[{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5981046,"mediaKeyId","5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b","parentId",5772337,"title","Attorney and residents urge stronger enforcement and wider moratorium on smoke shops","audioSeconds",417,"startMs",177000,"endMs",594000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b&start=177&end=594","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b/thumbnail_177000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5981046/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Attorney-and-residents-urge-stronger-enforcement-and-wider-moratorium-on-smoke-shops","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981046-09956f6e892dd25ba2bd3f975f6116f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141758&Signature=UZaCLv~II3bS4nyfTjmcGn-~Z5664MrGopbW-UlALkkSYdUhnHMoVpV6k7PyyP4saExrkt0KIx0DaSdmvcPGCLROwgLCqBF4x6MzQFMyS2ybd4~cOfancsr2IP7nYbf8b60NCBRfUxgFBu44Ew8r5qxB35AnhAlA8N1mI0Yf7XEiGoiAweVgGH~arCxyGY-QdfsFSN6rKjLtDDWlE7Mbq1xzH4o4CtjkMemY-LqnOwdhHRcbliP~NdNymx0I17uBxaKMhB4abPTXQPLeT3Rl3K-REranu3KvyrgMy76yz5XFTUfitF47GVOOFaEoHHUXj1aJ6HeOQ5tKwFBICu8dRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Los Angeles City, CA","date","2025-09-17T05:07:55Z","article","During public comment at the Sept. 16 Government Operations Committee meeting, an attorney for Catalyst Cannabis Co. and several residents urged stronger enforcement of smoke shops and called for a citywide moratorium on new smoke shops near sensitive uses.
The issue is significant to residents and some business owners who said smoke shops sell illegal or counterfeit products and operate near schools. Damien Martin, cofounder and attorney for Catalyst Cannabis Co., told the committee the \"smoke shop situation in the city is completely out of control\" and cited an alert from the county public health department that the county medical examiner had linked three deaths to synthesized kratom purchased at smoke shops. Martin supported enforcement motions already submitted by council members and said a moratorium limited to one district should be made citywide. He also suggested increasing inspection resources within the Department of Cannabis Control, noting the department's annual budget at the time is about $20,000,000 and proposing a larger share be used for inspections.
Martin said smoke shops line routes near schools and that some properties sold products in plain view of students. The committee took the related item on consent (item 6 was included in the consent roll that passed) and approved it as presented.
Other public commenters during the meeting spoke in support of a separate agenda item (item 7) and described the employer-applicant as providing jobs and stable employment; those speakers emphasized character and local hiring but did not change the committee's decision on the cannabis license appeal.
No new enforcement plan with funding levels was adopted during the meeting; committee action on related items proceeded on consent.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Government Operations Committee - 9/16/25","oneSentenceSummary","Public comment urged the committee to strengthen enforcement against smoke shops selling counterfeit or dangerous products and to consider a citywide moratorium; the committee placed the related motion on the consent calendar, which passed.","taxTitle","Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4025,"location","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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981050,"Committee approves amended Adopt-a-Lot license agreement with Koon Kee Design Initiative",132,608000,740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b&start=608&end=740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b/thumbnail_608000.jpg","/articles/5981050/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Committee-approves-amended-Adopt-a-Lot-license-agreement-with-Koon-Kee-Design-Initiative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981050-2d412aab5d9e002b5bbdf084a9d85330/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141758&Signature=Fb4E51z6vhzUOXIN8DlaLdWfmP0c~6PC3qr5-XL2EA3XCNvjzIFILAAU02q6JHep1WPZ9c0VHGSSeefJK-UslfvgtEiiayRwQR0KuJqHKzLPawi32NdZoh7wG1QqZoBU5IDMIBXZLv9xT8wETwQ5i6jVq9we5iWSa5pX3oCEuPmjH9FIxiNMOArbYccfa7KIB6FfnxR4IQWWSkGo33B9mQm2wHuo-Ci3HkP1ZAgG4iq6e491umKr9b1mBAKtq7zV965B1EXwnXbhA0hDoXVwFLF1gS1xxgXQwVPkPxHZfAyCyFGVD2Y6W~hRBjcsrBxhwPsYWsnBkRGRh0VFfc7hbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Committee on Sept. 16 approved an amendment to the master license agreement (contract CDash13437) with Koon Kee Design Initiative to continue operation of the Adopt-a-Lot pilot program, removing one site from the agreement and making required charter and administrative-code findings.
The action matters because the Adopt-a-Lot program transforms vacant city-owned lots into neighborhood resources in park-deficient areas; the amendment clarifies that the site at 15240 West Tupper Street in North Hills be removed from the master license because a long-term lessee identified the site for an educational garden.
Committee discussion included an amendment that cited Los Angeles City Charter section 371(e)(10) and Los Angeles Administrative Code section 10.15(a)(10) in support of a finding that competitive bidding was not required for the license agreement. The amendment also described the program's goals of revitalizing vacant lots and addressing disparities in park access.
With the amendments read into the record, the committee moved and approved the motion as amended; council members Padilla and Gerardo voted to approve the item.","The committee approved an amendment to the master license agreement with Koon Kee Design Initiative for the Adopt-a-Lot pilot program, removing one site from the agreement and making findings under the City Charter and Administrative Code.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981055,"Council committee confirms Patrice Lattimore as permanent city clerk",229,739000,968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b&start=739&end=968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b/thumbnail_739000.jpg","/articles/5981055/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-committee-confirms-Patrice-Lattimore-as-permanent-city-clerk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981055-a6d59ab920a48ef420a370e4df2afcda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141758&Signature=VzdayNmkw6ItDq0vNOqvvbX2izUwsSERY~5sHJCRoVUOJkDEAI-BH~DLCCk~bH3fk8EOhRA09cjGrIW00y~fve7aN164pCo~lEJ31lTlCFwABW57UqPtvhYl5wmT~OClD6GD8BzhM6KFVUXxuLhC3z71TaUfP6mwpmlkD3pLJldHfdm9wpBBLXlPaIz5Coy1Mkj2doH4vo5CFVqvGEl4UwnkFLxVhb970NBxiw~v9mffSFToaHVMPdaxic6ARgjR9bwnIhqvjXti4CB4uaElm~MDh-PSpJSX1-mjhZKeOz4iEYXEG8jUkSH3SbuLUQnlMecEAvzUlBpOgo9vu6eUtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Committee on Sept. 16 approved the mayor's appointment of Patrice Lattimore as permanent city clerk, with the appointment to begin Sept. 24, 2025.
The appointment matters because the city clerk oversees council and committee procedures, elections support and public services; the nominee outlined modernization and language-access priorities for the office.
Patrice Lattimore told the committee she has worked for the city for 26 years and in the city clerk's office for 24 years, with experience across contract management, business improvement district services and election support. \"As city clerk, my focus will be on developing innovative solutions to improve service delivery and promote civic engagement, such as expanding our language access, and voter outreach programs and streamlining contract management and process payment procedures,\" Lattimore said.
Committee members praised Lattimore's experience and vision. One member said, \"You are an impressive candidate. I'm excited for your nomination and some of the ideas you're putting forward to bring our city clerk's office . . . into modernity.\" The committee voted to confirm the appointment.
Lattimore said she plans to work with ITA and other offices to modernize processes and expand language access; members said they look forward to reviewing the nominee at full council.","The Government Operations Committee approved the mayoral appointment of Patrice Lattimore as permanent city clerk effective Sept. 24, 2025, after a presentation of her 26 years of city service and plans to modernize the office.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981061,"Committee continues proposed nonprofit leasing policy for city-owned facilities",1180,998000,2178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b&start=998&end=2178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b/thumbnail_998000.jpg","/articles/5981061/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Committee-continues-proposed-nonprofit-leasing-policy-for-city-owned-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981061-3151fd5345c134211ea7d9a47aa1fef3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141758&Signature=oL7ka8~YqDf6H~Xfair-zao3~jZ6uzD6KAGdvy0omGpp0uw9oXj3raQzhP0Xd8O-KhTDEygyY5iU2Vz5TVM3gFyVF5p75M5PlGqPOkzZ5mw7Yzs6GACRoECwngo06U3oBKfd0Xbkq0MLrgJINf1CWlpMUyzcgPAtTN0pQZTRoGj-BMfVWJe-O9N1dHTJoBRCv6hnd8xEI1z0LlhgZwG7-OS1B4ATN2CoKm5a4loP3gJ63BkdsetDILK0XMBxWzCx52w~rXbKj~~PxVrCs8ZWJqHyrfBhrre6erM-rGc6lrizy8qT9XYQerfcSMM1d7Sbr4PW08gWlmbvZwFM1Qz0zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Committee on Sept. 16 continued consideration of a proposed nonprofit leasing policy that would formalize how the city leases property to nonprofits, require community-benefit documentation and require nonprofits to pay for inspections on whole-building leases.
The proposal matters because the city currently has more than 140 nonprofit leases, many of them expired or in holdover status, and the policy would standardize terms, reporting and lease lengths while adding new requirements for prospective lessees.
Albert Griego of the City Attorney's office and Lisa Schechter of the General Services Department presented the proposal. Griego said the policy would require nonprofits to submit an annual report of services provided, fund inspection services when leasing an entire building, and set a standard lease term of five years, with terms up to 15 years when significant capital improvements are made. Griego said there are over 140 nonprofit leases, of which 41 are expired or in holdover status and 43 were \"on progress\" at the time of presentation. The policy would apply only to new or renewed leases.
Council members raised implementation questions. Council member Jurado asked how many nonprofits participated in outreach; Griego said a December mailing and a May question-and-answer session drew more than 50 nonprofit attendees. Jurado pressed whether the community-benefits analysis (CBA) could be simplified for small nonprofits; Griego and CAO representative Delilah Pucci said the CAO conducts the CBA and walks nonprofits through the process, noting the office aims to capture both direct and indirect costs of service delivery and that exemptions may be considered case by case.
Members also questioned staffing and proactive inventory management. Griego and Lisa Schechter said GSD reviews nonprofit leases but that prioritization historically focuses on payable commercial leases and department space requests; nonprofits are reviewed as resources permit. Schechter said some holdover leases persist because of staffing limits and that the policy includes an amendment allowing GSD and the municipal facilities committee to consider exemptions case by case.
A committee member said the approach felt reactive and encouraged GSD and the CAO to proactively review underused city properties to identify potential nonprofit space before leasing requests arrive. After debate, the committee voted to continue item 3 for additional work and follow-up with staff.
The continuation means staff will return with clarified outreach results, options for reducing administrative burden on small nonprofits, and proposed staffing or procedural changes to accelerate review of holdover leases.","A proposed policy to formalize leasing procedures for nonprofits and require certain financial and inspection responsibilities was continued for further work after committee members raised concerns about implementation, staffing and proactive property outreach.",{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5981065,"Council committee upholds denial of cannabis retail license at 4369 S. Van Ness",1966,2117000,4083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b&start=2117&end=4083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772337-3aae88f2a972de018baa18f0a69b8a4b/thumbnail_2117000.jpg","/articles/5981065/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-committee-upholds-denial-of-cannabis-retail-license-at-4369-S-Van-Ness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5981065-b341eaab5a4a59387ebd9ae73f1368a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141758&Signature=OClws1ZYfpaMJozc2UW2~q3QhksFRqVrmKmjk73CrgqbbgSHaFdYpyHKXpN-UTgaJY~0PWslMPAZZpBznq2F05aUrAOd5B4pjvmsWulea~1A4gaKCoB5yzUco~IgKjhDttBMJ6iM9qQ6A05CMCKytFtw8857oyYayqFwnK4CLnprRa0YUvbWqiGriuOi8pp7662nSeAEvF2DoZoKFN6v38BHg5CYP8tEaP~wrMT7zow1t8LBjwsiluBcanPdZfyOsQ6v3t6vCttaijX50f-uZu6Ei4SX3ii8GYSGP-OcVVSJ4xNOxm197~ri10idBXssXp-RFCOBaIi1boBS~R~gfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Angeles City Council's Government Operations Committee on Sept. 16, 2025, affirmed the Cannabis Regulation Commission's denial of LNE Retail LLC's application for a Type 10 storefront retail cannabis license for 4369 South Van Ness Avenue in Council District 8, voting to uphold the commission's finding that material omissions had occurred.
The decision matters because the commission's action reverses a Department of Cannabis Regulation recommendation to grant the license and rests in part on organized community opposition and the commission's finding that the applicant omitted material information when questioned.
Department staff told the committee that the Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) recommended issuance of the retail license at both commission hearings on Dec. 5, 2024, and Feb. 20, 2025. Jason Killeen, assistant executive director for DCR, said the department held a mandated community meeting and that residents raised concerns including odor, cleanliness, crime, property upkeep and graffiti. Killeen said the commission was not bound by the department's recommendation and ultimately denied the application on grounds that included an omission by the applicant and concerns raised by community members.
The applicant's counsel, Serena Wu of Radical Law, argued the denial was unsupported by substantial evidence and that the apparent relationship between a neighboring delivery business and the retail applicant was a misunderstanding. \"The appellant did not make any misrepresentation or actively conceal any facts about the business relationship,\" Wu said, adding that the delivery business had been nonoperational since July 2024 and that the retail location had no cannabis on-site while awaiting its annual license. Wu also said some photographic evidence presented at the commission hearing was misattributed or from different locations.
DCR staff and the applicant disputed whether DCR had investigated or cited any violations. Killeen confirmed DCR had no record of violations or citations for either licensee and that DCR did not find evidence showing the odor or other nuisances came from the appellant. He said, however, the commission independently weighed community testimony and photographic exhibits at its hearings.
Committee members said letters and statements from neighborhood institutions, the Los Angeles Police Department and the neighborhood council weighed heavily. One committee member noted the presence of institutional letters opposing the operator and argued the commission was within its discretion to deny the license. The committee voted to affirm the commission's denial; a supplemental motion directed staff to ensure the journal and the formal letter of determination reflect the committee's detailed findings.
The committee recorded the denial and directed staff to prepare documentation required by the Los Angeles Municipal Code. The committee's action will be transmitted to full council for consideration under normal procedures.
Less central details: The applicant told the committee it had gathered at least 46 signed neighborhood supporters and that it had invested years and funds preparing for a retail operation. DCR and the applicant both said no DCR citations were issued to the appellant prior to the commission hearings.","The Government Operations Committee affirmed the Cannabis Regulation Commission's denial of LNE Retail LLC's application for a type 10 storefront retail cannabis license, citing omissions and community opposition; the Department of Cannabis Regulation had recommended approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Attorney and residents urge stronger enforcement and wider moratorium on smoke shops

Committee approves amended Adopt-a-Lot license agreement with Koon Kee Design Initiative

Council committee confirms Patrice Lattimore as permanent city clerk

Committee continues proposed nonprofit leasing policy for city-owned facilities

Council committee upholds denial of cannabis retail license at 4369 S. Van Ness