Fixing LA’s broken winter shelter program

It has been a wet winter so far in Los Angeles, with historic rainfall drenching neighborhoods. Preparation for these storms was extensive. DWP trimmed trees city-wide to prevent power outages, and – in response to legislation I introduced after last years’ storms (HERE and HERE) – made changes in staffing to improve communication and improve repair times during outages. After the last two bouts of rain, the city has worked to repair more than 4,000 potholes, reinforce and restore hillsides impacted by mudslides, and to address underground equipment and vaults that had flooded during the previous storm.

One critical area that is in desperate need of improvement is how we protect people experiencing homelessness during severe weather. During the last storm, when desperate residents called 211 to find shelter, wait times were as long as 4 hours, thousands of calls went unanswered, and there were not enough motel vouchers and shelter beds to support those in need.

I requested a special hearing in Council to give city leaders and the public the opportunity to hear directly from the agencies responsible for this work: the Los Angeles Homeless Authority (LAHSA), 211 (run through the County), and the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) – and what we heard was alarming. 211, the hotline number Angelenos are instructed to call to be connected with winter shelter, received over 13,000 calls and was only able to answer 5,700 of those. Despite serving the entirety of Los Angeles County, there were only 13 staff to handle the volume of calls, leading to excessive wait times at peak storm hours and more than half of those calling never speaking to an operator. LAHSA, which works in coordination with 211 to distribute motel and hotel vouchers, handed out 372 vouchers, but faced challenges including locating individuals after they’d been allocated a voucher and with voucher holders arriving at hotels and motels only to learn that they would not accept the voucher.

In a city with 30,000 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on any given night, fixing our system is a matter of life and death. We need to ensure these agencies are coordinating resources not only during a storm but ahead of a storm.

Two changes critical to ensuring these mistakes aren’t repeated are to activate the 211 hotline before the storm arrives and to allot a greater number of vouchers ahead of time. This will give both 211 and LAHSA outreach workers the ability to ramp up efforts and get people indoors before the rain begins. We also need up-to-date information on shelter bed availability readily available in a central location.

With the next budget cycle approaching, we need to think strategically about how we build in greater flexibility to authorize spending for extreme weather events. As Chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee, I am focused on achieving this goal.

I want to acknowledge that the City and LAHSA worked very hard to bring people safely indoors and have steadily made improvements to storm response. We are extremely grateful and lucky that there was no loss of life that we know of among unsheltered people as a result of the storm. But as is, the system’s gaps are still unacceptable. I will continue to hold our city agencies accountable as we advocate for greater coordination and additional resources. Angelenos deserve a dry, safe place during a storm, period.

All my best,

Nithya

I. Updates From City Hall — Enhancing Our Mobility Infrastructure To Implement Safe Streets, Taking Action On Banning Gas Leaf Blowers, Addressing Tourism In The Hollywood Hills

II. Uplifting The Community — Supporting Small Businesses In The Valley, Readying The Community Through LAFD’s CERT Program, Planting Trees In Los Feliz, Installing New Speed Humps Across The District, Activating New Traffic Signals On Los Feliz Drive

III. Upcoming Events – Griffith Park Half Marathon & 5K, Ready For Reseda

IV. Resources & Forums — We Are LA Tenant Resource Clinic, Open House: Reimagining The Griffith Park Pony Rides, Legacy Business Program Webinar, Citywide Residential Speed Hump Program, Register For Spring Play LA

V. Construction & Closures — Fairfax Ave. Street Renewal, Hillside Ave. Street Renewal, Stern Ave. Street Resurfacing, Sepulveda Feeder Urgent Relining

VI. Other Helpful Links

ENHANCING OUR MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE TO IMPLEMENT SAFE STREETS

Every year that I have been in office, the number of people who have died in traffic collisions has gone up – from 294 people in 2021 to 336 in 2023. This is nothing short of a public health crisis, and it is our duty as leaders in this City to build safer streets. This month I introduced a motion, co-presented with my colleague Councilmember Harris-Dawson, directing the city to build on previous recommendations and pilot measures to enhance coordination between City departments and more efficiently deliver mobility and safety improvements.

This legislation will also prepare the City for potential implementation of Measure HLA – which will be on the March 5th ballot – should it pass. Measure HLA was put on the ballot by Angelenos frustrated with the City’s lack of progress on street safety, and I share that frustration. I believe that coordination and strategic capital infrastructure planning between our agencies that work in the public right of way is the best way to utilize all of the transportation funds we already receive from the state and federal government, allowing us to successfully implement the Mobility Plan alongside our other goals such as keeping our roads in good condition, reducing speeding, and improving accessibility.

My motion instructs the Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Street Services to enhance and formalize pilot efforts and strategic coordination between their two agencies, and asks for an immediate status report on Council File 23-0919, a report on initiating a Capital Infrastructure Plan for the City, as well as reports from the City public safety agencies and the City Attorney on the costs they incur as a result of responding to fatal and severe injury crashes on our road.

With an 8% increase in traffic fatalities in just one year, it is essential to our public safety to improve our mobility infrastructure in this city.

TAKING ACTION ON GAS LEAF BLOWERS

Current City of Los Angeles law, LAMC section 112.04(c), bans the use of gas powered blowers within 500 feet of a residential property. However, since becoming law in 1998, the City has not had ample resources to effectively enforce the ban. After receiving numerous complaints from constituents, my office introduced legislation in January that seeks to redress this issue.

Our motion askes the Bureau of Street Services to put together a report on the Department’s current enforcement mechanisms and processes, enforcement challenges, additional staffing or other resources needed to improve enforcement, and strategies to provide a more timely and efficient response to gas-powered leaf blower complaints, as well as potential amendments to Municipal Code including considering naming a City department other than the Los Angeles Police Department as the department primarily responsible for enforcing the ordinance. Additionally, our motion asks BSS to develop an educational program on the environmental impacts of gas-powered leaf blowers, current regulations, and programs that provide rebates for the purchase of electric blowers or other trade-in programs. Finally, the motion seeks to ensure that low-wage landscaping workers are not penalized through this work.

Given that it has been nearly 25 years since the original ordinance was enacted, it is time to reconsider the City’s approach to enforcing the ordinance and penalizing the use of these devices with the aim of ending the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Los Angeles.

If you currently own a gas leaf blower and would like to get rid of it, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) operates an exchange program that will provide a rebate of $250 for the purchase of an electric leaf blower as long as a gas-powered one is turned in to AQMD by a qualified gardening or landscaping business, church, or non-profit organization, as well as a similar program for residential lawn and gardening equipment. For more information on this and other available rebate programs, click HERE!

ADDRESSING TOURISM IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS

Last year, I introduced a series of motions to address the impacts of increased tourism in the Hollywood Hills being borne by residential neighborhoods, especially those around the Hollywood Sign. Despite this being an ongoing issue for many years, the city has never allocated adequate resources, like traffic enforcement and parking management, and real infrastructure to mitigate these impacts on our residential neighborhoods and to keep residents and visitors safe.

One of my motions will help us make the case for getting what we need: I asked the Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) to install pedestrian and vehicle counters in Lake Hollywood Park to count the number of visitors entering the vicinity so that we can make sure we can ask for the resources we so desperately need – backed by robust data!

The Lake Hollywood Park and Innsdale Trail area is one of the most visited locations in the City of Los Angeles due to its close proximity to the Hollywood Sign. I am happy to report that earlier this month, sensor technology was installed at Lake Hollywood Park and at the west entrance of the Innsdale Trail to help gather this intel. This information is crucial for City departments to adequately provide infrastructure and services to mitigate the impacts of visitor demand and to create robust, long-term solutions for an ongoing challenge.

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE VALLEY

Recognizing that many small businesses in the district continue to experience unprecedented hardships resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our office has partnered with The Valley Economic Alliance to establish a dedicated Council District 4 Small Business Assistance fund. Our office was able to secure $25,000 for the fund to further our mission of supporting small businesses!

This support will come in the form of free consultations and dedicated guidance and resources to: improve access to capital for business growth, increase competitive advantage for contracting and procurement opportunities, increase sales from e-commerce, become more sustainable and cost-efficient by maximizing energy rebates, and more. This comprehensive support is designed to help businesses in CD4 enhance their competitiveness, sustainability, and overall resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.

If you are a local business in need of assistance, I strongly encourage you to reach out to The Valley Economic Alliance to take advantage of these invaluable resources!

I also want to extend a huge thank you to Sonya Kay Blake, President and CEO of The Valley Economic Alliance, and Gregory Martayan, Vice President of External Affairs, for their commitment to our small business community. For further details and to initiate contact with The Valley Economic Alliance, please visit thevalley.net.

READYING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH LAFD’S CERT PROGRAM

In an effort to create a trained and rapid community response to disasters, the Los Angeles Fire Department created the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). This program has been in effect for nearly a quarter of a century, originating when a group of Los Angeles fire officials traveled to Japan to learn how the Japanese responded to disastrous earthquakes, then later in Mexico in the wake of the 8.1 Mexico City Earthquake where LAFD officials observed every-day people— neighbors and passers by— becoming first responders in emergency situations.

Our office teamed up with LAFD last month to host a CERT training event at the Sherman Oaks Senior Center, empowering the community with disaster response training. I was honored to receive a certificate from the LAFD CERT team, recognizing my support for their work. With our hillside areas being especially vulnerable to landslides, fires, and earthquakes, it’s critical that we provide education and support to communities impacted by climate change.

Thank you to Christy Adair, the Valley CERT Coordinator, all the community members who joined us at the Sherman Oaks Senior Center, and all those who are already trained, certified, and ready to help in the case of an emergency!

Anyone in good health is able to become CERT certified. To sign up for your FREE training, visit cert-la.com.

BEAUTIFYING THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN LOS FELIZ

Did you know that planting trees in urban cities can help clean the air by filtering out pollution from cars, lower cooling costs for residents, improve water quality by filtering rain water and reducing runoff, enhance climate resilience, and improve mental and physical health?

That is why we were so excited to partner with the Urban Forestry Department (UFD) and the Los Feliz Improvement Association to help plant seven trees along Los Feliz Blvd.! Last month, my team and I joined UFD, the Department of Public Works, neighbors, and community members to welcome these trees to their new home! Not only does this contribute to LA’s diverse ecosystem and biodiversity, but it also helps us continue to extend our urban canopy beyond neighboring Griffith Park.

As we all work together to combat climate change and create more livable cities, increasing the urban canopy throughout our City creates more sustainable, vibrant communities by providing shade, contributing to cleaner air, and beautifying streets. Planting trees is a major tool to accomplish this goal.

INSTALLING NEW SPEED HUMPS ACROSS THE DISTRICT

In a world of long and arduous bureaucratic processes, getting a speed hump installed in your neighborhood can feel like a herculean task. The speed hump program is a notoriously long process that includes an application, a first round of signatures, a feasibility study, a second signature process, and finally implementation. In total, the process can take anywhere from 6-12 MONTHS.

However, by working diligently with community members and helping them navigate a maze of City departments and procedures, our office has been able to speedily (pun intended!) secure speed humps across the district!

Mulholland Drive

In June of 2021, the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council initiated an effort to call for speeding and racing mitigation on Mulholland Drive. Unfortunately, the scenic nature of Mulholland, coupled with its turns, make it a tempting target for speeding and racing and has a long history of vehicle crashes into buildings and consistent complaints substantiate the concern. Due to the COVID-era closure of the LADOT Residential Speed Hump program, and the fact that Mulholland is a Scenic Highway, this effort needed our office’s assistance to move forward.

My team reached out to the Fire Department, including our local stations 97 and 76, as well as LADOT and other City departments to zero in on the best recommendations to curtail the dangerous driving on Mulholland Drive. Their recommendations led to a proposal of four sets of speed humps between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Pyramid Drive on Mulholland, including four speed humps near Wrightwood Drive, four around the Universal City Overlook, and two each for hairpin turns near Woodrow Wilson Drive.

After an initial installation of four humps in November of 2023, LADOT crews were on site last week to install the final six speed humps, which will not only decrease speeding and racing but improve overall road safety in the neighborhood!

Ambrose Avenue

Our office was able to get speed humps installed in just 4 months along Ambrose Avenue – bringing much needed safety measures to a Los Feliz community

On February 12th, 2024, speed humps were installed along Ambrose Avenue in Los Feliz, from Hillhurst Ave to Commonwealth Ave. Thanks to our office’s intervention, we were able to ensure that after feasibility was proven, the effort was streamlined for constituents.

Starting in November 2023, a member of CD4 staff went door-to-door with a constituent to gather signatures in support of the speed hump. One homeowner said she’s been trying to get a speed bump on the block for 20 years.

The Department of Transportation is opening the next application cycle for new speed humps on March 21st at 9AM. To apply, your street must be residential, have only one travel lane in each direction, and have a maximum speed limit of 30mph.

Our office is committed to enhancing street safety across the district. If you plan to apply, please email contactcd4@lacity.org so we can provide you with the necessary support and guidance in tracking the request and streamlining the process.

ACTIVATING NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS ON LOS FELIZ BLVD

At a time when LA is fast becoming one of the most dangerous cities for fatal traffic collisions, it is critical that we seize every opportunity to implement mobility and safety improvements. This week, I’m thrilled to announce the completion of three new protected left turn signals at the intersection of Los Feliz Blvd and Vermont!

Where previously only a single left turn signal existed going westbound, a study conducted by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) determined additional protection necessary due to heavy traffic flow from local events at the Greek Theatre and a high number of crashes from vehicles attempting unprotected left turns. Three new protected left turn signals were activated on the eastbound, southbound, and northbound lanes on February 17th, 2024, which will serve to promote safe and efficient movement of traffic at the intersection and reduce the number of traffic collisions.

We know that protected left turn signals not only improve traffic flow but quite literally save lives. his stretch of Los Feliz Blvd is one of the busiest corridors in Council District 4 and I am so grateful that we were able to advocate for three new protected left turn signals to the Los Feliz Blvd/Vermont intersection, continuing to meet my office’s goal of installing safer street infrastructure across the district.

GRIFFITH PARK HALF MARATHON AND 5K | MARCH 3 | MORE INFO

Join the Los Angeles Department of Rec and Parks on Sunday, March 3, 2024, for a beautiful run/jog/walk through Griffith Park to raise money and support our LA city parks. The scenic trail course is the perfect event for the whole family, and takes you by iconic landmarks along the course including the Merry Go Round, Travel Town, Zoo, Autry museum and finishes at Crystal Springs picnic area. All ages and abilities are welcome!

DATE: Sunday, March 3rd
TIME: Half marathon begins at 7:30 AM and 5K begins at 10:30 AM
LOCATION: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA US 90027

To register, click HERE. Registration includes raffle items, commemorative die cast medal, premium t-shirt, and access to sampling booths!

READY FOR RESEDA | MARCH 17 | MORE INFO

The City of Los Angeles has reconstructed Reseda Blvd as part of the Complete Streets Program to improve safety and accessibility for all. Our office, in partnership with the Office of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, LADOT, BOE, Ciclavia, and the Reseda Neighborhood Council, invites you to join us on Sunday, March 17th to celebrate the completion of this project!

The event will feature a series of guided group bike rides through the surrounding neighborhoods and along Reseda Blvd between Victory and Saticoy, highlighting the recent transportation safety improvements. The street will remain open to cars and we encourage participants to explore the area safely. You can also jog, run, walk, skateboard, spectate, and enjoy the afternoon along the sidewalks in your own way. This event is welcoming to people of all ages and abilities!

DATE: March 17
TIME: 1PM to 5PM
LOCATIONS: Reseda Park & Saticoy at Reseda Blvd

For more information, click HERE. We hope to see you there!

WE ARE LA TENANT RESOURCE CLINIC | MARCH 2 | MORE INFO

We Are LA, an initiative of Mayor’s Fund LA, is hosting a Tenant Resource Clinic this Saturday, March 2nd to help people who are – or soon may be – facing eviction. This in-person clinic will help ensure you are signed up for all of the services and support available, as well as provide valuable information and resources regarding eviction protection and prevention, including financial planning, legal information and more.

DATE: Saturday, March 2
TIME: 10AM – 2PM
LOCATION: John Adams Middle School, 151 W 30th St Los Angeles, CA 90007

Click HERE to RSVP!

OPEN HOUSE: REIMAGINING THE GRIFFITH PARK PONY RIDES | MARCH 6 | MORE INFO

We need your help to shape the future of Griffith Park! The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) is excited to invite you to an Open House to reimagine the future of the Pony Ride site at Griffith Park.

The agreement with the Pony Ride operator expired in December 2022, and RAP is now considering a number of potential options for the area. The goal is to offer the community an affordable, family friendly amenity that is accessible to all ages and abilities, and provides educational opportunities and a fun experience for all, including those from underserved communities.

At the open house, you will:

Meet with Recreation and Parks representatives to learn about the process to identify new uses.
Participate in activities to help envision new uses for the site.

The event goes from 5:30PM to 8:30PM. However, you don’t have to stay the entire time, and can come and go as available. Two 15-minute presentations will be made at 6:00 pm and 7:15 pm if you are interested in learning more about the process.

If you are unable to participate in the event, you can still provide feedback! You can find an online survey HERE or provide more information to the department by filling out a comment form HERE.

DATE: Thursday, March 6
TIME: 5:30PM – 8:30PM
LOCATION: Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Drive Los Angeles, CA 90027

Click HERE to RSVP!

LEGACY BUSINESS PROGRAM WEBINAR | MARCH 7, 13, 19, 21 | MORE INFO

The City of LA Legacy Business Program is an ongoing initiative to celebrate and support the visibility, legacy, and sustainability of Legacy Businesses with tangible benefits, including technical assistance, promotional support, and access to grants and loans. The program will support the visibility, patronage, and sustainability of long-standing small businesses within the City of LA that contribute to the city’s rich cultural and historical identity. The Legacy Business Program aims to foster economic empowerment by encouraging patronage of participating Legacy Businesses throughout Los Angeles.

A “Legacy Business” is defined as a business open to the public that has been in operation for 20 years or more within the same community and which meets three of the following four criteria:

It contributes significantly to its community’s history or identity.
It sustains and cultivates distinctive cultural traditions or practices.
The business is not franchised or affiliated with a national corporate chain.
It provides vital goods and services in a language and manner that is culturally accessible to the community

CITYWIDE RESIDENTIAL SPEED HUMP PROGRAM | MARCH 21 | MORE INFO

Do you think your street could benefit from speed humps? Apply for LADOT’s CItywide Residential Speed Hump Program!

Review the 2024 Speed Hump Program Evaluation Guidelines (Español) and 2024 Speed Hump Program Fact Sheet (Español) to determine if your street meets the minimum criteria required for speed hump installation before you decide to apply. Only one applicant per street segment request will be allowed. The applicant will be the Block Representative and will be responsible for all related correspondence with our staff.

Your street segment must meet the following minimum criteria:

Be a residential street
Have only one travel lane in each direction
Have a speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less

The next Open Application Day will be Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 9:00AM. At that time, click HERE to apply!

REGISTER FOR SPRING PLAY LA | MORE INFO

As spring approaches, the Department of Recreation and Parks is thrilled to announce the launch of their PlayLA Spring Sports Leagues and Clinics for youth ages 3 -17! Through the PlayLA program, youth of all abilities will have the opportunity to access quality sports available from their local neighborhood recreation center and join the olympic movement. Youth sports clinics range from Swimming to Baseball to Football, and adaptive youth sports clinics will include swimming, skateboarding, and more!

PlayLA welcomes all youth ages 5-17 for only $10 per registration to eliminate economic barriers and promote recreation that is inclusive of all communities in Los Angeles.

To learn about all the PlayLA Spring Sports Leagues and Clinics, please visit www.laparks.org/play-la. If you have any questions, call the PlayLA Office at (213) 485-4841.

CONSTRUCTION & CLOSURES

To stay up to date on closures, follow @LADOTofficial on Twitter, and check out their updates page.

HOLLYWOOD

Fairfax Ave. Street Renewal

DATE/TIME: February 26, 2024 through March 4, 2024, 6:30AM – 4:00PM
LOCATION: Fairfax Ave. from Hillside Ave. to Hollywood Blvd.

DETAILS: The First Phase of the project will require preparing the roadway by cold milling the street on approximately 2/26 – 3/1. Vehicles will have access during working hours, but street parking will be prohibited. The Final Phase of the project will require paving the roadway on, approximately 3/1 – 3/4. Vehicle access and parking will be prohibited during the final phase.

Hillside Ave. Street Renewal

DATE/TIME: February 26, 2024 through March 4, 2024, 6:30AM – 4:00PM
LOCATION: Hillside Ave. from Ogden Drive to dead end west of Fairfax Ave.

SHERMAN OAKS/ENCINO

Stern Ave. Street Resurfacing

DATE/TIME: February 29
LOCATION: Stern Ave. between Moorpark St. and Ventura Blvd.

If you have any questions, please contact George Watson, Gary Brandt or Angelo Gopaul at (818) 756-8651.

Sepulveda Feeder Urgent Relining

DATE/TIME: March 18, 2024 through April 10, 2024
LOCATION: Sepulveda Blvd near I-405

DETAILS: The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will be working on an important relining project to a major water pipeline in your community as a result of a recent inspection conducted of the Sepulveda Feeder.

The Sepulveda Feeder delivers treated drinking water from the Joseph Jensen Water Treatment Plant of Granada Hills to an interconnection with the Second Lower Feeder in Torrance, and services the cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Torrance and the West Basin Municipal Water District. The urgent project is necessary to ensure Metropolitan’s regional water distribution system continues to deliver a reliable water supply to our 26 member agencies that serve 19 million customers across Southern California.

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DISTRICT 4 Newsletters

Fixing LA’s broken winter shelter program