With the deadline for Lineage Logistics to remove all the rotting food from its Boyle Heights warehouse fast approaching, Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado wants stronger financial penalties for what has happened.
On Tuesday, she announced a series of motions, which include recovery funds for residents impacted by the fires and penalties for any missed deadlines
“Thousands of complaints from residents have made it clear that relief has been too little and too slow,” she said. “ Air purifiers and grocery vouchers are necessary, but they do not make up for weeks of unbearable odors, flies, rodents, and disruption. My motion directs the city to explore creating a dedicated mitigation response fund through which Los Angeles sanitation and the Community Investment Department can propose a total budget of up to $10 million in emergency funds. This will go toward pest and odor control, direct casework services, and financial assistance for both families and small businesses.”
Jurado also advanced a package of more than a half dozen motions, which include halting the consideration of the rebuilding permit for the Lineage Logistics warehouse. The city has put the processing of that permit on hold.
Jurado told KNX News Craig Fiegener she’s skeptical that Lineage will make the promised 45-day deadline and that in the meantime, she’s “urging that we marshal every single resource.”
“You know, we haven't seen the governor down here. I hope he would come and visit,” she said. “Would love to see more advocacy and support and financial support to rid folks of all the nuisances that they're feeling right now, whether it's the odors, the flies, and whatever burdens they continue to shoulder as a result of, you know, this disaster in their neighborhood that they didn't create.”
Lineage’s spokespeople say crews have removed 80 % of the rotting, fly- and rodent-infested contents of its warehouse.
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