Here is a recap of yesterday’s City Council meeting. You can view the entire agenda (with links to agenda items) here.

• The Council approved all the items on the consent calendar with a 5-0 vote, which include:
  • The Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Ordinance, which will protect and preserve the city’s historic past. The city had previously been relying on an ordinance dating back to the 1960s. The new ordinance will provide a framework for preservation, and provide provisions dedicated to archeological and paleontological finds. You can read more about the ordinance here.
  • A temporary street closure on the 300 block of North Duane Avenue for a block party.
  • An amendment to a purchase order for Marshall Community Park that includes an increase of $6,500 to the contractor. Due to unforeseen rain delays in winter and spring, the project had been delayed for an additional 43 days alongside issues relating to materials and equipment availability. This new park is currently slated to be completed in August. The amendment also includes an increase of $37,500 to the inspection service, since the Division of the State Architect requires that a certified inspector to be onsite on virtually all days the contractor is working.
  • A contract to repaint City Hall. It’s been ten years since the building has been painted, and the exterior requires some maintenance.
  • A professional services agreement that will allow the city to track and inspect pollutants at industrial and commercial facilities.
  • A contract for a catch basin trash system that will prevent trash from entering the Los Angeles River through storm water drains. Phase one was completed in December 2016, with all city-owned catch basins retrofitted with connector pipe screens. Phase two – which has now been approved – will result in the installation of full capture screens on the catch basins.
• The Council, in a 5-0 vote, confirmed one item in the city’s existing property tax rate at 14 cents per $100 that currently funds the city’s retirement costs. City staff recommended that no change to this item is needed for the 2017-18 fiscal year, and it’s important to note that this rate has remained the same for the last several years.