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Council confirms appointments, moves on code enforcement and public-safety requests; orders cable companies to remove sneakers from wires
Summary
On Sept. 14 the council confirmed multiple commission appointments, received and filed a housing compliance item despite tenant complaints, directed utilities to remove shoes from power lines after public testimony, and received staff guidance on a human-services RFP schedule.
The Los Angeles City Council on Sept. 14 handled routine confirmations, code-enforcement updates and several public-safety and administrative items.
Appointments: The council confirmed multiple commission appointments by voice vote, including Luis Mata to the Commission on Disability, Dolan Smith to the Cultural Affairs Commission, and the reappointment of Mary Joe Walker to the Community Forest Advisory Committee.
Housing compliance and tenant concerns: On Item 28 the council accepted a department recommendation to receive and file a property-compliance matter even though a tenant, Mr. Cohen, testified that habitability, safety and permit violations remained and urged legal action against the owner Whitley Associates. Staff indicated the department considered the property in compliance and the council followed the department’s recommendation.
Sneakers on power lines: Members of the Wilshire Community Police Advisory Board and other residents asked the council to direct the Department of Water and Power and cable companies to remove sneakers hung on overhead wires, which some residents perceive as gang signals and urban blight. Lowry Utila, representing a neighborhood association, said the perception of gang signaling increases fear of crime. Councilmember Holden moved— and the council approved—that utilities remove such shoes and include removal obligations in maintenance arrangements.
Human-services RFP schedule: Council discussed whether to extend the deadline for an RFP restructuring the city’s human-services delivery; staff warned that further delay could cost an estimated $100,000 and create hardship for agencies that need to know funding status. The council received and filed a motion and asked staff to proceed with the process as recommended.
Public comment highlights: Residents delivered about 800 postcards collected at the Los Angeles Zoo urging the council to ban ammunition sales in the city; Watts residents urged priority treatment for alley-conversion requests tied to local safety concerns; and neighborhood advocates urged the council to continue district community meetings.
What’s next: Council actions on these items were procedural—appointments were confirmed, staff recommendations were accepted on several administrative items, and staff was directed to continue work on RFP and utility maintenance responses. Public concerns raised at the meeting may prompt follow-up from city departments.
