good morning. Welcome to LA on the Record, City Hall’s newsletter. Dakota Smith joins David Zahniser to bring you the latest information on local government.

Faith leaders in the city of Los Angeles were very excited several years ago when the city’s Planning Department began working on a proposal to encourage churches, synagogues, and other faith-based organizations to build affordable housing. did.

The proposal, which the Planning Commission passed last month, would allow these groups to build multi-unit affordable housing on parking lots and other parts of the property, even in areas zoned for single-family homes. is allowed.

The proposal is similar to a new state law written by state senators. scott wiener (D-San Francisco) Targets faith-based groups. However, there are some important differences. LA does not require construction workers to receive union-level wages, known as the “prevailing wage.” It also does not require large projects to receive medical or other benefits.

Additionally, while Vienna law allows for expedited government approval for all faith-based developments where all units are deemed affordable, the city’s proposal would increase that standard to 80% of the units. It’s being lowered.

The city was trying to give more financial flexibility to religious groups that have struggled with declining attendance following the pandemic.

Now, amid a lobbying push by the Labor Party, the city’s proposal could effectively be killed before it even gets a vote on the city council.

Motions filed this week by City Council members Tim McOscar And the other six council members aim to ensure faith-based organizations comply with state law requirements.

The motion directs the Planning Department and other city officials to propose language that “fully incorporates the labor standards and affordability requirements” of the Vienna law, which took effect Jan. 1.

Representatives from the Planning Department declined to comment on the motion.

The Western Regional Council of Carpenters, which represents workers in Southern California and the western United States, registered with the city earlier this year to fight the city plan, according to city filings.

Some of those representing groups on this issue are lobbyists. rick jacobs Former consultant at the time-Mayor Eric Garcetti. Mr. Jacobs, who filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment against a Los Angeles Police Department officer and paid a $1.8 million settlement, has kept a low profile for a while, but is now a full-time resident of City Hall.

Jacobs attended a recent party at the building for the new City Council president. marquise harris dawson and the outgoing president Paul Krekorian.

Carpenters Union Western Region Vice President Pete Rodriguez He told the Times that his group has been a vocal advocate for “quick local enforcement of state laws,” including the Vienna law.

“We know that faith leaders and their congregations stand with us to end the exploitation that leaves half of California’s construction workers dependent on public assistance,” Rodriguez said. Ta. “If we want to end homelessness, we must build more housing, end the exploitation of workers, and develop a middle class.”

pastor martin porterHe, who heads Moreno Valley’s Quinn African Methodist Episcopal Church, predicted that the 100% affordability requirement would effectively limit the church’s ability to partner with large developers that take advantage of tax credits.

“This motion creates a disincentive to build affordable housing on church-owned land,” said Porter, who heads a development company affiliated with the church. “It also punishes the church and squeezes profit margins and back-end dividend and revenue expectations.”

pastor john orrHousing Faith Project Manager for community organization LA Voice said his group is focused on provisions that benefit workers.

But he worries that the Wiener Act’s prevailing wage requirements “could discourage the construction of smaller projects.”

bishop Love Star AddamsThe director of Greater New St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church in South Los Angeles told the Times earlier this year that he could not afford to build affordable housing on his property unless the city’s proposal passed. Ta.

California’s prevailing wages and benefits are generally higher than the minimum wage, and in some cases significantly higher.

McCosker said in an interview that he wants to make sure any proposals to encourage affordable housing reflect the city’s “values.”

“We don’t want to create a situation where we’re building housing, we’re encouraging housing, but we’re taking advantage of the workers who are building housing,” McOscar said.

MacOscar, an ally of organized labor, also filed a motion earlier this year to create prevailing wage requirements for affordable housing projects made possible by the Mayor’s Executive Directive 1. Karen Bass” signature program.

The motion has not been taken up by City Council. Housing developers sent a letter to Mr. Bass’s office objecting to the move earlier this year.

Other City Council members who signed recent motions involving faith-based groups include: heather hat, Bob Blumenfield, Hugo Soto Martinez, john lee and Monica Rodriguez. Imelda Padilla A motion was filed.

A representative from the Los Angeles/Orange County Building and Construction Trades Council told the Times that the group supports the motion.

The Western Regional Council of Carpenters regularly supports councilors’ campaigns.

Mr. Hutt, who is running in the Nov. 5 election to defend his seat representing Mid-City, Koreatown and parts of South Los Angeles, will be elected in the March primary, according to filings with the city’s Office of Ethics. The election benefited from at least $146,834 in outside spending by the organization. commission.

Hutto told the Times that the city “should not be exempt from this important state law,” while Sotomartinez said the city “must provide affordable housing and strong labor protections. ” he said.

The Planning Department’s faith-based affordable housing proposal is part of a series of housing recommendations aimed at increasing the number of units in the city.

Last year, Bass hosted a summit for faith-based organizations to help faith leaders participate in the production of affordable housing.

Asked about the motion put forward by city council members this week, Bass spokeswoman Clara Karger said the mayor supports the motion.

“The Mayor will continue to work with City Council, labor leaders and faith leaders to find a balance that increases affordable housing production while ensuring the workers who build the homes can afford to live there,” Karger said. said.

State of play

—Close book: Sitiati. heidi feldstein sotoOffice announces “insufficient evidence” to pursue misdemeanor wiretapping charges against couple over recording of city council member’s conversation kevin de leon, Nury Martinezand Gil Cedillo and the Labor Party leader Ron Herrera It contained crude and racist language. Both Mr. de Leon and Mr. Cedillo criticized the lack of charges. The couple denies any wrongdoing.

— Board of Directors Renewal: mayor Karen Bass The long-awaited reorganization of the Public Works Commission has finally been carried out, and the following three new members have been appointed: Faith Mitchell A recently retired judge. steve kan Koreatown Youth Community Center staff. and Jenny Chaveza former executive with the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau and former chief of staff to a former City Council member. Joe Buscaino.

The Public Works Commission is the only city commission with a full-time salary, paying each member approximately $191,000 annually. Mayors typically appoint a public works commissioner soon after taking office, but Bass left it in place for nearly two years. In recent months she has appointed John Grantpast president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770. Vahid Khorsandthe only holdover from the Garcetti administration.

—Hefty price tag: About How Much Will It Cost City Hall to End Homelessness? $21.7 billion For more than a decade, according to a new city report. This price tag raises the question of whether the city should scrap that strategy and come up with a new one.

—Monitoring on laptop: The Los Angeles Police Department has paid at least $11 million in damages in gender-based discrimination, retaliation and other workplace dispute lawsuits brought by LAPD officers, according to a Times investigation. A recent lawsuit filed by a 29-year veteran of the agency alleges she was demoted, reassigned and subject to an internal investigation for using abusive language.

— Glaza says: of Greater Los Angeles Zoo AssociationThe nonprofit organization, which has partnered with the city-run zoo in Griffith Park for 60 years, announced it will not seek a new contract with the city, according to a letter the group sent to Bass’ office this week. The letter accuses the city of a variety of issues, including “five years of negotiations, endless demands, and ever-increasing restrictions” on fundraising efforts, among other complaints.

—New housing head: bass selected Tiena Johnson Hall, He became the executive director of the California Housing Finance Agency and the next director of the housing division. she will replace Ann Seawillheld that position for several years.

quick hit

• Where is Inside Safe? According to the mayor’s office, there were no Inside Safe operations this week.
• On next week’s calendar: City Council Public Works Committee meet on wednesday The plan to create a Central American cultural district will be discussed. The committee will also review three new people appointed by the mayor to the Public Works Commission.