By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Representatives from Los Angeles Department of Water & Power presented at the Pacific Palisades Recreation Center Park Advisory Board meeting on April 22, detailing the agency’s ongoing work through an operations center and command post on site, as well as its potential plan to exit the space.

In response to the Palisades fire and related utility repair work, LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager – Power System David Hanson explained that the department established an Incident Command Post in January and a Unified Utilities Rebuild Operations Center on March 1 at the site of the rec center.

Present to interface with the public, the UUROC is located in the small gym—which was not damaged in the fire—and the ICP is in the outdoor basketball court area, with an ICP laydown, which stores materials like power poles for easier access and cutting time for “commuting in and out” of the Palisades for LADWP, near the lower tennis courts.

“It’s always a challenge for us to be able to find a storage location for multiple poles,” Hanson explained. “We were able to stage a lot of material down there in the lower tennis courts and keep it local.”

As of the April 22 meeting, LADWP reported that “all structures that can be energized have been energized” in the Palisades area, which has included the installation of 1,269 poles and over 170,000 feet of cable. Hanson said that LADWP has committed to undergrounding services in the Palisades, but that is “going to take us some time,” which means building “overhead infrastructure in the meantime.”

Since it opened on March 1, the UUROC has served 150 customers in person as of April 22, helping with things like power restoration status, instructions on how to turn on main power breakers, temporary power requests, water trouble and general account inquires, according to LADWP.

Hanson broke down rebuilding efforts into three categories: “emergency restoration,” which is “substantially completed;” “temporary rebuild”—estimated to be completed in summer 2025; and “permanent rebuild,” which includes aspects like undergrounding power.

With no changes to the site being used by LADWP, the agency explained that temporary rebuilding efforts would continue, estimating it would exit the rec center “mid-summer.” LADWP reported that this would allow them to “maintain temporary rebuild momentum.”

To exit the rec center site by June 1, LADWP explained, it could delay temporary rebuild completion until “late-summer.” A third scenario had LADWP exiting by May 1, which would delay the temporary rebuild until “early fall.”

All scenarios had the UUROC remaining on site—but LADWP reported that it has been exploring other potential options for sites within the Palisades if the community has a desire for it to exit the small gym.

“If you can give us until early summer, we’ll get out of your way and everything will be great,” Hanson said. “But if you need us to get out sooner, we’re prepared to do that as well.”

Alternate properties outside of the Palisades that are being considered for materials laydown include Topanga (former Reel Inn and adjacent) or Malibu near Corral Canyon.

“We’re trying to get as close as we can to the Palisades,” Hanson explained. “That will just minimize our delays for transit into and out of the area. But we definitely don’t want to stand in the way of anything that the community wants to do with the recreation center.”

Multiple members of the PAB suggested allowing for park concessionaires—including bocce and baseball—access to the area to begin their own repair work so that when the new playground opens, several facets of the park will be ready for the community to use. Hanson and the LADWP representatives then took questions and comments from PAB and community members.

“One-third of the Palisades remains, and they need a place to go and play,” a board member said of the rec center facilities being available to the community, “and those of us that have had to relocate temporarily need a place to meet and an oasis to return to.”

At the time of the meeting on April 22, RAP General Manager Jimmy Kim reported that an application for debris removal had been submitted and approved by Cal OES. The playground was on track for a July opening.

Kim also reported that RAP was working on a contract for monthly soil testing, including at the bocce courts, tennis courts and baseball fields. Research was also in progress for air quality monitoring. Kim shared plans of returning to a future meeting with further updates.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Pacific Palisades Community Council hosted a representative from the California Department of Insurance during its Thursday, April 24, board meeting, addressing concerns related to fire recovery and insurance matters.

Outreach Analyst Rob Obedoza delivered a presentation from the department—covering a range of topics, as well as offering updates and advice to meeting attendees.

As of March 5, Obedoza said 27,872 claims had been paid, totaling $12.1 billion. The average claim payout was $435,000.

When dealing with adjusters, Obedoza advised Palisadians to ensure every adjuster they are working with is properly licensed and to keep a documentation trail.

“Ask questions, ask why something may not be covered,” Obedoza said. “Ask for it in writing. If a company changes adjusters, make sure to keep documentation.”

Obedoza said documenting agreements helps hold insurance companies accountable.

If Palisadians are being offered low claim payments, Obedoza said, nobody should be forced into accepting an amount.

“In many cases, the first payment is called the ‘undisputed amount,’ which is the minimum amount they are required to pay you,” he explained.

Obedoza said to advise the Department of Insurance if there is pressure to accept a payment.

When considering rebuilding, building or buying elsewhere, Obedoza explained that after a total loss is declared, insurance companies are “required to pay the full replacement cost benefits, which must include any building code upgrade and extended replacement costs associated with rebuilding the insured property,” even if the individual chooses to rebuild or buy a property in another location.

“Value of land cannot be deducted from this settlement,” he said. “Make sure you advise the insurance, and your lender … if you are considering this. Generally, once you identify the property and go into escrow, the insurance company will pay the amount it owes. You would only be eligible up to the full replacement costs owed if you actually spend that amount in rebuilding or buying property in another location.”

If an individual has a mortgage, he advised to speak with the lender to discuss payment and escrow.

In relation to emergency actions, insurers are required to continue providing Additional Living Expenses coverage until wildfire survivors’ homes are deemed habitable as a result of fire debris, ash and other hazardous materials.

Obedoza also explained that a one-year nonrenewal moratorium was declared for residential policies within or adjacent to wildfire perimeters. The insurance moratorium expires January 6, 2026.

In a total loss, law guarantees two automatic renewals, and the insurance company is required to work with the individual to determine any adjustments in coverage, Obedoza explained. If an individual has a lender, they are required to have no gap in coverage.

Obedoza also explained that insurance companies were unable to properly assess risk in California before and were void of using modern tools that had been used across the country—but they are being allowed to do that now. Obedoza said these models are currently under review by the Department of Insurance, and they should be finalized in June.

“The commissioner expects more policies in those areas by early next year, as part of the agreement,” he said. “But … insurance companies are now allowed to charge .. reinsurance costs.”

Obedoza explained that reinsurance costs have been “skyrocketing” and rates are expected to increase.

“In order for them to write these policies, they are going to be charging what it costs for them to assess the risk properly,” he said. “There are going to be options available. It’s going to be more expensive, unfortunately … The goal long term is, the more options that are available, the more competition there is in the market. [That] hopefully drives prices down.”

Obedoza said the Department of Insurance plans on hosting more community-level webinars in the coming months, with the next one slated for June.

For more information, visit insurance.ca.gov, or call 1-800-927-4357 to reach a consumer hotline for insurance complaints, questions and assistance.

Pacific Palisades optometrist Dr. Gary D. Polan reported that his office reopened on Thursday, April 24.

Located at 970 Monument Street in Suite 102, Polan said the space has been “completely remediated,” and has passed all air quality and mold tests after suffering water damage, Polan explained to the Palisadian-Post.

Polan said the office is entirely staffed and fully serviced.

“My entire staff was employed the entire time we were off,” Polan explained. “We spent our time fulfilling spectacle and contact lens orders for the people who lost those items in the fires.”

Polan said the response to the office’s reopening has been “awesome,” and the office is booked out a month in advance.

“I feel that reopening here gives our community hope and the beginning of a small sense of normalcy,” Polan said. “This is the town where I lived and built my practice from scratch 40 years ago. I never thought of moving my practice elsewhere … The Palisades has supported me all this time, and my gratitude is absolutely sincere.”

The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

—LILY TINOCO

Los Angeles Fire Department and Santa Monica Fire Department resources responded on Friday, May 2, to a plane—of an unknown size—that landed at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.

The plane diverted from Santa Monica Airport for an “unknown” reason,” according to LAFD.

“Three total passengers onboard were unharmed,” according to a statement. “LAFD and SMFD companies [worked] together to assess the aircraft for any damage.”

—LILY TINOCO

American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283 is the title sponsor for the inaugural Military Veteran Entertainment Awards, which will take place Saturday, May 24, at the Beverly Wilshire.

The event is being hosted to celebrate “the outstanding contributions” of military service members and veterans in the entertainment industry.

“The evening will feature a red-carpet reception, inspiring award presentations and heartfelt tributes to those who have dedicated their lives to service both in uniform and on screen,” according to We Are The Mighty. “The event serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, talent and dedication of military personnel who have seamlessly transitioned into the world of entertainment.”

Some of the guests who are slated to be in attendance include Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, Palisadian actor and former Honorary Mayor Steve Guttenberg, Medal of Honor Gary Littrell, United States Army Green Beret Nate Boyer and reality TV host Maria Mendez Reed.

The event, hosted by Amy Forsythe and BJ Lange, will take place at the Beverly Wilshire, located at 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, beginning at 4:30 p.m. For more information or tickets, visit mvawards.org.

—LILY TINOCO