Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Opening Remarks and Ceremonies
- The meeting began with a moment of silence for victims of the Catalina-Medevac helicopter crash.
- An invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and land acknowledgement were performed by community members and staff.
- Supervisor Varga presented adoptable animals from the Department of Animal Care and Control.
Agenda Review and Continuances
- Several agenda items were held, referred back to supervisors, or continued to future dates.
- Item 20 was continued to October 20, 2026, to allow for further discussion on GRTF recommendations.
- Closed Session Items CS1 and CS2 were continued to October 20, 2026.
Item 72: LAUSD Bonds
- The Board considered a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $1.4 billion in LAUSD general obligation bonds.
- The motion to approve the bond issuance was carried.
Item 10: Implementing Assembly Bill 1646 (The HUG Act)
- The Probation Department presented an implementation plan to mandate physical contact visits for incarcerated youth by January 2027.
- Key policy changes include eliminating prior approval requirements and ensuring contact visitation is not used as a disciplinary consequence.
- The Board approved the item supporting the implementation of AB 1646.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Item 42: Report on Compliance with the Rosas Agreement
- The Sheriff’s Department reported a 78% compliance rate and a significant decrease in use-of-force incidents since 2016.
- Discussions addressed accountability measures, body-worn camera deployment, and challenges related to facility infrastructure and inmate acuity.
- The report was received in file without a vote, as it was informational.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Closed Session
- The Board convened in closed session for Item CS3 to confer with labor negotiators.
- No reportable action was taken during the session.
Full summary
Opening Remarks and Ceremonies
- The meeting opened with a moment of silence led by Supervisor Hahn in remembrance of the victims of the Catalina-Medevac helicopter crash. The County’s land acknowledgement was read, followed by an invocation led by Pastor Javier Nunez and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Private First Class Leonard Soto. Supervisor Horvath introduced Pastor Nunez, and Supervisor Hahn introduced PFC Soto, presenting him with a County Certificate of Appreciation. Supervisor Varga presented adoptable animals from the Department of Animal Care and Control.
Agenda Review and Continuances
- The Executive Officer called the agenda. The following continuances and referrals were noted:
- Item 10: Held by Supervisor Hahn.
- Item 14: Referred back to Supervisor Solis’s office.
- Item 20: Continued to October 20, 2026, at the request of Supervisor Mitchell. Supervisor Horvath expressed support for the continuance to allow for further discussion on GRTF recommendations.
- Item 21: Continued to October 27, 2026, at the request of the Chief Executive Officer.
- Item 22: Continued to November 10, 2026, at the request of Supervisor Mitchell.
- Item 42: Held for report.
- Closed Session Items CS1 and CS2: Continued to October 20, 2026.
Consent Calendar (Items 1–9, 12, 13, 15–19, 21, 23–41, 43–69E, 1D, 2D)
- Public comment was taken on items not held for discussion. Speakers addressed various items, including:
- Item 40: Support for vacating prior approvals of the Canyon View Estates project.
- Item 18: Comments regarding low-carbon construction requirements and their impact on affordable housing developers.
- Item 69B: Concerns regarding the loss of MediCal coverage for assisted living facility residents.
- Item 69D: Multiple speakers (Altadena for Accountability, fire survivors) urged the Board to extend the review timeline for the FSRI report on the Eaton and Palisades fires beyond the proposed seven days, citing the need for thorough review and community engagement.
- Item 30: Support from La Habra Heights and the Pointa Hills Habitat Authority for the acquisition of land for affordable housing and fire breaks.
- Item 44: Comments on child trafficking protocols and the need to include labor trafficking and forced criminality.
- Supervisor Barger responded to comments on Item 69D, stating that while the seven-day timeline was intended to reflect urgency, the Board is willing to grant extensions if departments need more time for a comprehensive analysis. She clarified that County Council’s role is to coordinate alignment between state and county reports, not to serve as the sole evaluator.
- A motion was made by Supervisor Horvath and seconded by Supervisor Barger to approve the consent calendar items with the noted exceptions. The motion carried.
Item 72: LAUSD Bonds
- The Board considered a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of Los Angeles Unified School District general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1.4 billion. A motion was made by Supervisor Hahn and seconded by Supervisor Horvath to approve the item. The motion carried.
Item 10: Implementing Assembly Bill 1646 (The HUG Act)
- Supervisor Hahn presented the item, which directs the Probation Department to update visitation policies to comply with AB 1646, signed into law by the Governor. The law, effective January 1, 2027, mandates that incarcerated youth have the right to physical contact visits (hugs) with loved ones, provided safety and security are maintained.
- Chief Deputy Robert Arcos, representing Chief Vieira Rosa, presented an update on the Los Angeles County Department of Probation’s implementation plan. Key components included:
- Policy Revision: Eliminating the requirement for prior approval of contact visits by the chief probation officer, making contact visitation a regular form of visitation. The department began permitting hugs on designated holidays and is working to finalize the revised policy.
- Youth and Family Notification: Developing written materials to inform youth and parents of their right to physical contact, clarifying that contact visitation will not be restricted as a disciplinary consequence.
- Progressive Expansion: Progressively increasing in-person contact visitation at juvenile facilities during the remainder of 2026.
- Protocols: Addressing youth choice (right to decline contact), disciplinary consequences (no denial as punishment), safety and security (temporary restrictions only for specific concerns), and consistency across facilities.
- Reporting: Submitting reports to the Board by July 1, 2027, and January 1, 2028, including data on participation, feedback, and restrictions.
- Assemblymember Isaac Bryan spoke in support of the motion. Supervisors Hahn, Horvath, and Barger provided remarks supporting the motion. Numerous members of the public, including youth advocates and formerly incarcerated individuals, spoke in support. One speaker requested an audit comparing incidents of contraband and overdoses during periods of no physical contact versus periods where physical contact is permitted. Another speaker expressed disappointment regarding the lack of acknowledgment of incidents that originally led to the ban on physical contact.
- A motion was made by Supervisor Hahn and seconded by Supervisor Horvath to approve the item supporting the implementation of AB 1646. The motion carried.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Item 42: Report on Compliance with the Rosas Agreement
- The item was held for report. Assistant Sheriff Hugo Macias presented the department’s progress report for the first six months of 2025, as required by Provision 1.4 of the ROSA settlement agreement. Key points included:
- Compliance Status: A compliance rate of 78% for the most recent reporting period, attributed to 19 provisions being moved to non-reporting status by court order. If those provisions were included, the rate would have been approximately 83%.
- Use of Force Trends: Overall uses of force decreased by approximately three times since 2016. Category 2 uses of force reduced by approximately 60%. Head strikes decreased by 52% in 2025 and 65% since 2021. The department met the 90% compliance threshold for head strikes for the first time.
- Accountability: Nine use-of-force incidents were reviewed; eight were found to be in violation, resulting in corrective actions. The Custody Force Investigation Team (CFIT) began responding to all Category 2 incidents on-site as of February 2025. A web-based tracking platform was implemented in October 2025.
- Body-Worn Cameras: Approximately 70% of facilities in the division are equipped with BWCs. All facilities within the ROSA settlement area are fully equipped. Deployment to remaining PDC facilities is expected to be complete by the end of 2025.
- Grievances and Infrastructure: Grievance volumes are trending down. A tablet-based solution is in final negotiations, with implementation targeted for 2027. Men’s Central Jail presents challenges due to its age and design.
- Disagreements: Of 50 cases reviewed by the panel, the department and monitors differed on three incidents involving head strikes/personal weapons.
- Supervisor Barger inquired about the sustainability of compliance given rising inmate acuity and static infrastructure. Assistant Sheriff Macias stated that maintaining compliance is a "constant struggle." A monitor noted that Men’s Central Jail’s physical condition contributes to use-of-force incidents. Supervisor Barger asked about tracking head strikes as a separate category; Assistant Sheriff Macias confirmed the department is updating the eForce tracker to extract this data.
- Supervisor Hahn raised concerns about a specific use-of-force incident where an incarcerated person was thrown into a metal frame, resulting in death. The department found the force within policy, while monitors found it out of compliance. Assistant Sheriff Macias stated that two supervisors received formal discipline for this case and explained the department's definition of a "head strike." Supervisor Hahn asked about protocols for medication refusal; Dr. Bellamage explained that over 98% of patients have the right to refuse medication, and refusal is treated as a medical/mental health issue. Supervisor Hahn asked about the ACLU’s request to participate more extensively in ROSA reporting; a County Counsel representative explained that inviting the ACLU to present would blur the line between public hearings and adversarial litigation, but the ACLU meets with monitors and provides feedback on draft reports.
- Supervisor Horvath acknowledged progress in reducing use of force. She asked about the timeliness of investigations; Assistant Sheriff Macias cited the new web-based platform and CFIT on-site responses. A monitor stated they have not yet observed improved timeliness in receiving case packages. Supervisor Horvath asked if random sampling would show higher agreement between the department and monitors; a monitor responded that there is increased agreement due to collaborative meetings. Supervisor Horvath asked if lower population at the Inmate Reception Center contributes to fewer uses of force; a monitor agreed this is a logical correlation.
- The panel presented data indicating a 60% reduction in use-of-force incidents. The Sheriff’s Department highlighted investments in accountability, including body-worn cameras, while acknowledging budgetary constraints. Monitors and board members discussed potential investments in tablet technology to improve grievance processing. The Chair and other supervisors raised concerns regarding overcrowding at Men’s Central Jail, high acuity levels, and the proportion of disabled individuals in custody. The Sheriff’s Department explained that current facilities are not conducive to providing constitutional care. Healthcare providers emphasized the disruption to continuity of care caused by frequent inmate transfers (approximately 1,800 individuals moved monthly). The Chair inquired about the status of the FIPS program; the Sheriff’s Department stated that services are concentrated at Twin Towers for the most acute cases.
- The Chair and other supervisors addressed delays in internal investigations and discipline. It was noted that department policy requires watch commander review within 21 days, but reviews have taken up to 567 days, with discipline averaging 471 days. The Sheriff’s Department attributed delays to infrastructure reviews and reorganization, stating they are implementing electronic trackers and prioritizing high-risk cases.
- Public comment included:
- ACLU Representatives: Stated that the Sheriff’s Department does not classify throwing individuals against walls as "head strikes," arguing this creates liability and that deputies involved have not been disciplined. They cited specific reports where deputies lied about incidents.
- Remote Speaker: Criticized the cancellation of the new Men’s Jail project and the allocation of funds, urging the removal of the Sheriff from jail administration.
- Supervisor Hahn: Clarified with the Assistant Sheriff that the specific incident in question had been investigated internally and discipline was imposed, correcting the public speaker’s assertion that no further investigation or discipline occurred.
- The report was received in file. No vote was taken on the report itself, as it was informational.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
General Public Comment
- The board heard comments from the public on various topics:
- Disaster Case Management: A speaker from the Altadena community requested engagement during the review of the FSRI report and public disclosure of findings. They criticized the coordination between the County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department during the Eaton Fire.
- School Food Service Fees: Multiple speakers representing school districts expressed concern over proposed environmental health fee increases for school cafeterias. They cited increases ranging from 200% to 340% and requested postponement of the vote, phased-in increases, or alternative funding sources.
- Eaton Fire Response: A survivor requested the firing of the Fire Chief and challenged the FSRI finding that the Fire Department was under-resourced. They requested an anonymous survey of firefighters and training for a citizen fire brigade.
- Building Safety: A speaker raised concerns about compromised retaining walls adjacent to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Altadena, requesting stricter review by Building and Safety.
- Hawthorne Mall: A speaker representing the International Humanitarian Foundation requested a temporary restraining order to prevent the demolition of the Hawthorne Mall.
- Small Business Expo: A speaker criticized the requirement to provide email addresses to receive food at the LA Small Business Expo.
- ALPR/Surveillance: A remote speaker criticized the use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) and FLOCK cameras by the Sheriff’s Department, calling for a ban on mass surveillance.
- Roland Heights: A remote speaker reported on the status of a monument sign repair and criticized the Sheriff’s Department regarding a fatal incident on the 101 freeway.
- No motions were made or votes taken during the general public comment period.
Adjournments in Memory of Deceased Individuals
- Motions were made to adjourn the meeting in memory of the following individuals:
- Charles Freeman Allen (longtime Claremont resident, former Pomona College professor, environmental advocate).
- Tevon Aristemian (former county employee, Glendale resident).
- Fred Claire (former General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers).
- Harvey Sandy Crosthwaite Jr. (former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department sergeant).
- Tony Newhall (Santa Clarita Valley community leader and newspaper publisher).
- Indigent veterans buried at Riverside National Cemetery: Ruben Armando Medina, Stephen Carey Dravo, Richard Paul Buckman, James Richard Fournier, James Richard Miller, Dusty James Gardner, Marco Craver, Leslie Allen King, Orlando Christopher Peoples, Arthur Bernard Trotter, Victor Rolando Lopez, Clifton DeWayne Minor, William Stephen Pryor, Douglas Martin Dowell Jr., and David Marlon Birdwell.
- Benafrida Tigno Gabby (Baldwin Park resident, former Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office employee).
- Karen Martinez-Cohen (environmental designer and community advocate).
- Judy Fenton (Beverly Hills resident, businesswoman, and civic leader).
- Presley Gerber (model and photographer).
- Xavier Nangaray Martinez (Highland Park High School student).
- The Chair noted the motions. The Board accepted the motions as seconded. The motions passed by unanimous vote (no objection).
Closed Session
- The Board convened in closed session for Item CS3 – Conference with Labor Negotiators Joseph M. Nikita and Designated Staff, in accordance with Brown Act requirements. No reportable action was taken.
Adjournment and Scheduling
- The Chair announced that the next scheduled meeting on October 13, 2026, has been canceled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 20, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting was officially adjourned.