Dear Friend:
Today marks a new chapter as I take on the role of Council President Pro Tempore and Marqueece Harris-Dawson takes on the role of Council President. While we face unprecedented challenges, we need a blend of bold vision and institutional memory to continue making progress on the biggest issues facing our city and weather the storms yet to come. |
I also want to thank Councilmember Paul Krekorian for his leadership over the last two years, guiding our City during difficult times. As Council President, Krekorian led our Council with a steady hand in troubled times, and I remain grateful for his leadership and friendship as he nears the end of his service as a City Councilmember. |
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Ensuring a Clean Drinking Supply |
Recently, Council approved Councilmember Blumenfield’s motion that instructs the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and the Bureau of Sanitation 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 contamination was isolated to two inactive wells, Blumenfield nonetheless pushed forward to ensure that the entire LA drinking supply is being monitored for these "forever chemicals".
The Energy and Environment Committee heard two updated reports from both agencies, where details on testing, costs, staffing and next steps were discussed. The City is also responding to Blumenfield's motion by partnering with local water agencies, including the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), the largest wholesale purchaser of water in the Country, in order to collaborate and ensure eradication of PFAS / PFOS micro plastics aka "forever chemicals". |
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Caballero Creek Park Update |
Work to create a bioswale is underway at Caballero Creek Park! Located just south of Victory Blvd. on Lindley Ave, this site will convert a 1.5-acre underutilized lot into a multiple-benefit park right at the convergence of the Los Angeles River and Caballero Creek in Tarzana. It will be the first self-sustaining park in Los Angeles- capturing water on-site and off-site, cleaning it with solar energy, and using it to nourish the plants at the park. Stay tuned for more updates. |
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September is National Preparedness Month |
Recent earthquakes in Southern California are a good reminder that September is National Preparedness Month, an annual campaign from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies can keep their families, pets and communities safe.
As a longtime advocate of emergency preparedness, Councilmember Blumenfield urges constituents to sign up for emergency alerts, build an emergency kit for your family and pets, and create a plan for you and your family in the event of an emergency or disaster. More tips can be found here. |
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Councilmember Blumenfield joined Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky for the unveiling of Freedom Life Square, a tribute to the life of Mahsa Amini and continued fight for women’s rights. Back in May of this year at the suggestion of Persian community leader, John Ardalan, Blumenfield introduced a resolution to declare September 16, 2024, as “Mahsa Amini Day” in the City of Los Angeles. These actions reinforce our commitment to protect justice, equality, and human rights for all. |
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Recently, LADWP crews swiftly repaired a water main break on Tampa Ave. Councilmember Blumenfield is thankful for their quick response to ensuring the safety of residents. Blumenfield is eager for the resurfacing of Tampa to begin and is pushing for it to happen. It will begin once the pending projects conducted by various agencies are completed. Because the projects require digging up the street to fix and install various pipes, they need to occur before the resurfacing. |
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Report on Safety Findings at Local Shelters |
Providing care for pets, reducing overpopulation, and helping pets find loving forever families have been longtime priorities for Councilmember Blumenfield. Challenges in the City’s shelters include overcrowding, long stays, and day to day conditions that are not healthy for animals or the shelter workforce. Recently, Outcomes for Pets Consulting, LLC released a report to the Board of Animal Services Commission on the safety findings at our local shelters with some recommendations for improving the conditions and outcomes for animals. Top highlights of the report include:
- Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) facilities are overcrowded with more dogs spending longer in the shelters
- There is not enough staff to care for the animals on site
- LAAS staff are engaged and City leaders are committed to improvement to prevent needless euthanasia, support animals with medical and behavioral challenges, and there is unparalleled support from community and rescue pet partners to help
- Improvements can be made to help reduce the time an animal spends in the shelter and the effectiveness and safety of volunteers
Your feedback on the report about the findings and recommendations is needed and welcomed. Participate in a quick survey here. |
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John Popoch, Councilmember Blumenfield’s Deputy Chief of Staff, visited the Variel Men’s Club to listen to their concerns and share what’s been happening at City Hall and offer updates on projects throughout the West Valley. If you're a local West Valley organization that wants to learn more about our efforts or how to get more involved, reach out to Deputy Chief of Staff John Popoch at john.popoch@lacity.org. |
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Councilmember Blumenfield joined Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League Jeffrey Abrams at the Nova Exhibition, an in-depth immersive remembrance of the massacre at The Nova Music Festival on October 7th, 2023 at the hands of Hamas terrorists. Part of the largest attack against Israel in history, in a flash Hamas murdered hundreds of Jewish people and still is keeping many festival goers hostage. This exhibit is a truly remarkable experience that shows the brutality and evil of the attacks as well as the incredible resilience of the survivors and their families. You can learn more at novaexhibition.com. |
Councilmember Blumenfield congratulated the 72 entrepreneur graduates of the West Valley BusinessSource Center Entrepreneurship Training Program. Blumenfield partnered with the BusinessSource Center to offer a free six-week course which has given local entrepreneurs training in business principles including planning, marketing, accounting, and access to capital. |
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Community Events and Resources |
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This week's photo, from 1957, is from the Valley Times Collection, of Valley defense workers training for possible mass casualty or disaster. Learn more about the photo here. |
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield
200 N Spring Street, Room 465, Los Angeles, CA 90012
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