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As the year comes to a close, I want to wish you and your family a joyous and relaxing holiday season. Whether you are celebrating Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, or spending quality time with loved ones, I hope these days offer space to slow down, take a breath, and be together.
The holidays are also a time to give back, and I hope you will join my team and me in supporting PATH’s clothing drive to help people stay warm through the winter. From now through the first week of January, we are collecting new men’s and women’s adult underwear, hats, and cold-weather clothing, along with gently used unisex sweatshirts and sweatpants. Donations are tax-deductible and should be dropped off at the CD5 District Office at 5416 Wilshire Boulevard, between Cochran and Cloverdale. Drop-off dates include December 23, 29, and 30, January 2 and January 5 through 9, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. When you arrive, please call my team at 323-866-1828 for assistance.
Throughout the holiday season, my team remains available to help. Our district office will stay open through the holiday, with the exception of December 25 and January 1. Please reach out if support would be helpful during this time.
All my best,
Katy |
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An atmospheric river is expected to impact Los Angeles beginning tomorrow. Heavy rain increases the risk of flooding, mudslides, and hazardous road conditions. It is important to stay prepared and informed.
The Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation and the Department of Water and Power will activate wet weather protocols throughout the storm. Crews will proactively monitor storm drains, respond to blockages, and address flooding concerns as they arise.
Evacuation warnings and orders have been issued in some parts of Los Angeles County due to flooding and debris flow risk. As of now, these warnings do not apply to areas within Council District 5. Conditions can change quickly during major storms. If evacuation guidance expands to include CD5, updates will be shared immediately.
Here is how you can help reduce storm impacts and stay safe:
- Report clogged storm drains or areas with significant standing water to LA Sanitation at 800-773-2489
- Avoid parking on streets prone to flooding. Parked cars block storm drains and increase flood risk
- Limit travel whenever possible
- If driving is necessary, slow down and never drive through flooded streets
- For life-threatening emergencies or fast-moving water, call 911
Residents near hillsides or areas with prior fire damage should remain alert for potential mud or rock movement and be prepared to move to higher ground if conditions worsen.
The Los Angeles Fire Department offers up to 25 free, ready-to-fill sandbags year-round at all Neighborhood Fire Stations. Call ahead to confirm availability.
LA Sanitation crews and other city departments are coordinating closely to keep storm drains, streets, and rights of way clear throughout the storm. Updates will continue as conditions change. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org to receive real-time information by text or email. |
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Residents of Beverly Glen Annual Meeting and Holiday Party
Earlier this month, I attended the Beverly Glen Residents Association’s annual meeting and holiday party. Representatives from the Los Angeles Fire Department shared updates on emergency preparedness and wildfire prevention. I spoke with residents about improving city service delivery, fiscal transparency, and public safety. |
Palms Neighborhood Council Community Cleanup
My office recently partnered with the Palms Neighborhood Council for a community cleanup along Palms Boulevard. Volunteers collected trash and removed illegally dumped items, helping keep the neighborhood clean and welcoming. If you are interested in organizing a community cleanup in your neighborhood, please contact the district office or your area’s assigned Field Deputy. |
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KYCC’s 50th Anniversary Holiday Carnival
Over the weekend, I joined neighbors at KYCC’s 50th Anniversary Holiday Carnival to celebrate the season and recognize KYCC’s fifty years of service to our community. My office partnered with KYCC to support the event, which brought families together and provided toys to children ages 0 to 10. There was also arts and crafts, live performances, games, and access to community resources.
Robertson Rec Center Christmas Party
On Tuesday, my team joined LA Rec and Parks at the Robertson Rec Center to kick off the Christmas season with music, hot cocoa, crafts, games, and of course, photos with Santa. I want to thank our park directors and their teams for all they do to bring our CD5 community together during the holidays and throughout the year. |
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Chanukah Sameach!
As we lit our Chanukah candles each night last week, our thoughts stayed with the people killed in the antisemitic attack in Sydney and with those grieving their loss. Some of those families and loved ones are part of our own community. The global Jewish community is deeply connected, and when violence targets Jews anywhere, people feel it everywhere. Even though our hearts were heavy, it was important for us to gather together openly and proudly to light our Chanukiyot and show that we are still here. We will keep lighting candles, and we will keep showing up for each other. May the memory of those we lost be a blessing.
Chanukah Concert at Pan Pacific Park
Last Sunday, I attended the Village Synagogue’s Chanukah in the Park concert and Chanukkah lighting. I joined Jonah Platt and hundreds of people to celebrate the first night of the holiday.
Robertson Rec Center Chanukah Party
On Tuesday, my office partnered with the Pico-Robertson Business Association, LA Rec and Parks, Chabad of Beverlywood, LAPD, LAFD, and JFEDLA to host a Chanukah party at Robertson Recreation Center. The crowd enjoyed a holiday gift market, latkes from Lieder’s, sufganiyot from Bibi’s Bakery, and a chocolate gelt drop by the firefighters of Station 58.
Grand Park Menorah Lighting
On Thursday, my team joined elected officials, community leaders, and clergy from across Los Angeles for the Jewish Federation’s annual Menorah Lighting in Grand Park. In this difficult year, there was great solace in the commitment from all of our community’s multicultural and interfaith leaders who shared their dedication to working together to bring much-needed light and peace to our world. |
New concrete panels on Strathmore Drive in Westwood
My office partnered with the Bureau of Street Services to install new concrete panels on Strathmore Drive near South Beverly Glen Boulevard. This work improves the condition of the street, supporting safer and more dependable travel for residents, drivers, and people moving through the area. |
Clean up on Exposition Boulevard at the 405 Overpass
My team worked with LA Sanitation and LAPD to clear debris along Exposition Boulevard and the 405 overpass in West Los Angeles. Excess debris and blocked sidewalks create real public health and safety concerns. This work helps keep sidewalks accessible and public spaces usable, and my team continues responding across CD5 to address similar issues. |
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LAPD Hiring
On December 12, the Budget Committee and the City Council reviewed the City’s Second Financial Status Report, which gave us a clearer picture of our fiscal health midway through the Fiscal Year 25/26. The report showed that LAPD had hired the full 240 officers funded in the adopted budget. That progress reflects real work by the Mayor’s office, the Personnel Department, LAPD, and the Personnel and Public Safety Committees to fix long-standing problems in the hiring process. This matters because officers are retiring faster than we have been able to hire them, leaving staffing levels critically low and driving up overtime costs. At the same time, accelerating hiring presents real challenges given the City’s financial position. Hiring additional officers without identifying ongoing funding adds directly to our structural deficit and increases the risk of civilian layoffs and reduced City services. The Mayor’s office requested funding to increase hiring to 410 officers this year, at a cost of $4.4 million and $24 million next fiscal year.
I support hiring more officers, but the City cannot make long-term commitments without a clear plan to pay for them. During the December 12 Council meeting, I put forward an approach that balanced both needs. Council approved funding for another academy class in January, bringing the total to 280 officers, while directing the Chief Administrative Officer and the Police Chief to return in January to the Budget and Finance Committee with a comprehensive funding and operational plan for the rest of the fiscal year. That plan must identify a sustainable, ongoing funding source, protect existing LAPD civilian positions, and give Council the information needed to evaluate police hiring alongside the City’s overall financial condition. Public safety matters, and so does fiscal responsibility. This vote did both and set a responsible path forward. |
Proposed Oil Ordinance Approved at City Planning Commission
Earlier this month, the City Planning Commission approved a proposed ordinance to regulate oil and gas drilling using authority granted to local governments under a new state law. The proposal would establish a citywide phaseout of oil and gas operations, similar to an ordinance adopted in 2021 that was later rescinded following litigation. With the Commission’s approval, the ordinance will now move to the City Council for consideration in January. The proposal outlines a twenty-year phaseout and includes stronger requirements for well maintenance during the transition, an important safeguard for residents living near active sites. I look forward to working with my colleagues to consider a shorter phaseout period based on amortization studies commissioned by the Council. I remain committed to ending oil drilling in our neighborhoods and reducing the health and safety risks associated with these operations. I encourage residents to follow this process and share their input as the ordinance comes before the Council.
More information is available on City Planning’s website.
ED 1, Affordable Housing Streamlining Program
On December 9, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to streamline approvals for 100 percent affordable housing projects. The ordinance codifies Mayor Bass’s Executive Directive 1 and shortens approval timelines to about 60 days instead of the typical six to nine months. This change reduces delays and helps projects move forward faster. It supports the need for more affordable housing while keeping existing neighborhood protections in place.
The City Council is on recess until January 9, 2026. Check back soon for more updates. |
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Share Your Holiday Wish List with Metro
What’s on your holiday wish list for a better transit experience? Let Metro know by completing the My Metro Budget Activity. The interactive tool lets you highlight what matters most: cleaner and safer stations, zero-emission buses, more frequent service, or new connections. Your feedback helps guide Metro’s budget priorities for the year ahead. Bonus Gift: Share your email or phone number for a chance to win a $100 TAP card or a $50 gift card! Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of your transit system. Start building your budget today: https://mybudget.metro.net/online Open now through May 2026. |
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Craft Contemporary Museum
This holiday season, consider a stop at the Craft Contemporary Museum Shop for gifts with care and intention behind them. The shop features handcrafted items from artists and makers, including ornaments, design objects, art books, and craft kits. Shopping at the museum supports their exhibitions, education, and commitment to local creativity.
The museum also offers seasonal workshops where visitors learn hands-on skills and make items to give or keep. These sessions add something personal to the season and support artists working in craft traditions. Check out their Holiday Gift Guide Here.
Location: 5814 Wilshire Boulevard
Hours: Wed-Sun, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, First Thursday of each month, 12:00 to 8:00 PM. |
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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