2 Communities Demand a Voice: Measure HH Could Transform Port of LA Board Representation!

Measure HH aims to amend the Los Angeles City Charter to guarantee seats for Wilmington and San Pedro on the Board of Harbor Commissioners, ensuring local representation for communities heavily impacted by port operations. The measure addresses long-standing concerns over traffic, pollution, and community input in decision-making. If passed, it could lead to significant changes in how port-related issues are managed, along with additional reforms to enhance transparency and accountability.

2 Communities Demand a Voice: Measure HH Could Transform Port of LA Board Representation!

Measure HH is being proposed to amend the Los Angeles City Charter to ensure that both Wilmington and San Pedro each have a guaranteed seat on the five-member Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners. This board is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the Port of Los Angeles, which includes commerce, fisheries, public access to the waterfront, and environmental concerns that directly affect these two communities.

Martinez, chair of the Wilmington Neighborhood Council, emphasizes the need for local representation, pointing out that much of the port is located within Wilmington, yet the community lacks adequate representation on the board. Currently, only one of the board members resides in San Pedro, with the rest being appointed by the LA mayor without a requirement for them to live in the harbor area.

City Councilmember Tim McOsker, who represents both communities, is sponsoring this measure to ensure local voices are heard. He argues that having one representative from each community is significant, as it not only doubles the representation but guarantees that Wilmington is always represented, addressing a long-standing issue of underrepresentation.

The Wilmington area is predominantly Latino and working-class, and while the port serves as an economic driver, it also brings challenges, such as traffic congestion, street damage, and air pollution. According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the combined emissions from the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach are equivalent to that of 6 million cars daily, underscoring the community’s need for a voice in board decisions that affect their health and environment.

So far, there has been no opposition to the measure, which some experts interpret as a lack of awareness rather than an indicator of its merits. However, concerns have been raised about the ability to find qualified board members with the necessary expertise due to the proposed local residency requirement. Still, many believe that qualified individuals from the area have been able to serve effectively on the board in recent years.

Despite the mayor retaining the power to appoint board members, Martinez views this measure as a critical opportunity to secure the long-sought representation for Wilmington and San Pedro. The measure also proposes additional reforms, including requirements for LA commissioners to disclose conflicts of interest, allowing the city controller to audit contractors, and empowering the city attorney to subpoena witnesses, among other operational changes.