The September Issue: LA Resources, Forums, and Need-To-Know Info | 9/29/22
Dear Friends,
As we find ourselves in another 90-degree fall week, I am reminded of the very real and dangerous effects of climate change. On Friday, I was humbled to join the hundreds of young Angelenos who turned out for the Youth Climate Strike to demand that elected officials stop using the climate crisis as a talking point and commit to transparency and accountability in fighting this existential threat.
But standing alongside these incredible young leaders on Friday, I am heartened by one thing: I know that we have fierce fighters holding me and everyone in elected government accountable for moving faster to our climate goals.
As we head into fall, we know it can be challenging to keep track and up to date on what you need to know now. This month has been full of important new resources, opportunities for input, upcoming event announcements, and more — we compiled them all below to make it easy.
Sending wishes for a peaceful weekend to all, and L’Shanah Tovah to those celebrating!
With love,
I. Upcoming Events | Clean Air Day, Sherman Oaks Street Fair, CD4 Contracting Workshop II. Council District 4 | Mobility Study Feedback, Renter Resources, Design Review Board Position, Construction Update III. Business Resources | Compete4LA Contracting Directory IV. Health Resources | Abortion Resources, Monkeypox Vaccination, COVID Boosters, LA Public Health Updates V. Neighborhood Services & Financial Assistance | Speed Hump Applications, Section 8 Vouchers, Air Conditioner Rebates, Inflation Assistance Checks, and more VI. Other Helpful Links
EVENT SPOTLIGHT— CLEAN AIR DAY RIDE | SATURDAY 10/1 @ 9:30AM | MORE INFO
In partnership with SAFE, the Los County Angeles Bike Coalition, and the Office of Laura Friedman, Council District 4 is proud to host the 1st Annual CA Clean Air Day Bike Ride! This is a free, fun and family-friendly bike ride exploring some of the beautiful natural areas of Los Angeles — the LA River and Griffith Park.
Learn common ways one can help improve and keep the air clean in Southern California while also learning about some of the natural fauna, birds and wildlife in the area. Meet at the North Atwater parking lot at 9:30 AM – rides will take off between 10:10 and 10:20 AM.
More Upcoming Events
Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce Street Fair | October 16 @ 10 AM-6 PM | More Info Mark your calendars for the 30th Edition of the Sherman Oaks Street Fair to enjoy a day of music, carnival rides, a pet zone, food, hundreds of vendors, and community fun after a two-year hiatus! Check back on the webpage for more updates soon.
Navigating City Contracting Opportunities | October 27 @ 3:30-5 PM | RSVP If you’re a contractor looking for assistance with your capacity and business growth, join our webinar hosted with the City’s Contract Finance Assistance Program (CFAP)! Contractors will learn the fundamentals of bonding, why it’s necessary for City of Los Angeles’ projects, and certifications.
GRIFFITH PARK SAFETY & MOBILITY STUDY FEEDBACK | MORE INFO Our Griffith Park Safety & Mobility Improvements Feasibility Study, conducted with consulting firm Kimley Horn and the Department of Recreation & Parks identifies and proposes short, medium, and long-term improvements to make Griffith Park a safer and more enjoyable place for all.
Earlier this month, we hosted an open house to present the latest of these proposals, which are now available to view HERE.
We want to hear from you about which options presented in the study you prefer in order to ensure Griffith Park is reflective of all input and needs. Submit your feedback with our form HERE.
RENTERS’ RIGHTS RESOURCE HUB | MORE INFO If you rent your home in the City of Los Angeles, you have rights and protections against certain rent increases, evictions, and more. Our office created bit.ly/CD4renterrights to provide you with information you need to determine which protections apply to you, what you can expect in the months ahead, and all the resources you have available to you.
HOLLYWOODLAND DESIGN REVIEW BOARD ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS The Hollywoodland Specific Plan mandates the composition of a Design Review Board that provides the City Planning Department with recommendations for approval based on the Hollywoodland Design Guidelines for the Community Specific Plan. The Review Board helps ensure building design, including shape, materials, open space, colors, signs, and façade appearance, are compatible with the character of the neighborhood and consistent with the guidelines in the specific plan.
If you reside, operate a business, or are employed within the Hollywood Community Plan Area, and want to help shape the future of Hollywoodland, we encourage you to apply!
Interested applicants should contact Michelle Montenegro at michelle.montenegro@lacity.org with a statement of interest.
For more information on the Hollywood Specific Community Plan, visit bit.ly/hwdland-plan
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: ENCINO/RESEDA 101 CLOSURE Date/Time: October 1 & 2 Location + Details: The full closure of the U.S. 101 between White Oak Ave and Balboa Boulevard will allow crews to safely demolish the pedestrian bridge over U.S. 101 at Encino Avenue.
The following ramps will also close during this operation: Reseda Boulevard on-ramp to southbound U.S. 101, White Oak Ave southbound 101 on-ramp, Balboa Blvd northbound 101 on-ramp, Haskell Ave to northbound 101 on-ramp, connectors on southbound & northbound 405 to 101 Contact: Allison Colburn, allison.colburn@dot.ca.gov
COMPETE4LA: CONTRACT WITH SMALL BUSINESSES | MORE INFO Are you a small business with under $1 million in annual sales and fewer than 20 employees? Or, are you a contractor, government agency, or intermediary looking to identify small businesses to support with contracting opportunities? Sign up to be a part of Compete4LA — a first-of-its-kind verified, searchable, and mappable directory from USC and the LA Business Council of up to 31,000 small businesses across L.A. County that can support major events. For more information on the database and how to get involved, click HERE.
Sign up for our Small Business Newsletter HERE for bimonthly updates with new resources, the latest news from the City, and more.
CALIFORNIA ABORTION RESOURCE HUB | MORE INFO Abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible in California, whether or not you live in the state. This website, recently launched by the State, has current and accurate information about how you can access abortion services in California.
MONKEYPOX VACCINATIONS | MORE INFO LA County has recently expanded the criteria for who is eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine! For more information on how to get tested for monkeypox, who is eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine, and how to preregister for a vaccine appointment, click HERE or call the public health center at 833-540-0473.
OMICRON-RESISTANT COVID-19 BOOSTERS | MORE INFO Protect yourself against old COVID and new Omicron strains with the latest COVID booster, now available for FREE in LA County! Options for residents ages 12 and up are available and should be received two months after the primary vaccination series OR last booster. For more about the new bivalent booster, vaccination locations, and more, click HERE.
HEALTH ALERT: COUNTERFEIT PILLS CONTAMINATED WITH FENTANYL | MORE INFO This week, the LA Department of Public Health issued a health alert after four adolescents were found overdosed following purchasing counterfeit narcotic pills. Recommended action includes: parents and guardians discussing drug use with adolescents, fentanyl testing, avoiding substance use alone, obtaining Naloxone (NarCan) to administer in the case of overdose, and receiving substance use treatment. For the full alert and further information, click HERE.
LAUNCHING OCT 6: RESIDENTIAL SPEED HUMP APPLICATION | MORE INFO The Department of Transportation (LADOT) will be opening the 2022 Residential Speed Hump Program application process at 9 AM PT on October 6th! The link to the application will be on the page linked HERE.
After your application is submitted, LADOT will review and contact you with further instructions. We welcome you to share any submissions within Council District 4 with our office by emailing us at contactCD4@lacity.org!
STARTING OCT 7: CALIFORNIA INFLATION RELIEF CHECKS | MORE INFO The Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) is a one-time payment to provide relief to Californians — if you’re eligible, you will automatically receive a payment. Payments are expected to be issued between October 2022 and January 2023. Determine your eligibility, estimate your payment, and more on the Tax Board’s website HERE.
OPEN OCT 17-30: SECTION 8 HOUSING VOUCHER APPLICATION WINDOW | MORE INFO For the first time in five years, the City of LA is reopening the waitlist for its Section 8 housing voucher program — which provides federal funding to help pay for rents for low-income renters — from October 17th-30th. Residents will have two weeks to submit an online application for a chance at getting on the waitlist. The online application portal is not yet available, but for the latest information, read LAist’s helpful overview HERE, visit the City Housing Authority (HACLA)’s website HERE, and sign up for Council District 4’s newsletter HERE for more info as it becomes available.
LADWP COOL LA REBATES & BILL ASSISTANCE | MORE INFO To serve its senior, income-restricted, and medically-vulnerable customers, LADWP is launching ‘Cool LA’ rebates of $225 to purchase room air conditioners to help keep them safe during extreme heat. LADWP has also announced a new level-pay billing program that will allow all customers to spread their utility bills out evenly, over a twelve-month period. For more about these new programs, click HERE, and for DWP’s existing assistance programs, click HERE.
FREE AND LOW-COST SPAY & NEUTER SERVICES | MORE INFO LA Animal Services offers free Spay & Neuter Certificates (vouchers) and Discount Spay & Neuter coupons to Los Angeles City residents! Each household is eligible for discounts for 3 dogs and 5 cats. Visit their website HERE to fill out their online form and for more information.
CLIMATE EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION OFFICE NEW WEBSITE | MORE INFO The City of LA’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Office (CEMO) has launched their new website! CEMO was formed to engage the community about climate, coordinate and advocate for equitable climate policy, lead the implementation of the City’s Heat Relief plan, and guide and advise the City Council on equitable climate policy.
Visit to learn more about CEMO’s work, their programs and events, resources (like the Cool Spots LA App), and more!
Our Office:
Sign Up For Updates — Neighborhood News, Small Business Newsletter, Volunteer Corps Updates
StayHoused LA — Workshops and resources to help renters stay in their homes.
Workers First App —An app for California workers! Get in touch with a worker organizer in real-time to get the information you need to feel safe and respected on the job.
MyLA311 — Submit a request for services including graffiti removal, pothole repair, and bulky-item pickup.
LA-HOP Homeless Outreach Portal — Assist or self-input an outreach request from the LA Homeless Services Authority to unhoused residents.
LA City Sanitation — Submit a service request for metal/household appliance disposal,
Alerts
NotifyLA — Sign up to receive urgent notifications about local emergencies by phone, email, and/or text message.
LAFD Alerts – Sign up for alerts on fires and evacuations in your area.
