City Council - Regular Meeting

That's a Yes. All right.

over your heart. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and for it stand [clears throat] point of clarification. Is our councilwoman Gray is she on the line? She's not. Thank you. Okay. Mayor Quorm is present for the city council successor agency housing authority and joint powers authority.

Okay. We're going to go to public comment if there any persons wishing to uh address the city council agency housing authority JPA on any item on today's agenda other than the public hearings. They may do so at this time. Mayor, there there were public comments that were passed out to the DAS. Anyone that wants to speak on something that's on the agenda other than the public hearings? There'll be time for the public hearings later.

Yes. My name is Rahab Mitchell. I'm a longtime resident here in Englewood. I came here in 1995. My mother was living in a senior complex. Ma'am, which which item are you going to speak on? I'm speaking on the imminent domain. That's the public hearing, I think. Ma'am, so hold on a second. We're going to call that in a minute. Okay. Okay. We we'll we're going to call that in a minute. Good. Okay. Okay. So, with that, we'll uh close public comment. We'll go to item one CSA1 and H1 want register

and that will appear on the next agenda. Now let's see what is the ne madam clerk. What's the next scheduled matter? Yes, mayor. The next scheduled matter is a public hearing to consider introduction of an ordinance designating certain portions of the city as an event zone in order to regulate certain activities in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches and related events. Okay. Has the notice of the hearing been given in a time form and manners required by law and do you have the affidavit on file? Yes, mayor. Notice has been given and an affidavit is on file.

Have any communications been received on the matter? Uh yes, mayor. Communications have been received via email and passed out to everyone on the dis. All right. Is there a staff report on the matter? There is Mr. Mayor. It's uh Rene Brooks, senior planner of community development department. Welcome, Miss Brooks. Thank you so much.

Um good after good afternoon, Mayor Buds and members of the city council. Um this item, um excuse me. In 2022, the city council adopted and successfully implemented the first clean zone ordinance in advance of Super Bowl 56, which was hosted at the Sofi Stadium. Shortly thereafter, the city adopted another clean zone ordinance for the NCAA football national championship, which was also hosted at the Sofi. Successful implementation of the previous clean zones accomplish several objectives that are included in the ordinance before you today. And this will regulate the related events for the FIFA World um cup um matches. Several of those objectives include, but are not limited to, designating a geographic perimeter around the event zone, um controlling street vending and unauthorized commercial sales within that zone, and maintaining orderly sidewalk and public spaces during the events. The regulations in their entirety are can be found in attachment two to this item, which is the draft ordinance. Um, this does conclude the staff presentation and I'm available for any questions. Thank you. And right now we'll take public comments on this item hearing. No public comment. Is there um

Oh, okay. That's okay. Thank you, council members, for hearing us out today. Your residents are very very worried about these changes that are coming very rapidly to the community. Before we can even grasp a hold of one thing, another development is starting. I fear that these new developments that we're doing and implementing on the community might be too rapidly moved forward and calling imminent domain on Okay, ma'am. This isn't the imminent domain issue. This is just taking land in general, sir. No. No. Okay. See, this particular public hearing is about um the event zone.

The event zone. This is not about imminent domain. The event zone is affecting everyone within a two-mile radius. Sir, why would it not pertain to any any one thing from the properties and the business owners that are affected? Ma'am, ma'am, this is not this is not the right item. You [clears throat] But go ahead and go ahead and make your point. Okay, I'll wait for Okay, that' be I think that would be more effective. Okay, with that, um we'll close public comment. Um mayor, I'd like to uh move number two and then number three. Second, which is motion to wait for the ring. Madame city clerk,

council members Padilla I. Morales, I fog. I mayor Buds I. I'll introduce. Okay. Now, this next item concerns the city council's adoption of resolutions of necessity to authorize commencement of imminent domain proceedings to acquire the properties identified in the council report. So, madame clerk, what's the next scheduled matter? Yes, mayor. The next scheduled matter is a public hearing to consider proposed resolutions of necessity to acquire property for the Inglewood Transit Project mobility hub.

Has the notice of the hearing been given in the time form and manner is required by law? And do you have the affidavit on file? Yes, mayor. Notices have been given and an affidavit is on file. Have any communications been received on the matter? Yes, mayor. Communications have been received via email and passed out to everyone on the dis. Okay. And so now for reports, we'll first hear an oral presentation from David Grayer of Nasaman who is outside council for the city and following any questions from the city council. Each of the affected property owners or representatives on their behalf may address the council. And so we'll now open and hear from Mr. Graer.

Thank you, Mayor Buts. This hearing is to determine whether the council wishes to adopt resolutions of necessity to authorize commencement of eminent domain proceedings to acquire the properties identified in the council report. This relates to all of the properties located at the Englewood Shopping Center site located on the block south of Florence and north of Regent on the side of Market Street, which is owned by five different legal entities. These resolutions do not in any way address disagreements over the amount of compensation to be paid for the taking of the property interests. These types of disagreements will be addressed at a later time. The adoption of the resolutions does not prevent the parties from continuing to negotiate. It is always possible that settlements may be reached without a trial or significant litigation over the acquisitions and that is always our hope. But for the reasons explained in the staff report and the presentation, we are asking that the council approve the resolutions of necessity so that staff may move forward with the next step in the condemnation process. It should be emphasized that this action is specific to the acquisition of real property. We continue to seek to work with all tenants on the properties who are eligible for relocation assistance. At the close of this hearing, you will be asked to approve the proposed resolutions of necessity, which set forth a few key findings that are also listed in the city council report. The council report provides the facts necessary to support these findings. The presentation, the council report, and all of its reference documents will be part of the will become part of the record of these proceedings. If there is any additional information presented to the council this afternoon, it too will be added to the record. I would like to remind you that the

Englewood transit connection connector project has been advanced by this council recognizing that the entire project is planned or located in the manner most compatible with the greatest public good and the least private injury. While the council report details much of what I'm about to discuss, I'd like to touch on a few findings that apply to each of the specific properties at issue today. First, the project requiring acquisition of the properties is the Englewood Transit Connector Project or ITC. Second, the property acquisitions for ITC are only being pursued by eminent domain as a last resort after voluntary acquisition measures have been pursued. Third, the city provided written offers and accompanying appraisal summaries to the property owners and despite efforts to negotiate, the city has not reached agreement for the acquisition of the needed property rights at this time. Finally, notices of this hearing were sent by first class mail to the property owners. As a courtesy, notices were also sent to the tenants of the properties. I would like to take this opportunity to remind the council members that the adoption of the resolutions of necessity requires an affirmative twothirds vote of the council. I'm joined by Carly Katona, a consultant for the city who is working on the ITC, and we are pleased to answer any questions. But before questions, I understand the city attorney would like to read one additional item into the record.

Yes, thank you. Um, I'd also like to to add to the record for today's public hearing that the city contact conducted an environmental review of this project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. A history of the actions taken under the California Equal California California Quality uh Environmental Quality Act by the city is outlined in attachment 4, which I'd like to incorporate into the record of this public hearing. I also have copies of attachment for here available if anybody from the public would like a copy. Thank you.

All right. Before we go to um public comment, I'm going to open it for questions from the city council. Uh are there any members of the council have questions for city staff?

I I don't have necessarily a question. Just want to make sure that folks [clears throat] understand that this is a a work in progress. As you mentioned, uh, this is the Ingwood transit connector is something that we've been working on for for a very long time. And even though we're we're looking at the imminent domain as a it's it's our last resort, we've worked with the property owners to to bring them on board to work with them. As we say, it ain't over till it's over. So, there's still an opportunity to work these out, you know. So, I don't want people to get the perception that we're just slamming the door shut and we're done and we're going to we're we're doing this. This has taken us a lot of real soulsearching and talking with some of the uh residents and and even business owners uh that are uh going to be uh relocated to uh trying to ensure that this is done in a in a manner that we can you know we can agree to disagree on some of it but it's something we move we're moving the city forward and so I just want to make sure that folks understand where I'm coming from and where the city's headed. as we make these positive changes uh for our community.

Correct. Just to quickly add just to further clarify and you mentioned it, sir. Um no rights are lost by any of the ownership here, any of the businesses at all. Any action we take [snorts] here continues to leave them in with the ability to uh negotiate to full whatever the fullest value was even before this hearing.

Correct. And um you know th this is part of a process that um allows us to keep our uh project moving. Uh this allows it it's just part of what the tools are given to a municipality to allow us to say hey you know these are things we need to do while we take the steps we need to do them in uh during the time frame and still stay within the time frame that we're in. That's what we're doing today. just kind of putting ourselves in a position to be able to move the project forward without uh missing a beat, but at the same time understanding that there are are folks that are affected and those folks will and their rights will be protected and we'll continue the conversation as is.

Thank you. Councilman Fox, did you have any comment or question?

Yes, I don't have any questions. Um, [snorts] thank you for your presentation. I want you all to know that this is not easy. It's not easy. Um, progress is hard. Um, our city is developing at leaps and bounds. We want to do our best to keep up with the development for the benefit of our residents. We're always thinking and putting our residents first. I hope you understand that and know that. And so, um, we are protecting the rights of these parties as well and we are working to continue to, um, make sure that they have an opportunity to still keep their rights protected and and benefit and and move into a better position eventually. So, we're not trying to take anything away from them. We're just trying to work with them. And like our my colleague said, it's just um that we have to move this forward in order to be able to keep this process moving on time. But we're doing this in the best interest of them. We're going to continue to work with them. We're going to continue to keep their interests protected and uh do this in the best interest of the residents. Thank you, mayor.

Thank you. This is a process the negotiations continue. Uh madame city clerk, uh has the council received written comments or questions from property owners or their representatives or are any of them present to speak on this item to your knowledge? Uh yes, mayor. We have received written notification from business owners and their representation. Okay, with that, if any speakers are present, please state your name and your title, if any, for the record, and we can line up along that back wall back there. State your name and title, sir.

Odest Riley, Jr. I am a broker in the city of Inglewood um self-owned business. I am here in support of the Inglewood Transit Connector and the resolution. Um I've been here my whole life, born at Centella Hospital, raised up through the city. Um I understand that things are hard and change is hard, but evolution is a part of everything. You know, Darwin said, you know, it was it wasn't survival of the fittest, it was survival of the most adaptable. and cities that don't adapt and don't have an economic engine essentially die. Us creating something that allows for us to have revenue that generates in our city and we don't have to have revenue coming from other places allows for us to survive through economic downturns. So, I want to support this project so that we can move people from the K-ine through the city to all the new things we have coming in because as I said, we're none of us are going to be here forever, but as our kids and our grandkids grow, we need to make sure that the city is strong and has the things it needs to move forward. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Next speaker.

Yes, my name is Rahab Mitchell. I'm a longtime resident. I came here 1995. Before the K-ine, I was at Burmar Pet Hospital across from the VFW. We shared the same parking lot. I have a lot of history with every resident here that's been here for that period of time, too. We will move through imminent domain starting back in 1995. So, this isn't new to me. I have known a lot of businesses coming in and out of here. And I'd like to say, first of all, I love that we are uh progressive. were civilized, of course, but this used to be a peaceful town and it was growing, but it didn't need to be ramrotted through. I've seen a lot of businesses here. You've been unfair and unkind to a lot of women businesses. There were women bookstores, uh, vegetarian uh, restaurants, womenowned. There w uh, there was a Buddhist large uh, bookstore in the corner. There's been a lot of businesses. Mother sun mama sunshine uh a business you're probably familiar with the uh tea um sipping and sun just closed. There was a a feminist another bookstore around the corner. All women these are women who took chances with the city of Englewood when it was a little bitty hick town. And because we were here and they were thriving, it brought people here to be interested in this place. And I think we need if anything we do need a museum so that we can catalog and record what uh how uh Inglewood has grown and not just be uh eliminated and you know dismantled and evaporated and not given credit where credit is due. Uh but black businesses and women's businesses kept this place so that it became attractive for other people to come in and look at. I won't say steal, but of course we all want to take advantage of the next person. So that's my feelings. I have jewelry on right now that this lady's uh

business uh my mother went in at 90 94 years old. We went in and out of that uh jewelry store in that area. The seniors in that area go to this shopping area. What's going to happen to them when they can't take their little walkers and go do their little shopping? These little seniors put every last one of you on the council cuz you went to them for their votes and now you're ignoring them and you're ramro riding across them and act like they don't matter. Yeah, you need to grow but you don't need to ignore how you got where you are. So remember your ancestors and their ancestors and and we I went to an event the other day uh May Mayor Buts where you talked about the church that is building property. Yes, you do want new things. But also, there was a Native American there who told us about whose land we were all standing on. And so, we cannot allow just anybody to come in here with their silver dollars and their coins and say, "Oh, this is valuable. Let us have it." No. I represent a bull elephant. I can tell you where the elephant graveyard is. I can take you at every spot and say, "What used to be there, what used to be there, what used to be there, cuz I've seen it. And I don't don't want you to ignore that, please. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Name and title, sir.

Good afternoon. My name is Christopher Washington. I'm an attorney with the firm California Imminent Domain Law Group. I represent um two long-standing Inglewood Small Businesses, Lux Gold Salon, located at 325 and 327 East Region. and I represent Sale and Drillers is located at 329 East Region. Both of these businesses are owned and operated by minority women who work, employ local residents, and pay taxes in this city of Inglewood. They're exactly the kind of the kind of cornerstone businesses of the community that the city has said it wants to support and not displace. We are asking that you decline to adopt the resolution of necessity as to this property and to the associated parcels that make up the Inglewood Center. [clears throat] The resolution is both premature and inconsistent with the standards the legislature has set when imminent domain may be used. First, the resolution is premature because the city has not complied with the mandatory pre-combination obligations. Before you can adopt a resolution necessity, the law requires the city to identify and appraise the property interest it seeks. Establish the amount it believes to be just compensation, make an offer in that amount to the property and to the business owners, followed by a good faith effort to negotiate. But here, that simply hasn't happened. The city of Inglewood has not made an offer to my clients Lux Gold or to Selwin Jewelers for the full value of their improvements pertaining to realy and has not engaged in any meaningful negotiations because those steps are mandatory pre-combination conditions the city cannot lawfully move forward with the adopting resolution necessity today. Second, and even if those procedural requirements had been met, the project at this location does not satisfy the statutory requirement of the greatest

public good with the least private injury. As currently designed, the mobility hub, your project would require all businesses on this site to shut down and vacate before any construction begins. It'll be wiping out customer access to the businesses, visibility, and also convenient parking. And these items are essential to these small business operators for walk-in and appointmentbased service businesses like Lux Gold and like Selin Jewelers. Losing this location and the goodwill and the customer relationship that it took years to build is not a minor impact. It directly threatens their ability to survive. they'll be out they'll be out of business if this project uh goes forward without or trying to when you trying to displace them. The record does not show that the city seriously considered any reasonable alternatives that would reduce avoid this harm. There's no evidence that the city evaluated a smaller or reconfigured hub footprint that would leave uh part of the site for existing business to remain. Haven't seen any uh alternatives to relocating parking.

Your time, sir. Okay. So in in uh in closing, there has not been an offer. You guys have not met the statuto requirements for imminent domain and we ask that you do not adopt this resolution [clears throat] of necessity. Thank you. Next speaker name and title, please.

My name is Amelia Ernnandez. I'm from Sin Jewelers, the oldest business on Market Street or once was on Market Street. um fifth generation manual laborer designer. Of all the things that all your grandparents probably wear, I've seen the changes in the city. Not all of them are so great. The propaganda that's been plastered everywhere along the city for this project. The the transportation hub is nothing more than just an illusion of a beefed up bus line called the ice shuttle that already exists. This I see this as no help to the community. You have over 10 to 20,000 senior residents who rely on the accommodations that the low cost of their food, their items in the plaza are giving to them. They cannot go very far. They cannot afford very much. The developers around the area have caused so much chaos that already the Astro building, their new price luxury building is not half full. the the boutiques at the bottom are still empty. Tell us why you're bringing in so much business, but you're pushing out 40 plus businesses. 380 head of households will be losing their job. Will be losing for what? For a momentary buildout of a parking lot, a bus shuttle, and a couple parking spaces, $2 billion that you're well, sorry, $1.8 billion that you're expecting to generate. While some of our council members have showed us that they mismanaged funds is not acceptable. I would like a third party running this circus because I don't feel safe with the council allocating so much funds in a project that has already shown that traffic is not working out for what's happening. This train or this bus or whatever you think you're selling to us, it's a bus. I've seen it. I see it going. I have pictures of if you guys

want to see. They're already rolling it down the street. But to what end? I see you closing your eyes. May your butts cuz like you don't have time for this. What? No, ma'am. Ma'am, I may have blinked, but come on.

Yeah, I get it. Your your time is done, sir. We need new blood to revitalize. Every single project Marcus Street has had has failed because we have not brought in actual third parties to take a outside survey from traffic real traffic controllers. Putting yourself on the traffic and the uh traffic commission does not authorize you to know how the traffic flows. Adding more bus lines will not help. Adding more buses will not help. Adding more parking spaces and taking away businesses and that serve the community at affordable rates. our family legacy will come to an end because of the low low amount that you're offering us for 53,000 to move out for no option.

Thank you. Next speaker.

Good afternoon, mayor and council members. My name is Owen Smith. Uh my wife and I own and operate the Miracle Theater on Market Street. We've been here 10 years. Uh we've lived in Los Angeles for 25 years and my background is in the entertainment industry. I first learned about Englewood um and Market Street went with the announcement of the Kline and the expansion of Metro. So that was the Crenshaw LAX line. Um, I don't know the numbers exactly, but I know there was a multi-million dollar project, and we have seen in the 10 years that we've been operating our business on Market Street, the successful completion of the Kine. It is underutilized. We've also seen the successful um completion of the LAX um what do we call that? the LAX um distribution travel support center that's working as well. Now what we see is the opportunity to expand uh which means including more people to come and participate and experience what Inglewood has to offer. A little bit more about myself. I'm from a small town. I've always enjoyed Inglewood's small town approach and the way the community comes together to support the businesses and support uh the people and the generations that have been here longstanding. This is a complicated issue. I do trust that the council and the the city attorneys and the powers that be will will handle this responsibly and listen and recognize the the many interests that are uh represented here. And so with that, I do support my um I do offer my support of the Englewood Transit Project Mobility Hub Project. Thank you for your time and leadership.

Thank you, sir. Next speaker. Your title and name.

Good afternoon. My name is uh Jeffrey SS. I own Cuban Leaf Cigar Lounge on Market. I was raised and born in Englewood. I've went through the uh school district from Highland to Inglewood High School. Um, I have seen the city grow and change and it has been beneficial and it has been hurtful. Um, I am an example of losing my business to growth. Uh, I was originally on Florence 424 East Florence and because of the growth of course my particular situation they had to sell the property but within that I'm still in Inglewood. on market now and we need more traffic and I think that the mobility hub is something that's going to help us get people from the train over to our area and over to uh Sofi into the entertainment district. I did 40 years in the entertainment district and entertainment business and so I have adapted the blueprint of Inglewood for sports and entertainment corridor. I support that and I try to run my business to support that. So I would like to uh you know thank for the opportunity that we've had with growth. I've seen the city very small and not making money to now we are big and making money and now we are on

when you look at the news they are saying Inglewood's temperature is today. So that lets me know that we are growing up and we're making a mark in in the city. So, I do support the uh mobility hub and um it's going to help my business also because we need that foot traffic. I I have sorrow and pain for the people that have lost and are in the in the position to lose their uh business. I lost mine. Resilience is something that as people of color we have adopted and we have to be resilient and make other ways to make things possible. I thank you very much for your time. Thank you, sir. Next speaker, name and title.

How you doing? My name is Deonte Johnson. Um, I'm brand new here, so you know, I'd like to speak from my heart. Um, I'm a new business owner, but also a new property owner on Market Street. And um, not only did I come here for an opportunity because, you know, I don't get a chance to sit seats [clears throat] and and approach it from a standpoint of being here for a long stretch of time. But when I came to Inglewood, I fell in love with the culture and um I fell in love with what I saw and with the opportunity that I saw for Market Street and for those beyond it. Um I talked to two ladies who sit down below my building on a on a regular basis. Um and they talked to me about how Inglewood used to be and how excited they are that you know we took this risk and this opportunity of opening up a shop um you know on Market Street in the area that we we're not very familiar with but we believe in the people and in the culture. Um I'm 39 years old. But I'm a black man. Um I don't I own a business. I've owned a business for the past 16 years of my life. So since 23 years old, I've been on my own figuring it out. Um this same thing happened to me in Columbus, Ohio. So years ago, um it wasn't it wasn't per say in the domain, but we were affected to the point where we couldn't get in and out of our B in and out of our building. It affected a lot of people, but ultimately the area grew. And that area before it became what it is today is very reminiscent of Market Street in Englewood, California. And that's what um that's what brought me here. And I and I firmly believe in leadership and understanding a that there's a greater vision that may be a little bit uncomfortable at the time. However, um if if there is any testament of what can come from it, um I will hope that I can be an example and be a a pilot for that that change that may be a little bit uncomfortable at the time, but it does usually yield to some great things uh in the future. So, you know, as a property owner, as a business owner, I do not own my property in Columbus, Ohio. I have to adhere by whatever rules come from my landlord. Um, but that's one of the things that drew me here to make sure that for those who look like me, for

those who, um, sound like me, for those who come from where I'm from, um, that you're able to do it as well. And, you know, hopefully with with what's to come, we see more of it. And shoot, I believe in this community more than than most. So, um, I'm I'm firmly for it. So, you know, I do believe in in the traffic is going to help business tremendously. I do believe that, you know, even though we may have some unfortunate situations, we're going to fill a lot of those buildings with other like-minded business owners who who would like to employ people who are [clears throat] local in the community. Uh most of my staff is local here. I only move one guy from Columbus, Ohio. Everybody is hired from Englewood. So, um if we fill those empty buildings, if we bring traffic to the area, we will fill those empty buildings and we'll see some great growth. So, um I'm firmly backing it and hopefully leadership definitely listens to those who are affected and um finds a way to accommodate. But, you know, I do think change is is is necessary.

Thank you, sir. Next speaker. A name and title, please.

Good afternoon, mayor and council members. My name is Natalie Mate. I'm senior director of real estate for Ross Dress for Less, Inc. here on behalf of DED's Discounts at 230 to 234 Market Street in Englewood Plaza. Ross proudly operates three stores in Englewood, providing access to affordable retail goods, creating over 150 jobs, and generating sales and property taxes that directly support the city and residents. [clears throat] Today, Ross must formally object to the resolution of necessity, and we respectfully request a continuence of this hearing so the city may properly address our comments. Our first concern is the lack of transparency surrounding the ITC project and the proposed takings. Over the past five years, the project has changed repeatedly, so often that SQA cannot keep pace. The latest iteration lacks clarity, and the information provided to tenants has been inconsistent. We are troubled by the proposal to spend $125 million of public funds to acquire real property for what is now described as a bus turnaround and parking structure. Given the scale, cost, and shifting scope, this approach appears wasteful and excessive, especially when viable, less disruptive alternatives exist. We also want to highlight safety concerns that have not been studied. The latest ITC plan routes new vehicular traffic in front of the preschool on locust sensitive receptors that have never been evaluated for air quality, pedestrian, and bicycle impacts. The results of the phase 2 environmental investigation underway at the shopping center have not been considered by SQA or the RO. Proceeding without understanding these results is premature. I want to address relocation. I have spent 28 years in retail real estate working for five best-in-class retailers. Along with Ross' experienced and local retail brokerage team,

Highland Partners, we've extensively searched for alternative locations. [snorts] None exist. Simply put, there is nowhere for DD's discounts to go. That means the loss of jobs, service, and tax revenue. In the spirit of collaboration, Ross is open to discussing a temporary two-week closure during the the Olympics to support excess shuttles and/or overflow parking. There are also city-owned parking lots nearby that could be utilized during the Olympics, further reducing the need for costly and permanently and permanent um property acquisitions. For these reasons, we respectfully urge the council to continue this item. I'd also like to ask the city attorney who mentioned earlier that there was a squa letter that he is inserting into the public record and anyone that was interested in a copy should ask him. I did not see any um any additional paperwork on the table out front if um if the city can please speak to that.

Okay, ma'am. Your time. They're heading over with the letter. There you go.

Good afternoon, city council. My name is Yolanda Davidson. I am a lifelong resident of Inglewood, California. I was born and raised here. I also was born at Centennela Hospital and I have over 50 years of roots in this community. I am here today to speak about the proposed imminent domain of the properties at the Inglewood Plaza, a place that has served our community for over 60 years and maybe even 70. This is not just a shopping center, it's a piece of Inglewood's history. I remember going there as a child with my mother, shopping at Mayfair Market and getting ice cream at Thrifties. It was a place where neighbors saw each other, where seniors felt comfortable, and where small businesses built their livelihoods. Over the past several days, I've spoke to each of the city council members besides the mayor, and each have gave different reasons for potentially supporting the demolition, but none of those reasons address the real human impact. Many of these small businesses that are in the plaza may not be able to afford higher rents that come with new development. For some of them, this will mean closing their doors forever. These are people who have served this community faithfully for decades. Potentially closing the only 24-hour pharmacy which services Inglewood and South LA will harm the seniors, the residents, and the employees who work in these businesses. I am not against growth and development, but development should not come only on the backs of the residents and small businesses who have built this city. Why couldn't Why couldn't the bus terminal be on Labraa where there's already a bus terminal and there's a vacant cleaners that's been sitting there for years? There's so many other options that could be explored. It's not fair for the city of Inglewood to lose something that we've had for almost 70 years for the Olympics that's going to be here for two weeks or for

FIVA World Cup or for the Sofi Stadium. When is this city council going to put the people of Englewood first? The small businesses, the beauty shops that you didn't want, the barber shops that you said you didn't want to open up, the people who paid taxes, the people who you still continue to knock on their doors and ask them to pay their taxes. We've lost several good small businesses in this community due to the developers and the rich people from Orange County and New York and everywhere else around the world who thinks that Inglewood is the new gold mine. This is not a gold mine. This is where we live. We don't want to lose sin. We don't want to lose CVS. We don't want to lose Randy's. We've been going there for years. Some people only can buy their kids clothes at De's that cost $3.99. Where are they supposed to shop, mayor? So, you got your little train project. It got cancelled. Now you got a bus dream. Give the money back. Thank you.

Next speaker. Name entitle. Excuse me, folks. It's not a rally. All right. Don't do that. All right. Next speaker.

Hi, good afternoon. My name is Verona Burks and I'm from Little Billy's restaurant. Uh Little Bise has been in that same location since about 1974. It has seen three or four different owners. We're the current owner for the past 12 years. My business suffers simply because of parking. When the theater has on Sunday, example, the theater starts the church. I open my business at 9:00 in the morning and I don't have traffic parking until about uh 1:00 in the afternoon when the church is over. So, I can't I don't have business for 3 to four hours. I have to wait for my customers to walk up and down the street. Yes, if there is a permanent parking, I can survive. I am barely surviving now because of parking. So, I I'm sorry for the people that are about to lose about this eminent domain and uh people that needs to move on. But if Englewood, as they posted, say the city of entertainment, then we have to figure out where everybody wins because I'm not winning. I am barely surviving because of the parking. Right now, today, there's parking that is being taken from Hillrest all the way down the street to the high school. No parking on the south side of Nutwood. No parking. And it will be that way for

the next three to four days because of the event Valentine's and then the basketball stuff. There's no parking. So what are we supposed to do for the next four days? How do we how do we get customers into our domain? How do we get customers to come and buy our food? How do we say that yes, Lilies is a Caribbean restaurant and you can come and visit us in Englewood? So, there has to be somewhere where everybody wins. We're not winning. We are not winning on weekends. We are not winning. That's supposed to be the best part of our weekend or business. We suffer the Rams game come we suffer. So I'm asking I am very much supporting the park the new parking structure but I'm asking I worry about the people that are being moved but I have to stay in business. So I'm asking for help here. I need everybody to come to the table and let's figure out how the business can survive. And the people that are supposed to be moving out, what do they do? There's things like multicultural, multi-purpose.

Okay, ma'am. We're gonna ma'am. Okay, ma'am, you're at time. Thank you so much. All right. What was that? Okay, with that we'll close public comment. Um, I'm opening the floor for an a motion for item two A through H and item three. So moved. Second. Madam city clerk. Council members Padilla. I Morales. Hi. Fog. I Mayor Buds I. M1

approval of the minutes of the meetings held on November 18th and November 25th, 2025. Move approval. Second. Madam city clerk. Council members Padilla. I. Morales. Hi. Fog. I. Mayor Buds. I. Consent calendar items 2 through eight. So move. Second. Second. Madam [clears throat] city clerk. Council members Padilla. I. Morales. I. Fog. I. Mayor Butts.

I. SPH1. Staff report requesting the mayor and council member set a public hearing to consider zoning code amendment number 25-00002 modifying miscellaneous regulations in chapter 12 of the municipal code related to public hearing notice requirements planned assembly developments uh I'm excuse me planned assembly development requirements removal of the art deco design standards and cosmetology uses citywide set the public hearing for March 10th 2026 at 2 p.m. A1.

Yes. Thank you, mayor, members of the council. The records reflect that the city council recess into close session to discuss item CS1. With respect to this item, the city council received a briefing from staff. Feedback was provided, but no final action was taken. I'll also note for the record that Councilwoman Gray was not present for the discussion in close session. Thank you. All right. A2. Nothing to report, Mayor. Thank you. CM1. Yes, mayor. I'd like to wish Councilwoman Faulk a early birthday. Her birthday is tomorrow. Happy birthday. Actually, that's city clerk's job, but All right. [laughter] You're good. You're good. CC1.

Yes, mayor. Thank you. First, I would like to thank as well as our city treasurer. Uh she and I uh we have a beautiful picture of of of her to uh display. uh the city treasurer and I would like to wish you a wonderful and truly blessed happy birthday, wishing that your day is full of joy, lots of love and laughter. And then lastly, mayor, uh it is Black History Month and I'm reminded of Nelson Mandela. He says, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." That concludes my remarks, mayor. Well, there you go. CT1

monthly treasures report for the month ending October 31st, 2025. Receive and file the successor agencies in session CSA 2. Approval of the minutes of the meetings held on November 18th and November 25th, 2025. Move approval. Second, Madam City Clerk. Successor agency members. Padilla I. Fog I. Chairman Buds I. CSA 3. Monthly treasures report for the month ending October 31st, 2025. Receive and file will adjourn the successor agency. The housing authority is in session H2. Approval of the minutes of the meetings held on November 18th and November 25th, 2025. So move second.

Madam city clerk, housing authority members Padilla I. Fog I. Chairman Buds I. Uh H3 monthly trust report for the month ending October 31st, 2025. That'll be received and filed. We'll adjourn the housing authority. The JPA's in session JPA1. Approval of the minutes of the meeting held on November 18th, 2025. So moved. Second. Madam City Clerk, Joint Powers Authority members Padilla. I Morales. Hi. Fog. I mayor, excuse me. Chairman Buds I receive and excuse me H JPA2 monthly treasures report for the month ending October 31st 2025

receive and file I'll adjourn the JPA there are no appointments to boards commissions and committees now we come to public comments regarding other matters not con not not on the agenda but connected with city business for one All right. [clears throat]

Hello. My name is uh John Barry. I'm with Awesome Pettic. Um I actually was in here several years ago when they were building up the col the sofi center there and was interested in getting a license here in the city. I had uh the people from the Madison Square Garden wanted to make a deal with me. Uh I was told to go down, fill out a business license form, paid like 80 bucks, and then they told me that the city didn't want pettic cabs. There were uh no bike lanes and that was it. So that deal with the Madison Square Garden fell through. Anyways, now there are three companies in the city and uh I've only ever seen one of them, but uh I would really like an opportunity to run my business here. Uh I'm the only company that's ran uh continually in Santa Monica since the inception of the program in 2013. Um I'm the official company for uh Cichlavia. We work with ARP and we run a good clean program and we'd like the opportunity to do that here.

We're time sir. Thank you. Next speaker.

Excuse [clears throat] me. Good afternoon. My name is Karen Sipin. I am a resident in Englewood on 111 Place and I have continually complained about the parking situation. I had an incident uh just a couple of weeks ago. I had the police come out and it was quite embarrassing the way they conducted. I have I have a notes that's totally one-sided. But I'm very concerned as being a resident on that neighborhood over 40 years how the parking has gotten so unbearable that we cannot either come out our driveway without cars almost hitting us and then having these big big trucks parked in our residence. And so I would like to see what we [clears throat] can do about parking. I understand that it's a recurring problem. You guys are aware of it, but now I want to know what are you going to do about it because now the residents of Inglewood on 111th place in Englewood are fed up. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am. Are you saying that the trucks are illegally parked? The trucks are on the street. They're big trucks. I understand. But but are they illegally parked? That's what I'm trying to understand. Well, I don't know about illegal. I know they're on the street and we can't get out our driveways. So, they're parked on the street. It's a public street. Yes, ma'am. Anybody can park there. We know that. But the residents are concerned because we can't see past the big trucks. Okay. All right. Thank you, ma'am. Next speaker.

Good afternoon. My name is Craig Parks. I want to share a real story. For over over 15 years, my gardener, who lives in Englewood, has worked in South Bay and has faithfully cared for his for his neighborhood. He is likely in his 70s and has lived in California for more than 30 years. He has worked and contributed and raised his family here for three decades. This past Saturday, he told me that out of the fear of deportation, he and his family are leaving California for Mexico. In July of last year, he was afraid to come out to work. During that time, our HOA feared the worst that he had been depart deported. When I saw him Saturday, the fear was still [clears throat] um un um unmistakable. You could see the fear in his eyes. This is the fear what looks like at a community level where longtime residents are quietly disappearing, not because they want to leave, but because they're afraid. This is not about politics. It's about dignity, humanity, and the kind of city we choose to be.

Sir, you're at time Thank you. All right. Good afternoon. My name is Yita Gonzalez and I'm here as a resident of Inglewood in District 4. I think they turned it off. No, you're you're on.

I'm here to continue to voice my concerns around all the ongoing ICE raids and activity in Inglewood. We need more than words. We need action now. This cannot wait any longer as the political landscape continues to get worse. This is not just a federal issue. It's a local one, too. LA County has declared a state of emergency because of the ICE raids in activity, especially given the fact that this is not just impacting immigrants, it's impacting everyone. The ICE raids and activity are traumatizing and tearing through the heart of our community. Therefore, we urge you all to stand alongside immigrants in Englewood and agendaize and vote to pass a sanctuary policy to ensure that existing mandated protections are strengthened as well as create a fund to provide legal and safety net resources. Other cities in LA County have been taking action and have passed resolutions or and ordinances that include these demands. So we ask you that you meet with community leaders to discuss how to work together on this and provide these protections and resources for members of our community that are currently being impacted by the ICE rates. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good afternoon. My name is Arminia Galves. I'm a resident of Englewood in District 4. I'm here to share with you the story of my neighbor of a neighbor of mine that was recently evicted. This neighbor is a mother of three students from the Inglwood Unified School District and works as a street vendor to support her family. In addition, she's also an active member of Englewood community and serves as a volunteer at its school at a food pantry and for those that experience food insecurity because of the ongoing ICE rates and activity in English. She has been unable to continue to work as a street vendor and pay for her rent. Unfortunately, even though she sought help and resources from our city staff and at the Inglewood courthouse, she was unable to get immediate support and is now unhouse unhoused. This is one of the many stories our members of our community are being impacted by ICE rates in and in the activity in Englewood. Therefore, we urge you to stand alongside the immigrants in Englewood and agendaize a vote for sanctuary policy to ensure that existing mandated protections are strengthened as well as created a fund to provide legal and safety net resources. As someone who's has gone through trauma from as a child from immigration with her parents, I know the psychological trauma that one can experience for having to being kicked out and being homeless in the streets. So I urge you to take that into consideration that you're affecting not just that this is affecting not just the community, it's affecting the children. So I implore you to please take an action.

Thank you. Next speaker.

Hello, my name is Marita Medina. I was born and raised in Englewood, California. My family has been here since the 1970s and I live at the Demo today. Thank you, Mayor Buts and Council members for responding to my letters and public comments regarding the ice rates of January 13, 2026 in Englewood. I want to acknowledge the fear you touched on last week. The fear of ICE in our city. Please understand that fear is not abstract for immigrant families in Englewood. It is their daily reality. What has been the most painful to witness is that neighbors, nonprofit organizations, and community volunteers are providing more protection and clarity than city leadership. And I believe that's because there's a real disconnect between these in this room and much of Englewood's Latino community. I am here to help you close that gap. I ask you to listen to what Latino community leaders are clearly requesting and to use the authority you already have in this city to protect immigrants residents. With global events approaching, Englewood is being watched every day. You're here right now. I see you suits. Welcome to Inglewood. You feel at home. Well, help us make our home safe. Okay. I urge you to act with the same courage, Mayor Buts, not later, not quietly, but now, and in full view of the people you serve, the Latino people you serve. Thank you.

Thank you. Next, speaker.

Good afternoon. My name is Sierra Smith. I am an Englewood resident. I also run a nonprofit community mental health organization that is based out of Englewood, serving a number of Englewood residents. And I want to follow up on the comments that my colleagues over here made. What I'm urging is very specific. I'm urging and asking for the city council to as a municipality take a public stand that says number one private privacy uh private information about residents will not be shared with ICE and making that some sort of ordinance or public statement. And similarly something as a municipality that says that city resources will not be allocated in any way to helping support ICE because the perception regardless of the reality the perception is that there is collusion with ICE and I say that knowing because I'm hearing from the 40 plus therapists that we work with who are providing free services that even if that's not what's happening that's how things are perceived and taking some public stance as a municipality at least publicly acknowledges the ways in which as a city you are able to support the residents who are here. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello city council. Once again I have two questions. One is who's in charge of the parking lot downstairs that the arm has been broken for over two or three years. Why do we have to get a ticket from the man? Why can't you fix the parking structure? That doesn't make any sense. But you should just be able to get a parking ticket cuz you got to chase the man down or he's not in there is inconvenient. Another thing is I want to get clarity about the $20 million payment that the city sent to Stan Kroni. I sent three letters to city clerk, city attorney, and the city manager. No one's told us about the $20 million, where it came from. Are we getting it back? Did you get into a contract with somebody that was invalid from the beginning? Did your city attorney know that the contract was valid from the very beginning? The city deser deserves to know where the $20 million come from, when are we getting it back, and why we didn't know about it from the beginning because I never heard it talked about in this in this room. Thank you.

Thank you. There any other public comment? Okay, with that, um, we'll go to council comments and we'll start with Councilman Padilla.

Thank you, Mayor. [clears throat] You know, last uh Tuesday, we we touched on as a city what we're doing to work with our our families, which include our children, with the school district, with businesses, you know, to ensure that our our our communities as safe as we can make it for them. Uh we have meetings with these families and some of these families uh I've met with them personally either at their house with other neighbors in their backyard and they don't want to publicize it because they don't want ICE to say, "Oh, wait. They're having a meeting. Let's go park in front of that house." Because that wouldn't surprise me that they would do that. That's how bad it is, right? And so, you know, when you deal with perceptions, it's just that perceptions. Uh, no matter how hard we work to ensure that our community is safe and do as much as we can to to give them the the resources available uh to help them out and to help their children out. You know, some folks will agree, some will disagree, but at the end of the day, we will do what we believe is the right thing to do to help these families. Trust and believe. Trust and believe. As a minority community, as minorities up here on the dis, we care deeply deeply about our families, about our children, for them to continue to to live not only here in Ewood, but in in in society, you know, and be able to enjoy the good things that are that are here for them. And we will continue to do that. Can we control what ISIS is doing? Some folks say, "Oh, yeah, you can control it. You can mandate uh you know how ICE runs." We don't. It's a federal branch of government. ICE does their

thing. But I can guarantee you 100% that our community, our elected officials, our leadership here in our city of Inglewood are committed to assist these families that are in need to assist these business owners that are struggling because of what's happening with these ICE interventions and raids and and and the way they're they're impacting quality of life. And I shared last week as a young kid watching these border patrol agents back then, that's what they were called, chasing my family members and friends through my mom and dad's house in Santa Monica and how traumatic that was then and how it tears me apart now to see that. Who who would ever think, right? And so I just want folks to know that we will continue to work with our community, to work with our family, with the children, God, these children, and with our business owners to make sure that they're safe. Mayor, can I get one minute?

Sure.

On a different note, uh this coming Saturday, we are having a taste of Inglewood downtown Market Street. Uh there will be a stage with entertainment at Queen and Market as well as a ton of of different uh food vendors that are out there from not only Inglewood but the surrounding community. Come out and support these events. Come out and let folks know that you know what, we're not going to be intimidated. We're going to come out and support our community and support our local businesses. And we're going to continue to flourish and be a city of champions. and we're gonna improve that this Saturday. President's Day is on Monday. Uh for those that need to do any city business, just a reminder, city hall will be closed Monday and there will be no city council meeting next Tuesday. Uh with that, I wish you all the best and continue to keep these families and their children in your prayers. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Faulk.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, two things I want to acknowledge before I move forward and that is the the difficult agenda item that we had today regarding the businesses. Um we want to make sure we acknowledge them and let them know that again our deis our council is [snorts] um with those businesses and um we will continue to try and work with them and do all we can to support them as we move forward. Um, [snorts] I also want to acknowledge these families that are here and I do um like that you continue to come to our council meetings and and express the concerns um within all of our districts. I know that a lot of them a lot of um folks come from district 4, but it's happening in all of our districts. Um, like I said last week, we are horrified of what's happening and I will just continue to just express, please vote because there was something that was just horrific that happened on the news this week um to African-Americans. And so it's just scary what's happening to our country just in general. So um just vote is what I can just continue to say. Um I want to thank my family, my friends here on the day for um my beautiful wishes for my birthday. Um um I am 21 today. [laughter] Again, thank you so much. I love y'all. It's been such a wonderful ride being here in the city of Inglewood um for these uh last several years with you guys. And um thank you for the acknowledgement. Thank you for the camaraderie. Um, I look forward to another wonderful year with you guys.

Thank you so much for being my family here in Englewood. Love y'all. Um, [snorts] uh, I want to, um, just remind everyone I'm having a town hall uh, next week, February 18th. And I'm not going to go through all of my announcements because this has been an an emotional this has been an emotional council meeting. So, um, I'm just going to do a couple more acknowledgements. Um, I want to congratulate Ella Bun, the daughter of Thomas Bun. He is, um, our social media manager. She won, um, sixth grade, uh, she is a student at the Englewood Unified School District, uh, Benu. Uh, she won first place for the sixth grade uh, for science and, um, it's the science and engineering fest. So congratulations Ella Bun. [snorts] I want to wish a um very special happy birthday to several people. First our city manager. He [snorts] is an amazing person. Lewis Atwell. Happy birthday to you. Uh his birthday is next week but we are both Aquarians. So happy birthday to you. I know. 21 to you.

You went to [snorts] school together.

I know right. Happy birthday to my commissioner Jackie Cochran. [snorts] Um, she is the librarian commissioner. Happy birthday to black club captain Maxine Barfield. Uh, happy birthday to Katrina Eldridge. And [snorts] um, unfortunately we uh have to say goodbye to Joy Atkinson. And uh, she was a pillar in the community. She was the president of the New Frontier Democratic Club. It's the oldest and largest African-American Democratic club in the state of California. [snorts] Uh she spent 16 years as chief of staff to Assembly Member Gwen Moore. She was appointed four times uh consecutively by the Los Angeles mayors, including the current Los Angeles mayor, Karen Bass. and uh she also was a founding um member of the Citizens for Accountable Leadership as well as the Los Angeles African-American Women's Public Policy Institute, Law Pie, which I'm a member and uh she served as executive director for that um until her death recently. She's a pillar in the community and a good friend. Um so um that's all I want to say.

Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Okay, so the worst thing about speaking last, you never get to wish anybody a happy birthday. It's been done three times. So, happy birthday to everybody. There's one thing worse, not getting allowed to speak. Oh, [laughter] that you're right. You're right. You're right. But but that just meant that just meant you would have been last. But go ahead, Aloy. I'm sorry. [laughter] It was so long.

Happy birthday, Dion. I paid for that. By the way, um there's a lot of things to acknowledge. Really long meeting, productive meeting. One I do want to acknowledge again uh the issue we have with ICE which these uh uh ladies have come to bring forward again. Uh the truth is that we all agree. We all agree that this is wrong. We all agree that this fear is wrong. We agree that you know what's happening around the country is wrong. We understand what immigration actually did for this country. We understand um what immigration continues to do. Some of us have real stories. Alex mentioned some I have a tremendous amount of stories from an immigrant family. Uh I too have been here uh since the 70s and I can tell you that if anything we don't uh agree on everything that we need to do uh to to announce or to portray or to answer uh rumors. We may not agree with how to do that. Uh but I can tell you we are on point with with what's expected. Um, you know, all of us, uh, Councilman Pia mentioned, we we work with families, we work with churches. I can tell you I have personally. And it's one of those things where those are the folks that that you listen to. Those are the folks that tell you the story every day about what they're going through, whether or not they got to go to church that day because they were warned or or whether they uh get to go to work or or how they feel about taking their kids to school. Um, and I can tell you that that's what affects us. You know, it's not the perception. It's not the rumors.

uh you know I answered to them and you know that's what we need to keep in mind here you know that that for instance one of the things I do is check on the attendance of kids at school you know so we can tell if something's different that's what's important so while I can tell you that we may not agree on everything that needs to happen to announce or portray, I can tell you we're all on the same page. And you know, that's that's something that's important to the tone of every meeting we have, to the tone of every conversation we have and how we treat each other. Um, you know, all of us are welcoming in our offices. Uh, we take phone calls, whatever you'd like to discuss, we're open to. So, thank you for being here. Moving on, I can tell you that there was another big item uh discussed with the uh progress of the properties on Market Street. Uh I some somebody mentioned the Mayfair Market and the Thrifty. I remember that. I remember the ice cream at Thrifty. I remember going to Mayfair Market. As a matter of fact, I remember Age Salt. I remember the pizza place that had a special 250 for two slices and a salad and a soda back in the days. that I that was I mean it was one of those things you remember and you know what you need to take from that is that Market Street was a place you can go to. There was something for everybody. You enjoyed going there, walking around and that's what you need to take from that memory because that's what we want again. That's what all businesses want again. We want to be able to walk through there to be countless options about where to go. the far south end uh

was a store called Boston stores. That Boston store, it was like Nornstrom. So, those are things that, you know, we remember and we want them back. We we we we have uh tremendous opportunities for the city and, you know, this is what progress looks like. Uh we need to do it in a way that's sensitive to everybody's position. Uh but that's what we're here for. Uh so we took a big step today. Um that being said, we also had some accomplishments last weekend. I think we were all at the housing uh new housing on on Spruce, the groundbreaking of the housing on Spruce and Kelso. Amazing. uh that church has taken a big step uh in terms of uh utilizing their land to address uh you know affordable housing needs here in our city. Tremendous step that we're all actually involved and invested in. Also, there was an opportunity for everybody to share what was important to them over at St. John Chrysum uh at the next Englewood meeting which allowed people to say, "Hey, this is what I want uh Englewood to look like." That's Father Alex and the principal uh Miguel Alanise um Adis Mendy, I'm sorry. Miguel Alenise is an old library director here and that's why he was on my mind. But Miguel Ariis Mendi and they were nice enough to open up their hall for that meeting and the reason that was important because they have a tremendous amount of parking that can hold folks uh to come in and they are neighbors to a tremendous amount of homes there. So, thank you very much for that. Um, in regards to what's happening even coming up, we have an opening. The Little League has their another season opening. I have to tell you, there's about 400 families there. And we continue to move on as a community. That's what the small town that I think

Owen Smith mentioned. You know, that's what we are. We're we're we're progress. We're a small town and we take care of our own. So, uh, today's meeting was part of the hard work that it takes to do that. That's all I have, Mayor. Thank you. Okay. um to talk about the public hearing. You know, Alloy touched on this. Things change. Now, I've been around Ingwood since 1972. There was a Sears, there was a big five, the Boston store, J C Penney, Buffin and Cadillac, Sparling Buick. I think there was a Newberry, too. That was Santa Monica. Really?

Oh, Santa Monica. Okay. Well, anyway, they they every and and they're gone now, too. So the thing is things change and so the question for cities is as things change do you prepare your community to maximize your opportunities for the future and I would say that we've done a very good job at maximizing our opportunities for the future. The things that we have brought here have provided jobs, cut our unemployment rate from 17 and a half percent to less than 5% at times. It's given us generational wealth for our families that stayed so they have wealth to pass on to their children. The revenues have allowed us to build our police department, fix our infrastructure, our roads, our water systems and at the same time the brand of the city has increased. So change does happen but the question is are you going to manage the change? So, it's most effective for the people that live here or is it going to just happen to you? I would say that we've managed change. 312 East Spruce, it was actually a ribbon cutting. They opened 50 low-income housing units and it was just a perfect project because it said even in the midst of all this prosperity, we're making homes for people that are not high income. And now let's close with not close with but let's talk about um the question about ICE. And I'm glad that the speaker

did acknowledge this. Here's a fact. We the city of Ingwood do not do not have communication with ICE. We the city of Inglewood are not informed when ICE is present in the city. I may find out about it on social on Facebook a week later. That's that's a fact. Here's a fact. Our police do not cooperate with ICE as far as our detainee population. That's a fact. And we are expected, we your elected officials, we the department heads that run the city are expected to conduct ourselves in a way that maximizes safety for our residents. And I've heard a lot about what other cities do and and that they're on the news and whatnot. And I don't know quite frankly that has been more effective. So, we're going to continue to do the things quietly. And then the last thing I wanted to talk about was the talking about using public funds to set up funds for immigrant families. We cannot legally do that. We can't take public money, ask you what your immigration status is, ask you if you're having problems, and give you money any more than we can give someone money because of their race or their job. So, what we have to do is, as Councilman Morales and Council Diaz said, is we network with people. And as I said last week, I've given mothers my own money

because I care sincerely about the pain that people are going through. So if there's any doubt in anyone's mind that this council is concerned, we're extremely concerned and we show that in a community way. And the last thing I'm going to talk about is that um we have a a remodel uh basketball remodel at uh Rogers and Edward Vincent Park. And I don't know if they have the pictures, but anyway, um T-Mobile is doing this. And so we continue to have companies that want to invest in Ingwood and invest in our children. And with that, we're adjourned. Thank you.

[clears throat]