By Stephen Witt
The Compton City Council has let two meetings pass after tabling a much-needed proposal to lease a vacant city-owned property to a local nonprofit serving hundreds of Compton families and individuals struggling with social service issues.
Meanwhile, the vacant former Angeles for Sight property at 920 North Alameda Street has been vandalized, adding to the City’s urban blight.
“Before the item is brought back [for a vote], the City must ensure the proposal aligns with the City’s interests, best practices and obligations,” wrote Compton Public Information Officer Gabrielle Barber in an email.
Under the proposal, Fathers and Mothers Who Care (FMWC), led by Executive Director Linda Kelly, seeks a six-year lease agreement for the property at $1 per square foot monthly or $2,332 per month. Additionally, the organization is committed to investing $175,000 in building renovations over six months.
Prior to the Sept. 2 meeting, when the proposal was put on the agenda for a vote, Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, and City Councilmembers Deidre Duhart, Andre Spicer, Jonathan Bowers and Lille Darden were given a City of Compton staff report detailing exactly how the $175,000 in renovations would be used and a timeline for the work to be done, and the lease agreement conditions.
Compton General Services Department Director, Nebraska Jones, compiled the report and recommended approval of the proposal. Additionally, Compton City Manager Willie A. Hopkins, Jr. reviewed, approved and forwarded the report to the mayor and council members.
When the matter came up for a vote, all City Council members acknowledged the great work FMWC does. A motion to approve the motion was made and seconded, and it appeared the proposal was heading for passage, considering a simple majority of the council could pass the measure.
However, during the discussion, Bowers said he needed more information on how the $175,000 would be spent, which baffled the other city council members, who were all given the report for review. Then, in a sudden turn of events, the motion and seconded motion were withdrawn, and the City Council unanimously voted to table the proposal, seemingly until the next meeting.
Kelly left the City Council meeting upset and told Los Angeles County Politics (LACP) she is considering moving FMWC from its main catchment area in Compton to Long Beach.
“Frankly, I was embarrassed—not for myself, but for my city,” wrote Kelly in an email to LACP. “My agenda item would not have cost the City of Compton a single dollar. Yet, it was tabled and has not been revisited. In contrast, an earlier agenda item involving a proposed expenditure of over $1 million was approved, despite members raising concerns about the lack of detail.
“I strongly believe that all agenda items should be treated with fairness and consistency. If more information is required for one proposal, the same standard should apply to all. Lack of clarity should not be overlooked based on the nature of the item or the individual presenting it,” the email concluded.
According to Guidestar.org, a website that tracks nonprofits nationwide, FMWC was established in 1995 and is rated as Gold in transparency. Its revenue was about $1 million in fiscal year 2024.
The organization currently works out of a shared facility at 515 E Rosecrans Avenue. Kelly said the new location is needed because the current building is up for sale leaving FMWC unsure of a lease extension.
Barber said the mayor and city council members are refusing to comment on the issue and presented no timeline for when the proposal might again be put to a vote.
