Dear Friend:

The Reseda Rising Art Walk is here! Join me tomorrow, May 18th, from 2-7pm on Sherman Way between Lindley and Etiwanda for a day filled with live art and music, interactive projects, vendors, food trucks, and more. This free, family and pet friendly event brings thousands of Angelenos to the West Valley and highlights our collective West Valley artistic spirit. I started this tradition before COVID, transitioned it to a mural festival during COVID, and am thrilled to bring it back to the community this year.

Festival highlights include:
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 my Reseda Rising initiative include the $21 million Reseda Boulevard Complete Street project, the redevelopment of the historic Reseda Theater, and the construction of a $27 million community skating rink. Learn more about the projects here.

I hope to see you this Saturday and for additional information and a list of FAQs, please visit resedaartwalk.com.

Budget Update
Chair Blumenfield and members of the City Council’s Budget, Finance and Innovation (BFI) Committee adopted changes to Mayor Bass’ proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and next week it will be heard and voted on by the full City Council before it is sent to the Mayor for her signature or veto.

Over the past few weeks, the BFI committee has been working with city leaders to review the budget and propose changes to help fill critical gaps and adjust priorities. While the Mayor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024-25 was technically balanced, the financial foundation on which it rests is frighteningly thin.  This is not her fault, it is a reality of our economic situation.  Although the budget remains ‘bare bones’ and dire, the committee — working closely with the CLA and Department staff — was able to secure new funds and make funding swaps that enable key priorities to be bolstered and serious funding gaps to be bridged.

These funding priorities include:
  • Restoring 100 positions at the Bureau of Street Services. This means avoiding layoffs of the people who pave our streets and repair our sidewalks. 
  • Retaining 85 positions at Recreation and Parks. This means that maintenance crews won't be disrupted, our team sports and so many incredible programs serving toddlers to seniors will continue to thrive.
  • Spending $6.5 million to make up for the serious state and federal government cuts to local Domestic Violence Programs.
  • Enabling the City Clerk to hire critical jobs that help the city pay its bills on time.
  • Giving the Department of Animal Services an additional $2 million for the spay and neuter program as well as the cat trap-neuter-release effort which we are legally obligated to run. This will help limit liability and will save taxpayer dollars in the long run.
  • Restoring key positions in Departments like Transportation and Cultural Affairs to ensure that our City assets are working for Angelenos.
  • Increasing our reserve fund to insure the City’s financial health.

Recognizing Yom HaShoah and Jewish American Heritage Month
Councilmember Blumenfield and his colleagues Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky and Councilwoman Traci Park recognized Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, to honor the memory of the 6 million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis. The Councilmembers had the privilege of honoring Henri Slucki, a 90 year old survivor who shared his story of resilience and hope.

Created by Presidential decree in 2006, May was chosen as Jewish American Heritage Month due to the highly successful celebration organized by the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History. In 2017, the City of Los Angeles began having an official celebration of JAHM highlighting Jewish Angelenos. This year’s theme, Jewish LA—A Legacy of Service, recognized several Jewish-led service organizations and their commitment to serving the broader community.
Blumenfield also participated in the Shades of Belonging Community Festival, a vibrant celebration of Jewish diversity in Los Angeles where he heard unique experiences and inspiring stories from folks and organizations dedicated to inclusivity and highlighting Jews of color within the Jewish community.

Snoopy Bridge Update
Since the 1970s, the one of a kind Snoopy (also called “Peanuts”) Bridge over Wilbur Avenue near Tarzana Elementary School has been a beloved community landmark. As you may have seen, it has been defaced with graffiti. Councilmember Blumenfield and his team have been closely working with community members, Charles M Schulz Creative Associates, and Hattas Studios, on how to refurbish this Valley treasure.

Blumenfield successfully secured funding to restore the panels and the work is set to begin on Monday, May 20th. The panels will be removed to ensure they are not damaged, and that there is no hazard to vehicles passing under the bridge. The restoration should be completed within a month. The work will include application of an anti-graffiti coating both to deter future vandalism and, if it occurs, make it easier to remove. Stay tuned for more updates.

Input Needed on the Selection of the Next Police Chief
Councilmember Blumenfield recently held a webinar with the LA Board of Police Commissioners that was specifically for West Valley residents. It was designed to share information about the process of selecting the next Police Chief and to hear the priorities of West Valley residents. If you were unable to attend the meeting, make your voice heard by participating in the community input survey here.

Around Town
Councilmember Blumenfield was  happy to join Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Crowley and the incredible LAFD family at the annual Fire Service Day where community members enjoyed fire engine displays and learned more about fire safety and preparedness.
Councilmember Blumenfield joined his colleagues in participating in the Inaugural LA Foster Youth Shadow Day. Blumenfield and his Legislative Deputy Adrian Salcedo were paired with former foster youth, Eva, and they were happy to show her around City Hall and learn more about the need to improve policies and services for those in and transitioning out of the foster care system.
For 25 years, Iglesia Poder De Dios has put together a Health Fair to provide services and encourage folks to get active. Councilmember Blumenfield was thrilled to join them and thank Margarita Novar for her unwavering commitment to this event each year.

Community Events and Resources

Historic West Valley
This week's photo, taken in 1954, is from the Valley Times Collection of "Reseda, Hub of the West Valley". This view is  looking west on Sherman Way from Etiwanda in Reseda. Learn more about the photo here. 

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield
200 N Spring Street, Room 465, Los Angeles, CA 90012