The Altadena Community Town Hall addressed the aftermath of the Eaton fire, which claimed 17 lives and destroyed 7,000-10,000 structures.
Sheriff Luna highlighted ongoing efforts to find 15 missing people and prevent looting.
Fire Chief Anthony Maroney emphasized the transition to recovery mode, including a $40 million aid disbursement.
LA County Assessor Jeffrey Frank discussed property tax relief.
Colonel Eric Swenson detailed the private property debris removal process, aiming for completion in 18 months.
Supervisor Catherine Barger pledged support for mental health and rebuilding efforts.
FEMA offered financial assistance, including $43,600 per structure, and emphasized the importance of applying before March 10.
The Altadena Community Town Hall discussed FEMA assistance, which can provide up to $87,200 per home, excluding rental assistance for 18 months.
FEMA also offers public assistance for houses of worship and nonprofits.
Concerns about insurance companies forcing residents back into unsafe homes were raised, with assurances of ongoing communication with the insurance commissioner. T
he meeting also addressed homelessness, with 75,312 people experiencing homelessness in LA County.
Upcoming rain preparedness included stabilizing slopes and placing sandbags.
Property tax deferrals were confirmed for affected areas, and the importance of proper pool maintenance was emphasized.
The rebuilding of Altadena was highlighted as a collaborative effort involving local, state, and federal agencies.
Action Items
[ ] Provide home check service for Altadena residents.
[ ] Escort residents to retrieve personal property from damaged buildings.
[ ] Establish a one-stop permitting center in Altadena to expedite the rebuilding process.
[ ] Coordinate with insurance commissioner to address concerns about insurance coverage and displacement.
[ ] Set up applicant briefings for faith-based organizations and nonprofits to access FEMA public assistance.
[ ] Provide free engineering advice to residents regarding flood and mudslide risks.
Outline
Opening Remarks and Introduction of Speakers
Speaker 1 opens the meeting with a prayer for clarity and integrity, expressing hope for answers and concerns to be addressed.
Helen Chavez Garcia introduces herself as the communications director for Supervisor Catherine Barger and mentions the supervisor's delay due to a press conference with President Donald J. Trump.
Helen outlines the structure of the town hall, including three short presentations and a Q&A session, with options for written questions.
Sheriff Luna is introduced as the first speaker to provide updates on the situation in Altadena.
Sheriff Luna's Update on Altadena Fire Response
Sheriff Luna expresses pride in the community and commitment to supporting them through the recovery process.
He honors the 17 community members who lost their lives and shares personal experiences of deputies' efforts to save lives.
Sheriff Luna provides examples of successful rescues, including saving 30 mentally disabled adults and over 250 residents from burning facilities.
He discusses ongoing efforts to find the 15 missing people in the Eaton fire area and emphasizes the importance of reporting any information about them.
Sheriff Luna highlights the increased presence of law enforcement and the need for community vigilance in reporting suspicious activities.
Assistant Chief Pat Sprengel's Fire Recovery Update
Pat Sprengel introduces himself as the local fire chief for Altadena and expresses sympathy for the community's loss.
He outlines the transition from incident management to recovery mode, including the establishment of a post-fire watershed hazard assessment team.
Pat provides information on the recovery.lacounty.gov website, which offers resources and links for assistance.
He discusses the importance of sandbagging efforts and the continuous patrols by fire crews to assist with sandbag needs.
Pat emphasizes the importance of using the 911 system for emergency services and assures the community of ongoing support.
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Frank on Property Tax Relief
Jeffrey Frank clarifies his role as the county assessor and explains the process of lowering property assessments for damaged or destroyed properties.
He mentions the use of aerial photography and artificial technology to identify properties within the damaged area.
Jeffrey encourages property owners to file a misfortune and calamity form on the assessor's website to monitor their claim status.
He informs the community that property taxes will be deferred until April 2024, and penalties will be canceled if received.
Jeffrey highlights the ongoing efforts to seek legislative solutions to maximize property tax relief for fire survivors.
Q&A Session: Addressing Community Concerns and Questions
Pastor Hurt asks about the security of homes and prevention of break-ins now that the National Guard has been removed.
Sheriff Luna explains the ongoing efforts to secure homes, including deploying deputies on horses, air bureau patrols, and drone operations.
He emphasizes the importance of community vigilance and the commitment to prosecute individuals involved in burglaries and looting.
Helen Chavez Garcia introduces the various subject matter experts present to address specific questions and concerns.
FEMA representative Nicole Wilson answers questions about GoFundMe accounts, financial assistance, and the timeline for receiving help.
Supervisor Catherine Barger's Commitment to Community Support
Supervisor Catherine Barger apologizes for her late arrival and emphasizes her commitment to ensuring Altadena is not forgotten.
She pledges to work for transparency and clarity in the investigation of the fire's cause and to advocate for underground power lines.
Catherine reassures the community that she will be a voice for them and promises to get answers on access to property and other issues.
She acknowledges the emotional toll on the community and the need for mental health support, encouraging the use of faith-based resources.
Catherine emphasizes the importance of community resilience and the commitment to rebuilding Altadena better than before.
Colonel Eric Swenson on Private Property Debris Removal
Colonel Eric Swenson explains the two-phase private property debris removal program, including the removal of household hazardous materials by the EPA.
He outlines the process of signing a right of entry form to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to remove fire ash and debris from properties.
Colonel Swenson assures the community that the program will be conducted with respect for public health and safety, including the use of wet debris removal methods.
He emphasizes the importance of community involvement and the commitment to completing the program within 18 months.
Colonel Swenson provides contact information for reporting hazardous trees and other concerns related to the recovery process.
Community Questions and Answers on Rebuilding and Recovery
Director Mark Pestrella discusses the process of rebuilding and the establishment of a one-stop center for permitting and resources.
He emphasizes the importance of working with trusted architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure a smooth rebuilding process.
Director Pestrella assures the community that LA County will expedite building permit reviews and provide support to prevent scams.
He highlights the ongoing efforts to clean up the community and restore infrastructure, including roads and utilities.
Colonel Swenson reiterates the commitment to working with the community and ensuring the safe and efficient removal of debris and hazardous materials.
Addressing Specific Concerns and Providing Additional Resources
FEMA representative Nicole Wilson answers questions about cleaning and sanitization assistance, financial assistance for tenants, and the maximum amount of help for homeowners.
Colonel Swenson addresses concerns about the right of entry form and the process for retrieving personal property from burned homes.
Director Pestrella provides information on the process for reporting hazardous trees and ensuring the safety of remaining trees in the community.
Colonel Swenson emphasizes the importance of community involvement and the commitment to working around the clock to complete the debris removal program.
The meeting concludes with a reminder of the resources available and the importance of staying informed and engaged in the recovery process.
FEMA Assistance and Individual Assistance
Speaker 3 explains that FEMA can provide up to $87,200 for home contents, excluding rental assistance, which can last up to 18 months.
Speaker 3 emphasizes that individual stories and circumstances can affect the amount of funding received, even if the damage appears similar.
Speaker 30 discusses the FEMA Public Assistance Program, which is a reimbursement program for houses of worship, private nonprofits, and local units of government.
Speaker 30 mentions that applicant briefings will be set up to help eligible entities understand the assistance available.
Assistance for Grandparents and Insurance Concerns
Speaker 15 asks about resources for their grandparents, who are 86 and 87 years old and did not have insurance or a pension.
Speaker 3, Nicole Wilson from FEMA, advises the grandparents to apply for FEMA assistance if they were uninsured.
Speaker 16 expresses concerns about insurance companies forcing people back into unsafe homes and mentions past incidents like 9/11.
Speaker 17 from the supervisor's office mentions ongoing communication with the insurance commissioner and offers to bring them to future events to address these concerns.
Housing and Homelessness in Los Angeles County
Speaker 18 highlights the issue of homelessness in Los Angeles County, with 75,312 people experiencing homelessness as of 2024.
Speaker 18 asks about support for the displaced community and the need for housing and infrastructure.
Speaker 17 from the supervisor's office mentions the dedicated team addressing the homelessness crisis and new funding and rules coming in.
Speaker 10 encourages attendees to connect with the supervisor's staff for more information.
Preparing for Rain and Flood Control
Speaker 27 provides an update on the weather forecast and the county's plan to stabilize slopes and ready the flood control system.
Speaker 27 mentions that LA County has mobilized to place K-Rail, sandbags, and visit vulnerable homes to provide advice and sandbagging assistance.
Speaker 27 emphasizes the importance of residents staying in their homes during heavy rain and not being on the roads.
Speaker 27 provides a phone number for free engineering advice and encourages residents to call for assistance.
Public Health and Air Quality Concerns
Speaker 29 from the public health department discusses the availability of PPE and the importance of wearing N95 masks when ash is aerosolized.
Speaker 29 explains that the air quality index (AQI) has improved but warns about the dangers of wind-blown ash.
Speaker 29 encourages residents to visit the public health table for information on protecting themselves and their properties.
Speaker 29 provides information on handling pools and outdoor spas contaminated with ash and debris.
Property Taxes and Right of Entry
Speaker 19 asks about the impact of property taxes after rebuilding and whether they will increase.
Speaker 26 explains that property taxes will not increase and can be rebuilt up to 120% of the previous value without reassessment.
Speaker 21 inquires about the process for occupants without their names on the title to get remediation completed.
Speaker 28 explains that the legal process for establishing ownership will be handled through the county, and the Corps of Engineers will work with the county to address this issue.
EPA and Transparency in Contaminant Testing
Speaker 22 suggests that the EPA test for contaminants not included in the AQI and create a dashboard for transparency.
Speaker 29 from the public health department acknowledges the concern and mentions ongoing discussions with companies and academics about air monitoring for heavy metals and toxins.
Speaker 29 emphasizes the importance of transparency and ongoing efforts to address these concerns.
Speaker 10 encourages attendees to write down their questions for future meetings.
Rebuilding Altadena and Community Involvement
Speaker 23 asks who will rebuild Altadena and mentions the appointment of Stephen Sabarov as the city's chief recovery officer.
Speaker 17 from the supervisor's office responds that local, state, and federal agencies will partner to rebuild Altadena, with a focus on preventing displacement.
Speaker 17 mentions a motion on the board agenda to ensure no displacement and efforts to waive local regulations and seek state support.
Speaker 1 encourages attendees to stay involved and look out for future meetings to address their concerns and needs.
