Jose Huizar's Blog

Thanking our Seniors at Annual Dance

2012-02-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

5th Annual Senior Snowball Valentine’s Day dance today –over 500 seniors from all over CD 14 enjoyed a great lunch, a dance with live music and a free prize winning raffle–all to show our appreciation to our seniors, including veterans, for all the sacrifices they have made for all of us. Thank you to our sponsors and my staff – most of all, thank you seniors for all you do!

Check Out Latest CD14 eNewsletter!

2012-02-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest CD14 eNewsletter, with lots on our Bringing Back Broadway efforts, including an announcement about today's 11 a.m. unveiling of the original Clifton's Cafeteria facade after metal grates were installed in the 60s. We're bringing Broadway back to life. Please enjoy!

Click here to view latest CD14 eNewsletter.

Celebrating Boyle Heights

2012-01-25T12:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends: Please enjoy this short documentary film on Boyle Heights, which chronicles the close to $2 billion in public investment that has infused this historic community with a new sense of pride.

Boyle Heights is on the rise and “Celebrating Boyle Heights: Past, Present & Future” honors Boyle Heights, its history and the people who call it home.

Watch Celebrating Boyle Heights on television

Celebrating Boyle Heights: Past, Present & Future will also air today on Channel 35 at 3:30 p.m., and tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 26, at 1 p.m., and tonight on KLCS at 6:30 p.m. and again on KLCS on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 am. Check local listings for future airings.

Time Warner Cable customers can watch the film “On Demand” by going to Channel 1, highlighting “Local,” then “My Government,” with movie listed under “SoCal Cities.”

Hotel Purchase of Historic Theater Big News for Bringing Back Broadway

2012-01-24T21:39:00.000-08:00

photo credit: Gary Leonard, Downtown News

Great reaction today to our announcement last night through my Bringing Back Broadway initiative that the Ace Hotel purchased the historic United Artist Theatre on Broadway with plans to reactivate the theater while creating 180 rooms on 13 floors.

This boutique hotel coming to Broadway is very good news for Downtown Los Angeles, historic preservation and reactivating previously unused space, as well as our efforts to bring a streetcar downtown.

Read L.A. Times Story here.

Read Downtown News story here.

Read Blogdowntown story here.

Read City Maven Morning Coffee post here.

On NBC's News Conference Show Sunday

2012-01-21T16:46:00.000-08:00

I'll be on NBC's Conan Nolan's News Conference show tomorrow (9 a.m. and 11:35 p.m.) talking about medical marijuana policy and the Downtown L.A. Streetcar. Click on News Conference link above or tune in tomorrow if you can.

Helping Neighborhoods Become Cleaner, Greener

2012-01-21T12:05:00.000-08:00

Just spoke to over 70 residents at the Clean Air Boyle Heights Resident Convening Conference hosted by Union De Vecinos. This is part of "Clean Up Green Up" legislation that I introduced to encourage business to adopt cleaner, greener standards that will help the environment, protect air our children breathe and improve business in heavy industry areas such as Boyle Heights, Wilmington and Pacoima.

Bringing Back Broadway Celebrates 4th Anniversary

2012-01-20T13:39:00.001-08:00

Today in Council we celebrated the 4th Anniversary of my Bringing Back Broadway initiative, which was launched in January 2008. I want to thank all the Downtown residents, business and property owners who have put countless hours into this revitalization effort to rejuvenate Broadway and the Historic Core. To long-term goals like bringing the Streetcar back downtown and reactivating upper floors on Broadway, to current successes, such as our recent announcements that Ross will soon be in the historic Woolworth’s building, and Umamicatessen, Figaro Bistro, Two Boots Pizza, Famina Store and Royal Clayton’s will soon follow, we have done an enormous amount for those who live, work and shop Downtown. We have much more to do. Congratulations to all!

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

2011-12-20T16:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends: From my family to yours, I want to wish you a joyous and happy holidays and a prosperous New Year. The holiday season gives us the opportunity to take pause and give thanks for all our blessings, enrich our faith and strengthen our commitment to community, family and friends. Happy Holidays to you all!

José

Historic First Street Bridge Re-Opening Ceremony

2011-12-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

Join me tomorrow for the long awaited Re-Opening of the Historic First Street Bridge. Ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. for the City’s first-of-its kind historic bridge widening project. Built in 1929, the First St. Bridge is the eastside’s gateway to Downtown. It was closed to westbound traffic so the bridge could be widened for the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, which links Boyle Heights to Downtown.

Department says Power to be Restored to All Soon

2011-12-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

DWP says they expect full service to all customers in 10-12 hours. If you live on a block where your neighbor has power but you don't, call Dial 800-DIAL-DWP or text the message "off@ladwp" to 84469.

Include in the text message your name, street address and neighborhood.

I would add that if you have power and your neighbor doesn't, you might want to check in with them in case they a need a way to contact DWP. Thanks for looking out for one another.

Latest CD14 Power Service Update

2011-12-02T20:41:00.000-08:00

Friends: I spoke directly with LADWP GM Ron Nichols who said currently there are approximately 14,500 CD 14 residents without power, but with crews working 24-hours that will be reduced to about 2,000 by tomorrow morning. Hopefully, not too much longer after that we’ll get the rest of the service restored. I thank you for your patience. My staff and I have been working on getting service turned back on and trees removed from the start and will continue to do so.

Update on High Winds Aftermath-Water Conservation Called Off for Northeast

2011-12-01T18:17:00.000-08:00

Friends: Please continue to be on alert as High Wind Warnings and Red Flag warnings are in effect at least through tomorrow. LAFD is recommending people stay indoors. If you have a downed power line between homes, call 911 and stay indoors. The water conservation call for Northeast Los Angeles has been lifted. Los Angeles County has declared a state of emergency.

See below for latest information from the City of Los Angeles' Department of Water & Power. Best, Jose

Urgent Water Conservation Alert for Northeast Area of
Los Angeles Lifted

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has lifted an urgent water conservation alert for the communities of Mt. Washington, Hermon, Monterey Hills, Cypress Park, Glassell Park and Montecito Heights. This area had previously been urged to restrict water consumption to essential uses only as water pumping infrastructure that supplies water to these communities had been affected by a power outage today. Power to the pumps has been partially restored and the immediate threat to water supply in this area has passed.

LADWP crews are making temporary repairs to the affected equipment and returning it to regular service. Customers may notice some reduced water pressure but this is temporary and will subside as the infrastructure comes online.

LADWP asks residents in these communities to continue conserving water, where possible, until at least tomorrow.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reports approximately 130,000 of its 1.4 million electric customers are without power as high winds continue to cause outages in several neighborhoods. Approximately 127,000 of these customers are located in the Los Angeles Metro Area and the remaining 3,000 are in the San Fernando Valley. Power has already been restored to more than 80,000 customers since the wind storm began last night.

LADWP currently has over 100 crews responding to over 1,000 separate incidents and has called in crews from out of state and from other remote areas in the State of California to assist in restoration efforts.

LADWP crews are working in extremely dangerous conditions to restore power and are working as quickly and safely as possible to do so. At this time, the current estimated time of restoration for customers experiencing outages is 24 - 48 hours. Many customers will experience shorter outages, but customers experiencing outages should be prepared for up to 24 - 48 hours. LADWP asks for the patience of our customers as we work around the clock to restore service during this major wind storm.

The following areas and neighborhoods have the highest number of customers impacted:

SOUTH
South Los Angeles: 6,500
Green Meadows: 5,500
Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw: 2,400

CENTRAL/DOWNTOWN
East Hollywood: 7,500
Hollywood Hills: 5,300
Los Feliz: 5,100
Hollywood: 4,400
Chinatown: 1,700

EASTSIDE/NORTHEAST
Highland Park: 12,800
El Sereno: 11,300
Glassell Park: 9,800
Cypress Park: 9,300
Eagle Rock: 2,800
Griffith Park: 5,200
Boyle Heights: 3,800
Lincoln Heights: 3,000

VALLEY
Van Nuys – 2,100

LADWP strongly encourages the public to be vigilant and cautious to stay safe during this storm. Stay away from any downed power lines and poles as well as downed trees and limbs, and protect children home from school today from the same. Beware of traffic signals that may be affected by power outage and proceed with extreme caution. Allow access for uniformed LADWP crews, all of whom carry Department-issued identification cards, so they may service infrastructure in need of repair.

In the event of a power outage:

· Stay calm.

· Have a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Don’t use candles in a power outage.

· Turn off lights but leave one light turned on so you will know when your service is restored.

· Turn off and unplug appliances and other electrical equipment. Unplug heat-producing items like irons and space heaters. This helps prevent circuit overloading, which could delay restoration of service.

· Call us and report your outage at 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397).

If you encounter a downed power line:

· Report any downed power lines immediately by calling the LADWP at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.

· Do not touch a downed or dangling wire or anyone or anything in contact with it. Always assume a downed line is still energized.

· If a power line falls on your car, stay in the car and wait for help. If you must get out, make sure you do not touch the metal parts of the car and the ground at the same time. The safest exit method is to open the door, stand on the door sill and jump free without touching the car.

· Stay away from metal fences, such as chain link fence, as there may be a power line down and touching the fence somewhere beyond your sight.

· If there is damage to the connection from the power pole to your house, you should go to the electrical box and turn off the main switch or shut off the fuse switch. Again, always assume electric lines are live.

· In case of an electrical emergency, stay calm and think before you act. Don't become a victim while trying to help others. Call 911.

· If someone is shocked or not breathing, apply cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR.) Then cover the victim with a blanket, keep their head low and get medical attention.

The public and members of the media are encouraged to check the Department’s news site at www.ladwpnews.com and Twitter page, @LADWP, for updates.

High Winds Update-Water Conservation Urged for Northeast LA

2011-12-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

Hello, Friends:

Please stay diligent and use extreme caution when dealing with aftermath of high winds we are currently experiencing. Do not, under any circumstances, approach or handle downed power lines. Call 911 in case of emergency - call DWP at 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397) to report power outages or downed power lines.

Please read below for latest update from the Department of Water and Power, including a water conservation request for select NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES communities. Stay safe, Jose

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reports approximately 129,000 of its 1.4 million electric customers are without power as high winds continue to cause outages in several neighborhoods. Approximately 123,400 of these customers are located in the Los Angeles Metro Area and the remaining 5,600 are in the San Fernando Valley. Current estimated time of restoration for customers experiencing outages is 10 - 12 hours.

LADWP currently has over 100 crews responding to over 1,000 separate incidents and are working to restore power as quickly and safely to our customers. We strongly encourage the public to stay away from any downed power line and downed trees and tree limbs. This is especially important with many children home from school today to keep them safe.

The following areas and neighborhoods have the most number of customers impacted:

EASTSIDE/NORTHEAST

Highland Park: 14,700

El Sereno: 9,900

Glassell Park: 8,400

Eagle Rock: 6,600

Lincoln Heights: 4,700

Cypress Park: 4,600

Griffith Park: 4,600

Boyle Heights: 2,000

WESTSIDE

Venice: 12,000

Del Rey: 7,700

Westchester: 7,200

Playa del Rey: 2,500

SOUTH:Green Meadows: 5,500

South Los Angeles: 4,800

Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw: 2,400

CENTRAL/ DOWNTOWN

Hollywood: 8,700

Hollywood Hills: 5,500

Los Feliz: 5,100

Chinatown: 2,100

VALLEY

Van Nuys - 2,400

The public and members of the media are encouraged to check the Department's news site and Twitter page, @LADWP, for updates.

The next outage update will be posted at approximately Noon.

In the event of a power outage:

* Stay calm.

* Have a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Don't use candles in a power
outage.

* Turn off lights but leave one light turned on so you will know when your service is restored.
*Turn off and unplug appliances and other electrical equipment. Unplug heat-producing items like irons and space heaters. This helps prevent circuit overloading, which could delay restoration of service.

*Call us and report your outage at 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397).

If you encounter a downed power line:

* Report any downed power lines immediately by calling the LADWP at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). If you or someone else is in danger, call 911.

* Do not touch a downed or dangling wire or anyone or anything in contact with it. Always
assume a downed line is still energized.

* If a power line falls on your car, stay in the car and wait for help. If you
must get out, make sure you do not touch the metal parts of the car and the
ground at the same time. The safest exit method is to open the door, stand
on the door sill and jump free without touching the car.

*Stay away from metal fences, such as chain link fence, as there may be a
power line down and touching the fence somewhere beyond your sight.

*If there is damage to the connection from the power pole to your house, you
should go to the electrical box and turn off the main switch or shut off the
fuse switch. Again, always assume electric lines are live.

*In case of an electrical emergency, stay calm and think before you act.
Don't become a victim while trying to help others. Call 911.

*If someone is shocked or not breathing, apply cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
(CPR.) Then cover the victim with a blanket, keep their head low and get
medical attention.

LADWP Urges Water Conservation in Area of Northeast Los Angeles
LADWP reports that a power outage in the northeast area of Los Angeles has affected water pumping infrastructure that supplies water to the following communities:

Mt. Washington
Mt. Hermon
Monterey Hills
Cypress Park
Glassell Park
Montecito Heights

Customers in these areas are strongly urged to conserve water as much as possible until further notice. Low water pressure may be experienced during this event. Residents are asked to use water only for drinking and sanitation purposes only. Water should not be used for washing dishes, laundry and outdoor irrigation.

The boundaries of the affected area are:

York Boulevard on the north
Eagle Rock Boulevard on the west
San Fernando Road and Mercury Avenue on the south
Collis Avenue on the east

This notice is a precautionary measure as LADWP Power System crews are currently on-scene and working to safely restore power service to the affected equipment.

We will provide additional updates as the situation develops and power is restored.

###

Turning L.A.'s Car Culture into L.A.'s Bike & Pedestrian Culture

2011-11-21T17:27:00.000-08:00

Photo: Eric Richardson / blogdowntown

Today we celebrated the City's first Green Bike Lanes on Spring St. in Downtown and First St. in Boyle Heights. I worked to get First Street on the City's Master Bike Plan and as a Metro Dir., we were able to secure funding for the green, pre-formed thermoplastic lane markings that are now in place on First Street. On Spring Street, we painted Green lanes throughout the route.

We'll see how both options hold up and where we can do more in the future. L.A. has long been known for its car culture - we want to turn that on its head - make Los Angeles a bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly city. Thanks to everyone who helped get this done, especially the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and the bicycling community, the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Metro, the Mayor and my colleagues on the City Council.

Council Makes Tough but Necessary Decision on 6th Street Bridge

2011-11-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

L.A. Times photo

Council took a tough but necessary vote to approve the EIR for the re-construction of the 6th Street Bridge today. The experts tell us the bridge must come down-it has an alkali-silica reaction that is weakening it and there is a 70% chance it could fall with a 7.0 earthquake over the next 50 years. I’d like to see a new bridge that maintains as many of its iconic features as possible while looking to the future.

Council Approves El Pueblo Church Lease

2011-11-18T20:44:00.000-08:00

Also, today the Council voted to approve a lease agreement for The United Methodist Church at El Pueblo. This church has been around for a century and I am happy to have helped them secure a lease that allows them to stay at El Pueblo for at least 30 more years while also honoring our separation of church and state laws. The church is also creating a museum that will be open to all visitors.

Working with Community and Preservationists to Protect Elephant Hill

2011-11-18T19:39:00.000-08:00

In a significant victory for open-space preservation and protecting natural habitat, the City Council voted unanimously this week to sell 5 acres of Elephant Hill in El Sereno to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) to permanently protect and preserve this as open space.

I supported the El Sereno community and fought to protect 19 acres of Elephant Hill against a large housing development plan that doubled in size over the years and threatened to eradicate an open-space hillside that had been enjoyed by the community for decades. The City of Los Angeles bought the land as part of a lawsuit settlement.

The MRCA proposes a 5-acre trail development from one side of the hill to the other and will assume full maintenance and make infrastructure and drainage improvements. Working with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the MRCA are now applying for a Prop 84 urban greening grant of $1.8 million for Elephant Hill. Wednesday’s City Council action in favor of my motion to approve the sale received overwhelming support from the El Sereno community and open-space advocates.

2011-11-08T21:28:00.000-08:00

For those who’d like to see Broadway reclaim its past glory and the L.A. Streetcar return to Downtown, please be my guest at “The Future of Your Downtown” forum I’m hosting tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre.

Come enjoy an evening in one of Broadway's beautiful historic theaters and learn how a new streetcar system and a historically restored Broadway is good for Downtown and all of Los Angeles.

This is a free public forum and all are welcome to attend.

Hope to see you there,

José

Read Downtown News preview story HERE.

Facebook users, click here to RSVP.

The Future of Your Downtown Forum

Orpheum Theatre

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Orpheum Theatre
842 S. Broadway

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Project Open House • Mix & Mingle

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Presentation • Panel Discussion

PANELISTS
Dennis Allen • L.A. Streetcar Inc.
Linda Dishman • Los Angeles Conservancy
Ed Kelsey • League of Historic American Theatres
Russell Brown • Historic Downtown Business Improvement District
Melani Smith • Melendrez Design Partners
Tom Rothmann • Los Angeles Department of City Planning
Curt Gibbs • CRA/LA
Robin Blair • METRO
Karin Liljegren, AIA • Omgivning Architecture & Interior Design

MEDIA SPONSOR
Los Angeles Downtown News

WITH SUPPORT FROM
The Orpheum Theatre
Clifton's Cafeteria
Downtown L.A. Neighborhood Council
Los Angeles Conservancy
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
L.A. Fashion Business Improvement District
Historic Downtown Business Improvement District
South Park Business Improvement District
CRA/LA

Restoring the 'History of Highland Park" mural

2011-10-18T16:57:00.000-07:00

Very proud to have helped restore a more than 30-year old mural honoring the “History of Highland Park” – We’ll be unveiling this fully restored piece of art Saturday. My office worked for a number of years to get AT&T and the artists who painted this beautiful mural in full agreement to restore it. Thanks to AT&T, Judy Baca, SPARC & all the artists and volunteers for helping us make this happen.

Tomorrow in City Council, we will hear an update on the City's mural ordinance, which we heard in PLUM last week - As the Councilmember representing the district with the most murals in the City of Los Angeles, I've worked to help shepherd in an ordinance that will support creating new murals on private property while also working toward the kind of restoration that is allowing us to revitalize treasured pieces like the "History of Highland Park" mural.

City Working on New Mural Ordinance

2011-10-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

After introducing no fewer than 19 motions related to supporting murals over the last few years, I am pleased the City is moving forward on a new mural ordinance. I authored 4 out of the 6 motions we considered yesterday in PLUM and as someone who grew up appreciating murals and who supports the arts I want to make sure we follow through on this ordinance. See what could happen with murals throughout City here.

Tentative Agreement Reached to Keep Church at El Pueblo

2011-08-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

I’m happy I was able to broker a tentative agreement between the United Methodist Church at El Pueblo and the City. I introduced a motion in May establishing a City working group, which included my staff and church leaders. I’ll introduce a motion Friday with details of the agreement, which make sure the Methodist Church will remain at El Pueblo as they have for nearly 100 years. Read details here.

Honoring Fallen Police Officers at Hollenbeck Police Station

2011-07-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

Proud to join LAPD and community in dedicating memorial today for Hollenbeck officers killed in the line of duty. The ultimate price paid by Officers Jerry Maddox and Steven Gerald Gajda reminds us as someone once said that they were heroes not because of the way they died but because of the way they lived, dedicating their lives to the service of others.

The Washington D.C. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty – men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.

One of the more striking parts of the memorial is the image of an adult lion protecting its cubs. As the memorial states, these bronze statues symbolize the protective role law enforcement officers play, and they convey the strength, courage and valor that are the hallmarks of those who protect and serve. Thanks to all our officers for putting their lives on the line each and every day.

Supporting Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

2011-07-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

Council just passed my resolution to support basic rights for domestic workers via AB 889. For too long those who maintain our households, take care of our children, elderly and sick, have not had the same rights that the rest of us enjoy. AB 889, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, will establish standards to give domestic workers lunch breaks, overtime and vacation time, among other things.

Council District 14 eNewsletter July 9, 2011

2011-07-09T16:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including Ascot Hills Grand Opening; Summer Night Lights Kickoff; plans for a pocket park in Highland Park; a Southwest Museum update and much more.

* Ascot Hills Nature Park Grand Opening

* Summer Youth Anti-Gang Program Underway

* Grant Submitted for Park on York Blvd.

* Self Help Graphics Honors Councilmember

* 100 Years on Broadway Celebration

* Southwest Museum Working Group

* Highlights from CD 14 Concert and Fireworks Shows

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ascot Hills Nature Park Grand Opening

Councilmember Huizar joined Mayor Villaraigosa and community members for the Grand Opening of Ascot Hills Nature Park, which is now the largest open-space park on the Eastside, serving El Sereno, Hillside Village and the surrounding communities.

The 93-acre park features trails, a restored stream and bridge, an amphitheatre, 300 newly planted trees and recently installed restrooms. Councilmember Huizar thanked the community for never giving up on the project, as well as his staff and Recreation and Parks for getting creative to finish the park when the state froze funds in 2009. Along with 19 acres on Elephant Hill that Councilmember Huizar helped secure, El Sereno now has well over 100 acres of open-space land to enjoy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summer Night Lights 2011 Now in Session!

Councilmember Huizar is proud to announce that the City’s highly successful anti-gang youth program, Summer Night Lights (SNL), has returned to Council District 14, with six parks offering programs to CD 14 youth, including, for the first time, El Sereno Recreation Center. Councilmember Huizar has been an ardent supporter of SNL as a member of the Budget & Finance Committee and on the City Council.

SNL – which provides sports, arts, and cultural programming during the evening summer hours when youth are the most vulnerable to violence – has significantly reduced gang violence in and around participating neighborhoods and will be available at 32 parks this year.

Summer Night Lights will run through September 3, 2011, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 7 p.m. to 12 Midnight.

For more information, please contact the recreation centers directly or your local CD 14 District office.

See NBC News story on SNL Kickoff here.

El Sereno Recreation Center
(323) 225-3517
4721 Klamath St.
Los Angeles, 90032

Lou Costello Recreation Center
(213) 485-9111
3141 E. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90023

Ramona Gardens Recreation Center
(323) 265-4755
2830 Lancaster Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Ramon Garcia Recreation Center
(213) 847-2961
1016 S. Fresno St.
Los Angeles, CA 90023

Highland Park Recreation Center
(213) 847-4876
6150 Piedmont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90042

Glassell Park Recreation Center
(323) 257-1863
3650 Verdugo Road
Los Angeles, CA 90065

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New York Vision Plan Seeks Grant for Park space on York

At two standing-room only community meetings, Highland Park stakeholders came together for a pair of workshops in June to design a potential park on a lot located on the corner of York Boulevard and Avenue 50. The park proposal was the top choice of a number of ideas discussed at the workshops as part of a community-driven corridor vision plan for York Boulevard Councilmember Huizar is sponsoring in Highland Park.

The Councilmember is also working with community members on a similar improvement project along Huntington Drive in El Sereno.

In Highland Park, after discussions with Council District 14 representatives, the lot’s private owners agreed to work with the community and provided a “willing seller” letter, which allowed Councilmember Huizar and City staff to submit a request for up to $5 million in Proposition 84 funds for the purchase and development of the property before the grant’s July 1, 2011 deadline. Recipients will be notified by January 2012. Meanwhile, workshops will continue on the new York Vision plan.

Read Highland Park Patch.com story here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Self Help Graphics Arts Center Honors Councilmember Huizar

Self Help Graphics Arts Center, which recently moved to Boyle Heights, honored Councilmember Huizar for his support of the arts, including his efforts to support Self Help Graphics move to Boyle Heights and his work on the Boyle Heights Arts District.

As a new tenant on First Street, the highly respected Self Help Graphics gives a boost to the burgeoning Arts District and Councilmember Huizar looks forward to collaborating with them and others to highlight and support the exciting arts movement along First Street.

Councilmember Huizar helped secure $12 million in Metro funds to bring improvements along First Street, which will improve foot traffic for the Metro Gold Line and the Arts District.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bringing Back Broadway Presents ‘100 Years on Broadway’

There was a large turnout for a free tour held at the beautiful Palace Theatre on the eve of the theater’s 100th anniversary. “100 Years On Broadway: The History of One of L.A.’s Most Iconic Streets” provided visitors with a historical and visual retrospective of Broadway as the birthplace of entertainment in Los Angeles.The Delijani Family’s Broadway Theater Group portfolio of historic theaters includes the Palace, Los Angeles, State, and Tower Theatres on Broadway.

The Palace Theatre tour was part of the ongoing BROADWAY 100 celebration, a multi-event festival of films, art, theater productions and tours throughout the year.

BROADWAY 100 is affiliated with Councilmember Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative, which aims to revitalize Broadway, including restoring its dozen theaters and returning the beloved streetcar downtown.

See NBC story on Palace here. Please visit Bringing Back Broadway for more information.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Southwest Museum Update

Councilmember Huizar remains committed to re-opening the Southwest Museum and introduced a motion to establish a working group, which will include Councilmembers Ed Reyes and Tom LaBonge, the City Administrative Office, City Legislative Office, City Attorney, Department of Recreation and Parks and various community members to engage with the Autry National Center on developing a long-range plan for the site in Griffith Park and the Southwest Museum/Casa De Adobe sites in Mt. Washington.

The working group will also review lease requirements with the City and the Southwest Museum Merger Agreement and the implementation of its mandates. Finally, they will seek to identity funding sources for the renovation and operation of the Southwest Museum.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CD 14 Fourth of July Celebrations Attract Thousands

Tens of thousands of area residents and visitors enjoyed three distinct Concert and Fireworks shows sponsored by Councilmember Huizar in El Sereno, Boyle Heights and Eagle Rock during the Fourth of July Holiday weekend. Special thanks to CD 14 staff and the many community organizations and sponsors who collaborated and volunteered their time and energy to put on these fantastic events, as well as the El Sereno Fourth of July Parade, a carnival in Boyle Heights and the Concert in the Park series in Eagle Rock. Thank you all!

Enjoy slide show here.

CD 14 Fireworks Shows this Holiday Weekend

2011-06-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

Friends: Please come and enjoy the CD 14 Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks shows my office is sponsoring this upcoming Independence Day weekend.

All three events in El Sereno, Boyle Heights and Eagle Rock are offered free of charge and will feature musical entertainment, activities for kids, a fireworks show and much more. See dates and times below. Hope to see you there and Happy Independence Day!

4th Annual El Sereno Concert & Fireworks Show &
4th of July Independence Day Parade

When: Saturday, July 2, 2011
2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Fireworks will start at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Where: El Sereno Park
4721 Klamath St.
Los Angeles, 90032

Councilmember Huizar and the El Sereno Bicentennial Committee present the annual parade and, for the fourth year in a row, concert and fireworks show. The parade will start at 2 p.m. on the corner of Huntington Drive and Van Horne Avenue and end at El Sereno Park where the Concert and Fireworks show will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The concert and fireworks show is offered free of charge by Councilmember Huizar and will feature musical entertainment, kids’ activities, as well as community resources and information booths.

For more information, please call the CD 14 El Sereno Field Office at (323) 226-1646.

5th Annual Boyle Heights Concert & Fireworks Show
& Carnival

When: Sunday, July 3, 2011
4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Fireworks will start at approximately 8:15 p.m.

Where: Hollenbeck Park
415 S. Saint Louis St.
Los Angeles, 90033

Councilmember Huizar and the Los Angeles Police Department, in collaboration with the Hollenbeck Cadet Program and the Hollenbeck Police Business Association, bring you this free family event. Plenty of free music, entertainment and activities for children will be offered, along with community resources and information booths, as well as a great fireworks show to conclude the evening.

The carnival will take place throughout the 4th of July weekend.

Carnival Days and Times
Friday, July 1, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, July 2, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, July 3, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Purchase your tickets before the carnival and receive a discounted price at the Hollenbeck Police Station (Community Relations Office).

For additional ticket information, please call (323) 342-4140.

For more information on the event in general, please call the CD14 Boyle Heights Field Office at (323) 526-3059.

2nd Annual Eagle Rock 4th of July Concert in the Park & Fireworks Show

When: Sunday, July 3, 2011
4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks will start at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Where: Eagle Rock Park
1100 Eagle Vista Drive
Los Angeles, 90041

Councilmember Jose Huizar, in partnership with the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce and Eagle Rock Recreation Center, invites you to the 2nd Annual Fourth of July Concert in the Park & Fireworks Show.

This free community event will ring in Independence Day AND celebrate Eagle Rock’s Centennial Anniversary. Come enjoy musical entertainment, face painting, a moon bounce, community booths and fireworks show.

For more information, please call the CD 14 Northeast Office at (323) 254-5295.

Ascot Hills Nature Park Grand Opening

2011-06-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

Thrilled to join the community Saturday for Grand Opening of Ascot Hills Nature Park. Along with the 19 acres my office helped secure on Elephant Hill, El Sereno and the surrounding communities now have more than 100 acres of open-space land to hike and enjoy nature. I want to thank local residents for never letting up and my staff and Recreation and Parks for getting creative when state froze our funding. I encourage all Angelenos to come enjoy the largest park on the Eastside!

Rent/Lease Agreements Coming to El Pueblo Soon

2011-05-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

After 14 years without an agreement, today the City Council voted unanimously to approve our plan on a concession agreement with about 60 El Pueblo merchants. Today’s compromise deal comes after more than a year of active negotiations spearheaded by my office, with the help of the Mayor, City Attorney, CLA, CAO and the merchants themselves.

After the El Pueblo GM brought forth a contract in April 2010 that lacked input from the merchants I stepped in as the councilmember representing El Pueblo to include the merchants in the negotiating process. I did this because while I have been one of the strongest advocates for a self-sufficient El Pueblo that is not a burden on the taxpayers, I also believe that the merchants are the heart and soul of El Pueblo, with many families operating stores, kiosks and restaurants there for generations. They are the root of El Pueblo’s success and they deserved to be part of the negotiations.

Today’s compromise represents a 25 percent reduction in rates than those first proposed in April 2010. It also doubles the 2010 lease agreement term from 10 years with a 10-year extension option to 20 years with a 20-year extension option, which will help ensure that El Pueblo’s tradition of family-owned businesses can continue for decades to come.

It will also help El Pueblo operate in the black, and after more than a decade without an agreement, allows the City to be a responsible landlord. After the commission votes on May 12, 2011, it will come back to the City Council for final approval. Congratulations to all who worked so hard to get this deal done.

Joining with Community to Oppose Wyvernwood Project

2011-03-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

Today, as we celebrate the birthday of Cesar Chavez, I joined with Wyvernwood residents to oppose a project that will vastly increase density and do more harm than good to a community that has existed since 1939. Thank you to our friends at ELACC, Healthy Homes Collaborative, Comite de la Esperanza and the residents of Wynvernwood for allowing their voices to be heard today. See press release below.

Huizar Joins Community in Opposing Wyvernwood Project

Councilmember cites importance of protecting and preserving current community, which would be dismantled under the proposed development and increase density nearly four-fold

LOS ANGELES (March 31, 2011) — Councilmember José Huizar joined residents, housing advocates and the Los Angeles Conservancy in opposition Thursday to a $2 billion Boyle Heights’ housing project that would increase density nearly four-fold and dismantle an existing community that has been in place since 1939.

Wyvernwood Garden Apartments is home to more than 6,000 mostly working-class residents. Its open-space design with vast expanses of grass and trees was considered a model when first designed by Architects David J. Witner and Loyall F. Watson and has in fact become a sought-after model in recent years. With many families living in the “community within a community” for generations, the proposed 4,400 unit remodeling project would mean a significant amount of them could end up leaving the only home they have ever known.

“In Boyle Heights, Wyvernwood is a community within a community with its own significant and rich history,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “I cannot support a project that would tear down this proud community one building at a time and replace it with a denser, lesser version of itself. Generations of families would be adversely affected by this community dismantling and today I am joining a vast majority of Wyvernwood residents in opposition to this proposal.”

Currently, Wyvernwood has 1,187 units on approximately 70 acres of land. The current model of 16 units per acre would jump dramatically to 55 units per acre under the proposed redevelopment plan by the developers, the Fifteen Group.

Boyle Heights is already one of the densest areas in the City of Los Angeles.

Also, in attendance Thursday was Linda Dishman, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Conservancy, which opposes the project, noting Wyvernwood’s community-building layout was the first large-scale garden apartment complex in the City, predating others like Park La Brea in the Fairfax District.

“We applaud Councilmember Huizar for supporting the preservation of Wyvernwood,” said Linda Dishman, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Conservancy. “This remarkable site is an irreplaceable part of our history. It has fostered a unique sense of community for generations and it deserves to be preserved for future generations.”

Councilmember Huizar has been considering the project since it was first proposed in 2006 and participated in several meetings with the developer, as well as hosted community forums in order to listen to all perspectives on the proposal.

The proposal is currently undergoing an Environmental Impact Review by the City of Los Angeles’ Planning Department.

To learn more about the effort to save Wyvernwood, including photos and a video history, please visit http://www.laconservancy.org/issues/issues_wyvernwood.php4.

District 14 News - March 25, 2011

2011-03-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

With the election season behind us, we can now return to our regular distribution of the e-newsletter. Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including City Election Results, El Sereno Vision Workshops, the new TAGRS Graffiti Tracking Program, Ascot Hills Open House and much more.

• City Election Results
• Ascot Hills Phase II Open House
• TAGRS Graffiti Tracking Program
• L.A. Street Car Gets Funded
• El Sereno Vision Workshop
________________________________________

City Election Results

PHOTO

Congratulations to Councilmember Huizar, elected on March 8th to serve another four-year term in District 14 starting on July 2, 2011. Stay tuned for community swearing-in information.

In addition to the election for the CD 14 Seat, there were a number of citywide measures; two of which Councilmember Huizar strongly supporting and helped get on the ballot: Measures H and I. You can see the results below as well as click here for information on all Council seats, L.A.U.S.D. Board of Education Seats and Community College Board seats.

CHARTER AMENDMENT H – Contract Bidder Campaign Contribution Restrictions/Strengthening City’s Campaign Matching Fund Program
YES – Votes: 131,553 (74.98%) / NO – Votes: 43,904 (25.02%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT I – DWP Office of Accountability; Ratepayer Advocate
YES – Votes: 137,581 (77.57%) / NO – Votes: 39,776 (22.43%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT J – DWP Preliminary Budget to City Council; Procedures for Transfers to Reserve Fund
YES – Votes: 143,422 (81.53%) / NO – Votes: 32,486 (18.47%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT L – Public Library Funding Votes Percent
YES – Votes: 113,350 (63.32%) / NO – Votes: 65,669 (36.68)

PROPOSITION M – Taxation of Medical Marijuana Collectives
YES – Votes: 106,654 (59.34%) / NO – 73,074 (40.66%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT N – Campaign Finance Votes Percent
YES – Votes: 119,643 (70.19%) / NO – Votes: 50,820 (29.81%)

PROPOSITION O – Los Angeles Oil Production Tax Votes Percent
YES – Votes: 82,898 (48.93%) / NO – Votes: 86,509 (51.07%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT P – Establishment of Contingency Reserve Fund
YES – Votes: 107,996 (65.91%) / NO – Votes: 55,867 (34.09%)

CHARTER AMENDMENT Q – Employment Provisions
YES – Votes: 102,455 (62.38%) / NO – Votes: 61,784 (37.62%)
________________________________________

Ascot Hills Open House Celebration – Grand Opening Coming Soon

Councilmember José Huizar joined community members, Rec and Park officials and Wilson High School students for an “Open House” celebration of the much-anticipated Ascot Hills Nature Park Phase II improvements. The improvements, which will be fully completed by March 31st, include full stream restoration, an outdoor amphitheatre, hiking trails and 300 new trees and plants.
Councilmember invites you to join him and Mayor Villaraigosa on Earth Day, Friday, April 22 at 9 a.m. for the Grand Opening of Ascot Hills Nature Park. For more information, please call (323) 226-1646.

Enjoy the slideshow of the Open House event.

________________________________________

TAGRS Graffiti Tracking Program to Focus on Chronic Taggers

Councilmember Huizar joined with Mayor Villaraigosa along with LAPD officials and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich to launch TAGRS, a graffiti tracking program in Hollenbeck, Van Nuys, Harbor and Central LAPD divisions. Councilmember Huizar first introduced legislation to create a City-operated program in 2008 and worked with the Mayor’s office, LAPD and the City’s Information Technology Agency to implement TAGRS. While the program was launch in four divisions, it is designed so that all 21 divisions will have access to it and will be used Citywide. Mayor Villaraigosa provided funding for the program, which will equip the City’s Graffiti Removal teams with smartphones to take pictures of tags, which will then go into the TAGRS database monitored by LAPD. Police will use that evidence to help pursue prosecution and restitution by the City Attorney and District Attorney against the City’s worst taggers and tagging crews.

Here is a slideshow of the program launch. Below is recent media coverage.

• LAPD has a new assault to combat graffiti
• LAPD Releases High Tech Graffiti Program (click on videos)
• Usarán tecnología para atrapar a los que hacen "grafiti"
• LAPD use computers and smartphones to fight graffiti
• Citywide Graffiti Database Launches to Prosecute Perps
• L.A. launches graffiti-tracking program using smart phones
________________________________________

Downtown L.A. Streetcar Receives $8.4 Million– Environmental Study Gets Go-Ahead

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a plan by the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) to obligate $8.4 million in funding for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar. The streetcar effort is a public-private partnership project championed by Councilmember Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative. Previous actions obligated $1.6 Million of the $10 million pledged by the agency for the project.

In early March, the City Council voted to allocate $1 million to the project from the Measure R Local Return program. And Councilmember Huizar sits on the Metro Board of Directors, which voted unanimously Thursday to begin an environmental study for the L.A. Streetcar, which also puts the project in position to receive federal funds.

An AECOM report indicates the Streetcar will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending.

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the recent Streetcar press conference.
________________________________________

“Our Downtown” Living Streets Plan Workshop

Sponsored by Councilmember Huizar, the El Sereno community once again met with consultants for a walk along Huntington Drive and a discussion about potential pedestrian plaza sites as part of the on-going El Sereno Our Downtown project.

About 40 people gathered to discuss the pros and cons of each of the potential locations during their evaluation. A few additional locations were proposed based on their proximity to the El Sereno Library, Community Garden, and weekly Farmers’ Market.

For more information on the El Sereno Our Downtown Vision Plan, please call (323) 226-1646.

###

Metro Approves Environmental Study Contract for L.A. Streetcar

2011-03-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

RELEASE

Contact: Rick Coca
(213) 473-7014 or Rick.Coca@lacity.org

Today’s action will allow environmental study to begin, which puts Streetcar in line for federal funding

LOS ANGELES (March 24, 2011) – The Metro Board of Directors unanimously approved a $2.26 million plan today to contract with HDR Engineering to conduct the environmental assessment for the Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar.

Metro’s involvement will ensure that review will meet CEQA and also NEPA and federal guidelines. This action will also allow the project to submit for federal funding through the Small Starts program, which is anticipated to cover half of construction costs. The remaining funding for the public-private partnership will be raised through a Community Facilities District, which is anticipated to be voted on by registered voters in the streetcar area next year.

Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar sits on the Board of Directors for Metro and is spearheading the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, which aims to revitalize Historic Broadway and return the Streetcar to Downtown Los Angeles.

“Today’s Metro vote will allow us to begin our environmental study, while also putting us in line to receive federal funding,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “We are now one step closer to turning our dream of returning the Streetcar Downtown into a reality.”

The Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar is an approximate $125 million modern circulator system that will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

An AECOM report released last month indicates the Streetcar will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending. These gains are above projections for Downtown without the streetcar, which is good for the entire region.

Tasks to be completed during the environmental study will include documentation of alternative analysis, advanced conceptual engineering and environmental technical studies.

For more information on benefits from the streetcar, visit www.lastreetcar.org/resources. To learn more about the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, visit BringingBackBroadway.com.

###

City Council Approve $8.4 Million for Downtown L.A. Streetcar

2011-03-09T22:01:00.000-08:00

RELEASE

Contact: Rick Coca

Action completes funding for environmental review and engineering of project, which will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending

LOS ANGELES (March 9, 2011) – The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved last week’s action by the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) to obligate $8.4 million in funding for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar.

The streetcar effort is a public-private partnership project championed by City Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and non-profit coalition of property owners, business and civic leaders, L.A. Streetcar Inc. Previous actions obligated $1.6 Million of the $10 million pledged by the agency for the project.

The $8.4 million action approved by City Council on Tuesday comes on the heels of council action two weeks ago to allocate $1 million to the project from Measure R Local Return. The combined actions will provide remaining funding necessary to complete state and federal environmental documentation underway at METRO, as well as complete conceptual, preliminary and final engineering and design for the streetcar.

“These actions will get us through the technical steps necessary to make us ready for shovels to build the Downtown L.A. Streetcar,” said City Councilmember José Huizar. “Thousands of jobs, millions in annual tourism and revenue and an additional billion dollars in development will be a tremendous driver of revitalization that will positively affect our entire city and region. That’s exactly the kind of impact the redevelopment agency can have and should continue to work towards in Los Angeles.”

The approved actions will also allow CRA/LA to contract with L.A. Streetcar Inc. for the establishment of a Community Facilities District, which will allow local registered voters the opportunity to approve a property assessment in order to raise private-sector funding. Private-sector funding is the last piece of the puzzle before federal funding can be sought. A blend of private and public funds is necessary to achieve full funding for construction of the approximate $125 Million streetcar project.

The Downtown L.A. streetcar will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The AECOM Streetcar Economic Impact Study, executive summary, fact sheets, background materials, informational videos, B-roll, streetcar renderings and related materials for review and reference can be accessed at: http://www.golastreetcar.org/press.

# # #

Media Coverage of the TAGRS Graffiti Tracking Program

2011-03-05T12:52:00.000-08:00

Below are some updates on the new TAGRS program I helped announce at a press conference in front of Hollenbeck Police Station.

LAPD has a new assault to combat graffiti

LAPD Releases High Tech Graffiti Program (click on videos)

Usarán tecnología para atrapar a los que hacen "grafiti"

LAPD use computers and smartphones to fight graffiti

Citywide Graffiti Database Launches to Prosecute Perps

L.A. launches graffiti-tracking program using smart phones

Happy 100th Birthday Eagle Rock!

2011-03-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

I want to thank the students from Eagle Rock Elementary and High School and Dahlia Heights Elementary school and all the community members who came to City Council as we declared today "Eagle Rock Day" in the City of Los Angeles in honor of Eagle Rock's Centennial Celebration. A nice reception with music and performances from the kids followed. Happy 100th Birthday Eagle Rock!

City Launches New Graffiti Tracking Program to Catch Offenders

2011-03-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rick Coca

Mayor, City Attorney join LAPD, Public Works and City’s Technology Department to launch four-division program introduced by Councilmember Huizar

LOS ANGELES (March 4, 2011) — City officials announced details of a four-division program today that will allow graffiti removal crews to take photographs of graffiti tags, which will then be uploaded to an LAPD database that will be used to gather evidence for prosecution and restitution.

The new Tracking Automated Graffiti System (TAGRS) database means the City, which spends an estimated $10 million a year on graffiti abatement, will now have the ability to expand the program to all 21 police divisions using a single system.

The program was launched through legislation introduced by Councilmember José Huizar in 2008 and has been a multi-agency effort with significant support from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilmember Huizar, LAPD, the Public Works Department, Information and Technology Agency, the City Attorney, and the District Attorney, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriffs Department.

“This database will help our law enforcement and City partners team up to ID, arrest and prosecute the worst taggers and tagging crews in the City,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “Graffiti is one of the biggest quality-of-life issues our residents face – it is a problem that demands action and working with the Mayor, the LAPD and our City and County partners, I am proud to be part of a solution to combat graffiti and blight in our neighborhoods.”

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa helped secure funding for the TAGRS database system, earmarking $340,000 in federal CDBG funds in last year’s Consolidated Plan.

“TAGRS is an innovative, city-wide anti-graffiti program that gets at the root of the problem—the criminals who tag,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Graffiti breeds crime and devalues property and has no place in our communities. By using smartphones to gather evidence, the LAPD will be able to track graffiti and apprehend the criminals who vandalize our City.”

The new program (building on a pilot at Van Nuys Division), includes Hollenbeck, Van Nuys, Harbor and Central Divisions and will test out a new City of L.A. only TAGRS database.

Previously, in Van Nuys, the City shared Orange County’s system.

Public Works graffiti abatement contractors have been trained to access the system using more than 90 new smartphones that the City purchased for them.

LAPD will use those photographs to gather evidence that will be submitted for prosecution by the Los Angeles County District Attorney when an individual causes more than $1,000 in damages. The Los Angeles City Attorney will pursue misdemeanor cases and financial restitution.

The City’s TAGRS database system became fully operational this week.

# # #

District 14 News - March 4, 2011

2011-03-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including the City’s new bike plan, the Eagle Rock Centennial Kick-Off, a new playground in Hermon Park, the Ascot Hills Open House, and much, much more.

* Fresco Community Markets Grand Opening
* LA Gets New Bike Plan
* Broadway 100 Kick-Off
* Eagle Rock Centennial Kick-Off
* Ascot Hills Phase II Open House
* Hermon Park Playground Equipment Ribbon-Cutting
* New Reward Ordinance for Law Enforcement
* LA Street Car Gets Funded

Fresco Community Markets

The Hermon Park and surrounding communities were out in force for the grand opening of the new Fresco Community Market. Access to healthy foods has been a priority for Councilmember Huizar since his days on the L.A. School Board and he was there to welcome the new establishment and help cut the official ribbon.

Council Adopts – Mayor Signs Master Bike Plan

After the City Council adopted the City’s Master Bike Plan on Tuesday, Mayor Villaraigosa signed it into law Wednesday on City Hall’s South lawn steps. With hundreds of bike enthusiasts in attendance, Councilmember Huizar joined with the Mayor and bicycle advocates to celebrate the groundbreaking plan, which significantly increases bike lanes throughout the City. Just a couple of weeks ago, Councilmember Huizar helped bring the City’s first bike corral to Highland Park.

Click here for the LADOT Bike Blog. Enjoy the slideshow from the recent bike corral dedication in Highland Park.

“Broadway 100” Centennial Celebration Kicks Off with World Premiere of Theatrefication

Council District 14 and Bringing Back Broadway joined producers Helene Federici and David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets); Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy; Mark Murphy, executive director of REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater); and a lively troupe of artists, dancers, and performers, including opera vocalist Rachel Staples and break dance / krump performers The L.A. Breaker and Xtreme Motion on stage at the historic Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway today to kick off BROADWAY 100.Bringing Back Broadway’s BROADWAY 100 is a multi-event festival of films, art, theatre productions and tours throughout the year to honor the oldest surviving theatre district in Los Angeles, and commemorate important Broadway milestones, including the 100-year anniversaries of the three oldest remaining historic theatres within the Broadway Historic Theatre District. Special performances highlight detailed announcement of a multi-event theatrical, cultural and artistic series in celebration of important Broadway milestones in Downtown Los Angeles’ Broadway Historic Theatre District

Click here for the press release. Enjoy the L.A. Times and Downtown News Stories.

Eagle Rock Centennial Kick Off Celebration

Hosted by the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, Councilmember Huizar congratulated Eagle Rock on their 100 year anniversary and recognized community leaders for their involvement. The day included musical performances, kids and family programs, a historial presentation and a silent auction and reception in the evening. For more information, go to www.eaglerockcentennial.com.

Eagle Rock Day in LA is on Friday, March 4, 2011.

Ascot Hills Open House Celebration

Councilmember José Huizar joined community members and local high school students for the “Open House” celebration of the much-anticipated Ascot Hills Phase II park improvements—which includes full stream restoration, an outdoor amphitheatre, irrigation and fire safety installations, landscaping, hiking trails, and native plantings.

Hermon Park Playground Gets New Playground

Councilmember José Huizar and the Hermon community were out in numbers for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of their new state-of-the-art ADA compliant playground at Hermon Park. Aside from the new playground, the $750,000 Hermon Park improvements include more security lighting throughout the park, and new irrigation.

New Reward Ordinance for Law Enforcement

The City Council voted 11-0 to adopt Councilmember Huizar’s legislation closing a loophole, which left LAPD officers who fall victim to assaults while off-duty and out of City limits without any means to have rewards issued on their behalf. After the vote this week and one more second-reading vote next week, the City of Los Angeles will now be able to issue rewards on behalf of officers who are assaulted or killed, whether officers are attacked while on-duty or off, in or out of City limits. The maximum rewards for assaults on Los Angeles Public Safety officers will also be raised to $100,000.

Council Approves Huizar Motion for $1 Million Allocation to Streetcar

The Downtown L.A. Streetcar, a public-private partnership project championed by City Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and a non-profit L.A. Streetcar Inc., won unanimous City Council support for a $1 million allocation of the City’s Measure R Local Return funding to assist the project through its environmental and engineering phases. The funding will assist Downtown L.A. Streetcar with environmental review and engineering -- Council action comes as recent report states streetcar will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending.

City Launches Councilmember Huizar’s Graffiti Tracking Program

Councilmember Huizar joined with Mayor Villaraigosa Friday, along with LAPD officials and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Friday to launch TAGRS, a graffiti tracking program in Hollenbeck, Van Nuys, Habor and Central LAPD divisions. Huizar first proposed creating a City-operated program in 2008. Mayor Villaraigosa provided funding for the program, which will equip the City’s Graffiti Removal teams with smartphones to take pictures of tags, which will go into the TAGRS database monitored by LAPD. Police will use that evidence to help persue prosecution and restitution against the City’s worst taggers and tagging crews.

CRA Approves $8.4 Million for Downtown L.A. Streetcar

2011-03-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rick Coca

Action completes funding for environmental review and engineering of the project which will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending

LOS ANGELES (March 3, 2011) – The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) today obligated $8.4 Million in funding for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar, a public-private partnership project championed by City Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and non-profit, L.A. Streetcar Inc. Previous CRA/LA actions obligated $1.6 Million of the $10 Million pledged by the agency for the project.

The $8.4 Million CRA/LA action comes on the heels of Los Angeles City Council’s action last week to allocate $1 Million to the project from Measure R Local Return. The combined actions will provide remaining funding necessary to complete state and federal environmental documentation underway at METRO, as well as complete conceptual, preliminary and final engineering and design for the streetcar.

“The CRA and City actions will get us through the technical steps necessary to make us ready for shovels to build the Downtown L.A. Streetcar,” said City Councilmember José Huizar. “Thousands of jobs, millions in annual tourism and revenue and an additional billion dollars in development will be a tremendous driver of revitalization that will positively affect our entire city and region.”

Today’s actions will also allow CRA/LA to contract with L.A. Streetcar Inc. for the establishment of a Community Facilities District, which will allow local registered voters the opportunity to approve a property assessment in order to raise private-sector funding. Private sector funding is the last piece of the puzzle before federal funding can be sought. A blend of private and public funds is necessary to achieve full funding for construction of the streetcar project.

The Downtown L.A. streetcar will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The AECOM Streetcar Economic Impact Study, executive summary, fact sheets, background materials, informational videos, B-roll, streetcar renderings and related materials for review and reference can be accessed at: http://www.golastreetcar.org/press.

New Reward Ordinance Will Help Protect Those Who Protect Us

2011-03-02T14:05:00.000-08:00

The City Council voted 11-0 to adopt my legislation closing a loophole, which left LAPD officers who fall victim to assaults while off-duty and out of City limits without any means to have rewards issued on their behalf. After Wednesday’s vote and one more second-reading vote next week, the City of Los Angeles will now be able to issue rewards on behalf of officers who are assaulted or killed, whether officers are attacked while on-duty or off, in or out of City limits. The maximum rewards for assaults on Los Angeles Public Safety officers will also be raised to $100,000.

I want to thank Councilmember Greig Smith and the Public Safety Committee, the LAPD and the Los Angeles Police Protective League. A special thanks to LAPD Capt. Rigoberto Romero for sharing his story his story about the time some years ago his wife, two young daughters and he were shot at outside of City limits as they entered their home. Their assailants were never caught. Thank goodness Capt. Romero and his family were not struck, despite nine rounds being shot at them.

On behalf of officers like Capt. Romero, we want to make sure should something like that happen again, the City of Los Angeles can and will use every legal tool possible, including rewards, to bring criminals who target our officers to justice.

“Broadway 100” Centennial Celebration Kicks Off With World Premiere of Theatrefication

2011-03-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rick Coca

Special performances highlight detailed announcement of a multi-event theatrical, cultural and artistic series in celebration of important Broadway milestones in Downtown Los Angeles’ Broadway Historic Theatre District

LOS ANGELES (March 1, 2011) – Council District 14 and Bringing Back Broadway joined producers Helene Federici and David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets); Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy; Mark Murphy, executive director of REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater); and a lively troupe of artists, dancers, and performers, including opera vocalist Rachel Staples and break dance / krump performers The L.A. Breaker and Xtreme Motion on stage at the historic Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway today to kick off BROADWAY 100.

Bringing Back Broadway’s BROADWAY 100 is a multi-event festival of films, art, theatre productions and tours throughout the year to honor the oldest surviving theatre district in Los Angeles, and commemorate important Broadway milestones, including the 100-year anniversaries of the three oldest remaining historic theatres within the Broadway Historic Theatre District.

The two oldest theatres on Broadway, the Arcade Theatre (originally the Pantages) and its next door neighbor, the Cameo Theatre, recently turned 100, having opened on Sept. 26, 1910 and Oct. 10, 1910, respectively. The Palace Theatre opened on June 26, 1911. The Arcade Theatre was the first of three Pantages vaudeville theatres built in Los Angeles while the Cameo was one of the earliest deluxe film houses built in the city. Incredibly, though not currently used for live entertainment, both still survive and are intact, standing as the oldest surviving monuments to the early days of entertainment in Los Angeles. The third centennial theatre, the Palace Theatre, is periodically open to the public for tours, productions or special events and is used as a film location.

Other important Broadway milestones in 2011 include: the 90th anniversary of the State Theatre which opened on Nov. 12, 1921 at 703 S. Broadway; the 85th anniversary of the Orpheum Theatre, which opened on Feb. 15, 1926 at 842 S. Broadway; and the 80th anniversary of the Los Angeles Theatre, which opened on Jan. 30, 1931 at 615 S. Broadway.

“It is an honor to bring attention to these centennial milestones of history, culture and entertainment born on Broadway.” said Councilmember José Huizar following the event. Huizar leads the Bringing Back Broadway initiative focused on the revitalization of the historic Broadway commercial and entertainment corridor. “The theatres and movie palaces stand as tribute to where we have come from, as we build a bright future for this important and beautiful part of Los Angeles’ legacy, and we are grateful for the partnerships that allow us to bring Broadway 100 to the community.”

March 26, 2011 marks the official kickoff to Broadway 100 with Theatrefication, the world-premiere of an avant-garde celebration of art, music and theatre, featuring two musical theatre productions by Helene Federici and David J at the historic Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway.

From April 2, 2011 - April 3, 2011 Broadway 100 will welcome REDCAT’s Broadway debut at the
Million Dollar Theatre with the U.S. premiere of Tempest: Without a Body by renowned New
Zealand director and choreographer Lemi Ponifasio.

On Thursday June 16, 2011 at 6pm, Broadway 100 will present Broadway at 100 – A History of L.A.’s Iconic Street, a free event at the Los Angeles Theatre which will provide an historical and visual retrospective of the history of Broadway as the birthplace of entertainment in Los Angeles and the former commercial capital of the west.

On Sunday June 26, 2011, the Los Angeles Conservancy’s exciting and expanded 25th annual “Last Remaining Seats” series will offer two screenings of the classic film Sunset Boulevard with a special celebration to commemorate the Palace Theatre’s 100-year birthday happening that very day.

Thursday June 30, 2011 will begin a two weekend run (Thursday through Sunday each week) for
the Lucent Dossier Experience at the Palace Theatre in celebration of the theatre’s 100th birthday. The avant garde troupe has been described as a “high concept, steampunk meets neotribal performance ensemble” and its immersive spectacles as a “post-apocalyptic,” “exotic wonderland.”

Other events, tours and productions will be announced as they are confirmed throughout the year and will be listed at http://www.broadway100.com/.

The kickoff production, Theatrefication (March 26, 2011, Million Dollar Theatre) features an array of talent; dancers to butoh artists, immersive 3D animation, luminescent art, opera, and new concepts in musical theatre. In the first segment of Theatrefication, the world premiere of The Chanteuse and the Devil’s Muse, David J revisits the ‘Black Dahlia’ song cycle originally composed for the independent feature film, The Devil’s Muse. In this theatrical staging,music works as a framework around which another related story is interwoven; the story of torch singer, Madi Comfort.

This imaginative retelling of the story sheds new light on the historic Hollywood cold case, featuring illusion and a performance by world-renowned butoh artist Vangeline. The production will feature guest vocalists and musicians performing live alongside David J and collaborator Ego Plum (Ebola Music Orchestra).

“The notion of bringing together a cross fertilization of media to create fresh and original juxtapositions is really exciting. Mixing and mashing to create a post-punk culture jam is also observant of the power of ancient myth,” said David J.

Federici’s ET Mostavy, the second segment of Theatrefication, tells a story being broadcast by Eucinda, a character caught in an intergalactic warzone. With costumes created by couture design house, Skingraft, and featuring the talents of opera vocalist Rachel Staples, the world-famous L.A. Breakers and Xtreme Motions (America’s Best Dance Crew: Season 5), this opera plays to a more diverse theatre audience. Trip hop and operatic vocals are sung over a sweeping score with down tempo and break beats, composed by Chris Yanson. The production comes to life with light projections and immersive 3D animation.

Federici is excited to bring the work to Broadway as part of Bringing Back Broadway’s Broadway 100.
“Los Angeles is the next frontier for a new format in musical theatre. The city’s Broadway district is a vessel waiting for content. The infrastructure is here. Artistically, L.A. has all of the ingredients needed to create bold, new experiences in musical theatre,” said Federici.

REDCAT’s Tempest: Without a Body (April 2 – 3, 2011, Million Dollar Theatre) is a ferocious and awe-inspiring reflection on personal liberty and our current world from its ominous beginning to its shattered conclusion. Created by Ponifasio for his company MAU, this visually stunning work entwines formally precise dancing with elements of theater, Polynesian ritual, and social activism.

At the center of this Shakespearean-inflected work is Tame Iti, a Maori activist, who emerges from the midst of an hypnotic vision of heaven and hell to unleash a passionate address on the escalation of state powers and use of unlawful detention. Born in Samoa, where he is a designated High Priest, Ponifasio is a fearless creative force whose distinctive visionary works have been performed at prestigious festivals and venues throughout the world.

The production will mark the first time REDCAT has ventured beyond its own 250-seat theater located in the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex to stage a production at the glorious historical Million Dollar Theatre on Broadway, making use of the former movie palace’s more than 2,000 seats.

"The grand and historic Million Dollar Theater is a gorgeous setting for the beautiful stagecraft and epic scale of this acclaimed theatrical performance from New Zealand's MAU company, which has thrilled audiences at some of the world's most prestigious festivals, and graced the stages of the grandest opera houses,” said Mark Murphy, executive director of REDCAT.

“We are very happy to contribute to the rich history of the Million Dollar Theater with this internationally renowned performance inspired by Shakespearean themes in the context of contemporary and urgent human rights and environmental issues."

Tempest: Without a Body is funded in part with generous support from Creative New Zealand, and the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts. NDP is supported by lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, with additional funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Community Connections Fund of the MetLife Foundation, and the Boeing Company Charitable Trust.

Broadway at 100 – A History of L.A.’s Iconic Street (June 16, 2011, 6pm, Los Angeles Theatre) is planned as an historical and visual retrospective of the history of Broadway as the birthplace of entertainment in Los Angeles and the former commercial capital of the west. It will include a special presentation of vintage photographs and rarely seen historical footage with discussion of each of Broadway’s theatres. Ed Kelsey of the League of Historic American Theatres will present and moderate. The event is free and open to the public, supported by the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation and Broadway Theatre Group.

Bringing Back Broadway has a long-standing collaboration and partnership with the Los Angeles Conservancy, which launched its own Broadway Initiative in 1999 to help foster the area’s revitalization. The Conservancy has tailor made a special day within its exciting and expanded 25th anniversary “Last Remaining Seats” series (June 26, 2011, Palace Theatre) to join with Broadway 100 in celebration of the birthday of the Palace Theatre. The Conservancy will offer two screenings of the classic film Sunset Boulevard with a special Palace Theatre birthday celebration on the day that marks the historic theatre’s 100th birthday.

"We're thrilled that the centennial coincides with the twenty-fifth season of Last Remaining Seats,"said Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy, referring to the Conservancy's annual series of classic films and live entertainment in historic theatres. "We've held Last Remaining Seats screenings on Broadway every year since 1987, so we can't think of a better place to celebrate this milestone. For such a relatively young city, Los Angeles has a surprising number of century-old buildings, and that number keeps growing."

Beginning June 30, 2011, at the Palace Theatre, Lucent Dossier Experience, the world renowned, interactive performance troupe, will revive the luster and magic of the oldest standing and one of the most regal theaters in the United States, with a two weekend run in celebration of the theatre’s 100th birthday. Lucent Dossier is known for creating mystical other-worldly inter-active environments at Coachella, The Edison, the Grammy's 50th Celebration among other incredible events around the world. The troupe has been described as a "high concept, steampunk meets neotribal performance ensemble" and its immersive spectacles as a "post-apocalyptic," "exotic wonderland". The show will run Thursday through Saturday June 30-July 2 and Thursday through Saturday July 7-9 at the Palace Theatre, 630 S. Broadway.

The Broadway Historic Theatre District features the largest concentration of historic theatres and movie palaces on one street in the nation, most of which date back to the 1920s and 1930s. There are 12 historic theatres along Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles. Each offers a different and important glimpse into the history of Los Angeles, and its primary industry – entertainment.

Vaudeville stages were all the rage when the theatres were built and famous acts such as the Marx Brothers, Bob Hope, Houdini, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Will Rogers, Charlie Chaplin, Eddie Cantor, Lena Horne, George Burns & Gracie Allen, Duke Ellington, Judy Garland and W.C. Fields all performed to the delight of Broadway audiences. Thomas Tally, Sid Grauman, Billy Clune, Oliver Morosco and others vied for the honor of local impresario as the theatres along Broadway become larger and more numerous.

ABOUT BRINGING BACK BROADWAY

Bringing Back Broadway is a public-private partnership initiative led by Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar with Executive Director Jessica Wethington McLean, focused on an ambitious ten-year plan to: revitalize the historic Broadway district between 2nd Street and Olympic Boulevard; activate inactive theatres; re-activate more than a million square feet of vacant commercial space; assist retailers and prevent further retail vacancies; increase parking and transit options to serve Broadway; encourage cultural, entertainment and retail uses on Broadway that will sustain generations; create a sense of place and history through urban planning, design and lighting guidelines and streetscapes; and make the dream of once again riding a streetcar downtown a reality. As a link between the past and the future, the revitalized historic Broadway corridor will ensure that the vibrant, cultural character of Broadway remains, while helping Broadway provide something for everyone, day and night by complementing and connecting new large-scale downtown entertainment and cultural destinations, as well as galleries, restaurants, and cultural activities throughout Downtown.

http://www.bringingbackbroadway.com/
http://www.broadway100.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BringingBackBroadway
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DTLA_Broadway

PRODUCTION & EVENT INFO

http://www.broadway100.com/
Los Angeles Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats: http://www.laconservancy.org/
Theatrefication: www.eventbrite.com/event/1263662649
Tempest: Without A Body: www.redcat.org/event/lemi-ponifasio-mau
Lucent Dossier: http://www.lucentdossier.com/

Council Approves Huizar Motion for $1 Million Allocation to Streetcar

2011-02-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

RELEASE

Contact: Rick Coca
(213) 473-7014 or Rick.Coca@lacity.org

Measure R Local Return funding will assist Downtown L.A. Streetcar with environmental review and engineering -- Council action comes as recent report states streetcar will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 25, 2011) – The Downtown L.A. Streetcar, a public-private partnership project championed by City Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and a non-profit L.A. Streetcar Inc., won unanimous City Council support today for a $1 million allocation of the City’s Measure R Local Return funding to assist the project through its environmental and engineering phases.

The Downtown L.A. streetcar will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Today’s funding allocation, combined with funding from the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles (CRA/LA), will take the project through its environmental and engineering phases, as well as its application for federal Small Starts funding, completing the last public sector steps necessary before construction, which could commence as early as 2014.

“At a time when the City is undergoing one of the worst economic times in its history, when the unemployment rate is far too high, and industries in our city and everywhere else are struggling, a modern, environmentally friendly streetcar will help create a better connected, pedestrian-oriented downtown, bringing jobs, economic development and revitalization all around the route,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “A more efficiently run and successful downtown is good for our entire City and the streetcar will help get us there.”

Measure R was adopted by voters to help transportation projects proceed that are needed in our City, but which would otherwise not be easily funded.

CRA was an early supporter of the streetcar movement, putting forward the first $10 million to get the project going. About $1.6 million has already been allocated by CRA/LA as the project has progressed the past few years. CRA actions to obligate the remaining $8.4 million pledged to the project are to be taken up by the CRA Board as early as next month.

Just two weeks ago, business and civic leaders, city officials, labor unions and transit advocates joined Councilmember José Huizar to announce the release of a study by AECOM which indicates a modern streetcar system in downtown Los Angeles will not only provide critically needed transportation circulation but will also be a boon to revitalization.

The study finds among other things that an initial $125 million public-private investment in returning the Streetcar Downtown will generate 9,300 new jobs, $1.1 billion in new development, $24.5 million in new annual tourism and consumer spending, and $47 million in new city revenue – all above projections for Downtown’s future without a streetcar.

A feasibility study for the streetcar project was completed in 2006 and the project is included in METRO’s Long Range Transportation Plan. Similar to the funding model used in other modern streetcar cities, the Downtown L.A. Streetcar project will be funded with both public and private funds. Public sources include Measure R Local Return, CRA/LA, federal appropriations.

Federal funding for construction will be sought through the federal Small Starts program. An equal portion of private sector contributions are planned to be raised through a Community Facilities District, a special tax of parcels which will benefit from the streetcar project, which will be voted on by registered voters in the streetcar area next year.

The full AECOM Streetcar Economic Impact Study, executive summary, fact sheets, background materials, informational videos, B-roll, streetcar renderings and related materials for review and reference can be accessed at:

http://www.golastreetcar.org/press

###

Eagle Rock Day in L.A. this Friday!

2011-02-25T14:00:00.000-08:00

INVITATION

Councilmember Jose Huizar invites you to the Los Angeles City Council Meeting declaring "Eagle rock Day" in Los Angeles!

Friday, March 4th @ 10 a.m. in Council Chambers

The City of Los Angeles will be honoring Eagle Rock, in recognition of the Eagle Rock Centennial. Eagle Rock incorporated into its own city in March of 1911, and chose to annex into Los Angeles in 1923. Please join us in celebrating this momentous occasion.

Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP. For more information, please contact our Eagle Rock field office at (323) 254-5295. For parking arrangements, please contact our office no later than Tuesday, March 1st.

District 14 News - February 24, 2011

2011-02-24T21:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including the City’s first bike corral in Highland Park and upcoming events.

* City Launches First Bike Corral in Highland Park
* 16th Annual Community Job Fair at Dodger Stadium
* Eagle Rock Centennial Kick Off
* Ascot Hills Open House
* Hermon Park Playground Equipment Ribbon-Cutting

City Launches First Bike Corral in Highland Park

Working with local business and City departments, Councilmember Huizar helped bring the City’s first bike corral to Highland Park. Less than a year after the City Council officially approved his legislation to build it – a single parking location that can accommodate 10 bicycles – the biking community celebrated the inaugural corral outside of Café de Leche in Highland Park.Café de Leche co-owner Matt Schodorf brought the idea for a bike corral outside his business to Councilmember Huizar in order to better accommodate his customers. Councilmember agreed and introduced the motion in July 2009 and then went to work with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Bureau of Street Services (BSS) and the City’s General Services Division (GSD) to design and build the model corral, which will be duplicated throughout the City.

Councilmember Huizar agreed to pay the cost of installing the bike corral.

Click here for the LADOT Bike Blog. Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

16th Annual Community Job Fair at Dodger Stadium

(Photo Credit: Stephanie Robinson)

Hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Councilmember Jose Huizar invites you to this annual job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 26th.

* Employers will be recruiting!

* On site Interviews!

* Dress for success!

For Resume prep, interviewing skills check your local city/county worksource center. Wear appropriate business attire and bring copies of your current resume.

FREE SHUTTLE

From Sunset Blvd./Elysian Park to STADIUM
FREE Admission and Parking

Please enter through Elysian Park Ave./Stadium Way entrance.

For more information, please contact: (323) 224-1466.

Eagle Rock Centennial Kick Off Celebration

Hosted by the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, Councilmember Huizar invites you to a full day of events including:

* Kids & Family Program 2-4 p.m.
* Historical Presentation 4 p.m.
* Community Groups All Day
* Live Entertainment* Cocktail Reception 6-8 p.m. featuring Eagle Rock's own Morganne
* Silent Auction

Saturday, February 26th from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. @ the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock at 2225 Colorado Blvd.

For more information, go to www.eaglerockcentennial.com.

Ascot Hills Open House

Councilmember José Huizar invites you and your family to join your neighbors to the “Open House” celebration of the much-anticipated Ascot Hills Phase II park improvements. See the progress of the new park improvements, which include the full stream restoration, an outdoor amphitheatre, irrigation and fire safety installations, landscaping, hiking trails, and native plantings, and much more. For more information, please call the El Sereno District Office at (323) 226-1646.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 2 p.m. @ Ascot Hills Park, 4731 Multnomah Street at Gateside Drive.

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the ground-breaking last year.

Hermon Park Playground Equipment Ribbon-Cutting

Join Councilmember José Huizar and the Hermon community for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new state-of-the-art ADA compliant playground at Hermon Park, on Thursday, March 3rd at 10 a.m.

Aside from the new playground, the new Hermon Park improvements include more security lighting throughout the park, and new irrigation. Come, bring your children, celebrate with your friends, and neighbors this great community accomplishment. For more information, please call the El Sereno District Office at (323) 226-1646.

Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 10 a.m. @ Hermon Park, 5568 Via Marisol

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the ground-breaking last year.

###

City Launches First Bike Corral in Highland Park

2011-02-18T12:36:00.000-08:00

RELEASE

Working with local business and City departments, Councilmember brings City’s first bike corral to Highland Park outside Café de Leche

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 18, 2011) – Less than a year after the City Council officially approved Councilmember José Huizar’s legislation to build the City’s first bike corral – a single parking location that can accommodate 10 bicycles – the biking community celebrated Friday the inaugural corral outside of Café de Leche in Highland Park.

Café de Leche co-owner Matt Schodorf brought the idea for a bike corral outside his business to Councilmember Huizar in order to better accommodate his customers. Councilmember agreed and introduced the motion in July 2009 and then went to work with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Bureau of Street Services (BSS) and the City’s General Services Division (GSD) to design and build the model corral, which will be duplicated throughout the City.

Councilmember Huizar also agreed to pay the cost of the corral.

“The best ideas in the City often come from community members and business owners and that is certainly the case here,” said Councilmember Huizar. “I want to thank Matt Schodorf and our partners for working with me on this bike corral. The City has worked to improve services to the bicycling community, but we need to do more. Expanding this bike corral pilot program throughout the City is a great first step.”

Councilmember Huizar’s staff worked with the LADOT, BSS and GSD to deal with the hurdles associated with implementing a pilot program, such as the specific design, manufacturing and installation plans.

“We're excited to be installing the first bicycle corral in the City of Los Angeles, which will help to get car-centric Angelenos out of their vehicles,” said Amir Sedadi, LADOT Interim General Manager. “The Department of Transportation isn't just about moving cars, but helping to 'move Los Angeles forward' by offering people multi-modal choices.”

Special thanks also goes to the bicycling community, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce for their support.

Click here for the LADOT Bike Blog. Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

District 14 News - February 16, 2011

2011-02-16T20:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including efforts to increase pedestrian safety at the iconic 4th street bridge, raise awareness for the Jessica Triangle designation, showcase the 1st Annual East L.A. Alumni Classic, provide entertainment for local seniors and adopting pets, and much more.

* 4th Street Bridge Improvements
* Jessica Triangle-Mt. Washington Designation
* 1st Annual East L.A. Alumni Classic
* 4th Annual Senior Snowball
* Adopt-A-Pet Adoptions
* Our Downtown El Sereno Vision Workshop
* Fitness Zone Ribbon Cutting

4th Street Bridge Improvements

Councilmember Huizar joined community members in Boyle Heights Saturday to celebrate the addition of a Smart Crossing Walk on 4th Street and Concord, which had long been identified by the community as a dangerous place to cross. Now when pedestrians push the cross button, large caution lights flash overhead, alerting drivers to stop. The improvements are part of $412,000 seismic retrofitting of the 4th Street Bridge. Other improvements include storm drain upgrades, landscaping and paving underneath the bridge.

Jessica Triangle-Mt. Washington Designation

Following on the heels of the Verdugo Village designation in Glassell Park, Councilmember Huizar joined members of the Mt. Washington community to celebrate the Jessica Triangle designation with two new signs. Jessica Triangle is a triangular shaped median at Cleland Avenue and Jessica Drive that has been turned into a mini-garden with trees, plants and a trail. This community improvement project, which has had many volunteer community stewards over the years, is a source of pride for the Mt. Washington community. In 2007, Councilmember Huizar protected it from destruction when he worked with Public Works to re-direct a proposed sewer line, which was scheduled to run right through the garden. He also had the City designate Jessica Triangle as an official City of Los Angeles site.

Bulldogs Win 1st Annual East L.A. Alumni Classic

Councilmember Huizar served as the Honorary Coach for the Rough Riders in the 1st Annual Alumni East L.A. Classic at E.L.A.C.C. Garfield dominated for three quarters but Roosevelt almost tied it up in the closing minutes. It was a great showcase for healthy competition, respect and sportsmanship. Congratulations went out to all of the alumni as the relived some of their gridiron glory. This should be the first of many alumni East L.A. Classics to come.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

4th Annual Senior Snowball

More than 600 seniors from all over Council District 14 came out for the 4th Annual Senior Snowball sponsored by Councilmember Huizar. Attendees were treated to a delicious meal and desserts. With more than 20 senior clubs present, all the seniors were recognized for their leadership and community involvement, and also had the opportunity to win raffle prizes. Musical entertainment by Chico followed dinner and the seniors took to the dance floor without invitation.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

Adopt-A-Pet Valentine Adoptions

As part of Valentine’s Day weekend, Councilmember Huizar participated in the Adopt-A-Valentine Pet Adoption at the North Central Animal Shelter on Lacey. Sponsored by his office, the City of Los Angeles, CD 13 and Friends of Hermon Dog Park, the community came out to adopt some of our four-legged friends in need of a home.

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the event.

“Our Downtown” Living Streets Plan Workshop

Sponsored by Councilmember Huizar, the El Sereno community held its third vision workshop on how to spend funds for improving Huntington Drive. Friends and neighbors came out to vote on their priorities. Stay tuned for more announcements.

Fitness Zone Ribbon Cutting

Eagle Rock Recreation Center is the latest Council District 14 park to see new improvements. Councilmember Huizar secured $150,000 to install an Outdoor Fitness Zone at the park, consisting of 10 exercise machines, which were installed near the playground so parents watching their kids, and seniors from the nearby Senior Center, could get in some exercise free of cost. Other improvements at the park include upgrades such as a new gym floor, repaired basketball hoops and improved lighting in the Recreation Center and a new dumpster location to address trash and illegal dumping problems that were beginning to happen at the park.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

Slideshow from D.T.L.A. Bikes Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting

2011-02-16T18:27:00.000-08:00

It was great to honor a new local business earlier this evening, D.T.L.A. Bikes on Broadway. Located at 425 S. Broadway, D.T.L.A. Bikes opened quietly (soft open) before the holidays. It has already become very popular for its 15,000 square foot mega store with an awesome indoor track to try any bike before you buy. They're all stocked up now and celebrating their downtown debut with lots of different kinds and brands of bikes, a full line of accessories and they provide competitively priced tuneups and repairs, too.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

Adopt-A-Valentine Pet Adoption

2011-02-13T11:03:00.000-08:00

Saturday was full of events and activities but one of my favorites had to be the Adopt-A-Valentine Pet Adoption at the North Central Animal Shelter on Lacey. Sponsored by my office, the City of Los Angeles, CD 13 and Friends of Hermon Dog Park, it was great to see the community come out and adopt some of our four-legged friends in need of a home. Enjoy the slideshow and brief footage from the event.

Slideshow from the 1st Annual Alumni East L.A. Football Classic

2011-02-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

It was a pleasure to serve as the Honorary Coach for the Rough Riders in the 1st Annual Alumni East L.A. Classic at E.L.A.C.C. last night. Garfield dominated for three quarters but Roosevelt almost tied it up in the closing minutes. Great sportsmanship. Congratulations to all of the alumni who relived some of their gridiron glory. I hope this is the first of many alumni East L.A. Classics to come. Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

Slideshow from the 4th Annual Senior Snowball

2011-02-11T10:46:00.000-08:00

A great time was had by all at the 4th Annual Senior Snowball in El Sereno. Enjoy the slideshow from the event:

District 14 News - February 10, 2011

2011-02-10T20:51:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including efforts to clean up parks, bring jobs and economic development to Los Angeles, bringing the Streetcar back Downtown and the Broadway Arts Center.

* Community Cleanups at San Pascual and Yosemite Parks
* Massive Job Growth & Economic Development with the L.A. Streetcar Project
* Broadway Arts Center Workshop

Community Cleanups at San Pascual and Yosemite Parks

San Pascual and Yosemite Parks were the launching points for two Community Cleanups this past Saturday as volunteers picked up trash, painted over graffiti and beatified the areas. Special thanks to Victory Outreach, the Graffiti Busters, students and local residents for cleaning up. Here are Councilmember Huizar’s welcoming remarks from the San Pascual cleanup, where volunteers going out into various locations in the neighborhood. Click here for the slideshow.

Building on a plan already in place to increase safety at Yosemite Park, Councilmember Huizar and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) hosted the Yosemite Park Cleanup, which brought out a large contingent of volunteers. Earlier this month, a resident jogging in the park was attacked and robbed by a group of young men. Police say the crime was an isolated incident in the low-crime community, which saw a 33 percent drop in Violent Crime in 2010. Two suspects have already been arrested and a third is being sought. While such assaults at the park are unheard of, there had already been proactive improvements and safety enhancements installed at the park — including resurfaced tennis courts, retrofitting of the pool and the installation of a security camera.

Following the attack, Council District 14 quickly organized a meeting with the ERNC, LAPD, LAUSD Police, and General Services park police and the Department of Recreation & Parks and came up with an immediate plan to step up patrols, enforce curfew, remove graffiti even quicker, expedite the installation of a previously approved second security camera and organize the Community Cleanup.

Enjoy the slideshow from Yosemite Park.

Bring the Streetcar and Jobs Back to Downtown to Help L.A.

As part of his Bringing Back Broadway initiative, Councilmember Huizar announced the release of a study Tuesday stating that building a streetcar downtown would create 9,300 jobs and generate $1.1 billion in new development, $24.5 million in new annual tourism and consumer spending and $47 million in new City revenue. The Streetcar would not only make Downtown Los Angeles an easier place to get around, it would bring jobs to residents throughout the City and much needed revenue when we need it most. We're hoping to get it built by 2014. You can view the press release, as well as links to stories on CBS, Daily News and the Downtown News

Enjoy the slideshow and footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

Broadway Arts Center Workshop Held to Get Community Input

About 100 downtown community members attended a workshop to get their input and feedback on a planned mixed-use arts facility on Broadway. The proposed Broadway Arts Center would provide affordable housing for artists, serve as a performance and exhibition space, have a commercial/retail component and provide parking and loading facilities for commercial and theater use on the street.A location for the project has not been chosen yet for the project, a partnership between Councilmember Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative, various city departments, The Actors Fund and Cal-Arts.

###

Bring the Streetcar and Jobs Back to Downtown to Help L.A.

2011-02-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

As part of my Bringing Back Broadway initiative, we released a study yesterday stating that building a streetcar downtown would create 9,300 jobs and generate $1.1 billion in new development, $24.5 million in new annual tourism and consumer spending and $47 million in new City revenue. The Streetcar would not only make Downtown Los Angeles an easier place to get around, it would bring jobs to residents throughout the City and bring much needed revenue when we need it most. We're hoping to get it built by 2014. Here are links to stories on:

Study Finds Streetcar Will Create Massive Growth in Jobs, Development, Tourism and Revenue

2011-02-08T15:17:00.001-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rick Coca
(213) 473-7014 or Rick.Coca@lacity.org

AEG CEO Tim Leiweke, Councilmembers Huizar and Perry, L.A. Streetcar Inc.’s Dennis Allen and others announced details of a study indicating the Downtown L.A. Streetcar will create thousands of jobs, more than a billion dollars in new development and millions more in tourism, consumer spending and L.A. City revenues

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 8, 2011) – The Downtown L.A. Streetcar effort took a huge leap forward today as results of an independent study were released indicating the Downtown L.A. Streetcar will have a significant and profound effect on revitalization in Downtown Los Angeles.

The study finds among other things that an initial $125 million public-private investment in returning the Streetcar Downtown will generate 9,300 new jobs, $1.1 billion in new development, $24.5 million in new annual tourism and consumer spending, and $47 million in new city revenue – all above projections for Downtown’s future without a streetcar.

Business and civic leaders, city officials, labor unions and transit advocates joined Councilmember José Huizar to announce the study results, and hailed the news that a modern streetcar system in downtown Los Angeles will not only provide critically needed transportation circulation but will also be a boon to revitalization. The large, energetic crowd cheered “Streetcar, streetcar!” as each speaker took the podium to provide remarks.

Timothy J. Leiweke, President & CEO, AEG spoke about the streetcar plan’s importance to L.A. Live which will serve as an anchor destination for the four-mile system that would run seven days a week, 18 hours a day. He described the $125-million project as one with an excellent return on public-private investment.

“The Los Angeles streetcar will have an incredible return with major benefits for Los Angeles - over $1.1 billion in new development and thousands of new jobs,” said Leiweke. "The streetcar will provide easy, safe access for thousands of people to enjoy shopping, dining, cultural events, hockey, basketball and football games along with other sporting events throughout Downtown. People will spend more time and money downtown because getting around the area will be much easier than it is today. It's simple - ride the rail Downtown, or bring your car and park once, then just ride the streetcar. An additional $24.5 million into the local economy means jobs and businesses growth as we create a world-class Downtown. The streetcar will be a big win and a great part of the future of Downtown L.A."
City Councilmember José Huizar is known as the champion of the Los Angeles streetcar effort.

Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway revitalization initiative took conversations which had been happening for years about a possible streetcar, gave them focus and turned the effort into a community-wide effort with strong consensus of support. While Broadway is the spine for the proposed alignment, the streetcar is planned to serve areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Huizar said he believes in the streetcar both for its ability to effectively circulate people in urban areas, as well as for its effect on economic development.

“At a time when the City is undergoing one of the worst economic times in its history, when the unemployment rate is far too high, and industries in our city and everywhere else are struggling, we are here to talk about good news for Downtown Los Angeles,” said Huizar.

“Very soon, a modern, environmentally friendly streetcar help create a better connected, pedestrian-oriented downtown, bringing jobs, economic development and revitalization all around the route. A more efficiently run and successful downtown is good for our entire City and the streetcar will help get us there,” said Huizar.

“By having the streetcar go through areas that have already experienced the downtown renaissance – as well as those that have incredible potential but are still in need of a catalyst for revitalization – the streetcar will help downtown function as a complete, cohesive, neighborhood,” Huizar said.

The streetcar route is planned to run through Council Districts 14 and 9 and has the support of elected officials in both districts, as well as at the state and federal level. Councilmember Jan Perry represents the 9th district.

“The AECOM report, funded by CRA/LA, demonstrates the vast potential of bringing the Downtown streetcar project to fruition. It projects millions in added city revenue, tourism dollars, and thousands of new jobs,” said Council President Pro Tempore Jan Perry. “This report demonstrates in numbers what we have all believed is true—downtown is a burgeoning economy that will benefit from investments like this one.”

CRA was an early adopter of the streetcar movement, which the agency has said will help create connectivity in downtown, and reduce blight by catalyzing revitalization in areas which need it. CRA put forward the first $10 million to get the project going, leveraging redevelopment dollars against private investment.

"We at the CRA/LA are proud to be significant partner in the L.A. Streetcar project which will clearly enhance the continued economic revitalization of downtown. It will bring brand new investment and jobs by connecting all of the assets that Downtown has to offer,” said Chris Essel CEO CRA/LA. “This is what redevelopment was meant to do, to help lead the way so that private industry will do its part to invest and employ our residents for the betterment of the entire city of Los Angeles."

More than 40,000 people live downtown, with 550,000 people coming into the city each day for work and tourism. Similar to other streetcar systems, such as Portland and Seattle, the Downtown L.A. Streetcar project is designed to encourage a large volume of commuters, shoppers and tourists to experience the cultural and commercial appeal of the vibrant and growing downtown Los Angeles area.

The streetcar’s impact on business creation, tourism and consumer spending is a highlight of the report.

"This study reaffirms that a modern streetcar system will help revitalize downtown Los Angeles, which will increase commerce and tourism," said Gary Toebben, President and CEO of the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce." The resulting job creation will be good news for the city, residents and local businesses."

Michael McDowell, Senior Director for Cultural Tourism for L.A. Inc., the Los Angeles Convention and Tourist Bureau provided remarks on behalf of Mark Liberman, CEO of L.A. Inc. about the positive impact effect of the streetcar’s permanent infrastructure investment and proposed system’s ability to increase tourism activity.

“Tourism is L.A.’s number one industry,” McDowell said. “The fixed route and reliable service of a streetcar running through the heart of LA—from Broadway to the Convention Center and back—will provide easy access and a great incentive for both business and leisure visitors to explore downtown.”

Los Angeles Streetcar Inc. (LASI) is a non-profit created and operated by Downtown property owners and business leaders to advance the streetcar effort.

“We are very pleased to see the significant economic value the L.A. Streetcar will generate,” said Dennis Allen, Executive Director of Los Angeles Streetcar Inc. “The report by AECOM was important because it validated what other cities have experienced, and what we in Los Angeles intuitively knew – which is that streetcars change neighborhoods, revitalize urban cores, and are a wonderful investment for all involved.”

LASI was the beneficiary of a successful fundraising event held last September at L.A. LIVE co hosted by Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar, Eli Broad, founder of The Broad Foundations, Rick Caruso of Caruso Affiliated, and Tim Leiweke of AEG / L.A. LIVE. The fundraising and networking event, dubbed "Get On Board" was held to raise operational funding and was the culmination of a four month capital campaign which doubled the organization’s fundraising goals.

An awareness campaign showing the connectivity a streetcar will bring to Downtown began in 2010. A video explaining the project and its benefits, entitled “The L.A. Streetcar: See What Happens When Downtown Connects,” which includes renderings of the streetcar as it may appear in Downtown has already received thousands of hits on YouTube.

A feasibility study for the streetcar project was completed in 2006 and the project is included in METRO's Long Range Transportation Plan. An environmental study is beginning at METRO, and proponents expect to have the Downtown L.A. Streetcar engineered and ready for construction within 5 years. Similar to the funding model used in other modern streetcar cities, the approximate $125-million budget for Downtown L.A. Streetcar project will be funded with both public and private funds. Private sector contributions are planned to be raised through a Community Facilities District, a special tax of parcels which will benefit from the streetcar project. Public sources include CRA/LA and the federal Small Starts program.

# # #

MEDIA RESOURCES

The full AECOM Streetcar Economic Impact Study, executive summary, fact sheets, background materials, informational videos, B-roll, streetcar renderings and related materials for review and reference can be accessed at: http://www.golastreetcar.org/press.

• Downtown L.A. Streetcar Economic Analysis - Fact Sheets, Executive Summary and AECOM Report – Economic Impact – Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar
• Streetcar Fact Sheets and Studies - Streetcar Fact Sheets, Streetcar Route Map, Board Member Roster and List of Sponsors, Red Car Feasibility Study, and Streetcar 3D Simulations
• Streetcar 3D Simulations - Orpheum Rendering (MP4), Disney Rendering (MP4), and Staples Rendering (MP4)
• Streetcar Video – “See What Happens When Downtown Connects” - Downloadable video (MP4 movie) and YouTube
• Streetcar Renderings - Streetcar 1, Streetcar 2, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Staples and Orpheum

CD 14 News - February 2, 2011

2011-02-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including efforts to expand the City’s recycling program; restore a 34-year-old Highland Park mural; install signs in Verdugo Village; historically survey Los Angeles and clean up the air and green up businesses in Boyle Heights and beyond.

* A Call to Increase Recycling for Businesses and Apartments
* Restoring the Iconic “History of Highland Park” Mural
* Historically Surveying L.A.’s Unchartered Neighborhoods
* Verdugo Village Signs Highlight Areas Rich Past
* Clean Up/Green Up Plan New Era of Environmental Justice

Expansion of City Recycling Program Sought

With 70 percent of the City of Los Angeles’ 3.5 million tons of trash that ends up in landfills and incinerators every year coming from commercial and multifamily properties, Councilmember Huizar joined a coalition of organizations and City leaders who called for the City to franchise recycling collection for businesses and large apartments.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

Los Angeles needs to do more to create a more efficient, safer and better managed recycling service for commercial and apartment buildings. While great progress has been made, particularly over the past year, the current pace of progress is not fast enough to ensure that we will reach the Zero Waste goals we’ve set for our City by 2030. The City collects all trash from single family homes.Councilmember Huizar supports franchising recycling collection for commercial and multi-family units in the City to ensure that all Angelenos have the opportunity to recycle, that the trucks and work conditions used to process the recycling are safe, that rates are uniform and fair, and that we cut down on the amount of recyclable refuse that ends up in our landfills. A report by Don’t Waste L.A., a coalition of 30 organizations, outlines these and other recommendations.

Read the Los Angeles Times story here.

Read the Daily News story here.

Restoring Mural and Pride in Highland Park

On behalf of the Highland Park community, Councilmember Huizar successfully brokered an agreement to restore the 34-year-old “History of Highland Park” mural, a mammoth piece of work that stretches around two sides of the AT&T building on Avenue 56. The treasured community mural was painted in 1977 and had fallen into disarray over the ensuing decades as an anti-graffiti coating deteriorated and graffiti removal had to stop to protect the underlying mural.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

AT&T, whose former company Pacific Bell first commissioned the work to be done by Barrio Planners in 1977, has agreed to fund the restoration, estimated at about $78,000. Social and Public Art Resource Center’s Judy Baca, one of the mural’s original artists, will be at the helm of the restoration.

Councilmember Huizar was joined by the artists, the Highland Park Heritage Trust, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and students from Yorkdale Elementary for the kickoff cleanup of the mural, which included a steam cleaning and biodegradable soap bubble bath.

The restoration will include new anti-graffiti coating using the latest industry advancements and should be completed in the next few months.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event.

Historic Survey L.A. Presentation in Boyle Heights

A historic walking tour and results of the Survey L.A. pilot project, one of the largest historical surveys ever conducted in the nation, were presented this month at the Puente Learning Center in Boyle Heights. Councilmember Huizar successfully lobbied for Boyle Heights, one of the city’s oldest suburbs, to be surveyed as the pilot community for the new citywide historic identification project. Previously, only 15 percent of Los Angeles has been historically surveyed.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

More than 200 people attended the seminar and tour and learned that two areas (Boyle Avenue and Mt. Pleasant) and 33 individual buildings were identified as potentially historic during the survey. It was coupled with a walking tour of five sites on Boyle Avenue, including the “Max Factor home.” The house represents a microcosm of Boyle Heights’ diverse history, having seen homeowners of Jewish, Japanese and Latino descent through the years. Attendees participated directly in the survey through MyHistoricLA, suggesting places in Boyle Heights that are historically important to them. Special thanks to the Puente Learning Center; the Los Angeles Planning Department’s Office of Historic Resources; the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles; the Boyle Heights Historical Society; the Los Angeles Conservancy; the Getty Foundation; the Jewish Historical Society of Southern California; the Breed Street Shul; Keiro Senior Healthcare; the International Institute; ELACC; Hollenbeck Palms; the Alba Family; a crew of Cal Poly Pomona students and other volunteers.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event.

Signs are Great in Verdugo Village

Community members gathered recently with Councilmember Huizar to celebrate the culmination of a two-year plan to design and install dozens of Verdugo Village signs along a two-block stretch of Verdugo Road, just north of York Boulevard.

Councilmember Huizar worked with the Glassell Park Improvement Association (GPIA) to come up with the plan and agreed to provide funding for the Verdugo Village sign project, which has added five street signs, 18 pedestrian signs, and 250 decals for businesses and residents along the Verdugo Road corridor.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

The uniquely designed signs feature an outline of the nearby mountains and Verdugo Village name, while others also include a brief history of the area, which dates back to 1784.

The Verdugo Village signs will help identify the local community while promoting local business. Special thanks to Helene Schpak, Jim Kiehl, GPIA President George Brauckman and Zazu Faure.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event.

Clean Up Green Up – A New Generation of Environmental Justice

Councilmember Huizar recently introduced legislation to create “green zones” and eliminate “toxic hot spots” in communities with more than their fair share of heavy industry, a long-time practice that has created health hazards that lead to increased episodes of cancer, asthma and other pollution-related illnesses.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

Joining with community and environmental activists and City Council colleagues, Councilmember Huizar announced the legislation, known as “Clean Up/Green Up” at Breed Street Elementary School. The legislation will focus primarily on the communities of Boyle Heights, Pacoima and Wilmington, three areas that have been hard hit by industrial sites and uses. A new generation of Environmental Justice, the goal of the Clean Up Green Up campaign is to work with existing businesses to create incentives and standards that lead to greener, cleaner and more sustainable communities. The Clean Up Green Up legislation will also encourage new, green industries that bring green jobs, with the long-term goal of creating healthier communities.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event. Click here for the press release on Councilmember Huizar recent work on environmental justice.

Read the L.A. Times story here.

Read the EGP News story here.

# # #

AT&T Mural Restoration and the Verdugo Village Sign Dedication

2011-01-31T13:16:00.001-08:00

Below are remarks I made on Saturday for the AT&T Mural Restoration and the Verdugo Village Sign Dedication. I have also included the slideshows for each.

Don’t Waste L.A.- Expand Recycling

2011-01-26T18:04:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles needs to do more to create a more efficient, safer and better managed recycling service for commercial and apartment buildings. While great progress has been made, particularly over the past year, the current pace of progress is not fast enough to ensure that we will reach the Zero Waste goals we’ve set for our City by 2030. Despite our efforts and despite ever improving recycling rates, we’re still sending over 3.5 million tons of trash to landfills and incinerators every year, and a full 70 percent of that comes from commercial and multifamily properties. The City collects all trash from single family homes.

We need to franchise recycling collection for commercial and multi-family units in the City to ensure that all Angelenos have the opportunity to recycle, that the trucks and work conditions used to process the recycling are safe, that rates are uniform and fair, and that we cut down on the amount of recyclable refuse that ends up in our landfills. Today’s report by Don’t Waste L.A., a coalition of 30 organizations, outlines these and other recommendations. I support the spirit of these efforts and as the Chair of Public Works, I will be looking to work on these recommendations, with the help of my colleagues and the Bureau of Sanitation, in the coming months. Los Angeles should lead the way on this issue and we will.

Umami Burger and Two Boots Pizza Announce New Job-Creating Ventures on Broadway

2011-01-25T12:03:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rick Coca
(213) 473-7014 or rick.coca@lacity.org

Iconic businesses to become neighbors to the historic Orpheum Theatre on Broadway, contributing to the Bringing Back Broadway’s initiative’s revitalization effort, which is celebrating its third anniversary - Orpheum Theatre turns 85

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 25, 2011) – Two formerly vacant spaces in the historic Broadway corridor will soon house top-notch eateries designed by top designers, bringing fame, popularity and a foodie following from their respective coasts to Downtown L.A. while adding 50-75 jobs to the area.

The UMAMIcatessen, a new concept from the gastronomic experts behind the vastly popular Umami Burger restaurants dotted across L.A., will open at 852-854 S. Broadway. And hailing from New York City, Two Boots Pizza will premier at 828 S. Broadway.

“Thanks to a strong collaboration between property owner, entrepreneurs and the City, Bringing Back Broadway will soon celebrate the arrival of two new businesses that will bring as many as 75 jobs to Broadway,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar, who is spearheading the Bringing Back Broadway revitalization effort. “This collaboration between the private and public sector is a prime example of what the Bringing Back Broadway initiative is all about and one we hope to duplicate again and again.”

The UMAMIcatessen will incorporate a burger joint, bar, deli, dessert, as well as rotating concepts from some of America’s greatest chefs. The Broadway location will be the sixth Umami establishment and the largest among the company’s independent, locally-owned L.A. eateries. The downtown restaurant will be designed by SO/DA and will seat approximately 60-80 people. By operating 7 days a week until 2 a.m., this new restaurant will be a welcomed addition to Broadway’s nightlife. The ambitious plan came about after several months of discussions with property owner Steve Needleman and assistance from the Bringing Back Broadway initiative.

“We are thrilled to call Broadway home for our newest and biggest venture yet,” said Adam Fleishman, CEO of Umami Burger. “Downtown L.A. is a dynamic, rapidly changing area, and we can’t wait to turn a vacant, lifeless storefront into Downtown’s own unique Umami location as part of Bringing Back Broadway.”

In New York City, Two Boots Pizza’s flagship pizzerias have earned a wide and devoted following for their delicious blend of Italian and Cajun flavors, cornmeal-crusted pizza, over-stuffed po' boys, organic salads, plus calzones, strombolis and strombolinis. Downtown will join Echo Park as the only current Los Angeles locations for the popular eatery.

Phil Hartman, owner of Two Boots Pizza feels historic Broadway is a natural location for Two Boots Pizza because of the area’s similarities to the pizzaria’s New York roots.

“Two Boots loves Downtown L.A.!” said Hartman. “With its vintage theater district, amazing architecture and diverse and eclectic culture, we feel right at home here and are thrilled to be part of the Bringing Back Broadway effort. We're looking forward to creating amazing signage that harkens back to the area’s glory days and to creating a tribute pizza that celebrates Broadway’s glorious history.”

Every Two Boots branch is unique. Some have full-service dining, some have full bars, while others have live music. Like all the company’s locales, Two Boots Broadway will display the work of local artists. The restaurant design will feature a large viewing window into the kitchen where patrons can watch pizza dough being tossed and food being prepared for the eatery’s streetside service or delivery. Well-known architect George Kelly is spearheading the design.

Both additions to the street bode well for the future of revitalizing Broadway. Umami will add 35 to 50 jobs downtown. Two Boots Broadway is expected to create 15 to 25 jobs. The new restaurants will complement other revitalization at the southern anchor of the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, which is celebrating the third year of its 10-year plan.

Much of the credit for the welcomed new additions goes to property owner Steve Needleman, owner of Anjac Fashion Buildings and the historic Orpheum Theatre, who recruited both businesses and worked out deals and long-term agreements to make them viable.

“My belief is that the best way to build your own community is to bring in that unique type of tenant who will complement existing businesses and attract residents and visitors alike to the historic area,” Needleman said. “Economics cannot be the driving force behind these deals; at times, you have to be willing to take a risk, make incredible deals and forge long-term partnerships.”

The fully restored historic Orpheum Theatre is turning 85 years old this year and is the centerpiece of Broadway’s south-end revitalization, which also includes the iconic Eastern Columbia Building and the recently renovated Blackstone Building, both former department stores adapted for residential use above the commercial ground floor. The Broadway Bar was one of the first night-life establishments in the area.

Needleman credits Bringing Back Broadway for providing critical assistance with these projects and with others in the pipeline.

“When we were facing obstacles with City departments, both on the Umami project and with the upcoming renovation of the Singer Sewing Machine Building, Councilmember Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway Executive Director stepped in and worked directly with us, cutting red tape and getting the answers and responses we needed in order to allow these job-creating projects to move forward,” Needleman said. “The partnership for revitalization and the problem-solving, can-do spirit in the City that each of these projects benefited from never existed before Bringing Back Broadway.”

Needleman’s Anjac Fashion Buildings is providing offices on the ground floor of the historic Wurlitzer Building on Broadway for downtown publication BlogDowntown in a space that also features a community center. Anjac is also in preparation to reactivate the long-vacant Singer Sewing Machine building at 808 S. Broadway into unique, live/work style lofts that will include about 2,700 square feet of living space and 3,500 square feet of work area on each floor. Renovations on this project are planned to begin this summer.

“Steve Needleman sets the pace – and the example – for other Broadway property owners,” Councilmember Huizar said. “Bringing this plan to fruition in the historic district was no small feat and what Steve is doing should be considered a model for other owners on the street. But the City must also use this as model and continue the collaboration that made this happen. Solving problems for businesses on Broadway takes out-of-the-box thinking and leadership.”

Launched in January of 2008, key components of the multi-faceted Bringing Back Broadway initiative include a major streetscape and infrastructure improvement plan; the introduction of modern streetcar service in Downtown; reactivation of historic theater venues; support for entertainment and cultural activities; implementation of historic preservation, urban design and lighting guidelines and a Broadway historic sign district.

Considering there is approximately 15 to 20 percent ground-floor vacancy rates on Broadway and more than one-million square feet of empty space on the upper floors, a major component of the plan is economic development opportunities and job creation. With the world-famous Clifton’s Cafeteria set to undergo a major renovation and expansion, which will bring 100 jobs downtown, and now the opening of these two new restaurants in underused retail space, Broadway is beginning to see much-needed improvement.

UMAMIcatessen and Two Boots Broadway are expecting approximately 18 months of renovation, tenant improvement, construction and design before their grand openings.

“Bringing Back Broadway is a 10-year plan that has already seen enormous success, and this is another example that we are beginning to see the seeds of progress begin to sprout,” Councilmember Huizar said. “As we celebrate the third year of success of Bringing Back Broadway, we look to a bright future for this important and historic street.”

'Clean Up Green Up': L.A.’s Next Generation of Environmental Justice

2011-01-21T16:33:00.000-08:00

Today I joined with colleagues on the City Council to introduce legislation to create “green zones” in communities that are inundated with more than their fair share of heavy industry, a long-time practice that has created health hazards that lead to increased episodes of cancer, asthma and other pollution-related illnesses.

The legislation will focus primarily on the communities of Boyle Heights, Pacoima and Wilmington. As someone who grew up in Boyle Heights and lives there today with my wife and four children, I am very concerned about the effects the surrounding industrial sites have on the air that my children, and my neighbors’ children, breath.

The Clean Up Green Up legislation represents the work of dedicated community activists and elected officials to create a new generation of Environmental Justice, where instead of fighting some proposed industrial use site or expansion of an existing one, we want to work with existing businesses to create incentives and standards that lead to greener, cleaner and more sustainable communities.

We also want to encourage new, green industries that bring green jobs, with the long-term goal of creating healthier communities where our children can be successful and thrive.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event. You can also view coverage in LAist, CBS and Eastern Group Publications.

Improving Business Opportunities for Small Business Owners

2011-01-19T18:11:00.000-08:00

I recently joined Mayor Villaraigosa, other electeds and a host of small business advocates to announce a new directive that will create a fairer, more accessible system to increase business opportunities for small business owners. Los Angeles is home to one of the largest, most diverse small business communities in the world and the Business Inclusion Program will help the City tap more effectively into that vast pool of talent.

This new program will be implemented largely through the City’s online business platform, the Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (BAVN), and will include benchmarks to increase business participation for small, minority, and, for the first time, service-disabled Veteran owned businesses. It will also require that all City contracts subject to advertisement be listed online at the BAVN.

As Chair of the Public Works Committee, I will help ensure goals are met by holding our department managers accountable for the benchmarks set out for them under the Business Inclusion Program.

Survey L.A. Aims to Unearth Historical L.A.

2011-01-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

With only 15% of Los Angeles ever surveyed for potential historical sites, I was proud to see Survey L.A., a comprehensive historical survey project, kick off in Boyle Heights. While Survey L.A. will eventually cover the entire City, I worked with the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Boyle Heights Historical Society, the Planning Department’s Office of Historic Resources, the Getty Foundation and other community stakeholders to begin the project in Boyle Heights, one of the city’s oldest suburbs.

More than 200 people recently attended a walking tour of several historic sites located on or near Boyle Avenue, as well as a presentation releasing preliminary results of one of the largest surveys ever undertaken in the nation. Here is the podcast and footage of my welcoming remarks.

During the survey of Boyle Heights, we identified two potential Historic Districts (Boyle Avenue and Mt. Pleasant) and 33 individual buildings in Boyle Heights as potentially historic. The walking tour featured more than a dozen sites, including five on Boyle Avenue where docents offered tour-goers a glimpse into the long and varied history of Boyle Heights, including the “Max Factor home.” The house represents a microcosm of Boyle Heights’ diverse history, having seen homeowners of Jewish, Japanese and Latino descent through the years.

I want to personally thank all of those who helped make the event a success: the Puente Learning Center; the Los Angeles Planning Department’s Office of Historic Resources; the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles; the Boyle Heights Historical Society; the Los Angeles Conservancy; the Getty Foundation; the Jewish Historical Society of Southern California; the Breed Street Shul; Keiro Senior Healthcare; the International Institute; ELACC; Hollenbeck Palms; the Alba Family; a crew of Cal Poly Pomona students and other volunteers.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event.

Paying Tribute to Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King

2011-01-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

I join others today across America in pausing to reflect on one of our greatest civil rights leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King. His life and example continue to be an inspiration to us all. And his words ring just as true now as when they were said during the turbulent times in which he lived.

CD 14 News - January 14, 2011

2011-01-14T12:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

Please click here or read below for important updates in Council District 14, including reduced crime in your community, surplus food policies in the City, Vision workshops, keeping street service workers year-round, standing up for environmental justice, and much more.

* Crime Continues to Drop Citywide and in CD 14
* New Program to Support Small Businesses
* Highland Park ‘new York’ Plan Workshop
* Surplus Food Policy Update – Feeding Working Families
* Promoting Jobs & Economic Development in CD 14
* Fighting for Environmental Justice
* Supporting Street Service Repairs Year-Round
* “Our Downtown” El Sereno Vision Plan Workshop

Crime Continues to Drop Citywide and in Council District 14

Our investment in public safety and focus on prevention programs like Summer Night Lights continues to pay off for the City of Los Angeles.Councilmember Huizar, who has been an outspoken advocate for a strong police force and gang-prevention programs, joined LAPD Chief Beck, Mayor Villaraigosa and other elected officials to announce that once again crime dropped Citywide in 2010.

Crime dropped in all Council District 14 police divisions. In the Northeast, Violent Crime is down 18% from 2009 and 27% from 2008. In Highland Park, where Summer Night Lights, a gang and violence prevention program, was launched in 2010, homicides dropped 60% and Violent Crime dropped nearly 30 %. In the Hollenbeck Division, Violent Crime was down about 7% as well as 6% at Central in 2010.

Citywide, Violent Crime was down 11% in 2010 and homicides dropped to 297, the first time since 1967 that Los Angeles has had fewer than 300 – a remarkable feat for a city of 4 million people. New York, in comparison, has about twice as many.

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the press conference held with Councilmember Jose Huizar, L.A.P.D. Chief Charlie Beck and other City Leaders.

New Program to Support Small Businesses

In a bid to increase the number of small business owners working on City projects, Councilmember Huizar joined Mayor Villaraigosa, Councilmember Alarcon and business leaders to announce the Business Inclusion Program. Los Angeles has more small businesses than any other city in the nation and is home to some of the most diverse small businesses in the world. The Business Inclusion Program requires all City departments to post all contracting opportunities that are subject to advertising on the City’s Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (BAVN). This will ensure equal and fair access to those contracts and allow the city to tap more fully into Los Angeles’ rich and diverse small business market. Businesses with City contracts are now required to use BAVN to outreach and negotiate with potential subcontractors, including minority and women-owned businesses.

As Chair of the Public Works Committee, Councilmember Huizar will help ensure the program meets its goals and that department heads are doing all they can do to meet benchmarks, which includes improving participation for Small Business Enterprises and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises.

Working Together on the ‘new York Vision Plan'

A workshop sponsored by Councilmember Huizar was held on York Blvd. to solicit community input and feedback for the new York Vision Plan, a community driven project to bring short-term and long-term improvements to York Boulevard in Highland Park. Held at The Glass Studio and done in conjunction with the Green L.A. Coalition, over a hundred people from the Highland Park community turned out to participate.

The evening workshop is just the latest effort of this unique, project to support York Boulevard.The new York Vision Plan kicked-off in September and involves the design and installation of creative, low-cost pedestrian improvements on York Boulevard, between Avenue 50 and Avenue 56. Councilmember Huizar brought the plan to the community with the Green L.A. Coalition working as the project’s facilitator. The goal is to identify a project to implement in the next two months, as well as other low-cost improvement projects to develop within the corridor.

Enjoy stories in Eagle Rock Patch and the Arroyo Seco. You can also view the slideshow.

City Adopts New Surplus Food Policy

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to enact Councilmember Huizar’s groundbreaking surplus food policy for all City departments and elected offices last year. The new policy represents a historic step in eradicating hunger in the City of Los Angeles. By establishing a Surplus Food program, we will increase food donations to needy Angelenos, including a growing number of families and children. Working with non-profit partners like Hunger Action L.A. an the L.A. Regional Foodbank, Councilmember Huizar is working to establish a policy that can be expanded to the private sector. With more children and families joining the ranks of people in need of emergency food services, the goal is to make donating surplus food in the City of Los Angeles as common as recycling.

Here is an in-depth report on the Surplus Food program courtesy of National Public Radio.As part of Councilmember Huizar’s legislation, a website, HelpFeedLA.org, was established and City of Los Angeles 311 operators now refer callers to local food banks to donate or receive emergency food services.

Promoting Jobs & Economic Development

Councilmember José Huizar had held and participated in a number of local events to promote job growth and economic development in CD 14.These include the Job Fair & Business Expo, helping bring 100 jobs downtown at Clifton’s Cafeteria as part of Bringing Back Broadway, the Grand opening of Mama Churro y Mas and the launch of the “Shop El Sereno Campaign” and assisting bringing YMI Jeans to Boyle Heights.

Enjoy the collection from these events.

Councilmember Huizar Continues to Lead Environmental Justice Fight

Working with the City Attorney’s Office, Councilmember José Huizar continues to lead an environmental justice fight against a concrete-recycling facility operating illegally for years in Boyle Heights without proper permits.A California Court has denied the appeal of Shamrock Base Corporation, which for decades has generated tons of dust and other pollutants in Boyle Heights. The appeal court’s recent decision means that the City of Los Angeles is one step closer to significantly curtailing or shutting down the operation, located on Mission Road, and scoring a victory for Boyle Heights’ residents. The City of Los Angeles took action against Shamrock after Councilmember Huizar called on the City to close the company down for illegally doing business in an area that is not zoned for industrial use such as rock and cement recycling.

Boyle Heights’ residents also joined with surrounding communities to block an effort to build a massive power plant in the City of Vernon. Councilmember Huizar supported that effort and successfully introduced legislation that officially laid out the City of Los Angeles’ opposition to that power plant, which research showed would lead to three to 11 additional deaths per year in the surrounding communities of the proposed site. A judge eventually ruled against the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s plan to sell pollution credits to the proposed Vernon Power Plant, as well as other hazardous waste facilities. Plans for the proposed plant were withdrawn by Vernon officials in 2009.

Click here for the press release.

Keeping Street Service Workers Year-Round

Councilmember Huizar joined City Leaders to call for restoring critical street services and ending work furloughs in the Bureau of Street Services that are specially funded, which are not part of the City’s General Fund and therefore do not affect the City’s budget deficit. The Councilmember introduced legislation instructing the City Administrative Office to report to Council on options for exempting certain classifications within the Bureau of Street Services that are fully or near fully paid for by special funds or can be covered among various non-General Fund sources.These funds include federal ARRA dollars, Measure R dollars, Gas Tax money, the wastewater fund in the case of street sweepers and more.

The function of filling potholes is fully reimbursable, for example, though we only have a few employees who work on this activity exclusively. Filling potholes, resurfacing streets and removing tree limbs from our roadways are a core City service and the City needs to explore all possible options to keep these services as fully funded as possible. Despite the success of Operation Pothole, there is more work to be done to continue this service year-round.

Read the Daily News story and enjoy the footage from the announcement. Click here for the motion.

“Our Downtown” El Sereno Vision Plan Workshop

Councilmember Huizar joined residents, business owners and community stakeholders in El Sereno for the first workshop of the Our Downtown El Sereno Vision Plan Workshop.Held at Barrio Action Youth & Family Center, located on the 2nd floor of the Council District 14 El Sereno Office, the Our Downtown Vision Plan involves the design and installation of creative, low-cost pedestrian improvements on designated sections of Huntington Drive. The program is part of Councilmember Huizar’s plan to revitalize main corridors of Council District 14. Huntington Drive has seen about $1.3 million in streetscape, crosswalk, sidedwalk, façade and monument improvements. About 70 people participated in the workshop to begin selecting which improvements are to be built.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

###

Councilmember Huizar Introduces Motion to Keep Street Service Workers Working Year Round to Fill Potholes and Pave Streets Using Special Funds

2011-01-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

Below is a motion I introduced today in Council. It followed a press conference at City Hall I held on the the south steps with City leaders to announce the effort.

MOTION

January 7, 2010

Recent rains in Los Angeles left significant numbers of potholes, fallen trees and other severe road damage in their wake, causing inconvenience to millions of Angelenos in addition to flat tires, damaged vehicles and blocked traffic lanes. The City’s road repair crews should be operating at full strength so they can fix our streets as quickly as possible and help taxpayers avoid damage to their cars.

Certain job functions within the Bureau of Street Services, not all of which correspond exactly to worker classifications, are completely funded by special funds such as federal stimulus dollars. One such example is pothole repair, which is a key service in any year but certainly a priority following the worst storm in memory. Other functions are nearly entirely paid for by special funds or could easily be.

The Bureau of Street Services has been extremely responsible in its efforts to help with the City’s budget situation. With just 2.9% of the City’s workforce they have produced 9.3% of the overall savings this year from furloughing employees, according to a report issued recently by the Controller. Exempting positions that are special funded from furloughs will not negatively impact the City budget.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the City Administrative Office be instructed to report to Council on options for exempting from furloughs certain classifications within the Bureau of Street Services that are fully paid for by special funds. This report should also explain the process by which determinations about which staff are and are not furloughed are made, including which formulas staff is utilizing.

PRESENTED BY: _________________________

JOSE HUIZAR, Councilmember, 14^th District

SECONDED BY: __________________________

ERIC GARCETTI, Councilmember, 13^th District

Crime Drops Again Citywide

2011-01-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I joined LAPD Chief Beck, Mayor Villaraigosa, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and my colleagues on the City Council to announce that crime is down in the City of Los Angeles nearly 7 %. Violent Crime is down 11% and Property Crime is down nearly 6%.

Homicides dropped below 300 for the first time in decades and our City is the safest it has been since 1952. I want to thank Chief Beck and all the men and women of the LAPD for the sacrifices they make each and every day to protect us and make our city safer.

Special recognition to Captain Anita Ortega, Captain William Murphy and Captain Todd Chamberlain and their officers for their work in Council District 14. Crime continues to drop in all divisions in our district.

I also want to thank all those working in intervention and prevention programs. Gang crime in our city dropped 11% in 2010. Programs like our highly successful Summer Night Lights program are having an impact. Since 2008, gang crime has dropped 40% in the areas around the parks that offer the program. In the area around Highland Park Recreation Center, where the program was offered for the first time in 2010, gang crime fell 68%.

Despite a tough economy, we are making headway against crime in the City of Los Angeles. Let’s continue the fight in 2011.

Surplus Food: Connecting Those Who Have it With Those Who Need it

2011-01-06T20:45:00.001-08:00

With our City’s new Surplus Food policy in place, creating a cultural shift in getting people to think about donating surplus food is as important as any policy we create.

We know the demand is there, especially in tough economic times where we are seeing the faces of those needing emergency food services change to include more children and families – including adults who might have once donated food themselves.

We know the supply is dwindling, but there is still plenty out there. With 5 million tons of good, edible food ending up in landfills every year in California we have to start thinking about donating surplus food the same way we think about recycling.

National Public Radio’s Karen Grigsby Bates did a report on our program and the need to do more. Go to our website, HelpFeedLA.org for more information on Surplus Food donations.

Operation Pothole to Launch This Weekend

2011-01-05T17:37:00.000-08:00

As the Chair of the Public Works Committee, I wanted you to know that Operation Pothole will take place this weekend, and I want to encourage all City of Los Angeles residents to call 311 to report potholes in their area.

With the recent rains causing road damage, we’ll have 50 crews working throughout the City filling potholes on Saturday and Sunday, but we need your help to ensure that the Bureau of Street Services knows where the potholes are located.

The expanded crews will work to fill 10,000 to 15,000 potholes throughout the City this weekend.

So if you see a pothole, call 311 and let them know where it is located.

Let's Start the New Year off by Recycling Holiday Trees

2011-01-04T16:57:00.000-08:00

As the holidays end I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and remind City of Los Angeles residents about the need to properly recycle their Christmas trees. Each year Americans dispose of 30-35 million Christmas trees.

This is why the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Sanitation and I want you to know that we have expanded our Christmas tree collection program to make it easier for you to properly dispose your dried Holiday trees.

Simply remove all ornaments, decorations, tinsels and stand from the tree, and then place it inside the green waste bin for regular pick-up on collection day. If your Christmas tree is too big to cut and place it inside the green waste bin, simply place the tree next to your green waste bin.

If you live in a multifamily building, place your Christmas tree at the curbside on the day of collection by the Bureau of Sanitation.

Recycling Christmas trees prevents hundreds of thousands of trees from ending up in our landfills. All collected Christmas trees will be recycled into compost and mulch, which helps the environment while making our city greener.

Please visit the Bureau of Sanitation website at http://www.ci.la.ca.us/san/tree-recycle.htm for more information on Christmas Tree Recycling.

Court Denies Appeal of Illegal Industrial Use Site

2010-12-30T16:54:00.000-08:00

See the release below regarding illegal industrial use and the fight against a massive City of Vernon power plant:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rick Coca
(213) 473-7014 or rick.coca@lacity.org

Councilmember José Huizar led environmental justice fight against concrete-recycling facility operating for years in Boyle Heights without proper permits, City one step closer to environmental justice victory

LOS ANGELES (LOS ANGELES (Dec. 28, 2010) — A California Court has denied the appeal of a concrete and asphalt crushing recycling plant, which for decades has generated tons of dust and other pollutants while operating in Boyle Heights without proper permits.

The appeal court’s recent decision means that the City of Los Angeles is one step closer to shutting down Shamrock Base Corporation, located on Mission Road, and scoring a victory for Boyle Heights’ residents. The City of Los Angeles took action against Shamrock after Councilmember Huizar called on the City to close the company down for illegally doing business in an area that is not zoned for recycling.

“The people of Boyle Heights deserve to live in a community that is free from illegal polluters,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “This court ruling means that another well-earned environmental justice victory for this community is close at hand.”

This latest ruling from the Division One, Second Appellate District Court of Appeal against Shamrock comes after an earlier trial court ruled in favor of the City when that court said that Shamrock Base Corporation did not have a vested right to expand its operations past its originally approved boundaries.

The Shamrock Base Corporation, which regularly stores large mounds of rubble reaching heights of 40 feet or more, was utilizing an illegal permit to operate in a non-industrial land use zone.

It is not certain whether Shamrock will appeal this latest ruling.

Boyle Heights’ residents also joined with surrounding communities to block an effort to build a massive power plant in the City of Vernon. Councilmember Huizar supported that effort and successfully introduced legislation that officially laid out the City of Los Angeles’ opposition to that power plant, which research showed would lead to three to 11 additional deaths per year in the surrounding communities of the proposed site.

A judge eventually ruled against the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s plan to sell pollution credits to the proposed Vernon Power Plant, as well as other hazardous waste facilities. Subsequently, plans for the proposed plant were withdrawn by Vernon officials in 2009.

###

Happy Holidays 2010

2010-12-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

Here’s wishing you a very Happy and Blessed Holiday. As we celebrate, let’s keep in our thoughts and prayers those serving in the Armed Forces and their families, as well those still struggling in this tough economy. I am doing all I can to help those in need, most recently through a new City policy on Surplus Food donations.

I am also pleased to report that this holiday season, with help from local organizations and businesses, I sponsored several toy giveaways and tree lighting ceremonies throughout Council District 14, giving away about 10,000 toys to local children to help make the holidays a little brighter. Below are some pictures for you to enjoy.

Councilmember Huizar Helps Bring Measure R Funds and Boyle Hotel Renovation to Boyle Heights

2010-12-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

I joined with artists and Metro CEO Art Leahy at the Corazon Del Pueblo Art Space in the burgeoning Boyle Heights Arts District last week to announce the kick off the $12 million component of the Eastside Access Project. This voter-approved Measure R plan will bring sidewalk, streetscape, lighting, signage and art improvements along First Street in Boyle Heights.

Part of the larger $30 million Eastside Access Project will focus on multi-modal transit-related improvements at or near the Metro Eastside Gold Line Extension.The Boyle Heights component is expected to enhance the grassroots driven Boyle Heights Arts District along First Street, which I actively support and am working on steering other façade improvement and artist-uses funds to the area.

Today, I joined The East Los Angeles Community Corporation at a groundbreaking for a $24.6 million facelift to the historic Boyle Hotel-Cummings Block, which was built in 1889. The hotel is located on First Street, across the street from the Metro Gold Line Mariachi Plaza station and along the Arts District route. The historic building fell into disrepair and eventually became home to mariachis and other residents. The renovated building includes a completely new building west of the hotel and a total of 51 quality affordable housing units. There will be 4,100 square feet of commercial space, rehearsal and recording space for Mariachis and a Mariachi center.

Boyle Heights is undergoing unprecedented public investment. By 2009, Boyle Heights saw $1.4 billion in public improvements, including the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension, four new schools, a new police station, as well as several park and pool upgrades.

Enjoy the slideshow, podcast and footage (Arts Corridor, Boyle Hotel) from the events

ABC Channel 7 Holds Community Town Hall in CD 14

2010-12-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

The leadership at ABC Channel 7 held a Community Town Hall at the Boyle Heights Technology Youth yesterday to talk about issues in the area. It is part of a series of similar meetings held throughout Los Angeles County where news representatives speak to community members in a Q & A forum about news coverage and story choices.

I thanked ABC for taking the time to do something in-depth versus the quick deadline environment of the newsroom. I also commended them for their commitment to positive portrayal in their news coverage and reminded them of the many great things happening in CD 14.

Enjoy the slideshow, podcast and footage from the event.

Supporting the Dream Act

2010-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday’s vote to support the Dream Act by the U.S. House of Representatives was a major step in the right direction for our children and our country. Through no fault of their own, these young people are being punished when all they want to do is excel in school and join our Armed Forces to protect our country. We all need to let the U.S. Senate know that they must now deliver this landmark legislation home. As an immigrant myself, I can tell you without a doubt my education and my U.S. citizenship did more to help me escape poverty and contribute to our great country than al other factors combined.

City Adopts New Surplus Food Policy – Could be Model for Nation

2010-12-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

I am pleased that the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to enact a new groundbreaking surplus food policy for all City departments and elected offices. We are taking a historic step in eradicating hunger in the City of Los Angeles. By establishing a Surplus Food program, we will increase food donations to needy Angelenos, including a growing number of families and children. Furthermore, today’s action will establish a policy that can be expanded to the private sector. Our goal is quite simply to make donating surplus food in the City of Los Angeles as common as recycling.

Special thanks to City department leaders and food advocates who joined me at a press conference before Council session to outline details of the City final report. You might note that as part of the legislation, a website, www.HelpFeedLA.org, has been established and City of Los Angeles' 311 operators can now refer callers to local food banks to donate or receive food services.

Councilmember Huizar Promoting Auto Safety with Hollenbeck Community Police Station

2010-12-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

With car thefts down 14 percent in Hollenbeck Division, I joined with Hollenbeck LAPD Capt. Anita Ortega and her team today to keep that trend going by giving away free steering-wheel auto-theft devices to people living in the Hollenbeck Division (Boyle Heights, El Sereno aand Lincoln Heights). Specifically, we are giving them away to registered owners of 1989-2000 Honda Accords, Civics and Toyota Camrys, as well as 1990s Acura Integras, which are sought-after vehicles by thieves. During the holidays we want to encourage people to take the 30 seconds that it takes to put the anti-theft locks on and avoid a lot of heartache. Special thanks to the LAPD and the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce. If Hollenbeck runs out of the 100 clubs over the next couple of days and there are more eligible car owners seeking locks, my office will provide additional funding to purchase more auto-theft devices. If you are eligible for a device, go to Hollenbeck by tomorrow or call (323) 342-8400 or (323) 342-4140 for more information.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T23:49:00.000-08:00

We pause at this time of year to give thanks for our many blessings and also to reach out to those less fortunate. Any action, big or small, can make a world of difference. And sometimes that means just making sure a family has a hot turkey meal with all the fixings.

During this Thanksgiving season, my office co-sponsored and participated in a ½ dozen Thanksgiving dinner and turkey giveaways.Working with sponsors, Council District 14 handed out more than 1,000 free turkeys, as well as a dinner that fed about 1,000 people.

From my family to yours, I wish you a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving.

José

First Councilmember to Call for DWP Ratepayer Advocate Endorses Measure

2010-11-19T16:03:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Rick Coca, rick.coca@lacity.org

José Huizar supports ballot measure, which will bring better oversight to the Department of Water & Power

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 19, 2010) — As the City Council ended its debate on what provisions to include in a March 2011 ballot measure on oversight for the Department of Water and Power, the final product looked a lot like what Councilmember José Huizar first offered up as a solution two-and-a-half years ago.

The City Council voted Wednesday to create an Office of Public Accountability “to provide public independent analysis of department actions, as they relate to water and electricity rates.”

In July 2008, Councilmember was the first Councilmember to call for an oversight position at DWP. His legislation came after concerns over several rate hikes by the DWP following 15 years without any price increases and asked to establish a fully independent ombudsperson position “to provide independent and neutral analysis on future proposals for rate increases and rate restructurings.”

In 2008, neither the DWP nor the City Council was ready to engage in a conversation about creating such a position. This summer, following a contentious battle over rate increases and allegations the DWP withheld delivering $73.5 million to the City’s General Fund, the tide turned and several other councilmembers called for such a position.

“While I had hoped we would have gotten here a lot sooner, I am pleased that the voters will now have the opportunity to create an oversight position for the DWP that in the end will benefit everyone involved, most importantly the ratepayers,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “This new office will help the DWP, City leaders and the public engage in informed conversations about rate adjustments and long-range energy projections in a timely, thoughtful and deliberative manner.”

Since 12 votes were not secured, the City Council will need to vote once more next week on the Office of Public Accountability, along with another measure to give the Council the power to fire the DWP General Manager as well as remove members of the DWP Commission via a vote.

###

L.A. Voters' Bill of Rights One Step Closer to 2011 Ballot

2010-11-16T20:04:00.000-08:00

The City Council voted to support putting a crucial part of our L.A. Voters' Bill of Rights election-reform policy on the March 2011 Ballot, which aims to limit the influence of big money special interests on City elections. The measure will ask voters to support updating the City's Matching Fund Program, which voters first approved 20 years ago. It also will ask voters to support imposing restrictions on campaign contributions from those vying for City contracts. We need one more second-reading majority vote next week to make it official. Also, tomorrow the City Council will vote to put the DWP Ratepayer Advocate on the ballot. I was the first Councilmember to call for such a position in 2008.

Click here to read our press release on the Matching Funds-Campaign Donation Restriction Measure.

Honoring Our Veterans @ Cinco Puntos

2010-11-11T15:30:00.000-08:00

Veterans Day provides us with the opportunity to honor those who wear and have worn the uniform of the United States. We also pause today to remember those who gave their lives beneath our flag—in the service of our freedom and the defense of our values.

With many still fighting around the world, we also owe a special thanks to the families of those who serve. Earlier today, at the historic Cinco Puntos (Five Points), home of the historic Mexican American All Wars Memorial monument, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4696 & American Legion, known for their annual Memorial Day ceremony, hosted their first Veterans’ Day commemoration.

This Eastside Veterans’ Day featured its first female keynote speaker, Iraqi War veteran Veronica Mayela Martinez. Tony Zapata, Boyle Heights resident, Navy veteran, and Los Angeles County 2010 Veteran of the Year, was also recognized from the podium.

Today and every day, we are moved by the sacrifices made by those in harm’s way. Please take a moment to offer your thanks to a veteran. You can also visit Serve.gov to find out how you can serve military families in your area. Below is footage from this past Sunday’s 5th Annual Northeast Los Angeles Veterans Day Parade & Celebration:

City Council Approves Plan to Elevate Matching Fund Program

2010-11-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

I was very excited to see this pass today. Below is the release about today's vote for election reform--a key component of the Los Angeles Voters Bill of Rights.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:Rick Coca
(213) 473-7014 or rick.coca@lacity.org

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 2, 2010) — The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to place a “Voter-owned election” referendum on the March 2011 ballot in order to encourage more candidates to use the City’s matching fund program while limiting special interest influence.

Introduced by Councilmember José Huizar as part of the “Los Angeles Voters’ Bill of Rights,” an election reform package created by good government groups and the Council member, Tuesday’s vote means a ballot measure will be drawn up asking L.A. City voters to lift the current Public Matching Fund Program Trust Fund cap, which experts say is necessary if the City is serious about increasing the number of serious candidates using the City’s matching fund program.

If voters pass the ballot measure to remove the cap, currently a little over $12 million, that vote will enable significant changes in the City’s matching fund program designed to increase the number of qualified candidates, particularly citywide ones, to compete against heavily financed candidates.

“Today, we took a significant step in ensuring fairness in our elections and allowing a more diverse pool of candidates the opportunity to run serious campaigns without being independently wealthy or depending on special interest money,” said Councilmember José Huizar.

Currently, the City’s Matching Fund Program is limited in the amount of funding that it can offer candidates for office due to limited resources, which ironically is one of the main reasons why the fund is currently at its cap. Since the passage of Proposition H in 1990 created the Ethics Commission and the City’s matching funds program, 2009 was the first year that none of the leading candidates for Citywide office agreed to participate in the program.

Enhancements such as increasing the current 1-to-1 matching ratio for citywide candidates, will be needed to entice the expected candidates for the Mayor’s office in 2013 to participate in the City’s program, which sets spending limits for candidates and also requires public debates. There are also a number of Council seats that will be open in both 2013 and 2015 due to term limits and added funding would allow for increased matching fund limits in those races.

“Los Angeles voters owe Councilmember Jose Huizar and Council President Eric Garcetti their thanks for working to give them the chance to vote on this important start to addressing the problem of special interest money in politics,” said Trent Lange, President, California Clean Money Campaign. “Strengthening the City’s voter-passed matching funds system will let candidates spend less time fundraising and more time talking with voters.”

With the increase in Independent Expenditures (IEs) this election cycle on the federal and state levels the ability of the City to help candidates targeted by IEs with matching funds becomes all the more important.

This past Friday, the City Council voted unanimously to adopt Councilmember José Huizar’s legislation calling for Vote-by-Mail elections in the City’s next available Council seat Special Election. The plan would also leave open all polling places so voters can either vote-by-mail or vote in person on Election Day.

Following the Council seat Special Election, the City Clerk’s office would determine the number of people who participated via Vote-by-Mail vs. those who voted in person. The City Council could then use that data to determine how many polling places they would need to keep open in order to expand Vote-by-Mail in future elections.

The Council has referred to committee the third plank of Councilmember Huizar’s election reform package, Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). The proposal, as it stands is to try out this more progressive form of voting in special elections, where in addition to saving the City, LAUSD and Community College District millions of dollars with each usage, RCV also can help to fill vacant seats faster, ensuring that voters do not have to do without elected representation.

Councilmember Huizar election reform package, the Los Angeles Voters’ Bill of Rights, has the support of Council President Eric Garcetti and several good government organizations, including California Common Cause; League of Women Voters of Los Angeles; California Clean Money Campaign and the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project.

###

Election Day Message from Councilmember Huizar

2010-11-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Today I joined Americans from all across the nation in doing our basic civic duty: voting. Here is some footage from this morning.

City Council Approves Huizar’s Vote-by-Mail Election Plan

2010-10-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

See the Press Release below regarding the VBM Plan:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rick Coca

(213) 473-7014 or rick.coca@lacity.org

Data shows Vote-by-Mail increases voter participation

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 29, 2010) — The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Friday to adopt Councilmember José Huizar’s legislation calling for Vote-by-Mail elections in the City’s next available Council seat Special Election. The plan would also leave open all polling places so voters can either vote-by-mail or vote in person on Election Day.

Following the Council seat Special Election, the City Clerk’s office would determine the number of people who participated via Vote-by-Mail vs. those who voted in person. The City Council could then use that data to determine how many polling places they would need to keep open in order to expand Vote-by-Mail in future elections.

“This is a victory for the voters of Los Angeles,” said Councilmember Huizar. “By giving them access to Vote-by-Mail without having to send in any forms, we will see a rise in voter-participation, which is the main goal of introducing this legislation. It is my hope that we will see Vote-by-Mail expanded throughout the City in future years so that more people take part in our City’s democratic process.”

Friday’s action by the City Council was a compromise designed to initially allow for voters to vote in person at the same number of polling places while increasing the number of overall voters by sending Vote-by-Mail ballots to all registered voters in the Special Election District.

Vote-by-Mail has consistently led to an increase in voter participation in states like Washington and Oregon and cities like Denver and Burbank. Increased voter participation via Vote-by-Mail cuts across all demographics, regardless of political affiliation, race or economic status.

Councilmember Huizar presented his plan as part of an election reform package, the Los Angeles Voters’ Bill of Rights. That effort has the support of Council President Eric Garcetti and several good government organizations, including California Common Cause; League of Women Voters of Los Angeles; California Clean Money Campaign and the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project.

###

Bringing Jobs to Los Angeles with YMI Jeans

2010-10-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

I was pleased to join the Mayor and YMI President and Founder, David Vered, recently to announce that even in these tough economic times, your City leaders are working with private enterprise to create jobs for working families. At a time when many companies are struggling to stay afloat, YMI Jeanswear, one of America’s top junior denim brands, celebrated the expansion of its corporate offices and fashion distribution center at a special ribbon cutting event and tour.

Founded in 2000 by three fashion entrepreneurs, YMI is now nationally recognized as a lifestyle brand for teens and young women, ages 15 to 25. Moving just a few miles from its original location bordering the cities of Vernon and Los Angeles, YMI is underscoring its commitment to Los Angeles and the support of local commerce by constructing its new, energy efficient building in the Boyle Heights community, just east of downtown LosAngeles.

You might note that I will soon be announcing the fourth program in my Government Reform Forum Series. It will be held later this year and will focus on jobs and the economy. Earlier forums have included Campaign Finance Reform, Election Reform and Charter Reform.

Microsoft Makes a Difference at Mendez

2010-10-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

I want to congratulate Microsoft Corporation for announcing today that they are adopting the Mendez Learning Center in Boyle Heights and in doing so, making a more than $1 million commitment to be used for training, software and other assistance. When I helped create and envisioned the high school while working on the school board, I knew we wanted to bring in the private sector to assist the math/science and engineering/technology focused campuses. Microsoft has stepped up to the plate in a major way and is showing they believe in the students of Mendez and they deserve our heartfelt thanks.

Election Reform Coalition Announces Los Angeles Voters’ Bill of Rights

2010-09-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

I was honored to join other civic leaders in calling for election reform today on the steps of City Hall. We all have to come together to fight voter apathy and fatigue, and the creation of the Los Angeles Voters’ Bill of Rights is a major step in that direction. It came out of the Government Reform Forum Series I launched earlier this year and is part of a larger goal of increasing voter turnout in the City of Los Angeles, ensuring fair elections and saving the City much-needed money. Here is a link to my remarks as well as the full news conference from start to finish. My hope is for the four-part Bill of Rights proposal to be placed on the March 2011 ballot.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event. Here are links to coverage in the Daily News and L.A. Times as well as the press release we put out earlier today.

Los Angeles Voters’ Bill of Rights

2010-09-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

1. Voters should have the right to elect a government of, by and for the people – not special interests – by moving to Voter-Owned Elections.

As long as city candidates have to raise money from private interests to run for office, we will always have politicians who are more responsive to special interests than constituents. It’s time to open the door to Voter‐Owned Elections. Without taking one extra dime from the General Fund beyond those already dedicated, we call on L.A. to remove the cap and grow the Trust Fund to allow us to adopt a more robust campaign finance system in the future.

2. Voters should have the right to convenient voting through their choice of Neighborhood Vote Centers or ballots mailed directly to their residences.

Voter participation in Los Angeles city elections is appallingly low. It’s time to remove the barriers to convenient voting by giving people broader access to the ballot. Starting with special elections, we call on Los Angeles to set up Neighborhood Vote Centers and automatically mail ballots to voters, thus giving Angelenos a choice of when and how we cast our ballot. The added convenience will also save tax dollars spent on administering elections.

3. Voters should have the right to a quick and efficient election through Ranked Choice Voting.

Voters are tired and often confused by the number of elections the City holds. To save the City money and constituents time, voters should have only one regular city election per year. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) gives accurate results without requiring the two separate city elections we often have now – a city primary election and a city general election. Voters will have their voices heard and Los Angeles should see greater voter participation. Any savings from reduced matching funds can be applied toward improving the City’s campaign finance system.

4. Voters should have the right to register and vote on Election Day.

No eligible citizen should be turned away from voting. If a citizen is eligible to vote and can be verified, he/she should be able to register and cast a ballot on Election Day at designated Neighborhood Vote Centers. We call on the City to support County and State efforts to further enfranchise its electorate.

We, the undersigned, hereby endorse this L.A. Voters’ Bill of Rights.

Wilson Mules Showing Their Spirit with Book Drive

2010-09-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

I want to thank the Wilson Mules Book Drive Committee and all their volunteers who came out and worked so hard today to put on a great Pep Rally to raise money for the Wilson Library, which hasn't received new books for six years because of budget cuts. Made up Wilson alumni from different generations, the committee, chaired by Peter Cabrera, brought this pressing issue to my attention at a fundraiser they hosted at Shakey's in Alhambra. Today, I was honored to present them with a check for $1,500.

My office also brought in author Reyna Grande, who is program coordinator for the Latino Book and Family Festival (LBFF), which is the largest festival of Latino writers ever (Oct. 9-10 at Cal State L.A.). The LBFF has graciously offered to donate books to the Wilson library from this year's festival, as well as create a place where patrons can buy books and donate them to the Wilson library.

As a child, libraries were my sanctuary and the foundation for my education. I voted against budget cuts to our City libraries because I know they can transform lives, especially for our youth.

Please support both these very important and deserving efforts here in our community. For more information on the Wilson book drive go to wilsonmulesbookdrive.org. For more information on the Latino Book and Family Festival, go to lbff.us/losangeles.

Election Reform: Increased Accountability and Responsiveness for Voter-Owned Elections

2010-09-24T15:47:00.000-07:00

Elected officials have to spend too much time fundraising and not enough time doing what we elect them to do. We have to strengthen Los Angeles' public financing system so that special interests don't have so much control of our elections. Without taking one extra dime from the General Fund beyond funds already dedicated, we can remove the cap on the campaign finance Trust Fund and update the Charter to allow the City to move to a stronger campaign finance system and to increase penalties on those who break the law.

WHY IMPROVE OUR CAMPAIGN SYSTEM?

We need to restore trust and integrity to our City government. City officials should be accountable to voters, not special interests. We need to create a more robust campaign finance system that allows candidates to run without having to chase special interest money.

Politicians spend a significant amount of their time in office fundraising, time that could be spent working on issues of importance to the City.

Voters passed a public matching funds system by approving and funding Proposition H in 1990 to help restore public trust in governmental and electoral institutions. Updates are needed to increase the number of candidates who participate and make them more accountable to the voters.

WHAT CHANGES ARE NEEDED?

LA City has a Trust Fund set up by the voters to support a public matching funds system. By removing the cap on the Matching Funds Program Trust Fund, which is currently set at $12 million, we will be able to make sure that all already-allocated funds are available and to expand the system when more funds become available.

Modify the charter to allow candidates to receive immediate public grants once they've qualified rather than have to raise big money to get matching funds.

Increase maximum penalties for any person who makes illegal contributions or expenditures to five times the amount of the unlawful contributions or expenditures (the current maximum is three times).

ADVANTAGES

Removing the Trust Fund cap will not increase the funds allocated from the overall City budget, as the annual appropriation is already defined by the City Charter in Article IV, Sec. 471, c, 1.

More candidates will use the system, rather than raising unlimited funds from special interests, if they know that the Trust Fund has enough funds and they can get immediate grants to run serious campaigns.

Increasing the penalties for all candidates and contributors who break the law will encourage compliance.

LA City could gradually move to a full Voter-Owned Elections system over time to end the dominance of special interest money in city politics.

Election Reform: Ranked Choice Voting

2010-09-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

Voters are tired and confused by the number of elections today. To save the City money and save voters time, voters should have only one regular city election per year. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) gives accurate results without requiring the two separate elections we often have now -- a City primary election and a City general election. Voters will have their voices heard and Los Angeles should see greater voter participation. Any savings from reduced matching funds can be put toward improving the City’s campaign finance system. While hard to calculate exact savings since the City partners with the LAUSD and Community College District to fund elections, the City’s City Administrative Officer has calculated that RCV could save the City alone 4-6 Million per election cycle.

WHY RANKED CHOICE VOTING?

Many Los Angeles voters are suffering from fatigue, with multiple elections over the past few years for local officials (twice in odd years), County, State and federal officials (twice in even years) and more and more special elections (varies) thanks to term limits.

ADVANTAGES

Ranked Choice Voting will produce significant financial savings for the City in the long run, with initial savings targeted at outreach and voter education, especially for limited English speakers, using community nonprofits. Once this change set in, savings could be used to increase matching funds.
There also is the likely potential for reduced matching campaign fund payouts with one election instead of two, which would allow an increase in the funds available and might help increase program participation.
Ranked Choice Voting works well with Neighborhood Vote Center and vote by mail-based elections. If the City adopts both, it would become the first in the nation to offer these two progressive reforms as well as to feature a matching funds program.

The use of negative campaigning or attack ads may be lessened because candidates will be wary of alienating their opponents’ supporters, whose votes they may need to reach 50%.
The County Registrar-Recorder is currently developing a new voting system that will be RCV compatible, meaning that there will be no cost for the City, LAUSD to Community College District to adopt such a system.

Savings to the LAUSD and LACCD could go to support their educational priorities, reducing budget pressures.

Election Reform: Vote-By-Mail Elections with Neighborhood Vote Centers

2010-09-24T15:32:00.000-07:00

Voter participation in Los Angeles city elections is appallingly low. It’s time to remove the barriers to convenient voting by giving people access to the ballot. Starting with special elections, we call on Los Angeles to set up Neighborhood Vote Centers AND automatically mail ballots to voters, giving us a choice of when and how we cast our ballot. This added convenience will also save tax dollars spent on administering elections.

WHY USE NEIGHBORHOOD VOTE CENTERS?

As more and more voters cast ballots by mail, we need to develop a voting system that gives people easier choices about how to cast their ballots.

The City should set up Neighborhood Vote Centers that are convenient, accessible, and secure, with trained staff to assist voters in a service-friendly and respectful manner.

In addition, we can remove hurdles by mailing every voter a ballot that can be returned by mail or dropped off in person at a Neighborhood Vote Center. In the 2009 municipal primary election 37% of all voters did so by mail, a significant increase from past contests.

WHAT ARE NEIGHBORHOOD VOTE CENTERS?

The City would locate Vote Centers in strategic locations to allow all voters to vote in person and receive assistance if they need it. Initially, we should try to maintain at least half our polling sites.

In addition to having the option to vote at Neighborhood Vote Centers, all registered voters would also be automatically mailed an actual ballot and multi-lingual materials, if needed.

ADVANTAGES

Neighborhood Vote Centers could be set up in large, well-equipped facilities that are fully staffed, with easy access to public transit and parking.

This could save up to an estimated $600-700,000 (35-40%) per election, according to the City Clerk.

Giving people the options of either voting in person or by mail increases voter convenience significantly.

Voting integrity would be increased because every signature would be checked before counting ballots.

A 2009 PEW Research Center study found that voter participation can be increased by mailing a ballot to all voters, particularly in low turnout elections. Participation is also strong across income or education groups.

Cities like Burbank and Denver, and the states of Washington and Oregon use similar voting systems.

This approach would be tested first with special elections for vacant Council districts and only rolled out citywide once the Clerk had perfected the process and sufficient staffing was identified to process all the ballots.