Dear Friends,
Anyone who has ever tried to get through the Sepulveda Pass knows how unpredictable it can be. Sometimes it’s manageable. Sometimes it isn’t. And for too many Valley residents, the trip to the Westside can take an hour or more each way, and far longer for those using public transit.
In 2010, Los Angeles tried to fix the problem by widening the 405. We spent more than a billion dollars, lived through the construction, and ended up learning the same lesson again: adding lanes did not solve the traffic.
That’s why the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, a proposed train line that would connect the Valley to the Westside through the Sepulveda Pass, matters so much to me. On Wednesday, Metro took a major step forward towards that goal when its Planning and Programming Committee approved the staff’s recommendation for the “Locally Preferred Alternative” (LPA), which is the option that Metro determines best meets the project’s goals, objectives, and community needs, based on technical analysis and public input. If approved, the LPA selected by the Metro Board becomes the basis for subsequent environmental analysis and design advancement.
Metro staff recommended a Modified Alternative 5, and I strongly believe that this recommendation delivers what Angelenos were promised: a fast, fully underground, high-capacity rail line connecting the San Fernando Valley to UCLA, Westwood, and the broader regional transit system, including the Expo Line and the new Purple Line. For residents of CD4, that means a trip that can take 40 to 90 minutes by car would take 18 minutes or less by rail. That’s not a small improvement. It’s a total reset.
For our district, this project is about access and opportunity. It means more reliable commutes for working families. Better access to jobs, education, and health care. Stronger connections between Valley neighborhoods and the rest of the city. And it means a real, world-class transit option that works for people who already rely on transit every day and for people who are tired of sitting on the 405 driving in mind-numbing traffic.
It also means progress on issues our residents care deeply about: reducing climate pollution, creating good-paying jobs, and building infrastructure that actually meets the scale of Los Angeles’ challenges. This is the kind of investment that strengthens our communities today and positions our city for the next century.
Metro has taken an important step—but the work is not done. The Metro Board still needs to hear from the people who live, work, and travel through our district. If you support the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, now is the time to speak up.
Please share your input by emailing the Metro Board Clerk at boardclerk@metro.net by January 22. Angelenos deserve a better answer than “just sit in traffic.”
Warmly,
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- Updates From City Hall — Calling On The County To Revise Measure A Spending Plan, Engaging Angelenos On Charter Reform
- In The District — Ringing In The New Year With A Community Hike, Meeting With Neighbors In Encino For A Living Room Chat
- Upcoming Events — Studio City Neighborhood Council Community Clean Up, 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count
- Resources & Forums — Help Shape LA’s Transportation Future, LASAN’s SORT-LA Guide For Waste Disposal, LADWP Landscape Efficiency Assistance Program
- Other Helpful Links
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ENGAGING ANGELENOS ON CHARTER REFORM
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This past weekend, I joined Rewrite LA at the Japanese American National Museum for a critical conversation about reforming our City’s Charter.
Charter reform offers us a rare opportunity to change how the City makes decisions that affect our everyday lives. And right now, we are inviting Angelenos into this process to make their voices heard. This begins with creating avenues for public engagement that are inclusive, transparent, and reflective of the diverse perspectives of Los Angeles residents.
I want to thank Rewrite LA who brought together an assembly of eager community members and who are widening the circle and allowing Angelenos to actually see themselves in this process. For more information and to get involved, you can visit their website at rewritela.org.
I also want to make sure you have information about upcoming meetings of the Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission, as your participation in these meetings is critical to help us build a city that best serves you. Below, you will find the remaining January Commission meetings and I encourage you to attend in-person, or submit public comment ahead of time by emailing reformLAcharter@lacity.org. My office will continue to keep you updated on important upcoming meetings and ways to engage. You can also sign up to receive regular updates from the Charter Reform Commission HERE.
Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
DATE: Saturday, January 17
TIME: 9:30am
LOCATION: Los Angeles City Hall, Room 1010
Charter Reform Commission Meeting: Town Hall Study Session
DATE: Wednesday, January 21
TIME: 3pm
LOCATION: Van Nuys City Hall, 14410 Sylvan St # 215, Van Nuys, CA 91401
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RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A COMMUNITY HIKE
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Council District 4 showed up in full force last Saturday to celebrate the first weekend of 2026! In partnership with Charles Fleming, author of “Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles” and tour guide extraordinaire, my team helped lead an unforgettable trek through the Los Feliz hills and up to the Griffith Observatory. It was a uniquely LA start to the new year: 70 degree weather and a gorgeous hike!
We kicked things off at Franklin’s Cafe & Market and wound our way through hidden neighborhood gems and up some truly remarkable staircases that most of us never knew existed. Charles brought the City’s secrets to life at every turn! After catching our breath – those stairs are no joke – we slipped into Griffith Park through a little-known residential entrance. A hiker paused in front of what looked like a light pole with a speaker atop, and Charles shared that it was no ordinary light pole, but actually a Cold War-era air raid siren. A prime example of history hiding in plain sight.
At long last we found ourselves just below the Griffith Observatory, celebrating with perfectly clear views all the way to the ocean.
Exceptional weather aside, this event was a perfect reminder of just how magical this city is. Strangers left friends, we all walked away with uniquely LA trivia to share, and we took the time to pause and connect with this beautiful city we call home.
If you were unable to join us Saturday, we’ll be hosting more events in the near-future and would love to see you there!
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MEETING WITH NEIGHBORS IN ENCINO FOR A LIVING ROOM CHAT
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As you’ve heard me say many times before, connecting with residents is one of the best parts of this job, and it’s always a pleasure to be welcomed into a living room or backyard to meet with neighbors. This past weekend, Laure Stevens opened up her Encino home to us, bringing together about 20 neighbors for an engaged conversation on the issues that matter most to our community.
We had an in-depth discussion about homelessness and our ongoing outreach and oversight work, as well as the housing crisis and how it is imperative that we build more housing in Los Angeles to create a resilient city for the future. Traffic safety was also top of mind for many attendees. Traffic has become much worse in recent years, particularly in the Hills, and I know many residents are feeling unsafe walking in their own neighborhoods. Laure has been a true leader on this issue and was instrumental in getting the Encino Hills Traffic Calming Plan off the ground, which we hope will improve safety for many years to come. You can find the latest updates on the project on our website.
Thank you Laure for graciously inviting us into your home and everyone who spent a busy Saturday afternoon with us. These conversations are essential to understanding what our neighborhoods need and how we can work together to address the challenges we face.
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STUDIO CITY NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL COMMUNITY CLEANUP EVENT | MORE INFO
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Join the Studio City Neighborhood Council for a community cleanup event this Sunday, January 18 from 8:30-11am. Everything will be provided – grabbers, vests, gloves, and trash bags – just bring yourself! Refreshments will be provided after the event.
DATE: Sunday, January 18
TIME: 8:30 – 11:00am
LOCATION: meet at Vitello’s Restaurant, 4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, 91604
Registration is mandatory – click HERE to RSVP!
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2026 GREATER LOS ANGELES HOMELESS COUNT | JANUARY 20 – JANUARY 22 | MORE INFO
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The Los Angeles homeless count is one of the greatest tools we have in assessing the progress we are making as a City toward solving this humanitarian crisis. Conducted over three nights every January, the homeless count provides critical data to help inform policy, secure resources, and deliver services where they are most needed.
Council District 4 is once again hosting the Studio City homeless count at the First Christian Church of North Hollywood on Tuesday, January 20. To count with CD4 staff, be sure to select “Studio City” in the location drop-down. To count closer to home, select the neighborhood that works best for you!
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I am so grateful to everyone volunteering their time over the course of these three nights to help us work toward a Los Angeles where no one is without a place to live.
DATE: Tuesday, January 20 – Thursday, January 22
TIME: 7:30PM
LOCATION: Click HERE to sign up for a specific location!
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HELP SHAPE LA’S TRANSPORTATION FUTURE | MORE INFO
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The City of Los Angeles is developing its first Mobility Action Plan (MAP), which will guide how LA invests in streets, sidewalks, transit, biking, and walking for the next 5-20 years. Your feedback will guide how the City prioritizes transportation investments. By sharing your experiences and priorities, you’ll help us plan for a safer, more accessible, and connected transportation system for everyone.
Click HERE to take the survey!
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LASAN’S SORT-LA GUIDE FOR WASTE DISPOSAL | MORE INFO
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LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) has a new tool to help you properly sort your house-hold waste: SORT-LA. SORT stands for Separating Organics, Recycling, and Trash, and is intended to help answer any questions you may have about how to dispose of an item. Type in the name of a household item, and the site will tell you which bin it goes into, or if the item requires special disposal outside of the LASAN three-bin system.
Click HERE to get started!
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LADWP LANDSCAPE EFFICIENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM | MORE INFO
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Looking ahead to a sustainable new year, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) encourages eligible customers to take advantage of its no-cost Landscape Efficiency Assistance Program (LEAP). The program helps single-family residential customers in Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) transform their front yards to water-saving gardens that reduce their outdoor water use, lower their water bills, and beautify their neighborhoods — all at no cost.
To qualify, participants must meet the following requirements:
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Be a single-family residential LADWP customer living in a Disadvantaged Community, as defined by DWR
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Have a living (green) front lawn; transformations apply to front yards only
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Turf removal area must be between 1,000 to 3,000 square feet
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Property must have rain gutters installed in the front
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Applicant must be the property owner or have documented permission from the owner
LEAP funds are limited. Customer participation is on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. For more information and to check program eligibility, visit ladwp.com/LEAP.
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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.
- Ready Your LA Business Workbook — City of LA’s FREE workbook to help business owners prepare their business for any emergency. Available in English and Spanish.
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.
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