|
Dear Friend:
Over the weekend we celebrated community and the arts at my annual Reseda Rising Art Walk. This festival, a vibrant testament to the community’s arts scene, energized the Sherman Way corridor between Etiwanda and Lindley Avenue in the heart of Reseda, showcasing a transformative reinvestment in the community. The event featured dozens of local artists creating live art, interactive arts and crafts, live appearances, regional food trucks and so much more. Watch a recap of the event here and photos courtesy of Lextography can be found here. |
|
The Art Walk is just one component of my multi-front Reseda Rising initiative to find, direct, and coordinate over $100 million worth of transformative investment in the community. Other key projects in the Reseda Rising initiative include the $21 million Reseda Boulevard Complete Street project, the redevelopment of the historic Reseda Theater, the construction of a $27 million community skating rink, mural festivals and commissions, the Aliso Creek Confluence Park, traffic safety improvements, a commercial facade improvement program, new monument signs and much more. Learn more about Reseda Rising here. |
Special thanks to Erin Stone from 11:11 Collective for bringing local Valley artists to showcase their work and to Pierre Arreola of the GR818ERS for bringing great energy to the West Valley. Thank you again to everyone who came out to the Reseda Rising Art Walk. See you again next year! |
|
|
|
Update on LASAN Trash Fees |
This week, the City Council approved the final removal of the trash fee subsidy. City taxpayers have been subsidizing single family homeowner trash pickup fees for many years. Given the City’s poor financial health the City can no longer afford this annual $220 million subsidy. The money equates to more than 2000 jobs — street cleaners, police officers, firefighters, etc. $220 million is more than the annual budget for the Bureau of Street Services for repaving, street sweeping, tree maintenance, and more.
Several years ago the rates went up for large apartment buildings to reflect the actual cost of trash pickup and this year the rates are being increased for homeowners to also reflect the actual cost of trash pickup. Unfortunately, this results in a substantial increase in the fees for trash collection by the Bureau of Sanitation, which had not been raised since 2008. The new fees will be $55.95 per month for single-family homes, up from $36.32. This will be painful for many Angelenos, but ultimately given the fairness issues and the financial implications, there aren’t any good options.
In recognition that this increase will create a real hardship for many Angelenos, the City has increased the amount of funding for low-income assistance programs. More information about those programs can be found here. |
|
|
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of New Economics for Women |
Councilmembers Blumenfield and Hernandez honored New Economics for Women (NEW) for 40 years of dedication to economic justice and community empowerment. Through affordable housing, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, NEW has become a model of equity and inclusion. In Council District 3, they developed key projects like Tierra Del Sol and the Economic Mobility Center, providing housing, financial coaching, and job training. In addition, NEW Academy Charter Schools have also transformed educational opportunities for underserved children. Congratulations to NEW for 40 years of impactful work throughout the City of Los Angeles. |
|
|
Supporting Palisades Recovery |
The January 2025 Palisades Fire destroyed more than 6,000 structures, and many homeowners were underinsured or uninsured. To assist in the recovery, the City of Los Angeles is considering waiving building permit fees for those who wish to rebuild, and this issue was heard in the Council’s Budget & Finance Committee earlier this week. However, when a fee is waived the service still has to be paid for and it ends up being paid for from City taxpayer’s through the General Fund. This means that every dollar in fee that is waived, is a dollar that cannot be spent on police, fire, or anything else.
Councilmember Blumenfield strongly supports efforts to help the City recover from this disaster. However, given the City’s fiscal situation, Blumenfield introduced an amendment in Committee to limit the subsidies/fee relief to certain properties and situations where the assistance can do the most good. This limitation reduces the subsidy from more than $270 million to approximately $80 million.
The Committee proposal also limits the fee waiver/general fund subsidy to the like-for-like replacement or repair of single-family homes and duplexes (and not commercial buildings or ancillary structures like pool houses or retaining walls); and to limit relief to people who owned their properties at the time of the Fire; and who attest that insurance does not cover these fees. This focuses relief on fire victims who need it most, without overly straining core services in the rest of the City. Stay tuned for more updates. |
|
|
Improvements to Warner Center Park |
Recently, Recreation and Parks completed Phase 1 of infrastructure improvements at Warner Center Park. New concrete pads and benches were installed throughout the park for visitors to enjoy. Phase 2 is set to begin this fall, featuring the addition of trees to provide increased shade for residents during the spring and summer months. |
|
|
Growing our Urban Tree Canopy |
Councilmember Blumenfield joined TreePeople to kick off the West Valley Greening Project. Thanks to the efforts of local residents and volunteers, 19 new trees were planted along Oakdale Avenue and on Valerio Street in Winnetka. This planting is just the first of several scheduled over the next few months, with TreePeople aiming to plant 1,000 trees and distribute 5,000 trees throughout the San Fernando Valley. A significant portion of these trees will be planted in Canoga Park and Winnetka and will beautify neighborhoods and provide much-needed shade and environmental benefits.
TreePeople relies heavily on volunteers to bring these projects to life. Please click here to learn more about upcoming events and how you can help plant the roots for a greener future in our community. |
|
|
Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan Cultural Amenity Master Plan |
Los Angeles City Planning and the Department of Cultural Affairs will be holding a virtual public presentation of the Draft Warner Center Cultural Amenity Master Plan (CAMP) on October 23rd at 6PM. The CAMP is being prepared to fulfill the requirements of the Warner Center Specific Plan, which requires a cultural amenity fee on certain types of development in Warner Center. The Specific Plan also requires a master plan to be developed before any expenditure of the fee. The CAMP is meant to guide the future development and programming of cultural amenities in the Warner Center area.
|
|
|
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month |
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and with LA shelters operating at over capacity with medium and larger-sized dogs, LA Animal Services is offering reduced adoption fees for dogs ($51), puppies ($75), cats ($12.50), and kittens ($25) every weekend during the month of October.
Pets adopted from LA Animal Services join their new families already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, licensed, and microchipped. Adopters also receive a Petco flyer with discounts to help make their pet adoption a success and a VCA Healthy Start Certificate, which provides up to $250 of follow up veterinary care within the first 14 days of adoption. In addition, canine buddies adopted from LA Animal Services are also eligible for free dog training classes at the Paws for Life K9 Rescue People & Pet Innovation Center in Mission Hills, CA. To see the amazing animals available to adopt or foster, go to LAAnimalServices.com/pets |
|
|
Save The Date 11/12- Charter Commission Coming to the West Valley |
As you may know, a Charter Reform Commission has been meeting to review and discuss potential changes to the LA City Charter, with a goal to present amendments to the voters in November 2026. The Commission’s Government Structure Committee will meet in the West Valley on Wednesday, November 12th at 2pm at Pierce College, 600 Building, 6201 Winnetka Ave in Woodland Hills. It’s important for the Commissioners to hear from people and stakeholders throughout the City. To learn more, visit their website and complete the survey here. |
|
|
Councilmember Blumenfield spoke at LAPD Topanga Division's CPAB meeting to discuss pressing issues in the West Valley.
|
Councilmember Blumenfield joined LAFD leadership, families, and community members at the annual Salute to Firefighters Festival to honor our heroes and support the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firefighter's Fund. |
West Valley Food Pantry hosted its 3rd annual Pantry Gala Dinner where Councilmember Blumenfield honored Debbie Decker on her well-earned retirement and celebrated her transformative leadership and impact on countless lives. |
|
|
Community Events and Resources |
This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times Collection taken in 1962 of folks setting up booths for the Reseda Jubilee, a two day event on Sherman Way near Lindley Ave. Learn more about the photo here. |
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield 200 N Spring Street, Room 465, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
|
|
|
|
|
