Comments
VIEWPOINT - For the last few years, I have ardently examined the reason Los Angeles has been driven to the political doldrums, a condition referred to in my comments in this space as extensive malaise. All observed signals point to the same conclusion: inefficient leadership at City Hall.
As a result, a crisis of trust has emerged. Due to the intersection of governance and leadership, key policies and strategic objectives affecting local authorities have been overlooked. This has led to organizational stagnation.
Case in point is the continued displacement of residents nine months after the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires. A recent survey by the Department of Angels stated that of the 13,000 homes affected by the fires, the majority of the residents, most of whom were renters, have yet to return, whether their homes were destroyed or await remediation and toxin testing.
In January of this year, Mayor Karen Bass appointed businessperson and developer Steve Soboroff to lead rebuilding efforts following the wildfires. He was called the rebuilding czar. And the mayor was to sign a series of executive orders aimed at expanding the recovery effort. “There is no one better equipped to create our rebuilding plan,” she said of Soboroff.
Three months later, Soboroff stepped down. He said he was shut out of city recovery high-level planning almost from the start. Soboroff told the Los Angeles Times, “They haven’t asked me to do anything in a month and a half, nothing, zero.” He expressed frustration that city officials repeatedly told him that things were “under control,” without addressing the specifics with him.
So, the recovery czar post was apparently discarded. And absent guidance from a commanding and knowledgeable individual at the top, the recovery program quickly spun out of control. As expected, separate independent rebuilding committees claimed leadership roles in what will certainly be one of the costliest reconstruction projects in the history of the state.
Mayor Bass hired Hagerty Consulting to help with recovery, and much of their early work has focused on building a framework across city departments to help restore the Palisades, a process that will take years. But critics have criticized Hagerty for a lack of clarity about their recovery plan.
This project urgently needs a recovery czar. Clear accountability will never be forthcoming without one. Such an individual can ensure explicit definition of roles in the recovery effort, along with responsibilities and expectations within the healing organization. It is the only way to safeguard clarity and avoid confusion, to prevent missed deadlines and efficiently move to a successful outcome. (See "Only a czar and a troika can guide Los Angeles to full recovery after the ravaging fires.” Citywatchla 6/5/2025.)
On fire recover and more, we have drifted, and we have wandered sideways and backwards, and today’s results prove it. According to the report by the Department of Angels, many survivors “are being left behind, while others are spending much of their time and dwindling finances to fight for a sliver of what they lost — and often, coming up short.” the report said.
Miguel Santana, chief executive officer of the California Community Foundation and co-founder of the Department of Angels, noted that seniors and families making under $100,000 have been hit hardest. The report highlights that 1 in 5 of such households have had to cut back on food, and about 1 in 6 have had to skip medical care.
Santana said, “People are now skipping meals and forgoing healthcare due to costs from the fires, making difficult choices that affect their quality of life.”
Around 75% of Pacific Palisades residents and 67% of Altadena residents surveyed are currently living in temporary housing, and many anticipate relocating again within the next few months. The report noted that while those who lost their homes entirely have faced difficulties securing stable accommodation, individuals with structural or smoke and ash damage have had to move even more often.
In the aftermath of the fires, many survivors continue to grapple with significant emotional challenges. The distress and trauma experienced have only intensified for a large number of individuals. According to recent survey results, the majority of those affected reported a noticeable decline in their mental health since the disaster occurred.
It has been my experience that lack of clear responsibility makes crises more intense and botches up recovery efforts. How important is appointing a recovery czar with power to organize and lead recovery at this critical time? The numbers hold a noticeably clear answer: UCLA’s Anderson School of Management estimated property losses of between $95 billion and $164 billion, and other estimates range as high as $250 billion. The tasks of cleaning up, financing and rebuilding schools and other public infrastructure, as well as thousands of homes and commercial structures, are almost unfathomably difficult.
Malaise and lack of true leadership still confound the recovery effort. Accountability, competence, trust, and integrity are missing, especially at City Hall. A lone, vigorous voice for accountability has been Councilmember Monica Rodriguez. The mayor and local leaders must take responsibility for action not taken, and the consequences of inaction should be heavily considered next time in the voting booth.
(Nick Patsaouras is an electrical engineer and civic leader whose firm has shaped projects across commercial, medical, and entertainment sectors. A longtime public advocate, he ran for Mayor in 1993 with a focus on rebuilding L.A. through transportation. He has served on major public boards, including the Department of Water and Power, Metro, and the Board of Zoning Appeals, helping guide infrastructure and planning policy in Los Angeles. He is the author of the book "The Making of Modern Los Angeles.")
