Sunday, July 27, 2025

County Supervisors to Weigh Price-Gouging Protections, Altadena Crime Rewards, and Capital Investments on Tuesday

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday morning to vote on extending rental price-gouging protections, renewing Altadena-related crime reward offers, and advancing key development and infrastructure projects, including expanded mental health facilities and new agreements with the FBI, according to the July 29 meeting agenda.

Housing protections at top of agenda

Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Kathryn Barger will introduce a motion to extend price-gouging safeguards in the rental and hospitality sectors through August 30, citing a rise in complaints and the need to protect vulnerable residents.

Altadena crime reward renewals

Supervisor Barger will seek to reestablish a $75,000 reward in connection with the 2016 murder of Salvador Esparza III in unincorporated Altadena, along with a separate $10,000 reward for the 2020 Lancaster homicide of Ismael Zabala. Both motions aim to generate new leads.

Development initiatives and mental health infrastructure

Supervisor Janice Hahn will propose a 99-year ground lease with the State of California to support the LA County Care Community’s expansion at Metropolitan State Hospital. Separately, Supervisor Hilda Solis plans to allocate $3.3 million to advance the Centennial Project Master Plan at the General Hospital Medical Campus, which includes a National Register historic designation bid and exploration of a Climate Resilience District.

Law enforcement oversight and federal collaboration

In a transparency-focused measure, Hahn will request draft language for an ordinance barring law enforcement from concealing their identities while interacting with the public in unincorporated areas, excluding undercover and emergency mask use. The Board will also consider Memoranda of Understanding with the FBI for participation in two regional financial crimes task forces.

Contract approvals, tax measures, and capital purchases

Items on the agenda include a proposed $11.3 million property acquisition in Glendale, authorization of sewer inspection and traffic signal upgrade contracts worth more than $48 million, and approvals for new special tax levies and annexations in Valencia and Antelope Valley.

Education and public health matters

Supervisors Horvath and Solis will ask the Los Angeles County Office of Education to present on federal policy changes affecting Head Start at the August 5 meeting. Public Health officials will present findings on mental health and substance use disorder bed tracking, while the Board considers continuing the local emergency declaration from January’s windstorm and critical fire events.

Labor and financial moves

The County will consider a one-time $5,000 bonus for employees covered by newly ratified bargaining agreements. The Board is also set to vote on settlements totaling more than $4.6 million across five cases, including a sewer-related property damage claim in Altadena.

Meeting details and public participation

The session will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Downtown Los Angeles. Members of the public may submit comments online or via phone beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The meeting will be televised July 30 at 11:00 p.m. on KLCS.