Here’s a quick recap of what’s happening in the Seventh Council District this week:
2018 Budget Season
I am looking forward to my first budget season as Councilwoman and working to ensure that our neighborhoods receive their fair share of resources. This week, Mayor Eric Garcetti unveiled his 2019 budget proposal — a $9.9 billion plan that would more than double the City’s investment in the fight against homelessness, and put tens of millions of new dollars into street, sidewalk and traffic safety improvements, while continuing to strengthen the City’s fiscal foundation. The budget will invest more than $429 million in permanent housing, temporary shelter, services, and facilities to help homeless Angelenos find their way off the streets and under a roof. That represents a 140% increase over last year, and includes the $20 million initiative, “A Bridge Home,” which will be distributed evenly among 15 Council Districts. Click here for the full schedule of budget hearings, and here for a summary of the proposed budget.
Combating Homelessness
I’m proud to join Mayor Eric Garcetti and my colleagues in leading the charge to address the greatest humanitarian crisis of our City’s time. This week, we took efforts to tackle homelessness on multiple fronts by declaring an emergency shelter crisis, and signing into law two ordinances to help Los Angeles pursue immediate, creative solutions to combat this issue: the Permanent Supportive Housing and Interim Motel Conversion ordinances. It takes all of us working together to preserve the quality of life in our neighborhoods and address the homelessness crisis.
Update: La Tuna Canyon Road
In late March, heavy rains caused a landslide one mile north of the 8300 block of La Tuna Canyon Road. Following the hillside erosion, City engineers and crews worked swiftly to inspect the damages and reopened the road to the public. This week, I introduced legislation to push for necessary repairs to mitigate damages to the vulnerable hillside and to ensure the public’s safety. For more information, read my motion.
Installing Smoke Alarms in High Fire Risk Areas
WATCH: (Click on the image to watch the press conference)
This week, we went door-to-door talking to residents in Sylmar about emergency resources and installed free smoke detectors. This area has been impacted by the recent fires and it’s important to educate residents about the resources available. Installing and maintaining smoke detectors is one way to keep our families safe. The risk of dying in a home fire is reduced by 50% in homes with a working smoke alarm. For more information and to receive a free smoke alarm installation, visit: www.mysafela.org.
Photo of the Week
Excited to unveil a brand new mural on Cayuga Street in Pacoima! The artwork was produced by local teens and curated by the talented muralist Kristy Sandoval and Pacoima Beautiful with an environmental theme. The teens visited museums and cultural spots around LA to gather inspiration for their own artwork. A special shout out to Marcia Melkonian, Youth Librarian at the Pacoima Branch Library, who applied for the mural’s funding and encouraged the teens to get involved in their neighborhood.