. Key themes:

• Rent increases: Multiple tenants from Chinatown, Hillside Villa, and William Mead Homes described annual rent hikes of 8–10% on fixed incomes (Social Security increases of only 2–3%), forcing choices between food, medicine, and housing. Many demanded a rent freeze, eviction moratorium, and increased rental assistance.
• Item 9 opposition: Nearly every speaker opposed allocating $13 million for 107 LAPD vehicles for the Olympics, arguing the money should instead fund housing, public transit, and services. Speakers noted LAPD already has a $3 billion budget and that the city promised a "no-cost Olympics."
• Public housing preservation: Residents of William Mead Homes urged HACLA to restore rather than demolish and privatize their public housing.
• General public comment: Callers also raised concerns about police misconduct, the Kristen Crowley lawsuit, street vending regulations, and the need for Spanish-language committee agendas.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – Appointment of Joanna Reyes to the Board of Library Commissioners: Councilmembers Padilla, Hutt, Nazarian, and Hernandez praised her community service and leadership. Approved unanimously (11 ayes).
• Item 9 – $13 million in debt financing for 107 LAPD vehicles for Olympic operations: Councilmember Hernandez spoke at length against the item, noting that LAPD’s own report states federal reimbursement is unlikely and LA28 has no budget for law enforcement. She warned this was the first of many expected costs, potentially exceeding $44 million. Despite opposition, the item passed (11 ayes).
• Item 15 – Budget and Finance report: Adopted (11 ayes).
• Item 3 – Motion to explore nonprofit/private operation model for LA Zoo: Councilmember Herado introduced the motion, citing successful city-owned, privately operated institutions like the Hollywood Bowl. Approved (11 ayes).
• Items 22–36 – Legal settlements: The council approved a series of settlement payments, including:
  • Item 32 (Geraldine Lorna Harrison): $160,000
  • Item 30 (Judy Griffin et al.): $10,450,000 (held over from earlier, later approved after closed session)
  • Item 35 (Nicole Juarez Zalaya): $13,500,000
  • Item 36 (Marywood Drive Claims): $5,055,000
  • Other settlements ranged from $114,000 to $685,000.

Key Outcomes

• Item 9 passed (11 ayes): $13 million in debt financing for 107 LAPD vehicles for the Olympics. Councilmember Hernandez voted no; she criticized the lack of federal or LA28 reimbursement and warned of additional future costs.
• Joanna Reyes appointed to Library Commission (unanimous).
• Motion to study zoo operation models adopted.
• Legal settlements approved: Total payouts exceeded $30 million across multiple cases.
• Item 30 (Judy Griffin settlement) approved after closed session; no report from closed session.
• Item 1 (zoo fee ordinance) held over to September 16, 2026, for second reading.
• Councilmember Price noted that the last displaced family from the 2021 27th Street fireworks explosion has moved to permanent housing, marking the end of a long recovery process.