Herald Publications - El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lawndale & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 1, No. 10 - November 7, 2019
Inside
This Issue
Calendar of Events.............5
Certified & Licensed
Professionals.......................7
Classifieds............................2
Entertainment......................2
Hawthorne............................3
Hawthorne Hotspot............3
Lawndale..............................4
Inglewood.............................5
Legals.................................6,7
Pets........................................8
Weekend
Forecast
Butts, Snoop Dogg Celebrate
Reopening of Metro’s A Line
On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) celebrated the completion of the $350 million New Blue Improvements Project. Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts,
who was sworn in as the new Metro Board Chairman, hosted the kickoff of the new A Line Station with Hip Hop icon Snoop Dogg. Photo: City of Inglewood
Council Keeps Eye on Inglewood
as Litigation Looms Downtown
By Haleemon Anderson
Business was usual at this week’s meeting
of the Inglewood City Council, even as
across town efforts were underway to keep
the LA Clippers and a much-anticipated $1.1
billion basketball complex out of Inglewood.
Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge
Daniel Murphy heard final testimony in a
case brought against the City of Inglewood
by Uplift Inglewood Coalition. The suit aims
to block the arena and have its proposed
site designated for affordable housing. The
advocacy group has been characterized as
David up against Goliath -- the giant being
Inglewood in concert with Clippers owner
Steve Ballmer. Lawyers from all three parties
gave testimony, with a ruling expected
Monday.
Back on the dais, the City Council put the
final touches on landmark housing reform.
With unanimous approval, the group amended
Inglewood’s municipal code to staunch rent
increases at 3 to 5 percent per year while
adding protections against unjust evictions
and creating a rental housing board.
The headline-grabbing initiative, not seen
since Santa Monica instituted rent control
40 years ago, has captured attention up and
down the California coast. Several cities
took similar action recently, responding to
the rampant housing crisis. And just last
month, Governor Gavin Newsom passed
sweeping legislation (AB 1482) to cap rent
hikes statewide. Inglewood set a five-year
end date on the caps, after which time rent
increases align with the State mandate of
5 percent.
Mayor James T. Butts reminded the audience
the Council was initially against the notion of
rent control. “This is the result of a turning
point,” said Butts. He said the stabilization
will protect renters while the benefits of new
developments are being fully realized.
Landlords and property owners will also see
benefits, added Butts. “Most of the property
owners that have owned since 2012 received
a windfall evaluation,” he said. And under
prior adverse conditions around the city, Butts
noted, it might have been hard to justify
yearly increases. Now, incremental increases
of 3 percent a year can yield returns. “That’s
why the Council believes that the five-year
sunset is fair.”
The Council postponed a public hearing on
a resolution to increase water service rates.
The hearing will be held at the meeting of
Dec. 17. Background notes on the subject
indicate an annual shortfall of $4 million,
being subsidized by the general fund.
A public hearing was set for the meeting
of Nov. 19 to consider a zoning change at
a parcel between La Colina Drive and East
Beach Avenue. The 63,783-square foot site
is northeast of the Florence and Hillcrest
intersection, near St. John’s Church.
An updated salary ordinance provision
received unanimous approval, after discussion
to add staff positions allocated as Assistant
to the Councilmember to the list of range
adjustments. The impact on the 2019-2020
budget is $382,000.
In public comments, several residents spoke
in opposition to a proposed 7-11 and gas
station at 64th and La Brea. Councilmember
Alex Padilla said the matter would be taken
up at the next Planning Commission meeting.
Councilmember George Dotson announced
a turkey giveaway on Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. More
details can be found on the City’s website
or local community centers.
City Manager Artie Fields announced planning
for the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. Celebration. In addition to the memorial
breakfast and outdoor festival, the Jan. 18
event will feature a Queen and Court this
holiday. Juniors and seniors who live or
attend school in Inglewood are eligible. Applications
are available online only. Nov.18
is the deadline.
The Inglewood City Council meets every
Tuesday, unless otherwise noted, at 2 p.m.
in the Council chambers on the 9th floor,
Inglewood City Hall. •
Friday
Sunny
77˚/61˚
Saturday
Sunny
82˚/59˚
Sunday
Sunny
79˚/57˚
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