and other councilmembers, Paul Koretz joined other councilmembers demanding the resignations of Martinez, Kevin De Leon, and Gil Cedillo. Opposition to bike-friendly infrastructure In the mid-2010s, Koretz repeatedly blocked efforts to build a bikeway network in Westwood, Los Angeles. Koretz claimed that the bike lanes would be dangerous and would increase traffic by taking the place of parking spaces and turning lanes. Koretz blocked the provision of $50 million state dollars for the "Uplift Melrose" project, a plan to revitalize Melrose Avenue, create raised crossroads, bus lanes and covered bus stops, increase tree canopy cover and separated bike lanes. He said in a letter that the plan would impact emergency responders, but was accused of NIMBYism by critics. Obstruction of public records request and LAPD Spying Lawsuit In April 2022, the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition filed a lawsuit over Paul Koretz’s failure to respond to a public records request regarding his communications with the Simon Wiesenthal Center as Koretz helped the Simon Wiesenthal Center secure a grant from the Trump administration to develop a surveillance program in Los Angeles high schools. According to the LAPD Spying Coalition, the records were not sent for 14 months until the day of the lawsuit's filing. LA Animal Services controversy In September 2022, A director of volunteer programs at Los Angeles Animal Services, Juan Rivera, claimed she was fired for refusing to hand over her phone prior to a meeting. Several other volunteers were reportedly fired after whistleblowing on the shelter's staff shortages and inhumane conditions. The Los Angeles Times also found that dogs were often confined for weeks at a time. Kenneth Mejia, Koretz's opponent in the 2022 Los Angeles City Controller election, aired an advertisement that criticized Koretz's handling of LA Animal Services. Volunteers in Mejia's video claimed that Koretz, as the chair of the Animal Services committee, had known about the poor conditions for years. In response, Paul Koretz released a 48 page report detailing whistleblower concerns and recommendations on how to improve shelter conditions. Koretz also proposed reinstating workers, increasing funding, expanding play programs, and improving volunteer relations but also stated he has “no ability to order the department to do anything.” Farewell speech controversy Following the 2022 Los Angeles City Council controversy and ongoing disruptions and protests of council meetings, Koretz ended his final speech as a member of the City Council with explicit language directed at activists by