[{"_1":2,"_134":-5,"_135":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110,122],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6629909,"mediaKeyId","2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c","parentId",2700914,"title","Votes at a glance: Budget & Finance Committee actions, March 11, 2025","audioSeconds",4784,"startMs",3454000,"endMs",8238000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c&start=3454&end=8238","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c/thumbnail_3454000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6629909/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Budget-Finance-Committee-actions-March-11-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629909-e0086ec88391362ace51aa6b76a0105e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180141&Signature=iSN6XLMMzdRvIVLzo3KcBDcmpsRmddzA5kCgI1~ZFJ3WL7dW4acOANnauK~7gw7~goq8gEsW2LdTSG2KGndBOoXaKbkr-pN3UPaVI28T-lDHk6PfVhoj3JD7EC6p-WGYQS64Utp4IBAjpyYiojv~4S8T52Ggc6XnuKLOl-qOjVOc9p-ujAp4UScwB6kK752IRV5K4NIPkzdNVAs1uwnU77RcmiZkrw0ltWJIuHUkIgn95~A~EGp~MHotvzEYqqIUWyzK8rqp344~YpwLIVTZOX0UftfOS6R~J~5QpFeDvy17GQ78Be3OiaLpn8ljcTJ4sriGXCgqwaXADanR-lUR9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-19T12:10:58Z","article","This is a concise summary of formal motions and roll-call outcomes recorded during the Los Angeles City Budget and Finance Committee meeting on March 11, 2025.

1) Consent calendar (items 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 as amended, 10, 11, and 13): Motion to approve the consent calendar including the Department of Cannabis Regulation recommendations (item 13). Vote: Yaroslavsky — Yes; Blumenfield — Aye; Hutt — Aye; McCosker — Yes; Hernandez — Yes. Tally: 5 ayes. Outcome: approved as stated by the chair.

2) Item 3 — Controller report relative to the revenue forecast for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26: Motion to approve the controller report. Vote recorded: Yaroslavsky — Yes; Blumenfield — Aye; Hutt — Aye; McCosker — Yes; Hernandez — Yes. Tally: 5 ayes. Outcome: approved.

3) Item 12 — Motion to request a joint report on reallocation of United to House LA (ULA) expenditure categories to support emergency rental assistance: The committee amended the original motion to delete immediate disencumbrance and directed the City Attorney and Los Angeles Housing Department, with assistance from the Chief Legislative Analyst, to report on the legal and procedural steps to reallocate funds. Vote: Yaroslavsky — Yes; Blumenfield — Aye; Hutt — Yes; McCosker — Yes; Hernandez — Yes. Tally: 5 ayes. Outcome: approved as amended.

4) Item 14 — Concurrence with LADOT/Planning recommendations on the Transportation Demand Management ordinance, Mobility Investment Trust Fund, and fee ordinance: Motion to concur and note related reports. Vote: Yaroslavsky — Yes; Blumenfield — Aye; Hutt — Yes; McCosker — Yes; Hernandez — Yes. Tally: 5 ayes. Outcome: approved as stated by the chair.

5) Item 15 (closed session): City Attorney recommendation amended to authorize a contract with Demetrio, De Gelcio, Springer & Francis in the initial amount of $300,000 and CAO to identify funding; clerk recorded: Yaroslavsky — Yes; Blumenfield — Aye; Hutt — absent; McCosker — Yes; Hernandez — Yes. Tally: 4 ayes, Hutt absent. Outcome: approved as amended (closed session).

Notes: All roll-call tallies in open session were recorded by the clerk and reported on the record. The committee's approval of reports or concurrence items does not itself implement new spending unless specifically directed; some items request follow-up reports or departmental action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget and Finance Committee - 3-18-25","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of actions taken and recorded roll-call results at the Budget and Finance Committee meeting covering consent items, the controller forecast, the ULA report request, TDM concurrence and a closed-session contract authorization.","taxTitle","Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4025,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6629914,"City moves to update Transportation Demand Management rules, consolidate mobility funds and refresh fees",419,7612000,8031000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c&start=7612&end=8031","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c/thumbnail_7612000.jpg","/articles/6629914/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/City-moves-to-update-Transportation-Demand-Management-rules-consolidate-mobility-funds-and-refresh-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629914-1bce8daafb51eed171ba82430cf543c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180141&Signature=Xm31aX9cNM7gfYgr31qWFNgIuxXBTdpwEnyS6jSOgV5AJ70zu2hO7RoYVGV19XnHIaVb4v-uUZ7MUV9iGuqDZZyc-A3ri461g3MLSdJHJ7cpDo3Y0FFMgPGkXCdeMHwBV-a8aXvf0I5RZKHh5u13YF9AhDtMyfE8MtIFMmx0bwd84U~ZaWKFYxO1jrw-xued4l4j8sCIEC46pNyA~q5mOrUvgqRFq3JntRbddJdSp18FnXD1ydDD-VX2ktKaYOGuCE8GMX-BK6Ox9hrJSjjZ~dnmSAYmz6qZP56qVrRfFWbHeXAmEP7EHw~otxVwqupkj3oQ-d1C58sWjiWpIBBMCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Budget and Finance Committee on March 11 heard a presentation from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and city planning staff on proposed updates to the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) ordinance, a new Mobility Investment Trust Fund and a revised development review fee ordinance.

The proposed TDM changes implement the Mobility Plan 2035 by expanding the types of new developments subject to TDM requirements, updating approved TDM strategies to reflect current transportation options and technology, and requiring that projects above certain thresholds submit an approved TDM plan before receiving building permits.

LADOT said the ordinance would include a 30-day review period for TDM plan submissions and that the department expects to manage the additional reviews using existing procedures and staff. Typical review timelines under current practice vary by project: ADUs receive same-day clearances, small residential projects may take 2–4 weeks, and larger developments can take 6–8 weeks under current processes; LADOT said larger projects would now fall under the new 30-day review window for TDM plans.

The Mobility Investment Trust Fund would consolidate several developer trust funds into a single fund to finance mobility projects that advance the Mobility Plan: complete-street improvements, traffic calming, transit operations, curb and parking management, bike and micromobility infrastructure, and intelligent transportation systems. LADOT said eligible projects would be selected from a pre-vetted mobility investment list tied to the department's capital plans.

The development review fee ordinance would update LADOT’s fees for the first time since 2014 to reflect current staff salaries and review times and to cover new services created by the TDM ordinance. The proposed fee ordinance includes language allowing annual updates to reflect salary and other changes.

Action: The committee concurred with prior Transportation and Planning reports and noted the CAO's 2019 analysis; the chair moved concurrence and the clerk recorded five ayes.

Closing: LADOT said the fee updates and the consolidated trust fund aim to align developer-funded mobility investments with the city's climate and mode-shift goals while creating a predictable funding source for targeted mobility projects.","The Budget and Finance Committee concurred with recommendations to update the city's Transportation Demand Management ordinance, create a consolidated Mobility Investment Trust Fund and update development review fees; LADOT said reviews would use a 30-day review period and that staff capacity should handle new workload.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6629919,"Council asks city attorney and housing department to report on reallocating ULA funds to emergency rental assistance",501,7055000,7556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c&start=7055&end=7556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c/thumbnail_7055000.jpg","/articles/6629919/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-asks-city-attorney-and-housing-department-to-report-on-reallocating-ULA-funds-to-emergency-rental-assistance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629919-34c9204de3f8796ac3d0c25cbae26a8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180141&Signature=cyFau95nWuUcpPRbgn2uyaw2AHo7RbKvM81kMAt0btqEa-L3V6TegGUoGLUaDsNV1oINtlnLciA~X9ZdauWiUePqOLoMKpdGOwRLPVvbGsbMunDdea4WogSkaNVgm1k1oQtWajPt4ZZTH2dIZRscJfwSzknOjboHLQMzKTu4kzCQ~pbpgnu9bXVQiVhu0kMypfHV2d-dxAnxqjyzlVwE9yLMWV7Nc1C2YfhiiYZxISAfJIrxJS2JNzR1kc4mpKC2c-AeaFZY1dDTue6bHt~RRUTtCID3oKLvmvmBVEBIhYCyUkNfqoCvpc5ZaMJ11Jbzb4SoGdw0F7bGfh5GkrrutQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Budget and Finance Committee on March 11 directed the city attorney and the Los Angeles Housing Department (with assistance from the Chief Legislative Analyst) to report back to council on the legal and procedural steps needed to reallocate certain United to House LA (ULA) expenditure categories to emergency rental assistance for residents affected by the January wildfires.

Background: Councilmember Bob Blumenfield presented a motion to disencumber and reallocate ULA funds to emergency rental assistance (ERA) for wildfire survivors. After member amendments and floor discussion, the committee amended the request to delete immediate disencumbrance instructions and instead asked for a legal report describing how the council could reallocate funds \"to accommodate the changing needs of the United to House LA program.\" Councilmembers agreed the housing department should be a principal participant in drafting the report while the city attorney would provide the legal analysis.

Why it matters: ULA is a voter-approved measure with specific expenditure categories in the Administrative Code. Councilmembers wanted a legal pathway and a transparent process so the council could consider re-appropriation options without violating charter or administrative code constraints.

Committee action: The committee approved the amended motion. The clerk recorded five ayes and the item passed.

Discussion vs. decision: The vote authorized a report back from the city attorney and LAHD with assistance from the CLA; it did not reassign funds immediately. The amended language prioritized a legal and procedural roadmap, not immediate disencumbrance.

Implementation: The report will be prepared as requested so the council can later decide whether and how to reallocate ULA funds to ERA or related wildfire recovery programs.","Councilmembers approved a motion asking the city attorney and Los Angeles Housing Department, with assistance from the CLA, to report on the legal process for reallocating United to House LA (ULA) expenditure categories to support emergency rental assistance for wildfire-impacted Angelenos; the motion was amended to request a joint report.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6629924,"Emergency Management outlines wildfire recovery phases; consultant Hagerty working alongside city",619,6055000,6674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c&start=6055&end=6674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c/thumbnail_6055000.jpg","/articles/6629924/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Emergency-Management-outlines-wildfire-recovery-phases-consultant-Hagerty-working-alongside-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629924-108203217a9e1c540922e03be79711ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180141&Signature=Gywu9BuN14xUi6jSPF4D1TB7RuUlKzPeSZEksC-M5YJ~LFAf~bvneM~BNaNG1GSnIPJRT1fhOGJKazyFfI8UmK28QApU7nRjwRs4S1HqBXfZ~MmyHjsni-aMB-KL35KcmTgoVPrNTbxvusHfr4wiQH6ENTyH5WlX426dPkYaMp26r3nwe2Pgk-rRajU-bcHP-yeTsHMLUjxedMDEgU5yzjdSy2uN6NBmz~ySIK7iMwHwmCTqAO9XSLlv7RYbmWpDsgIjNlel7Kskxs-rJM-FJZsNrP8T5qCbxMd6BAf6OiFuqIrT6GDc5T9-my7yEtZfmgqZw7b6QahFo1kit04pIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City emergency management officials told the Budget and Finance Committee on March 11 that recovery from the January 2025 wildfires and windstorms has shifted from immediate response to a complex period where short-, intermediate- and long-term recovery work overlap.

\"We are now in the most complex [phase] because this is where all three phases actually overlap,\" said Jim Featherstone, the recovery coordinator introduced by Carol Parks, general manager of the Emergency Management Department (EMD). Officials said the city stood up a recovery unit immediately and has been coordinating with county, state and federal partners, nonprofit groups and private contractors.

Why it matters: Officials said debris removal is a prerequisite for most reconstruction and that topography and repeated rain events have complicated work in the Palisades burn scar. EMD estimated phase‑2 debris work remains incomplete for many parcels; prior events of similar scale have taken months to a year to finish depending on parcel count and terrain.

Hagerty contract and role: EMD explained that Hagerty Consulting was hired to support planning, response, recovery, mitigation, financial management, operations and community engagement. The contract was signed on Feb. 14; Hagerty staff began work on February 4 at risk and had roughly 22 people mobilized in the field as of the committee briefing. EMD said Hagerty is working \"shoulder to shoulder\" with city staff to bring expertise for a disaster of this complexity and to help document recovery work in ways that support federal cost recovery and public communications.

Reimbursement and cost-tracking: Officials told the committee that the CAO typically handles cost accounting for FEMA reimbursements, and EMD said it expects a significant portion of consultant work to be eligible for FEMA reimbursement. EMD said it is structuring recovery activities using the National Disaster Recovery Framework (recovery support functions such as infrastructure, housing, health and social services, economic recovery and natural resources) to align with county and state structures and to support federal reimbursement processes.

Operational constraints and outlook: EMD described ongoing challenges including an emergency evacuation order in segments of the Palisades, 14 traffic-control points for controlled property access, and the need for rights-of-entry (ROE) from parcel owners to access and clear burned properties. Officials did not give a firm timeline for completing all debris removal and said some past events with roughly 1,600 parcels took about a year to clear, although the department cautioned that comparisons vary by terrain and parcel size.

No committee vote was required for the verbal update; officials said they will continue to coordinate with CAO for FEMA cost recovery and with Hagerty on recovery planning and community communications.","City emergency management staff reported that recovery from January wildfires has moved from short-term to overlapping intermediate and long-term phases, that debris removal remains a bottleneck, and that contractor Hagerty Consulting is providing recovery coordination; Hagerty mobilized 22 staff and its contract was signed Feb. 14.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6629929,"City controller warns of flat revenues, shrinking reserves in revised forecast",2181,3471000,5652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c&start=3471&end=5652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c/thumbnail_3471000.jpg","/articles/6629929/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/City-controller-warns-of-flat-revenues-shrinking-reserves-in-revised-forecast","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629929-4e4ac0dcf8749696ff0db7d6e29cc421/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180141&Signature=MZoWSKeet6SbsJUpXjnYwx3pIqKwfswmcR0wfpKH9Aw5x8uPSDt8KYH1v7mXOYr9IZdJkssOq-4Web1z99UV0zGo2WvdXHH8lg6BFFXfKLxX6qDN12-mgs6lLbXPspXILuSTk53zvI0Et8u3L2IulJz~oeHuHatx~jl6pnTLhNZHTTBdkKxb2apk~SUBb5pKG2tu561IhxsNdi3YQFrWtp1xkNRAK0VUuAWzVylLIEeZq3345xh69MzCk6mdPcyc4yL~kXijmTeYBFsdgVYyHCj4P1Y4OHG6EZ9vyPx0i-fhbTP0nfGtYfiFTnvQnU13FSJJLn5JR0Kt82uDU9~qKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Angeles City Controller told the Budget and Finance Committee on March 11 that revised revenue forecasts show a modest decline in general fund revenues and continued pressure on the city's reserve, prompting calls for structural changes in budgeting.

\"We are estimated to end general fund revenues at $7.9 billion,\" Kenneth Mejia told the committee, saying that figure is roughly $140 million below the current adopted budget. He and his team projected general fund revenues of about $7.8 billion for the next fiscal year, driven in part by waning federal COVID-related grants and weaker sales and business tax receipts.

Nut graf: The controller's office highlighted inflationary pressures, decreased consumer spending among lower-income households, wildfire costs and uncertainty around federal funding as drivers of a flat revenue outlook. The forecast fed a broader committee discussion on moving toward multiyear budgeting, improved performance measures and more realistic liability budgeting.

Key points from the presentation and Q&A
- Major drivers: The controller cited a roughly $92 million shortfall in sales and business taxes and the anticipated winding down of federal grant receipts (COVID recovery funds) as principal factors behind the lower revenue forecast.
- Reserves and liquidity: The office estimated the city's reserve could drop to about $258 million (roughly 3.22 percent of the general fund) once pending transfers and settlement obligations are accounted for, down from $648 million about a year and a half earlier.
- Short-term cash needs: General fund cash flow needs for July–December were estimated between $350 million and $525 million, driven by large pension and retirement payments.
- Longer-term concerns: The controller and his deputy recommended a two-year budget cycle, performance-informed budgeting, honest accounting for liability payouts and greater departmental budget flexibility.

Committee reaction: Committee members asked for more granular analysis (for example, reviewing which departmental fees cover full cost recovery and how vacancy reductions have affected service delivery). The controller's office said it is working with department general managers to tie monthly spending to monthly performance metrics and to compile backlog metrics so council can better assess service effects from cuts.

Action: The committee moved to approve the controller's report (agenda item 3); the clerk recorded five ayes and the item passed.

Ending note: The controller characterized the city's fiscal condition as a multi-year challenge, and both staff and council members signaled support for multiyear budgeting and greater transparency to guide decisions across departments.","City Controller Kenneth Mejia told the Budget and Finance Committee that General Fund revenues are forecast to end the year below budget and to remain essentially flat into next fiscal year, citing reduced grant receipts, lower consumer spending and wildfire impacts; the committee approved the report.",{"_33":123,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":124,"_41":125,"_43":126,"_45":127,"_47":128,"_49":129,"_51":130,"_53":131,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":132,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":133,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6629933,"Social equity cannabis operators press City for audits, enforcement and direct relief",2764,700000,3464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c&start=700&end=3464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2700914-544e14a4cae383918ecd56dbed1c672c/thumbnail_700000.jpg","/articles/6629933/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Social-equity-cannabis-operators-press-City-for-audits-enforcement-and-direct-relief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629933-cfe09c53df29ec80f464bd5234887bc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180141&Signature=mStn5e77jNWUdM4xx7HKWSVDykOzAqB2ERlHwm2A8SPHOQ0jzyAErfw-poH9zyXawgXAW51QRILirKbvcq0H-QP40Exa6Uy05h7x2WSS-1hFJ32npSL-dhs6EC~9iGnm3meE8MWMTEko29X0tMISD0tqI4iL-dZcCMmKDsT~hCxWY-Nuo94DFb3Wt2-3HzT1Y2sV7eMIjMQpcJLo304fDqtvTaj9EQaa5mxZWhHLdNqQPrg-CyPLuCvSclVtPjOCT5U9so9bY-71N7yQYHSfArpD3N4EdRZ4swfnk9Y9drx~aqjeJeo8b6sCllPdWSQBCQBS9RkiDwQYUJzuQQcUCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of social equity cannabis operators and applicants urged the Los Angeles City Council Budget and Finance Committee on March 11 to audit the Department of Cannabis Regulation, provide direct grants and tax relief, and step up enforcement against illegal dispensaries.

The speakers said the city’s social equity program, created to help people harmed by the war on drugs, has produced delays, high fees and little direct assistance. \"The program that was meant to help us is draining us,\" said Evelyn Brinson, a social equity operator, recounting delays, late fees and what she said were ineffective DCR help-desk responses. \"Before you allocate another dollar, demand a full audit and ensure these funds actually reach the people they were meant to help.\"

A string of other operators echoed the request for oversight and financial relief. \"We need direct grants. We need tax forgiveness,\" said Whitney Beatty, who identified herself as a social equity owner and single mother. Alfred Toregano, a social equity advocate, asked for an independent oversight committee to protect licensees from predatory investors and landlords. Brandon Brinson and Christopher Martinez described fees and application costs they said burden operators and recommended fee waivers or direct grants instead of using the state equity grant as a city revenue source.

Why it matters: Social equity was a central theme of public comment at a meeting that otherwise covered budget forecasts, wildfire recovery and transportation policy. Multiple residents said the combination of licensing delays, late fees and competition from unlicensed storefronts is threatening the viability of licensed, equity-owned dispensaries in Los Angeles — and they urged immediate, enforceable changes from DCR and the city.

What the committee did: The committee approved the consent calendar, which included \"adopt recommendations from the Department of Cannabis Regulation Report\" (agenda item 13). The chair moved the consent approval; the clerk recorded five ayes and the items were adopted as stated by the chair.

Details and claims from speakers (as stated to the committee):
- Christopher Martinez (social equity advocate/operator) said the city has 1,403 licensed cannabis businesses and 470 are social equity operators; he said the city collected $10,700,000 in initial application fees and that renewal fees of $4,002.33 per license had produced roughly $5.9 million (figures provided by Martinez as part of his comment). (Source: Christopher Martinez.)
- Multiple speakers alleged the Department of Cannabis Regulation is \"supplanting\" state grant funds (that is, using them in place of — not in addition to — existing cannabis fund allocations). Several asked the committee to require an audit before allocating more city or state grant money. (Speakers: Evelyn Brinson, Brandon Brinson, Alfred Toregano, Asia Allen.)
- Several license holders asked for: an independent oversight committee for the social equity program; grant relief or tax forgiveness; stronger enforcement against illegal dispensaries that operate without taxes or licensing; and streamlined, one-on-one technical assistance for applicants. (Speakers: Alfred Toregano, Whitney Beatty, Robin McSweeney, Brandy Brown, Kika Keith, Damian Martin.)

Discussion vs. decision: Public commenters asked elected officials for audits, enforcement and program changes. Committee members placed item 13 on the consent calendar; committee members did not debate DCR funding or take new policy direction during the hearing beyond approving the DCR report as part of the consent items. The public requests for audits and oversight were recorded in public comment but did not produce a motion specifically adopting those demands.

Ending note: Operators said the harms are immediate: many reported large holding costs, liens, and business debts accrued while awaiting licensing and grant assistance. They urged the city to provide tangible relief and oversight rather than more process. \"We are done waiting,\" Asia Allen said.","Dozens of social equity operators and applicants told the Budget and Finance Committee the Department of Cannabis Regulation has delayed grants, charged excessive fees and allowed illegal dispensaries that undercut licensed businesses; the committee approved the DCR recommendations on the consent calendar.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Budget & Finance Committee actions, March 11, 2025

City moves to update Transportation Demand Management rules, consolidate mobility funds and refresh fees

Council asks city attorney and housing department to report on reallocating ULA funds to emergency rental assistance

Emergency Management outlines wildfire recovery phases; consultant Hagerty working alongside city

City controller warns of flat revenues, shrinking reserves in revised forecast

Social equity cannabis operators press City for audits, enforcement and direct relief