[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,73,85],{"_32":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":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},"mediaId",6577686,"mediaKeyId","3107982-10fcbda078c5c124b0ea9e277ab755a3","parentId",3107982,"title","Committee notes bus driver safety report, asks LADOT and LAPD for cost analysis and to evaluate unarmed response options","audioSeconds",1749,"startMs",1784000,"endMs",3533000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3107982-10fcbda078c5c124b0ea9e277ab755a3&start=1784&end=3533","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3107982-10fcbda078c5c124b0ea9e277ab755a3/thumbnail_1784000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6577686/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Committee-notes-bus-driver-safety-report-asks-LADOT-and-LAPD-for-cost-analysis-and-to-evaluate-unarmed-response-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577686-aeb464982a1aa153c29d8324668b21b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770015947&Signature=iWa7~28Olayqnrn6MtEJ3e03kSVW3EOYk7oK3~sL76pc~vrLqzHEjlnkR--Y3bkJ9GphiXEJN20duMjQccjt6FnYWGb7fhKM79rjvCT0SM4iWaN4xb30BCN4N1oqZT63WisE~ularBwnLM6DVRFMBYOY1o-~w0a~d4zuizCe-POxjSu2uvCo~LCtO-65xQy7xvGKiIDwClH~2I2MU8gHy9g3MHjh1GgvDfMO1ZmMvunpN24k~3xZ5lLHgl14vEPpkOlpqtjQ1evmRRh-~uuB1A71Z9oX5FsgL1xxLR~SnbEaS3YtRcTVML8zbe9wziSIpuDe-Z~Ozw62W8R7Sqnvug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-24T08:13:22.977Z","article","The Transportation Committee on April 23 reviewed LADOT and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) updates on bus driver safety improvements and approved amendments directing further analysis before executing a proposed MOU for police security services.

The committee noted recent operational upgrades LADOT described: panic-button calls now route directly to LADOT dispatch with GPS and live-stream video; live-stream footage is retained for roughly two to three months pending verification; LADOT has selected a vendor for driver protective barriers and is finalizing procurement paperwork; and radio replacements for buses are under procurement with installation expected in mid-summer and a fleet-wide rollout by fall into year-end. LADOT staff said the barrier and radio procurements are budgeted in Proposition A funds.

Brian Lee, Chief of Transit Programs at LADOT, said, \"We've now created a system where you hit the button, it will actually call someone. It will go to dispatch directly, our bus dispatch, and it'll display on the board where the bus is located and flash so then the bus dispatch can call in or see what's going on with the bus.\" Lee described additional road supervisors, a live-stream capability, and other measures LADOT is implementing.

Don Graham of LAPD said the departments have a draft MOU under review and that LAPD and DOT accounting teams are determining the reimbursement mechanism amid current city budget constraints. Graham confirmed the draft MOU incorporates unarmed response options and described the city’s screening process: LA Communications Division uses a “screen down” process, working with the Mayor’s Circle project, to route appropriate calls to unarmed crisis-response teams when criteria are met.

Councilmember Hernandez offered and the committee adopted three amendments recorded into the file for item 11: 1) instruct LADOT and LAPD, with assistance from the CAO and CLA, to provide a cost analysis prior to execution of the proposed MOU; 2) instruct LADOT (with CAO and CLA) to report on operational and fiscal feasibility of using alternative contracts, interagency teams, or experts in lieu of or in addition to an LAPD Security Services MOU; and 3) instruct LADOT (in consultation with CAO) to report on methods to utilize unarmed model of crisis response (UMCR) teams for bus-driver safety responses. Councilmembers Hutt, Park and Hernandez voted yes to note and file the reports with the amendments; the chair requested a fall report-back and earlier information if the MOU nears finalization.

During questioning, committee members asked how long live-stream footage is retained (LADOT said approximately two to three months and offered to verify), when barriers would be installed (procurement underway; installations may continue into year-end and require nighttime work in maintenance yards), and the expected timeline for radio procurement and installation (budgeted and expected to begin mid-summer with further roll-out into fall). LADOT said fares for DASH were reinstated in February and staff has not seen an increase in assaults tied to fare enforcement.

Councilmember Hernandez emphasized the cost-efficiency of unarmed response teams — noting UMCR responses cost roughly $35 compared with LAPD responses at roughly $85 — and urged that alternative providers be incorporated into the cost analysis and implementation planning so scarce police resources are not over‑used. LAPD officials said the dispatch screening process is designed to route calls to the appropriate responder, and the MOU conversation includes defining the tiered response model and how reimbursement will be handled.

The committee approved noting and filing LADOT and Board of Police Commissioners reports on items 11 and 12 with the Hernandez amendments and the friendly amendment that cost-analysis report be completed prior to MOU execution. The committee requested a fall report-back on implementation details and cost estimates and committed to an earlier return if the MOU approaches final execution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transportation Committee - 4/23/25","oneSentenceSummary","The committee accepted LADOT and LAPD updates on bus driver safety, approved three Hernandez amendments requesting a pre‑execution cost analysis for a proposed MOU, feasibility study of alternative contracts/teams, and a report on using unarmed crisis response teams, and asked for a fall report-back.","taxTitle","Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4025,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_32":74,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":75,"_40":76,"_42":77,"_44":78,"_46":79,"_48":80,"_50":81,"_52":82,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6577690,"Committee approves 15 mph school zone speed limits for 201 schools; LADOT plans sign installations this fiscal year",590,1156000,1746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3107982-10fcbda078c5c124b0ea9e277ab755a3&start=1156&end=1746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3107982-10fcbda078c5c124b0ea9e277ab755a3/thumbnail_1156000.jpg","/articles/6577690/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Committee-approves-15-mph-school-zone-speed-limits-for-201-schools-LADOT-plans-sign-installations-this-fiscal-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577690-3540b585bd74c7bbfc1c6aface312939/orig.mp4?Expires=1770015947&Signature=GUdqM43xmwCXebG3I3mWUqK6DPpfytCEQO1yQXvPwOiYMDyW1bRMiDu9vcOd4SiXo7cUXsvxkvn0xPKuNXf0U7ldnyqdSDX2po70aql0Ebo14te57SrvVvcnYVDuiyPUAv9ZLP0eazZK~bn7PStzJgg6Euke3ONqcoBzz5fSZkkkAI0VVoOuYLR4WxyYv~go08HzyglLZhwHqnwoVRklaJngHPXHzhQeM4k-J73LHSZXCgjGeeBDAVNcYRE7rWyvvBV1gsaF4ByUXOmX0N~jQwKclhxemqVKMwgqbkNJ7EB9evJi9fUw8JWMUKp1VCgaY~OrSw1pnFetn~T7n1VMlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Angeles City Transportation Committee on April 23 approved LADOT’s recommendation to establish 15-mile-per-hour speed limits in school zones at 343 street segments serving 201 schools and authorized LADOT to install the required signage and related improvements this fiscal year.

LADOT presenters told the committee the program builds on previous Safe Routes to School efforts and uses a prioritization methodology adopted by the City Council on Jan. 15, 2025, to select the 201 schools. The project is budgeted in the Measure M local return fund for fiscal year 2024–25 with $750,000 allocated to complete the work this year.

Kalyn Powell, Central District Transportation Engineer, explained the criteria used to qualify streets for reduced speed zones: a maximum of two total travel lanes, a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less, and classification as a residence district under the California Vehicle Code. Powell said, “This program is in its fourth year and has previously installed the 15 mile an hour when school children are present signs to establish school safety zones at 255 schools across all the council districts.” The department applied the updated school prioritization methodology from council file 23-0306 to produce the current list of 201 schools.

When asked about timing, LADOT staff said signs would begin to appear within two to four weeks after council action and estimated a full installation across the 201 schools could take roughly six to ten weeks, with some committee members hearing it may be a tight turnaround to complete by the end of the fiscal year. Budget questions centered on whether the Mayor’s proposed FY25–26 budget continues funding for this program; LADOT said the FY25–26 proposed budget does not include continuation of this specific sign installation program but does include increased funding for the school speed hump program.

Councilmember Hernandez asked whether funding added for the speed hump program might be redirected to extend school signage work; LADOT staff advised that speed humps are a more costly, self-enforcing infrastructure while signs are a lower-cost tool that can be used to stretch available dollars. LADOT staff agreed to report back on overlaps between sites receiving speed humps and sites receiving 15-mph signage so members could consider spreading interventions across more schools.

The committee approved LADOT’s recommendations by recorded roll call: Councilwoman Heather Hutt — yes; Councilmember Park — yes; Councilmember Hernandez — yes. LADOT said the $750,000 budgeted for the current fiscal year would complete the 201-school scope if the work proceeds on the timeframe described.

Background: LADOT said this year’s list draws from an updated prioritization that increases equity weighting and decreases the safety weight compared with the older Safe Routes to School method; the updated method ranked 1,164 public and private schools citywide and informed the selection of the next 201 schools in the rollout.","The Transportation Committee approved implementing 15 mph school speed limits across 343 street segments adjacent to 201 schools, funded this fiscal year with $750,000 from existing Measure M allocations; the Mayor’s proposed budget does not include continuation next fiscal year.",{"_32":86,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":87,"_40":88,"_42":89,"_44":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6577695,"Transportation committee approves DOT grant applications, asks DOT to report staff needs if awards come through",757,230000,987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3107982-10fcbda078c5c124b0ea9e277ab755a3&start=230&end=987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3107982-10fcbda078c5c124b0ea9e277ab755a3/thumbnail_230000.jpg","/articles/6577695/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Transportation-committee-approves-DOT-grant-applications-asks-DOT-to-report-staff-needs-if-awards-come-through","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577695-ed40d97c4aa2496d0552133ffe58a86b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770015947&Signature=GHinGlT0D~XH9zn6PZyVFd-CHXY7aylQdJLUgyNxK4vzDUVvUmFE8zzOm4E-l~Ts92Cg8rJviyrd~qaoCpgPL8An-hgzU8fQ5BInBL1aBezbo5JrHMMocyH8-vAmufYQc-GPaMCn14OdPHSEyYppqx0ardaBoCtLxweQe61gfWQCeDanRW2DX1MTw6Y7h-ePKekr4p2omSKUES9xoQn4ME82lAu~6SFoagHzrQRAIKivLnB-dogJcZFEDQCb0xMdbS-JpmcWajfFtpiLZdusjqU7At2rl3NHluhgouXCZmG-GelKnkB3JufvOl~aCfkgDqMQNDSrmzOZXIA2OO1KRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Angeles City Transportation Committee on April 23 approved Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) recommendations to submit multiple grant applications and accept various grant-funded project lists, while adding language requiring DOT to report staffing and other resources that would be necessary if grants are awarded.

The committee, chaired by Councilwoman Heather Hutt, approved a package of noncontroversial items that included: accepting Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) funding opportunities, submitting grant applications, accepting an updated Measure M project list, approving related CAO recommendations on grant applications, and reassigning two crossing guards (items 1–7 on the agenda). Council members Hutt, Park and Hernandez voted in favor.

Committee members discussed a City Administrative Officer (CAO) and Bureau of Engineering (BOE) concern that successful grant awards often require additional staff capacity to implement projects. Councilmember Hernandez asked whether the request for roughly 10 additional positions was a requirement to apply; Carlos Rios of LADOT answered, “No. . . . It’s not a requirement. However, just based on the staff’s bandwidth and abilities to be able to deliver these projects, there was a recommendation by the Bureau of Engineering to put in this recommendation for additional resources should the grant be successful.”

Hernandez expressed concern about approving positions amid an ongoing citywide fiscal challenge and layoffs, including planned reductions affecting traffic officers. The committee added an amendment to the motions for items 2 and 3 instructing DOT to report back to Council, if any projects are awarded grant funding, on the necessary resources to implement the proposed projects, “including the required staff.” The committee also referred the matters to the Budget and Finance and Personnel committees, per the meeting record.

The items approved together included:
- Item 1: LADOT report accepting SCAG funding for Surface Transportation Block Grant, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, and Carbon Reduction Program solicitations.
- Item 2: LADOT report relative to LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority active transport, transit, and first/last-mile Cycle 2 call for projects (approved as amended to require DOT report-back on staffing/resources if awarded).
- Item 3: LADOT report submitting 21 grant applications to SCAG for the 2025 STBG and CMAQ solicitations (approved as amended like item 2).
- Item 4: Board of Transportation Commissioners report establishing a temporary preferential parking district in Pico (concurred with the board).
- Item 5: LADOT update to the Westside COG Measure M multiyear subregional program funds project list (approved).
- Item 6: CAO report relative to grant applications for SCAG STBG and CMAQ programs for FY 2026–28 (approved).
- Item 7: Motion reassigning two crossing guards to two elementary schools (adopted).

Committee members clarified that the amendment asking DOT to report on necessary resources is intended as an addition to the staff recommendations rather than a substitution; the committee chair noted the instruction uses the word “necessary” and that the CAO and BOE would be involved in assessing capacity. The committee recorded that these items would be referred to budget and personnel for further review.

The vote on these grouped items was recorded as: Councilmember Heather Hutt — yes; Councilmember Park — yes; Councilmember Hernandez — yes. The clerk certified the motion as carried.

Background: LADOT and BOE staff said previous success in winning grants has outpaced the department’s staffing bandwidth, prompting BOE’s recommendation that resource needs be identified and reported if awards are received. No specific funding source for the additional positions was identified during the discussion; BOE staff were not present to confirm whether the positions had been requested in the current or upcoming budget.","The Los Angeles City Transportation Committee approved several LADOT grant applications and related reports, and added an amendment instructing DOT to report the staffing and resource needs should any projects receive grant awards.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee notes bus driver safety report, asks LADOT and LAPD for cost analysis and to evaluate unarmed response options

Committee approves 15 mph school zone speed limits for 201 schools; LADOT plans sign installations this fiscal year

Transportation committee approves DOT grant applications, asks DOT to report staff needs if awards come through