[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6569415,"mediaKeyId","3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455","parentId",3184119,"title","Planning department warns cuts will slow housing approvals, pause neighborhood plans and raise legal exposure","audioSeconds",2460,"startMs",12600000,"endMs",15060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455&start=12600&end=15060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455/thumbnail_12600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569415/California/Planning-department-warns-cuts-will-slow-housing-approvals-pause-neighborhood-plans-and-raise-legal-exposure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569415-b7edceef104ea4d4992232730a1043ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189411&Signature=c6UE6t4IVzHhW9j9h4poD1DDqoVd6JvzpFYP4N8Xp9PxdNoMbYO~AjIsj6moKwKkR4g8XsmZRxBv10x75s-lMjwN6ZqRwm9lxfeLLbMqDiBaFZLr0NzPPmxb5VIdbg3a5RvrzCHA6a7qdP0vufJDk7QbNV9Gn7g0iD4Y2mYFxKOgGKbhd4MraCroDVJZCCgbbaism1DsX~Rlgl1~sO-71xn2zccxI3ETKtxSrUYkMbLYQ2IXqI12gB9~6da0xGaUAeQXxUjSPDIQmlhZGJKynhhSoU-mooBlt9eXNdabR6e3iZhd-OTMcxm3nREDXO9-06DdPyTk7IZ2zk7ArntzNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-03T01:45:30Z","article","Department of City Planning leaders told the Budget and Finance Committee that proposed budget reductions would remove critical planning staff and impede the department’s ability to process housing approvals, carry out neighborhood plans and meet statutory timelines.

Vince Bertoni (transcript identifies as the department director), and other senior planners reported proposed cuts that would eliminate dozens of positions and reduce the department’s capacity for community planning, technical studies, GIS mapping and expedited review. Bertoni said the department has already committed staff to numerous ongoing plans and projects and that losing staff would delay critical deliverables.

Why it matters

City planning reviews and approvals are necessary preconditions for housing construction and other development. Delays in reviews can trigger state penalties or defaults under streamlined approval laws and slow the supply of housing. Staff reductions also threaten completion of local coastal plans and other area plans that have community and legal implications.

Details from presentation and council questions

- The department reported it would eliminate about 35 positions and that approximately 25% of filled positions would be cut under the proposal; many vacant positions are funded by special funds.
- Councilmembers asked for targeted memoranda detailing which positions should be restored to protect ongoing critical plans: the Venice Local Coastal Plan, San Fernando Valley initiatives, and specific neighborhood plan efforts in areas with active development or capital commitments.
- Planning staff said cuts to GIS capacity and to the unit supporting expedited reviews could lengthen approval times for projects and reduce the department’s ability to support development coordination across city departments.

Legal and financial risk

Officials told the committee that state housing statutes impose specific review timelines. If the city fails to meet certain deadlines, developers can seek approvals through statutory remedies that may limit local controls. Staff noted possible exposure to fines, litigation and lost development‑related revenues if timelines slip.

Ending

Committee members directed planning to supply memoranda identifying critical positions to restore by program and geography, an analysis of how cuts would affect current neighborhood plans (including Venice coastal plan), and recommendations for moving expedited review capacity to fee‑supported or alternative funding where possible. No formal votes were taken at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Hearings - SAP - 5/2/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Department of City Planning told the Budget and Finance Committee that proposed staffing cuts would delay approvals for housing projects, slow multiple ongoing neighborhood plans and could increase the city's legal vulnerability under state housing laws.","taxTitle","Spanish, Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",80599,"location","California","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6569419,"Contracts and Administration office warns cuts would hinder contract oversight and worker protections",1186,4475000,5661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455&start=4475&end=5661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455/thumbnail_4475000.jpg","/articles/6569419/California/Contracts-and-Administration-office-warns-cuts-would-hinder-contract-oversight-and-worker-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569419-fc0ed1b90bc98d3df81a89dfd02beb4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189411&Signature=nrSQ3CzFkS6jgsQAs2xWoRM1R5VIaQHnK9qRQCDJNnqDA2vsc267X26ZaH7RF9knhtrC9iq-9DKGVIyIgmbCWzxYOILAKHOotPVyYqRuGAJTb5U7wd~uAPgbFjgc7lXjLruDRVQ9VS08Nn47As2QGJ7zeHWDUgtIhRrO1LGkCQ~tbtTObPUF2XZPp6ED949fvk0IvhJkixhdZNQjVLFvkVG98rIkwrJKk0KUv-JLT8rGLruBmuVE5MrKlPvBVcbR6Ki3iylLN~ZWncAa9az9vvrpolh2TmS~Qf94YTqQeZ2HvQiuRuHjwY8qSRjDq-hUnKRQxesn5UqBO774muNh0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of Contracts and Administration (BCA) told the Budget and Finance Committee that proposed eliminations to its staffing would weaken the city’s ability to oversee construction contracts, protect workers and update fees and fines.

Genn Alright Junior (as identified in the transcript), director of the Office of Contracts and Administration, said the office faces reductions that would remove dozens of positions and complicate timely contract oversight. He told the committee the office functions as “the ears and eyes” of procurement transparency and protects workers and the public from unsafe construction and payroll fraud.

Why it matters

BCA enforces contract compliance and worker protections including prevailing‑wage and fair‑work rules. Cuts to compliance teams could slow enforcement, increase legal exposure and reduce timely payments to contractors if back‑office processing is constrained.

Main issues raised

- The department reported it would lose approximately 53 positions in a proposed scenario and asked the committee to consider restoring roughly 30 positions to preserve enforcement and procurement operations.
- The office cited that 60 percent of positions proposed for elimination were in enforcement of wage and worker protections, which would slow investigations and reduce capacity to resolve dozens of open cases. The office said, for example, that a backlog of investigations could increase resolution times from months to years.
- Officials requested a special study to update permit and inspection fines last revised in 2012, and asked the committee’s blessing to proceed with proposed updates.

Operational consequences

BCA said that removing staff would hamper timely vendor payment processing (30‑day payment mandate) and could jeopardize timely payments to contractors. The director asked the committee to consider a $2.5 million option to offset cuts and to work with the Chief Administrative Office to preserve key positions. The office noted that shifting inspectors to projects funded by healthier enterprise funds (water, power) may be possible, but cautioned about limits on reassigning staff across fund sources.

Ending

Committee members asked BCA for memoranda detailing positions they consider critical, the fiscal impact of restorations, and a proposed timetable to update fines and fees. No formal votes were taken.","Office of Contracts and Administration officials told the Budget and Finance Committee that proposed cuts would reduce the office’s capacity to monitor contracts and enforce labor protections, risking delays in inspections, timely contractor payments and enforcement of wage/worker ordinances.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6569423,"Parks and Recreation warns cuts would shutter programs, prompt RFP for childcare sites and boost call for a parks funding measure",2481,8688000,11169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455&start=8688&end=11169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455/thumbnail_8688000.jpg","/articles/6569423/California/Parks-and-Recreation-warns-cuts-would-shutter-programs-prompt-RFP-for-childcare-sites-and-boost-call-for-a-parks-funding-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569423-73e3b5dd31e38d2516192dc36d5d96df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189411&Signature=FiRrRojqxJcpLb0WkWIUIiwRCqNcxcPDdVHH7UMoArVdYEtMiY3rAw6hzbcuZNE2B~QPSk3zqE4H3-rWCXvNxiTHLUfrguHwwQYvmCedpRaA32S-9oNK6g8DtIL6A31Xk~vODUcfNDStIMhCuVBQuPxSI6~ldsRTu6FJ4Op2O3zg-OsagHkfI13nXTO~KrEdFwzKyzLF7MwyqbzXxkWIhyuFTF6BH92zJBMoB2jxI0969EWfgWgLB8IE3QsiZx6r7A0CRRb3xX6wOzk9eeYM0Ypr3nSvwEnR8zJyif3Fj8CQHEve4WJ2b8qSvYk4v1JvIivZQVcpNUYwMv-mWhUWCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Recreation leaders told the Budget and Finance Committee that proposed budget cuts would eliminate dozens of positions and risk the department’s ability to operate recreation programs, maintain new capital investments and transition city‑run childcare sites to external providers.

Jimmy Kim, general manager of Parks and Recreation, said the proposed budget would eliminate 192 positions (about $14 million in salaries) and remove funds for seasonal and overtime work, creating a projected $20 million operational gap in the department’s fiscal plan. He presented an alternative proposal that would restore approximately $9.2 million to preserve certain positions and targeted services.

Why it matters

Parks and Recreation manages day‑to‑day recreation programming, maintenance of parks and new capital projects. Cuts to frontline staff and recreation positions would reduce class and program capacity, potentially close or outsource city‑run childcare sites and limit maintenance for recently completed capital projects.

Childcare and transition plans

Kim said the department intends to issue a request for proposals (RFP) to identify external providers to operate many city childcare centers. Department staff said existing centers would remain open during the RFP process but acknowledged the need for better communication with families during any transition. The council asked for a budget memorandum outlining expected family costs and how subsidized slots would be preserved.

Play LA and parks funding

Committee members discussed Play LA (the city’s recreation programming) and the department’s ongoing needs assessment and outreach tied to a future parks funding measure (referred to in discussion as a new “Proposition K”‑style measure). Kim said an evaluation of needs and program conditions would be completed later in the calendar year and will inform whether a funding measure is placed on the 2026 ballot. The department asked for memoranda and a special study to define projects, maintenance costs and a potential ballot timeline.

Maintenance and capital projects risks

Staff said several capital projects are in construction and must be completed to meet opening deadlines; the department lacks funding to maintain newly built facilities at current proposed levels. City staff also noted that FEMA and other reimbursements for disaster responses must be reconciled to restore funding to departmental accounts.

Ending

Council members requested multiple follow‑ups: a budget memo identifying positions the department asks to restore, a study of revenue‑generating opportunities for park properties, fiscal impacts of outsourcing childcare providers, and an expedited needs assessment to support a potential parks funding measure. No formal action was taken at the hearing.","Parks and Recreation officials told the Budget and Finance Committee that the department faces proposed eliminations of positions that would affect recreation programs, maintenance and childcare operations and urged restoring select positions and accelerating a parks funding ballot measure informed by a new needs assessment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6569428,"LADWP presents $9.12 billion preliminary budget; highlights renewables, water projects and rate timing",1580,6560000,8140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455&start=6560&end=8140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455/thumbnail_6560000.jpg","/articles/6569428/California/LADWP-presents-912-billion-preliminary-budget-highlights-renewables-water-projects-and-rate-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569428-a5477c215526ed618e7766405e761d5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189411&Signature=VIPdCpA928wuE4udTNkCeKWbXRydQjlQ2checqSC~4o2cxC-CWrbHIAHvfKexxWXhNmxGbNfj768Q0O2b0hhcYE8KgBRaEcz40A6ZM5gy922V8CcQBMp3PoAjaBcPbnPHe4gdX11LJHChUDTT4JtfG0GZra9spxraGinOzVLcEQPFVK3t~YdR6CGTpjyv0o0iBeSVoFKaiawRdLwE66qEcrv-yOfuDD3w2MIG3wvWBaMJNMTDd2UadHDlWqrCQxgM9wmFO~9VoT8x4RQ55Qn2j3fd98kSDRaFGSFf7WZYeYramlUJhJCZLAvEfStfeYug8GJOiMFgGzwr1QHo~6UdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Officials from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) presented a preliminary $9.12 billion budget for fiscal 2025–26 to the Budget and Finance Committee and outlined priorities including renewable energy procurement, transmission upgrades and water‑system investments.

Jennis Quinones, LADWP chief engineer, said the department’s “presupuesto previblevan son 9.12 1000000000 de dólares” and that the proposed budget supports investments in renewables, transmission and generation upgrades, infrastructure replacement and cybersecurity. Anne Sentilly and other LADWP staff described program areas and capital projects intended to improve reliability and sustainability.

Why it matters

LADWP is the city’s primary utility provider; its capital and operating budgets affect utility rates, large infrastructure projects and citywide resilience. Committee members asked about the timing of potential water and electric rate proposals, recruitment and retention of staff, and risks from macroeconomic factors and wildfire‑related liabilities.

Key details presented

- The preliminary budget figure presented: approximately $9.12 billion.
- LADWP said it plans to replace 4,000 poles next year and to replace roughly 1,340 distribution transformers as part of reliability work.
- The department identified major projects including the Victorville transmission upgrades and other generation/transmission investments to support clean energy.
- Water investments include distribution infrastructure, conservation and stormwater capture projects; staff flagged projects with multiyear delivery dates, including water reuse and treatment investments scheduled through 2027.

Rate and timing questions

Committee members asked when LADWP would seek rate increases. LADWP staff said the likely path is to seek water rate changes first, followed by electricity adjustments, and noted that any rate proposals would consider needed index restructuring and other regulatory factors. LADWP said timelines for rate requests will align with the department’s public hearing and board processes.

Operational risks and workforce

Officials described continued recruitment and retention work and noted a roughly 65 percent retention figure from a training program. They also discussed supply‑chain and wildfire litigation risks and ongoing conversations with state and federal partners about available funding and policy options.

Ending

LADWP told the committee the department would return with final budget materials to its board and the council per municipal deadlines, and that staff will continue to brief the committee on timing for any rate requests and on major capital projects. Committee members requested follow‑up memoranda on the LADWP MOUs mentioned during other department hearings and on the department’s capacity for MOU work with city service partners.","LADWP officials briefed the Budget and Finance Committee on a proposed roughly $9.12 billion preliminary budget for fiscal 2025–26 that emphasizes renewable energy investments, infrastructure replacement and water projects; officials outlined project spending, staffing and the timing of any future rate adjustments.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6569433,"City public‑lighting board warns of year‑long repair waits, seeks new revenue and studies",1323,1256000,2579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455&start=1256&end=2579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184119-a1ef5d79da9b1cae8dc22b4da15aa455/thumbnail_1256000.jpg","/articles/6569433/California/City-publiclighting-board-warns-of-yearlong-repair-waits-seeks-new-revenue-and-studies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569433-c77c3c2df7dbb2d8f34855d78118d99f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189411&Signature=oRyG06MsBNg4MAOaK8zAnsw8vwj0YTVR4C5YVVMgEjuYBc5PcbI8hx-RJmhE0I5SPEqFHpGcW1yg-2~6X~d3TPXvEf8N~ljPan~lBb4D63abRRphOIqw70MotibS0KP~kcJ~b-p4zEH7s1Zj2jBVGTTU24USMMljkXGXu9cpGg5oBmOSij2tAIz0qMoBSQ90pabH-EErd6V988pMXI-U64bTxi~nn70OynvyH8sbftSjd2FVIIo2vYMx9WJP2EvW-durtrfth3uU-YafQseFEXP6ReQthKZo-MPIw9EISVoyFj4xSPy8GjmSVbclPgD3W2uYDdBviKfpfdIH9VXwLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Public Lighting told the City Council Budget and Finance Committee on the sixth day of budget hearings that resident wait times for streetlight repairs have lengthened to months and the board needs substantially more money to preserve services.

Miguel Sanglar, director of the Board of Public Lighting, said the board’s average repair time is “entre 8 a 9 meses” after a request and that by fall some repairs could take up to a year. He described rising theft and vandalism costs and said the board’s analysis shows it needs “más de 100000000 de dólares anualmente” while it currently receives roughly “45” million dollars.

Why it matters

Street lighting is a basic public‑safety and city‑operations service. Longer repair times and deferred maintenance increase safety risks, raise liability exposure and can push costs higher over time. The board asked the committee for memoranda and special studies, and discussed a potential public funding measure that would follow the voter notice and protest process under Proposition 218.

What officials said and asked

Sanglar said the board has converted much of its work to digital processes and employs more than 150 field staff, but that those efficiencies do not offset costs from theft, vandalism and inflation for parts. “La mayoría de veces que hablo con residentes no lo pueden creer,” he said, describing resident frustration with service delays.

Councilmember McOsker pressed staff on the timeline and financing options, raising the idea of borrowing against anticipated revenues. McOsker summarized the Prop. 218 timetable discussion and financial constraints: “no lo podemos empezar a recoger hasta 2026 a 27,” citing the required property roll and collection rules. The director replied that a January 1 implementation date was being considered for a future assessment but that any collections would not appear on tax bills until the 2026–27 roll in many scenarios.

Sanglar also described a proposed memorandum of understanding with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) for $7.7 million but cautioned that money tied to an LADWP MOU would only fund LADWP projects and would not substitute for the board’s citywide operating needs. “Ese MO solo es para las proyectos de LADWP; ningún proyecto municipal para nuestros distritos para arreglar estas luces públicas,” he said.

Councilmembers asked for several follow‑ups: written memoranda from the Chief Administrative Office and LADWP on financing options; a study of possible fee structures and permit/permit‑revenue opportunities (for example, street banner and special‑use fees); and a timeline and budget analysis for putting a funding measure on a future ballot.

Background and next steps

Committee members requested: (1) memoranda from the CAO and LADWP about financing alternatives; (2) a special study of fee and revenue opportunities for the board; and (3) a timeline and engineering report that would support any voter measure under Proposition 218. The board said it will return with an updated engineering report, a proposed ordinance of intent for voter consideration and requested memoranda about using internal borrowing or other short‑term options while awaiting voter approval. Councilmembers emphasized the board’s limited ability to absorb more cuts without service and staff impacts.

The committee did not take formal votes at the hearing; members directed staff to prepare the requested memoranda and studies for a future session.

Ending

The board framed its requests as urgent: without additional funding or changes, service levels will continue to decline and legal and infrastructure risks will rise. Committee members asked staff to prioritize analysis of accelerated options and the Prop. 218 timetable so the council can decide whether to place a funding measure before voters.","The Board of Public Lighting told the Budget and Finance Committee that long repair times and rising material costs mean services could degrade unless the city approves additional funding, special studies and a proposed assessment is advanced on a Prop. 218 timeline.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning department warns cuts will slow housing approvals, pause neighborhood plans and raise legal exposure

Contracts and Administration office warns cuts would hinder contract oversight and worker protections

Parks and Recreation warns cuts would shutter programs, prompt RFP for childcare sites and boost call for a parks funding measure

LADWP presents $9.12 billion preliminary budget; highlights renewables, water projects and rate timing

City public‑lighting board warns of year‑long repair waits, seeks new revenue and studies