Small-business protections and a $41 million trash question

Primary source: Watch the official City Council recording from the beginning. The video is the best source. This newsletter is an editorial report based on the meeting transcript and agenda, not an official record. Quotes from automatic captions are lightly cleaned for readability and should be checked against the video.

The short version

The council started work on protections for commercial tenants, advanced the next version of LA's commercial-waste system and approved year-end budget adjustments. Small-business owners described harassment and unaffordable rents. The longest council debate centered on recycLA 2.0 and whether new administrative costs will eventually reach apartment residents and other customers.

Commercial tenants may get an anti-harassment law

Item 5 directed the city to study protections for commercial tenants and the feasibility of a Commercial Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance. Councilmember Heather Hutt said small businesses anchor neighborhood corridors but often have little protection when landlords withhold repairs, pursue unfair evictions or impose steep increases. Watch Hutt's comments.

The motion passed 15-0. Watch the vote.

Public comment gave the proposal its stakes. Memphis Perez said beloved neighborhood businesses are “quietly screaming as they drown in despair.” Watch Perez's comment. Restaurant owner Tyrie Lacy said small businesses need a legal safety net against landlord harassment. Watch Lacy's testimony. Amy Chong of Inclusive Action said businesses should be able to operate without fear of unfair treatment. Watch Chong's comment.

recycLA 2.0 raised a cost question the city cannot answer yet

Item 8 prepared structural changes for the next commercial-waste franchise system, including administrative fees, updated zones and enforcement covering recycling and organics service. Sanitation officials said the proposal shifts from a franchise fee to a cost-based fee, with roughly $41 million in annual program costs built into the procurement. Watch the department explanation.

Councilmember Imelda Padilla pressed officials on whether providers would pass those costs to customers, especially residents of multifamily buildings. Staff said proposed rates remain confidential during negotiations. The council is expected to compare existing-contract costs with new bids when the department returns around August or September. Watch the cost exchange.

Councilmember Adrin Nazarian emphasized that this vote created the legal and financial structure, not final approval of new hauler contracts. The council approved the item 14-0 and sent it forward urgently. Watch the vote.

Workers and residents filled the rest of public comment

Starbucks and fast-food workers again asked for predictable schedules and rights training. Manuel Nasco urged the council to stand behind roughly 50,000 fast-food workers and move the fair-work ordinance into committee. Watch Nasco's testimony.

Residents also argued both sides of allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Julie Van Winkle of United Teachers Los Angeles said all parents are invested in their schools. Watch her comment. Roelio Martinez, a naturalized citizen, argued voting should remain limited to citizens. Watch his comment.