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We are now fewer than 150 days from the release of the City’s next budget. This is the point in the year when we start getting early signals about the pressures we will have to manage, and those signals are growing clearer each week. Earlier this month, I shared what we learned from the City’s First Financial Status Report. The City is projected to overspend this year by $263 million, and while we identified offsets, we still face an $80 million shortfall and a razor-thin reserve margin at 5.04 percent.
Since then, the picture has become even more complicated. Last week, Los Angeles County released its draft spending plan for homelessness services, outlining a $303 million shortfall for next fiscal year and proposing cuts that affect outreach, prevention, and navigation programs. The Los Angeles Times reported that the County needs $865 million to maintain current service levels, but only has about $634 million available. These reductions come on top of potential federal cuts to permanent supportive housing, totaling over $200 million, that fund more than 8,000 units across the region.
For the City of Los Angeles, these decisions will have direct consequences. Fewer outreach workers, fewer prevention programs, and reduced support for people in interim or permanent housing all increase the risk of people falling back into homelessness, which comes at a high human and fiscal cost. That is why Councilmember Raman and I introduced a motion last month directing our departments to report back on the scale of these impacts and the cost to maintain services next year across all major funding streams. We need a clear accounting now, so we can make informed choices when the budget process begins in earnest.
Preparing for this moment has been a priority since last year. In the months leading up to last spring’s budget, I introduced a motion to create the City’s new Budget and Finance Advisory Committee, an independent body of experts charged with helping us strengthen long-term fiscal health and improve public engagement in budget decisions.
Their first meeting is this Monday, and I'll be personally welcoming the initial BFAC appointees: Ron Galperin, Gilda Haas, Derric Johnson, Jessica Lall, and Joseph Lumarda. The agenda includes electing a chair and vice chair, receiving a broad overview of the City’s finances, and a discussion on the Committee’s focus areas. Overall, I see the work of this Committee as an opportunity to reimagine Los Angeles’s fiscal strategy by moving away from short-term fixes towards a model that stabilizes the city’s finances for the future.
As we move toward the next budget cycle, my focus is on facing these challenges directly. The coming months will require discipline, coordination with our county, state, and federal partners, and a realistic assessment of what it takes to maintain essential services. I will continue to keep you updated as we learn more.
All my best,
Katy |
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CicLAvia Melrose Avenue
CicLAvia returned to Melrose Avenue for its 64th open street event, themed around the new season of Stranger Things. I joined neighbors to help kick off the day and thank the organizers for bringing this event back to Melrose. Our office supported the effort to bring CicLAvia to Melrose last year, and it was great to see the street filled with families, cyclists, and local businesses once again. My team spent the day at our booth in the Fairfax Hub speaking with residents and sharing updates on local projects. |
CalTrans/LA City Community Cleanup Success!
Despite the rain, Caltrans hosted a Community Cleanup on Sunday with our office, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s team, Sanitation crews, and two LA Conservation Corps teams to clear Harlow Avenue between Durango Avenue and Castle Heights Avenue. The crews collected more than four tons of trash and debris! This joint effort helped address long-standing maintenance needs on the corridor. |
Urban Forestry Division Work in West LA
My team and I continue to work with StreetsLA’s Urban Forestry Division on urgent tree maintenance across CD5. This weekend, crews removed a dead tree next to Palms Park that posed a safety risk. These responses help keep public spaces safe for the families who use them every day. Please report tree emergencies through MyLA311 and alert our office so we can help with prioritization. |
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Citywide Enforcement on Illegal Party Houses
Last week, I introduced a motion to strengthen enforcement against “Party House” violations in residential neighborhoods. The motion directs the City Administrative Officer, LAPD, LADBS, the City Attorney, and other departments to develop stronger penalties for repeat offenders, including fines tied to property value, limits on hosting capacity, and clearer criteria for identifying when a home is being used as a commercial event venue. It also calls for a cost-recovery process so the City can recoup enforcement expenses. These updates will help protect our neighbors from large unpermitted events that disrupt safety and quality of life. Departments will report back with recommendations for Council consideration. |
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The Night We Met Opens on December 6
Vinny and Mindy Kinne have shaped the corner of La Brea and 8th Street into a real neighborhood hub. They started with Met Her At A Bar in 2017 and built a steady following by keeping their focus on good food and a welcoming atmosphere. Met Him At A Bar and Her Thai followed, each reflecting a piece of their story and the care they put into their work. Their latest project on that block, Her Little Bar, brings new life to the former Little Bar space while keeping the familiar feel that people in the area appreciate.
They’re now working on their biggest project yet in the former Commerson space at 788 S. La Brea Avenue. The Night We Met will open on December 6 as an Asian supper club that draws on Mindy’s family recipes and the couple’s experience running neighborhood restaurants. Their approach has been steady and thoughtful, and it shows in how these places have become part of daily life for our community. |
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Next Steps for the Wilshire/Crenshaw Joint Development Project
In January 2025, Metro released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to the pre-qualified Developer Bench, which included community input gathered in Fall 2024. Following a competitive evaluation process in Spring/Summer 2025, Metro announced that Abode Communities has been selected to bring much-needed affordable housing, public open space, and transit improvements to Metro’s Wilshire/Crenshaw site.
In the coming months, Abode Communities will initiate community engagement efforts to further inform their project design. The developer’s proposed plans for the site have been posted here. If you are interested in continuing to receive project updates and information on ways to get involved, sign up for the developer’s contact list or email walnutcrossing@abodecommunities.org. Information about the project and the developer’s engagement activities can be found here. Your input will be an important part of making sure the final development reflects community priorities and needs.
Construction Moratorium for I-405 Pavement Project During Thanksgiving Week
Caltrans announced a construction moratorium during Thanksgiving week for the Interstate 405 (I-405) Pavement Rehabilitation Project through the Sepulveda Pass.
There will be no planned work for this project from Monday, November 24, through Sunday, November 30, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Work will resume the week of Monday, December 1. For more information on the project, visit the Caltrans Current Projects Website. Caltrans reminds drivers to “Be Work Zone Alert” and to "Slow for the Cone Zone". |
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Pico Boulevard & Pontius Avenue |
Military Avenue & 10 Freeway Underpass |
This week, our office worked with the West Los Angeles Division and LASAN to clear trash and debris around several encampments in the West LA area. Outreach teams were on site beforehand to offer services and housing referrals to anyone who needed support. Neighbors reached out to share their appreciation for the improvements. Our team will continue to track these locations and coordinate with partners to keep the area clean. |
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Repair Work on Franklin Canyon
On Monday, November 24, LADWP crews will begin road repairs on Upper Franklin Road, off Mulholland Drive. This work was postponed from its original start date due to the recent rainstorm. It will consist of repairing 2,200 feet of roadway and building a retaining wall. This road repair will allow vehicle and pedestrian access to the rest of the park area and will serve as a route for emergency services to use in the event of an emergency.
Save the Date: First-In Fire Foundation's "Partners In Preparedness" Event | December 7, 2025 | Fire Station 58
CD5 is partnering with the First-In Fire Foundation and the Los Angeles Fire Department for an open house at Fire Station 58. The event will highlight fire safety and preparedness, with firefighters and community partners sharing information and resources.
Location: LAFD Fire Station 58 - 1556 South Robertson Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90035
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
5th Thanksgiving Turkey Drive | November 24 | Wilshire Division
Sponsored by the Heshmatpour Family and supported by Team Watson, 102.3FM KJLH, NEONC, Elevate Culture, ANE Foundation, LAPD, and the WeGive LA Grocery Giveaway. The Wilshire Community Police Station is hosting a Thanksgiving event to support families who need extra help this season. They will be sharing prepared meals and connecting residents with resources that lighten the load during the holidays.
Location: Wilshire Police Station, 4861 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019
Time: 10:00 AM
Turkey Tastic Thanksgiving Distribution | November 25 | Fairfax Senior Center
Open Arms Charity LA is hosting an event to support residents facing food insecurity and those affected by recent SNAP interruptions. The first 300 attendees will receive a free turkey and a grocery tote.
Location: Fairfax Senior Center, 7929 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Free Movie Night Under the Stars - Sandlot | December 5 | Pan Pacific Park
Enjoy a magical evening of cinema under the night sky! Bring your family and friends to enjoy a free screening at Pan Pacific Park. Come early to grab a good spot and enjoy snacks and community fun before the movie starts. Don’t forget your blankets or chairs for comfortable seating!
Location: Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Time: 5:00 PM |
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If you have any need pertaining to the City of Los Angeles, please reach out:
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7005
District Office
5416 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 866-1828
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Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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