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Committee confirms June Kim Lopez as LA Sanitation general manager; she pledges focus on resilience and clean, safe streets
Summary
The Public Works Committee voted to confirm June Kim Lopez as the permanent general manager of LA Sanitation. Lopez, who has led utilities in Orange County and co‑founded the California Data Collaborative, emphasized partnerships, infrastructure reliability and immediate priorities for clean streets and wastewater reliability.
The Public Works Committee confirmed June Kim Lopez as the permanent Executive Director and General Manager of LA Sanitation after a wide‑ranging Q&A on infrastructure, staffing and compliance.
June Kim Lopez introduced herself to the committee and described more than 30 years in public service and nearly 17 years leading utilities, including work on potable reuse and regional projects. She told members she helped found the California Data Collaborative to apply big‑data solutions to water and wastewater challenges and has served on the California Seismic Safety Commission.
Lopez said her priorities as general manager will be to ensure clean, safe streets and to develop a clear plan to address aging wastewater infrastructure. “We have to have a plan,” she told the committee, adding that organizational culture, right staffing and building partnerships across city departments and regulators will be central to her approach.
Council members pressed Lopez on stormwater capture in neighborhoods such as Panorama City and Sun Valley, the city’s recycling and SB 1383 rollout, and how she would approach solid‑waste and recycling contract negotiations. Lopez said her experience negotiating with labor and private partners and her track record of acquiring and integrating facilities should help; she pledged to work closely with council districts and the mayor’s office to identify projects and funding.
The committee voted to approve the mayoral appointment by roll call (And this Hernandez: yes; Councilmember Padilla: yes; Councilmember Hunt: yes).
Why it matters: LA Sanitation oversees wastewater treatment, solid‑waste programs and other services that affect public health, environmental compliance and neighborhood quality of life. Committee members repeatedly highlighted Hyperion and the city’s 6,700 miles of pipeline—some segments more than 90 years old—as priorities for immediate planning and investment.
What’s next: Lopez will assume the role and work with the mayor, council and regulators on capital planning, regulatory compliance and staffing. The committee asked staff to follow up on items raised during the hearing and Lopez said she intends to coordinate with council offices and city departments on priorities and resources.
Quote: "Being able to come back home and to serve the community that has raised me," Lopez said, closing her remarks. "Our theme has been always resilient together."
