Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass abruptly fired a veteran city commissioner Monday, days after he did so

led his colleagues to postpone

a vote on a new homeless shelter in Westside, supported by the mayor.

Eric Eisenberg confirmed Monday that he had received a letter from Bass informing him that he had been removed from the city’s Transportation Commission, where he served as president. Eisenberg had been reappointed by Bass to a third term on the commission in August.

Bass’ office did not immediately comment on Eisenberg’s removal.

His ouster followed a

unanimous decision of the committee

last week

postpone a vote

about a proposed homeless shelter at Pico Boulevard and Midvale Avenue in Rancho Park. Several opponents of the shelter spoke at the meeting, saying they were concerned it would rise next to residential homes.

Eisenberg and his colleagues wondered why a panel focused on transportation was asked to approve an environmental review exception for the shelter. The commissioners asked for it

a representative of

the city’s Bureau of Engineering to appear

their next

so that they could better understand their role in development.

Eisenberg, who previously served on the Port District Planning Commission and works as a developer, told The Times that no one from the mayor’s office contacted him after the vote.

But he said he believes he was removed because of his role in delaying the vote.

The Transportation Committee, like most city committees, is made up of unpaid volunteers.

I’ve never seen anything like it, Eisenberg said. “The message is that you have to do what we told you or we’re going to cut you off. That’s the wrong message. That’s not the message you want to send if you live in a democracy.

Eisenberg’s removal is likely to spark controversy over the proposed 33-bed temporary homeless shelter at 2377 Midvale Avenue. Opponents on Monday

released shipped

a statement condemning Eisenberg’s ouster and calling the shelter “ill-conceived.”

This is deeply troubling, said Barbara Broide, a local resident who wants the city to consider other locations for the shelter. It shows that the citizens’ committees under this government are nothing but rubber stamps.

Bas has made

Reduce

homeless

ness

her top problem. Her

“

Safe inside

“

The initiative seeks to quickly move unhoused Angelenos into motels and hotels, and she has directed city agencies to expedite construction of affordable housing and shelters.

The plan for the shelter, which would be built on a city-owned parking lot, is expected to be returned to the Transportation Committee for another vote at a special meeting Thursday and could be heard by the City Council as soon as Friday.

Supporters, including Bass and Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, point to the critical need for shelter in Council District 5. The shelter would serve the homeless.

life on the street

in the area. People could live with partners and pets in the facility, which could operate for up to 10 years, according to a city report.

Mental health and substance abuse specialists, ongoing support in navigating housing, employment assistance and 24-hour security would be available.

According to a statement, the Westside Neighborhood Council voted against the project last week due to its proximity to homes and struggling businesses recovering from the pandemic. The group also expressed dismay that other locations were not assessed as alternatives.”

The Century Glen Homeowners Ass

ociatio

has also asked the city to consider alternative locations, including a location on Cotner Avenue.

In August, Yaroslavsky and Bass held a community meeting about the project, which turned chaotic. Opponents mocked the two politicians, and Yaroslavsky struggled to speak at some points, with some attendees chanting “Recall.”

I know people are angry. I understand that, Bass told the audience. The mayor also praised Yaroslavsky’s courageous attitude towards the development and threatened to close the meeting entirely if the people were not willing to listen.

Some locals support the project. Resident Toby

Muresianu

told council members at a recent committee meeting about the shelter he had

recently

met a person who was homeless on Pico Boulevard.

He was just a regular guy from LA who wanted housing,” Muresianu said. “And about a month later it rained for three days and he died of pneumonia. This would have saved his life. I think this should trump other concerns.”

Times writer Julia Wick contributed to this report.