November 5, 2024 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

2020 Commission Presents Recommendations to City Council

Los Angeles
Los Angeles CIty Council News on WestsideToday.com (Thinkstock)

A private commission’s recommendations on how to fiscally stabilize Los Angeles and spur job growth drew a mixed reaction from the City Council at its May 6 meeting.

Recommendations in the report – titled “A Time for Action” – by the Los Angeles 2020 Commission included merging the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, hold City elections on State and Federal balloting days, and creating a city Office of Transparency and Accountability.

The council heard a presentation from former U.S. Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor and businessman Austin Beutner, co-chairs of the 2020 Commission.

“There are things I agree with and things I don’t agree with, but what’s great is you’re moving the conversation forward,” Councilman Bob Blumenfield said.

The council did not take action on the report, but council president Herb Wesson, who convened the 2020 Commission last year, said he will refer each of the recommendations to the appropriate council committees.

Council members were particularly intrigued by the panel’s recommendation that the city team up with Long Beach to run the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Councilman Joe Buscaino, whose district includes the Los Angeles port, said the seaports are a “huge issue” and the idea has already generated much conversation since the report was released on April 9.

Beutner, a one-time Los Angeles deputy mayor, told the council that as competition from other ports intensify, Los Angeles and Long Beach officials should consider forming a joint powers authority in which each city retains 50 percent control.

“We don’t win when Los Angeles steals a shipper from Long Beach and Long Beach steals a shipper from Los Angeles,” Beutner said.

Councilman Mike Bonin, who represents several communities on the Westside, expressed interest in the idea of collaborating with other cities on tourism issues, noting that beaches in the city of Santa Monica are “marketed a lot better” than adjacent ones in Venice, which is in his council district.

Council members questioned whether the proposed Office of Transparency and Accountability would duplicate the role of the City Controller and other existing city agencies.

Other recommendations by the 2020 Commission include:

–       Establish an independent oversight and rate-setting body for the Dept. of Water and Power;

–       Require the City to create three-year budgets that reveal more about how decisions play out over a number of years than is revealed in one- year budgets;

–       Form a commission for retirement security to monitor the City’s retirement obligations;

–       Create economic clusters around areas such as bio-science and manufacturing; and

–       Update building plans that govern development and construction projects in communities throughout the City.

Related Posts

Dupont Clinic Issues a Statement After City of Beverly Hills is Held Accountable By CA Attorney General Bonta

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

AG Rob Bonta Intervenes in Unprecedented Case, Defending Abortion Access Attorney General Rob Bonta launched an investigation after reports that...

Legendary Music Icon Quincy Jones Dies at 91 in Bel Air

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Celebrated Musician, Producer Leaves an Indelible Legacy By Dolores Quintana Legendary musician, music producer, film and television producer, composer of...

Brentwood’s Beloved New York Bagel Co. to Close After 21 Years at Topa Town & Country Center

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Local Favorite, Designed by Renowned Architect Fred Gehry, Must Vacate by December 31 By Dolores Quintana New York Bagel Co.,...

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Lays Off Longtime Archive and Library Staff

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Downsizing and Restructuring Continue, Affecting Employees with Decades of Service By Dolores Quintana Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture...

LA County Opens 526 New Vote Centers for Early Voting, Announces Conditional Voting for Unregistered Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Metro LA Offers Free Rides on Election Day to Help Residents Get to the Polls Los Angeles County opened an...

H5N1 Detected in LA County Wastewater, Health Officials Urge Precautions for Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Los Angeles County Investigates Low-Level H5 Avian Flu Detected in Wastewater The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is...

Le Petit Pali Brentwood to Open Soon, Bringing a Retro Twist to LA’s Westside Hospitality

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

Avi Brosh’s Palisociety to Launch Its Third Boutique Hotel in Historic Brentwood Location Le Petit Pali, the latest addition to...

All You Need to Know to Attend the Dodgers Victory Parade Tomorrow in DTLA

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

World Champions and LA’s Team to Greet Angelenos After Win of NY Yankees The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that their...

Beverly Hills City Government Agrees to a Stipulated Judgment After Blocking Abortion Clinic Opening

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

City to Implement Training, Oversight on Reproductive Rights Following Legal Settlement  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a legal agreement...

Dia De Los Muertos 2024: Here’s Where To Celebrate The Holiday Tradition This Weekend

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Los Angeles Has a Variety of Ways to Explore Latino Culture and Honor Ancestors Starting just after Halloween, Dia de...

(Video) Downtown L.A. Reacts to World Series Victory

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Dodgers Are World Series Champs For The Eighth Time https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFtyDDKn/

Halloween Pre-Game Party Brings Chills and Spooky Thrills to The Rose Venice

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Enjoy Halloween With Festive Cocktails, Appetizers, and a Costume Contest The Rose Venice in Venice is set to host a...

(Video) Something About Her’s First Tea Time Was a Big Hit

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Next Date is November Third. Beautiful vibes, deciduous food and drink. Don’t miss it. @Something About Her @centurycitywestwoodnews Something...

Something About Her Sandwich Shop Hosts Second Exclusive Tea Time on November 3

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

By Dolores Quintana West Hollywood’s Delightful Sandwich Spot by Vanderpump Rules Stars Has Tea Service Something About Her, the adorable...

Helms Bakery Reopens in Culver City After 55 Years, Welcoming Fans Old and New

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Iconic West LA Bakery Returns With Pastries, Sandwiches, and Nostalgia After teasing Westside residents since January 2023 on Instagram, Helms...