A summary of selected City Hall actions...

A summary of selected City Hall actions affecting Central Los Angeles in the past week.

CITY COUNCIL

CONSULTANT HIRED: Approved a request by Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas to hire consultant Jaye A. Young on a temporary basis to advise the city about proposed commercial projects in Ridley-Thomas’s 8th District. The consultant will be paid $44 per hour with the total not to exceed $10,560.

COMMUNITY POLICING: Approved spending $1,612 from the public service funds of council members Ridley-Thomas and Rita Walters to pay for a luncheon for a community-based policing council in South-Central. The formation of the group is part of police reform efforts.

OLD FIRE STATION: Approved a one-year lease of about 1,300 square feet at 4304 Degnan Blvd. in Leimert Park for the Stentorians, a nonprofit African-American firefighters organization that provides entry-level training programs. The group will return to Old Fire Station 46 in Leimert Park, 1409 W. Vernon Ave., after the station is remodeled and brought up to seismic code.

SPIRITUAL REBUILDING: Approved Walters’ proposal to waive the fee for displaying more than 200 banners throughout the city advertising the July 25-29 Church of Christ National Crusade at the Los Angeles Convention Center “to evangelize and spiritually Rebuild LA.”

LEASING REPORT: In light of the city’s economic crisis, Councilman Mike Hernandez asked for a report from city officials on the status of city building leases and suggestions on how fees might be reduced.

SMOKING BAN: Amended Hernandez’s proposal to ban smoking in city-owned buildings. The proposal received preliminary approval by the council, but Hernandez’s amendment exempted city-operated restaurants and lounges, such as those at golf courses and Los Angeles International Airport. Final consideration will take place early next year.

HOW THEY VOTED

How South-Central and Eastside representatives voted on selected issues. IMMIGRANT TASK FORCE: Approved Hernandez’s proposal to create a commission on immigrant and refugee affairs that will take testimony from residents, businesses and community organizations on finding solutions to illegal immigration. The commission will include representatives of city and county agencies. Passed: 12-0. Voting yes: Richard Alatorre, Joan Milke Flores, Hernandez, Ridley-Thomas and Walters.