Brief

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez introduced this motion to analyze how the city prioritizes curb ramp construction projects. The motion seeks a cost-benefit framework to guide which neighborhoods and intersections get accessible curb ramps first, improving access for people with disabilities and elderly residents. Public Works Committee approved it as amended on June 24, 2026. The motion is awaiting next steps.

Full summary

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, seconded by Katy Yaroslavsky, moved to direct multiple city departments to comprehensively evaluate and overhaul how Los Angeles plans, prioritizes, and delivers sidewalk and curb ramp repairs. The motion responds to concerns that the city's current prioritization system lacks equity-based criteria and that construction standards, costs, and program delivery may be out of step with best practices elsewhere. The motion issues detailed instructions across three areas. First, it directs the Bureau of Engineering (BOE), with support from the Bureau of Street Services (BSS), City Attorney, and City Administrative Officer (CAO), to recommend updates to the Access Request Prioritization Matrix and the City Facilities and Program Access Improvement Prioritization — incorporating equity criteria, high-pedestrian-traffic locations, and areas with elevated liability exposure. BOE is also asked to benchmark curb ramp and sidewalk repair costs and practices against comparable cities, assess whether LA's construction and accessibility standards exceed federal and state ADA requirements (and whether standards could be relaxed where appropriate to deliver more repairs citywide), and evaluate the current status and expansion potential of the Sidewalks LA Rebate Program, including funding levels, waitlists, and outcomes. Second, BOE is instructed to evaluate Municipal Code Section 62.104 and other sidewalk repair ordinances for alignment with ADA obligations and cost-recovery opportunities, and to recommend improvements to program delivery — including potential restructuring of city crews, contracting models, and interdepartmental coordination — as well as technologies and tools that could streamline repair work. Third, BSS is directed to produce a cost matrix breaking down the personnel, materials, and construction expenses per lane mile of street resurfacing and repavement, including how many curb ramps are required per lane mile and under what circumstances. BSS is also asked to identify cost efficiencies tied to factors like geography, season, bulk ordering, and contracting approaches. The Public Works Committee approved the motion as amended on June 24, 2026, with members Hernandez, Padilla, and Hutt all voting yes. Community impact statements in support were submitted by the Los Feliz and North Westwood Neighborhood Councils. The file is now forwarded to the full City Council for action, with no fiscal impact analysis yet completed by the CAO or Chief Legislative Analyst.

Activity (5)

• 2026-06-24 Public Works Committee approved as amended .
• 2026-06-18 Public Works Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on June 24, 2026.
• 2026-05-25 Community Impact Statement submitted by Los Feliz Neighborhood Council.
• 2026-05-12 Community Impact Statement submitted by North Westwood Neighborhood Council.
• 2026-03-27 Motion referred to Public Works Committee.

Documents (5)

• 2026-06-24 Communication from Bureau of Engineering (presentation slides) · other
• 2026-06-24 Report from Public Works Committee · report
• 2026-05-25 Community Impact Statement submitted by Los Feliz Neighborhood Council · cis
• 2026-05-12 Community Impact Statement submitted by North Westwood Neighborhood Council · cis
• 2026-03-27 Motion · motion