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Hahn Opposes County Purchase of Skyscraper, Plan to Abandon Civic Center 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Opposes County Purchase of Skyscraper, Plan to Abandon Civic Center

Above: The Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Gloria Molina Grand Park


Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn took a stand against a plan for the County to purchase a downtown skyscraper for $205 million and set in motion a plan to close the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration and move the heart of County government away from the Civic Center.

“I went by the proposed building the other day and I felt nothing,” said Hahn to her colleagues. “It is a soulless building in the middle of a bunch of tall buildings. That isn’t what County Government should look like. I don’t think we need to be in a skyscraper– we need to be near the people.”

The item, which passed today with Hahn being the lone dissenting vote, included transferring $66 million out of funds set aside for upgrading and seismic retrofitting of the Hall of Administration with no plan to replenish those funds.

Below is a transcript of Supervisor Hahn’s remarks in today’s meeting:

Colleagues, as you are aware, a yes vote on this item authorizes the purchase of the Gas Company Tower. But we also must go into this clear-eyed that a yes vote will also be the start of a ripple effect that we may not be able to undo.

Last month, when a similar item appeared on the agenda, I heard from some of my colleagues that you were confused about the item and thought or assumed it was simply to post the desire of the County to purchase a building.

But this vote sets the stage for the demise of the Hall of Administration. It is the first phase of a plan to move County employees out and abandon this building and the Civic Center. I’m not sure the public knows this. I’m not sure if employees who work in this building know this or not because this has all been done behind closed doors.

What is laid out today in this board letter is a plan to take $66 million of funding previously set aside for investments in this Hall of Administration – for the seismic retrofit, for the renovation of the 7th floor, for the replacement of the electrical system, and for other necessary work. So once that money is transferred for the purchase of this skyscraper – there is no plan to replenish those funds. There will be no pathway forward for keeping this Hall of Administration open and keeping the County home in the Civic Center.

Our public buildings have meaning, not just to me, but to our employees who call these buildings home, and to the people who come visit this building to find justice, a common purpose, and most of all, unity, in our diverse County.

I want to read a part of an email I received from a concerned resident and former staffer for another Supervisor:

“The Hall of Administration is part of a Civic Center that defines Los Angeles. The Civic Center is exactly what its name describes: a composition of buildings and public spaces, with City Hall at one end and the Department of Water and Power at the other, both landmark structures, and Gloria Molina Park in the middle. It is a tangible, physical expression of our desire for unity as a community, of our history and our aspirations for the future. It is a symbol of our democracy. It is the gathering place where ‘democracy happens.’”

I went by the proposed building the other day and I felt nothing. It is a soul-less building in the middle of a bunch of tall buildings. That isn’t what County Government should look like. I don’t think we need to be in a skyscraper, we need to be near the people.

Gloria Molina Grand Park is exactly where our seat of government should remain. How many times have you strolled out in the park with employees looking at the fountain, eating together, celebrating.

This building, the Hall of Administration, was designed by renowned Black architect Paul Williams. Many of his buildings have historic designation. His work is appreciated around the world and the homes he designed are sought after. We should recognize the gem we have here and we should not take it for granted and throw away our history for a short-term financial win.

It started out as a real estate transaction. But it has turned into the beginning of the demise of this building. And by the way there have been previous attempts to destroy our civic buildings. There was an idea to destroy City Hall at one point but higher minds prevailed, the money was raised, and City Hall was saved.

I also want to point out that this plan before us has not gone through the typical cluster process that is to be expected for board letters. Some of our staff were briefed, but no member of the public was made aware of this until the October 8th Board Meeting. In all my years as an elected official, this is the most closed-door, off the record plan to come into fruition that I have witnessed.

I just want everyone to know what we are voting for. The money being used for this purchase are being stolen from funds that were meant for this Hall of Administration. We are robbing Peter to pay Paul. It will start a domino effect that will lead to the demise of this building and something we may not be able to undo.

At Hahn’s request, LA Memorial Coliseum Torch Lit for Dodgers World Series Win 150 150 Hayley Munguia

At Hahn’s request, LA Memorial Coliseum Torch Lit for Dodgers World Series Win

Los Angeles, CA – Today, at Supervisor Janice Hahn’s request, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Torch is lit in celebration of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ eighth World Series Win and in honor of the team’s first World Series winning season in 1959 at the Coliseum. The torch will also be lit tomorrow during the Dodgers’ championship parade and tonight and tomorrow the Coliseum’s Peristyle will be bathed in Dodger blue. Hahn’s father, Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, helped to bring the Dodgers to Los Angeles from New York in 1958.

“I thought it would be fitting to light the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum’s torch in celebration of the Dodgers’ victory at the venue the team played their first World Series winning season,” said Hahn. “We love our team. Every corner of Los Angeles is celebrating today.”

Hahn Calls for Coliseum Torch to be Lit for Dodgers World Series Win 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Calls for Coliseum Torch to be Lit for Dodgers World Series Win

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is congratulating the LA Dodgers and calling for the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Torch to be lit in honor of the team’s first World Series winning season in 1959 at the Coliseum. Hahn’s father, Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, helped to bring the Dodgers to Los Angeles from New York in 1958. Supervisor Janice Hahn also serves on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission and released the following statement:

“Congratulations to our LA Dodgers on their eighth World Series win! The LA Dodgers first World Series winning season in 1959 was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and I am asking for the Coliseum Torch to be lit today in celebration of our eighth World Series win and again tomorrow during the parade.”

Hahn Observes Weapons Detection Technology on Metro 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Observes Weapons Detection Technology on Metro

Above: Hahn observes weapons detection technology at Union Station

Los Angeles, CA — This morning, Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn was at Union Station to observe new weapons detection technology now being piloted by Metro under her leadership.

“People should not be able to bring weapons onto our Metro buses, onto our trains, or into our stations. Our riders deserve to be safe and feel safe, and that has to remain our top priority,” said Hahn. “This pilot is a great first step and I look forward to expanding our use of weapons detection technology across our system.”

Yesterday, Metro began a dual lane system pilot, the first of three concealed weapons screening pilots on the B/D lines at the mezzanine level at Union Station. The system is a noninvasive screening method to detect and identify hidden threats without physical contact and eliminate the need to remove personal belongings.

The pilot is the result of direction from the Metro Board of Directors and a request from Hahn for Metro to develop a strategy to keep weapons off the system.

Weapons detection systems have been successfully employed at other busy sites like theme parks, performing arts centers, casinos, places of worship and hundreds of schools and hospitals across the U.S. as well as venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Dignity Health Sports Park, and So Fi Stadium. These portable systems can be set up quickly, making them ideal for Metro’s fluctuating security needs.

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Hahn Celebrates $231 Million Awarded to Southeast Gateway Line 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Celebrates $231 Million Awarded to Southeast Gateway Line

Supervisor Hahn leads delegation to Sacramento in May 2024 to advocate for the Southeast Gateway Line. Pictured from left to right: Metro Director Fernando Dutra, Huntington Park Mayor Karina Macias, Supervisor Janice Hahn, Gateway Cities COG Executive Director Hector De La Torre, Paramount Councilmember Isabel Aguayo, and Artesia Mayor Pro Tem Ali Taj.

Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is celebrating an announcement by Governor Newsom awarding a $231 million grant to the Southeast Gateway Line project. The funding comes from the State Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program and the $231 million grant to the Southeast Gateway Line is the largest single award in this cycle. Hahn traveled to Sacramento in May with a delegation of leaders from Southeast LA and the Gateway Cities to advocate for this funding.

“This is exactly what we have been working toward and what this project needs,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I appreciate Governor Newsom and his team for answering our call and recognizing the importance of the Southeast Gateway Line to the future of this region and I thank the entire Metro board for prioritizing this project.”

The Southeast Gateway Line is a new Metro light rail transit line that will stretch from Artesia through Cerritos, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, South Gate, Cudahy, Bell, Huntington Park, Vernon, and unincorporated Florence-Firestone to Union Station which will provide fast, reliable transit service to communities that have long been underserved. Along the route, one-in-five residents are transit dependent and do not have their own car.

Supervisor Hahn and Metro leaders will break ground next week on “Advance Utility Relocation” for the Southeast Gateway Line ahead of major construction for the project.

Advance Utility Relocation Groundbreaking Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: 18644 Alburtis Ave, Artesia, CA 90701

LA County Supervisors Implement Ban on County Firearms Purchases from Vendors in Violation of Gun Safety Laws 150 150 Hayley Munguia

LA County Supervisors Implement Ban on County Firearms Purchases from Vendors in Violation of Gun Safety Laws

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Hilda Solis that implements new processes that restrict the purchase of firearms by any Los Angeles County department to vendors who are in compliance with gun laws and regulations. In July, Hahn and Solis directed the County’s Internal Services Department to outline and propose a purchasing process; today’s motion adopts that process. A recent report from Brady revealed that government agencies across California spend millions of taxpayer dollars on guns and ammunition procured from vendors that are in violation of firearms laws and regulations. In June, reporting by KCAL’s Ross Palombo on a similar motion passed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors prompted Hahn to bring the motion forward for LA County.

“When gun dealers violate our laws and regulations, they’re choosing profit over the lives and safety of our communities. Not one cent of LA County taxpayer money should go into their pockets,” said Supervisor Hahn.

Firearm vendors will now have to certify under penalty of perjury that they are in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local firearms laws and regulations and that they have not been cited for repeated or serious violations. Among the most concerning violations of firearms regulations is selling firearms to individuals who are prohibited from purchasing them. Research shows a correlation between a vendor’s violation of firearms laws and the likelihood that a gun purchased from that vendor is recovered in a crime.

“Gun violence continues to harm our communities, and as the County, we must ensure we do our part in keeping our residents safe. This includes ensuring that those seeking to sell firearms to the County of Los Angeles are in compliance with federal and state laws. These commonsense regulations will set the standard for firearm vendors across the County and minimize the number of weapons sold to those who should not have access to firearms,” said Supervisor Solis.

Last year, Solis and Hahn also led the Board in prohibiting all County departments from auctioning or selling excess firearms or ammunition altogether. The move came after it was discovered that the County’s Probation Department planned to auction hundreds of guns to firearm dealers. Firearms no longer needed by LA County departments are now destroyed.

Supervisors Vote to Appoint Compliance Officer to Oversee Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Compliance 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisors Vote to Appoint Compliance Officer to Oversee Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Compliance

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath to appoint a compliance officer to oversee and monitor the LA County Probation Department’s efforts to comply with state regulations that have threatened to close the county’s juvenile hall.

“We need to do everything we can to ensure that our Probation Department comes into compliance with state standards at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall,” said Supervisor Hahn. “We are on the clock now and it is necessary to have a dedicated compliance officer from outside the department who can oversee their work and has the ability to convene multiple departments who can help.”

Over the past two years, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) has issued multiple notices of noncompliance to the LA County Probation Department regarding their juvenile halls. Most recently, on August 12, 2024, BSCC issued a notice that Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall was out of compliance with state regulations. Probation had until October 11, 2024, to submit a corrective action plan that would then be reviewed and either approved or denied by the BSCC.

While the BSCC has historically provided technical assistance to Probation to help the Department develop a CAP that would be approved, Probation failed to request and receive this assistance during the months leading up to the due date. Probation submitted their CAP to the BSCC on October 11, 2024, and that same day, received notice from the BSCC that the CAP was denied. Subsequently, on October 14, 2024, the BSCC sent a formal notice of unsuitability regarding Los Padrinos, giving Probation until December 12, 2024 to either come into compliance or vacate the facility.

“Appointing a compliance officer to support the Probation Department will align all County departments in the important work of getting and keeping facilities in compliance with state standards,” said Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “With the many issues the department faces, this additional support will help ensure plans result in action at all levels of the County. Accountability is critical, especially when the wellbeing of our young people is at stake. This is a critical step necessary for lasting change.”

Today, the Board unanimously approved a motion by Hahn and Horvath to direct the County’s CEO to identify and appoint an internal compliance officer to oversee the Probation Department’s compliance with BSCC regulations and the California DOJ settlement agreement at Los Padrinos. The compliance officer will be appointed within 30 days and will have the authority to coordinate the administration of involved departments. The Board also directed the Chief Probation Officer to submit all current and future corrective action plan drafts and any related documents to the compliance officer no later than 20 days before their due date to allow them to provide meaningful input.

Supervisors Proclaim October 2024 Italian American Heritage Month 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisors Proclaim October 2024 Italian American Heritage Month

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to proclaim October 2024 as Italian American Heritage Month in Los Angeles County. Supervisor Hahn lives in and represents the community of San Pedro, which is home to approximately 45,000 Italian Americans—the largest Italian American community in Southern California.

“Whether it’s our St. Joseph’s Day celebrations, the Taste of Italy festival hosted every year by the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, or the Festa Italiana we held in San Pedro earlier this month, the pride that LA County has in its Italian American community is clear,” said Hahn. “But the contributions that Italian Americans have made to LA County also run much deeper. The strength of our economy and commitment to labor rights are directly tied to our history of Italian immigration. By declaring Italian American Heritage Month, we are celebrating everything the Italian American community has contributed to the cultural fabric of LA County.”

The fishing industry in San Pedro was developed in large part thanks to Italian immigrants coming from Ischia and Sicily, and Supervisor Hahn led an effort when she served on the Los Angeles City Council to officially designate Ischia as a Sister City. Italian American artists, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and workers have also made lasting contributions to Los Angeles County’s architecture, cuisine, entertainment, and labor rights movement.

Hahn Opposes Plan for LA County to Purchase Downtown Skyscraper and Abandon Civic Center 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Opposes Plan for LA County to Purchase Downtown Skyscraper and Abandon Civic Center

Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has come out against a plan for the County to purchase the 54-story Gast Company Tower office building located at 555 W 5th street in Downtown Los Angeles and move County employee offices out of the Hall of Administration in the Civic Center. Yesterday, she voted against approving the County’s Notice of Intention to Purchase the property for a purchase price not to exceed $200,000,000.

Hahn argued against the County abandoning the Civic Center and lamented what would happen if the County chose to shutter buildings around Grand Park rather than retrofitting them and investing in the Civic Center’s future.

Below is a transcript of her remarks to her colleagues during yesterday’s meeting:

“This is a major purchase and if it goes forward will not only impact thousands and thousands of LA County employees but will fundamentally change how the public views LA County government and where they access help.

If this purchase happened, it would kick off a plan to move County employees and departments out of the Hall of Administration and to this skyscraper — perhaps leaving just this Board Room and a few offices behind.

I understand this is essentially a fire sale and there are some who are going to make the argument that having the County buy this skyscraper makes financial sense.

I am not so sure about that — but what I am most worried about is that it doesn’t make sense for our responsibility to our constituents and to the future of this civic center.

I think there is value in a civic center in a city — a singular place where people know to go when they need help from their government.

And decades ago, the city planners who shaped Downtown Los Angeles thought so too — with the Hall of Administration sitting across from the Superior Court, up from the Hall of Records, catty corner from the Hall of Justice, with the beautiful Los Angeles City Hall sitting at the base of the hill and the Music Center and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on the top.

And in the decades in between, we have backed up that vision by investing in Gloria Molina Grand Park and the multi-million dollar renovation of Jerry Moss Plaza outside the Music Center.

I don’t think that LA County should abandon Grand Park and our Civic Center.

I worry what will happen to this center of Downtown between Hill and Broadway if we decide to shutter these County buildings instead of retrofitting them and investing in the future of the civic center.

I know there is a tendency to jump on real estate deals and consolidate as many people into a skyscraper as possible, but I think we have to think bigger and think about the future we want for the Civic Center, for our LA County employees, and for how LA County residents see their government.”

Hahn Congratulates McDonnell on Selection as New LAPD Chief 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Congratulates McDonnell on Selection as New LAPD Chief

Los Angeles, CA – This morning, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that she had selected Jim McDonnell to serve as the new chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. McDonnell served in the LAPD for 28 years before serving as chief of the Long Beach Police Department and then being elected Los Angeles County Sheriff in 2014.

Supervisor Janice Hahn issued the following statement:

“I worked with Jim during his long career in the LAPD and as he led the Long Beach PD and our Sheriff’s Department. He brings the integrity, cool head, and steady hand to this job that our communities and the rank and file officers deserve. Jim also has a long history of working with Sheriff Robert Luna and I’m confident that with him at the helm of LAPD, our two largest law enforcement agencies will start a new chapter of close cooperation. When the safety of our communities is on the line, we can’t afford anything less than that. I congratulate Jim McDonnell and applaud Mayor Bass on her decision.”

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