LA Council Watch

Public Works Committee

45 files

26-1321 · 2026-09-15

Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) / Cannabis Tax Amnesty Program / Renew Licenses for 2027 / Regardless of Current Tax Delinquency Status

Councilmember Padilla proposes allowing cannabis businesses to renew their licenses for 2027 even if they owe back taxes, creating a tax amnesty pathway.

Under review — the city created a timing mismatch that left cannabis operators unable to access promised tax relief before facing stricter renewal rules. This motion would let affected licensees renew for 2027 while the amnesty program catches up, but it's stalled in committee with an expiration deadline looming in 2028.

24-1219-S1 · 2026-09-11

Street Sweeping Policies and Routes / Department of Transportation / No Parking Restrictions Compliance

Motion by Eunisses Hernandez to review and modify street sweeping policies and no-parking restriction compliance procedures, currently in Transportation Committee.

Under review — the city's auditing street sweeping enforcement after finding 500,000 annual citations make up a quarter of all parking tickets, with thousands issued in error. Two committees are examining how to better coordinate sweeping routes with parking enforcement.

25-1100 · 2026-09-10

Los Angeles Municipal Code / Cannabis Regulation / Marketing Targeted to Minors

City prohibits cannabis marketing targeting minors through LAMC amendments; Council adopted 13-0-2 in October 2025, with City Attorney follow-up in September 2026.

Under review — the City Attorney has delivered a report on how to ban cannabis marketing aimed at kids, and it's now with the Public Works Committee to figure out next steps toward updating city law.

24-0041 · 2026-09-09

Micro-Trenching / Trenchless Utility Installations / New Utility Installation Standards

Council adopted standards for micro-trenching and trenchless utility installation methods in Los Angeles, with a City Attorney report pending review in Public Works Committee.

Under review — the City Attorney has drafted an ordinance to add "Rapid Micro-trenching" as an approved utility installation method, and it's now with the Public Works Committee for evaluation before a full Council vote.

26-0758 · 2026-09-04

Capital Infrastructure Program (CIP) / Compiled List / Capital Projects and Programs / Current and Future Year / Board of Public Works

Board of Public Works seeks to create a new Capital Infrastructure Program (CIP) 1, now pending committee review.

Pending — the Board of Public Works asked the city to create a new capital infrastructure mandate, but it's stalled at the Public Works Committee waiting for a decision on what exactly this program will cover and how it'll be funded.

25-0752 · 2026-09-04

Capital Improvement Plan / Capital Planning Steering Committee / Public Right-of-Way Projects

Council adopted a Capital Improvement Plan for public right-of-way projects, directing the Bureau of Engineering to implement improvements across the city.

Approved — the city overhauled how it plans and prioritizes infrastructure projects under a new Bureau of Engineering-led system with standardized scoring criteria. Implementation is underway, though the full five-year capital plan won't be published until early 2027.

18-0195 · 2026-09-04

Turner Street / Alameda Street / Temple Street / Street Vacation

City pursuing vacation of Turner Street between Alameda and Temple; adopted by Council in 2025 after initial approval in 2020, now awaiting final engineering documentation.

Under review — Metro's third attempt to close Turner Street in downtown LA is moving through the Public Works Committee, which will decide whether to approve the vacation. Metro must complete detailed conditions—including new sidewalks, utility relocations, and a dedicated right-of-way strip—within two years if approved.

26-1201 · 2026-09-04

Develop Center Medians / Broadway / 93rd Street / 112th Street / Green and Recreational Spaces

Councilmember Harris-Dawson proposes developing green spaces and recreational areas in medians along Broadway, 93rd Street, and 112th Street.

Under review — the city is studying whether it can convert median strips along Broadway in South L.A. into small parks with benches and walking paths, pending a Public Works Committee hearing and feasibility reports from multiple departments.

26-1230 · 2026-09-04

1900 South Main Street / East Washington / East 21st Street / Revocable Permit / Commence Construction / Public Right-of-way

Revocable permit request for construction activity in public right-of-way at South Main Street and East Washington/21st Street intersection.

Under review — the city is considering a plan to gate a downtown alley near a school that's become a persistent public nuisance despite repeated cleanups and outreach. The Public Works Committee is expected to hear the proposal next month.

26-1248 · 2026-09-04

El Nino / Rainstorms / Emergency / Planning / Preparation / Post Storm Recovery

Motion to prepare Los Angeles for El Niño storms through emergency planning and post-storm recovery coordination.

Under review — the city is preparing for a potentially severe wet winter by asking Public Works to report on storm readiness across four bureaus, covering everything from crew deployment to emergency response tracking and public guidance. The committee is scheduled to hear details this month.

26-1267 · 2026-09-04

Carolwood Place / Sunset Boulevard / Carolwood Drive / Ladera Drive / Private Driveway Name Establishment

Bureau of Engineering proposes establishing a private driveway name at Carolwood Place and related streets in the Ladera Heights area.

Under review — the city is processing a formal name for a private driveway off Sunset Boulevard so that a new traffic signal can be installed there. It's currently with the Public Works Committee and expected to move forward without major delays.

26-0600-S33 · 2026-08-28

2026 Budget Recommendation / R11 / Cannabis Regulation / Cannabis Tax Revenue Decline / Schedule II Reclassification / Banking and Department Impacts

Council examines cannabis tax revenue shortfall and potential reclassification of cannabis under Schedule II, with impacts on city banking and departments.

Under review — the city is examining how a potential federal downgrade of cannabis's legal status could reshape local tax revenue and banking relationships for its cannabis regulatory program. The matter awaits Government Operations Committee discussion.

26-0600-S32 · 2026-08-28

2026 Budget Recommendation / R10 / Cannabis Regulation / Social Equity Program / Outcomes and Effectiveness / Applicant and Business Types / Level of Support / Resolving Gaps and Challenges

Council examines cannabis regulation social equity program outcomes, applicant types, and funding gaps as part of 2026 budget process.

Under review — the city is examining how well its cannabis social equity program is working across different business types and where applicants may not be getting enough support, with findings expected to guide budget and policy decisions over the next two years.

26-0600-S44 · 2026-08-28

2026 Budget Recommendation / R22 / City Administrative Officer / Support Services from City Clerk and Finance Department / Transfer to Department of Cannabis Regulation

2026 budget recommendation to transfer administrative support functions from City Clerk and Finance Department to the Department of Cannabis Regulation.

Under review — the city is considering whether to shift administrative support work from the City Clerk and Finance Department to Cannabis Regulation as part of budget planning, but it's stalled in the Government Operations Committee pending further discussion.

24-1584 · 2026-08-28

Cannabis Regulation / Temporary Licenses / Cannabis Event / Cannabis Consumption Lounge / AB 1775 (Haney)

Council adopted cannabis regulations implementing AB 1775, including temporary licenses and consumption lounges; now under committee review for implementation details.

Under review — the city's cannabis regulator has submitted detailed plans for Amsterdam-style consumption lounges and regulated cannabis events, but the proposal is still waiting for committee approval before it can move to a full Council vote.

26-0111 · 2026-08-26

Westerly of Figueroa Street / South of Pacific Coast Highway / Alley / Street Vacation

Council approved vacation of a 3,000-square-foot public alley in Wilmington-Harbor City to enable car wash development; now pending Public Works Committee approval of conditions.

Under review — the city has cleared an alley vacation in Wilmington-Harbor City to allow development of an automated car wash, but the Public Works Committee must approve the project and the developer must complete several conditions—including infrastructure work and utility coordination—before the vacation becomes final.

26-0955 · 2026-08-26

Bureau of Street Lighting / Assessment Ballot Failure / Funding / Maintain Workforce / Baseline Services

Council directed the Bureau of Street Lighting to address funding crisis from failed assessment ballot and maintain workforce and baseline services.

In progress — the City Council directed the Street Lighting Bureau to propose solutions for a budget crisis after a funding measure failed, and the Bureau's response is now under Public Works Committee review while the underlying funding shortfall remains unresolved.

26-1073 · 2026-08-26

Chet Brewer Square / 41st Street / Compton Avenue / Permanent Ceremonial Signage

Councilmember Curren Price proposes permanent ceremonial signage for Chet Brewer Square at 41st Street and Compton Avenue.

Pending — this motion to name an intersection after Negro Leagues pioneer Chet Brewer has been referred to the Public Works Committee but hasn't moved forward yet. It has time, though—no expiration until 2028.

25-0600-S108 · 2026-08-07

2025 Budget Recommendation / R64 / Public Works / Engineering / Options for Long-Term Operations / Maintenance Funding

Council is exploring long-term funding options for Public Works engineering operations and maintenance as part of the 2025 budget process.

Under review — the city is deciding how to permanently fund BuildLA, its digital permitting system, by choosing between amending funding rules to support ongoing costs or shifting operations to another department. A decision from the Public Works Committee is pending.

24-0196 · 2026-07-28

Nuisance Abatement Proceedings / Administration / Enforcement / Governance / Implementation / Oversight / Resources / Los Angeles Municipal Code / Los Angeles Administrative Code

Nuisance abatement enforcement reforms to strengthen City response to chronic property and public nuisances across Los Angeles.

Under review — the city is mapping its fragmented nuisance-abatement tools across departments and has identified severe staffing shortages, but committees are still waiting for the Chief Legislative Analyst's recommendations on streamlining the process and funding gaps before deciding on next steps.

26-0600-S94 · 2026-07-08

2026 Budget Recommendation / R72 / Public Works / Bureau of Street Services / Tree Planting Functions and Contracts / Oversight Transfer / Urban Forestry Division

City Council is moving tree-planting oversight from Bureau of Street Services to a new Urban Forestry Division as part of 2026 budget deliberations.

Under review — the city is reorganizing its Public Works Department to create a new Urban Forestry Division, moving tree-planting and maintenance duties out of Street Services. It's currently with the Public Works Committee waiting for their recommendation.

26-0600-S93 · 2026-07-08

2026 Budget Recommendation / R71 / Public Works / Bureau of Street Lighting / Street Light Solar Transition / Deployment Plan / Geographic Distribution

Fiscal 2026 budget item directing the Bureau of Street Lighting to develop a solar transition and deployment plan with geographic distribution criteria.

Under review — the city is asking the Bureau of Street Lighting to map out a plan for transitioning streetlights to solar power across different neighborhoods, weighing factors like feasibility and equity. It's currently with the Public Works Committee.

26-0600-S102 · 2026-07-08

2026 Budget Recommendation / R80 / Transportation / Planning, Construction and Maintenance Roles / Realignment / Bureau of Engineering / Bureau of Street Services

2026 budget proposal realigning engineering and street services roles within the Bureau of Engineering and Bureau of Street Services.

Pending — the city is reorganizing roles between its engineering and street services departments as part of the 2026 budget process, but the proposal is still waiting for review by two committees with no hearings scheduled yet.

26-0600-S90 · 2026-07-07

2026 Budget Recommendation / R68 / Public Works / Bureau of Engineering / City Asset Management Efforts / Personal Delivery Devices / Leveraging Colleted Data / Identify Cost-Savings

Council asks Public Works to study how personal delivery devices and collected data could cut City costs and improve asset management.

Under review — the city is studying how delivery robots and data analytics could cut costs in managing its buildings and infrastructure, with the Public Works Committee expected to weigh in over the next two years.

26-0600-S91 · 2026-07-07

2026 Budget Recommendation / R69 / Public Works / Bureau of Sanitation / Public Space Clean Up Programs / Transfer Administration

Budget recommendation to transfer administration of public space cleanup programs within the Department of Public Works Bureau of Sanitation.

Under review — the city is reshuffling how the Bureau of Sanitation manages its public space cleanup programs for better efficiency, and the Public Works Committee is now examining the proposal before it moves forward.

26-0600-S88 · 2026-07-07

2026 Budget Recommendation / R66 / Bureau of Contract Administration / Bureau of Street Services / Bureau of Engineering / Public Right-of-Way Improvements / Sidewalk Repair Projects / Community-level Contracting

2026 budget allocation for sidewalk repair and public right-of-way improvements through community-level contracting, referred to Public Works Committee.

Pending — this sidewalk repair and right-of-way improvement proposal is waiting for the Public Works Committee to review it, with a two-year window before it expires.

26-0600-S51 · 2026-07-07

2026 Budget Recommendation / R29 / City Administrative Officer / Repayment Plan / Outstanding Balances / Department of Water and Power

2026 budget item directing the Department of Water and Power to establish a repayment plan for outstanding balances owed to the city.

Under review — the city is working with the Department of Water and Power to set up a repayment plan for money it owes the city, but it's currently stalled in the Public Works Committee waiting for next steps.

26-0600-S49 · 2026-07-07

2026 Budget Recommendation / R27 / City Administrative Officer / Capital and Technology Expenditure Program / Project Progress / Unfunded Projects / Prioritization

Council is reviewing the City Administrative Officer's 2026 budget recommendation for prioritizing unfunded capital and technology projects.

Under review — the city is evaluating which unfunded capital and technology projects deserve funding in the 2026 budget. The Public Works Committee is currently assessing priorities, with final decisions coming through the full budget process.

26-0600-S46 · 2026-07-07

2026 Budget Recommendation / R24 / City Administrative Officer / Oil Regulation Function Transfer / Board of Public Works / Relevant City Departments / AB 3233

Budget recommendation addressing transfer of oil regulation oversight from one city department to the Board of Public Works under AB 3233.

Under review — the city is reorganizing oil regulation oversight, moving it to the Board of Public Works under state law. It's now with the Public Works Committee for deliberation, with no hearing date set yet.

26-0892 · 2026-06-25

Joone Kim-Lopez / Permanent Executive Director / Bureau of Sanitation / Appointment

Mayor seeks City Council approval to appoint Joone Kim-Lopez as permanent Executive Director of the Bureau of Sanitation.

Under review — the City Council is preparing to vote on the Mayor's nomination of Joone Kim-Lopez as permanent sanitation director, after the Public Works Committee approved her on June 24. Her $506,757.60 salary is moving to the full Council vote without the usual committee step due to the July recess timing.

26-0801 · 2026-06-24

5265-5271 Lankershim Boulevard / El Portal Theatre / Permanent Ceremonial Signs

Motion to install permanent ceremonial signs at the El Portal Theatre on Lankershim Boulevard, approved by Public Works Committee.

Under review — the Public Works Committee approved permanent ceremonial signs for the El Portal Theatre's 100th anniversary, and the proposal now awaits final City Council action.

26-0839 · 2026-06-24

Crystal Lee / Permanent City Engineer / Bureau of Engineering / Appointment

Mayor nominates Crystal Lee as permanent City Engineer; Public Works Committee approved June 24.

Under review — Crystal Lee's nomination as permanent City Engineer has cleared the Public Works Committee unanimously and now heads to the full Council for a confirmation vote, which must happen by July 1.