While it is the El Monte-based Institute for Urban Research and Development that is called into question, the city is responsible for answering the allegations as the recipient of the federal funds.
The audit, conducted in late 2005 and early 2006, also alleges that money passed to the institute through the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority was not adequately documented.
Officials were prompted to do the audit after a citizen accusation that the institute was misspending grant funds, according to the audit report released on July 19.
Though the institute no longer operates the shelter — the nonprofit organization People Assisting the Homeless now runs it — they have been cooperative with the city on the issue, said Jess Duran, assistant director of the city's community housing and development department.
The city has until November to resolve the issue, and is ultimately responsible for the allegations that the funds were not properly monitored, said Madalyn Blake, assistant director of the city's community housing and development department.
City Council members reviewed plans Tuesday for more than a mile of sound walls along the Ventura (134) Freeway in Glendale — a project some commented was a long time coming.
A noise study in 2002 showed a need for a sound wall along the freeway, said Kathleen Sanchez, transportation planning manager for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority.
The authority is funding and contracting an agency to build the $11.4-million project — $9.4 million for the walls themselves, and an additional $2 million for additional expenses — which will span about 1.4 miles of the freeway from Harvey Drive to Louise Street, Sanchez said.
The project will include the construction of 10 sound walls on both sides of the freeway, she said.
