A summary of significant City Hall decisions...
A summary of significant City Hall decisions affecting the Central Los Angeles in the past week.
CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING LOAN: Approved a $2.5-million loan to Los Angeles Grand Limited Partnership, which is building the Grand Plaza development, 701 Sunset Blvd. The $40-million Chinatown project includes a four-story senior citizen rental housing complex above a commercial retail center and a parking garage.
INNER-CITY GAMES: Approved the temporary closure of several streets in Boyle Heights for the annual Inner-City Games on Oct. 25, which will include a 5K run and a Munchkin Mile. A portion of New Jersey, State and Lorena streets and Brooklyn Avenue will be closed from 6 a.m. to noon.
DEMOLITION MORATORIUM: Approved an additional 30-day moratorium against issuing a demolition permit for a 19th-Century Victorian cottage near USC. During the 30-day period Mike Hernandez, who represents the area, said he will attempt to have the city purchase the site. The building was partially torn down in August when the owner obtained a demolition permit, claiming the structure was damaged during the April-May riots.
HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT: Approved a proposal by Richard Alatorre to clean the area under the 7th Street Bridge near the Los Angeles River, which has become a homeless encampment, and install a chain-link fence with gates. The encampment has recently been troubled by fires being set and local businesses complaining of vandalism, a spokesperson for the councilman said. The Alatorre motion asked the city Bureau of Street Maintenance to do the cleanup.
APPOINTMENT: Approved the appointment of Stephanie Farrington-Domingue to the Community Redevelopment and Housing Agency Relocation Appeals Board. Farrington-Domingue replaces the late Sara Hampton. Farrington-Domingue lives in South-Central in the 8th Council District.
HOW THEY VOTED
How South Central and Eastside representatives voted on selected issues.
FEDERAL FUNDS: Approved a proposal by Mark Ridley-Thomas supporting a pending measure by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) that would increase the amount of federal block-grant funds to improve low-income neighborhoods. The federal cap of 15% is now placed on the use of those funds, but it would be raised to 25% under the Waters bill. Passed: 11-0. Voting yes: Mike Hernandez and Mark Ridley-Thomas. Richard Alatorre, Joan Milke Flores and Rita Walters were absent.
DEMOLITION FUNDS: Approved spending $2 million to continue the city cleanup work from the recent riots. Officials expect to be reimbursed from the federal and state governments. Passed: 12-0. Voting yes: Hernandez and Ridley-Thomas. Alatorre, Flores and Walters were absent.
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