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Carson adopts urgency ordinance extending relief measures for wildfire evacuees for nine months
Summary
The City Council adopted an urgency ordinance suspending a municipal code provision for nine months and approved a resolution supporting relief and recovery efforts for residents affected by January 2025 regional wildfires; councilmembers discussed outreach, donation coordination and town halls.
City Council on Jan. 21 adopted an urgency ordinance suspending a Municipal Code provision (section 93162.3) and approved a resolution supporting relief and recovery for those affected by the January 2025 wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Council members changed the proposed duration from 90 days to nine months before voting to adopt the ordinance.
Why it matters: Council members said the measure and related outreach are intended to give displaced residents breathing room and to coordinate city relief efforts, including food, gift-card and donation distribution, and partnership with local non-profits. The mayor and council directed staff to increase outreach to mobile-home parks, block captains and community groups and to schedule town-hall meetings and other public education activities.
Council discussion: several members said 90 days would be insufficient for residents who lost homes; Councilmember Jim Dear and others urged a longer time frame. Council ultimately adopted the ordinance with a 9-month suspension of the cited code section, to allow the city to implement relief measures and coordinate with partners such as Prevailing Family Life Center and faith-based groups. Mayor Lula Davis Holmes and Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Joanne Hilton described ongoing coordination with pastors and nonprofit partners and asked staff to prepare donation guidance and a signing ceremony for partnerships.
Donations and implementation: Mayor Holmes said the city is partnering with a local nonprofit (Prevailing Family Life Center) as a fiscal agent for donated funds and will publish guidance on how residents and businesses can donate (gift cards, checks, targeted items). Council asked staff to distribute flyers, post on the city website and social media, and plan town-hall meetings; staff said those items will be circulated and distributed to block captains and commissions.
Vote: Council adopted the urgency ordinance and supporting resolution by unanimous vote.
