Committee approves transportation reports, traffic-signage motion and board consolidation in noncontroversial consent

The Los Angeles City Transportation and Public Works Committee on April 17 approved four noncontroversial items covering transportation projects, traffic signage, exclusion zones for app-based delivery services, and consolidation of oversight boards.

The committee approved the City Administrative Officer’s 2024–25 fourth transportation-related construction projects report and adopted a motion (Hutley) continued from Jan. 22 asking to post traffic restriction signage to mitigate congestion and safety issues along Southwestern Avenue and West 14th Street. The committee also adopted a motion (Sotomayor Martinez Hernandez) to establish exclusion zones for app-based delivery services and requested the needed staff and budget for that policy.

Additionally, the committee adopted the city attorney’s report and draft ordinance to consolidate the Board of Taxicab Commissioners with the Board of Transportation Commissioners and to update the Los Angeles Municipal Code to reflect that consolidation.

The chair asked for a roll call vote on items 1 through 4. Council Member Hutt voted yes; Council Member Park voted yes; Council Member Hernandez was absent. The motion carried.

During public comment, Lily Rocha, executive director of the Latino Restaurant Association, asked the committee to consider the impact of exclusion zones on Latino restaurant owners and drivers, saying the zones could negatively affect deliveries and local operators and urging the city to allow business-led resolutions where possible. A second public speaker, Armando Herman, used repeated abusive and racist language during his allotted time; the committee chair issued warnings and concluded public comment when his time expired.

The committee characterized items 1 through 4 as noncontroversial and approved the CAO’s recommendations and the motions as presented.