Tensions over the lack of transparency in \u201cwho\u2019s calling the shots\u201d on the fire recovery boiled over this week as a contractor sought approval of $8 million for rebuilding work.
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\n\u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot of false starts from the beginning of this, from the mayor appointing someone to be the director of this recovery to that [person] abandoning ship, to then [disaster recovery firm] Hagerty \u2014 we are 10 months [post-fires] \u2026. This is bullshit,\u201d Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez said during the Ad Hoc Committee for LA Recovery special meeting on Monday. \u201cI can\u2019t believe that we\u2019re in a situation where we\u2019re still here. It feels like we\u2019re circling the drain, and I don\u2019t know who\u2019s calling the shots from the mayor\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodriguez, who is a member of the ad hoc committee, was responding to a request made to her and her peers to approve moving $8 million from the city budget to the Bureau of Engineering. That money would be used to pay for work AECOM on current rebuilding efforts and map out the long-term recovery.
\nThe requested $8 million won\u2019t be paid to AECOM immediately. Rather, the allocation, which was ultimately approved with stipulations, will make the money available for the Bureau of Engineering to pay the firm as work is delivered.
\nWith little to show since AECOM\u2019s contract was announced in June, Rodriguez voiced frustration over the money request.
\n\u201cWhy are we continuing to play with all these other things [related to the long-term] when all it\u2019s doing is delaying the implementation of an actual plan to get shovels into the ground immediately?\u201d Rodriguez asked.<\/p>\n
Traci Park, who chairs the ad hoc committee, expressed concern about whether there was a less costly option, considering \u201cI can\u2019t even find funding for the Department of Building and Safety to hire an outside contractor to clear the toxic debris and rubble out of the Palisades Bowl.\u201d
\nThe Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates community on Pacific Coast Highway remains uncleared, preventing tenants from returning and also creating what Park called a \u201ctoxic soup.\u201d
\nRepresentatives for Rodriguez did not respond to a request for comment on the councilmember\u2019s statements.
\nThe mayor\u2019s office responded to the critiques generally instead of directly addressing Rodriguez or Park.
\n\u201cWhile some in the city criticize without providing solutions, Mayor Bass remains focused on leading the fastest disaster recovery effort in modern California history and on getting families home \u2014 full stop,\u201d a spokesperson from the mayor\u2019s office said in a statement provided to The Real Deal on Tuesday. \u201cMayor Bass recognizes that recovering from a disaster of this magnitude requires working with all levels of government, philanthropic partners and experts in the private sector to get families home. She will continue to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The contract with AECOM, which has headquarters in Dallas and an office in Downtown Los Angeles, was a follow-on move to a work solicitation first released by the city in January. That solicitation ultimately led to AECOM being tapped in May for work that included overarching management of the recovery plan, infrastructure restoration and fire protection planning and logistics and traffic management.
\nThe total cost of that work was $5 million and due in 120 days. Additional work on longer-term planning was then added by Mayor Karen Bass\u2019 office, tacking on another $3 million.
\nAECOM began work earlier this year meeting with residents and city departments, in addition to working on three plans that are viewed as key to supporting the massive construction zone that\u2019s expected in the Palisades in the coming years. Those three outlines address infrastructure restoration, fire protection and logistics and operations.
\nThe three reports have not been presented to the ad hoc recovery committee, prompting the three members present at Monday\u2019s meeting to approve paying AECOM an amount not to exceed $5 million for the work that\u2019s been done. Any additional payments are subject to review and approval by the committee, once they see the three reports within the next month.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez\u2019s comments come as the one-year anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton fires looms, with much of the public communication on the recovery being spearheaded by Bass\u2019 office.
\nHow decisions are being made within the mayor\u2019s office was a key question asked Monday, given several key decisions being made without full council approval.
\nIn July, Rodriguez confirmed to TRD she had learned of the contracts with Hagerty and AECOM at the same time as the public, when Bass\u2019 office issued press releases.
\n\u201cThe challenge I have \u2014 and this is not about AECOM \u2014 it\u2019s just procedurally how things are being authorized is we\u2019re being forced to be pot committed,\u201d Rodriguez said during Monday\u2019s meeting. \u201cThat is, you\u2019ve gone ahead, and you started doing all of this [community] engagement and work and now they come to us and say, \u2018Oh, by the way, you\u2019re not going to get the final product until you approve an $8 million transfer\u2019\u2026. That\u2019s just not how business should be done.\u201d
\nRodriguez said Bass\u2019 office \u201ctotally botched the first few months of this recovery.\u201d
\nTo date, the mayor has tapped developer Steve Soboroff in January to serve as chief recovery officer. Well publicized disputes related to pay and Soboroff\u2019s scope of authority led to the severing of ties after 90 days in the position. That was followed up with the mayor\u2019s office announcing in February a contract struck with Illinois-based disaster recovery firm Hagerty Consulting for what a spokesperson in the mayor\u2019s office described earlier this year as \u201cplanning, response, recovery, financial management and operations.\u201d
\nThe Hagerty contract was not to exceed $10 million, according to the contract. The deal was criticized from the time it was announced for the lack of transparency around the approval process as some wondered about the qualifications of an out-of-state firm.
\nA late October report from the City Administrative Officer confirmed similarities in the work of Hagerty and AECOM, indicating the \u201cphasing out of Hagerty\u2019s support\u201d last month.<\/p>\n
AECOM to Palisades: \u201cWe\u2019re based in Los Angeles\u201d
\nBass touts fast recovery \u2014 but where are the receipts?
\nWho is Hagerty Consulting?<\/p>\n
The situation with the LA fire recovery efforts has been marred by controversy, lack of transparency, and accusations of mismanagement. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez has been vocal about her frustrations with the process, citing a lack of clear communication and questionable decision-making. The approval of $8 million for AECOM’s work has been contingent on the company providing detailed reports on their progress. As the one-year anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton fires approaches, the city is still grappling with the aftermath, and the public is eagerly awaiting tangible results from the recovery efforts.<\/p>\n
Q: What is the current status of the LA fire recovery efforts?
\nA: The recovery efforts are ongoing, with AECOM working on rebuilding and planning. However, the process has been marred by controversy and lack of transparency.
\nQ: How much money has been allocated for the recovery efforts?
\nA: The city has allocated $8 million for AECOM’s work, with the possibility of additional funding in the future.
\nQ: What are the concerns about the recovery efforts?
\nA: Concerns include lack of transparency, questionable decision-making, and the slow pace of progress.
\nQ: Who is AECOM, and what is their role in the recovery efforts?
\nA: AECOM is a disaster recovery firm that has been contracted by the city to oversee the recovery efforts, including rebuilding and planning.
\nQ: What is the timeline for the recovery efforts?
\nA: The timeline is uncertain, but the city is working to get families back in their homes as soon as possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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