DISTRICT 4 Newsletters

Navigating a challenging moment

Dear Friends, 

Since the horrific terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas and the devastating strikes on Gaza in response, the last few weeks in Los Angeles have been marked by immense pain. Although it is taking place thousands of miles away, reverberations from this global conflict have been sharply felt by our local communities. Many Angelenos now live every day in grief and fear. Neighbors are feeling divided from each other, and reported incidents of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hatred and bigotry have been rising.

In our own district last week, a family was invaded in their home by a suspect who made criminal threats referencing their Jewish faith and the conflict in the Middle East. LAPD responded and arrested the individual and nobody was physically harmed, but the trauma of the event is far-reaching. Antisemitism is not tolerated in our district or anywhere in Los Angeles, and we’re working closely with LAPD and other city departments to ensure justice and ongoing safety for the entire community.

Though investigators have said they believe this case to be an isolated incident, I am fearful of what the possibility of rising hate means for LA. Social bonds are what keep neighborhoods healthy — but social alienation affects communities in profoundly negative ways, including making us all less safe.

These last few weeks have often left me heartbroken and bereft, but I’ve been thinking a lot about words I heard from Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback from Stephen Wise Temple in the days after the attacks on October 7th.

“We are not responsible for the hatred of others, for their despicable behavior, for their murderous rage,” he said. “What we are responsible for is how we respond.”

That responsibility means different things to different people. But my goal for myself at this moment is to do as much as possible to de-escalate tension here in this city, connect with neighbors and bring Angelenos together in every way that I can. 

We all share this city. We all depend on each other for its prosperity. There is no conflict that will change that. So while we make space for each other’s grief and anger right now, I hope we can all find opportunities to pull closer to each other as well.

With love,

To report a hate incident, please call 311. To report a hate crime, please call 911 or your local police department. For more resources, please visit bit.ly/laforall. 

  • I. Updates From City Hall — Investing In Bus Shelters Across The City, Introducing A City-Wide Home-Sharing Enforcement Portal, Calling For Statewide Zero-Emission New Construction Building Standards
  • II. In The District — Uplifting Governance Reform At The American Democracy Summit, Honoring Tom LaBonge With A Community Cleanup, Connecting With Residents In Sherman Oaks, Meeting With Reverend Macdonald And Community Members, Celebrating Filipino-American Heritage Month, 100 Years Of Encino Charter Elementary School, Hosting A Ribbon Cutting At Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park
  • IV. Resources and Forums — Emergency Renters Assistance Program For Small Landlords, Hollywood Blvd Safety & Mobility Study, Encino Hills Traffic Survey, CIFD Child Care Survey, West Nile Virus Resources
  • V. Construction & Closures — Appian Way, Hollywood & Highland
  • VI. Other Helpful Links

INVESTING IN BUS SHELTERS ACROSS THE CITY 

As a region, we have made significant investments in our public transit infrastructure to help improve the rides for existing riders and try and encourage people to get out of their cars and take transit. And yet, using transit continues to be uncomfortable – in fact, most of our bus stops do not even have shelters, leaving bus riders to suffer in the heat. 

A major reason why we don’t have these shelters is that we do not have a dedicated source of funding for this kind of investment. Last November, I introduced a motion to change that: with Councilmember Blumenfield and former Councilmember Mike Bonin, we asked to create the Reinvestment in Accessibility, Infrastructure and Streetscape Enhancements for Los Angeles (RAISE LA) fund, and last week, Council voted to approve the RAISE LA ordinance! 

With the adoption of our ordinance, the City of Los Angeles will, for the very first time, dedicate all ad revenues collected from our street furniture and bus shelter program (the STAP program) to improving the accessibility, shade, and condition of our streetscapes and public rights of way. This rearrangement of how we use our ad revenues from our transit shelter program will guarantee a base level of investment required to build shelter at every bus stop, with 280 bus shelters planned for construction in the first year – more than a third of what we’ve built in the last 20 years! 

INTRODUCING A CITY-WIDE HOME-SHARING ENFORCEMENT PORTAL

Since taking office, our team has been working hard to find ways to improve enforcement for the Home-Sharing Ordinance (HSO) which passed in 2018. While the city has made significant progress in cracking down on short-term rental listings that violate the Ordinance, the process of actually removing listings and enforcing fines can be lengthy and cumbersome. The consequences of insufficient enforcement are significant. Short-term rentals have destabilizing effects in communities by removing units from the long term rental housing market (especially rent stabilized units), and creating quality-of-life issues for neighbors related to noise, parking, and criminal activities. 

We introduced multiple motions, intervened in hundreds of home-sharing cases, spoke to impacted tenants, and collaborated with staff from various departments to find solutions around complex issues due to a weak home-sharing enforcement system.

I am so excited to announce that last week, the City’s first publicly accessible home-sharing portal is officially live! This is a significant step towards increasing transparency and sharing vital information about home-sharing in Los Angeles. To see whether a property is registered for home-sharing, or if a citation has been issued to a property is a process that used to take weeks. Now you can get that information simply by visiting the site: losangelesca-self.govplatform.com. 

Additionally, the Planning Department submitted a detailed report back as requested by my comprehensive Home-Sharing Ordinance enforcement motion. The report includes recommendations for operational, organizational, and legislative changes for a more robust Home-Sharing Program – I hope you have a chance to read it and participate in upcoming public meetings to share your thoughts on how the City should engage in stronger home-sharing enforcement!

I believe that the city can and should take much faster action on this issue, and I will continue to be at the forefront of pushing for urgent change.

CALLING FOR STATEWIDE ZERO-EMISSION NEW CONSTRUCTION BUILDING STANDARDS

Last year, I introduced a motion requiring all new construction in the City of Los Angeles to be built to achieve zero-emissions, and as of January 1, 2023, this is now the law of the land. With this legislation, we are drastically transforming the physical infrastructure of our City to meet the moment our climate crisis demands. 

However, these efforts cannot be enacted in a vacuum – we need all hands on deck, from the City to the State. Which is why last month, along with my colleague Councilmember Katy Yaroslovsky, and 24 other local jurisdictions, I signed onto a letter from the Building Decarbonization Coalition, calling on Governor Newsom to enact a mandatory zero-emission new construction requirement statewide. California has long been a leader in setting bold climate goals, and it is critical that we align our state and local policies if we are to meet our climate targets.

UPLIFTING GOVERNANCE REFORM AT THE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY SUMMIT

In order to restore faith in local government, we must ensure that there is transparency, accountability, and checks on discretionary power in City Hall. I had the pleasure of participating in the American Democracy Summit to discuss how we achieve these goals here in Los Angeles! 

In a room full of political leaders and activists from across the country, I spoke on the unique governing challenges that face our city, including an overly politicized redistricting process that we saw play out in 2020, and excess power placed in the hands of Councilmembers regarding land-use decisions in their districts. As we mark the one-year anniversary of the leaked tapes, I am proud to report that my motion to establish a truly independent redistricting commission is on its way to the ballot box and that through my role as Vice Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Governance Reform, I am advocating for an expanded City Council and for the reduction of Councilmembers’ discretionary power over land use.

I believe in the power of government to do good, but that requires us to create the governance structures that force this Council to act with integrity. Thank you RepresentUs for inviting me to share more about my work on these critical issues!

HONORING TOM LABONGE WITH A CITYWIDE CLEANUP

Every year since his passing, the City has hosted a community cleanup in honor of the late Councilmember Tom LaBonge. This year, I was proud to co-host the cleanup at the Silver Lake Meadows with the LA Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department and to see so many familiar faces, including the entire John Marshall High football team! 

In his decades of public service, Councilmember LaBonge set a high bar for leading an office with positivity and empathy, and inspired a sense of intimate community despite the grandeur of our city. Los Angeles, and District 4, are shaped by his relentless love – and in my nearly 3 years in office, I have aspired to meet his standard of dedication, compassion, and investment in carrying the torch for this district.

Thank you to the LA Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department for spearheading this year’s Tom LaBonge and hosting events across the city to honor the late Councilmember and his love of an early morning clean-up! 

CONNECTING WITH RESIDENTS IN SHERMAN OAKS

One of my favorite parts of the job is connecting with constituents, be it at a Backyard Chat, door knocking in the neighborhood, or at a community event, in order to get a deeper understanding of community concerns and to ensure residents feel heard. 

Earlier this month, I joined Sherman Oaks residents to discuss how we’ve addressed homelessness in the area, efforts we’re making in environmental justice, and what we hope to achieve with the Hollywood tour bus motion. Thank you to Sybil Azur for opening your home and hosting the conversation, and to the neighbors, Kester Elementary School parents, and community members who joined us. 

Building a plan of action with feedback from residents empowers us to work together to navigate the systemic obstacles and improve our neighborhoods. I look forward to continuing to create space where we can share about goals we’ve achieved locally and steps we’re taking to address community concerns more effectively.

MEETING WITH REVEREND MACDONALD AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

This month, I met with Reverend Ian Macdonald, Senior Minister of Anamesa Church and Board Member of the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry. Reverend Macdonald graciously opened his home to neighbors and community members so we could provide updates from the office and share more about the progress we’ve made addressing homelessness in the area.

After creating the largest homelessness team in City Hall, our office’s work is now focused on building out resources — shelter to get people indoors quickly, new units to get people permanently housed, legislation and outreach to protect vulnerable tenants, and funding and resources to help the process work better for everyone — all while engaging with both housed and unhoused residents of the district. Building off of efforts across the district last year, our Homelessness Team has organized and implemented multiple efforts to bring entire encampments indoors. More than 500 people have been sheltered from these initiatives so far, and many are already in permanent housing.

As our office continues to pioneer solutions to address the housing and homelessness crisis, engaging with constituents regarding our efforts— and many successes— is one of my top priorities.

CELEBRATING FILIPINO-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

We celebrate the Filipino-American community in October because it marks the arrival of the first Filipinos in what is now Morro Bay in October of 1587. I have the distinct privilege of being the first Asian woman elected to this Council, and I am lucky to witness the strong, beautiful connection between the South Asian, South East Asian, and all Asian communities.

It is wonderfully clear that the Filipino-American community shares its cultural vibrance throughout our city and beyond and I am so proud to continue to uplift their rich history. Thank you to Councilmember Soto-Martinez for hosting this wonderful presentation, and to Los Angeles Filipino Association of City Employees (LAFACE) President Janelle Parra, Board of Public Works Commissioner Susana Reyes, Philippine Consulate Representative Marie Chieng speaks, honored guests, and community members who joined us in Council to celebrate Filipino-American History Month!

100 YEARS OF ENCINO CHARTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

Last week, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Encino Charter Elementary! We joined teachers, staff, some very excited students, LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin, LAUSD Community Engagement Representative Geraldine Hernandez, and Superintendent Dr. David Baca for the celebration.

For the last 100 years, Encino Charter Elementary has created a unique space for students to pursue science, technology, engineering practices, arts, and math through a research-based curriculum. The school served some of the San Fernando Valley’s very first residents and it was a treat to read through old news articles and yearbooks. The students even staged a “wax museum” where they posed as important figures from the 1920s, bringing history to life!

I also had the opportunity to chat with a wonderful volunteer named Susan Cummings. Susan started volunteering in the library in 1986 before going on to become a school employee where she left an indelible mark, helping expand the library. She has since retired from LAUSD. For the 100th anniversary, Susan curated an exhibit in the school’s library with artifacts from the history of the school and the community, and she even put together a booklet entitled “The History of Encino” which she is thrilled to share with students and the community!

Thank you to the teachers, staff, students, and administrators that put on such a wonderful celebration and for continuing to display exemplary educational leadership. 

HOSTING A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AT VAN NUYS SHERMAN OAKS PARK

Last weekend, our team joined kids from the neighborhood for a sunny, fun-filled day at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park celebrating the opening of two beautiful playgrounds—an enhanced and improved playground for older kids and an entirely new play structure for toddlers!

In partnership with the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), our office helped secure $800,000 to create a better play space for children and families! We hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and ice cream social for the community to enjoy the new facilities, including critical shade structures, enhanced surfacing, and interactive play equipment.

As the mom of young twins, I always love chatting with parents and their children. I had an especially fun time talking with camera-shy Jireh and his dad Jels, and ice cream aficionado Charlie Jr. who thoroughly enjoyed his drumstick! It’s moments like these that exemplify just how important it is to invest in our communities. 

By creating open public spaces for families and youth, children like Jireh, Charlie Jr., and many others can enjoy a safe and fun environment while spending time outside and playing together.

EMERGENCY RENTERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SMALL LANDLORDS | MORE INFO

The City of Los Angeles United to House Los Angeles (ULA) Emergency Renters Assistance Program landlord application will open on October 23, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. and close on October 31, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. This application portal is only for landlords who own 12 or fewer units. To be eligible, the rental property must be located in the City of Los Angeles.

Once a landlord application has been submitted, the tenant will be invited to apply to the ULA ERAP. Tenants who may have applied and have an existing application will be paired with the landlord’s application to expedite processing to determine if the tenant meets the ULA ERAP eligibility criteria.

The ULA ERAP will provide up to six months of rental arrears to low-income residential renters who are at risk of homelessness due to unpaid rent as a result of COVID-19 or other financial hardship. Rental arrears will only be provided to landlords on behalf of tenants that meet the ULA ERAP eligibility criteria, and the landlord has provided the following:

  • Proof of Landlord Photo Identification
  • Proof of Property Ownership
  • A Completed W9 – Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
  • Proof of the tenant’s current monthly and past due rent.

How to apply:

  • By phone: 888.379.3150 Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • In-Person: Visit housing.lacity.org for application intake office locations
  • Apply online at housing.lacity.org 24/7 until program closes

*Note landlords who own more than 12 rental units whose tenants may have already

applied during the tenant application period continue to be eligible for the program.

Landlords that own more than 12 units must wait to receive a tenant notification of their eligibility and then submit the required landlord documentation. The Small Landlord application is only available to landlords that own 12 or fewer units.

HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD SAFETY & MOBILITY SURVEY | MORE INFO

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) is pleased to announce the launch of the Hollywood Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project. Over the coming months, LADOT will engage the East Hollywood community about improving safety along a two-mile segment of Hollywood Blvd between Gower Street and Lyman Place.

Hollywood Boulevard is a thriving commercial corridor. It runs through several diverse communities including Little Armenia and Thai Town, has many pedestrians and bicyclists, and provides access to several bus lines and subway stations. However, there has been a pattern of serious crashes – 56 people were killed or severely injured between 2010 and 2019 between Gower Street and Lyman Place. 

LADOT is interested in hearing from local residents and stakeholders about how they walk, drive, bike, and take transit along Hollywood Blvd. Click HERE to fill out a brief project survey!

ENCINO HILLS TRAFFIC SURVEY | MORE INFO

Our office is partnering with LADOT, the Encino Property Owners Association and the Encino Neighborhood Council to survey local Encino Hills residents on issues pertaining to traffic volume and speed and propose attainable solutions. 

In order to respond to high levels of traffic volume from commuters cutting through the neighborhood, LADOT is exploring reducing some of the traffic volume on Hayvenhurst Ave/Calneva Dr while acknowledging its role as a “Collector” route (a route of 2,000 – 10,000 vehicles per day). Potential additional efforts could include attempts to reduce traffic volume on local streets that lead to Hayvenhurst Ave/Calneva Dr, and to Sepulveda Blvd.

Responding to concerns about speeding and unsafe driving, potential solutions include adding select features to slow traffic on local streets like speed humps/tables, gateway treatments (similar to those at Escalon Dr/Hayvenhurst), medians, and other treatments.

Following the completion of the survey element, LADOT will use the information gathered from the survey results, collected data, and observations from the field to propose a suite of traffic volume and speed mitigation and traffic calming features in the Encino Hills area. After presentation to the community, any turn restrictions will then be installed and evaluated over six months in a “tactical trial” model, which will include another survey and outreach element, before recommending additions, removals, or alterations. Speed mitigation and traffic calming features will be installed on a permanent basis.

Click HERE to fill out the survey and be sure to share with your neighbors! 

CIFD CHILD CARE SURVEY | MORE INFO

The City of Los Angeles, Community Investment For Families Department (CIFD) has launched the Child Care Policy and Equity unit to increase opportunities for the over 200,000 children ages 0-5 currently living in the City. The unit helps families access high-quality child care and supports providers in strengthening their businesses. 

We ask you to participate in CIFD’s brief, 5-minute survey that helps learn about the needs of families and how the City can provide support.

Click HERE to take the survey! 

WEST NILE VIRUS RESOURCES | MORE INFO

West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease that affects residents in Los Angeles County. Public health agencies detect West Nile virus every year in L.A. County which means it’s endemic and found naturally in our city environments. Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) has confirmed there have been several cases of mosquito samples to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV) this year.

Mosquito Prevention and Protection

Mosquito control is a shared responsibility and residents must take an active role in reducing the threat of WNV in their neighborhoods by taking the following steps:

  • Eliminate standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs or anything that holds water for over a week.
  • Ensure that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained.
  • Change the water in pet dishes, birdbaths and other small containers weekly.
  • Wear insect repellent when outdoors where mosquitoes may be present.
  • Report neglected (green) swimming pools in your neighborhood to GLACVCD.

For more information about WNV, how it spreads, and for additional resources, please click HERE.

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

LAUREL CANYON

Bulkhead Project at 8589 Appian Way 

DATE/TIME: Now through end of October | 7AM – 4PM *dates are approximate*

LOCATION: Appian Way 

DETAILS: Starting September 5th, crews have broken ground on a bulkhead project at 8589 Appian Way in order to stabilize the hillside and roadway. The work will consist of drilling piles and placing vertical support beams in the ground and is anticipated to take 3 weeks. Closures may last all or part of a day, and you can expect a full closure on days when heavy equipment is needed. Appian Way will always be restored for use after working hours – roughly 7am – 4pm. During these times, we ask that you please utilize other routes.

CONTACT: Mehmet Berker, Senior Deputy for Transportation and Infrastructure, mehmet.berker@lacity.org or 818-925-0465.

 

HOLLYWOOD

October Street Closures at Hollywood & Highland

DETAILS: Click HERE to know in advance when streets in Hollywood are closed or impacted by movie premieres, special events, filming and construction.

 

RESEDA

November – December Street Closures on Reseda Blvd from Victory Blvd to Parthenia St

DATE/TIME: Monday, November 6, 2023 through November 6, 2023 | 6AM – 6PM

LOCATION: Reseda Blvd from Victory Blvd to Parthenia St

DETAILS: Starting November 6th, the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services will cold plane and resurface Reseda Blvd from Victory Blvd to Parthenia St. Traffic will be restricted during scheduled working hours with lane reduction until December 6th. The public is advised to use Victory Blvd, Wilbur Ave, Parthenia St, Lindley Ave, or other alternate routes.

CONTACT: Mehmet Berker, Senior Deputy for Transportation and Infrastructure, mehmet.berker@lacity.org or 818-925-0465.

Our Office:

Services + Resources

  • Food Pantry Locator — Get connected to food resources near you. 
  • StayHoused LA — Workshops and resources to help renters stay in their homes. 
  • 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.
  • MyChildCarePlan — Free resource website for childcare providers and families listing every licensed provider in California.
  • Adopt or Foster A Shelter Pet— Find pets for adoption and a list of local shelters.
  • Gas Assistance Fund – The Gas Assistance Fund (GAF) offers a one-time grant to help customers pay their natural gas bills.

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.
  • LADWP Outage Info — Sign up for outage alerts in your area.
  • StreetsLA Street Sweeping — Register for notifications about sweeping in your neighborhoods.