Chamber Supports Multiple Motions to Help Homeless Population, Cleanup Hollywood

Hollywood Chamber Supports Reinstatement of Comprehensive CARE+ Cleanups Citywide

A motion was introduced by Councilmember Buscaino to reinstate comprehensive CARE+ cleanups on a citywide level. If passed, the Department of Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) would be authorized to remove homeless encampments while essential wrap around services for those experiencing homelessness would be provided. CARE+ cleanups are a necessity to keep infection rates down and provide mental health services to those experiencing homelessness. Read the letter of support submitted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce here. To participate in the Action Alert and tell Council you support the reinstatement of CARE+ cleanups click here. The City Council is expected to take up this motion in Council session next week.

Ordinance to Prohibit Sheltering in Public Rights-of-Way, Outside of Nearby Shelters

A motion to amend multiple sections of the Los Angeles Municipal Code and a draft ordinance were discussed in City Council during a Special Hearing on Wednesday to (after the postage of signage) ban sitting, sleeping, or lying within up to 500 feet of a designated freeway overpass, underpass, ramp, tunnel, or pedestrian subway which impedes access to critical route provided by the infrastructure. The motion would also prohibit sheltering within 500 feet of certain supportive services locations. The Council heard passionate public comment and discussed the matter for numerous hours, ultimately deciding to continue the motion for hearing on November 24th. The Hollywood Chamber submitted a letter this week in strong support of this motion. This policy is intended to serve as a mechanism to encourage more communities to support A Bridge Home facilities. In areas where services are provided, this tool will be used as a way to deter the individuals seeking help does not fall back into old habits. Read the letter of support submitted by the Chamber here.

Hollywood Recreation Center Temporary Homeless Shelter

The Los Angeles City Council Homeless and Poverty Committee approved a motion directing the City Administrative Officer, Department of Engineering, and the Department of Recreation and Parks to generate a report discussing the feasibility of using the Hollywood Recreation Center on Cole Ave. as a temporary homeless shelter. Los Angeles’ homeless population has increased 16 percent from 2019 and requires the utmost attention from our local leaders and community in order to keep these vulnerable individuals safe from infection during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the letter of support submitted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce here.

2020 Hollywood Chamber Voter Guide

Mail ballots have arrived, and the election is fully underway here in Los Angeles and across the Country. It is critical that the voice of business is clear and loud during this unprecedented election on November 3rd. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has been working closely with our Political Action Committee and Legislative Action Committee to identify ballot measures and elections that would be pivotal for businesses and the larger economic development of our region and have taken positions that will best support our vision and mission. To access our Voter Guide please click here and make sure to vote early or have a clear plan to vote on election day! Should you have any questions on any of the endorsements or positions please contact Diana Yedoyan, Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Development at diana@hollywoodchamber.net.

Public Health Council’s Update

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues efforts to oppose the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors plan to institute a Public Health Councils Program that business owners must implement in efforts to combat COVID-19. Chamber Policy Staff has participated in multiple conversations with the Supervisors and their staff to ensure that the business voice is fully represented during the creation of the guidelines. The Hollywood Chamber has also joined a coalition of local business advocacy organizations to request the following amendments to the ordinance:

• The Public Health Councils Program should only be used as an enforcement program for individual businesses cited for having unresolved compliance issues with Health Officer Orders (HOOs). Public Health Councils should not apply broadly to business sectors or to any business that is meeting County health protocols and/or policies.

• If any program is to be approved, it must be linked to the County of Los Angeles COVID-19 Emergency Order and cease to exist when the order is lifted.

• The business community will help publicize the County’s COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certificate Program for Business Owners and Employees. The business community will help the Health Department by reaching out to individual member companies and urging them to take the voluntary training and self-certify

The Hollywood Chamber takes Positions on Nov 3rd Ballot Measures

The Hollywood Chamber’s Board of Directors recently voted to take the following positions on upcoming ballot measures impacting Los Angeles and the Hollywood region:

  • SUPPORT Proposition 16: Repeal Proposition 209 Affirmative Action Amendment
  • SUPPORT Proposition 19: Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment
  • SUPPORT Proposition 22: App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative
  • SUPPORT Measure RR: School Upgrades and Safety Measure

The Board previously voted to OPPOSE Proposition 15: Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding Initiative and Proposition 21: Local Rent Control Initiative.

County Passes Health Councils Motion; Reopening California and Los Angeles County

LA County Public Health Councils Approved by Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the report from Department of Public Health that would create Public Health Councils to add another enforcement mechanism for employees in the workplace. The Chamber public policy team called in to testify our opposition for this item but were not chosen to speak in the 60 minute public comment period.

Our coalition of business advocacy groups met with the Department of Public Health and numerous Supervisor offices to ask questions and convey our confusion and opposition on this item. It is evident from the report submitted by the Department that their recommendations were strictly based on feedback from the labor community and no business advocacy groups were consulted.

The Department now has a few weeks turn around time to put together this complex public health council program and is on a listening tour with stakeholders to better understand how this can be implemented. The Hollywood Chamber will continue to reach out to the Supervisor offices, as well as the Department of Public Health to ensure that this time around, the report and recommendations reflect all stakeholders.

 

New “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” Releases Color-Tiered Structure for Reopening CA

Last Friday, Governor Newsom introduced a “Blueprint for a Safer Economy”, establishing a new color-coded system for businesses to re-open and schools to allow in-person instruction that went into effect on Monday. Under the new plan, each county is given a designation of “purple” (widespread), “red” (substantial) “orange” (moderate) or “yellow” (minimal) that measures the spread of COVID-19 and dictates what types of businesses and activities are allowed to open in each county. Los Angeles County is currently designated as “purple” based on the average new cases per day but has a 7-day average of five percent positivity testing rate which falls under the “orange” category. If a county has conflicting data, the designation will be the more restrictive option. Supervisor Janice Hahn announced on Wednesday that the LA County Health Officer Order will be updated to allow hair salons and barber shops to resume indoor operations at 25 percent capacity, although the implementation date is unclear.

It is not confirmed whether malls and other indoor business operations will be permitted with the updates to the Health Officer Order. A county must stay in their current tier for a minimum of three weeks before they are able to move into the less-restrictive tier in which a county must meet that tiers criteria for a minimum of two weeks. To read more on the new color-coded tier system click here.

 

To read more of the September 3rd 2020 Legislative Update click here.

LA County Public Health Councils Report

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors continues discussions and negotiations with local stakeholders regarding the Department of Public Health proposal to establish “public health councils” within businesses across the county to monitor compliance and report code violations to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has been actively engaging with supervisor staff and stakeholders expressing extensive concern with the proposal. The Department of Public Health was asked to consult with labor organizations, worker advocates, and business community representatives to create these recommendations. The Department consulted with only 4 business representatives and 18 labor organizations, showing a clear bias. Our coalition is asking the Board of Supervisors to deny the recommendations made by the Department and work with relevant business groups to ensure all stakeholders are consulted.

To read more of the August 27th 2020 Legislative Update click here.

Councilpresident Martinez Introduces “Land Use Reform” Package

Councilpresident Martinez  introduced a series of motions on 8/19/2020 around reforming the planning process and development agreement process within the City Council. The motions:

• Ask the City Planning Department as well as the Chief Legislative Analyst to develop criteria for high value projects and amend the planning process so these projects are diverted from the City’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee and go directly to the City Council.

• Ask the City Planning Department to update their Processes and Procedures Ordinance with additional criteria on when entitlements will be granted and should restrict actions from moving forward unless it can be established that they are in the public interest or otherwise adhere to established policies of the City. They also ask the department to create new protocols around communication between developers and council offices to help with transparency issues.

• Asks for the creation of a future ballot measure that would address the city’s desperate shortage of housing as well as the city’s RHNA obligation be modeled after TOC to incentivize broader community benefits such as affordable housing, high paying jobs, parks and open space and improvements to mobility and the public realm.

• Lead to an equitable distribution of new housing around the city based on high quality jobs, transit, and historic housing production.

To read the full set of motions please click here.

To read more of the August 19th 2020 Legislative Update click here.

2020 Economic Development Summit

Join us for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 26th annual Economic Development Summit, Hollywood NEXT on Thursday, October 15th from 9:00 to 12:00 pm.

The Economic Development Summit is Hollywood’s premier event that provides an exclusive platform for our members which highlights development, growth and transformation in the region. Going virtual this year, the Summit will dive into industry specific adaptability and the resiliency of economic development in Hollywood. Join the virtual conversation and become a partner in this unique and impactful event.