January 27, 2026 City Council Meeting

What happened

Timestamps, item boundaries and summaries on this page come from an automatic (speech-to-text) transcript of the city’s YouTube recording, checked against the posted agenda. Times may be off by a few seconds, the transcript does not identify speakers, and names and numbers may be misheard. The approved minutes are the official record. Methods

• The LA County Sanitation District presented proposed 2026 sewer service charge increases (about 10–20% cumulative). Garcia asked the city to tell residents about the increase through its media channels.
• The consent calendar (4-0) accepted a $250,000 Metro Open Streets grant for a FIFA World Cup “Celebration Hub” (June 26–28, 2026). It included contracts with CicLAvia ($50,000 plus a 20% share of sponsorships), Day One ($121,000) and Public Matters ($30,000), and a one-year Probation Department prevention program.
• There were no regular agenda items or closed session.

Agenda items, in order

1. Opening, invocation, pledge and presentations

   Invocation by Council Member Lara; pledge led by a Birney Tech Academy student. Recognition of former Sister City Commissioner Irma Tirado (Dec 2023–Dec 2025).

   Outcome: Four members present; the Mayor said Sánchez had called to say she could not attend.

   ▶ Watch 0:06 · ▶ Recognition 6:02 · Read in transcript

2. Presentation: LA County Sanitation District 2026 sewer rates

   Andrew Hall explained the proposed wastewater service charge increases, the Jan 23 notice mailer, cost controls, the low-water rebate and the upcoming public hearings.

   Outcome: Presentation only. Garcia asked that residents be informed through city media.

   ▶ Watch 8:35 · ▶ Council questions 16:54 · Read in transcript

3. Public comments

   Three speakers and one written comment (see the Public comments tab).

   Outcome: Comments only; no action.

   ⚑ A written comment came from a Victor Gonzalez. The name matches a later WCA vice president and a 2026 candidate filing (FL10). That is an identical name only; there is no evidence they are the same person. · Connections

   ▶ Watch 18:01 · Read in transcript

4. 1–7. Consent calendar (items 1–7)

   Approved together:

   • 1. Minutes of Jan 13, 2026
   • 2. 9th warrant register of FY 2025-26
   • 3. Veterans Commission appointment (Resolution 7458): Efrain Hernandez
   • 4. Metro Open Streets grant of $250,000 for the World Cup Celebration Hub (Resolution 7459); CicLAvia $50,000 plus 20% of sponsorships, Day One $121,000, Public Matters $30,000; event weekend June 26–28, 2026
   • 5. Mayor's appointments to boards, agencies and committees
   • 6. Second-quarter Treasurer's report (Dec 31, 2025)
   • 7. LA County Probation Department: one-year Prevention and Intervention Program

   Outcome: Approved 4-0. The minutes list a motion by Lutz, a second by Garcia and a roll call. On the video it is a voice vote (“all those in favor say aye… So moved”).

   Contract C380 (CicLAvia) · Contract C381 (Probation)

   ▶ Watch 24:37 · ▶ New Veterans commissioner 24:57 · Read in transcript

5. Good of the Order (AB 1234)

   No regular agenda items and no City Manager reports. Members reported (see the Public comments tab, Council reports).

   Outcome: No new business requests.

   ▶ Watch 26:14 · Read in transcript

6. Adjournment

   No closed session.

   Outcome: Adjourned at 6:30 p.m. (minutes).

   ▶ Watch 31:03 · Read in transcript

Connections, recusals and disclosures

Documented connection, not evidence of impropriety.

• A written comment came from a Victor Gonzalez. The name matches a later WCA vice president and a 2026 candidate filing (FL10). That is an identical name only; there is no evidence they are the same person. · Connections (item)

Records for this meeting

Contracts

Public comments

Names follow the approved minutes.

Council member comments and reports

Sánchez was absent. Members are identified by the Mayor's introductions and the minutes.

Full transcript

Automatic speech-to-text transcript, without speaker names; it may contain errors. Click any line or timestamp to watch that moment on YouTube. Home addresses are removed.