The Brief

This story was originally published by Boyle Heights Beat on May 22, 2025.

While a recent report concluded that East L.A. doesn’t have the tax base to become a city, an alternative form of local representation could soon take shape for the region of nearly 120,000 residents.

Because East L.A. is not an incorporated city, it falls under direct oversight of L.A. County. That means decisions about services and developments are handled by county officials – in this case by Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents the area along with more than 2 million constituents.

Some residents argue that county leadership can’t adequately serve the unincorporated community, which has fueled conversations about increased financial transparency, the right to self-determination and alternative forms of government. These concerns also drove legislative efforts last year. 

On May 12, the L.A. County Chief Executive’s Office released a long-awaited study assessing the fiscal health of unincorporated East L.A., giving insight into the area’s tax base and showing that cityhood for the region wasn’t viable.Instead, the report recommends the formation of a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) — a formal, citizen-led body that would directly advise the county Board of Supervisors on issues unique to East L.A.

While a MAC in East L.A. wouldn’t represent the first of its kind in Southern California, if formed, it would be the only one in L.A. County. Here’s what to know about how MACs operate.

What is a Municipal Advisory Council?

A MAC is a county-recognized advisory group made up of local residents. While it doesn’t have legislative authority, it provides a path for community members in an unincorporated area to advise the County Board of Supervisors on service and needs, such as infrastructure, development and quality-of-life issues.

Under state law, MACs are created by a county board of supervisors and would be subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act, which mandates that meetings be open to the public, similar to Neighborhood Council meetings.

What can (and can’t) a MAC do?

MACs cannot make laws, authorize budgets, sign contracts or direct county operations. They can, however, provide a structure for public input and give stakeholders a direct line of communication to county leadership.

MAC meetings are similar to forums and can create space for residents to make their voices heard in a formal setting.

In a 1977 government study on the status of MACs as an alternative to a local government, author Jack Fuller notes that while some MACs form with the ultimate goal of incorporation, others have “planned and developed their own parks, provided valuable information for the development of local general plans and promoted more efficient and less costly delivery of local services.”

How is a MAC formed?

The Board of Supervisors has discretion under state law over the formation and appointment of MAC members. The board can appoint MAC members directly or hold a special election to have them voted in, according to the cityhood feasibility report. The board also has the power to specify the number of members and the necessary qualifications of potential members.

The Board of Supervisors could designate a single MAC to represent unincorporated East L.A. or establish multiple MACs that each focus on specific service areas, such as parking enforcement, street vending or encampment cleanups, to enhance feedback between residents and the county.

Where else do MACs exist?

There are no currently operating MACs in L.A. County, according to a county spokesperson.

In San Bernardino and Ventura Counties, some unincorporated communities like Oak Park, Bloomington and Ojai Valley have MACs. Oak Park’s MAC holds public meetings once a month at Oak Park High School and informs Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell about matters related to public safety, public health, planning and any other topics of interest to the community.

The city of Diamond Bar, before it incorporated in 1989, formed a MAC to give its residents an advisory group that addressed issues in their community.

Are there other groups representing community members in East L.A.?

According to the CEO’s report, East L.A. has the Maravilla Community Advisory Committee (MCAC), a group of local stakeholders and residents created in 1991 to involve local community stakeholders in redevelopment projects for the Maravilla neighborhood in East L.A. The committee has since expanded its responsibilities to discuss other local issues such as parking, street vending, crime and safety, graffiti and transportation.

However, the county characterizes the MCAC as a community organization, “not a formal entity created by the county with official recognized duties and powers.”

How is a MAC different from a town council?

Town councils are a variation of MACs. While MACs are defined in state law, town councils are not. They are not chartered, are not subject to the Brown Act, have no official authority and

purely advise on local issues such as safety, planning, public works or public health.

There are approximately 21 town councils in L.A. County, and they can operate informally without established bylaws or policies. They conduct their own elections, are self-funded and their memberships vary in size.

Town councils allow local unincorporated communities to share information and requests with the Board of Supervisors.

Why did the County CEO recommend a MAC for East L.A. and what’s next?

The CEO recommended exploring a MAC or town council for East L.A. after a report found that incorporation would immediately result in a $28 million budget deficit.

“Transparency in establishing a MAC is key to ensure the needs of the community are addressed and that the council body can contribute to the strong partnership between the County and the East L.A. community,” the report states. “Establishing an East L.A. MAC could provide an official platform for the community to express concerns, raise issues and decide on resolutions to help the area thrive.”

In response to the report, Supervisor Solis announced plans on social media to introduce a motion to hire a consultant to provide multilingual and multicultural community outreach. The consultant would inform residents and stakeholders about the report and “assess the creation of a Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) or Town Council that reflects East Los Angeles’ diverse voices.”

It remains unclear whether Solis will ultimately pursue a MAC or town council for East L.A.

Some government funding streams for L.A. County’s public health system are drying up, and officials are turning to private philanthropy to fill the gap.

A new privately funded foundation launched Thursday to strengthen public health services after $50 million in federal, state and local funding cuts to the county’s Department of Public Health since early last year.

“It is really a hard day for our community when we have to ask for private donations to fund a public good, but unfortunately, we've lost too much money to not take this important step,” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

In February, the county’s Public Health Department closed seven clinics, with six remaining open. About half of the patients seen in those clinics are uninsured, according to county officials. The department also cut hundreds of staff positions.

Ferrer is on the board of the new foundation, The Fund for Advancing Public Health LA, which held its first meeting Thursday.

She said the fund will help the county maintain its basic public health infrastructure, including disease prevention, health promotion, environmental health, and emergency response efforts.

Other board members include several health insurance executives, as well as actors Sean Penn and Danny Trejo. Board member Saree Kayne of the R&S Kayne Foundation pledged $150,000 to the fund Thursday. Kayne said she hopes the donation encourages others to give.

The foundation aims to raise $2 million this year.

More cuts expected

L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said it’s crucial to have an alternative funding stream to protect services for the county's most vulnerable residents.

“We are saving public health,” Mitchell said. “This fund represents a new approach, one that brings together government philanthropy in the private sector to invest in community-based solutions, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen our public health infrastructure.”

Officials say more public health cuts are coming, through the federal budget law known as the "Big Beautiful Bill," which slashes funding for Medi-Cal.

The county Department of Public Health anticipates losing up to $300 million in revenue over the next three years because of the federal budget bill and other potential funding freezes. Federal funding accounts for almost 50% of the public health budget, according to county officials.

Mitchell also led an effort to put a half-percent county sales tax increase to fund public health on the June ballot.

If approved by voters, that proposal, known as Measure ER, is expected to raise about $1 billion a year for county safety net health services, including about $100 million for the public health department.

Board members

The Fund for Advancing Public Health LA announced its founding board of directors, which includes:

• Dr. Barbara Ferrer, LA County Department of Public Health director
• Debbie I. Chang, Blue Shield of California Foundation CEO
• Sean Penn, actor and co-founder of Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
• Martha Santana-Chin, LA Care Health Plan CEO
• Saree Kayne, R&S Kayne Foundation CEO
• Danny Trejo, actor and restaurateur
• Jarrett Barrios, an executive at the American Red Cross
• Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine Dean
• Kristin McCowan, an executive at the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Rose Bowl in Pasadena may be a centenarian, but it’s holding up pretty well as it continues to host events on its way to a starring role in the LA28 Olympics.

But before it can host the soccer final, it needs fixes, especially to the infrastructure serving the bathrooms and drinking fountains. Fears of a toilet backup while in the world’s spotlight led Rep. Laura Friedman to seek federal funds for upgrades. On Thursday she announced she secured just over $1 million.

“Two years from now, athletes around the world are going to compete for gold right where we are standing. This is not the time to find out whether or not these pipes are up to the task,” Friedman said.

The planned work, she added, will lead to improved water flow capacity and water drainage, eliminating the risk of backups and emergency maintenance.

The funds came from the House of Representatives Interior and Environment subcommittee. The fixes, an official said, will be completed by the LA28 Olympics.

The funds, however, are a drop in the bucket when it comes to what’s needed to make needed improvements to the Pasadena venue.

Officials, including (left to right) Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation President Dedan Brozino, Deputy Fire Chief of the City of Pasadena Tim Sell, Congresswoman Laura Friedman, and Rose Bowl Stadium CEO Jens Weiden announced infrastructure funding for the 103-year old Rose Bowl.

(

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez/LAist

)

“Over the  next 20 years there's about $200 million that we need to put in and that's everything from updating light fixtures to updating gas, water, wastewater lines, etc.,” said Dedan Brozino,  president of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, the nonprofit that supports the Rose Bowl stadium's preservation and enhancement.

Getting venues ready will be expensive

The money is a much-needed win at a time when elected officials in city, county, state and federal offices have been struggling to find the funds to get L.A.-area venues ready for the global Olympic stage in two years.

The entrance to a men's bathroom at the Rose Bowl.

(

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez/LAist

)

A $360 million proposal to spruce up asphalt in parking lots around Exposition Park won’t be done in time for the Olympics, as originally planned. Meanwhile, just up the street, there’s concern that a $2.6 billion expansion of the L.A. Convention Center, which is hosting Olympic wrestling, fencing and judo in 2028 won’t be ready for the Olympics.

Additionally, to save money, LA28 organizers moved Olympic diving to the Rose Bowl complex last year because it has two Olympic-sized pools, while the Exposition Park complex doesn't and would need expensive upgrades.

Topline:

About the chick: The chick hatched March 14. The zoo opened its Cape vulture enclosure in February 2025 after years of planning to encourage the birds to roost and nest, welcoming a new breeding pair that year. When it grows to be an adult, it’ll have a wingspan of 8 1/2 feet.

About the enclosure: The L.A. Zoo said it spent years developing the vulture habitat, which was designed to mimic the vultures’ natural environment in South Africa and nearby countries. Dominick Dorsa II, the zoo’s director of animal care, said in a statement the successful hatching is “a testament to the design and construction” of the habitat.

How to see the chick: You can’t for the time being. Zoo officials are keeping it away from visitors until the chick matures, though you can still see adult Cape vultures at the zoo’s enclosure.

Though visitors will have to wait until the chick matures to see it in the enclosure, you can still take in the impressive eight and a half foot wingspan of the adult Cape vultures.

(

Courtesy Jamie Pham/L.A. Zoo

)

What zoo officials are saying: “Welcoming a Cape vulture chick is a thrilling moment for our team and a beacon of hope for African vultures,” the L.A. Zoo’s curator of birds Rose Legato said in a statement. “Vultures are one of nature's most misunderstood marvels, and I cannot wait for our guests to eventually watch this chick grow and learn just how vital they are to our ecosystems.”

About the species: Cape vultures are listed as a vulnerable species due to human activities and encroachment. According to the L.A. Zoo, African vultures are more closely related to eagles and hawks than vultures native to the Americas, like the zoo's California condors that hatched last year.

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

What should have been a celebration for formerly incarcerated youth completing a reentry program at the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory (BHAC) last week instead ended with seven students and two staff members detained by the Los Angeles Police Department, according to witnesses. 

Now, nearly a week later, BHAC staff and city officials are demanding answers from the LAPD, with some accusing officers of racial profiling. 

According to the LAPD, officers observed a large group gathered on the corner of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Mott Street around 4:16 p.m. on March 26. Authorities then requested backup for what they described as “a large group surrounding officers,” LAPD Public Information Officer Tony Im said. 

The group, classified by police as an “aggressive gang group,” consisted of seven 18-year-old students from the BHAC’s Bridge Academy Movement (BAM) program and two BHAC staff members.

The BAM program pays formerly incarcerated youth to complete 200-250 hours in media and visual arts training to prepare them for creative careers. That day, students were set to showcase their work at the BAM program graduation for families and community members. 

Rene Weber, a teaching artist at the BHAC, had been with the students setting up for the ceremony minutes before the incident occurred. 

According to Weber, the students had gone to coffee across the street at Milpa Kitchen as they often did, when staff were alerted that they were being detained. 

Weber said he arrived to find students and a staff member pressed against the wall in handcuffs. 

Video from the scene, taken by a staff member at the BHAC, shows multiple officers surrounding the group. At one point, an officer orders a person to “get on the wall” and displays a stun gun.  

“No, none of that, these are kids right here,” the staff member replies.

Another staff member, Teotl Veliz, recorded a large police response.  

“I counted 12 cop cars, that’s at least 25 cops, and they had a helicopter,” Veliz said. “It was just so comedic, tragically comedic, that it was on their graduation day too.”

Officers established a perimeter with yellow tape along the side of Ashley’s Beauty Salon as local business owners and witnesses gathered around the students. 

“I was just incredibly disappointed in LAPD… because it became so apparent to everybody, all at the same time, that it was racial profiling and nothing else,” Veliz said.

Weber said officers gave shifting explanations for the stop at the scene, including blocking the sidewalk and possible underage vaping. After Weber told the officers that all of the students were 18, they said they would investigate whether the group had any gang affiliation. 

Police have not responded to questions about what led officers to believe that the group was gang-affiliated. 

Weber recalled pleading with the officers to let the group go and explaining to them that they worked across the street. Community members and local business owners also stepped in to vouch for the students. 

“Our job is to help them gain a new perspective on life,” Weber said. “They’re coming out of juvenile detention and they’re turning their lives around. We can do our part in keeping them off the streets and keeping them doing better but what does it mean if they’re going to be profiled and treated exactly the same way?” 

In total, seven 18-year-old students and two staff members were detained. BHAC staff said one student and one staff member were taken to Hollenbeck Community Police Station and released less than two hours later after advocacy from community members and Councilmember Ysabel Jurado.

The incident ultimately resulted in an infraction for smoking a cannabis e-vape on a public sidewalk, according to a photo of the infraction shared with the Beat. LAPD did not provide details about the people taken to Hollenbeck Station or the infraction. 

The graduation ceremony was cancelled that night and is expected to be rescheduled in April. 

“Graduation should be a moment of pride and possibility — not fear,” Jurado said in a statement. “I’m seeking answers about what occurred, and this underscores the need for stronger relationships between law enforcement and community organizations so moments like these are protected, not disrupted.”

Carmelita Ramirez‑Sanchez, the conservatory’s executive director, said she was grateful to the community and Jurado for advocating for the students’ release. Jurado met her at Hollenbeck Station within 20 minutes of being alerted to the incident, she said. 

“They had store owners, señoras, barbers, that ran out and were trying to explain to the police who our kids were,” Ramirez‑Sanchez said. 

Still, she said the incident tarnished what should have been a joyous celebration.

“I imagine that what this does is derail this entire idea that you can be an active participant in your own restorative growth,” she said.