The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 9 to approve a management, operation and maintenance agreement with American Golf of Glendale for three county golf properties after a contentious discussion over the applicability of the county's labor peace policy.

Supervisor Janice Hahn moved an amendment to require a labor peace agreement in the contract, citing Board Policy 5.29(o) and saying the provision protects county revenue and operational continuity. "There is nothing that precludes us from including labor peace in this agreement," Hahn said.

The amendment did not pass. Several supervisors abstained during the roll call on the amendment; the clerk recorded multiple abstentions and the amendment failed. The board then approved the department's recommendation to enter into the agreement with American Golf by a 4-1 vote (Supervisor Hahn opposed).

County staff and Supervisors who opposed imposing the labor-peace provision on the solicitation said the procurement process for these bundled golf-course contracts took more than a year and that adding a late requirement could force the operator to withdraw and leave the county without an experienced manager. Department of Parks and Recreation staff explained that the county intentionally bundles higher-performing and lower-performing courses so revenue from busier sites helps fund improvements and community access at others.

Brenda Tovar and Vincent Johnson, Parks and Recreation officials, told the board that golf-course operations require specialized agronomy, equipment and staffing the county does not possess to run on short notice. Johnson said county staff had already told incumbent operators to prepare for an Oct. 1 transition; the department said it lacks the immediate capacity and specialized equipment to operate courses long-term without a private operator.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger and others argued the county's goal is to increase equity and community access by investing in food-and-beverage services and banquet capacity at underperforming courses, using bundled revenue to lift lower-performing sites. Park staff said asking American Golf to accept labor peace terms could jeopardize that revenue model because operators must project 10- to 15-year finances and cannot guarantee returns if additional costs are imposed at a late stage.

Labor organization contact and advocacy did emerge during the hearing. County staff said a union outreach occurred after solicitation responses and that American Golf declined to sign a labor peace agreement.

The board approved the Parks and Recreation recommendation by roll call vote (Supervisor Solis, Supervisor Mitchell, Supervisor Horvath and Supervisor Barger voted aye; Supervisor Hahn voted no). The board also received public comment from golf-advisory committee members and community leaders urging stability for golf operations, preservation of community access, and caution about disrupting contracts mid-procurement.

Action and next steps: The motion to approve the board letter granting authority for Parks and Recreation to finalize the contract with American Golf passed 4-1. Staff will proceed with finalizing the management, operation and maintenance agreement and return with any required follow-ups; supervisors asked staff to monitor labor issues and community impacts going forward.