Eunisses Hernandez breaks with council on police vote
A public speaker and Eunisses Hernandez said the council fell short on police accountability before amended Item 44 passed on a separate vote.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — police accountability criticism surfaces in comment, council questions and staff explanation of, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
One councilmember voted no and said the city was still missing the mark on police accountability, even after the item was amended.
Police oversight returned to the center of the council meeting. A public speaker criticized how Los Angeles City Council was handling police accountability measures, and Eunisses Hernandez made the same point from the dais. When amended Item 44 came up, Hernandez voted no. The item still passed on a separate vote.
The public disagreement mattered because it put criticism of the council’s approach on the record from both outside and inside the chamber. The source does not describe the amendment in detail, but it makes clear that Hernandez did not think the revised version answered the concerns. Her no vote set her apart from the council majority that allowed the measure to move ahead.
What comes next depends on how the approved item is carried out and whether councilmembers revisit the underlying accountability questions raised during debate. For now, the immediate result is straightforward: amended Item 44 advanced, while concerns about the city’s approach to police oversight remained unresolved in public view. The exchange left a clear split between the council’s final action and the criticism attached to it.
Council questions and staff explanation of surplus property disposition process (housing sponsor notification and timelines)
Selling city land starts long before any buyer appears. During discussion of surplus property, councilmembers pressed staff on who gets notified, when council offices are looped in, and how long the process can take.
One councilmember said the work had been going on for “tres años” but said they had not been included in meetings about services and surplus properties. Staff said declaring a parcel surplus is only the first step and that decision-makers can still pull a property back later. They then walked through the order: first city departments, then other public agencies such as Caltrans, the county, and the state.
After that, staff said state law requires notice to registered housing sponsors, followed by response and negotiation periods. If no deal is reached, the matter goes back to the state before the city can continue. Staff said planning and geotechnical work must be finished before a site is marketed, and said the full process can stretch to 24 months.
Clerk reads protest findings on districts
Los Angeles City Council heard clerk determinations that majority protests existed for six proposed improvement district items. The clerk said opposition outweighed support on each item, including Centricity, Westwood, West Adams, and Granada, with the findings read into the record during the public hearing.
leadership change
Council rejects Scattergood appeal, keeps talks alive
Los Angeles City Council denied the CEQA appeal tied to the Scattergood modernization project after extensive public comment from labor, energy, environmental, and community speakers. Members paired that vote with a direction to continue settlement discussions over the next 45 days.
The power plant project affects electricity reliability, environmental review, and nearby communities on a set negotiation timeline.
Caller alleges records and meeting-law violations
A telephonic public commenter used general comment to attack canceled meetings, question Item 30 demolition records, and accuse the city of violating SB 707 and the Brown Act. The caller also raised animal services concerns and warned the city could face legal costs if it does not change course.
litigation
Eunisses Hernandez shares health update, condolences
Near the end of the meeting, Eunisses Hernandez asked the public to keep the artist known as Big Sleep in their thoughts after a stroke and spoke about kidney disease awareness. Later, Hernandez offered condolences for a City worker with LA Sanitation & Environment and described a long life in family and public service.
memorial
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Los Angeles had 145 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCECouncil authorizes eminent domain for two LADWP projects. The council held public hearings and approved resolutions of necessity for property acquisitions tied to the Rosa Long Station and a Switching Station project. LADWP staff said required findings and notice steps were met, and no property owners spoke at either hearing.
- GOVERNANCEIn-person public comment period (items 1, 2, 11, 40 and general). The council provided instructions for in-person and virtual public comment and heard several in-person speakers. Comments included a request related to item 11 (rent reduction/termination letter), a speaker asking about how increased fees would improve response times, and multiple disruptive speakers who used profanity and made allegations while attempting to address items including 2, 39, and 40.
- GOVERNANCECity reviews HUD suspension and county lead risks. LAHSA and city staff updated officials on HUD's suspension actions, the 2026 Continuum of Care competition, litigation, and the August deadline. Committee members also approved a report request on what would happen if the county became lead for the region's Continuum of Care and coordinated entry, including effects on funding, governance, interim housing access, and data sharing.
- GOVERNANCEVerbal update: Emergency Housing Voucher (EEHV) program funding solutions and transition to regular Housing Choice Vouchers. HACLA and HR&A Advisors reported that a projected EEHV funding shortfall was resolved by HUD, allowing approximately 2,700 households (about 4,300 individuals) to transition from EEHV to the regular Housing Choice Voucher program. Presenters described the prior risk of a $57 million gap, advocacy and planning efforts, and key household vulnerability data.
- GOVERNANCECouncil approves Item 30 on vacant building demolitions. Council approved amended Item 30 to address long-term vacant and abandoned buildings seen as fire and public safety risks. The measure emphasized owner accountability and added review by the Office of Historic Resources before demolition moves ahead.
- GOVERNANCECommittee backs e-bike and electric moped regulations. The committee concurred with recommendations on regulating e-bikes, motors, and electric mopeds. Public speakers had raised sidewalk safety concerns and urged action on fast-moving devices in pedestrian areas.
- GOVERNANCEAmendment and instructions on public information campaigns and emergency alerts about city services. On Item 4, the council considered an amendment directing the Department of Emergency Management, with IT and other departments, to assess feasibility of implementing emergency alerts to provide residents real-time information on resources during emergencies. The item was voted on and approved.
- GOVERNANCEItem 45 amended to reference new homelessness plan. The council president offered a verbal amendment to Item 45 removing a reference to LAHSA and replacing it with language about a new homelessness structure implementation plan. The council then approved the amended item unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEJurado announces fire recovery motions for Boyle Heights. Councilmember Jurado said they introduced seven motions responding to the aftermath of a recent fire, including smoke, ash, pests, and other harms affecting families. Jurado said the package seeks immediate relief, cleanup, accountability from responsible parties, and recovery that addresses long-standing environmental burdens.
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