Budget and Finance Commitee

JOURNAL – BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Tuesday, January 20, 2026 ROOM 340, CITY HALL - 2:00 PM 200 NORTH SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 MEMBERS: COUNCILMEMBER KATY YAROSLAVSKY, CHAIR COUNCILMEMBER BOB BLUMENFIELD COUNCILMEMBER HEATHER HUTT COUNCILMEMBER TIM McOSKER COUNCILMEMBER EUNISSES HERNANDEZ Armando Bencomo - Legislative Assistant - (213) 978-1080 (or Clerk.BudgetandFinanceCommittee@lacity.org) Submit written comment at LACouncilComment.com The audio for this meeting is broadcast live on the internet at https://clerk.lacity.gov/calendar. Additional information regarding Committee procedures provided at the end of this agenda. Spanish language interpretation is available at all Council and Committee meetings. Interpretation services in additional languages are available upon request, at no cost. Please submit your request to clerk.interpretation@lacity.org as soon as possible to allow time for scheduling. You will receive a confirmation reply if an interpreter is available. MULTIPLE AGENDA ITEM COMMENT GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM(S) (1) 25-0600-S129 City Administrative Officer report relative to funding options and positions to support Los Angeles Police Department sworn hiring. (This item is referred to the Budget and Finance Committee and Personnel and Hiring Committee.) Fiscal Impact Statement: Yes  Financial Policies Statement: Yes Community Impact Statement: None submitted (Personnel and Hiring Committee waived consideration of the above matter.) APPROVED the City Administrative Officer report dated January 15, 2026 AS AMENDED – (3) Yes – Yaroslavsky, Hutt, McOsker; (1) No – Hernandez; (1) Absent – Blumenfield; Amended as detailed in the Budget and Finance Committee report dated January 20, 2026. (2) 25-0006-S57 City Administrative Officer reports, dated May 7, 2025, October 2, 2025 and January 16, 2026; City Attorney report and draft Ordinance, Amending Motion 23C (Rodriguez - Yaroslavsky), and Amending Motion 23D (Park - Nazarian), relative to adding Section 98.0419.1 to the Los Angeles Municipal Code to waive fees imposed in connection with permits to repair or rebuild buildings or structures damaged or destroyed by the January 2025 Wildfires; and feasibility of waiving plan check and permit fees associated with reconstruction of private property damaged in the January 2025 Wildfires. [This matter was referred to the Budget and Finance Committee, including Amending Motion 23C (Rodriguez – Yaroslavsky) and Amending Motion 23D (Park – Nazarian), for further consideration when it was considered by City Council on December 2, 2025.] Fiscal Impact Statement: Yes Financial Policies Statement: Yes Community Impact Statement: None submitted NOTED AND FILED the City Administative Officer reports dated May 7, 2025 and October 2, 2025; City Attorney report and draft Ordinance dated June 20, 2025; and, Amending Motion 23C (Rodriguez – Yaroslavsky) and Amending Motion 23D (Park – Nazarian), dated December 2, 2025; APPROVED Option 3 (A, B, and C) and the recommendations contained in the City Administrative Officer report dated January 16, 2026 AS AMENDED; and, REQUESTED the City Attorney to prepare  and present a new Ordinance – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield; Amended as detailed in the Budget and Finance Committee report dated January 20, 2026. (3) 25-1489 City Attorney report relative to an update on affirmative litigation challenging actions of the federal government. [The Committee may recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to pending litigation in the cases entitled King County et al. v. Turner et al. (No. 2:25-cv-814-BJR, W.D. Wash.); County of Santa Clara, et al. v. Noem, et al. (No. 3:25-cv-08330- WHO, N.D. Cal.); City and County of San Francisco, et al. v. Trump, et al. (No. 3:25-cv-1350-WHO, N.D. Cal.); and, Pedro Vasquez Perdomo et al. v. Noem et al. (No. 2:25-cv-05605-MEMF, C.D. Cal.).] Fiscal Impact Statement: No Community Impact Statement: None submitted CONTINUED the Item to a date to be determined – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (4) 25-0029 Office of Finance and City Administrative Officer reports relative to potential ballot measures, revenue options to protect and invest in City services, and proposals for the June and November 2026 elections to increase General Fund Tax revenue. Fiscal Impact Statement: Yes Financial Policies Statement: Yes Community Impact Statement: None submitted APPROVED the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase for the June 2, 2026 Primary Nominating Election Ballot, as detailed in Recommendation No. 1 the City Administrative Officer (CAO) report dated January 15, 2026 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield APPROVED the Parking Occupancy Tax increase for the June 2, 2026 Primary Nominating Election Ballot, as detailed in the CAO report dated January 15, 2026 –  (3) Yes – Yaroslavsky, McOsker, Hernandez; (1) No – Hutt; (1) Absent – Blumenfield APPROVED the Cannabis Business Tax Parity for the June 2, 2026 Primary Nominating Election Ballot, as detailed in the CAO report dated January 15, 2026 – (3) Yes – Yaroslavsky, McOsker, Hernandez; (1) No – Hutt; (1) Absent – Blumenfield APPROVED Recommendation No. 2 contained in the CAO report dated January 15, 2026 AS AMENDED, to include recommendations for a separate ballot measure to close the TOT loophole – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield APPROVED Recommendation No. 4 contained in the CAO report dated January 15, 2026 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield APPROVED Recommendation No. 5 contained in the CAO report dated January 15, 2026 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield APPROVED Recommendation No. 6 contained in the CAO report dated January 15, 2026 AS AMENDED by Motion (Hutt – McOsker) – (3) Yes – Yaroslavsky, Hutt, Mcosker; (1) No – Hernandez; (1) Absent – Blumenfield APPROVED to STRIKE Recommendation No. 7 contained in the CAO report dated January 15, 2026 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield APPROVED the Item AS AMENDED – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield; Amended as detailed in the Budget and Finance Committee report dated January 20, 2026. (5) 25-0412 Collections Board of Review report and findings relative to the removal of delinquent accounts receivables submitted by the Los Angeles Housing Department for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. Fiscal Impact Statement: Yes Community Impact Statement: None submitted APPROVED the Collections Board of Review report dated March 27, 2025 – (4) Yes; (0); (1) Absent – Blumenfield (6) 25-0410 City Attorney report and draft Ordinance relative to amending the Los Angeles Administrative Code to update the schedule of charges for  emergency ambulance service fees by increasing the rates for advanced life support and mileage. (This item is referred to the Public Safety Committee and Budget and Finance Committee. The Public Safety Committee approved the item on January 14, 2026.) Fiscal Impact Statement: No Community Impact Statement: None submitted CONCURRED with the Public Safety Committee’s action of January 14, 2026 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (7) 25-1548 Department of Building and Safety report relative to a request for permit and linkage fee refund from 409 NORTH LLC – Refund Claim No. 179247. Fiscal Impact Statement: No Community Impact Statement: None submitted APPROVED the Department of Building and Safety report dated October 28, 2025 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (8) 26-0016 City Admininistrative Officer report and Authorizing Resolution relative to the issuance and sale of Municipal Improvement Corporation of Los Angeles (MICLA) Lease Revenue Bonds (Bonds), Series 2026-A (Capital Equipment and Real Property), in a principal amount of $255 million, and execution of related bond documents; and, City Attorney report, draft Ordinance approving the lease and leaseback of real property between the CIty and MICLA to pay principal of and interest on the Bonds, and draft Ordinance for the creation of a special fund to record certain accounting transactions related to the Bonds. Fiscal Impact Statement: Yes Financial Policies Statement: Yes Debt Impact Statement: Yes  Community Impact Statement: None submitted APPROVED the City Administrative Officer report and Authorizing Resolution dated January 8, 2026; and, City Attorney report and draft Ordinances dated January 9, 2026 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (9) 25-0761 City Attorney report and draft Ordinance relative to amending Sections 41.40, 44.04, 52.16 and 103.206 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to revise Police Commission Service Fees. (This item is referred to the Public Safety Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee. The Public Safety Committee approved the item on January 14, 2026.) Fiscal Impact Statement: No Community Impact Statement: None submitted CONCURRED with the Public Safety Committee’s action of January 14, 2026 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (10) 25-0762 City Attorney report and draft Ordinance relative to amending Section 103.12 of Division, Article 3, Chapter X of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to revise the Business Permit Fee Schedule. (This item is referred to the Public Safety Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee. The Public Safety Committee approved the item on January 14, 2026.) Fiscal Impact Statement: No Community Impact Statement: None submitted CONCURRED with the Public Safety Committee’s action of January 14, 2026 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (11) 25-0600-S77 Adopted Budget Recommendation and Department on Disability report relative to a Special Study on the feasibility of establishing a fee-for-  service program to support Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements to ensure that physical improvements, mobile accessibility and electronic services are reimbursed by other City departments, including proprietary departments. (Pursuant to Council action of July 30, 2025; Council file No. 25-0006-S32) Fiscal Impact Statement: Yes Community Impact Statement: None submitted CONTINUED the Item to a date to be determined – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (12) 25-1457 Department of Transportation report relative to the submission of grant applications and acceptance of grant funding from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Open and Slow Streets Program for Cycles 6 and 7. (This item is referred to the Transportation Committee and Budget and Finance Committee. The Transportation Committee approved the item on December 10, 2025.) Fiscal Impact Statement: Yes Community Impact Statement: None submitted. CONCURRED with the Transportation Committee’s action of December 10, 2025 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (13) 13-1465-S1 City Administrative Officer report relative to the Annual Reserve Fund Loan Review. Fiscal Impact Statement: Yes Community Impact Statement: None submitted APPROVED the CIty Administrative Officer report dated June 30, 2025 – (4) Yes; (0) No; Absent – Blumenfield (14) 25-0416 Joint Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering, and Bureau of Contract Administration report relative to funding awarded by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority from Cycle 2 of the Metro Active Transport, Transit and First/Last Mile Program; and, request for additional staffing resources. (This item is referred to the Transportation Committee, Personnel and Hiring Committee, and Budget and Finance Committee. The Transportation Committee approved the item on December 10, 2025.) Fiscal Impact Statement: Yes Community Impact Statement: None submitted (Personnel and Hiring Committee waived consideration of the above matter.) CONCURRED with the Transportation Committee’s action of December 10, 2025 – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (15) 25-1416 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Downtown Natural Caregivers, Inc. (This matter arises from Business License Tax assessments.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (16) 21-1188-S11 City Attorney report relative to a Fourth Amendment to Contract No. C- 139762 with Summa LLP to extend the contract term for the provision of legal services with regard to the July 11, 2021 flooding incident at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, for the cases entitled Mecklenburg v. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court (LASC) Case No. 21STCV28114; Abdelnur v. City of Los Angeles, LASC Case No. 22STCV00153; and, Konig v. City of Los Angeles, LASC Case No. 22STCV00970. [The Committee may recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), (d)(2), and (e)(1); to confer or discuss with, or receive advice from, its legal counsel  regarding pending litigation and significant exposure to litigation (one potential case). (This matter arises from the need to update and extend the term of the outside counsel contract with Summa LLP relating to the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant incident and proceedings resulting therefrom, Contract No. 139762.)] Fiscal Impact Statement: No Community Impact Statement: None submitted APPROVED the City Attorney report dated December 24, 2025 in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (17) 25-1519 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Charles F. Wing v. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24VECV00512. (This matter arises from a trip and fall on February 6, 2023, on the sidewalk of Kentland Avenue, near its intersection with Leadwell Street.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (18) 25-1506 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Victor Manuel Yepez Collazo v. County of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24STCV24674. (This matter arises from a trip and fall incident on February 27, 2024, on the sidewalk located at Olive Street and 11th Street, Los Angeles.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (19) 25-1520 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Maria Del Carmen Elias v. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCV08475. (This matter arises from a fall incident on May 10, 2022 incident, near 1136 East 41st Street, in Los Angeles, California.)  APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (20) 25-1521 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Steven Nelson v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23LBCV02033. (This matter arises from a November 2, 2022, sidewalk trip and fall incident near 24907 Broad Avenue, in Los Angeles.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (21) 25-1522 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Sonia Pier-Weisman v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23VECV05473. (This matter arises from an August 18, 2023, sidewalk and curb trip and fall incident located at the southeast corner of Noble Avenue and Dickens Street, in the Sherman Oaks area.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (22) 25-1523 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Dinora Escobar v. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 20STCV19695. (This matter arises from a trip and fall incident on December 24, 2019, over a raised slab of concrete located at 11409 Blucher Avenue, Granada Hills, California.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (23) 25-1524 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Vonda Washington v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 22STCV35045. (This matter arises from a trip and fall incident on November 10, 2021, at 6027 8th Avenue, in the City of Los Angeles.)  APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (24) 25-0616 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Diane Rios aka Dyan Rios v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 22STCV10015. (This matter arises from a trip and fall incident on August 6, 2021, on the sidewalk at 1429 and 1420 Ivar Avenue, in the City of Los Angeles.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (25) 25-1525 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Rebeca Candelaria Ramirez v. Jesus Miranda, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 20STCV06176. (This matter arises from a vehicle versus vehicle traffic collision on August 13, 2019, at 1st Street West of Highland Avenue.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (26) 25-1526 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled David Israel Velasquez v. Jonathan Rafael Viramontes, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCV19844. (This matter arises from a vehicle versus vehicle traffic collision on December 31, 2021, at Avenue 26 and Barranca Street.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (27) 25-1527 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Grace Benites Lopez v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 24CMCV01055. (This matter arises from a vehicle versus vehicle incident on July 20, 2022, at Central Avenue and 88th Place.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (28) 25-1528 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled D.E., a Minor, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 22STCV25856. (This matter arises from an officer-involved shooting on December 26, 2021 incident at 2960 West Broadway in the City of Los Angeles, California 90031.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (29) 25-1529 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Dawn Swarm v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23SMCV00544. (This matter arises from a trip and fall incident on February 12, 2022, on an uneven portion of the sidewalk in front of 3851 Minerva Avenue, Los Angeles, California.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (30) 25-1530 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Payman Heravi v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 20STCV35233. (This matter arises from a trip and fall incident on December 27, 2019, at 19927 Ventura Boulevard, in Woodland Hills, California.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (31) 25-1531  The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Emely Lorena Santizo v. City of Los Angeles, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCV12242. (This matter arises from a vehicle versus vehicle traffic on August 3, 2022, at the intersection of Gage Avenue and Normandie Avenue.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (32) 25-1430 CD 8 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), to confer with its legal counsel relative to a revised settlement offer for the case entitled Strategic Actions for a Just Economy v City of Los Angeles et al., Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCP00702. (This lawsuit seeks a writ of mandate related to the City’s approval of a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for the proposed hotel project located at 3685 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90007.) (This item is referred to the Budget and Finance Committee and Planning and Land Use Management Committee. The Planning and Land Use Management Committee considered the matter in Closed Session on December 9, 2025.) CONSIDERED the matter in Closed Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield (33) 25-0855 The Committee shall recess to Closed Session, pursuant to Government Code Section No. 54956.9(a), to confer with its legal counsel relative to the case entitled Arturo Aceves Jimenez v. City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, et al., United States District Court Case No. 2:21-cv-07117. (The Budget and Finance Committee continued the item to a date to be determined on August 19, 2025.) APPROVED the Item in Open Session – (4) Yes; (0) No; (1) Absent – Blumenfield If you challenge this Committee's action(s) in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk at or prior to, the public hearing. Any written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk before the City Council's final action on a matter will become a part of the administrative record. Materials relative to items on this agenda can be obtained from the Office of the City Clerk's Council File Management System, at lacouncilfile.com by entering the Council File number listed immediately following the item number (e.g., 00-0000). Telecommunication Relay Services Telephone communication is one of the most important forms of communication in society today. Due to advancements in technology, telephone devices have evolved with new services and capabilities. Individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, and individuals with a speech disability are following these trends and are rapidly migrating to more advanced telecommunications methods, both for peer-to-peer and third-party telecommunications relay service (TRS) communications. Telecommunications Relay Service is a telephone service that allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive telephone calls. TRS is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories for local and/or long distance calls. TRS providers - generally telephone companies - are compensated for the costs of providing TRS from either a state or a federal fund. There is no cost to the TRS user. What forms of TRS are available?There are several forms of TRS, depending on the particular needs of the user and the equipment available: TRS includes: Text to Voice TIY-Based TRS; Speech-to-Speech Relay Service; Shared Non-English Language Relay Service; Captioned Telephone Relay Service; Internet Protocol Relay Service; and Video Relay Service. Please visit this site for detail descriptions, https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs. Don't hang up! Some people hang up on TRS calls because they think the CA is a telemarketer. If you hear, "Hello. This is the relay service .. . " when you pick up the phone, please don't hang up! You are about to talk, through a TRS provider, to a person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or has a speech disability. For more information about FCC programs to promote access to telecommunications services for people with disabilities, visit theFCC's Disability Rights Office website.