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Big city city councils deal with a huge range of issues. Take the L.A. City Council, comprised of 15 people, each representing a district in this far-flung metropolis. On Oct. 23, the council banned the use of bullhooks on circus elephants. Bullhooks are a “handling tool” with a sharp hook. 

The council is currently deciding if it wants to appeal the California Public Utilities Commission’s September approval to allow app-based ride-sharing companies to operate in L.A., a business cab drivers believe is already undermining their livelihood.

The council also rules on landscape issues, of course. A proposal from the Bureau of Street Services was forwarded to the Los Angeles City Council on Oct. 21 to allow residents to plant vegetable gardens on those strips of city-owned land between the sidewalk and the road that are typically grass covered, i.e., “parkways.” Such gardens, which the Los Angeles Board of Public Works unanimously supports, has resulted in fines for a number of L.A. residents, most notably Ron Finley of South Central L.A, who planted a garden in front of his house in 2010 and was fined for his efforts. L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson, who represents Finley’s district, has supported the right of residents to garden those strips. On Oct. 22, President Wesson brought up the measure to temporarily suspend the parkway garden restrictions.

On Oct. 23, 2013, the L.A. City Council unanimously okayed the residential parkway proposal. The L.A. Bureau of Street Services is tasked to provided an expanded list of acceptable fruit or nut-bearing trees for these spaces within the next three months.

The reality is the city understands these small garden landscapes are a benefit. Why fine people for raising vegetables or growing an orange tree? The city also knows it doesn’t have the manpower to monitor all these strips. It is giving the people the power to plant what veggies and fruit trees they want, basically shifting the responsibility and liability onto the homeowners. Imagine, L.A. officials accepting that city officials don’t need to hold people’s hands to cross the street, or tend that little piece of land between the sidewalk and street.