Meeting Summary
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Scroll Presentations
- The Board presented scrolls to seven individuals and organizations for professional service, athletic achievement, and community milestones.
- Honorees included Dr. Elizabeth Hicks, Diana Martinez, Lupita Infante, and Kathy Hernandez for their contributions to education, media, music, and foster care.
- Recognition was also given to Wilmington Pony Baseball, the City of Huntington Park, and Francisco "Panchito" Ramirez Rueda.
Homeless Services and Housing Report
- Staff presented quarterly metrics showing 248 encampment resolutions and 429 participants entering permanent housing.
- The Board discussed the transition of Continuum of Care functions following a recent court ruling and the potential dissolution of the Joint Powers Authority.
- Questions addressed vendor oversight, interim housing outcomes, and the legal implications of assuming new administrative roles.
- The report was received in file and passed by hearing no objection.
Homestead South Project Appeal
- The Board heard an appeal regarding the Homestead South development in the Santa Clarita Valley planning area.
- Appellants argued the project requires a full Environmental Impact Report due to environmental and infrastructure concerns.
- Staff presented evidence supporting the use of a statutory exemption, citing over 35 technical studies and net-zero emissions goals.
- The Board approved the item, denying the appeal based on the project's housing delivery and infrastructure investments.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Administrative Matters
- The Executive Officer read the Code of Conduct and provided instructions for public participation.
- The Board approved Items 7 and 8 with specific exceptions noted by the Executive Officer.
Separate Matter
- The Board approved Item 9 without recorded discussion or public comment.
Roland Heights Lighting District Annexation
- The Board considered the annexation of a tentative subdivision project to County Lighting Maintenance District 1687.
- No public comments were received, and a determination was made that no majority protest exists against the annexation.
- The Board approved the annexation and the levying of assessments for fiscal year 2027-28.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
San Pascual Lighting District Annexation
- The Board considered the annexation of a single-lot territory project to County Lighting Maintenance District 1687.
- Staff confirmed the action affects only the specific property owner and will not increase fees for neighboring residents.
- No public comments were received, and the Board approved the annexation and assessments.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Vacancies and Recruitment Report (AB 2561)
- Staff reported a countywide vacancy rate of approximately 13.9% and a retention rate of 94.14%.
- The presentation highlighted recruitment challenges in Probation, Sheriff, and Behavioral Health departments due to fiscal pressures and competition.
- Civil Service Rule Reform changes were noted, including increased eligibility list sizes and reduced score bands.
- The Board closed the public hearing and received the report in file.
Tax Defaulted Property Purchase
- The Board considered the purchase of tax-defaulted property under Chapter 8 Agreement Sale 2879.
- No department statement, correspondence, or public comments were received for this item.
- The Board approved the purchase of the property.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Closed Session
- The Board convened in closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding existing and anticipated litigation.
- Upon returning to open session, the Executive Officer reported that no reportable action was taken.
Full summary
Meeting Overview
- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors convened on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Supervisor Jesus Ramos served as Chair Pro Tem in the absence of Chair Supervisor Solis. A quorum was established. The meeting began with a land acknowledgment, an invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Scroll Presentations
- The Board presented scrolls to the following individuals and organizations:
- Dr. Elizabeth Hicks: Recognized for 40 years of service to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and for founding the Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA).
- Diana Martinez: Recognized for 50 years in journalism and for being the first Latina to supervise a major all-news radio station in the nation.
- Lupita Infante: Recognized for her work in ethnomusicology and mariachi music.
- Wilmington Pony Baseball: Recognized for the 11-and-under and 13-and-under all-star teams winning district, regional, and Southern California championships.
- City of Huntington Park: Recognized on the occasion of its 120th anniversary of incorporation.
- Kathy Hernandez: Recognized for her role as Director of Foster Care Programs for Foster All and her work with the Los Angeles County Faith Alliance.
- Francisco "Panchito" Ramirez Rueda: Recognized for his athletic achievements and his work with the Dreamers Soccer Clinic and Antelope Valley Alta FC.
Agenda Item 1: Report by the Director of Homeless Services and Housing
- Discussion: Sarah Mahan, Director of Homeless Services and Housing (HSH), presented the third quarterly report. Key metrics included 248 completed encampment resolutions in Q4, 429 Pathway Home participants entering permanent housing, and 5,748 tickets received by the Encampment and Community Response Center. HSH reported a 10% decrease in people served in FY26 compared to FY25, attributed to a lack of permanent housing resources. Permanent housing retention rates were 91% after one year and 84% after two years.
- Continuum of Care (COC) Update: Mahan detailed the status of the LA COC following Judge Carter’s August 13 ruling. The LA COC Board issued a solicitation for four functions: Collaborative Applicant, HMIS Lead, CES Management Entity, and Point-in-Time Count Administrator. HSH submitted an intent to apply for all four functions, with applications due September 25. Decisions are expected on October 9. HSH is engaging with the City of Los Angeles and the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) over LAHSA regarding the transition of these functions and the potential dissolution of the JPA.
- Board Discussion: Questions were raised regarding encampment resolutions in the Antelope Valley, vendor oversight and fraud prevention measures, interim housing outcomes, and the legal implications of assuming COC functions. Staff clarified that HSH is working to manage functions with fewer staff than the current provider by utilizing existing infrastructure. The timeline for the COC application process was outlined, including a hearing scheduled for October 27.
- Public Comment: Speakers addressed the board regarding the handling of homelessness issues, the withdrawal of LAHSA from the spending plan, service reductions for transition-aged youth, fund misallocation concerns, and access to capacity-building resources.
- Motion: The report was received in file.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (by hearing no objection).
Agenda Items 2 through 6: Public Hearing Items
- Action: Items 2 through 6 were held for hearing. A correction was noted for Item 5 on the supplemental agenda.
Agenda Item 6: Appeal of Project PRJ2024-003038-5 (Homestead South)
- Description: Hearing an appeal of the Homestead South project located south of State Route 126 and west of Interstate 5 in the Santa Clarita Valley planning area.
- Procedure: The Board waived the standard staff report and proceeded directly to public comment.
- Public Comment:
- Appellant/Supporters of Appeal: Speakers argued that the project requires a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under CEQA, citing concerns regarding heritage oaks, endangered species, wildfire risks, air quality emissions, and lack of infrastructure. They argued the project does not meet criteria for the residential exemption due to non-residential components and changed circumstances since the 2003 specific plan.
- Applicant/Supporters of Project: Representatives from the developer, tribal nations, economic development corporations, labor unions, and residents spoke in support of the project, highlighting the provision of over 3,600 homes (including affordable housing), net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, wildfire resilience measures, and economic benefits. They requested the Board deny the appeal.
- Staff Presentation: Josh Huntington, Supervising Regional Planner, presented the CEQA statutory exemption under California Government Code section 65457. He stated that the environmental review included a residential exemption environmental checklist and over 35 technical studies. Huntington asserted that the studies substantiate the determination that the project is not more impactful than previously analyzed and that no new significant environmental impacts require a subsequent EIR.
- Q&A: A board member inquired about the 10% affordable housing set-aside. Huntington explained that while the County’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance requires a 5% set-aside for sale projects in the Santa Clarita Valley Submarket, the project provides 10% consistent with the Newhall Ranch Specific Plan.
- Closing Remarks: A board member closed the public hearing, expressing support for the project based on the delivery of homes, infrastructure investments, and preservation of open space.
- Motion: Supervisor Barker moved, seconded by Supervisor Hahn, to approve the item.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Agenda Item 7: Administrative Matters
- Discussion: The Executive Officer read the Code of Conduct and provided instructions for public participation.
- Motion: Supervisor Hahn moved, seconded by Supervisor Horvath, to approve Items 7 and 8 with exceptions noted by the Executive Officer.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Agenda Item 8: Administrative Matters
- Motion: Included in the motion for Item 7.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Agenda Item 9: Separate Matter
- Motion: Supervisor Ramos moved, seconded by Supervisor Barger, to approve Item 9.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Agenda Item 10: Hearing on Annexation and Levying of Assessments for County Lighting Districts in Roland Heights
- Discussion: The item involved the annexation of a tentative subdivision project (Track Number 82400) in unincorporated Roland Heights to County Lighting Maintenance District 1687 and County Lighting District Landscaping and Lighting Act 1, unincorporated zone, for fiscal year 2027-28. No members of the public signed up to speak. No ballots were received, and a determination was made that no majority protest exists against the proposed annexation.
- Motion: Supervisor Barger moved, seconded by Supervisor Hahn, to approve the item.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item 11: Hearing on Annexation and Levying of Assessments for County Lighting Districts in San Pascual
- Discussion: The item involved the annexation of a single-lot territory project (L-077-2024) in unincorporated San Pascual to County Lighting Maintenance District 1687 and County Lighting District Landscaping and Lighting Act 1, unincorporated zone, for fiscal year 2027-28. A Supervisor confirmed with the Deputy Director of Public Works that the action only affects the specific property owner building the project and would not result in increased fees for neighboring residents. No members of the public signed up to speak. No ballots were received, and a determination was made that no majority protest exists against the proposed annexation.
- Motion: Supervisor Barger moved, seconded by Supervisor Horvath, to approve the item.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item 12: Public Hearing Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2561 (Status of Vacancies and Recruitment/Retention Efforts)
- Discussion: The Chief Executive Office (CEO) and Department of Human Resources (DHR) presented the second annual update under AB 2561. The County has approximately 113,200 authorized full-time positions and 97,500 full-time employees, resulting in a countywide vacancy rate of approximately 13.9%. The retention rate is 94.14%. The presentation noted that the County implemented an 8.5% curtailment and a hard hiring freeze due to fiscal pressures. Eleven of 64 bargaining units have a statutory vacancy rate of 20% or more; after adjusting for frozen positions and pending hires, only three units remain above the threshold.
- Recruitment Challenges: High vacancies were noted in Probation, Sheriff/Corrections, and Behavioral Health. Recruitment challenges include narrow experience requirements, high attrition during background checks, and competition with private sector employers.
- Hiring Metrics: Average placement time is approximately 111 days. Over 4,000 employees have been hired under emergency hiring provisions.
- Strategies and Reforms: Civil Service Rule Reform changes effective May 28, 2026, include increasing the number of candidates on eligibility lists from 5 to 10 and reducing score bands from 5 to 3.
- Q&A: Staff clarified data regarding application counts, placement time vs. time to hire, and bargaining unit aggregation. Specific issues were discussed regarding Probation, Custodians, and Physicians/Residents, including salary compression issues resulting from SB 525.
- Public Comment: Labor representatives and members of the public addressed the board regarding vacancy rates, funding, management practices, salary inequities, and recruitment strategies.
- Decision: The Board closed the public hearing. The report was received and filed.
No decision 0–0
Agenda Item 13: Hearing on Chapter 8 Agreement Sale 2879 to Purchase Tax Defaulted Property
- Discussion: No department statement was submitted, and no correspondence was received. No supervisors had questions or remarks. No members of the public signed up to speak on this item.
- Motion: Supervisor Horvath moved, seconded by Supervisor Hahn, to approve the item.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
General Public Comment
- Discussion: Speakers addressed the board regarding funding for a new jail, historical land acknowledgments, and work conditions and mental health impacts on environmental health staff.
- Action: The Executive Officer concluded the public comment period.
Closed Session
- Action: The Board of Supervisors convened in closed session in accordance with Brown Act requirements.
- Agenda Items:
- CS1 through CS5: Conferences with legal counsel regarding existing litigation.
- CS6: Conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation (two cases).
- Report of Action: Upon returning to open session, the Executive Officer reported that no reportable action was taken for items CS1 through CS5 or item CS6.
Adjournment
- Decision: The meeting was adjourned.
- Next Meeting: The next Board meeting is scheduled for September 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.