Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
MAY 16, 2019
Subject
SUBJECT: WESTLAKE/ MACARTHUR PARK COMMUNITY MARKET VENDING PROGRAM
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE status report on the Westlake/ MacArthur Park Community Market Vending Project.
Issue
ISSUE
In March 2017 Metro launched a Westlake/ MacArthur Park Community Market Vendor Pilot Program which was made permanent in 2019. This report is an update of that program.
Background
BACKGROUND
In an effort to manage longstanding street vending at Metro’s Westlake/ MacArthur Park Station, Metro partnered with L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, L.A. City Council Member Gil Cedillo, Central City Neighborhood Partners and Union de Vendedores Ambulantes (Union Of Street Vendors) to launch a one-year permitted vending pilot project at the Westlake/ MacArthur Park Station adjacent to the Red and Purple Lines. Metro’s issued permit has allowed the station’s plaza to address historical challenges to unpermitted vending at that location. The goals of the program are to minimize blight and disorder, ensure safe boarding and alighting, and to ultimately transform the station plaza into an inviting environment. The Westlake/ MacArthur Park Community Market Vending program demonstrates Metro’s strong commitment to partnering with the community to creatively solve challenges. In light of the program overall success the program has been made permanent is 2019.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Operating Structure
The County and City of Los Angeles pooled financial resources to fund the Westlake/ Westlake/ MacArthur Park Community Market Vendor Pilot Program to cover the costs of various permits, maintenance and security. The program is administered by the Central City Neighborhood Partners, a community nonprofit street vendor membership organization that keeps records of vendor applications and coordinate member contributions as well as operating costs. Operating hours are from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. There are total of 24 booths and a total of 68 spaces for vendors where approved goods are sold. All participants must demonstrate that they reside in the local community (LA City Council District -CD1) or demonstrate at least a year of selling in that area. The program is self-funded by partners as are the permit fees and cost of fixed post security.
Success and Lesson Learned Resulting in Partnership Improvements
Under Westlake/ MacArthur Park Community Market Vendor Pilot Program the objectives of the program were met-blight and disorder were reduced, the vendors no longer impeded space that otherwise was to be used for safe boarding and greater order at the station was achieved that ultimately has made the station into an inviting environment to the benefit of Metro and the community at large. To maintain safety of the area while honoring the community market partnership, Metro and CD1 together funded a LAPD fixed post officer in 2018 and 2019 resulting in the reduction of crime at that station since the launch of the project - 14% reduction in aggravated assaults and 61% reduction of robberies (Attachment A). To avoid community and vending location confusion, demarcation lines were drawn at the station to distinguish jurisdictions as Metro and LA City have different vending policies at that site.
SB 946
In September of 2018 former Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 946, the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (Sen. Ricardo Laura) which required that cities and counties throughout the state create permit programs and establish health and safety policies for vending. Since the enacting of that legislation, L.A. City developed General Rules and Regulations for sidewalk vending through the Bureau of Street Services (ordinance for Council File No. 13-1493-S5) (Attachment B). Even in light of the changing law, Metro’s Westlake/ MacArthur Park station maintains itself as attractive vending property. Vendors remain attracted to this historic vending site from all over the world and Metro’s program allows for vending practices that are not allowed under the City ordinance (ex. vending kiosk at and around public transportation) which is a clear attractive benefit. LA County’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs has designated Metro’s Westlake/ MacArthur Park Community Market Vendor Pilot Program project as a standard of best practices and Metro is working with the County to aid in the development of the County’s vending policies (Attachment C).
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The vending program operates generally free to Metro. Metro and LA City equally share the cost of the one LAPD officer who is fixed post.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The program described supports Goal #2 and #4 of Metro’s Strategic Goals. Goal #2, Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system; and Goal #4, Transform Los Angeles County through regional collaboration and national leadership
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The alternative would be to cancel the vending program which would have a negative impact onto the vending population at that site.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Continue to manage the vending project at that location site. Identify if other locations at Metro would be suitable to run similar host programs.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Crime Reduction
Attachment B - LA City Vending Rules
Attachment C - Board of Supervisors Motion
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Jennifer E. Loew, Transit Security Special Projects Manager, System Security and Law Enforcement (213) 922-3646
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Alex Z. Wiggins, Chief, System Security and Law Enforcement, (213) 922-4433
Reviewed by: Nadine Lee, Chief of Staff (Interim), Office of the Chief Executive Officer, (213) 922-7447
