City Pushes For Local Hiring In Palisades Fire Rebuild

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles City Council requested an analysis Wednesday on the impacts of emergency declarations on workforce regulations, as elected officials seek to rebuild the fire-torn community of Pacific Palisades with local hands.

In a 13-0 vote, council members instructed the Bureau of Contract Administration with assistance from the Emergency Management Department to report on recruitment and hiring practices being used by the city and its contractors for reconstruction of the coastal enclave that suffered as a result of January's wildfires.

Council members asked staff to provide details on public and private reconstruction work. The report is expected to include recommendations to incentivize private reconstruction work to encourage the use of local labor and businesses.

Additionally, the council instructed the Chief Legislative Analyst's Office to provide a report on how local, state and federal emergency declarations related to the wildfires impact established workforce regulations when public funds are being used.

Council members Bob Blumenfield and Adrin Nazarian were absent during the vote.

No additional comments were made during Wednesday's meeting.

Council members Monica Rodriguez and Traci Park introduced the motion calling for such reports on March 28.

"The emergency declarations are necessary to expedite reconstruction but may have an unintended consequence of suspending policies regarding workforce regulations," the motion reads. "Policies such as local hire and apprenticeship training may not be implemented consistently for reconstruction work associated with the Pacific Palisades."

Through the Targeted Local Hire Program and Public Infrastructure Stabilization ordinance, the city supports creating employment opportunities for residents.

"Utilizing public funds for the maximum benefit of the community should always be the priority," according to the motion. "It is incumbent upon the city to use every public dollar to realize multiple goals from reconstruction, to job creation to supporting the local economy.

"As we continue to reinvest in the Pacific Palisades reconstruction, we must make sure the workforce is reflective of our city and that employment opportunities are prioritized for city residents," the motion continues.

City News Service