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ERIC PREVEN’S NOTEBOOK - Tuesday and Wednesday were marked as recess for the National League of Cities conference, but we’re still unaware of which if any council members actually attended.
Vice President JD Vance addressed the National League of Cities...
No one we asked at City Hall could confirm their presence, but we did find an addendum buried in the meeting catalog. While we can’t verify its authenticity, it paints a fascinating picture of what might have gone down…
Special Breakout Sessions: Coping Strategies for the New Reality
(Attendance optional, existential dread included at no extra charge.)
- Mourning the Loss of Life as We Knew It: A Candlelight Vigil for Whatever Trump Didn’t Bulldoze
Gather ‘round as liberal mayors sob for their sanctuary city dreams, while Trump loyalists lament the coal jobs he swore he’d save (spoiler: he didn’t). Tissues provided—BYO bourbon, but expect a tariff. - How to Embrace Stuff You Really, Really Hate
A soul-crushing workshop for everyone: city leaders choking down Trump’s “beautiful wall” obsession, and MAGA fans pretending they’re fine with his latest golf course tax break while their roads crumble. Practice saying, “This is fine” without crying—mirrors not included. - Tips for Hiding from Federal Authorities (or Angry Constituents)
Featuring real-time accounts from officials dodging ICE raids and Trump’s DHS cronies hunting for “disloyal” mayors. Bonus: how to escape pitchfork-wielding taxpayers demanding answers about your $10M “inclusive art installation” that looks like a rusty dumpster. - Yelling at Clouds: A Guide to Venting Without Consequence
Shout into the void with fellow bewildered attendees. Liberals scream, “Why do people love this guy?” while Trump fans yell, “Where’s my tax cut and my wall?” Spoiler: The swamp’s now a luxury condo. Megaphones provided—no permit required. - The Gaslight, The Budget Cut, and The Ugly Truth
A deep dive into surviving slashed funds. Liberal cities mourn their composting programs, while Trump unveils a gold-plated overpass nobody can afford to drive on. Special guest: a mayor holding a “YUGE” ceremonial check that bounced. - “Affordable” Housing: The Great American Myth
A panel on how “affordable” now means $4,000/month—thanks to Trump’s real estate buddies and city leaders who approve six-story “micro-lofts.” Bring your best spin: “It’s not gentrification; it’s vibrant renewal!” There will be prizes for the least convincing lie. - Surviving Trumponomics: A Group Hug (or Screaming Circle, Your Choice)
An interactive session for officials explaining why Trump’s “winning” economy means $8 coffee and no jobs, while coastal elites justify their $20 avocado toast tax as “climate action.” Choose: sobbing or shouting. Stress balls included—made in China, naturally. - So You’ve Been Accused of Being a Woke Socialist—or a Trump Toady—Now What?
A guide for leaders caught in the crossfire: liberals branded radicals for wanting functional buses, and conservatives called sellouts for not cheering loud enough at the last rally. Includes tips for dodging X mobs and taxpayer rants that begin with, “As a hardworking American…”
TGIF: The Friday 14th Rundown
No word yet on those dreaded Friday presentations, but here are a few key items on the agenda:
Oakwood’s $2 Million "Gift" to the City
The Oakwood School, where I had a child attend (as did at least one of Paul Krekorian’s children), is donating up to $2 million for sports field improvements at North Hollywood Recreation Center in CD2. The deal includes:
- Gift Agreement – Oakwood will design, construct, and install the upgrades.
- License & Maintenance Agreement – Oakwood will maintain the fields, keeping the city off the hook for upkeep costs.
- Donor Recognition – Oakwood gets its name on a sign.
This isn’t the first time Oakwood has scored a sweetheart public-private deal. The Magnolia bridge, pitched as a public safety measure, was largely designed for Oakwood students to move seamlessly between the school and the park—without braving traffic like the rest of North Hollywood. Now, with this new “gift,” they’re securing premier athletic facilities on city land.
The city claims there's no financial impact, but let’s be real: Oakwood isn’t making this investment out of pure generosity. The school will undoubtedly have first dibs on field use, just like it did with the bridge.
Is this an upgrade for the public? Sure—after Oakwood schedules their practices and games.
Disclosure: I had a child attend Oakwood, as did Paul Krekorian. Adrin Nazarian? Well, he’s certainly involved now.
Nothing to see...
$2.77M for Outside Counsel – The Legal Slush Fund Continues
Another massive cash infusion for outside law firms working for City Hall:
- $1.64M for existing contracts (Keesal Young & Logan, Theodora Oringher, Sanders Roberts, Baker Hostetler, Nossaman LLP).
- $1.13M for new contracts (Clyde & Co., Hurrell Cantrall, Ropers Majeski, Wood Smith Henning & Berman, Sanders Roberts).
- Extensions through 2026 – More legal bills on the way!
The city’s reliance on outside counsel is staggering. There’s no fiscal impact analysis, no case details, and no accountability. At this point, are we funding necessary litigation or just lining law firm pockets?
The Mangrove Lease Debacle: Another Bureaucratic Sinkhole
The city is leasing a vacant Metro property and covering security and maintenance costs—$111,811.68 for security, $5,000 for emergency lighting—with no clear plan for occupancy.
- Why lease an empty building? Metro moved out. Why not let them deal with it?
- Who’s moving in? Tied to LADOT funds, but no department has been confirmed as a tenant.
- Is this another favor to someone? Instead of using city funds wisely, we’re paying to maintain a space with no clear use.
LA’s financial distress is real, yet we’re committing to unnecessary expenses with zero transparency. If this was a cost-saving relocation, they’d say so. Instead, it’s another murky deal.
County Comments:
The March 11, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting was a relatively short affair, clocking in at around 43 minutes. It began with the usual formalities—a land acknowledgment, invocation, and pledge of allegiance—followed by a few recognitions and presentations, taking up about 10 minutes. Public comment followed, lasting 10 to 12 minutes, though participation was notably low, with some slots left empty.
The bulk of the meeting was spent moving through agenda items, with most passing quickly except for Item 21, which Supervisor Janice Hahn held for discussion. Her 7-8 minute exchange with Beaches & Harbors Director Gary Jones focused on contracting practices, vendor outreach, and the potential exclusion of certain firms. Hahn also pressed on whether County arborists could handle the work instead of outside contractors and raised concerns over labor agreements and living wages. The meeting wrapped up with 5 minutes of adjournments, where Supervisors took turns remembering community members who had passed away.
Smart Speaker: First of all, I want to address the report by the Inspector General. Inspector Generals have an important role. They look at the agencies. If you note, Barger and Hahn will note that we have a whole Office of the Inspector General at Metro. But at the County, we have little groups, people who call the Civilian Commission on Jail Violence, and out of that group came the Civilian Oversight Board. The County Counsel, Dawyn Harrison, is having a hard time. They're very upset. Sean Kennedy resigned, which was a great slap across the County’s face.
Certainly, Patty Giggins of Peace Over Violence called out the County Counsel—disappointing, in a climate when legal liability has escalated in multiple departments.
I don’t want to say the word Probation, because we all have become red-faced and worried about why in the world that has continued to metastasize.
The City is in deep, deep trouble. But the County has a AAA bond rating.
Of course, you have a mass of Probation—what can I call it—blockage, a big blockage that you take. But in a world where you have the same kind of trouble at DCFS, we were noticing you have a shameful, shameful portfolio of mess-ups, while touting how great things are going.
We have to examine whether or not having appointed Inspector Generals like Max Huntsman is the right way to go, as opposed to having independent oversight.
Now, the lawyers don’t even make a report. I want to thank Supervisor Horvath, who, like a personal crusade, jumped on Measure G in order to establish a stronghold in the future County by pandering to very well-heeled groups with the help of her Mr. Montemayor. Good work. The one thing that helped was listening to the departments. We heard, finally after years, Davenport try to spin the CEO and couldn’t, really.”
Trucks are everywhere these days... but where are the buses?
JHahn’s Sudden Transparency Awakening
Smart Speaker: Well, well, well—look who recently discovered contract oversight! Supervisor Janice Hahn, longtime queen of rubber-stamping shady Marina deals, now fancies herself a watchdog? Bold move!
Tuesday’s performance was something to behold. Hahn, playing the role of "Transparency Crusader," grilled Gary Jones—yes, that Gary Jones, the Beaches and Harbors man with the backbone of a deflated pool float—on why only 11 firms responded to an environmental consulting RFSQ. Her outrage? Suspiciously focused on firms she just so happens to know.
Gary, bless his heart, responded with the conviction of a DMV pamphlet: "We did what we routinely do…" But Hahn wasn’t buying it. Apparently, this was now about wildfires—because when in doubt, throw in some disaster buzzwords!
Déjà vu, anyone? Feels like 2013 all over again, when the County got caught faking a bidder list to justify a no-bid contract for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. And now here’s Hahn, nudging the process so the right firms—Hahn-friendly firms—get their cut. Matt Knabe will know what to do.
So was this brave? Maybe. Stupid? That’s not nice. Opportunistic? Absolutely. Gary nodded along, contract lobbyists popped champagne, and the next round of "environmental experts" is already circling. Bravo, Supervisor Hahn!
Horvath’s Tribute… and Token Collection
When the Supervisors went behind closed doors, tSupervisor Lindsey Horvath went to the video. Her Women’s History Month tribute was a heartfelt celebration of resilience, small businesses, and, apparently, gift-giving.
Each honoree presented Horvath with a token of appreciation—gift bags, keepsakes, thoughtful trinkets—handed over on camera like a well-rehearsed awards show. Not a bribe, of course. Just a touching moment of gratitude… in exchange for an honorary scroll!
But imagine if Trump did the same thing. (Wait for it...)
Just last week, he rolled up to the White House in a brand-new red Tesla and declared it was “for staff.” Sir, I thought we were firing staff?
So what’s the difference between a real estate-backed “thank you” basket and a $100,000 electric car with autopilot? One comes with ribbons and tissue paper—the other, with a wink.
And FYI—politicians aren’t supposed to paper the place with self-congratulatory TV spots funded through public dollars. But hey, when it’s wrapped in a tribute video, who’s counting?
Last Week:
Moderator: Our first participant is Eric Preven, Your line is open. If you are muted, unmute and speak directly into your phone. You may begin.
Smart Speaker: Thank you. I want to emphasize that Item 33—is that being held? Because that has, like, three separate items in it. It's not just one item. It actually has more—I think it has seven—the CEO, Children's Family Services, Public School Services, Mental Health, these are huge. Treasurer and Tax Collector—doing a great job—Auditor/Controller. There is a button at the bottom for public comment. Is this one minute for all of those items? I'm pretty sure you won't let me speak on it; you called it special. This is a travesty of a mockery of two shams. We have to do a better job. This is packed—even though it's not 100 items as it was in the Horvath era—
Sup. Kathryn Barger, Chair: Mr. Preven, are you holding—do you want to discuss any of the items not held? 33 is going to be discussed. What items would you like to—
Smart Speaker: I want to talk about the price gouging. It's super important. I don't know exactly how Mr. Hochman and Horvath are going to link arms frankly—
(Eric Preven is a Studio City-based TV writer-producer, award-winning journalist, and longtime community activist who won two landmark open government cases in California.)
