This month’s Metro Board meeting was a reminder of both the progress we’re making and the challenges that remain in improving public transit in Los Angeles. It also marked an important milestone— Mayor Bass announced this week that she was appointing Councilmember Imelda Padilla to the Metro Board, marking the first all-female delegation representing the City of LA and the largest women-led majority in the Metro Board’s history. With Women’s History Month kicking off this weekend, it’s a fitting moment to recognize the leadership of women who are shaping the future of transportation in our city. Councilmember Padilla is a passionate advocate for the San Fernando Valley, and I look forward to working with her to make Metro safer, more reliable, and more welcoming for everyone.

At this past week’s Metro Board meeting, we also took important steps toward improving safety on Metro, including expanding weapons detection technology and upgrading fare gates at 11 stations to reduce fare evasion and security concerns. These are positive changes, but there’s still a long way to go. Real safety isn’t just about enforcement—it’s about making sure people actually are and feel safe enough to ride the system. A busy, well-used transit system is a safer one, while an empty train car can feel unsafe no matter how many security measures are in place.

That’s why I’m focused on solutions that bring more people back to Metro. From expanding the Metro Ambassadors program to activating our stations with cafés, events, and small businesses, my team and I are focused on making our transit system a place people are excited to use. Next month, I'll be introducing a motion to bring more life to our stations by adding new amenities and programming. With Phase 1 of the Purple Line Extension set to open this Fall, with new stations and service at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega, the opportunity and stakes are high. If we want Metro to succeed, we have to think beyond just enforcement, and invest in making our system truly welcoming and vibrant.

All my best,

Katy

Broxton Plaza Grand Opening
Broxton Plaza is officially open! Last Saturday, we celebrated the transformation of 14,000 square feet of Broxton Avenue into a pedestrian-only space where people can gather, eat outside, and enjoy live performances. This project represents a major step toward a more vibrant and walkable Westwood, and is already bringing new energy to the neighborhood. Huge thanks to the Westwood Village Improvement Association, UCLA, and LADOT for making this possible. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, projects like this show what’s possible when we invest in public spaces that strengthen our communities.

Last week, we partnered with the City of LA’s Community Investment for Families Department to provide free tax preparation services at the IMAN Center in Palms. In just one day, we helped 22 taxpayers file 25 tax returns and secured nearly $17,000 in federal and state refunds. These services make a real difference for families who need extra support during tax season. 

Over the weekend, my office co-hosted the Los Angeles Black History Month Festival at Pan Pacific Park with Open Arms Food Pantry & Resource Center. The event brought together community leaders, and local small businesses and l organizations to celebrate Black history, culture, and resilience. It was an inspiring day of reflection, connection, and action, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.

Last weekend, I helped kick off the new season for Wilshire Warriors Baseball, and this weekend, I did the same at Cheviot Hills Pony Baseball Opening Day. Cheviot Hills is not just welcoming back its own players—it’s also stepping up for a nearby community. This year, they’re sharing their fields with Pacific Palisades’ Little League, which lost its home to the fires. I played in Palisades Little League as a kid, and as the only girl in the league back in the 1980s, I was welcomed with open arms. Being able to return the favor all these years later means a lot on a personal level. Huge thanks to Cheviot Hills Rec Center and Pony Baseball for making it happen. This is what community is all about, and it’s a reminder of why our public parks and local leagues matter.

I met with Castle Heights residents for a neighborhood watch meeting this week, where we discussed public safety, vehicle dwellings, encampments, permit parking, and other local concerns. These conversations help guide my work to address quality-of-life issues across the district. If you're interested in starting a neighborhood watch in your area, reach out to my office—we're here to help.

City Council Approves 41.18 Designations
This week, the City Council approved my resolution to designate seven locations in Council District 5 under Los Angeles Municipal Code §41.18, ensuring these public spaces—including the sidewalks around two interim housing sites, local parks, a library, and recreation centers—remain accessible and safe. While no individuals currently reside at these locations, as past outreach efforts have connected people to housing, this designation will help prevent encampments from returning.

I have been clear that 41.18 should be used to protect sensitive locations like schools, libraries, and interim housing sites, and this resolution follows through on that commitment, including my promise to designate a 41.18 zone around the Midvale/Pico interim housing facility. To ensure transparency and accountability, I included a letter in the council file detailing prior outreach and confirming that credible housing offers will be part of future initial enforcement. This is part of my broader efforts to make sure public spaces remain safe while addressing homelessness with real housing solutions.

The City Council passed a resolution to support an effort by the State Legislature and Governor Newsom to expand California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million annually. With more film and TV work leaving the state in recent years, too many families are struggling. Many of those families, along with the jobs and studios that sustain them, are in Council District 5. Expanding the tax credit is a necessary step to keep them here.

Metro D Line Art Workshop l Saturday, March 8, 2025
Metro Art invites the Veteran community to a fun and inspiring free art workshop uplifting Veteran stories. Participants will have an opportunity to learn new skills, be creative, and work with an artist designing construction site banners for the future D Line Metro station serving the West LA VA. Click HERE for the event flyer. Art supplies and refreshments provided. All ages and experience levels are welcome. 

March 8, 2025, 10am – 1pm (Drop In), Heroes Golf Course, 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90073

The Los Angeles Community College District's (LACCD) Small Contractor Boot Camp is a four session program explicitly designed for small contractors to improve their competitive bidding capacity. Through a comprehensive curriculum, small contractors will learn more about the pre-
qualification process for the BuildLACCD Program's Pre-Qualified Service Provider (PQSP) bench, for projects ranging from $25K - $5M. Register here.

In March 2025, the Metro contractor will begin deck removal and street restoration for the future Wilshire/Rodeo Station. To accelerate construction, the City of Beverly Hills has approved an alternative closure plan, reducing the originally planned 18-weekend closures to a three-week full closure. This means that Wilshire Blvd will be fully closed for three weeks between Crescent Dr and just east of El Camino Dr. This closure is necessary to complete deck removal, street restoration, and water service line restoration, ensuring progress on the project while minimizing disruption.

Visit the website for details and the latest updates: https://bit.ly/41by7K4

For immediate concerns, contact the Metro Hotline at 213.922.6934 or Beverly Hills Customer Service at 310.285.2467.