Edgardo Flores - RIPE

Los Angeles, CA — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to support a proposal by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn to reconsider the current ban on commercial cannabis production and distribution in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

“It has been three long years since we decided to keep the cannabis ban in place in the unincorporated area and a lot has changed,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who authored the motion today. “We’ve seen how legalization has played out in cities in our own county and we have seen states across the country move in the direction of legalizing, taxing, and regulating cannabis. It may be time for us to join them.”

“With more local jurisdictions moving towards the legalization of recreational and commercial cannabis, LA County can use this moment to evaluate best practices and develop a framework for cannabis regulation and enforcement in unincorporated areas of the County,” shared Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair, Hilda L. Solis, Supervisor to the First District, who coauthored today’s motion. “The County can leverage pre-existing recommendations like the report provided by the Office of Cannabis Management in 2017 and look to other regions that have instituted cannabis regulations to drive an equitable plan that will provide a framework for the distribution, retail, manufacturing, enforcement, and regulation of cannabis.”

Shortly after the passage of Proposition 64, the “Adult Use of Marijuana Act,” the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors enacted a ban on the commercial production and distribution of cannabis in unincorporated areas of the county. The ban was intended to be temporary until the County could develop and establish proper regulations. The Board established the Office of Cannabis Management which convened a Working Group on Cannabis Regulation to develop recommendations for the Board to consider. After conducting extensive community outreach and eight public convenings, the Working Group presented a report to the Board of Supervisors with 64 recommendations.

However, in June 2018, the Board of Supervisors chose to accept the report but not take any action to remove the cannabis ban. At the time, Supervisor Hahn said the intention was not to rush the issue and felt there were too many unanswered questions and uncertainties.

In the three years since then, much has changed and evolved in the area of cannabis legalization. Multiple additional states have legalized recreational cannabis and the county’s two largest cities, Los Angeles and Long Beach, are now allowing commercial cannabis.

Today, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support a motion authored by Supervisor Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Hilda Solis that directs the Office of Cannabis Management and other relevant county departments to revisit the regulation recommendations report and report back to the board with updated recommendations for cannabis retail, manufacturing, distribution, growth, testing, regulation, and enforcement in Los Angeles County in 120 days.

Los Angeles, CA — The LA County Board of Supervisors has approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to beautify a section of 7th Avenue between Gale Avenue and Palm Avenue in Hacienda Heights.

Improvements and additions will include a new street median with landscaping and native plants, more native trees and plants along the parkway to maximize water conservation, installation of a metal trellis with vines along the back of sidewalks, more street lights, landscaping of the existing street median, and widening the sidewalk along the east side of 7th Avenue near Palm. Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2021.

“7th Avenue is getting an upgrade,” said Supervisor Hahn. “Hacienda Heights residents can look forward to this stretch of this major thoroughfare being more beautiful, more walkable, and more environmentally friendly.”

“The Hacienda Heights Improvement Association continuously seeks way to improve the quality of life for all Hacienda Heights residents,” said Scott Martin, President of the Hacienda Heights Improvement Association. “We appreciate that Janice Hahn has those same goals in mind and find ways to fund improvements such as the beautification project on 7th Ave. between Gale Ave. to Palm Avenue. Thank you, Janice, for your continued focus and actions to beautify and improve on our streets and neighborhoods. “

The estimated cost of the Project is $999,000. To fund it, Hahn’s motion transfers to the LA County Department of Public Works $399,000 in excess funds from a previous 4th District project along Carmenita Road in West Whittier-Los Nietos, as well as an additional $600,000 in excess funds left over from various 4th District Capital Improvement Projects.

South Whittier, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, officials from the Department of Parks and Recreation, leaders from the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, and local skateboarders celebrated the grand opening of a new skatepark at Amelia Mayberry Park in unincorporated South Whittier.

“For years, local skaters have resorted to skating in the Senior Center parking lot and on sidewalks where they weren’t always given a warm welcome,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn who funded the project using $2 million of Fourth District Measure A funds. “The new Mayberry Skatepark is going to not only be a place where they can skate safely, but because they helped design it – it is going to be a skatepark they can be proud of.”

While the project was funded with an allocation of Measure A funding from Supervisor Hahn, it was developed by the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, a local nonprofit on a mission to contribute to the equity and well-being of neighborhoods through the development of parks, gardens, and community-driven organizing.

This project is unique because the local skaters themselves helped design the park. In 2017, local skaters participated in a series of workshops at the Amelia Mayberry Park Senior Center where they developed their own designs and recommendations for the skate park. The result is an 18,000 square foot open concept skate park with a variety of ledges, bowls, quarter pipes, and rails for skater of all levels to practice and showcase their skills.

“Thank to the support of Supervisor Janice Hahn, LA County Parks expands access to state-of-the-art recreational spaces while supporting wellness,” said John Wicker, Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Director. “The Amelia Mayberry Skate Park will offer sports and skater enthusiasts with the opportunity to have outdoor fun in their own community.”

Los Angeles, CA — Starting next year, Los Angeles County pools will be open for six months out of the year rather than just ten weeks. Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support a proposal by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to extend the pool season as the region experiences longer, hotter summers.

“Summer may be coming to an end, but the hot summer weather is not,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “People love our County pools and they are sorry to see them close every August, right in the middle of the hottest months of the year. Our public pools are some of our most valuable community resources and they should be open as long as the weather permits.”

The LA County Department of Parks and Recreation manages 30 pools countywide and 25 of them are only open ten weeks out of the year. This year, the summer season pools were open to the public from June 15th to August 21st.

“With triple-digit temperatures lasting through the fall, Los Angeles County communities need affordable, accessible ways to keep cool,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “Extending the swim program at local pools will allow residents to stay active, connect with neighbors, and beat the heat.”

Today, at the regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors, the board voted unanimously to support a motion authored by Supervisor Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to extend the annual pool season from a ten-week season to a six-month season from May 1st through October 30th. The Department of Parks and Recreation will work with the County’s Chief Executive Officer to identify ongoing funding and resources to support this extended pool season and develop a plan to recruit and train additional lifeguards.
The department will report back to the board in 90 days.

Los Angeles, CA — Today the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to instruct Los Angeles County Departments to act now to prepare for the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine to residents when one becomes available.

“We are the largest County in the nation, and when the time comes, we will need to fairly and equitably get a vaccine to over 10 million people,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We need to start preparing now to receive, store, distribute, and administer a vaccine so we don’t waste any time.”

In recent weeks, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance to State public health officials, prompting them to prepare for COVID-19 vaccination distribution. Currently, there are 37 vaccines in clinical trials and 3 vaccines are in the third phase of trials. Some reports indicate that limited COVID-19 vaccine doses in phase 3 may be available by early November 2020, with substantial increases in vaccine supply slated for 2021.

The CDC provided guidance on what is required for the preparation and distribution of a vaccine. The guidance includes ordering, data reporting, and tailoring of CDC-developed public-facing communications; preparing for the delivery, storage, and handling of the vaccine vials; identifying high risk priority groups that need the vaccine first like healthcare professionals and those living in long term care facilities; and setting up mass vaccination clinics for the general population when more doses of vaccine are available, supply permitting.

With well over ten million residents, Los Angeles County must prepare a vaccination plan that ensures intentional and systematic allocation, with priority given to those in targeted groups and underserved populations who have been disproportionally affected by COVID19.

Supervisor Hahn’s motion, which passed unanimously, instructs the LA County Department of Public Health to work with relevant departments, local cities, and community agencies to develop a vaccination plan and report back to the Board in 45 days.

Los Angeles, CA — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to develop an Oil Well Clean-up Program proposed by Supervisor Janice Hahn. This was in addition to votes the Board took today to begin phasing out oil and gas drilling in unincorporated LA County and to develop a strategy to ensure workers can transition to new, good-paying jobs in clean energy.

There are thousands of oil wells across LA County that are no longer in operation and many of them have yet to be properly plugged and capped to prevent them from leaking.

“So far, we have identified 637 idle oil wells across the County and 128 of them are considered ‘high priority’ which means they are close to homes or at risk of leaking,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Many of these wells have been sitting idle for years. As we move to phase out oil and gas drilling in our unincorporated communities, we also need to make sure the abandoned and idle wells that already exist in our county are properly plugged and capped so they don’t pose a threat to our communities.”

Proper well abandonment is expensive with costs ranging from $150,000 to $1,000,000 per well, depending on environmental conditions. California state law holds operators responsible for properly abandoning idle wells and in the case of insolvent or unknown operators, CalGEM must step in and plug orphan wells and charge costs to oil and gas producers. Additionally, recent state legislation has increased bonding requirements, idle well fees and use of idle well management plans.

The Hahn motion passed today directs the County to develop a framework within 180 days for an Oil Well Clean-Up Pilot Program which will plug and abandon idle oil wells across the County, prioritizing oil wells that pose health and safety risks to residents. The motion also instructs the County’s Chief Executive Officer to explore options to increase revenue dedicated to oil and gas oversight efforts, such as updating the utility franchise fees and redirecting any marginal revenue accruals to the Office of Oil and Gas, and report back to the Board within 90 days.

Manhattan Beach, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is urging Governor Newsom to sign SB 796, after today’s unanimous vote to pass the legislation in the State Senate. The legislation, championed by Supervisor Hahn and authored by State Senator Steven Bradford, is essential to Hahn’s effort to return Bruce’s Beach to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce.

“I am determined to return Bruce’s Beach to the Bruce family, but I can’t do it without this legislation,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I am grateful to Senator Bradford for stepping up and shepherding this bill through the state legislature. I have been so moved by the overwhelming support that we have gotten for this effort in Sacramento. At long last, this bill is heading to Governor Newsom’s desk. I not only urge him to sign it, but I also think it would mean so much if he signed it at Bruce’s Beach.”

In 1912, a Black couple named Willa and Charles Bruce purchased beachfront property in Manhattan Beach and built a resort that became known as Bruce’s Beach. It was one of the few places where Black residents could go to enjoy a day at the beach because so many other local beaches did not permit Black beachgoers. The Bruces and their customers were harassed and threatened by white neighbors including the KKK. Eventually, the Manhattan Beach City Council moved to seize the Bruce’s property as well as surrounding property using eminent domain in 1924, purportedly to build a park. The City of Manhattan Beach took possession of the property in 1929 and it remained vacant for decades.

The section of the seized property closest to the beach, including the lots owned by Willa and Charles Bruce, was years later transferred to the State and in 1995 transferred to Los Angeles County. However, when the land was transferred to the County, the State put restrictions on the land, preventing the County from transferring the property.

In April 2021, Supervisor Hahn announced her intention to return the land to the Bruce family, but the State restrictions prevent the transfer. She asked Senator Steve Bradford to introduce legislation, SB 796, to remove these state restrictions on this land and allow Los Angeles County to return the property to the Bruce family.

Today, the California State Senate voted unanimously to pass SB 796 after it passed unanimously though the State Assembly yesterday. The legislation now heads to Governor Newsom’s desk for his consideration and signature.
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Manhattan Beach, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn celebrated the California State Assembly voting unanimously to pass SB 796. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Steven Bradford, would remove state restrictions from Los Angeles County’s beachfront property once owned by Black entrepreneurs, Willa and Charles Bruce. The existing state restrictions currently limit Hahn’s ability to transfer the County property. SB 796’s passage would allow Hahn to move forward with her effort to return the property to the surviving descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce.

“I am determined to return this land to the Bruce family, but I can’t do it without this legislation,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I have been so moved by the unanimous support that we have gotten for this effort from our State leaders. When this bill hits the Governor’s desk, I urge him to sign it and I think it would mean so much if he signed it at Bruce’s Beach.”

SB 796 must now go back to the California State Senate for a reconciliation vote by this Friday, September 10, 2021. If it passes, it then goes to Governor Newsom’s desk for his consideration and signature.

Background
In 1912, a Black couple named Willa and Charles Bruce purchased beachfront property in Manhattan Beach and built a resort that became known as Bruce’s Beach. It was one of the few places where Black residents could go to enjoy a day at the beach because so many other local beaches did not permit Black beachgoers. The Bruces and their customers were harassed and threatened by white neighbors including the KKK. Eventually, the Manhattan Beach City Council moved to seize the Bruce’s property as well as surrounding property using eminent domain in 1924, purportedly to build a park. The City of Manhattan Beach took possession of the property in 1929 and it remained vacant for decades.

The section of the seized property closest to the beach, including the lots owned by Willa and Charles Bruce, was years later transferred to the State and in 1995 transferred to Los Angeles County. The lots that the Bruces owned are now the site of the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Training Headquarters.

In April, Supervisor Hahn announced her intention to return the Bruce’s Beach property to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce and that she had asked State Senator Steven Bradford to introduce legislation (now known as SB 796) to remove state restrictions on the property and allow her to do just that.

Diamond Bar, CA — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $10,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for the death of 72-year-old Bruce Bodel, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident on the Fourth of July in Diamond Bar.

“This crime has devastated the Bodel family and the Diamond Bar community,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Someone out there has information about who did this and what happened, and I urge them to come forward. The Bodel family deserves answers and Bruce Bodel deserves justice.”

Mr. Bodel, a Diamond Bar resident, was taking a stroll on the evening of July 4, 2021 and crossing the street on Penarth Ave at the intersection with Lycoming Street when a sliver or gray sedan traveling west on Lycoming Street, struck Mr. Bodel in the intersection. The vehicle continued west on Lycoming Street to southbound Lemon Avenue, and out of view. The driver never stopped to render aid to Mr. Bodel who passed away from his injuries on July 8, 2021.

“On behalf of the Diamond Bar community, I would like to thank Supervisor Hahn and the Board of Supervisors for recognizing the importance of solving this tragic crime,” said Diamond Bar Mayor Nancy Lyons. “We hope the increase in the reward will raise awareness and assist in bringing the individuals responsible to justice.”

This latest reward offered by the LA County Board of Supervisors is in addition to the $10,000 reward offer announced earlier this month by the City of Diamond Bar.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the suspect’s car should call (909) 859-2817. Anonymous tipsters can call L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or use the website lacrimestoppers.org

Los Angeles, CA – Today the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn to immediately eliminate late fines from LA County Libraries.

“Library late fines do much more harm than good,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “They makeup less than 1% of the Library’s revenue and they can dissuade people from using the Library’s services. Our LA County Libraries are full of great resources and we want people to take advantage of them. It is time to make LA County Library a fine-free library system.”

Hahn’s motion instructs LA County Librarian Skye Patrick to waive all fines and fees for overdue books and other library materials, effective immediately. It also instructs the County Librarian to work with the County’s Auditor-Controller, County Counsel, and Treasurer-Tax Collector to waive all existing fees for library patrons as well as write off the Library’s Accounts Receivable.

“We are pleased the Board of Supervisors approved the elimination of library fines. This is a critical step in removing barriers and opening access to all Library customers,” said County Librarian Skye Patrick. “This important initiative will help us do our everyday work of fostering learning experiences, sparking curiosity, making connections, and building skills for all LA County residents.”

Collecting fines for overdue library materials was originally implemented as a source of revenue for the LA County Library system – but, presently, these fines make up less than 1% of library revenue. Additionally, the staffing cost associated with the collection of late fees has exceeded the amount of fees collected in the past two fiscal years.

Transitions to fine-free library systems are not unique. In recent years, large urban systems across the country – including the LA City Public Library, San Diego Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Denver Public Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library systems – have adopted a fine-free model, with research showing that such policies have resulted in a 200 percent increase in returned library books and other materials.