City Council urges LAX commission to extend rent relief for airport concessionaires; directs further review of federal funds

The Los Angeles City Council on Dec. 14 adopted a substitute motion asking the city nd the Board of Airport Commissioners to continue reviewing rent-relief options for airport concessionaires through the winter and to report back on available federal funds and case-by-case adjustments.

Councilmembers and dozens of concessionaires, union representatives and small-business operators told the council the relief the airport commission adopted for October through December is a helpful first step but does not go far enough because passenger and sales levels at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) remain well below pre-September 11 levels.

The substitute motion, which incorporated recommendations from the City Administrative Officer and Chief Legislative Analyst, directs airport staff to review each concession contract individually, continue pursuing federal monies for airport security and operating costs, and return to the Commerce Committee in January with further proposals for how to help affected businesses and rehire laid-off employees.

Concessionaires described steep revenue drops. "Our sales are running 21 to 23 percent…