[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6328859,"mediaKeyId","2316795-88177a44e2956c6a5f580a2b7a41dd95","parentId",2316795,"title","Council hears Rule 23 call to halt hazardous soil at Sunshine Canyon; findings approved, continuance set","audioSeconds",289,"startMs",3616000,"endMs",3905000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316795-88177a44e2956c6a5f580a2b7a41dd95&start=3616&end=3905","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316795-88177a44e2956c6a5f580a2b7a41dd95/thumbnail_3616000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328859/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-hears-Rule-23-call-to-halt-hazardous-soil-at-Sunshine-Canyon-findings-approved-continuance-set","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328859-a80bcd85680e9f56b5db95899b0c411e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196328&Signature=UzUf-MJWMK~yS9EFHD6kAIEBONqJi5tbKagGgZpuwX-yk4vyJHBWo72UKEHnEm6002wISypU51AvA9mkKZUCKSfVPV07Tb3Pw8NBlukhLlbD919KbmdAqGCZnSR3nIlmr4qfuq7npaMu4fSx5EdYIeQMIV3D4iHtva93Wk4ujS-GxjxIFUTEAB6shX7-8JO3rpuhssAIoRLeYv4f3zyBEF6SyY6OvXHY6TJwj-gCfKQ4DZ76UjtvquVGQzeElJmb28KtTSq8ZzaSNCt44qxk~X~Y7bXrYgs3ZHwMUzeDHXOpoNZNM5zojMCtR~EvP9pWuWVhzYj0DLM57CsSDSrZ0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-15T09:43:45Z","article","Councilmember Lee asked the City Attorney to seek an immediate halt to acceptance of potentially hazardous soil and ash from recent wildfire debris at the Sunshine Canyon Landfill, saying new test results indicate the material may contain hazardous heavy metals and other contaminants.

“Based on new information that has been reported, I believe this warrants an immediate consideration under rule 23,” Lee said, asking that the city seek to stop landfill acceptance pending additional testing and oversight. Lee cited reporting that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control found ash with high concentrations of heavy metals — including lead — and said residents living near the landfill are alarmed.

Council voted to make the Rule 23 findings needed to hear the special motion and to take public comment on it; the roll call on the findings was recorded as 13 ayes. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Monica Regas. Members debated whether to continue the matter for further committee review.

Lee told colleagues that the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) had said it would test for asbestos and remediate if found, but would not test certain materials left behind on private properties; Lee said that raised concerns about the six-inch scrape-and-collect method the Corps planned to use. He also cited a rise in complaints about the landfill and notices of violation received by the operator over recent years.

After public comment and discussion, the council voted to continue the related agenda item to Feb. 25 to allow more public input and to give staff, outside agencies and the City Attorney time to coordinate next steps. The continuation vote in the chamber was close and reflected split views about process and urgency.

Why this matters

Sunshine Canyon serves areas of the northern San Fernando Valley; residents in nearby Granada Hills and Sylmar raised concerns about air quality and hazardous material handling. The issue involves multiple jurisdictions and agencies, including the Army Corps, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, county regulators and the landfill operator, Republic Services.

What’s next

The City Attorney will coordinate with outside agencies and staff to produce a written report and proposed next steps before the item returns to the council on Feb. 25. Councilmembers asked for more testing details, a clearer chain of custody for debris, and stronger oversight before any landfill acceptance resumes if hazardous material is suspected.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council - 2/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmember Lee invoked Rule 23 to ask the City Attorney to seek to halt acceptance of potentially hazardous soil at Sunshine Canyon Landfill; the council approved Rule 23 findings and voted to continue the detailed item for further public comment and staff work.","taxTitle","Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4025,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6328864,"Council approves largest-ever local investment in domestic violence services; restraining-order task force authorized",169,2445000,2614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316795-88177a44e2956c6a5f580a2b7a41dd95&start=2445&end=2614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316795-88177a44e2956c6a5f580a2b7a41dd95/thumbnail_2445000.jpg","/articles/6328864/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-approves-largest-ever-local-investment-in-domestic-violence-services-restraining-order-task-force-authorized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328864-87cfd3dcb3af701c60301a2f51b1e193/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196328&Signature=AJ8hIeMcgX5Ha26R6SZsUTpR3dzDxKZQQ5C4VUJBHw1n-UAz0fTTzskFxcCS~2Z8rQNaF4Pbt75trObTlIKtVvUzjORSy3O3Zi1l5E6yHRlmf1L9~GxJ-3vxcPUsy0pFIkWZ-6M7Y3qsl8WEjNyR3vR~Qj7C6g9L9kHRuha4xCmxP51FbO0lKolPig~N3Amoak5NtfHhHNaREeUlBJ9cQed8NR1d3u5WYJnJ4VSO-PioULlBqrt5-1n3VQi4u1uE41gAIzdTK4IZPTNVoP63IhhpA1T8JCKZAu7bO9apoB6N0BdZKFMUQHvOaT5qrHRBrIhLnemDryDOIqAjc1aZRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved two motions on Feb. 14 to expand shelter capacity and strengthen enforcement of domestic-violence restraining orders.

Councilmember Yaroslavsky introduced the motions, saying the actions would “make the largest investment in domestic violence services in LA history” and expand shelter capacity by about 13 percent while investing in wraparound services, enforcement and a new restraining-order task force. “Survivors deserve more than words,” Yaroslavsky said in urging colleagues to vote.

The motions direct funding and coordination among the City Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles Police Department and other partners to improve enforcement of restraining orders and to ensure firearms are removed from people subject to such orders when required under California law. Councilmembers noted that local enforcement remains a challenge: the motion calls for a task force to coordinate follow-up and close enforcement gaps.

Council members also emphasized shelter capacity that will “count toward our obligations under the alliance settlement,” according to Yaroslavsky’s remarks. Supporters described the package as a mix of immediate shelter expansion and services intended to keep survivors safe after they leave an abusive situation.

The motions passed on recorded voice votes of 13 ayes with no noes or abstentions. Councilmembers said the measures pair capacity increases with enforcement tools and that the city would coordinate existing local resources and nonprofits to implement the changes quickly.

Why this matters

Council leaders described the motions as a direct response to data showing demand far outstrips shelter availability. Yaroslavsky cited figures including more than 15,000 hotline requests for shelter last year and thousands of domestic-violence related 911 calls as evidence of high need.

What’s next

The council’s directions include forming the restraining-order task force and allocating funding to shelter providers and enforcement activities; staff from LAPD, the City Attorney and relevant departments will coordinate implementation and return to council as needed.","Councilmembers unanimously approved two motions to expand domestic violence shelter capacity and create a task force to enforce protective orders, including removal of firearms where required by California law.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6328869,"Los Angeles council deadlocks on wildfire rent-protections after heated debate; narrow landlord measures pass",5380,2645000,8025000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316795-88177a44e2956c6a5f580a2b7a41dd95&start=2645&end=8025","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316795-88177a44e2956c6a5f580a2b7a41dd95/thumbnail_2645000.jpg","/articles/6328869/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Los-Angeles-council-deadlocks-on-wildfire-rent-protections-after-heated-debate-narrow-landlord-measures-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328869-ad6b7756115d36d25d462628a3d84732/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196328&Signature=O2qSYUe0ifqxa3TSBcS-5Lao1QjPL1aT20iBYVBWnsf~0GNX9jZJGKqzL9nBuEwQOONucrfINtFyHalsNsQBFc89awmZm65Xee4W8TFaURDTPVq1BFy1UOqMzgF6vPelv4g6ds9jxYQxThCria5eMbZ~DVUv5~h2cdgfrCt67wfTDgfqR5EMHdakEX0MmDg6r1MMMIiLMKKIB1ZJtMi1rALeHiYAF~izaHpRs9PqSCXjc5734RhkOhlXd2l4ai0SDw10Uk3JWXApNKa9jQjVmuS4IGl~VozO5DwXE3Z1fYeeaHr4OJHCsp7nWcRdvZJMLGAq-V7tN5yTCtG-jYNioQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Los Angeles City Council members debated a string of competing proposals on Feb. 14 aimed at shielding tenants affected by recent wildfires from eviction and rent debt, but the chamber did not adopt a final ordinance.

The council approved two narrow recommendations aimed at smaller landlords but did not win enough votes to adopt the broader package of tenant protections that had been amended several times on the floor. Councilmembers and dozens of public commenters traded sharply different accounts of the likely effects on small housing providers and wildfire survivors.

Councilmember Eunice Hernandez, who led a series of amendments, said the changes aimed to limit displacement while preventing widespread abuse. “If you do not provide that proof, then you can’t benefit from this,” Hernandez said, describing a requirement that tenants document loss of income tied to the fires.

Supporters said the measure would give people who lost jobs or homes in the blazes time to stabilize and would cap debt to a brief period of unpaid rent. Christina Boyer, an attorney with Public Counsel who identified herself as part of KeepLAHoused, urged the council to act immediately: “There is no moratorium in this motion. There is no rent freeze. There is an affirmative defense in court,” she said during public comment.

Opponents, including several small “mom-and-pop” housing providers and representatives of the California Apartment Association, argued the measure would invite fraud and force property owners to cover months of unpaid rent. Fred Sutton, speaking for housing providers, urged the council to focus on direct rental assistance rather than a moratorium-style protection.

Council members moved multiple amendments on the floor. One amendment (13A) won approval after a reconsideration vote and will be carried forward; two other amendments (13B and 13C) failed. Recommendations numbered 6 and 7 — narrower protections focused on certain small landlords — passed while a councilmember recused herself from those specific recommendations. However, when the chamber voted on the ordinance as amended but excluding recommendations 6 and 7, the measure failed to reach the required support and the council did not adopt the broader ordinance.

After the vote failed, a motion to “receive and file” the item — effectively removing it from today’s calendar and sending it back to the desk — also failed, so the item will appear again on a future agenda. Council members and staff noted that existing emergency rental-assistance programs and Measure ULA funding could be used to support wildfire-affected tenants, but officials said those funds take months to deploy.

Public testimony during the meeting numbered in the dozens and included renters who said the fires cost them wages and jobs, and housing providers who said they risk foreclosure if unpaid rent accumulates. The council’s housing department told members that ULA funding is budgeted for production and other long-term programs and that direct emergency disbursements require additional setup and can take months to roll out.

The measure’s failure leaves a patchwork of temporary protections, local program options and state funds as the primary near-term supports for tenants and landlords affected by the fires. The council signaled plans to reconvene the issue at a later meeting, with several members asking staff to identify fast-start rental-assistance options and stricter verification procedures before returning a revised ordinance to the floor.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment 13A (Hutt): Passed on reconsideration (8 ayes, 3 noes).
- Amendment 13B: Failed on the floor.
- Amendment 13C: Failed on the floor (final corrected tally 5 ayes, 7 noes).
- Recommendations 6 and 7 (narrow landlord protections): Passed while one member recused (10 ayes).
- Underlying ordinance as amended (excluding 6 & 7): Failed on final vote (6 ayes, 5 noes); item remains on the desk for further action.

Why this matters

Council members said the city faces an immediate risk of an evictions spike among people who lost income or housing due to the wildfires, while some landlords warned that a broad, long-running moratorium will accelerate loss of affordable units and encourage corporate buyups. The dispute lays bare a recurring local policy dilemma: how to balance urgent tenant protections after disasters with maintaining incentives for continued private ownership and housing supply.

What’s next

Councilmembers asked staff to return with options to speed emergency rental-assistance disbursements and with clearer verification protocols for eligibility. The item will remain on the council desk and return to a future meeting for further action.

","After hours of public comment and multiple amendments, the City Council approved two targeted landlord protections but failed to adopt the broader ordinance to create an affirmative defense for wildfire-affected tenants. The measure will return to the desk after votes on several amendments split the chamber.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears Rule 23 call to halt hazardous soil at Sunshine Canyon; findings approved, continuance set

Council approves largest-ever local investment in domestic violence services; restraining-order task force authorized

Los Angeles council deadlocks on wildfire rent-protections after heated debate; narrow landlord measures pass