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For years, we’ve watched Los Angeles, the city that built the global entertainment industry, become one of the hardest and most expensive places to film. Permits take too long, rules are uneven, and small productions are mired in a process that’s unpredictable and excessive. The latest FilmLA data confirms this reality. We ended last year at only 85 percent of the prior year’s filming days, a year that was already among the lowest on record. Quarterly figures show the same trend, with 2025 shoot days trailing each quarter of 2024.
This challenge has a direct impact on Council District 5. Our district is home to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA headquarters, as well as TV City, Fox Studios, talent agencies, and many of the businesses that support production every day. Catering companies, storage facilities, equipment suppliers, and small firms that keep crews moving all depend on a steady flow of work. Many middle-income Angelenos in CD5 rely on consistent production to pay their bills, and they feel this slowdown in a significant way.
The good news is that we are not powerless. State leaders expanded the film and television tax credit to $750 million, and major productions are already returning to California. The City of Los Angeles took several steps to streamline permitting and strengthen customer service, but the scale of the problem requires more focused and coordinated work.
That is why last week, I hosted the first meeting of a new Entertainment Advisory Group for Council District 5. We brought together writers, labor leaders, studio representatives, independent producers, grassroots advocates from Stay in LA, and FilmLA staff. Each participant offered a different perspective and named barriers that deserve attention. Some raised concerns about permitting timelines. Others pointed to coordination issues across departments or uneven enforcement on the ground. This group will help my office identify concrete actions the City Council can advance and areas where we need deeper partnership with FilmLA and the Mayor’s Office.
I am grateful to everyone who joined us and for their willingness to speak openly about the challenges they face. Studios want to film here. They want to hire here. They want Los Angeles to be a reliable home for production. Our job is to create the conditions that make this possible. My office will stay closely engaged with this advisory group as we build on the work already underway, and we will keep you updated on our progress.
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Westwood Village Holiday Tree Lighting
On Saturday, I joined the Westwood Village Improvement Association for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Broxton Plaza. This was the first tree lighting since we opened the plaza as a permanent car-free street, and it was good to see families, students, and neighbors using the space the way it was intended. My team and I are especially thankful to WVIA staff and Village Ambassadors for their work keeping the Village clean and active, and encourage everyone to support the local shops and restaurants in the Village this holiday season. |
“The Heart of our Firehouse” at Fire Station 58
On Sunday, I stopped by Fire Station 58 for the First-In Fire Foundation’s “Heart of our Firehouse” event. The foundation’s support for local stations is tangible, as they often contribute items that improve fire fighters’ daily quality of life, and it was heartening to see neighbors spending time with the firefighters who serve them. Station 58 plays a central role in keeping this area safe, and our office will continue working with LAFD and community partners to strengthen preparedness across the district |
ADA Upgrades at Fairfax Senior Center
This week, our office partnered with Recreation and Parks and the Bureau of Engineering to complete new ADA upgrades at the Fairfax Senior Center. The work improved both the property and the adjacent public right of way. A deteriorated stairway and walkway in the rear lot were replaced with an accessible path that makes it safer and easier for seniors and visitors to move through the site. |
Urban Forestry Division Work in West LA
Urban Forestry crews trimmed several trees along Malcolm Avenue and Olympic Boulevard this week that were blocking sightlines for drivers and encroaching on private property. This work improves visibility and safety for everyone using those streets. For tree-related emergencies, report through MyLA311 and let my office know so staff can track the request. |
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Fee Waivers
The Council continued work this week on the proposal to waive rebuilding fees for families affected by the January wildfires. These fees pay for the staff who review plans, issue permits, and complete inspections, so even if the City waives them, the work still must be funded. Families in the Palisades did not choose this disaster, and they are carrying enormous burdens as they try to rebuild. At the same time, the City is in a difficult fiscal position, and waiving these fees is estimated to cost between $86 million and $278 million, depending on the scope of the program. In fact, under State law, the City is required to pay the fees, so calling it a “fee waiver” is a misnomer, as the City itself would be required to pay the fees to the applicable departments out of our General Fund. Those dollars would otherwise support core services like police, fire, sanitation, and street maintenance. My focus is on finding an approach that delivers real relief to survivors while keeping the City on a stable financial footing. We owe survivors clarity, and we owe the public a plan that shows how this work will be paid for. I will continue working with my colleagues to reach a solution that meets both needs.
ULA Tenant Harassment Legal Services
The Council advanced a contract with the Inner City Law Center to provide legal representation for tenants facing harassment under the United to House LA program. The three-year agreement is funded entirely through ULA dollars and has no impact on the City’s General Fund. Strengthening these services is an important part of protecting renters and holding bad actors accountable, and such funding is mandated through ULA.
SB 79 Analysis
This week, the Council voted to begin the analysis needed to understand how SB 79 will affect neighborhoods across Los Angeles. The bill brings major changes to zoning near transit, and the City needs reliable information before deciding how to move forward, as we have several options under the language of the legislation. The action directs the Planning Department to begin the required mapping and modeling work and provides up to $375,000 to support that effort. The Planning Department will report back with recommendations for the Council to consider.
Funding for Tree Maintenance
This week, the Council approved my motion to direct $60,000 from our CD 5 discretionary funds to support additional tree trimming and maintenance in Council District 5. Many of our neighborhoods have tree canopies well above the county average, which is an asset but also requires more regular upkeep to stay healthy and safe. This funding will help the Bureau of Street Services address needed maintenance and improve conditions in areas with aging or overgrown trees. I appreciate the partnership from our Urban Forestry crews and will keep working to bring more resources to our district’s urban forest.
Vision Zero Oversight and Implementation Timeline
At this week’s Budget and Finance meeting, I pressed the CAO and LADOT for clear updates on the independent evaluations of the Vision Zero program and how those findings will guide the next phase of work. I asked for timelines on the City’s commitments, including the educational campaign, the Street Design Manual update, and the consultant needed to launch the speed safety system pilot. I also raised concerns about the slow rollout of speed cameras authorized under AB 645. These cameras save lives and generate revenue for street safety, and the public deserves a firm schedule for when they will be in place. |
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Metro Moves to Support CicLAvia & Close the 2027 Funding Gap
At this month’s Metro Board meeting, I co-authored an amendment to strengthen the future of Open and Slow Streets events across LA County, including addressing CicLAvia’s projected 2027 funding gap. The Board approved $10 million for the next two grant cycles, which will support 29 events tied to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We also directed Metro to return in early 2026 with recommendations on making the program permanent, launching a short funding cycle with at least $1 million for additional events leading into the 2028 Games, and expanding technical assistance for groups that were waitlisted or ineligible this round. This step helps ensure that community-focused open streets events continue to serve residents across the region consistently over the next few years.
Ohio & Westwood Safety and Mobility Project
The Westside Mobility Projects continue to move forward with outreach and engagement for the Ohio Avenue and Westwood Boulevard projects. Please see below upcoming opportunities for the community to get involved and share feedback.
Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 PM
North Westwood Neighborhood Council - Transportation Committee Presentation. Meeting details and agenda here.
Saturday, December 13 at 12:00 PM
Design Charrette at Westwood/Rancho Park E-Line Metro station book sale.
Thursday, December 18 at 12:00 PM
Design Charrette at Westwood Village Farmers Market, details here.
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Miracle Mile Ceramic and Art Sale on Saturday, December 13
This Saturday, December 13, the Miracle Mile Ceramic and Art Sale will bring together fourteen local artists at 840 South Burnside Avenue. The event is organized by Meredith Parmelee, a longtime artist and potter who has spent decades working in photography and fine arts. She creates her pieces from her home studio in Miracle Mile, drawing on natural forms and the wildlife that surrounds the neighborhood.
Meredith started this event three years ago to give ceramic artists a place to share their work. It has since grown into a community gathering for potters, painters, and fashion designers who want to support one another and keep local arts visible in the neighborhood. This kind of grassroots creativity is part of what makes Miracle Mile such a strong cultural hub. We hope you’ll come out to support them and buy local. |
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Palms Neighborhood Council Community Cleanup Day l December 14 l 9:00 AM
The Palms Neighborhood Council, in partnership with Council District 5, will host a community cleanup at 10021 National Blvd. on Saturday, December 14, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For questions, contact Jeff McIlvain at jeff.mcilvain@palmsnc.la or Vanessa Saldana at vanessa.saldana@lacity.org
MyLA311: A Helpful Tool for City Services
With the end of the year approaching and service needs often increasing, this is a good time to share a quick reminder about MyLA311. MyLA311 is often the fastest way to report issues like graffiti, illegal dumping, streetlight outages, missed trash collection, bulky-item pickup, and other common neighborhood concerns. You can submit a request through the MyLA311 app, the website, or by calling 311. The service connects residents to more than 1,500 types of City services, from sanitation and street maintenance to animal services and parking issues.
After you submit a request, you will receive an email confirmation with a service request number. If you forward that confirmation to my office at councilwoman.yaroslavsky@lacity.org, our team can track the request on our end and follow up with the relevant department.
MyLA311 handles most general issues, but some services go directly to specific departments. The City's “Who to Call” guide lists numbers for things like LADWP outages, building and safety permits, public health, social services, parking enforcement, and other specialized needs. We encourage you to bookmark it, print it out, or keep it handy for quick reference.
If you ever have trouble with a request or aren't sure where it should go, my team is always here to help. |
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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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