Issuu

January 10, 2019

VOL. 34, No. 02

Two African Americans Sworn-in To Top State Posts

Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

Aligned with the new governor of the state of California’s vision, two African Americans who were recently sworn-in to their elected seats both said they are also committed to making bold and progressive changes. Tony Thurmond, who took the oath as superintendent of Public of Instruction, and Malia Cohen, affirmed as one of four members of the State Board of Equalization, have expressed excitement about carrying out the duties of their positions. Thurmond, 50, made a bold statement at his swearing-in ceremony at C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento. A Democrat, Thurmond became the 28th state superintendent of Public Instruction and the second African American to hold the office. Thurmond chose McClatchy High School, “strategically and intentionally,” he said. The school has been embroiled in racial incidents in the last couple of years, including a racist video that was posted on Instagram by two of its students. A female and male appeared to be in blackface while the latter made racial epithets 4 towards African

CHAIR GLORIA GRAY WILL FOCUS ON DELTA TUNNELS, DIVERSITY By Emily C. Dooley

loria Gray became chairwoman of the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California on Jan. 1 and made history, though not for the first time. She will be the first African-American and second woman to head the board of directors in the 90-year history of the state’s southern zone, the nation’s largest treated water supply district. It delivers water to 26 public agencies that supply water for 19 million Californians. She was the first African-American woman to serve as vice chair of the board. “My background is totally different than the average person in water,” Gray said, “I think I represent more diversity in the community. I represent the average ratepayer. I know the issues of a workingclass person.” Gray will preside over board meetings; appoint members to committees, and represent district policies at the local, state, and national levels. Her position is unpaid but receives a per diem for meetings. Gray’s biggest priority is keeping the $17 billion WaterFix project moving forward; a state project backed by departing Gov. Jerry Brown. It entails building three new intake valves in the northern part of the state and connecting 2

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 43RD DISTRICT CONGRESS MEMBER

MAXINE WATERS!

THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN AND

FIRST WOMAN TO CHAIR THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Congratulations to The Conscience of Congress The 55 Members of The Congressional Black Caucus & Chair Congressmember Karen Bass JOIN US ON

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January 10, 2019

Continued from page 1: Chair Gloria Gray Will Focus on Delta Tunnels, Diversity

them to two new 35-mile underground tunnels that in turn feed state and federal water supply delivery infrastructure in the southern part of the state. The MWD is the primary funder and a big supporter of the project, saying it updates 50-year-old infrastructure to adhere to new environmental protections while providing water in a system that is more resilient to earthquakes, sea-level rise, and floods. The project faces dozens of lawsuits and funding uncertainty, and still needs a crucial state water-rights permit. Opponents say the construction alone could disrupt agriculture, taint water supplies, and force people to abandon the towns of Clarksburg and Hood, plus invite harmful barge and truck traffic. But Gray is unwavering in her commitment to WaterFix and supports the district’s decision to provide $11 billion in funding, a vote that prompted a lawsuit. “I think this issue was vetted enough to make the decision,” she said. “We had to make that decision for future generations.” But that doesn’t mean compromises aren’t possible. I would listen; see if there is some action I can take to minimize some of those issues.” Collaboration, openness, and a quiet but firm style will help her face the challenges of the post, said Felicia Marcus, chairwoman of the State Water Resources Control Board, which implements water laws, sets policies, decides on water rights claims, and provides financial assistance to communities for water infrastructure. “She’s good at listening to people,” Marcus told Bloomberg Environment. “She’s got that quiet but nonetheless powerful leadership style. She’s one of those people that one would underestimate at their peril.” Even opponents call her kind, open, and reasonable. “It’s really hard to fight with her, because she’s so nice,” Restore the Delta Ex-

ecutive Director Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla said. Her group is thrilled a female person of color and former Delta Stewardship Council member is chairwoman, but it is disappointed in her support of WaterFix. “She’s bought into the propaganda of the Metropolitan Water District that this is going to solve the problem,” BarriganParrilla said. “Sadly, it’s not. You would want the new chairwoman to understand there are so many better ways to supply sustainable water delivery for her own customers while protecting the delta.” Outreach, particularly to minority communities and ratepayers, will be a top priority for Gray. She hopes her presence encourages more minorities to seek careers in the water industry. “They can see me and believe they can achieve it, too,” she said. Born in Houston, Gray’s family moved to the Los Angeles area when she was 9 and she got her first job at age 16. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Redlands and a health services management certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles. Gray worked 30 years for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, retiring as a health care administrator. Her entry into politics came in 1995 when she was elected to the Inglewood Unified School District’s board of education after friends asked her to run. She served two terms as school board president before fellow Democrats persuaded her in 2006 to run for a long-held seat on the West Basin Municipal Water District. Gray won and became the first AfricanAmerican elected to serve in the district. She joined the Metropolitan Water District 38-member board in 2009, and members encouraged her to run for the chair’s seat. Three candidates vied for the spot, and board members elected her to the two-year term with 59 percent of the vote. “It’s a new look,” Gray concluded, “and Met is moving toward the future.”

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NEWSOM PROPOSES

FREE By Angela Hart

CA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

As part of his broad education blueprint for California, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will propose a full two years of free community college in his first budget next week, according to a source close to Newsom with knowledge of the plan. Newsom will include an additional $40 million in his budget to fund a second year of tuition-free community college, according to a gubernatorial transition document obtained by POLITICO. Full-time students already have the first year waived under a law that took effect this school year at participating campuses. Free tuition would be available for first-time students enrolled in classes full-time at any of California’s 115 community colleges that choose to waive fees, according to the document. Under the plan, each college district could use their state funding to waive fees or expand student programs while continuing to charge students. Newsom will also propose an additional $5 million for the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to boost outreach encouraging students to complete a two-year program or transfer to a four-year college. If community college districts waive fees, the plan would largely benefit middle- and upper-income families, based on past legislative analyses, since the system has long eliminated fees for low-income students. It builds on the “California College Promise” spearheaded by the state Legislature, which in 2017 passed CA AB19 (17R) that provided state funding to community colleges to cover the first year of tuition for first-time, full-time students. To qualify for the second-year program, colleges are required to meet requirements of the first-year program, which also give districts the flexibility to waive fees or use the money to expand programs. “The governor is using his first budget to send a powerful message that education is a priority for the state, from early education to adulthood,” said Debbie Cochrane, executive vice president of The Institute for College Access and Success, which advocates for greater resources for community colleges and students. “Students will be better off ... California needs to make education a priority to retain its economic strength.” Several Assembly Democrats have already introduced legislation, CA AB2 (19R), to do just what New-

som is proposing. At $46 a unit, the plan would save at least $552 a semester for those who qualify. Earlier this week, Newsom unveiled a $1.7 billion early childhood education and development plan that outlines a path to universal preschool and full-day kindergarten, and seeks to fund maternity and prenatal wellness programs for expecting mothers and newborns. “At the other end of the cradleto-career spectrum is higher education,” the Newsom budget document reads. It provides yet another glimpse at Newsom’s “California for All” agenda he has outlined in early budget documents. California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley said the plan would “give more Californians the opportunity to gain the skills and credentials needed to succeed in today’s economy.” Beyond his education plan, Newsom’s other major campaign promises include creating a universal health care system and addressing the state’s severe housing affordability crisis. He has vowed to put the state on a path to build 3.5 million homes by 2025 and to expand tenant protections for those facing displacement due to high housing costs. A Senate analysis in 2017 suggested that the biggest beneficiaries of a fee-waiver program would be middle- and upper-class students who previously paid full freight because low-income students have long had their fees waived. The implication was that lawmakers may want to spend money elsewhere if they want to focus on the most disadvantaged students. Already, roughly half of the 2.1 million community college students attend tuition-free under a program for low-income students. But Cochrane noted that districts have the ability to spend their state money on other programs if they find fee waivers a lower priority in their community. “One of the biggest benefits of the free college program that California passed in 2017, and the governorelect would build upon, is it allows schools the flexibility to use some of those resources to support students in other ways,” Cochrane said. “The typical California college student still needs to pay thousands — even over $10,000 — for textbooks, transportation and living expenses like food and housing.”

January 10, 2019

Small business, big impact.

U.S. Bank supports the small businesses and business development programs that build and sustain our community. We value the role small businesses play in providing jobs, contributing to local charities, and shaping the identity of our community. Local businesses are proof that with vision and determination, we can create our own possibilities. usbank.com/communitypossible U.S. Bank is proud to support the City of Inglewood. Inglewood Branch 336 W. Century Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90303-1305 310.695.4300

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January 10, 2019

Continued from page 1: Two African Americans Sworn-in To Top State Posts

tax and insurer assessments, alcohol and pipeline taxes. The board members, including Cohen, all vowed that the state’s tax commission will regain the trust of the community. Cohen, Vazquez, Gaines and Schafer were elected to four-year terms. Cohen represents 23 counties and 9.5 million constituents in the Second District.

Americans. The incidents concerned Thurmond, now a former state assemblyman. McClatchy was also the focus of a student science project conducted by non-black students that questioned their peers of color’s intelligence. “I would say it’s strategic, not ironic,” Thurmond said of his decision to hold the swearing-in ceremony at McClatchy High School, which has a cross-cultural affluent, middle-class, and low-income student body. “While I don’t have (charge) over this school, I’ve already begun to look into their concerns. I intend to talk to the students, teachers and principal to listen to their concerns.” Thurmond’s policies are not solely

centered around students of color, but each and every student in the state no matter race, color or creed. McClatchy High’s role is to serve as a model for the entire 6.2 million student population and more than 10,000 schools. Thurmond’s plans include keeping schools safe, providing school-based mental and physical health services, reducing the achievement gap, expanding access to early childhood education, creating pathways to careers and college, addressing teacher shortages, enhancing highly-trained and certified educators. Cohen will start off the next part of her political career at the state level after serving on the San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors.

GOVERNOR

NEWSOM’S Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

CHALLENGES

As California’s new governor, Gavin Newsom needs to address what no one wants to talk about such as unfunded public pension liabilities, regulatory abuse that stymies economic development and a sick, decrepit state tax code. Gavin Newsom is anxious to inaugurate his gubernatorial regime with a popular package of programs aimed at expanding early education and childcare. He envisions a $1.5-billion one-time expense, plus $300 million in annual costs. Pre-kindergarten and childcare programs are commendable if the state can afford them without jeopardizing the treasury or forcing yet another tax increase. Newsom also repeatedly promised voters he’d create some sort of universal medical coverage, probably including care for immigrants living here illegally. He’ll be pressed by his nurses union allies to follow through. The cost, however, may be out of reach, minimally reaching into the multi-billions. The bitter truth about unfunded liabilities for public employee retirees just makes voters angry — on both sides. There’s pension envy by private sector workers whose employers in recent years have frozen their traditional “defined benefit” retirement plans and turned to risky 401(k)-type savings programs. And there’s resentment by public employees who feel they’re being disrespected and picked on by pension reformers. The problem is that two decades ago state and local politicians promised public employees a lot more than pension funds could afford. There’s an obvious conflict: Politicians get big hunks of campaign money from public employee unions. Today, California’s public pension systems are bad5 ly underfunded. Under the best scenarios, they owe

Just like Newsom and Thurmond, she emerges with a great sense of exuberance. Cohen was sworn into office as a member of the State Board of Equalization, BOE, along with Tony Vazquez, whose third district includes Los Angeles County, at the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building near the State Capitol. Former Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation stripping the board of some of its power in June of 2017 after an audit by the Department of Finance found improprieties. The BOE will continue in its role to review property

Cohen, 41, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Fisk University in Tennessee and a master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. She was elected to serve as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2010. She held the position from Jan. 8, 2011, to Jan. 7 of this year. Cohen, born in the Richmond District of San Francisco, was the president of the Board of Supervisors for the last six months, replacing London Breed who was elected as the city’s mayor. Mark Ridley-Thomas, a former state senator and assemblyman who is now a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, attended Cohen’s swearing-in ceremony that took place in the historic courtroom of the Stanley Mosk Library. “Malia Cohen on the State Board of Equalization, although she represents Northern California, symbolically, she represents more than that,” said Ridley-Thomas. “To the extent of that, we look forward to her leadership and we expect to support her initiatives.”

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January 10, 2019 Continued from page 1:Governor Newsom’s Challenges

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

BUY

INGLEWOOD

2019! Everyone in the City of Inglewood is looking forward to the first NFL game in the new Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers football stadium. And, it had been made clear that some are less enthusiastic than others, particularly the apartment dwellers who are concerned about rent stabilization and the small business owners who hope that the billions of economic development will trickle down to provide increased sales, revenue and profits. As evidenced by the attendance in this week’s city council meeting, it is also very clear that renters are seeking some form of rent stabilization that will allow those who have resided in the city for years to retain their Inglewood residency, in view of the dramatic increase in property values and the cost of monthly rents. At the same time, I understand why property owners are seeking to raise their rents to be more appropriately aligned with prevailing rents in our area. There is no doubt that rents, as well as property values are considerably less in Inglewood than in adjacent communities. One of my staff members shared that his Inglewood home, acquired in 1999 for $204,000 was appraised in November for $640,000. He explained that if the same home was in zip code 90045, which is only a few blocks away in Westchester, instead of 90301, the same home would be valued at from $900,000 to one million dollars. One bedroom apart-

ment rentals are available in Inglewood for around $1,300 per month while a one bedroom in Westchester is around $2,100. It is unfortunate for some renters that multi-family unit building owners are now anxious to bring their rents up to a level that is fair compared to other units in the area. Small business owners are also concerned that their rents are also increasing and they must re-position their businesses to respond to the economic development that is happening around them. This is an area where INGLEWOOD TODAY can offer one possibility for small business growth and development. I am announcing today that we will soon launch a ‘BUY INGLEWOOD’ program for small businesses. As the program details are being developed, as its name implies, it will be a comprehensive program to encourage Inglewood residents to support local businesses. From restaurants, laundry and dry cleaners to hair stylists, computer repair centers, retail stores, and others, Inglewood boasts a broad range of business categories that serve city residents. Our small businesses, many of whom were operating in the city before the recent economic development boon, have been providing goods and services, as well as employment for local residents for years. Now is the time for residents to patronize those businesses and we will launch a promotions and advertising opportunity for them to get their word out. BUY INGLEWOOD must be our theme for 2019!

roughly $3 in promised benefits for every $2 in projected assets. The total unfunded liabilities for all state and local pension systems in California range from $330 billion to $1 trillion, depending on how they’re calculated. “We’re still on this glide slope to a really bad place,” says Joe Nation, a former Democratic state assemblyman who’s a Stanford public policy professor and heads a pension research project. “In the end, someone has to pay this. It’ll probably be the public employees.” The options are ugly: Trim pensions, raise taxes, increase employee and government contributions or cut other public programs such as education. Local governments could also go bankrupt and slash retiree benefits. Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature took at stab at a partial fix in 2012. They enacted some modest reforms that made pensions less generous for future state employees. But the biggest barrier to a real fix is the so-called California Rule, an old, illogical concept. It decrees that pension benefits existing when a public employee is hired can never be reduced, even if they haven’t yet been earned by service. A state Supreme Court decision is expected soon on the California Rule. But even if the rule is junked, Newsom and the Legislature would need to conjure up the courage to buck labor and alter the pension system for current employees. Another ugly truth is that California is considered notoriously unfriendly to business investment. High taxes are one problem. Wealthy taxpayers are leaving the state. Newsom and the Democratic-dominated Legislature should declare a moratorium on tax hikes, even if they’re called fees. But they won’t. Housing is often ridiculously unaffordable where most jobs are. So the state should make it easier to create jobs in regions — such as the Central Valley — where housing is affordable. One big help would be to streamline the burdensome California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, which has been blatantly abused and has soured housing developers. Labor unions, business competitors and local NIMBYs have used CEQA to tie up projects in courts and run up development costs. Union blackmailers, “green mailers,” threaten suits unless developers cave to labor demands. Sacramento Democrats will not challenge unions. Another problem is that California’s outdated state tax system is unreliable and unstable. It produces a torrent of unneeded tax revenue in good times and shrinks the flow

when the economy busts, playing havoc with the state budget and government services. Because of Brown’s soak-the-rich tax hike, the state leans too heavily on wealthy people, whose capital gains dry up in a recession. The top 1% pays nearly half the state income tax. That needs to be fixed by lowering income tax rates and extending the sales tax to services that are mainly used by businesses and the wealthy, such as legal. State Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys says he’ll introduce tax reform legislation “for discussion purposes.” Let’s hope Governor Newsom leads the way for the Capitol politician’s to face California’s reality, bite the bullet and make legislative decisions that are in the best interest of California’s healthy future.

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Willie Brown VICE PRESIDENT Gloria Kennedy ASSISTANT EDITOR Francis Taylor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Francis Taylor Anne Cheek La Rose QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally adjudicated newspaper of public circ ulation, published weekly by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. News and press releases may be submitted for consideration by mail to 9111 La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 or by email to itnetworks@msn.com.

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January 10, 2019

CHARGERS AND RAMS

PLAY PLAYOFF GAMES THIS WEEKEND By Steve Finley

If you are a Los Angeles professional football fan you are probably pinching yourself right now. The Chargers and the Rams have playoff games this weekend and both teams have had outstanding seasons so far. The Chargers are 13-4 after their win over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday and the Rams are 13-3. The Chargers travel to New England to face the Patriots on Sunday at 10 a.m. and the Rams battle the Dallas Cowboys at the Coliseum at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday. If the first week of the NFL playoffs is any indication these two games should deliver a thrill a minute action packed professional football.

The Chargers reached the second round of the playoffs by defeating the Ravens 23-17. It was a total team effort from the offense, defense and special teams. It was a hard fought game against one of the hardest hitting teams in professional football. Although both teams put up numbers that were not spectacular, the Chargers made plays when they had to. One of the biggest plays of the game was made by former USC star and Chargers rookie Uchenna Nwosu. In the final minute of the game, with the Ravens moving into scoring position the outside linebacker beat a Baltimore offensive

Chris Wilkes is UCLA’s leading scorer this year. The Bruins play on the road against Oregon on Thursday at 6 p.m. and Sunday against Oregon State at 7 p.m.

USC’s Benny Boatwright scored 22 points and pulled down seven rebounds as the (9-6 - 2-0) Trojans extended their win streak to four games, beating Stanford 77-66 last Sunday at the Galen Center on the USC campus. The Trojans next two games are at Oregon State on Thursday at 8 p.m. and on the road against Oregon on Sunday at 5 p.m.

lineman and with one swipe of his right hand he knocked the ball out of the Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s hand and the Chargers recovered the ball. Now the Chargers have to travel to the cold east coast again to face the Patriots and the best quarterback in history, Tom Brady. The good thing is the 11-5 Patriots are not the as good as they have been in the past, but they are still the Patriots and they will be playing in cold Foxborough. The Rams have a date with the Cowboys on Saturday. They are coming off a bye last week and should be well rested. The Cowboys

beat the Seattle Seahawks last Saturday behind the offensive play of running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott. Elliott ran for 137 yards on 26 carries and Prescott made the plays when he had to. The Rams defense will be tested and maybe on Saturday they can live up to their full potential. In the off season they signed several free agents on the defensive side of the ball. Corner backs Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters and defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh will to need recapture some of their old All-Pro skills Saturday if the Rams expect to win.

Charger defensive lineman Joey Bosa will try to put pressure on Patriot quarterback Tom Brady on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Tobias Harris of the Clippers is one of the reasons they have one of the best records in the NBA. Their next home game is Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against the Detroit Pistons.

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January 10, 2019

EYE ON THE CITY

COUNCIL MEMBERS

OVERWHELMED -STABILIZATION PROPONENTS

GEORGE DOTSON

RENT

In the first city council meeting in the New Year, hundreds of mostly low-income housing and rent stabilization advocates crowded into the council chambers. Citing a violation of the municipal fire code, Mayor Butts asked those not seated to exit the chamber and observe the council proceedings from the hallway. Time was allowed for those standing to exit without incident. After the meeting got underway, the council approved an Agreement (Contract) by and between the County of Los Angeles and the City of Inglewood, serving as the administrative entity for the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB), for Welfare-to-Work Vocational and Direct Services. Council approved a third amendment to Agreement No. 10-66 with

ALEX PADILLA

JAMES BUTTS

Sky Posters, Inc., to extend the display of super graphic wall sign outdoor advertising. Council approved a three-year agreement (with the option to extend two (2) additional one (1) year terms) with Dr. Susan Saxe-Clifford for psychological evaluation services for the Police Department. (General Fund) Council approved Amendment No. 1 to Funding Agreement No. CFP #F5300 with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to extend the City of Inglewood ITS-Phase IV Improvements lapse date to June 330, 2019. Council approved a payment to The Adjul Corporation (DBA Lee Construction Company) for additional work performed on the

COMMUNITY MEETING LOS ANGELES STADIUM & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT AT HOLLYWOOD PARK Thursday, January 17, 2019 7 p.m. Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 9300 South Crenshaw Boulevard Inglewood, CA 90305 Key representatives of the Los Angeles Stadium and Entertainment District at Hollywood Park will host an informational meeting regarding stadium construction. Learn more about the upcoming work and project progress on the 298-acre development. The project team will be available to answer constructionrelated questions from the community. CONTACT US

phone: 310-743-5186 email: lastadium@tcco.com

LAStadiumAtHP.com

ELOY MORALES

RALPH FRANKLIN

replacement of the storm drain at the Inglewood Well No. 4 Project. (Sewer Fund) Council approved an Agreement with Medina Masonry to provide walkway rehabilitation and paver masonry services to remove roots, level and replace pavers correcting major public safety concerns on the walkway between Parking Structure No. 2 and Market Street. (Bond Funds) Council approved an Amended and Restated Agreement with TL Veterans Construction, Inc., extending Agreement No. 18-040(A) for a period of one year to complete additional painting work needed at Parking Structure No. 2. (Bond Funds) Council authorized the City Manager to approve “one-time” merit lump sum payouts for several members of the Inglewood Executive Organization (IEO), as authorized by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and IEO. The council also approved bonus payments to additional executive staff, not apparently included in the MOU. The council adopted Ordinance No. 19-04 amending Inglewood Municipal Code Chapter 12 (Planning and Zoning), Article 8 (“C-3” Heavy Commercial Zone Regulations) to include Zoning Code Amendment No. 2018-002 (ZCA2018-002) to allow C-2A (Airport Commercial) zone permitted uses in the C-3 (Heavy Commercial) zone citywide. (Introduced December 11, 2018) and Ordinance No. 19-05 amending the City’s Permit Parking District Issuance and Use Procedure described in Inglewood Municipal Code Chapter 3 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), Article 2 (Parking Regulations), Section 3-78 (Permit Issuance and Procedures). The council approved an Agreement with Medina Masonry to provide walkway rehabilitation and paver masonry services to remove roots, level and replace pavers correcting major public safety concerns on the walkway between Parking Structure No. 2 and Market Street. (Bond Funds) The council approved an Amended and Restated Agreement with TL Veterans Construc-

tion, Inc., extending Agreement No. 18-040(A) for a period of one year to complete additional painting work needed at Parking Structure No. 2. (Bond Funds) Nearly two dozen citizens were given one minute, the amount of time allotted for anyone wishing to address the council, to express their desire for a rent stabilization measure that protects long-term renters. Several examples were cited where property owners appeared to be gauging tenants with extraordinary increases. One individual asked if the mayor had destroyed any police records, apparently referring to recently passed legislation that set forth the terms under which police records may be destroyed. Mayor Butts said that he had not destroyed any such records but reported that the police department routinely destroys records of matters that are out of statute. During the council member comments, all thanked the community for their attendance and expressed their appreciation for their concerns about rent amounts in the city and their desire to treat renters and property owners fairly Mayor Butts acknowledged that housing affordability has been at the forefront of the public discourse for some time. He pointed out the City of Inglewood has the most affordable housing in the South Bay and that the majority of apartment owners are ‘Mom and Pop’ owners who have maintained rents that are significantly below area market averages for years. He acknowledged that housing throughout the state is a major issue and Inglewood’s issues have been highlighted because of the billions of dollars of development that is pouring into the city. He explained that he and the council have interceded where it was reported that rent increases exceed 50 percent, explaining their willingness to negotiate with property owners. Finally, Mayor Butts indicated that one solution to the ongoing cost-of-housing issue is to bring better paying jobs to the city, which has been accomplished with the developments that are underway and pending.

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January 10, 2019