Los Angeles City Council unanimously names chambers for John Ferraro, approves bust and City Hall renaming

The Los Angeles City Council on Jan. 28, 2001 held a special meeting at Real City Hall to rededicate the council chambers in memory of long-serving councilmember John Ferraro, unanimously approving three formal motions: naming the room the John Ferraro Council Chambers, authorizing placement of a bust of Ferraro in the chambers, and restoring the building's name to City Hall (designating the other facility as City Hall East).

Council President Ruth Galanter opened the ceremony and turned the dais over to Mayor-elect Jim Hahn, who praised the restored chambers as “one of the most beautiful places in the city of Los Angeles.” The council then conducted the formal business required to make the dedication official.

Why it matters: Ferraro served decades in city government and was frequently cited by current and former officials at the meeting as a consensus builder. The Council’s actions make the dedication and the accompanying monument permanent parts of the City Hall chambers and the building’s public record.

The Council voted on three related actions. Council Member Nate Holden moved a resolution to commemorate Ferraro by naming the council chambers the John Ferraro Council Chambers; the clerk recorded a unanimous vote of 12 ayes. Council Member Hal Bernson moved to authorize placement of a bust of Ferraro in the chambers; the council again voted 12 ayes. Council Member Antonio Villaraigosa's successor language was discussed when Council Member (Mr.) Hernandez moved to resume the building name as City Hall and designate the other building City Hall East; that motion also passed 12 ayes. (Individual seconds were not specified in the public roll calls; the clerk announced the unanimous tallies.)

Public comment included a complaint from Ted Hayes, who alleged that Brown Act procedures were not followed and said he had been prevented from delivering comment earlier. “I requested a speaker’s card. I was manhandled by the police,” Hayes said during the public comment period. He also criticized the lengthy closure and renovation of City Hall and the project’s cost overruns, calling the situation “a scandal.” Other public commenters and city stakeholders offered supportive remarks about the restoration and the Ferraro dedication.

Numerous current and former elected officials and staff spoke in tribute to Ferraro during the meeting. Mayor-elect Jim Hahn, former officials and several council members praised Ferraro’s mentorship and civic leadership; Ron Deaton, the council legislative analyst, read the resolution text aloud for the record. Several speakers — including Council Members Hal Bernson, Cindy Miscikowski, Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Eric Garcetti — emphasized that restoring the chambers was intended to reconnect council members with the public and with the city’s civic traditions.

After the formal votes and additional remarks, Council President Galanter opened the floor for any further comments and then adjourned the formal portion of the meeting before the scheduled celebration.

Votes at a glance - Resolution to name the council chambers the John Ferraro Council Chambers — Mover: Nate Holden; outcome: approved (tally: 12 ayes). - Motion to authorize placement of a bust of John Ferraro in the council chambers — Mover: Hal Bernson; outcome: approved (tally: 12 ayes). - Motion to resume the name City Hall for this building and designate the other as City Hall East — Mover: Mr. Hernandez; outcome: approved (tally: 12 ayes).

Meeting context: This was a special, largely ceremonial public meeting held in the restored Real City Hall; the formal actions were limited to the three motions listed above, followed by a public comment period and multiple tributes to Ferraro.