News flash! Every week, following the Board meeting, Supervisor Kuehl picks five items you might find interesting, important, and/or fun. It’s your way to get a quick rundown of several highlights of the meeting in no more than 5 minutes! Looking for more? Click here to get the entire agenda.
Equity in County Contracting (ECC)
On Tuesday, the Board passed a motion I co-authored with Supervisor Holly Mitchell to begin implementation of our high priority strategies to advance equity in County contracting.
Initiated by a motion I co-authored in April of 2020, the ECC Project Team has been working with County Departments, nonprofits, and local businesses over the past year to develop recommendations on ways in which the County can remove the barriers faced by small businesses and nonprofits in contracting (or attempting to contract) with the County. We want to proactively “open the doors” for these entities to access some of the $6 billion in procurement opportunities offered by the County.
The motion places the implementation plan under the control of the newly established Department of Economic Opportunity, charging the Department with executing the plan and increasing the number of Local Small Business Enterprises, Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, and Social Enterprises certified by the County. By implementing the ECC’s recommendations, the County will further invest in low-income communities of color and provide opportunities for those who have historically been excluded from partnering with the County.
Mission Canyon Landfill- License for LAFD Helipad
The Board passed a motion I authored this week that grants a ‘gratis’ Lease to the LA City Fire Department for the installation of a Helistop at the Mission Canyon Landfill, located near the 405. Under this agreement, the City would be responsible for the cost of rebuilding the three existing helicopter pads to enable its helicopters to land, fill with water, and refuel.
Given the ever-growing threat of climate change and the increased number of wildfires it is bringing, I’m really pleased the County and City were able to collaborate and provide this extra layer of fire protection for the surrounding communities.
Library’s Teen Culture Club Grant Award
Since 1978, LA County’s American Indian, Asian Pacific, Black, and Chicano Resource Centers, housed in our fantastic local libraries, have provided underserved populations with cultural information and programming that highlights the unique experiences of their respective communities. Traditionally, programming has been geared towards adults, but with our younger generation showing an extraordinary propensity for supporting social justice and cultural inclusion, it’s about time they got some attention.
At this week’s meeting, the Board approved a $125k grant from the California State Library to create a Teen Culture Club where teens ages 13–17 will have the opportunity to explore the culture, histories, traditions, and accomplishments of underrepresented populations in LA County.
Los Angeles Native American Indian Commission
The Board passed a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis that seeks adequate funding for the work of the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission (LANAIC) and the LANAIC Self Governance Board and explores a possible transfer from the Executive Office of the Board to the Department of Arts and Culture.
LANAIC was previously housed under the Workforce Development, Aging, and Community Services Department, which has now been split into the two new County Departments of Aging and Economic Opportunity. It’s time to find a new home for LANAIC, and to ensure that this critical commission has the administrative support it needs to protect the many important native interests in LA County.
Support for Assembly Bill 2790
In a move supported by domestic violence advocates and survivors, the Board passed a motion I co-authored with Supervisor Janice Hahn formalizing our support for Assembly Bill 2790 Reporting of Crimes: Mandated Reporters Recommendation.
AB 2790 would eliminate the mandated reporting duty of a health care practitioner to report assaultive or abusive conduct to law enforcement, instead requiring them to refer the patient to supportive services. While, in theory, it sounds like contacting law enforcement on behalf of a DV victim would be helpful, in reality, we know that this can and often does lead the abuser to assume their victim has contacted the police themselves, thereby putting the person at risk for retaliatory violence. By instead referring the person to services, they can find the resources to make a well-constructed and safe plan to leave the situation.