On Friday, August 18 over the course of seven seconds, something disturbing happened at Los Angeles City Council, when Monica Rodriguez moved and Marqueece Harris-Dawson seconded, to change the meaning of item #13, the appointment of Reseda Neighborhood Council President Jamie York to the Ethics Commission.
You can see the vote in real time at the link below:
Before Monica Rodriguez spoke, a YES vote would have supported Ms. York’s appointment; seven seconds later, a YES vote rejected her, and leaves the Ethics Commission without sufficient members to meet. Every member of City Council present voted YES. Only Nithya Raman, who represents part of Reseda, was absent and did not vote.
Our CM is Kevin de Leon, and we’re writing to his Chief of Staff Jennifer Barraza asking the CM to bring this matter back up for a fresh vote, with public comment and an explanation by the CMs before they vote. You can read our email below, and we hope you’ll send a message asking your CM to bring the matter back, too.
Contact info is here: lacity.gov/directory
Subject: re: Council File 23-1200-S130 - Jamie York / City Ethics Commission / Commission Appointment
Dear Jen,
On Friday, August 18 there was a hard-to-follow change made to item #13.
The item is Council File 23-1200-S130 - Jamie York / City Ethics Commission / Commission Appointment
We are confused that the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee waived consideration of the nomination and sent it to full council with no discussion, only for CM Monica Rodriguez to amend, with no explanation, to move to disapprove Ms. York’s appointment.
Ms. York appears to be a qualified candidate, with a proven track record of effective, volunteer work in the service of good government. Further, her appointment would help resolve the lack of quorum that has prevented the Ethics Commission from meeting at all.
Was the CM aware that the meaning of his YES vote on Item #13 had been flipped 180 degrees by this amendment?
We would like to see this nomination brought back for reconsideration as soon as possible, so that the public can be heard and can hear from their elected officials on the reasoning behind this significant vote.
Can we count on the CM to move for reconsideration of Ms. York’s commission appointment?
Thank you,
Kim Cooper & Richard Schave
Esotouric
