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Dear Friend:
This week the City Council gave final approval to a balanced $13 billion budget that helps fill gaps, preserve services, and ensures that our city is more fiscally sound. As you may know, this was a rough budget in terms of cuts, because revenues have been relatively flat while the costs to operate the City, including labor costs, have been skyrocketing. We did everything we could to do more with less and stretch every dollar, but we can only spend what we have.
Every year, I ask constituents to fill out a quick budget survey to help guide us about the priorities of the West Valley. This year your top responses included public safety, street and sidewalk maintenance, and improved park services. I’m proud that we made some progress on many of these priorities. Not only are LAPD and LAFD fully funded, we also were able to include a big upgrade for LAFD with new radio systems and more. We found new funding to restore over 100 positions at StreetsLA that had been proposed to be eliminated under the Mayor’s proposal. This means avoiding layoffs of the people who pave our streets and repair our sidewalks. We were also able to fund 85 more positions at Recreation and Parks so maintenance crews won't be disrupted, and many incredible programs serving toddlers to seniors and our sports teams will continue to thrive. And, a bit of new spending included $6.5 million to help offset the serious state and federal government cuts to local Domestic Violence programs.
While we don’t have enough funds to do all that we would like to do, I am proud that this budget reflects our urgent needs and focuses appropriate resources on top priorities. |
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New Environmental Efforts to Ensure Clean Drinking Water and Reduce Health Risks from Artificial Turf |
Recently the Council approved Councilmember Blumenfield’s motion that instructs the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to test for the presence of Polyfluoroalkyl / Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and other similar contaminants and provide information on how to ensure safe potable drinking water for the City. This was prompted by recent revelations that DWP, for the first time ever, detected these contaminants in two water sources in the San Fernando Valley (the Pollock Well Field and at the Tujunga Well Field). While the levels were not deemed dangerous, it raised enough concern for Blumenfield to put together the motion.
Separately, Blumenfield introduced a motion to help Los Angeles transition away from artificial turf/synthetic grass and encourage the transition to California drought-friendly landscaping. Made from petroleum products, artificial turf/synthetic grass has been found to cause serious environmental issues as it degrades, can magnify the ‘heat island effect,’ and can burn in a wildfire. In the past it had been heralded as a good water-saving landscape alternative, but the conventional wisdom has been rapidly changing as the product has been studied, peer-reviewed and tested. Ultimately, a ban on future non-functional / decorative turf may be necessary.
Artificial turf is now known to contain harmful substances such PFAS, and other “forever chemicals”. In April 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the Environmental Protection Agency, categorized PFAS and other “forever chemicals” as hazardous substances dangerous to human health. The EPA has concluded that exposure to PFAS may lead to reproductive effects, developmental delays, and risks of some cancers. Exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, and mucous membrane exposure, including microplastic dust kicked up on artificial turf fields.
On the effort regarding artificial turf, Charming Evelyn, Chair of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Water Committee, said, “Sierra Club stands in strong support of this motion from City Councilmember Blumenfield. This is a crucial step for preventing widespread contamination and protecting public health.” |
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Honoring Fallen Veterans at the West Valley’s Memorial Day Parade |
Councilmember Blumenfield and his father, an Air Force veteran (Vietnam era), joined many community members at this year's annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade to honor all of the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. The Canoga Park High School band and dance and cheer team joined veterans and color guards to march along Sherman Way.
The parade was hosted by the Canoga Park Community Center and was proudly sponsored by many amazing local organizations. |
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Celebrating Arts and Community in Reseda |
Photos by Christina Gandolfo, courtesy of Go As If |
For the first time since the start of the COVID pandemic, Councilmember Blumenfield hosted his sixth annual Reseda Rising Art Walk on May 18. This festival, a vibrant testament to the community’s arts scene, transformed the Los Angeles Great Streets Sherman Way corridor between Etiwanda and Lindley Avenue in the heart of Reseda, showcasing a transformative reinvestment in the community. |
Photos by Christina Gandolfo, courtesy of Go As If |
The event featured dozens of local artists selling their works, live screen printing, local bands, regional food trucks and so much more.
The Art Walk is just one component of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s 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 Councilmember’s 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.
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Spanish Language Accelerator Program |
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield has partnered with the West Valley BusinessSource Center to host a Spanish Language Business Accelerator Program. The free six-week course has given more than 60 local entrepreneurs training in business principles including planning, marketing, accounting, and access to capital. Graduates of the program have an opportunity to qualify for $5,000 to help launch their business. The West Valley BusinessSource Center offers ongoing one-on-one support to small businesses throughout the region. To learn more about resources offered by the City's BusinessSource Centers visit ewddlacity.com. |
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Overnight Closures of Topanga Canyon Boulevard for Bus Pad Construction |
Caltrans continues the closure of Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) in the San Fernando Valley for bus pad construction. Portions of the northbound lane will be closed Monday through Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., starting Monday, June 3. All lanes will reopen at 6:00 a.m. after each day.
The construction will impact the following northbound intersections of Topanga Canyon Boulevard:
- Marylee Street and Erwin Street
- Victory Boulevard and Topanga Mall
- Kittridge Street and Vanowen Street
- Schoolcraft Street and Sherman Way
Closures are weather-permitting and subject to change. The work is part of a project to repave State Route 27 (SR-27) and upgrade curb ramps, pedestrian push buttons, and bus pads in the San Fernando Valley and through the unincorporated area of Topanga. The work zone spans more than 18 miles on SR-27 from Pacific Coast Highway to Devonshire Street in Chatsworth. |
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Councilmember Blumenfield proudly joined over 80 volunteers at the West Valley Food Pantry at the annual USPS Letter Carriers 'Stamp Out Hunger' Food Drive. |
Councilmember Blumenfield was excited to cheer on the youth participants at the 2nd Annual Topanga PALs All-Valley Wrestling Tournament. Blumenfield also thanked Officer Juan Estrada aka Coach Estrada, for his commitment and dedication to the successful wrestling program. |
During Councilmember Blumenfield's latest door-to-door small business outreach, he met with several businesses that are worth a visit, including Tomato Patch and Shalom House on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills. |
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Community Events and Resources |
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This week's photo, taken in 1956, is from the Valley Times Collection of a student from Reseda High School showcasing his artwork that earned him an arts scholarship from the Reseda Women's Club. Learn more about the photo here. |
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield
200 N Spring Street, Room 465, Los Angeles, CA 90012
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