“You’re all stalling.” A frustrated Judge Carter lashes out at UCLA, VA over delays
Rushing to house veterans ahead of the rain, the judge expressed displeasure at the pace of progress, blaming a “procedural morass.”
“What’s holding us up are these procedural issues,” Judge David Carter lamented Tuesday during a brief hearing on the progress (or lack thereof) on issues at the West Los Angeles VA campus.
Despite further discussions about a potential agreement between the plaintiffs and Brentwood School and the construction of emergency shelters on the campus, little was achieved during the hearing.
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The potential agreement regarding the Brentwood School facilities, which would see expanded access for veterans, increased rent, and a $5 million cash payment, seemed to be near the finish line but for a few remaining roadblocks.
The $5 million payment presented the biggest challenge for both sides with the plaintiffs wanting the payment to be paid outside of VA control. Federal officials balked at that proposal.
Defense counsel Brad Rosenberg said any payment should go directly to the VA but also acknowledged that “there is a lot to like” in the potential agreement.
There’s going to have to be some trust of the VA, Carter told the plaintiffs. “Even if people died, unfortunately, you’re going to have to get past it,” he said.
The agreement remained in limbo as the plaintiffs and Brentwood School were left to address some of the government’s concerns to avoid a possible appeal by the government.
As proceedings turned to the 50 to 60 units of emergency housing Carter ordered to be built in a UCLA parking lot, the judge expressed displeasure at the pace of progress blaming a “procedural morass.”
“You’re all stalling, frankly,” he told VA officials as they laid out timeframes for the construction of units that included installation of wet and dry utilities, vendor proposals, and construction.
Carter said portable toilets and showers should be installed, along with modular housing units, to help speed up the process to “get veterans out of the rain.” Carter said he would also waive the competitive process to more quickly locate a vendor for units.
He ordered Steve Soborhoff to return to court Friday with the name of a potential vendor.
The next hearing is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11 at 8 a.m.
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