I am again asking for residents and business owners to make calls to specific council members to support a stricter anti-camping ordinance (CF 20-1376) that has been languishing in the council’s Homelessness and Poverty Committee since last November.
(This is in addition to calls to Council president Nury Martinez asking her to hold a hearing on a Motion to return to "tents down" 6 AM to 9 PM (CF 20-0147).)
On June 23, Councilmen Joe Buscaino and John Lee invoked Rule #54, which took the proposed ordinance from the Committee and moved it to a June 29th L.A. City Council meeting for consideration.
The draft ordinance would restrict people from lying, sleeping, sitting or placing tents and personal property on sidewalks 1) where it reduces the path of travel required by the American with Disabilities Act; 2) within 10 feet of an operational utilizable entrance, exit, driveway or loading dock; 3) within 500 feet of a facility that provides housing, shelter, supportive services, safe parking or storage to unhoused people (i.e., near Bridge Housing), 4) within 500 feet of a designated freeway overpass, underpass, ramp, tunnel or pedestrian subway, and 5) at all times and at all locations if a person has been offered shelter (emphasis added).
I am told that if the Motion is approved for discussion before the Council on June 29th, that the authors intend to amend into the ordinance a prohibition on lying, sleeping, sitting or placing tents and personal property on sidewalks within 500 feet of schools, childcare centers and parks (such as the Venice Beach Recreation Area).
If adopted, the ordinance would go to Mayor Eric Garcetti, who would have 10 days to either approve or veto the measure.
I would encourage residents to call these “swing” votes, who are on the fence, between now and Monday evening.
Councilman Gil Cedillo 213 473-7001
Councilman Paul Koretz 213 473-7005
Councilman Curren Price 213 473-7009
Councilman Kevin De Leon 213 473-7014
And our own councilman Mike Bonin 213 473-7011
Ask them to vote to hear and pass CF 20-1376, to make our sidewalks passable for everyone.
If you wish to weigh-in on the ordinance on the morning of the 29th, you can call 669-254-5252 after 10 AM, the meeting ID is 160-535-8466. Press # when prompted for participant ID
