Blog: Represent! | 89.3 KPCC

Maven's Morning Coffee: LAFD recruitment, DWP billing problems, a delay for the Calderon brothers

Alice Walton — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:00:13 -0800

A study from the RAND Corp. finds LAFD needs to significantly overhaul its recruitment process if it wants to attract a more diverse pool of applicants. ; Credit: Thomas Hawk/flickr Creative Commons

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

Today is Friday, Jan. 23 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

A study from RAND Corporation says the LAFD must overhaul its recruitment process if it wants a more diverse force, reports KPCC. "It means reassessing the qualifications that we have for people wanting to join the fire department," according to a spokesman for Mayor Eric Garcetti.

The Department of Water and Power's billing problems have now led to two class action lawsuits, reports the Daily News. For more than a year, the utility's new billing system led to inflated bills and outrageous hold times when users called customer service. "We have been very forthright about the problems with our new customer billing system and we have taken significant steps to fix them," said a DWP spokesman.

Former state Sen. Ron Calderon and his brother, Tom Calderon, want a judge to delay their trial on money laundering and bribery, reports the Sacramento Bee. The two want to push back their trial to August. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Programming note: The Maven is signing off from KPCC. That makes this the final Maven's Morning Coffee. Thank you so much for starting your mornings with the City Maven.

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Friday

Los Angeles City Council: Funding services in CD 9 (10 a.m.)

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Improvements at LAX, political aides in Orange County, fiscal oversight for Riverside

Alice Walton — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:39:04 -0800

The L.A. City Council approved a $961 million contract for work at LAX.; Credit: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Thursday, Jan. 22 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

Businessweek sat down with Mayor Eric Garcetti to talk about his leadership style. "Sometimes people mistake ‘grand vision’ for whether or not you pick fights. I’m willing to fight. I’m not going to pick fights unnecessarily and mistake that for a vision. People should never think that the details aren’t part of a grander plan," Garcetti said.

The L.A. City Council approved a $961 million contract that will cover a quarter of LAX's modernization plan, reports the Daily News. "There is not one of us who haven’t been embarrassed by what we see at LAX," said Councilman Mike Bonin. "Today, we destroy those myths."

An oil company, Freeport MacMoRan, says it will not expand operations in South L.A., reports KPCC. "But people living near the site say even if the company has withdrawn its application to expand operations, they’re not done asking questions about why it should be normal for the densely populated Jefferson Park neighborhood," per the station.

Orange County is surveying just how many political aides it takes to run a government, reports the Voice of OC. "While supervisors have historically utilized political aides on their staffs, there’s been less use in departments headed by elected technocrats, such as: Auditor Controller; Clerk Recorder; Assessor; Sheriff; and District Attorney. Now some of these officials are saying they want their share of political aides," according to the website.

In light of Pasadena's recent embezzlement case, Riverside officials are looking to implement greater fiscal oversight, according to the Press-Enterprise. So far, ideas include "changing the finance director’s position to include an auditing role and having that person report to the City Council rather than the city manager," according to the paper.

Actors Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling filmed at L.A. City Hall Wednesday and managed to snap a photo with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, reports TMZ.

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Friday

Los Angeles City Council: Funding services in CD 9 (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: LA's agreement with the Owens Valley, billboards for council members, new contribution limits in Long Beach

Alice Walton — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 08:22:56 -0800

Water flows through the Owens Valley before it enters the aqueduct intake.; Credit: Mae Ryan/KPCC

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 21 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

The New York Times looks at Los Angeles' long history with the Owens Valley. "In what may be the most startling development yet, the end of one of the great water battles in the West appears at hand: Instead of flooding the lake bed with nearly 25 billion gallons of Los Angeles water every year to hold the dust in place — the expensive and drought-defying stopgap solution that had been in place — engineers have begun to methodically till about 50 square miles of the lake bed, which will serve as the primary weapon to control dust in the valley," according to the piece.

A billboard company seeking a change to the city's restrictions on digital signs is throwing its weight behind six candidates for the L.A. City Council, reports the Los Angeles Times. Lamar Advertising has already installed 100 pro-Jose Huizar signs in the councilman's district.

L.A. County is looking to create a website that would include information on crime statistics, budgets and welfare programs, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Our vast trove of data and public records will be readily available in a user-friendly form for the first time," said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

The Long Beach City Council went ahead and increased how much money politicians can receive into their officeholder accounts, reports the Press-Telegram. Council members can now collect as much as $30,000 to spend on travel, food and community programs.

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Wednesday

Los Angeles City Council: Report on bulky items in city parks (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Influencing City Hall, protest at the ports, what is an infrastructure district?

Alice Walton — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:21:25 -0800

The Los Angeles Times considers the best way to influence City Hall.; Credit: Matt Schilder/Flickr

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 20 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

In Rick Orlov's Tipoff column, Mayor Eric Garcetti heads to Washington, D.C., Controller Ron Galperin advocates for an app, and a former city clerk says "no thanks" to moving city elections.

The Los Angeles Times considers how special interest groups and regular Angelenos can influence the L.A. City Council. "At City Hall, where personal relationships and high-powered lobbying frequently carry the day, some groups work quietly and politely behind the scenes to achieve their goals. Others, however, favor loud protests and public shaming, saying it's the only way to seriously move the needle," according to the newspaper.

Hundreds of longshore workers are expected to protest on Thursday at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach now that employers have suspended vessel unloading night shifts, reports the Press-Telegram. L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino is expected to participate in the march, saying that the suspension of overnight shifts is a "step closer to a lockout."

L.A. is considering an "infrastructure district" to help finance restoration of the L.A. River, reports the Los Angeles Times. "I've been chomping at the bit for the better part of a decade to identify a permanent source of revenue for improvements along the river. And tax-increment financing can be a very good vehicle for that," said Councilman Mitch O'Farrell.

Four Angelenos will sit with First Lady Michelle Obama tonight for the State of the Union address, reports KPCC. They include an LAPD captain, a community college teacher and someone who went through a training program to work on the new Metro Crenshaw line.

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Tuesday

Los Angeles City Council: Ordinance to prevent liquor ads on city property (10 a.m.)
L.A. County Board of Supervisors: Report on jail violence (1 p.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

4 Los Angeles residents to sit with Michelle Obama for president's speech

Sharon McNary — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 05:59:57 -0800

Captain Phil Tingirides of the Los Angeles Police Department's Southeast Division, and his wife, Sergeant Emada Tingirides with Operations-South Bureau, received an invitation from
First Lady Michelle Obama requesting their presence at President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address at the U.S. Capitol.; Credit: Courtesy of LAPD

Sharon McNary

Four Southern Californians will be sitting with First Lady Michelle Obama as the president gives his State of the Union address Tuesday.

It's a tradition for presidents to place local heroes and citizens with compelling personal stories in the First Lady's box in the visitor's gallery.

These four from the Los Angeles area may attract some camera time as the president touches on themes of jobs, the improving economy, technology and public safety.

LeDaya Epps of Compton completed a tough training program to get a job building the new Crenshaw/LAX light rail line.
Teacher Katrice Mubiru introduced the president at L.A. Trade Tech College in July after writing him about the importance of tech skills.
LAPD Captain Phillip Tingirides and Prophet Walker, an ex-con turned construction engineer and political candidate, teamed up in a collaboration of police and residents that aims to build trust between the community and law enforcement in the Watts area.

The White House highlighted 22 guests of the First Lady.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Reports on LA's minimum wage, grants for earthquake retrofits, Jeb Bush's fundraising trip

Alice Walton — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 08:06:18 -0800

Following complaints that Los Angeles was not conducting an independent study on its minimum wage proposal, Councilman Curren Price invited the business and labor communities to submit their own reports. ; Credit: Grant Slater/KPCC

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Thursday, Jan. 15 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will be in Southern California today to raise money for his Right to Rise leadership PAC and the Right to Rise super PAC, reports City News Service. He is expected at events in Los Angeles and Riverside.

After the business community expressed concern that an independent study on the city's proposed minimum wage increase would not truly be independent, L.A. Councilman Curren Price invited business and labor groups to do their own reports on the wage proposal, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Even with information provided by the chamber and federation of labor, we still must have a different credible and unbiased source for the city study," said Ruben Gonzalez, senior vice president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Former Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach will run for the state Senate, reports the Daily Pilot. Moorlach, a Republican, will run for the seat held by Mimi Walters before she was elected to Congress.

The California Earthquake Authority is making $3,000 grants available to Angelenos who want to retrofit their homes, reports KPCC. The grants are specifically for single-family, wood framed homes that were built before 1979.

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Friday

Los Angeles City Council: Air monitoring services at Sunshine Canyon Landfill (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: FBI questions Kevin De Leon bill, Newport Beach brings back fire rings, a look at Ezell Ford's life

Alice Walton — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 08:24:51 -0800

The Los Angeles Times and Sacramento Bee are both reporting that FBI agents are sniffing around an energy bill carried by the leader of the state Senate, Kevin De Leon. ; Credit: Sharon McNary/KPCC

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 14 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

Both the Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee are reporting FBI agents are asking questions about an energy bill once supported by the leader of the state Senate, Kevin De Leon. It's unclear exactly what agents were looking for. "I don't know of anyone who had been contacted by the FBI," De Leon's chief of staff told the Times.

KPCC profiles Ezell Ford, an unarmed African-American man who was shot and killed by police last year. "I want the world to know that he was a human being, with a soul, that was loved, and he loved," says Ford's great-aunt.

The Newport Beach City Council voted to bring back wood-burning fire rings at Corona del Mar State Beach and an area near the Balboa Pier, reports the Orange County Register. The proposal requires a permit from the California Coastal Commission.

Former L.A. City Councilwoman Roz Wyman was named to the L.A. County Arts Commission, according to the Los Angeles Times. She's 84 now but when Wyman was 22, she was the youngest person ever elected to the city council.

Which Way, LA? discusses oil drilling in Hermosa Beach.

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Wednesday

Los Angeles City Council: Presentation by seismologist Lucy Jones on the mayor's earthquake resiliency plan (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Kamala Harris to run for Senate, violent crime up in LA, former LAUSD superintendent gets new job

Alice Walton — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 10:15:21 -0800

California Attorney General Kamala Harris will run for the U.S. Senate, she said Tuesday. ; Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 13 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

State Attorney General Kamala Harris will run for the U.S. Senate in 2016. "California has been incredibly well served by the transformational leadership of Senator Boxer and the continued service of Senator (Dianne) Feinstein. With your help, I hope to build on their legacies in the U.S. Senate," Harris wrote on her Facebook page. Los Angeles Times, KPCC, Sacramento Bee

Former LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy joined a training academy backed by philanthropist Eli Broad, reports KPCC. At the Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, Deasy will focus on training and coaching leaders in public education.

Violent crime increased in Los Angeles in 2014, according to crime statistics from LAPD. There were more homicides, rapes and aggravated assaults last year than in the year prior. KPCC, Los Angeles Times

Activists are examining the ecological health of the Los Angeles River down in Long Beach, according to the Daily News. "We want to establish a baseline to see how the river is doing pollution-wise and how healthy the fish are," according to a rep for Friends of the L.A. River.

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Tuesday

L.A. County Board of Supervisors: Update on public health (9:30 a.m.)
O.C. Board of Supervisors: Discussion with district attorney on gang crimes (9:30 a.m.)
Los Angeles City Council: Closed session discussion on Telephone Users Tax (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Villaraigosa considers US Senate, police union gets a PR firm, Long Beach preps for State of the City

Alice Walton — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 08:26:43 -0800

Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says he is considering a run for the U.S. Senate. ; Credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for BGR

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Monday, Jan. 12 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

In Rick Orlov's Tipoff column, the campaign is on to move L.A. elections and Sheriff Jim McDonnell faces a tough challenge.

Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa posted a statement to Facebook that he is strongly considering a run for the U.S. Senate. "Too many Californians are struggling to make ends meet, pay the bills, and send their kids to college. They are looking for progressive leaders in Washington who will fight for them, like Senator (Barbara) Boxer has done for over 20 years," he said in his statement.

The Police Protective League has hired a public relations firm to help in its contract negotiations with City Hall, reports the Los Angeles Times. The firm started its work by polling 1,000 Angelenos. "Union officials said the poll found that people were generally split or undecided on the question of whether LAPD officers should receive pay raises as part of a new contract," per the Times.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia will give his first State of the City address on Tuesday. He is expected to focus on economic development and education, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

San Bernardino County's pension costs will increase $35.6 million in the next year, reports the San Bernardino Sun. A low rate of return on investments and longer life expectancies are behind the cost increases.

A former spokeswoman to Mayor Jim Hahn and Councilwoman Wendy Greuel died Saturday. Elizabeth Kaltman was 41. Her most recent position was with Walt Disney Studios, per the Hollywood Reporter.

Press Conferences

Mayor Eric Garcetti and police Chief Charlie Beck will discuss the city's 2014 crime statistics at 9:15 a.m.

Upcoming Votes

Tuesday

L.A. County Board of Supervisors: Update on public health (9:30 a.m.)
O.C. Board of Supervisors: Discussion with district attorney on gang crimes (9:30 a.m.)
Los Angeles City Council: Closed session discussion on Telephone Users Tax (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Race on for Senate seat, governor to release budget, complaints over a City Hall study

Alice Walton — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 08:06:08 -0800

Sen. Barbara Boxer will not seek reelection in 2016. ; Credit: Kitty Felde/KPCC

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Friday, Jan. 9 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

The race is on to see which politicians will run for the U.S. Senate in 2016 now that Barbara Boxer won't be on the ballot. Frontrunners include Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Attorney General Kamala Harris. "There is an entire generation who has been waiting for this opportunity," Dan Schnur with USC's Unruh Institute of Politics told KPCC.

Gov. Jerry Brown will release the state budget at 10 a.m. According to the Sacramento Bee, the budget will hold the line on spending within the University of California system. "The budget includes the same, modest annual funding increase – $120 million – that Brown has previously proposed for UC, on the condition that tuition remain flat," according to the paper.

L.A. City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell and members of the business community are upset that the firm selected to complete an independent study on the city's minimum wage proposal is the same firm that studied the issue for Mayor Eric Garcetti, reports the Daily News. "It’s going to be difficult for the public to believe that there is integrity in this process," O'Farrell said.

The New Yorker looks at the fortunes of California and Texas and their reliance on real estate and oil, respectively. "These days, though, no one is talking about the lessons California should learn from Texas," according to the piece.

Tweet of the Day

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Friday

Los Angeles City Council: Appointment to Harbor Area Planning Commission (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: OC to get new supervisor, fight over Hollywood sign, public comment in San Bernardino

Alice Walton — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 08:15:52 -0800

The race is on in Orange County to select a new supervisor. ; Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Thursday, Jan. 8 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

The Hollywood Reporter looks at the fight between neighbors, politicians and tourists over access to the Hollywood sign. "Everyone involved agrees that the situation has become a powder keg," according to the piece.

Voters in Orange County will pick a new supervisor in a Jan. 27 special election, reports KPCC. The vacancy was created when Janet Nguyen, the board's first Asian-American representative, was elected to the state Senate.

L.A. City Councilman Mike Bonin wants the Planning Department to come up with new ways to ensure developers are following through with requirements imposed on their projects, according to the Los Angeles Times. "I think it's a question of faith for the public, particularly for all the folks in the community who work so hard to negotiate a project in a way that's neighborhood friendly," he said.

Los Angeles could learn today whether it will be the U.S. Olympic Committee's pick for the 2024 Summer Olympics, reports the City News Service. Also in the running are Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Boston. The International Olympic Committee is expected to pick a host city in 2017.

Residents who address the San Bernardino City Council will have less time to speak under a new proposal, reports the San Bernardino Sun. Public speakers will no longer be able to "pull" a noncontroversial item from the consent calendar. Instead, speakers will have three minutes to talk about all of the items listed under consent.

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Friday

Los Angeles City Council: Appointment to Harbor Area Planning Commission (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Metro chief steps down, Long Beach council wants more money, what's LA doing to build affordable housing?

Alice Walton — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:22:13 -0800

The head of Metro will leave the agency in April, he announced Tuesday. ; Credit: Todd Johnson/KPCC

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 7 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

The head of Metro will step down in April, according to the Los Angeles Times. Art Leahy told the Times it was his decision to leave the transit agency, though sources also told the paper board members were ready to let his contract expire. "Art Leahy’s impact on Southern California will be felt forever more," said Mayor Eric Garcetti, who also chairs the Metro Board.

KPCC looks at the city of Los Angeles' efforts to build affordable housing and replenish the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. "It’s been bad for the city in that we now are contributing zero dollars to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. We have effectively gotten out of the game of providing revenue to build affordable housing in Los Angeles," said Councilman Mitch O'Farrell.

The Long Beach City Council wants to increase the amount of money politicians can raise for their officeholder accounts, reports the Long Beach Press-Telegram. That money can be used for non-campaign purposes, like travel or community events. The council wants to increase the cap on those accounts from $10,000 to $30,000.

Los Angeles County may upgrade its animal shelters, which are described as outdated and overcrowded, according to CBS 2. The proposal comes from Supervisors Mike Antonovich and Hilda Solis.

Press Conferences

Mayor Eric Garcetti will attend the Gateway Cities Council of Governments meeting at 5:45 p.m.

Upcoming Votes

Wednesday

Los Angeles City Council: Contract for services related to fire-damaged city building (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Water district pays fine, OC gets new auditor, LA's lax enforcement against developers

Alice Walton — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:24:26 -0800

The Los Angeles Times finds City Hall rarely follows up to make sure developers are following the conditions of their projects. ; Credit: Alice Walton/KPCC

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 6 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

Sen. Dianne Feinstein wants President Obama to take executive action that would prevent future cases of torture, reports KPCC. That action could include "rules forbidding contractors from carrying out interrogations, closer oversight of the Central Intelligence Agency by the National Security Council, and better screening to keep those with a history of violence and abuse out of the CIA's interrogation program," according to the station.

CityLab takes a crack at Los Angeles' zoning code and all of its confusion. "L.A.'s current zoning code is ancient. It was adopted in 1946 just after World War II ended and when Harry Truman was president. From a simple 84-page document, it's ballooned to over 600 pages of sometimes vague or contradictory regulations," per the site.

Why doesn't the city of L.A. hold developers accountable for conditions placed on their projects? The Los Angeles Times finds "thin staffing at the Department of Building and Safety and a monitoring system driven by complaints rather than proactive enforcement has made it harder to ensure that such conditions are followed."

The former general manager of the Central Basin Municipal Water District will pay a $30,000 fine for violating conflict-of-interest laws, according to the Sacramento Bee. Arthur J. Aguilar is accused of failing to report dinners, drinks and rounds of golf provided by Pacifica Services, which did business with the water district.

Pasadena officials had their first opportunity Monday to talk about an employee who allegedly embezzled $6.4 million from the city, reports the Pasadena Star-News. "Summing up emotion and anger that seemed present among citizens, several residents directly addressed the city council and its 'anemic oversight' of city employees and departments," per the newspaper.

Orange County's new auditor-controller says he's ready to make noise in the little-noticed job, reports the Voice of OC. "(Eric) Woolery wants to delve into any operation he sees fit, and that’s put him at odds with county supervisors, who essentially took away the ability to audit internal departments from the Auditor-Controller after the 1994 bankruptcy," according to the piece.

Press Conferences

Mayor Eric Garcetti and members of the L.A. City Council will talk about tourism at LAX at 10 a.m.

Upcoming Votes

Tuesday

L.A. County Board of Supervisors: Report on the Office of Child Protection (9:30 a.m.)

O.C. Board of Supervisors: Recess (9:30 a.m.)

Los Angeles City Council: Recess (10 a.m.)

Riverside City Council: Report on contracts with tow truck companies (1:30 p.m.)

Long Beach City Council: Amend the definition of a "nigh club" (5 p.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Jerry Brown is sworn in, oil prices impact Long Beach, Inglewood name neighborhood of the year

Alice Walton — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:16:17 -0800

Gov. Jerry Brown will begin his fourth term of office Monday. ; Credit: Max Whittaker/Getty Images

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Monday, Jan. 5 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

In Rick Orlov's Tipoff column, Antonio Villaraigosa returns, Rep. Tony Cardenas makes a plan, and two L.A. city councilmen end up on a sexual harassment list.

Gov. Jerry Brown will be sworn in for a fourth term of office today. "The governor is expected to lay out a vision for the next four years that continues to build on fiscal restraint, paying down the state's so-called wall of debt and fighting climate change — many principles he pledged during re-election," reports the Associated Press.

Has the gang era in Los Angeles ended? Reporter Sam Quinones writes about it for Pacific Standard. "How much of what's changed in Southern California should be credited to hard-nosed enforcement ... to softer stuff like community policing ... or to broader forces such as real estate, underworld dictates, and demographics?" he writes.

When all was said and done, the Made in America festival made the city of Los Angeles $31,000, according to an economic report on the summer concert in Grand Park. The report went on to estimate that there was an additional $15 million in economic activity in L.A. that weekend because of the concert. "City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana, the budget analyst who commissioned the report, would not say whether the festival should return this year, saying the document 'speaks for itself.'," reports the Los Angeles Times. NBC 4

The owner of the St. Louis Rams plans to build a NFL stadium in Inglewood, according to the Los Angeles Times. "The announcement is the latest in more than a dozen stadium proposals that have come and gone in the meandering, two-decade effort to bring an NFL franchise back to the nation's second-largest media market," per the Times.

Falling oil prices could force the city of Long Beach to rethink its spending plan, reports the Press-Telegram. A significant portion of the city's budget comes from oil rights profits. The Long Beach City Council is expected to discuss the issue on Jan. 20.

The sheriff of San Bernardino County was the state's highest-paid elected official in 2013, according to the state Controller's Office, per the San Bernardino Sun. John McMahon earned more than $363,000 that year.

Inglewood was named Curbed LA's 2014 neighborhood of the year. "For now, relatively low housing prices mean artists and other interesting people can still afford to live there," per the site.

Tweet of the Day

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Tuesday

L.A. County Board of Supervisors: Report on the Office of Child Protection (9:30 a.m.)

O.C. Board of Supervisors: Recess (9:30 a.m.)

Los Angeles City Council: Recess (10 a.m.)

Riverside City Council: Report on contracts with tow truck companies (1:30 p.m.)

Long Beach City Council: Amend the definition of a "nigh club" (5 p.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maven's Morning Coffee: Police union's new leadership, problems at the ports, a mega warehouse in Riverside

Alice Walton — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 08:02:32 -0800

The Police Protective League has a new president who was once on the Christopher Commission's list of problem officers. ; Credit: Photo by Steve Devol via Flickr Creative Commons

Alice Walton

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven's Morning Coffee -- a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, votes and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

The Maven's Morning Coffee is also available as a daily email. Click here to subscribe.

Today is Friday, Jan. 2 and here is what's happening in Southern California politics:

Headlines

CNBC reports work disruptions at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are causing serious money problems for businesses like Lululemon and Ann Taylor. Problems at the ports could continue through mid-2015.

The Los Angeles Times profiles the new president of the Police Protective League, a man who was included on the Christopher Commission's list of "problem officers" 20 years ago. "So many of us were hung out to dry. They did virtually nothing for us. I wanted to change what goes on here," Craig Lally said of past union directors.

A developer is seeking support for a new Riverside-based warehouse that would be the size of 700 football fields, reports the Press-Enterprise. The warehouse would bring an additional 14,000 to 29,000 truck trips a day to the region, which already suffers from poor air quality.

Beginning today, immigrants who are in the country illegally can apply for a California driver's license, reports KPCC. The Department of Motor Vehicles expects 1.4 million immigrants to apply for a license over the next three years.

In an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times, Ethics Commissioner Jessica Levinson makes the case for consolidating city elections with state and federal races. "We can and should all be more educated about local government," Levinson writes.

Curbed LA says 2014 was the year of Los Angeles' "rental apocalypse." "In 2014, practically all we saw—over and over and depressingly over—was that Los Angeles was in a rental crisis and it's bad and there's no real fix in sight. It's not just that the rents are too high, it's also that the wages are too low, and the new construction is all for the rich," according to the website.

Press Conferences

None

Upcoming Votes

Friday

Los Angeles City Council: Recess (10 a.m.)

Questions or comments on Maven's Morning Coffee can be sent here

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.