Mayor Karen Bass Friday signed an executive order streamlining infrastructure projects led by the city’s three proprietary departments to speed up major investments ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The order allows the mayor to overhaul what she described as “outdated review processes,” giving her the ability to make faster decisions without compromising oversight or accountability. These changes will ensure that major projects such as the $2.6 billion Convention Center Expansion Project or developments at LAX will be completed on time and within budget, according to the Mayor’s Office.
“From rebuilding in the Palisades to the construction of the Convention Center project, Los Angeles has important capital infrastructure and maintenance projects underway,” Bass said in a statement. “When City Hall works more effectively and efficiently, we deliver for Angelenos.”
Projects expected to benefit include upgrades to mechanical, electrical and fire systems at LAX and Van Nuys Airport, undergrounding utility lines in Pacific Palisades, modernization of a cruise terminal at the Port of Los Angeles, construction of a goods movement training facility, and LAX’s Airfield and Terminal Modernization Project.
Under the directive, LAWA, the Port of LA and the Department of Water and Power will send requests directly to the mayor for approval, bypassing the City Council. The goal is to advance contracts within 15 business days, provided all required information is submitted.
Requests involving contracts exceeding $40 million for services or $100 million for construction will include recommendations from City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo. His office will also review lease agreements longer than 40 years and any amendments, as well as agreements between the three departments affecting operations, revenue or expenditures.
Bass’ directive mandates that any department that seeks to enact a new rule, policy or practice that could impact DWP, LAWA, or Port of LA’s projects, finances or operation will have to provide a written notice to the Mayor’s Legislative Coordinator for consideration.
Additionally, the directive mandates that proprietary departments submit their annual proposed budget along with a detailed list of their programs and expenditures, the number of job classifications and positions assigned, anticipated borrowings, debt service coverage and other key financial information.
Every two years, these three departments will submit a so-called debt accountability and major capital improvement plan to the Mayor’s Office, the City Council, City Controller and the CAO’s Office.
In 2005, then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued directive No. 4, which mandated that 13 types of matters be submitted to the Mayor’s Office before review by each proprietary department’s respective board of commissioners. Similarly, it noted the mayor’s review may include a report from the CAO.
“It is time to update and streamline this process and therefore this executive directive supersedes executive No. 4 (Villaraigosa Series),” Bass’ directive reads.