Timeline
Related documents
What is Being Proposed?
The Public Works Committee is recommending that the Los Angeles City Council authorize the addition of one Civil Engineering Associate IV position for the Bureau of Engineering's Sidewalk Repair Program. This new position would provide technical expertise to support the Bureau's ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Coordinator.
Why?
The proposal aims to supplement the capacity of the Bureau's ADA Coordinator by adding specialized technical expertise and knowledge. This would help the Sidewalk Repair Program better fulfill its responsibilities, likely in ensuring sidewalk repairs comply with ADA accessibility requirements.
Key Details
Total funding needed: $205,859.12 Funding sources: $105,859.12 from the Sidewalk Repair Fund (departmental appropriation) and $100,000 from another account Committee vote: Passed 2-1 (Hernandez and Hutt voted yes; Padilla was absent) Meeting date: October 22, 2025 Status: Not official until the full City Council acts on it
Impact
This affects residents by potentially improving ADA compliance and efficiency in the sidewalk repair process. The position would help ensure that sidewalk repairs better accommodate people with disabilities. The proposal requires mayoral approval before Council action.
What Is Being Proposed?
The City Council is being asked to authorize the creation of a new Civil Engineering Associate IV position within the Bureau of Engineering to support the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Coordinator's office. This new staff position would help ensure the City complies with accessibility requirements for people with disabilities. The motion also requests transferring $205,859.12 in funding to pay for this position.
Why?
Under the Willis Settlement Agreement, the City committed to ensuring that sidewalks and public spaces are accessible to people with disabilities. The current ADA Coordinator is overwhelmed with responsibilities including inspections, compliance reviews, handling complaints, and coordinating with multiple city departments (Public Works, Transportation, and others). This lack of dedicated support staff limits the City's ability to meet legal accessibility requirements and increases risk of violating the settlement. The timing is especially urgent as the City prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will require extensive accessibility compliance.
Key Details
New Position: Civil Engineering Associate IV (must be a Certified Access Specialist within 18 months) Funding: $205,859.12 total (transferred from existing BOE departmental funds and the Sidewalk Repair Program) Sponsor: Councilmembers Hernandez and Yaroslavsky Date: October 15, 2025
Impact
This position would improve accessibility compliance citywide, expedite design reviews, increase responsiveness to accessibility requests, and help ensure consistency across different city departments and programs. Residents with disabilities would benefit from better-maintained sidewalks and more accessible public spaces.