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Public Information

Public Information

The Communications and Public Affairs Unit (CPAU) is primarily responsible for handling requests from the public as well as requests from the media. The CPAU has three main roles: legislative analysis, public information, and media coordination.

Elisa Vásquez, Public Information Officer
Communications and Public Affairs Unit
700 W. Main Street, Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 586-1762 Fax: (626) 943-3801

Click here to submit general questions or comments on agency programs.

Legislative Analysis

CPAU is responsible for tracking the progress of Federal and State legislation in key program areas, including housing (Section 8, Public Housing, and HOME Investment Partnerships programs), and community and economic development (Community Development Block Grant). The Unit is also responsible for analyzing and reporting on legislation and proposals that may impact the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA).

CPAU is the primary point of contact for all elected officials, at the Federal, State, and local levels. The Unit works with County legislative staff and legislative advocates in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to develop recommendations and draft legislative correspondence including position papers, promoting key legislative and strategic messages, and assisting with policy development.

Public Information

The Unit communicates the agency's mission and programs to key target audiences, which include overseers, customers, and partners. The agency's website content and social media pages are also managed by CPAU. The Unit is also responsible for the preparation and distribution of the agency's bi-weekly e-newsletters and Year-End Highlights. Additionally, the Unit is responsible for responding to all requests received pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA).

Media Coordination

The responsibility for handling media communications rests with the CPAU, which includes responding to inquiries, writing media advisories and media releases, and scheduling print or on-camera interviews.

California Public Records Act Requests

Pursuant to the CPRA, the general public may inspect or obtain copies of public documents by submitting a formal request. The information provided below outlines the procedure used by the LACDA to facilitate the processing of requests received under the CPRA, as set forth in California Government Code 7920 , et seq.

The LACDA’s CPAU coordinates responses to all public records requests.

What is a Public Record?

The CPRA defines public records as “information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, or retained by any State or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics.” Additional information can be found here: Codes: Code Search (ca.gov)

The CPRA and other laws may exclude access to certain public records.

How to Request Public Records

All requests should clearly describe the requested records owned or retained by the LACDA.

The public may request agency records via the following methods:

1. By clicking the LACDA's Public Records Portal (Portal)
(Recommended)

2. By sending an e-mail to cpra@lacda.org

3. By calling (626) 586-1762

4. By mail/messenger to:

Elisa Vásquez, Public Information Officer
Los Angeles County Development Authority
       700 W. Main Street
       Alhambra, CA 91801

All requests for public records will be treated equally, regardless of the manner in which they were received. CPAU may ask that verbal requests be followed up with a written summary of the documents being requested to ensure that we have a clear understanding of what to retrieve; however, a written summary is not a requirement to process the request.

Please note, the Portal is not to be used for general inquiries. If you have a general programmatic question, please visit our Public Inquiry Portal.

Response Time

The CPRA requires the LACDA to respond to the requestor within 10 calendar days. When more time is needed, such as when records are offsite or a response appears to be voluminous, the CPRA allows an additional 14 calendar days. Within 10 days from the date of the original request, the LACDA will communicate with the requestor explaining the delay and stating the section of the CPRA that allows the time extension.

Cost

Requestors pay direct costs for each page printed in response to the CPRA as well as postage and related services based on the agency's current rates. Although rates are subject to change, the current reimbursement rates (as of the date of approval of this policy) are as follows:

Printed Copies:
15 cents per page; all pages are one-sided.

Documents Saved to a Disk:
69 cents per disk + the printing cost for each responsive page printed for transferring to the disk.

Email Response:
No charge for emailing; however, the requestor is charged for each responsive page printed and scanned for the email.

The LACDA reserves the right to charge for multiple copies being printed of the same document if it is required to make the document suitable for release to the requestor, such as in cases where redaction is needed on the original document, and a second copy is made to ensure confidential information is no longer visible. The LACDA reserves the right to waive copy fees if the total amount due is less than $5.00.

Requestors also pay the direct cost of any outside services. There are no charges assessed for staff time, emails, or information provided by telephone.

Payments are made by check or money order to the “Los Angeles County Development Authority” and must be received by the LACDA before the requested copies are released.