SUP. ANTONOVICH: GOING TO HAVE THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY UNDERWATER UNIT. THE FIRST RECREATIONAL SCUBA RE-CERTIFICATION PROGRAM THAT IS PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATIONS. SO WE JUST DID THE HEAVENS, NOW WE'RE DOING THE UNDERWATER. SINCE 1954 THE PROGRAM HAS TRAINED MORE THAN 250,000 DIVERS, A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE. THEY OFFER PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE JUNIOR FROGMAN, AIR SNORKELING FOR YOUTH, ADVANCED DIVER PROGRAM AND UNDERWATER INSTRUCTION CERTIFICATION. AND AGAIN, 250,000. THEY'D BE THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES IF THAT WAS A SEPARATE CITY. SO TODAY WE HAVE RUSS GUINEY WHO IS THE DIRECTER OF PARKS AND RECREATION ALONG WITH LORI BENNET, SUPERINTENDENT OF CASTAIC LAKE WHO PARTICIPATED WITH RUSS AND JOHN AND OUR TRAIL RIDES WE HAVE TWICE A YEAR IN THE COUNTY. AND GARY HYDE, THE SENIOR LIFE GUARD OF CASTAIC LAKE. AND FROM THE COUNTY FIRE WE HAVE DOUGLAS, CAPTAIN DOUGLAS, DANNY DOUGLAS, DIVER OFFICER AND RETIRED CHIEF MICKEY GALLAGHER WHO IS A DIVE OFFICER. AND FROM THE LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT GONZALO MEDINA, MARINE SAFETY CAPTAIN AND OMAR NARONHO, DIVE OFFICER AND OUR PAST INSTRUCTORS JESSE ROSAS, DAVE BUNCH, AND, DAVE GOLDEN. AGAIN 250,000. THAT IS REMARKABLE. SO CONGRATULATIONS. WHO ARE WE GOING TO GIVE THIS TO? OKAY, COME OVER HERE AND WE'LL DO A PICTURE AND THEN YOU CAN SAY A FEW WORDS.
RUSS GUINEY: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SUPERVISOR. DURING WORLD WAR II, SELF-CONTAINED UNDERWATER BREATHING APPARATUS DEVICES WERE REALLY PERFECTED AND AFTER THE WAR, THEY BECAME A RECREATIONAL HIT. AND CALIFORNIA WAS CENTER OF THIS SPORT. UNFORTUNATELY, PEOPLE WERE NOT TRAINED AND DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO USE THIS TYPE OF DEVICE, AND THERE WERE MANY TRAGEDIES THAT OCCURRED. THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DIRECTED THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN 1954 TO DEVELOP A TRAINING PROGRAM. AT THAT TIME ALL THE BEACHES IN THE COUNTY, ALL THE LIFEGUARDS WERE UNDER THE HARBORS DEPARTMENT. THERE WASN'T A BEACHES AND HARBORS DEPARTMENT. AND THE DEPARTMENT PERFECTED THAT TRAINING AND HAS OFFERED TO ALL THESE PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS AS THE SUPERVISOR HAS MENTIONED, 60 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG. SO I SALUTE OUR UNIT. I SALUTE ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR UNDERWATER UNIT WHO CARRY ON THIS GREAT PROGRAM AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THIS INSTRUCTION SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN ENJOY THIS FANTASTIC UNDERWATER SPORT SAFELY AND ENJOYABLY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
SPEAKER: WELL ON BEHALF OF L.A. COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND REC AND THE LIFEGUARDS, IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS THAT COME OUT AND POUR THEIR HEART AND SOUL OUT BECAUSE THEY LOVE DIVING AND THEY LOVE THE SPORT AND WITHOUT THEM THEY ARE THE BACKBONES OF THE UNDERWATER UNITS AND WE ARE HERE STILL GOING STRONG. AND CABABRILLO BEACH MUSEUM, SATURDAY, WE ARE HAVING OUR 60TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY THERE. COME ON OUT. GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IT AND LEARN TO DIVE. IT'S GREAT GOING UNDER WATER. FUN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I HAVE SOME CARDS HERE FOR YOU GUYS, BOARD OF SUPS.
SUP. ANTONOVICH: DO YOU FIND ANY PEOPLE ENCASED IN CONCRETE WHEN YOU GO DIVING?
SPEAKER: NO, THEY MIGHT IN CASTAIC BECAUSE THE WATER IS SO LOW RIGHT NOW. BUT WE MIGHT SOON. JUST SO YOU KNOW WE WERE THE FIRST IN THE WORLD TO CERTIFY DIVERS SO L.A. COUNTY BE PROUD. THANK YOU.
SUP ANONOVICH: WE ALWAYS HAVE VERY HANDSOME LOOKING DOGS THAT ARE ASKED TO BE ADOPTED. THIS IS ONE OF THE VERY, VERY CUTE PRECIOUS LITTLE PUPPIES. SHE IS 12 WEEKS OLD. IT'S A WELSH TERRIER MIX AND SHE'S GOT THE SWEETEST. SHE CAME IN EARLIER THIS MORNING IN MY OFFICE AND SAY HI. HER NAME IS JAVA. SHE'S 12 WEEKS OLD. YOU CAN CALL 562-728-4610 AND LITTLE JAVA WILL BE YOUR LITTLE CUP OF HAPPINESS EVERY MORNING AND EVERY EVENING WHEN YOU COME HOME. SHE IS SO POISED. LOOK AT LITTLE JAVA. LOOK AT THAT. MARK, LOOK AT JAVA.
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: SUPERVISOR MOLINA? DO YOU HAVE ANY PRESENTATIONS? MARK, DO YOU HAVE ANY PRESENTATIONS? ALRIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD WITH THE AGENDA. MEMBERS, I'M GOING TO ASK SUPERVISOR MOLINA ASKED IF WE COULD DO ITEM NUMBER SIX FIRST. SUPERVISOR MOLINA?
SUP. MOLINA: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. WE JUST HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE ON ITEM NUMBER SIX. I GOING TO ASK A COUPLE OF PEOPLE TO COME UP AND JOIN ME. I CAN ASK GLADYS LIMON TO COME UP TO THE CENTER TABLE. FRANK VIALOBOS, AND MARK LOPEZ. AND ALSO KATRINA MACEIS IS HERE. SHE IS REPRESENTING HUNTINGTON PARK CITY COUNCIL. SHE IS ITS VICE MAYOR AND I WANT TO THANK HER FOR HER SUPPORT. THIS IS A A MOTION SIMPLY TO HAVE OUR COUNTY COUNSEL EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE KIND OF LEGAL ACTIONS THAT THEY COULD POTENTIALLY TAKE TO CLOSE, EXIDE, AND TO ABATE THE KIND OF TOXIC THREAT THAT IT IS POLLUTING IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE NOT BEEN SATISFIED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SUBSTANCE AND TOXIC AGENCY. THEY HAVE CREATED AN AGREEMENT WHICH REGRETTABLY IS NOT MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND I HOPE THAT THE COUNTY CAN GET INVOLVED IN THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY RESIDENTS THAT ARE INTIMIDATED WITH THE KIND OF POLLUTION THAT IS GOING ON THERE AND THE FACT THAT THIS AGENCY, EVEN THOUGH WE PUT TOGETHER A STRIKE TEAM TO WORK ON THIS, REGRETTABLY HAS NOT PARTICIPATED WITH THE COUNTY OR WITH THE RESIDENTS HERE SO LET ME BEGIN BY PRODUCING GLADYS LIMON WHO REPRESENTS COMMUNITIES FOR BETTER ENVIRONMENT TO JUST SHARE JUST A MINUTE OR TWO ON THIS ITEM AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE BOARD TO BE INVOLVED.
GLADYS LIMON: GOOD MORNING HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS GLADLY LIMON. I'M A STAFF ATTORNEY WITH COMMUNITIES FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT. EXIDE'S VERNON FACILITY HAS CHRONICALLY AND EGREGIOUSLY VIOLATED STATE AND FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS FOR DECADES. MEANWHILE EMITTING EXCESSIVE LEAD LEVELS AND SHOCKINGLY HIGH ARSENIC LEVELS CAUSING EXCESSIVE CANCER RISKS. AS THE BOARD KNOWS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A PENDING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AGAINST EXIDE AND THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF STATE AND PRIVATE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST IT. AND VERY RECENTLY THE DEPARTMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ENTERED INTO A STIPULATED ORDER WITH EXIDE THAT LIMITS EXIDE'S FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION AND ABSOLVES IT OF LIABILITIES. THE COUNTY ALSO HAS AN IMPORTANT STAKE IN THESE MATTERS, HOWEVER AS IT ALSO HOLDS RESPONSIBILITIES AND MAYBE EVEN LIABILITIES TO ENSURE EXIDE'S COMPLIANCE WITH COUNTY HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. EQUALLY IMPORTANT THE COUNTY HOLDS GENERAL GOVERNMENTAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROTECT COUNTY RESIDENTS FROM HEALTH DANGERS EXIDE HAS SUBJECTED THEM TO FOR DECADES. C.B.E.'S REVIEW OF EXIDE'S COURT FILINGS REVEAL THAT EXIDE IS GEARING UP TO REOPEN THE VERNON FACILITY AND CONTINUE ITS OPERATIONS. FURTHER OUR REVIEW OF THE AGREEMENT (INAUDIBLE) WITH THE STATE SHOWS THAT IT IS FULL OF HOLES, AMBIGUITIES, AND CONTINGENCIES WHICH CREATE GREAT UNCERTAINTY FOR AFFECTED RESIDENTS AND PLACE OUR HEALTH IN CONTINUED DANGER. THERE IS ALSO A QUESTION OF THE ADEQUACY OF THESE PURPORTED FINANCIAL ASSURANCES. IT'S TOO LITTLE, IT GIVES THEM TOO MUCH TIME AND GIVES THEM AN ABILITY TO NOT CLEAN UP THE SOIL TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY. ACCORDINGLY IT BEHOOVES THE COUNTY TO CONSIDER ITS LEGAL OBLIGATIONS AGAINST EXIDE FOR COUNTY VIOLATIONS AND OTHER CLAIMS AND SEEK RECOVERY. I DO NOT DOUBT THAT THE COUNTY WOULD TAKE SUCK LEGAL RECOURSE IF WE WERE DEALING WITH A CHILD CARE PROVIDER THAT ENGAGED IN CHILD ENDANGERMENT FOR YEARS ALL WHILE VIOLATING COUNTY LAWS. AND THE COUNTY SHOULD ACT NO DIFFERENTLY HERE. EXIDE HAS EXPOSED OUR COMMUNITIES AND ESPECIALLY CHILDREN TO UNFORGIVABLE LEVELS OF HEALTH RISKS. AND THE COUNTY SHOULD USE ITS POWERS TO HOLD EXIDE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE UNDER ITS JURISDICTION. THEREFORE WE ASK YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION BEFORE YOU. THANK YOU. FRANK?
FRANK VIALOBOS: GOOD MORNING SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS FRANK VIALOBOS. I'M HERE HOWEVER REPRESENTING MONSIGNOR JOHN MORETTA WHO IS DOING CHURCH WORK THIS MORNING FOR HIS DAY JOB. MONSIGNOR IS A PASTOR AT RESURRECTION CHURCH IN BOYLE HEIGHTS. IT'S THE PARISH ADJACENT TO TO THE EXIDE PLANT. THESE ARE HIS WORDS. "IT IS VERY DISTURBING TO HEAR THAT THE AGREEMENT ISSUED BY D.T.S.C. AGAINST EXIDE. YOU HAVE HEARD OF SERIAL KILLERS. WELL EXIDE IS A SERIAL POLLUTER. THIS AGREEMENT SIMPLY GIVES EXCIDE ANOTHER REPRIEVE WHEN IN REALITY THEY SHOULD BE TOLD TO SHUT DOWN, CLEAN UP THE MESS, AND GO HOME. THIS AGREEMENT HAS SO MANY BACKDOOR DEALS FOR EXIDE TO EXCUSE OR EXEMPT ITSELF THAT IT IS A WONDER IF THE ATTORNEYS DID NOT WRITE IT FOR THEM. WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT ALL ALONG EXIDE WILL BE FORCED TO CLEAN UP ITS MESS. IT HAS BEEN LITERALLY YEARS SINCE THE COMMUNITY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE LEAD CONTAMINATION, THE ARSENIC AND OTHER TOXINS THAT WE ARE BEING PUT INTO OUR HOMESCHOOLS AND WORKPLACES. I KNOW THAT JUSTICE IS OFTEN SLOW BUT THIS AGREEMENT WILL GIVE THEM TIME AS MUCH AS TEN YEARS TO CLEAN UP THE PROBLEM. WHAT COMMUNITY, WHAT SOCIETY IS GOING TO ACCEPT THAT IN ORDER TO CONTINUE LIVING WITH THIS POLLUTION? MEANWHILE THE D.T.S.C. MAY ISSUE A PERMANENT EXTENSION FOR EXIDE TO CONTINUE OPERATING."
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL?
SUP. MOLINA: WE HAVE ONE MORE.
MARK LOPEZ: MY NAME IS MARK LOPEZ. I'M WITH EAST SIDE COMMUNITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY. EXIDE HAS POISONED US FOR YEARS. D.T.S.C. HAS FAILED US FOR YEARS. WE CAN'T COUNT ON THEM TO STRIKE UP A DEAL THAT'S GOING TO DO RIGHT BY US. WE'RE VERY SKEPTICAL. WE'VE LOOKED AT THE AGREEMENT. WE DON'T THINK IT GOES FAR ENOUGH. WE THINK IT LETS BOTH EXIDE AND D.T.S.C. OFF THE HOOK. D.T.S.C. HAS BEEN IRRESPONSIBLE ON THE GROUND WITH OUR RESIDENTS WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THERE IS NO TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY. THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR AND ANXIETY. WE LOOK TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR THE LEADERSHIP THAT OUR COMMUNITIES NEED. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE COUNTY BE DISRESPECTED IN THE WAY THAT THEY HAVE WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, BEING EXCLUDED FROM THE PROCESS AND SO I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TODAY. THANK YOU. SUP. MOLINA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS, AGAIN WHAT IS GOING ON HERE IS THAT WE HAVE TRIED EVERY WAY TO HAVE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND FIND A WAY TO WORK WITH THE D.T.S.C. REGRETTABLY WE SENT A FIVE SIGNATURE LETTER. I HAVE NEVER SEEN OUR ENTIRE BOARD BEING DISRESPECTED LIKE THAT. THERE'S BEEN NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER. IN THE MEANTIME THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING ARRANGEMENTS DIRECTLY WITH EXIDE AND TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER WHAT THEY CALL AS A SETTLEMENT OF SOME TYPE BUT IT REALLY ISN'T THE KIND OF ORDER THAT WE NEED. WE AS A BOARD SHOULD BE VERY CONCERNED THAT WE HAVE A STATE REGULATORY ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT BEING ATTENTIVE TO THE NEEDS. THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN FOR L.A. COUNTY IS FOR EXIDE TO LEAVE AND LEAVE THIS CONTAMINATED, POLLUTING FACILITY HERE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY WITHOUT TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY. THE NINE MILLION DOLLARS IS CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO CLEAN UP WHAT THEY'VE POLLUTED SO FAR. WE DON'T KNOW THE EXTENT OF IT. SO WHAT THIS MOTION DOES IT BASICALLV ASKS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO AUTHORIZE OUR COUNTY COUNCIL TO EXPLORE THE POTENTIAL LEGAL ACTIONS THEY CAN TAKE AGAINST EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR IN CONCERT WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS OR PUBLIC AGENCIES AND REPORT TO OUR BOARD IN A WEEK WITH THOSE LEGAL OPTIONS TO EITHER CLOSE EXIDE OR MAKE THE TOXIC CONDITIONS SURROUNDING THE FACILITIES AND IN PARTICULAR THE AFFECTED NEIGHBORHOODS. SO THAT IS BEFORE US AND I SO MOVE.
SUP. KNABE: THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS HOW DOES THIS PLAY INTO THE RECENT ORDER THAT WAS ISSUED HERE SINCE YOU FILED THIS MOTION ABOUT THE FINE AND THE TRUST FUND?
SUP. MOLINA: I'M SORRY?
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: HOW DOES YOUR MOTION PLAY NOW AFTER SINCE YOUR MOTION WAS FILED THERE WAS SOME SORT OF JUDGMENT AGAINST EXIDE AS THERE WAS TO A FINE AND TRUST GONE OF NINE MILLION DOLLARS?
SUP. MOLINA: RIGHT WHAT THEY HAVE DONE JUST SO WE HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING, THE DEPARTMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES HAS BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS WITH EXIDE. THEY HAD NOT INVOLVED THE COUNTY. IF YOU REMEMBER ABOUT A MONTH AGO WE PUT TOGETHER AND ASKED FOR A STRIKE TEAM TO BE PUT TOGETHER. THEY HAVE NOT MET WITH ANY OF OUR AGENCIES INCLUDING OUR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WITH REGARD TO ANY OF THESE ISSUES. WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE. OUR CONCERN HERE IS THAT THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD ON CREATING SOME KIND OF SETTLEMENT WITHOUT A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW EXTENSIVE THE POLLUTION IN THAT AREA TO WHAT EXTENT. NEED TO GET INVOLVED MR. CHAIRMAN, ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF L.A. COUNTY TO HOLD THIS ACCOUNTABLE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAVE ABANDONED THE SITE IN TEXAS WHICH IS A REAL PROBLEM FOR THE AREA THAT THEY LEFT BEHIND. WE ARE CONCERNED HERE THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AS WELL. GLADYS CAN TELL YOU AT LENGTH AS TO WHY THIS IS NOT CLEARLY THE KIND OF ORDER THAT WE NEED. THERE HAS BEEN NO DIALOGUE AT ALL WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. AND SO CONSEQUENTLY, WE NEED TO FIND A WAY, WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY BUT ASKING OUR LAWYERS TO FIND A WAY TO INTERVENE IN SOME FASHION ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY AND THE RESIDENTS OF THE AREA. SO YES, THERE IS SOME ARRANGEMENT THAT THEY ARE MAKING BUT IT ISN'T IN CONCERT WITH ANY OF US EITHER OUR COUNTY OFFICIALS OR ANYONE, RESIDENTS WITHIN THE AREA. SO WHAT WE'RE ASKING OUR LAWYERS TO DO IS TO LOOK FOR THE OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO US.
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: REPORT BACK. ZEV? DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY OBJECTIONS? SO ORDERED.
SUP. MOLINA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WANT TO THANK THE RESIDENTS THAT JOINED US THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: WE'LL RECONSIDER THAT ITEM. WE DO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. MR. SACHS?
ARNOLD SACHS: YES, THANK YOU, ARNOLD SACHS. AND CONGRATULATIONS, SUPERVISOR MOLINA. TWENTY-THREE YEARS AND ELEVEN MONTHS. THAT'S SOME INTIMIDATION. HOW LONG HAS EXIDE BEEN LOCATED IN THIS ARA? I'M SURE IT'S BEEN OVER 23 YEARS AND 11 MONTHS. INTIMIDATION. THE GOVERNOR CAME TO THE BOARD TO DISCUSS PROP 30. CAN'T GET THE GOVERNOR TO COME DOWN HERE AND FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON? DON'T YOU PAY FOR PEOPLE TO GO UP TO SACRAMENTO TO ARGUE ON THEIR BEHALF? WHO MAKES THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE D.T.S.C.? AND WHO IS OVERSIGHT OF THAT? IS THAT THE GOVERNOR? IS THAT THE STATE LEGISLATION? THE LAWYER, THE ATTORNEY SAID COUNTY HANDLING CHILDCARE. SHE MUST NOT HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE TEENS HAPPY HOMES SITUATION IT TOOK SEVEN YEARS FOR THEM TO CLOSE. WITH THE CAROUSEL TRACK IN CARSON THERE'S THE OIL PUMPING IN U.S.C. AND MISS MOLINA DID MENTION THE STRIKE TEAM. WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? YEAH.
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: MR. SACHS, STAY THERE AND YOU CAN SPEAK ON 22, 38, 39, 40, AND 65. MR. FLIPPEN, 6-P 10, 27. PREVEN, 4-P, 10, 11, 22, 30, 34, 41, 43, 44, 57, 58, 65-D AND CS-1.
ARNOLD SACHS: YOU'RE NOT HOLDING 22 AS A SPECIAL ITEM? THE PUENTE HILLS LANDFILL?
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: I WILL LET YOU TESTIFY ON IT RIGHT NOW.
ARNOLD SACHS: IF YOU'RE GOING TO HOLD IT AS A SPECIAL ITEM I'D LIKE TO TESTIFY THEN.
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: YOUR TIME IS RUNNING.
ARNOLD SACHS: YEAH I KNOW IT'S RUNNING. THANK YOU. ANYWAY I DID HOLD SOME OTHER ITEMS. I THINK YOUR SYSTEM TODAY STINKS. YOU HAD LINES AT ALL THE KIOSKS AND YOU CAN'T SIGN UP. YOU WERE EXPECTING A BIG CROWD. I DID HOLD ITEM NO. 3. IT MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY WANTED TO USE MEASURE R LOCAL RETURN FUNDS FOR ATWATER VILLAGE, SOMETHING AT ATWATER VILLAGE, A DAM OR SOMETHING. BUT YOU OVERSEE THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. AND ATWATER VILLAGE IS IN THE CITY OF L.A., WHICH GETS ITS OWN MEASURE R LOCAL RETURN FUNDS, THAT 15 PERCENT. SO YOU'RE TAKING MONEY THAT SHOULD GO TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREA AND USING IT FOR A CITY PROJECT. CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THAT'S DONE? BECAUSE YOU ARE THE OVERSIGHT FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS IN THE COUNTY. AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS IN EACH ONE OF YOUR DISTRICTS. YOU USE FUNDING THAT MEASURE R LOCAL RETURN IS THE MEASURE R TAX THAT'S RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY BY THIS MEASURE. AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE USED IN THOSE COMMUNITIES. SO HOW CAN YOU TAKE MONEY FROM THE UNINCORPORATED AREA AND USE IT FOR THE CITY OF L.A.? I HELD ITEM NO. 8, A GRAFFITI REMOVAL AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS FACILITIES. CAN ANYBODY HERE SAY BLUE LINE? DO YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF GRAFFITI AGREEMENT TO REMOVE THE GRAFFITI THAT'S ON THE BLUE LINE? OR IS THAT JUST PART OF METRO'S ART WALK TOUR, THAT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A FREE ACCESS PASS FOR? BECAUSE THEY GIVE THEM OUT WHEN YOU GO ON A METRO STATION TOUR. BEEN ON THE BLUE LINE LATELY? SUPERVISOR RIDLEY-THOMAS? I OFFERED TO HAVE HIM PAY. I HELD ITEM 28. YOU'RE USING TEMPORARY SERVICES FOR LIBRARY PERSONNEL. CAN ANYBODY SAY VETS, VETS, VETS? I HELD ITEM 56. YOU HAVE 14 DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE BEING -- THAT ARE GOING THROUGH SOME RECLASSIFICATION. WHAT'S THE COST FOR THAT RECLASSIFICATION? HOW MANY EMPLOYEES? WHO AUTHORIZES THE STUDY? AND WHAT IS THAT ACTUALLY GOING TO COST THE PUBLIC? I HELD ITEM 65-A. IT'S A RETIREMENT SEMINAR. AND IF ANYBODY HAS AN AGENDA, YOU CAN CHECK ITEM A-3. IT TALKS ABOUT THE UNDERFUNDED LACERA PENSION FUND THAT WAS AGENDIZED BY THE BOARD AT 11/16/2010. SO IT'S OUTLASTING THE C.E.O. AND TWO OF THE SUPERVISORS AND IT STILL HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED. I HELD ITEM 65-B. THE COMPREHENSIVE PARKS AND RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT. YOU WANT TO PRODUCE A NEW PLAN. YOU HAD THE SAFE PARKS PROPOSITION FROM 1996 AND '92 AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE A PLAN FOR IT? YOU THINK YOU'D REVISED THE PLAN NOW THAT YOU'RE LOSING FUNDING. NO, WE'RE GOING TO PUT A NEW PLAN IN. AND THEN 65-D, ESTABLISH A POLICY --
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: YOUR TIME'S UP.
ARNOLD SACHS: THANK YOU, SIR. YOU'RE A REAL CHAMPION OF THE PUBLIC.
SPEAKER: YOUR HONOR, MR. KNABE, COMMISSIONER, IS THERE ANY WAY DURING MY COMMENTARY, WE COULD POSSIBLY PLAY A YOUTUBE VIDEO?
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: NO.
SPEAKER: OKAY. THEN I'LL OPT FOR A PUBLIC COMMENTARY. MY NAME'S AMEER FLIPPEN AND I'M PUSHING THE LOS ANGELES COOPERATIVE INITIATIVE. MY GOAL IN COMMENTING ON AGENDA ITEMS ARE REALLY JUST TO HELP THE GENERAL PUBLIC, TO HELP EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON SNIPPETS OF INFORMATION ON COOPERATIVES RELATIVE TO A PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM. THE PUBLIC COMMENTARY IS REALLY AIMED AT BECOMING SOMEWHAT, IF ANYONE'S FAMILIAR WITH A FINANCIAL DRIPS PROGRAM WHERE THE GENERAL PUBLIC SLOWLY CONVINCES THE BOARD THROUGH RESEARCH AND SURVEYS THAT STRUCTURING COOPERATIVES FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY SHOULD BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF A COMMUNITY PLAN. THE COOPERATIVE X HAS A SMALL DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN WHERE COMMUNITY FUNDS, LONG TERM STABILITY THROUGH THEIR OWN PRIVATE INTERNAL EFFORTS AND ACTIONS. THE PARKS AND RECREATIONS DIVISION, WE'VE GOT SEVERAL AGENDA ITEMS TODAY WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION. IN THE PAST, IT DEFINITELY QUALIFIES AS AN ANCHOR INSTITUTION. THE PARKS AND THE RECREATIONS DIVISION, THEY'RE DEFINITELY NOT GOING ANYWHERE. SO, SORT OF THROUGH THE ANCHOR INSTITUTION IDEA, SEVERAL AGENDA ITEMS ARE REALLOCATING EXCESS FUNDS FOR MAINTENANCE OF MOUNTAINOUS AND PARK AREAS, THE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE SECTORS ARE IDEAL FOR COMMUNITY WEALTH AND EQUITY BUILDING. IT'S AN IDEAL SITUATION. IT'S A SERVICE. YOU CAN GET EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED. AND THE COMMUNITY MUTUALLY BENEFITS LONGER TERM AS OPPOSED TO SORT OF EXPENDING CAPITAL AND ASKING FOR MORE MONEY EACH YEAR. EACH PUBLIC COMMENT IS REALLY MEANT TO HELP THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MAKE A MORE ACCURATE FUNDING DECISION ON EXISTING AGENDA ITEMS WHILE HELPING COMMUNITY LEADERS CONSIDER AND STRUCTURE COOPERATIVES AS AN ALTERNATIVE LONG TERM INVESTMENT STRATEGY. PERSONALLY AS A FORMER INVESTMENT ADVISER AND STOCKBROKER, I DON'T THINK I CAN CLOSE THE MAJORITY LATINO COMMUNITY ON COOPERATIVES. THEREFORE, MY GOALS ARE BASICALLY TO SORT OF LEAD IN A SMALL EXAMPLE WHILE FOCUSING MY EFFORTS IN AREAS WHERE I'M PROMISED A SMALL PERCENTAGE TO SHARE IN TERMS OF SMALL COOPERATIVES. IT'S DEFINITELY AN OPTION. L.A.'S A REALLY LARGE COMMUNITY OF COMMUNITIES. AND IF YOU COULD SOME KIND OF WAY CARVE OUT SOME KIND OF PLAN OR SOME ALLOCATION WITHIN YOUR BUDGETS FOR EACH COMMUNITY, RECYCLING COOPERATIVES FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS WOULD BE A GREAT SORT OF UNDERCURRENT TO FUND OTHER COOPERATIVES. THANK YOU.
ERIC PREVEN: YES. IT'S ERIC PREVEN THE COUNTY RESIDENT FROM DISTRICT 3. GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. TODAY IS A VERY BUSY, BUSY DAY AND WE WERE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S S-1 REPORT SO I'LL COME BACK TO THAT FOR SURE. THE POPULATION MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS ITEM NUMBER 63 FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN KICKED DOWN THE ROAD FOR MONTHS. THAT IS, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT CONSTITUTES AN EXAMPLE OF THE CIRCLE OF SERVICE AWARD THAT MR. FUJIOKA RECEIVED TODAY, BUT I DO THINK WE SHOULD HEAR FROM HIM ON THAT PARTICULAR MATTER. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO RAISE, AND SUPERVISOR MOLINA I BELIEVE IS THE ONE WHO INITIATED THIS HOWARD BEAL MOMENT SOME YEARS AGO REGARDING THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT'S CONTRACT WITH SENTINEL OFFENDER SERVICES. THESE ARE THE GUYS WHO PROVIDE ELECTRONIC MONITORING SO WE CAN ALERT MAYOR ANTONOVICH THAT WE'RE ON THAT SUBJECT NOW. THIS IS APPALLING. THIS IS A YEARLONG LOOK-SEE ABOUT WHAT KIND OF TECHNOLOGY MIGHT BE OUT THERE AS ITERATION AS ITERATION OF MOBILE PHONE AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY KEEPS COMING FORWARD AT AN ALARMING RATE WE ARE MIRED IN ENDLESS COUNTY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT? CONSIDERATION? AS I TOLD MR. POWERS TODAY WHO PROUDLY DROPPED TO ONE KNEE AND APOLOGIZED FOR THIS TAKING SO LONG, WE NEED TO MOVE THIS ALONG. OKAY, THIS SHOULD NOT BE A YEAR OUT FOR A CONTRACT FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING. I MEAN, SAVE THE COMMENTS FOR DIVERSION FOR S-1. BUT REALLY THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF DIVERTING PEOPLE FROM UNNECESSARY INCARCERATION. OKAY. THE CATEGORY OF INFLUENCE TODAY IS, AS ALWAYS, BRIMMING WITH INTERESTING ITEMS. ITEM NO. 60 IS OUR GOOD FRIENDS FROM BROOKFIELD WHO ARE LOBBYING THROUGH ENGLANDER KNABE AND ALLEN, AN OUTSTANDING FIRM ARE GETTING 91 CONDOS GOING IN WHITTIER WHICH WE ALL HAVE SORT OF SIGNED OFF ON, SO KUDOS. ITEM NO. 40 IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES GROUP, SOUTH BAY WORKFORCE, ET CETERA, GETTING ADDITIONAL MONEY. THE PART THERE THAT IS CONFUSING FOR ME, JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES THAT HAS A NUMBER OF CONTRACTS IS ALSO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAXIMUS. AND MAXIMUS IS A BIG ENGLANDER KNABE AND ALLEN LOBBYIST. WE NEED TO MONITOR THAT. SUPERVISOR MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS IS A WARRIOR. I THINK WE ALL KNOW HE IS FIGHTING AGAINST THE KIND OF CORRUPTION IN THIS COUNTY WHEN HE SEES. ONE HE'S IDENTIFIED TODAY HAS TO DO WITH 1977 SATURN L.L.C., WHICH IS A FACILITY. THE ITEM IS 65-D. AND SOME QUESTIONS HAVE ARISEN AS TO WAS DUE DILIGENCE DONE IN SEEKING A FACILITY LIKE THIS TO ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOVING OUT OF THE VERMONT CORRIDOR? AND IT'S AN ACQUISITION OF $38 MILLION FOR A BUILDING. IT'S BEEN INTRODUCED BY MR. FUJIOKA AS A SWEETHEART DEAL THAT WE BETTER RUN AND GRAB. NOW IT'S COME OUT THERE'S ISSUES WITH THE MAINTENANCE AND FACILITY. AND THERE'S QUESTIONS AS TO WHO SPECIFICALLY IS INVOLVED WITH THIS GROUP. I THOUGHT IT LOOKED LIKE G.E. CAPITAL IS THE OWNER. I DON'T KNOW. I ASKED AND MR. FUJIOKA DECLINED TO UPDATE ME ON THAT. MAYBE MISS CULP CAN PROVIDE THAT KIND OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. ITEM NO. 34, MAYOR ANTONOVICH IS GENEROUSLY COMING UP WITH $2 MILLION TO PROVIDE A SKATE PARK IN LA CRESCENTA.
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: THANK YOU.
ERIC PREVEN: I WOULD MOVE. WELL THAT'S IT? GOOD STUFF. THANK YOU.
SUP. KNABE, CHAIRMAN: LUCKY DAY. MADAME EXECUTIVE OFFICER? OH, I'M SORRY. DR. CLAVREUL. DR. CLAVREUL, YOU'VE HELD 10, 19 AND 30?
DR. GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL: ANYWAY ON ITEM NO. 10, I SPOKE TO THAT ITEM BEFORE ABOUT THE PUTTING ALL THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOGETHER. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. I THINK WE HAVE BEEN DELAYING OVER AND OVER AGAIN ALL THE TIME. AND I FEEL ALL SHOULD NOT BE TOTALLY TOGETHER WHEN IT COMES TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. I THINK REDUNDANCY IS IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY IN A PLACE LIKE CALIFORNIA WHERE WE HAVE EARTHQUAKE AND SO ON. SO THAT WILL BE JUST ONE OF MY SUBSECTION. ON ITEM 19, I MAINLY HELD IT TO KNOW HOW LONG YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE US TO GET A FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH, OR IF YOU HAVE ALREADY HIRED. I KNOW IT WAS A CLOSED SESSION YESTERDAY. SO IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ASKED SOMEBODY OR NOT. AND ON ITEM 30, ACTUALLY I CANNOT BELIEVE MY EYES BECAUSE IT IS AGAIN FOR THE NEW M.L.K. HOSPITAL. WHICH IS NOT FINISHED. A HOSPITAL THAT WE HAVE ALREADY ALLOCATED ALTOGETHER $323 MILLION. THAT'S A PRETTY STEEP AMOUNT. EVEN SO ON THAT ITEM TODAY THEY SAID THE PROJECT INITIALLY WAS 281,430 MILLION. NOW IT'S NOT TRUE. IT'S ABOUT 323 MILLION EXACTLY. NOW YOU ARE COMING BACK ADDING AN EXTRA ALMOST 3 MILLION. HOW LONG? HOW OFTEN ARE YOU GOING TO INCREASE THE MONEY TO THAT PLACE WITH M.L.K.? I MEAN, ALMOST EVERY WEEK IT HAS BEEN A NEW ITEM. THE WEEK BEFORE IT WAS FOR PARKING. NOW IT'S FOR -- IT'S ABSURD. WHEN YOU HAVE A CONTRACT OF THAT MAGNITUDE, THE RESEARCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE WELL ENOUGH SO THOSE LITTLE INCIDENTAL THINGS ARE NOT COMING UP ALMOST ALL THE TIME. I JUST HOPE THAT MAYBE SOMEBODY FROM THE MEDIA. OR SOMEBODY FROM, YOU KNOW, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR ANYBODY WHO HAVE ANY KIND OF POWER TO LOOK WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING, REALLY LOOK AT THAT. IT IS TRULY A DISGRACE. AND I WILL COME BACK ALL THE TIME AND EVENTUALLY SOMEBODY WILL LISTEN BECAUSE IT ALWAYS HAPPEN. THANK YOU.