CommentsLA WATCHDOG--According to a December 31 Facebook posting by Mayor Eric Garcetti, “2015 was a big year. We laughed together, cried together and worked together to make our city better. Just in time for the New Year, check out this short video we made to celebrate all that Los Angeles has accomplished over the last 12 months. Can't wait to see how we'll outdo ourselves in 2016!”
But rather than go through the 21 modest accomplishments (see below) presented in “Looking Back at the Past Year in LA,” we should review what was not highlighted in this professionally produced two minute video.
There was no substantive discussion about our Department of Water and Power and the massive $1.4 billion, 30% increase in our utility rates over the next five years.
There was no mention of reforming DWP’s chaotic governance despite Garcetti’s 2013 campaign pledge and the recommendations of both the LA 2020 Commission and the charter mandated Industrial, Economic, and Industrial Survey.
Nor was our cash strapped City’s budget a topic of conversation even though the City is expected to have a budget deficit of more than $400 million over the next four years.
Nor was the budget busting new labor contract for the City’s civilian workforce mentioned even though it will add over $125 million in annual costs and roll back pension reform. It will also make it more difficult for the City to outsource work (such as road repairs) to more efficient, better managed private contractors.
Nor was the $13.5 billion unfunded pension liability (71% funded) of the City’s two pension plans discussed or that pension contributions are devouring over 20% of the General Fund budget.
Nor was the state of our lunar cratered streets, our broken sidewalks, and the rest of our deteriorating infrastructure mentioned.
But rather than dwelling on 2015, we need a better understanding of what Garcetti is planning for 2016 and beyond. And this does not mean platitudes and aspirations, but definitive policies and goals so that we can render a judgment on his leadership when he is up for reelection in 2017.
Will Garcetti pursue the recommendation of the LA 2020 Commission to establish an Office of Transparency and Accountability to oversee our City’s strained finances and its budget shenanigans?
Will Garcetti follow the blue ribbon Commission’s advice to form a Committee for Retirement Security to review the City’s retirement obligations and to make “concrete recommendations on how to achieve equilibrium on retirement costs by 2020?”
Will Garcetti lead the reform the governance of our Department of Water and Power as was recommended by both the LA 2020 Commission and the Industrial, Economic, and Administrative Survey?
Will Garcetti follow up on the LA 2020 Commission’s recommendation to update the City’s Community Plans “to enhance neighborhood input and establish a thoughtful growth strategy?”
Will Garcetti develop an operational and financial plan to repair and maintain our lunar cratered streets, our broken sidewalks, and the rest of our failing infrastructure?
There are many other issues that need to be addressed, including, but certainly not limited to, balancing the budget without raiding the Reserve Fund, fixing the City’s poorly managed and inefficient work force, updating its management information systems, and funding the Los Angeles River and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Eric, Angelenos elected you to lead the City, not to kick the can down the road. And to judge your leadership, we need results and not a lot of political hot air. Otherwise, how can you expect us to vote for you when you are up for reelection in March of 2017 or when you run for higher office in 2018?
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Looking Back at the Past Year in LA
1. Mayor Garcetti signs LA’s first-ever Sustainability City pLAn.
2. Angelenos work together to Save a Drop and conserve water.
3. Shadeballs help conserve and preserve water quality in our reservoirs.
4. CicLAvia turns 5.
5. LA commits to acquiring the largest Electric Vehicle Fleet in the country.
6. The US Army Corps of Engineers signs off on a plan to restore the Los Angeles River.
7. Los Angeles hosts first-ever US-China Climate Leaders Summit.
8. Mayor Garcetti represents Angelenos and Climate Mayors at UN Climate Conference in Paris.
9. Los Angeles becomes the host city for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.
10. Los Angeles becomes the official US bid City to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.
11. Mayor Garcetti signs historic minimum wage increase into law.
12. An $8.5 billion modernization and a record number of passengers at LAX.
13. California new Film Tax generates an estimated $1.07 billion in economic activity.
14. LA makes new investments in smart infrastructure, including ultra-high speed internet, smart poles, and solar powered small benches and bus stops.
15. City and County leaders begin an unprecedented collaboration to combat homelessness in Los Angeles.
16. #HomesforHeroes helps house homeless veterans and their families.
17. Mayor Garcetti signs a groundbreaking seismic retrofit bill into law.
18. Los Angeles prepares for El Nino.
19. LA first responders adopt new tactics to reduce emergency response time.
20. Metro’s Silver Line Express expands to San Pedro.
21. Construction on the new Crenshaw line and expansion of Metro’s Gold and Expo lines will transform LA’s transportation network in the coming year.
(Jack Humphreville writes LA Watchdog for CityWatch. He is the President of the DWP Advocacy Committee and a member of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. Humphreville is the publisher of the Recycler Classifieds -- www.recycler.com. He can be reached at: [email protected])
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 14 Issue 2
Pub: Jan 5, 2016
Mayor Garcetti Remembers 2015 Los Angeles through Rose Colored Glasses
