By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and the Contractors State License Board will host a live webinar to support people affected by the Southern California wildfires on Thursday, April 3, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The webinar is designed to assist individuals navigate the rebuilding process, covering topics like hiring and working with licensed contractors; understanding contracts, change orders and protections; and fraud prevention and how to avoid project delays.

“Fire victims are understandably concerned about being taken advantage of by unethical contractors during the process of rebuilding of their homes and businesses,” Irwin said in a statement. “They have suffered enough already, and nobody wants them to be further victimized during the rebuilding process. The purpose of this seminar is to provide information that will further protect them during the process of engaging with and hiring a contractor.”

The Zoom capacity for the webinar is set to 500—those who receive a message that the room is full are encouraged to join the Facebook Live feed on Irwin’s page. The presentation in its entirety will be available on the assembly website in the days following.

“Rebuild with confidence,” Irwin said in a statement, “don’t miss this important discussion.”

To join the webinar or submit questions, visit a42.asmdc.org/event. For more information, contact the District Office at 805-370-0542.

Irwin is also hosting a Sidewalk Session in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, April 5, from 12 to 2 p.m. at The Five07 Coffee Bar + Eatery (2036 Avenida de los Arboles).

“Come join a discussion on local issues in a relaxed, informal setting,” read information about the session. “District Office staff will be available to take information to address questions or community concerns, and schedule future meetings as time permits. Be sure to sign in upon arrival to get on the list for a conversation with Assemblymember Irwin.”

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

FEMA has extended the deadline to opt in or out of the government-run fire debris removal program to April 15, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath announced on Friday, March 28, and has expanded eligibility.

“FEMA has responded to our request—condos, townhomes and multi-family mobile home parks are now eligible for federally funded debris removal,” Horvath wrote. “The deadline to submit your right of entry form has also been extended to April 15.”

Residents have two options for Phase 2: opting in to the government-run debris removal program, which is being led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Colonel Eric Swenson, at no out-of-pocket charge, or opting out and hiring a private contractor.

Speaking with the Palisadian-Post Monday morning, March 31, Constance Farrell, communications director for Horvath’s office, confirmed that mobile home parks fit FEMA’s criteria for “case by case” basis, but she is “extremely confident” that they are going to be included.

Farrell reported that Horvath’s office has been in touch with the owners/managers of Tahitian Terrace and Palisades Bowl, as well as Councilmember Traci Park and the state, to advocate for their inclusion in the government-run debris removal process.

Phase 2 involves removing visible fire debris, such as chimneys, hazardous trees, ash and—if specified on a right-of-entry form by the owner—foundations.

The form can be completed online at recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal or in-person at a Disaster Recovery Center, with the Westside location at 10850 West Pico Boulevard.

The announcement to extend the deadline and expanded eligibility came one day after the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services urged FEMA on March 27 to expand the debris removal program.

“Regarding residential commercial properties, I have determined residential commercial properties that contain at least one owner-occupied home will be treated in the same manner as approved residential properties for the entire structure,” FEMA Regional Administrator Robert Fenton wrote in a letter dated March 28. “This will include most condominium and other multi-family buildings, even where there may be a mix of owner-occupied and rental units within the same building. This approval does not include multi-family rental properties entirely owned by for-profit entities, such as apartment buildings, which will continue to be treated as commercial properties.

“Commercial properties, including multi-family rental properties entirely owned by for-profit entities, will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any requests to include commercial properties in Private Property Debris Removal operations must include a justification based on the following factors: An immediate threat to public health and safety due to debris; Barriers to the commercial entity completing debris removal independently; Insurance coverage and status of claim; Economic impact of debris removal on the commercial entity and community.”

When it comes to multi-family properties, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, each owner of a destroyed unit in a condominium or duplex needs to submit an ROE form, as well as the homeowner’s association.

“This allows the county, state and FEMA to assess the property for eligibility,” the statement concluded.

Farrell confirmed that each tenant of the mobile home parks should fill out the ROE, as officials are working on “packaging” them for FEMA to review.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on March 31 to reflect information regarding mobile home parks.

Deadline to Opt In or Out of County-Run Program Is April 15

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

With Phase 2 of debris removal for residential properties underway following the Palisades fire—and the deadline approaching to opt in or out of the county-run program—Palisadians have shared their first-hand experiences.

Phase 2 involves removing visible fire debris, such as chimneys, hazardous trees, ash and—if specified on a right-of-entry form by the owner—foundations.

Residents have two options for Phase 2: opting in to the county-run debris removal program, which is being led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Colonel Eric Swenson, at no out-of-pocket charge, or opting out and hiring a private contractor.

The deadline to opt in or out of the program has been extended from March 31 to April 15, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath announced on Friday, March 28. The form can be completed online at recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal or in-person at a Disaster Recovery Center, with the Westside location at 10850 West Pico Boulevard.

Residents who own condos, as well as their homeowner associations, should also opt in or out … Emiko Thompson with LA County Public Works explained during Mayor Karen Bass’ March 18 virtual town hall.

At the time of the meeting, the status of multi-unit parcels, which were not part of the initial USACE mission, were currently under discussion. FEMA confirmed on March 28 that now will be part of the mission.

Jenny Delwood with Bass’ office explained that the city would be asking FEMA to assign USACE with their clearance. Having the forms filled out puts the city in a “better position” to be able to make the “formal request to the federal government.”

USACE, in coordination with the state of California and FEMA, began Phase 2 debris removal for private residential properties in the Palisades in February.

There are a number of factors that determine when a lot will be scheduled for Phase 2 debris removal, which is not a “first-come, first-served process,” the county explained.

“To maximize efficiency, contractors schedule their work based on priorities set by the federal government with input from the county,” according to LA County. “As ROEs are collected and ownership is verified, the Army Corps of Engineers will batch properties together for clearing with the objective of moving as quickly as possible.”

Property owners will be informed three to five days before their property approaches the clean-up phase.

Once the removal process has begun, USACE aims for debris to be safely removed in two to three days per property. This can change depending on the size of the lot or parcel, the amount of debris, inclement weather and more.

“It will not be possible to estimate how long it will take to clean up your property until the contractor assesses the site,” according to LA County.

Palisadian Jordan Catapano told the Palisadian-Post that her property was cleared on Sunday, March 9, by USACE. It took the team one day to clear Catapano’s lot.

Catapano said the team was “very communicative” and gave her a call about three weeks after signing paperwork. She said they were easy to get a hold of when she had follow-up questions.

“They asked if we wanted to preserve any trees that weren’t severely damaged, protect any pet graves and if we wanted our pool drained,” Catapano said to the Post. “They were great. Feeling really good about this and am now going to spend my time imagining what our new home will look like.”

Palisadian Amy Horwath said USACE debris removal began on her property near Will Rogers State Historic Park on Monday morning, February 24.

The team reached out to Horwath a week prior to coordinate. Upon arrival, the team surveyed the property with Horwath, and discussed retaining walls and the septic system, so as not to damage them.

“The whole team appeared professional and clearly experienced,” she said. “We have a hillside lot, and they were able to navigate the excavator and dump trucks up the driveway with minimal damage.”

Horwath said debris removal was a three-day process.

A week before the then-March 31 deadline, Horvath urged residents to opt in or out of the program.

“Los Angeles County is calling on every property owner to partner with us to accelerate wildfire recovery by completing right of entry forms by March 31,” Horvath said in a statement March 24. “There’s only one week left, and we need everyone to make their choice—whether that is opting into our program or choosing to go private. Whatever you decide, please do so in the next seven days.”

Colonel Brian Sawser—commander of the USACE Pacific Palisades Emergency Field Office—said they are “rapidly increasing the number of crews to reduce the time needed to complete its mission.”

“This is an optimization challenge,” Sawser described. “Fewer constraints and fewer unknowns greatly assist the Corps in moving faster. The greatest unknown right now is whether the remaining 1,300 or so undeclared properties in the Palisades fire impact area will opt in or opt out of the Corps’ private property debris removal program.”

Owners who do not select a debris removal option by the deadline will be responsible for hiring qualified contractors, obtaining permits and clearing debris in compliance with local regulations by June 30, according to Horvath’s statement.

Editor’s note: This story was amended Friday, March 28, with the updated deadline to opt in or out, as well as information about multi-unit parcels.