The City Council Tuesday is expected to consider approving a $750,000 contract with outside attorneys for legal services related to the January wildfires and a potential federal investigation into the city’s response during the emergency.
Representatives for the City Attorney’s Office nor the City Council President’s Office immediately responded to a request for comment.
Last week, the City Council in a 7-5 vote denied approval of a contract with Munger, Tolles, & Olson LLP. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto recommended elected officials approve the contract amid concern over a federal probe.
The City Council’s decision came after a 30-minute discussion behind closed doors after Councilwoman Nithya Raman noted funding for the contract would come from the city’s General Fund.
“…The dollar amount is the same, but the source of the dollars is different, which causes a dramatic difference,” Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson said. “We got both a report and a motion that identified these funds as coming from DWP.”
The councilman noted that they got a last minute communication from the City Attorney’s Office recommending General Fund dollars be used for the contract.
Council members amended the proposal to include that top city officials identify potential funding sources to pay for the contract — and not immediately dip into the account that funds most of the city’s services.
“I don’t understand why this was not known when the report was issued and then when the motion was introduced. I don’t understand why this wasn’t known until literally the last hour,” Harris-Dawson said.
Council members have recently criticized and sought more oversight into spending for contracts related to outside legal services.
The matter was forwarded to Tuesday for consideration. If approved, the contract would go to Mayor Karen Bass for her approval or veto.
While details surrounding the need for the contract were not discussed publicly, city attorneys noted it was related to the Palisades Fire. City officials also highlighted an expanded case involving a federal investigation.
On Oct. 20, Sen. Rick Scott, R- Fla., and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., sent a letter to Council President Harris-Dawson asking for documents on Los Angeles Fire Department staffing, wildfire preparations, among other topics related to the devastating Palisades Fire.
The senators gave city officials a deadline of Nov. 3 to produce the records. The senators also focused on the city’s “diversity, equity and inclusion” hiring policies at the Fire Department and the Department of Water and Power. Additionally, the probe sought information regarding the removal of former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.
Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez previously criticized the senators’ actions.
“MAGA Republicans couldn’t even look at a map before launching into this ridiculous investigation. DEI did not cause the fires, and these senators should take their witch hunts elsewhere,” the councilman said in a social media post.
Fire officials reported the Lachman Fire — that was intentionally lit Jan. 1 — reignited later into the Palisades Fire.
The Los Angeles Fire Department recently released its after-action report detailing challenges and successes of its initial response to the Palisades Fire. A state investigation is expected to be released in the future.