stories along The Way
City Council votes to take jurisdiction over Autry decision
By Griffith Park Wayist at 5/31/2011 04:34:00 PMEvoking Section 245 of the Los Angeles City Charter, the City Council today voted 12-0 to override the Recreation and Parks Commission's approval of the Autry's latest expansion plans.
Per Section 245, the City Council has three weeks to make their decision on the issue. A public hearing will be held on Friday at the Council's Arts Parks Health and Aging committee meeting at City Hall. CD 4 councilman Tom LaBonge is the chair of this committee, which will make a recommendation to City Council on the issue.
Don't hold your breath for any different outcome. LaBonge has been notorious throughout his time as councilman for bypassing the Recreation and Parks commission at whim, especially when it comes to yet another shiny object he wants in Griffith Park.
So barring any major political pressure, LaBonge's committee will likely recommend approval of the Autry expansion, making this somewhat rare application of City Charter Section 245 simply academic.
Meanwhile, the Autry's legal and moral obligation to the Southwest Museum - Los Angeles's oldest museum - remains unfulfilled.
Just as expected...
At the Arts, Parks, Health & Aging Committee hearing this morning, it was clear from the outset that Councilmember LaBonge favors the Autry's right to expansion. What was not so clear was Councilmember Reyes' position, although he did ask the city attorney to further explore options and clarification on use of the state's $6 million grant to the Autry.
Listening to both sides' arguments ... I came away wondering why this issue couldn't have been addressed earlier in the process, rather than up against this July 1st deadline? But, it does make sense to slip something in while everyone is looking elsewhere, and the Autry seems very adept at this type of maneuvering.