November 5, 2015
Sidewalk Vending Update|
| | Un-permitted street vendors selling food in the Fashion District |
The City Council's Economic Development Committee held a public hearing Tuesday, October 27th, regarding the regulatory framework for sidewalk vending in Los Angeles. Although a proposal to allow sidewalk vending citywide was on the table, due in large part to the advocacy of the Fashion District BID, CCA and the other downtown BIDs, the Committee voted instead to delay the final vote in order to obtain further analysis and stakeholder input before moving forward.
This item is pending at the Council's Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee, and we will continue to work on the program details including a permit process, licensing requirements, placement requirements, operational requirements, vending locations, permit caps and types of items sold.
The BID and its partners have been at the forefront of this policy discussion, mobilizing stakeholders and business leaders to advocate for a reasonable policy that protects brick-and-mortar businesses and communities. CCA has organized the Coalition to Save Small Business (of which the Fashion District is part of), which consists of over 1100 members including small business owners, neighborhood associations and business improvement districts. The BIDs and Coalition to Save Small Business met with the Los Angeles Times editorial board to explain our preferences on sidewalk vending. The LA Times published an editorial this week in support of an opt-in option for sidewalk vending. Read it here.
Important Information Regarding the Upcoming Minimum Wage Increase
LA City Attorney, Mike Feuer and the Public Works Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA) held a Minimum Wage Ordinance Q&A for Business Owners, Business Improvement Districts and Chamber of Commerce groups. The new minimum wage is set to go into effect July 1, 2016 at the hourly rate of $10.50 and will continue to increase over the following four years. There is a new state minimum wage that will go into effect prior to the City's. The new state minimum goes into effect January 2016 and will increase from $9 to $10.
Wages will be paid to any employee who performs two hours of work in any particular week within the City of Los Angeles, regardless of the employer's place of business location. Enforcement will be handled by the newly established Wage Enforcement Division within BCA, who outlines all expectations and repercussions for businesses as outlined in the ordinance. They have also created this FAQ handout for business owners and have established a toll free hotline, 1-844-WagesLA (1-844-9243-752).
City Market South Opening in 2016
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| | A view of the City Market South plaza |
Fashion District BID staff and board members were treated to a tour of the soon-to-open City Market South project. San Francisco's Slanted Door, Italian concept Rossoblu, and a bar by mixologists Pablo Moix and Steve Livigni were announced as the first tenants earlier this year. Additional tenant announcements are expected to be made next year.
Update on City and County Homelessness Initiatives
Fashion District staff attended two CCA meetings on November 5th to hear from the County and City on its efforts to end homelessness. A presentation by Mark Trotz, LA County Department of Health Services, was given at CCA's Homelessness Policy Committee meeting. The City and County are embarking on a new robust, coordinated outreach effort called C3. The outreach will begin in the Skid Row area and will include four outreach teams of six members each, representing County Mental Health, County Health Worker, County Substance Abuse, LAHSA ERT, and AmeriCorps members. These teams will engage people on the street and assist them with interim housing, medical attention, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, secure benefits, IDs and other essentials for permanent housing and ultimately, match them to available housing. The outreach office will be located on 7th Street in the LA Mart building. You can see the full presentation here.
At CCA's Executive Committee meeting, Fashion District staff heard a presentation by Miguel Santana, the City Administrative Officer of Los Angeles. He explained to the group that the City's commitment of $100 million to work on homelessness will be joined by an additional $100 million from LA County. Currently, the City does not have $100 million, but the Council and Mayor are committed to finding funding sources, including such things as a linkage fee for developers. The City will be releasing a comprehensive plan in February which will be in conjunction with what the County is doing.
LA Fashion District BID to be Sued by Un-permitted Sidewalk Vendors
On Thursday, October 29, 2015 the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles held a press conference to announce they would be filing a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department and the LA Fashion District BID. The lawsuit alleges that LAPD and the BID unlawfully seized property from un-permitted sidewalk vendors.
For 15 years we have worked with both County Health & LAPD to dispose of items when either or both of these agencies conduct enforcement operations for un-permitted vending in the neighborhood. As you know, some of the unsanitary conditions and the obvious code violations are why these agencies perform their enforcement. The LA Fashion District's role is limited. We simply dispose of perishable, contaminated and abandoned property that would otherwise be left in our district without the BID's assistance. We have performed this role using the same protocols for 15 years.
Our policy is not to confiscate or unlawfully take property from any individual. We do not want to unlawfully seize the property of anyone, including un-permitted vendors.
To that end, as a result of a phone conversation with a representative of Legal Aid Foundation a few weeks ago, we engaged in the process of establishing more detailed protocols. We were actually quite welcome to their input.
Needless to say, we are disappointed to have the Los Angeles Times be the first to make us aware of a pending lawsuit from this same group. It is clearly not mere coincidence that this lawsuit was filed while our Board has become more public with the media and City Council about our views concerning un-permitted vending.
We find it very disappointing, although not surprising, that the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles attempted to act as judge and jury through their press conference, rather than engage in meaningful conversation and discussion. The allegations set forth in the complaint will now have to be dealt with by all parties in Federal court. This is energy that could (and should) have been better spent through a collaborative and interactive process, including an open meeting with us and perhaps offering to have us present at the press conference as well.
Despite these tactics, the LA Fashion District will continue to express its views on un-permitted vending and will work with City Council, County Health and vendor advocates to develop regulations for our neighborhood.
Our goal has been, and will continue to be to promote the safety of patrons visiting the district, as well as those that work within our BID.
Participate in Small Business Saturday
The LA Fashion District BID has joined the Small Business Saturday Coalition to promote and support local small businesses as part of the Small Business Saturday initiative. Small Business Saturday was started 10 years ago by American Express and has since evolved into a nation-wide event celebrating small businesses and their contributions to the local community.
We encourage all Fashion District businesses to sign up for Small Business Saturday. We will be featuring participating small businesses on our blog and social media throughout the month of November.
Join us in celebrating Small Business Saturday! The deadline is November 9th.
Farmer's Market
Every Saturday, 9a-2p
Enjoy fresh produce, gourmet food, flowers, and entertainment at The Wall Farmer's Market, located on Wall Street between 8th and 7th Streets. Food, flowers, farmers, and fun!
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