Blumenfield at a mobile COVID-19 Vaccine site in Canoga Park

Blumenfield at the Sycamore Cabin Community Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

Next week, on June 15th,  California will fully re-open, and like so many of you I am very eager to be able to take off the mask, return to the office, visit local businesses, attend community events and enjoy the LA summer. We are fortunate that vaccines have been made widely available, and the Biden administration’s support for our community is helping keep us afloat. With the state’s “Vax to Win” lottery, a chance to win up to $1.5 million, there’s even more reason to get your shot ASAP if you haven’t done so already.

I strongly encourage anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to take advantage of the Pierce College site before it winds down on June 19^th. Pierce is open from 8:00am-8:00pm, no appointment needed, and Angelenos can request their vaccine of choice. The City will transition to focusing on vaccinating hard to reach and vaccine resistant populations through pop-up sites and local outreach and vaccinations will still be available at pharmacies and through health care providers.

Even if you think you could survive COVID19 exposure, getting vaccinated opens the door to workplaces, attending social events, and is reassuring to everyone around you who may be at risk.

In this newsletter, I share some news about our efforts to help the unsheltered people in the district get the help they need, improving the fire resistance of local multi-family buildings, and more. If you have a question or issue you’d like to discuss with me and my team, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 818-774-4330.

Addressing Homelessness

More Permanent Supportive Housing Green Lit in the West Valley

LA Family Housing (LAFH) has successfully secured some of the voter approved Prop HHH funding to deliver another housing project in the West Valley. As part of the “Housing Challenge,” six development teams were awarded a total of $120M for the construction of 1,000 PSH units at 17 project sites. The program’s goals include building at a lower cost using innovative designs because reducing construction costs is an essential component to meeting the city’s urgent housing needs. The West Valley is on deck to receive this funding with a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) project at 18722 Sherman Way. This new site will offer 63 PSH units and will be operated by LAFH, the lead service provider for unsheltered individuals throughout the San Fernando Valley and operator of the Willows Bridge Housing and two new Project Roomkey to Homekey hotel conversions.

Although Blumenfield has approved every single unit of permanent supportive housing proposed in his district, more is desperately needed. In addition to the almost 100 existing units in Winnetka Village, the Reseda Theater Senior Housing (photo above of the construction progress) and Bell Creek development in Canoga Park are now underway, and combined with the pending Palm Vista project, altogether his district will have about 260 more PSH units. Well managed supportive housing apartments with services blend into neighborhoods and are a crucial solution to ending street homelessness.

Blumenfield Secures Funds for Drug Treatment and Mental Health Program for Local Unhoused

As you may know, the City does not have a health department and drug addiction and mental health services are the responsibility of the County of Los Angeles. The City relies entirely on the County when it comes to funding and creating drug treatment and mental health programs. This has been the source of great frustration for Blumenfield because he realizes that there are many homeless people in desperate need of these services who aren’t receiving the help they need. Consequently, he not only spends enormous energy prodding the County to provide more of these services, he also looks for ways where the City can help fill the gap. 

Last week, Councilmember Blumenfield secured $337,300 of state funding from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant for the Tarzana Treatment Center to help continue and grow an innovative local housing and drug treatment program. Created by Blumenfield and the Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center and Tarzana Treatment Center (TTC), the Homeless Housing and Recovery Project offers real, life changing help to unhoused people in the West Valley struggling with drug addiction and mental health issues. 

When unhoused people end up in the Providence ER with an overdose or other issue, an onsite patient navigator is ready to build trust and connect folks with inpatient TTC services. So instead of just treating the immediate issue and discharging them back to the streets, vulnerable folks have access to further treatments and intervention, including housing that helps them immediately.

Legislative Updates

Strengthened Fire Safety Measure Impacting Warner Center Passes Key Committee

Councilmember Blumenfield’s legislation to help strengthen multi-family building standards in high fire risk areas passed the City Council’s Public Safety Committee. This ordinance change would expand a half century old fire code called Fire District 1 (FD 1) which currently only applies to denser areas like Downtown, Hollywood, Century City and parts of Venice. In subsequent decades other hillside adjacent communities like Warner Center have become much denser, but FD 1 hasn’t grown an inch.

For larger developments within FD 1, wood must be treated with fire retardants. More sprinklers must be installed during construction and after, and it includes other broader safety measures. If adopted by the City Council, FD 1 would double in size and that means it would still only apply to 4% of the City. But certain key areas that have fire risks like Warner Center would now have those strengthened building codes for large multifamily developments.

There has been some misinformation spreading about how this legislation would eliminate wood use in those large developments or would apply to the entire city. Again, it would only apply to 4% of the city, focused on denser areas near hillsides with high fire risks, and wood would still be allowed but it must be treated with fire retardants. 

To learn more about this effort, please read Blumenfield’s recent editorial.

Tenant Harassment Ordinance Moves Forward

This week, Councilmember Blumenfield and the City Council supported moving forward to establish the Anti-Harassment of Tenants Ordinance. According to many housing advocates, there are reports of an increase in harassment by landlords in order to encourage tenants to ‘voluntarily’ move out. According to a HCID, a minority of unscrupulous landlords are reported to employ coercive tactics such as reducing housing services, issuing eviction.

This ordinance would impact approximately 852,000 rental units (there are 640,000 RSO units). The language to include non-RSO units and corporate owned single-family/condo rentals is based on new state law which allows tenants to be awarded punitive damages for each violation if a court finds that a landlord has influenced a tenant to vacate by larceny or extortion, threat of physical harm, or unreasonable entry to the rental unit.

The final language will soon be drafted by the City Attorney and other relevant agencies and will come back to the City Council for a final vote.

More Firework Suppression Efforts in the West Valley

With July 4th right around the corner, it’s important to remind everyone that fireworks are dangerous on many levels, illegal in Los Angeles, and can cause intense harm to those dealing with PTSD. Councilmember Blumenfield receives numerous complaints about illegal fireworks every year. Consequently, every year Blumenfield and his team mount an education campaign, partner with MySafeLA, LAFD, LAPD and others to try to deter and prevent illegal fireworks.

As part of this effort, this year Councilmember Blumenfield has asked LAPD to provide extra patrols during the 10 days leading up to July 4th and he found the funding to make this happen in the 3rd district. They will monitor the impact of this increased presence and hopefully it will result in fewer illegal fireworks being set off in the West Valley.

It is important to note that the MySafeLA Fireworks Survey is now live and Blumenfield encourages everyone to fill it out.

MySafe:LA is a professional fire and life safety prevention and education organization, running programs throughout the greater Los Angeles area. In order to evolve policy and statutes, it’s critical to gather quality data from the public. This is your opportunity to share your opinions, concerns, and to help identify possible steps that may have a positive impact on reducing the various threats to human and pet health, as well as protect property.

Please click here to take the important and anonymous survey.

In the Community

Last weekend, Councilmember Blumenfield joined over 30 constituents for the Great Woodland Hills Cleanup along Ventura Blvd. Special thanks to Tim Gaspar for organizing this incredible event and the many dedicated community members who spent their Saturday picking up trash along the Boulevard.

Historic West Valley: Valley Music Theater (1963)

Team Blumenfield is partnering with the Los Angeles Public Library’s (LAPL) photo archive to highlight historic photos of the West Valley. 

On Ventura Blvd., located on the Chalk Hills between Winnetka Ave. and Serrenia Ave., the Valley Music Theater was an incredible live music venue throughout most of the 1960s and early ’70s. Legends that performed in this 2,900 seat theater included The Doors, Buffalo Springfield, Pearl Bailey, Ike and Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr. and comedians like Don Rickles and Johnny Carson. 

Taken in May of 1963, this photo shows the Valley Symphony Orchestra assembled in the field where in about a year the Valley Music Theater would stand. Academy Award winning composer Johnny Green stands conducting just behind actress and singer Janet Blair as they entertain the two couples enjoying a leisurely (socially distanced) dinner. Soon after this photo, construction began on the $1,000,000 theater-in-the-round and in 1964 it opened for a 20-week summer season of musical comedies with such already-committed stars like Miss Blair, Gordon and Sheila MacRae and John Raitt.

In 1980 the Valley Music Theater became a religious center and in 2007, the site was converted into an apartment complex.

Blumenfield has multiple initiatives that will help make the West Valley a cultural arts hub once again. From renovating and modernizing old local theaters, to offering more spaces for artists to come together and foster their talents, to empowering local arts organizations, his Reseda Rising effort and the growing Canoga Park Arts Hub continue to make much progress.

As millions of Angelenos have received COVID-19 vaccinations, I’m very grateful that those of us who are vaccinated are finally at a place where we can have a safe, event filled summer with friends, family and neighbors. If you are not vaccinated, please get vaccinated as soon as possible or you may face serious risks.

It’s so exciting to share that the Blumenfield July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza is happening!

Once again, it’s wonderful to be partnering with the Valley Cultural Foundation on this great annual tradition. On July 4, from 6-9:30pm, join me and thousands of Angelenos at Warner Center Park for live music, food from over 20 local restaurants, many unique local vendors, topped off with an incredible fireworks show. It’s one of the best displays in the region so please come out and have a wonderful time with us.

Also, every Sunday evening throughout the summer, come enjoy even more great live music events with the VCF’s free Concerts at Warner Park series. After the past year and half, we can all use some fun and as more summer events are announced, I’ll make sure to share them here and on my social media.

We should not take lightly how great an achievement this return to in person events is. The last eighteen months have been hard on all of us. So many families lost loved ones, folks continue to suffer from the long-term ramifications of COVID-19, and many holidays and special events were missed. 

As we celebrate summer, let’s not forget those we have lost and suffered, and give thanks to the essential workers, health care workers, and scientists whose hard work made this return to normalcy possible.

The First of Many Community Improvements from the New Providence Cedars Campus Unveiled

Last week Councilmember Blumenfield joined friends from Providence Cedar Sinai Medical Center as the first completed public benefit project from their $540 million expansion was unveiled- a brand new traffic/pedestrian signal on Burbank Blvd., between Reseda Blvd. and the 101 freeway. 

When they met with Blumenfield at the start of this project, these sorts of infrastructure improvements were not the only community partnerships that were agreed upon. Together with Tarzana Treatment Center, Providence and Blumenfield launched an innovative drug treatment/mental health program for unhoused Angelenos that continues to get the most vulnerable on the West Valley streets into life-saving services. 

Many more improvements will be made around the hospital to improve traffic and pedestrian safety. Set to be completed in October of 2022, the new facilities are taking shape with more updates to come as other projects are completed.

What’s Happening at the Bowlero and Corbin Underpasses?

More than any recent issue, Councilmember Blumenfield received the most calls and emails about the homeless situations around the Bowlero and Corbin underpass. He’s met with the people there several times during his regular homeless outreach, he continues to speak with law enforcement about various issues at those locations, and he continues to work with local homeless services providers to continue engaging with people experiencing homelessness (PEH)  so they receive needed services. While providing more interim housing than ever, Blumenfield would need support for his proposals that would help address street maintenance issues around these sorts of encampments. Please read his recent editorial from the Valley Vantage about what is being done.

City Council Passes Ban on Flavored Tobacco

Last week, the City Council approved moving forward to draft an ordinance that will ban the sale of various flavored tobacco products, including vapes. A major hit to big tobacco, this effort was supported by a plethora of health advocates, clergy and community advocates. This move aims to stop the sale of tobacco products that are often advertised and targeted to youth like bubble gum and fruit flavored vapes and cigars. This would also include products like flavored liquid used in e-cigarettes that are often cited as teen’s first exposure to nicotine. 

“I’m proud that we took this critical step toward further addressing this longstanding public health crisis,” said Blumenfield. “The evidence is clear, flavored tobacco has hooked many kids into nicotine addiction and for the health of future generations, it needs to stop.”  

The traditional Shisha flavored tobacco that is smoked in Hookah lounges where only those 21 or older are permitted was not included in this ban. However, menthol flavoring, whether in cigarettes or vapes, was included in the ban.

Similar bans are already in place in nearby cities like West Hollywood and Long Beach.

Take A Tour of Our Second Cabin Community

If you have any questions, concerns, or are curious about what Cabin Communities are, come take a tour and see this facility for yourself. Set to open in just over a week, this is the second Cabin Community Councilmember Blumenfield and Hope of the Valley have opened in the Third Council District for unhoused people on West Valley streets. 

Just go to this link to schedule a tour.

In the Community

Recently Councilmember Blumenfield joined Diana Williams and the West Valley Chamber of Commerce to connect with local business owners about reopening the economy. Throughout the pandemic, Blumenfield worked with many small businesses and nonprofits to provide resources to those struggling.  Resources included grants, utility and rent support, cutting red tape, and lifting onerous restrictions- but many are still hurting. As Los Angeles reopens, please shop local when you can and help continue to lift up and support the many unique stores and restaurants in the West Valley.

Calling Local Business Owners- Blumenfield Will Co-Host Forum on the Future of Retail and Restaurants

If you are a local business owner, please join Councilmember Blumenfield for a forum on the future of retail and restaurants. The panel will include Theodora Trindle, Planning and Development Manager for the Mayor's Office of Economic Development; John Saffell, owner of Nicola's Kitchen; Ryan Selvin from Westfield; and Celeste Ramos from Pacific Coast Regional- Small Business Development Center. Together, they'll discuss the reopening of the economy and various issues facing local businesses. 

Historic West Valley- Tree Planting on Sherman Way

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives was taken in 1964 at the corner of Owensmouth and Sherman Way in Canoga Park where Warren Dorn, LA County Supervisor; Sharon Wolcott, Miss Canoga Park; and James Ross, president of the Canoga Park Camber of Commerce launched a beautification project.

Since Blumenfield became Chair of the City’s Public Works Committee, his goals have included getting Public Works back to pre-recession levels of resources and staffing and focusing on proactive measures to create and sustain a healthy urban tree canopy. This includes conducting a thorough tree inventory; increasing tree trimming, dead tree removal and root pruning to ensure safe sidewalks; and creating jobs for more Targeted Local Hire workers instead of contracting out work which is often less cost effective.

Last week, as the final touches were being completed on the West Valley's latest Cabin Community, I spent a night there. There is more on our grand opening event and information about the site below but I wanted to share with you my experience that night. It’s one thing to list off what’s included in our Cabin Communities but it’s another to try, even in a small way, to put myself in the shoes of someone who is moving into this facility and to experience it as they would to some extent. Joined by my City Council colleague Kevin de Leon, who the next day was breaking ground on his first set of cabins, and a few folks from Hope of the Valley (HotV), we met at the entrance on Topham. We went through the standard security screening, put our things in our respective cabins and got ready for evening.

The first thing that everyone did when they got in their homes was turn on the personal air conditioners to help combat the lowering, but still intense, triple digit temperature outside. Extreme heat is not something new to us in the West Valley and when my staff and I have been doing outreach with homeless people in the past few months for the cabins, the question of AC comes up every time.

Together we shared dinner prepared by the same provider who’ll be serving three meals a day to the new residents. Kevin and I spoke at length with HotV staff about the ongoing homeless crisis, what’s being done at City Hall, and their stories as frontliners of this emergency.

We then got ready for bed, brushed our teeth and turned in for the night. From having running water at your fingertips, access to wi-fi, plugs next to your bed, lights to turn on and of course the incredible staff and resources of HotV readily available, it was clearer than ever that these cabins are night and day different from living on the streets. And the biggest amenity that I hear about from unsheltered people is having a door to lock. That feeling of being protected is priceless, and the ability to let your guard down safely is absolutely critical. These communities offer that and more.

When I woke up in the morning I was excited for the fact that in just a few days, folks who were on our streets would soon get to move in. Homelessness is inherently a trauma packed experience and for too long we have not had the resources to truly help. That’s now changing.

As Ken Craft, CEO of HotV says, the streets can’t be the waiting room for permanent housing. The cabins offer an opportunity for stability and aren't meant to be ‘THE’ solution to homelessness. Mixed with other efforts of ours like green lighting and funding new Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) sites, Bridge Housing in Canoga Park, converting old motels into permanent housing through Project Homekey, expanding capacity at a local Domestic Violence nonprofit as well as drug treatment center, we now are well on our way to properly addressing the crisis on our West Valley streets. And all this is happening while the City Council is poised to finally pass legislation I co-authored that will allow the City to have a no-camping buffer zone around homeless services centers, freeways, and some other sensitive sites.

In the West Valley we have the beds, now we need to double down on outreach. We also need laws to maintain the safety, passability and cleanliness of our sidewalks and public right of ways.

As of this week, local unhoused folks in the West Valley are finally moving into the Sunflower. They are going through the steps we took that day and are being welcomed in. We are working on many other endeavors to help address homelessness but getting these cabins open was an important step. I’m incredibly grateful to Ken and Laurie Craft, Rowan Vansleve and their entire Hope of the Valley family for their partnership and everything they do to help combat the biggest crisis facing our generation.

Blumenfield and Hope of the Valley Open West Valley’s Latest Cabin Community

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission (HotV) opened the West Valley’s latest Cabin Community for local unhoused Angelenos. The ‘Sunflower Cabin Community’ boasts over 70 tiny homes with 140 beds that will be made available to those experiencing homelessness on the streets of the West Valley.

“With today’s opening of our second Cabin Community, we are opening more life-saving opportunities for the unhoused folks in my district,” said Blumenfield. “This site will serve as the first step out of homelessness for so many and I’m so grateful to our friends at Hope of the Valley for being incredible partners on this effort.”

Each cabin has its own air conditioner and heater to keep the interior a comfortable temperature year round and there are many shared amenities like laundry, three meals a day, restroom facilities, 24/7 security as well as case management and drug and mental health counseling. And pets are welcome as well and there is an on-site dog run.

Blumenfield is also leading on many other projects to expand available temporary and permanent housing solutions. Separate from his first Cabin Community in Reseda which recently opened, there are also several other PSH and affordable housing developments that recently broke ground and more that have been green lit and funded. He also spearheaded an extension of the Safe Parking program adjacent to his District Office, opened the Willows which is the West Valley’s Bridge Housing site and recently opened an additional lot for those living in their vehicles in Canoga Park. Also, at the end of last year, Blumenfield successfully pushed the city to purchase two local motels as part of Project Homekey to be converted into PSH.

Check out a video recap of our grand opening by clicking this link. 

To learn more about Blumenfield’s Cabin Communities, please go to blumenfield.lacity.org/cabin_communities. 

4th of July Extravaganza Brings Angelenos Together in the West Valley

With immense hardships over the past 18 months, Blumenfield was grateful to present his annual 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Warner Center Park. This event wouldn't have been possible without Nora Ross and her incredible team at the Valley Cultural Foundation, who overcame many obstacles to put it all together.

Blumenfield said, ‘It was truly inspiring to see so many folks come together to celebrate community, country and the aspirational values of freedom and independence to which we as Americans hold dear.”

See some highlights from the event by clicking here or the image below. 

As More Beds Open in the West Valley, Key Legislation Takes Big Step Forward Toward Limiting Encampments 

On July 1, the City Council overwhelmingly supported legislation co-authored by Councilmember Blumenfield that will establish constitutional, enforceable laws prohibiting encampments in certain sensitive areas, require notice and an offer of housing before prohibiting encampments in others areas, and enable the enforcement of disability access laws. The ordinance was heard and passed with a 13-2 vote. Because it wasn’t unanimous, it has to come back for a second vote which is scheduled at the end of the month in which a simple majority of votes will be needed for approval.

This motion, which was co-presented with Councilmembers Ridley Thomas, de Leon, O’Farrell and Council President Nury Martinez, would allow the City to have buffer zones including around freeways (i.e. Corbin underpass) and around shelter sites (i.e. the Willows and the Sycamore and Sunflower cabin communities).

This comes at a time when hundreds of more beds in the West Valley are opening through Cabin Communities and other interventions. With other efforts like Project Homekey and Bridge Housing, Blumenfield is finally within reach of having enough housing for every single unhoused person in CD3.

Independent Redistricting Commission Hosts West Valley Event, Make Your Voice Heard

Every ten years, an independent commission is assembled to analyze each City Council district and determine if changes need to be made to district boundaries. This process is critical to make sure the many communities that make up Los Angeles are well represented and bring more people into the process. The commission is hosting virtual events in each district and it’s important that they hear from as many residents as possible about what in our communities are important to them.

Though the process is independent from elected officials, Blumenfield encourages everyone to take part in this meeting or submit your testimony in writing to [email protected].

Join the commission on July 15 at 6pm for the CD3 specific meeting. Learn more about how to register here. 

Historic West Valley- Students from Sister Cities, Taxco and Canoga Park

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times, July 23, 1965: "Joining hands in symbolizing the friendship between the United States and Mexico are these six students, some of whom are from Canoga Park and some of whom are from Taxco, Mexico, Canoga Park's Sister City. The Taxco students, part of a group of 15 who are visiting in Canoga Park, and their hosts took a tour of Topanga Plaza. The six are, from left, Juan Luis Bustamante, Taxco; Yuette Velazquez, Canoga Park; Cesar Garcia, Taxco; Martha Ellertson, Canoga Park, and Jaime Chew and Alba Rosa Bustamante of Taxco."

More than 99% of the people who are dying from COVID are among the unvaccinated.  These deaths are preventable.Please encourage everyone you know to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over and sadly cases are rising in Los Angeles. Once again LA County requires everyone- vaccinated and unvaccinated- to wear masks inside public places. When everyone wears a  mask indoors it not only reduces everyone’s risk of both getting and transmitting the virus, it helps prevent non-vaccinated people from carelessly or intentionally going maskless at a time when their doing so is not only endangering their own lives, but is literally prolonging this pandemic and the devastation that goes along with it.  

Since the start of the pandemic, my office has given away over 30,000 masks. If you are in need of an extra mask, we can provide you with one. Please email [email protected] to reserve yours today.

It’s our shared responsibility to stop the spread of the virus and help to save lives. By getting vaccinated you are doing your part toward ending this pandemic and moving toward recovery. To find a vaccine site near you, please click here or call 833-540-0473. While the City’s mass vaccination sites are closed, vaccines are now widely available at pharmacies and through health care providers. Also, the City and my office are focusing on delivering vaccines directly including a new effort to have a vaccine brought to your home if you are unable to go out to get one. If you are homebound, please contact my office at 818-774-4330 or [email protected] to schedule an in-home appointment.

This week’s newsletter includes important updates on renter protections, pedestrian friendly improvements, and more. If you ever have questions for me, please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected] or call 818-774-4330.

Expanding Renter Protections for Angelenos

Even before the pandemic local housing costs were extraordinarily high and too many Angelenos were on the brink of homelessness. That is why Councilmember Blumenfield is proud to have strongly supported and voted to approve a bold and meaningful ordinance enhancing renter protections - specifically by preventing harassment of tenants. 

The ordinance defines tenant harassment as willful conduct directed at tenants that cause detriment or harm without legal purpose. Examples include:

·         Failing to perform necessary repairs, or follow standards to minimize exposure to toxic materials.

·         Reducing or eliminating services required by a lease, such as parking spaces.

·         Threatening physical harm.

·         Misrepresenting the need to vacate.

·         Coercing a renter to vacate with one-time payments.

·         Refusing to accept lawful rent payments.

·         Disclosing or threatening to disclose information about a tenant to the government to get them to vacate including immigration or citizenship status.

Please know that COVID-19 related protections continue and supplement the anti-harassment actions noted above. For example, the City’s eviction moratorium prohibits landlords from charging interest or late fees for late payments due to COVID.  This eviction moratorium protects tenants with unpaid rent due to COVID-19 until August 1, 2022.

If you receive an eviction notice during this period, please file a complaint by calling (866) 557-7368 or online or seek legal assistance at Stay Housed L.A. Further, to get answers to your particular situation, you can consult with one of the region’s housing advocacy or legal aid organizations which partner with the City as part of LA Represents for pro-bono legal assistance. To access LA Represents please visit https://corona-virus.la/LARepresents.

Check out the New 'Sidewalk and Transit Amenities Program' Designs in Reseda

In preparation for a new and updated Sidewalk and Transit Amenities Program (STAP), StreetsLA is giving the public the opportunity to see and provide feedback on proposed new bus shelters and technology features. The public displays of proposed shelters will give Angelenos a chance to see how they look in the real world and provide comments about the design--including comfort of seating, concerns about loitering, brightness and distraction from digital signs, and other issues.

Please visit the displays in front of Blumenfield’s District Office at 19040 Vanowen Street this Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24 from 12pm-10pm. Your feedback will be used to negotiate with the winning contractor on the features to incorporate into the next generation of bus shelters so that the City of Los Angeles has shelters that are customized and designed to meet the needs of Angelenos. 

Safe Streets for our Students

Pedestrian safety, especially for our children walking to school, is a priority of Councilmember Blumenfield. He listened to the needs of the community and during the latest budget hearings advocated for an increased number of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT)’s crossing guards for local Valley schools. 

LADOT is hiring an additional 138 crossing guards Citywide to enhance the safety of students, specifically those walking and cycling in school zones, while also increasing the visibility of their presence to drivers. Currently, the number of crossing guard requests exceeds the number of available guards. Given limited resources, crossing guards will be assigned to locations where they can provide the greatest benefit to children crossing, while reducing risk of collisions. Council District 3 schools in the City’s Crossing Guard Program include: Blythe St, Fullbright Ave, Garden Grove, Melvin Ave, Serrania Ave, Sunnybrae Ave, Sutter, Tarzana, Vanalden Ave, Welby Way, Winnetka, and Woodland Elementary Schools. For more information and to apply to be a crossing guard, please click here.

Charter Bus Program Resumes

To assist nonprofits, schools, and senior organizations in his district, Councilmember Blumenfield sets aside a limited amount of funds each year to provide special bus transportation to events or outings.  He does this to encourage groups that might otherwise have access issues to take advantage of educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities in the area. 

For example, an elementary class might take a field trip to a local museum, or a senior citizens group may want to attend a musical performance. If you would like to be considered for a bus donation from Councilmember Blumenfield this year, let us know six weeks in advance and sign up at blumenfield.lacity.org/bus.

In the Community

Recently Councilmember Blumenfield helped bring Rec and Parks' Universal Play Program to Lanark Park and kicked off a city-wide series of low-cost youth sports clinics hosted by USA Field Hockey in the lead up to the 2028 Olympics. The Universal Play Program helps local kids experience new sports and will host many more over the coming months. This is part of his ongoing effort to increase local park programming and bring new opportunities for youth to explore non-traditional sports.

Blumenfield continues outreach to homeless individuals throughout the district. He was joined by Pastor Kathy Huck and volunteers in promoting services and handing out frozen water to the unhoused during the latest heat wave.  He also did outreach with LAHSA workers who are working hard to make sure that all of CD3’s homeless are offered shelter.  As the Cabin communities have recently opened up, there are many homeless people who are currently transitioning from the streets to the cabins. 

Historic West Valley-Don Drysdale Golfs at Woodland Hills Country Club

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on May 21, 1963. Hall of Fame Dodger and Valley native Don Drysdale gets a golf lesson at the Woodland Hills Country Club from two year old Mark Dowaliby, son of PGA pro Mike Dowaliby. Learn more about this photo here.

Last week the LA City Council passed legislation, which I co-authored, that will establish constitutional, enforceable laws prohibiting encampments in certain sensitive areas. Sufficient notice and an offer of services and shelter will be made before most areas can be designated and made off-limits to encampments. It will also enable the enforcement of disability access laws. On July 2, the ordinance was heard and passed with a 13-2 vote but as it wasn’t unanimous, it had to come back for a second vote. I had introduced a version of this last year and have been working ever since to get it passed— this is a big win for the community. 

So what does this mean for the homeless crisis in the Valley?

This will allow the City to have designated zones including around freeways (i.e. Corbin underpass and Bowlero) and around shelter sites (i.e. the Willows and the Sycamore and Sunflower cabin communities) where encampments will not be allowed. This ordinance addresses people and their belongings, but not vehicles. Each area needs to not only fit particular location characteristics, but they must be presented to the City Council for a vote before they can  be made off-limits for encampments. Getting key locations throughout the district to go through that process will still take some time. We will continue sending outreach workers to all of these locations in the interim and, of course, intensively during the two week process that will be triggered by the resolution to make such an area off-limits for encampments. During the two week process people living in the designated encampments will be offered shelter or housing. It is a process that is very similar to what occurred last year during the pilot process we conducted at our local 101 freeway underpasses and it is very similar to what has recently happened at Venice Beach. The major change is that now, once the process has been completed, the area can legally be made off limits to future encampments. 

This comes at a time when hundreds of beds in the West Valley are opening through Cabin Communities and other interventions. Housing, services, and outreach are critical components to address the crisis. With other efforts like Project Homekey and Bridge Housing, we’re finally within reach of having enough shelter beds for every single unhoused person in CD3 to come indoors. While the rest of the City is still far from this goal, more permanent housing is getting built in the West Valley and we are bringing more services to our local streets. While I believe everyone has a right to a roof over their head, I don’t believe that everyone has a right to encamp anywhere they want. As we increase our transitional housing opportunities and services, this law is desperately needed. 

Progress on the Reseda Blvd. Street Improvement Project

Over the past few months, there’s been progress made on Reseda Blvd. Street Improvement Project. City crews have been actively working on the west side of the street between Victory Blvd. and Gault St., reconstructing portions of the sidewalk and driveways in greatest need of repair, rebuilding corner curb ramps to meet current accessibility standards, and rebuilding broken curbs and gutters. The result will be safer, smoother surfaces for people walking, rolling, and driving on Reseda Blvd.                                   

Crews have completed these elements between Gault St. and Victory Blvd., and have started on the segment between Kittridge St. and Victory Blvd. on the east side. Crews will return to these segments in 2022-2023 to install the other project elements such as signals, bus boarding islands, trees, and lighting. At intersections where changes to the traffic signals are planned, corner curb ramps will be upgraded later, at the same time that the signal work is completed.

Through Spring 2022, sidewalk construction activity will continue progressing northward from Victory Blvd., on the east side of the street. You can continue to expect intermittent sidewalk and driveway closures and temporary parking restrictions in this area. Please be mindful of the work crews – and thank you for your patience with work to improve this street.

Low and Loud Airplane Noise in the West Valley- Make Your Voice Heard  

Throughout the pandemic, Team Blumenfield has heard from constituents concerned with airplane noise over residential communities. In 2017 the FAA implemented Metroplex, a new GPS-guided routing system, at all Southern California airports, including LAX and Van Nuys. Because the FAA is a Federal agency, the City didn’t have any role in the decision about where to locate those routes or which neighborhoods would be affected.                         

Many in the West Valley know the continuous and frustrating impact of these airplane paths directly over our homes. On July 28, the City Council voted to increase funding to retain an outside law firm to support the City Attorney's lawsuits against the FAA. While the policy is set by the FAA and Congress has oversight authority, Blumenfield is looking for any way to exert leverage on the situation to lessen the problem and is working closely with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to obtain more data about flight patterns and altitudes over the West Valley to ensure that the correct path is being followed under the federal Metroplex rules.                                                 

On Monday, August 9 from 6pm-9pm LAWA will be hosting the FAA for a briefing on the proposed redesign of the Van Nuys Airport departure procedures based on the recommendations of the Southern San Fernando Valley Airplane Noise Task Force. Blumenfield encourages all those who have been affected by the noise or who are interested to participate. RSVP here.

Redistricting Commission Continues Outreach Meetings

The City Redistricting Commission held a virtual meeting to take comments from CD3 residents and stakeholders, and continues to hold these meetings for people throughout LA. Feedback and input from residents will help guide the process as the Commission begins drawing new lines for Council districts once census data is made available this month. If you were not able to attend the meeting you can still share information about your community, and communities of interest, via this online form.

Addressing Copper Wire Theft

The Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) has long battled against copper wire theft that puts stretches of street lights out of commission. With approximately 10,000 damaged street lights in one year, the problem has increased dramatically as copper prices have reached all-time highs. As Chair of the Public Works Committee and a member of the Budget & Finance Committee, Councilmember Blumenfield has highlighted this issue and secured additional funding to combat it.

In an April 2021 report to the Public Works Committee, BSL stated that in FY 19/20, copper wire theft affected nearly 10,000 streetlights in the City and the average theft took 63 days to repair. In FY 20/21, BSL was able to reduce the average repair time to 35 days, which is still unacceptable. In the FY 21/22 City Budget hearings, Blumenfield helped secure $2.4 million to address the backlog of repairs, further reduce that repair time and ‘harden the targets’ by making the copper harder to access. He will continue to tackle this issue.

When repairs are made, BSL attempts to make future thefts more difficult, such as by welding shut access plates. Nevertheless, some locations get hit multiple times, so it may seem (incorrectly) like repairs have not been made. While BSL is improving its ability to automatically detect outages, you can help by reporting street light issues at myla311.lacity.org or the MyLA311 app, or by contacting Councilmember Blumenfield’s office at (818) 774-4330.

Welcome Packages for Residents the Cabin Communities

Thank you to Dr. Corey Hodes for collecting welcome kits for new residents of the Sycamore and Sunflower Cabin Communities. This type of generous and thoughtful support helps folks take the next step toward better lives.

Whether providing welcome kits to unhoused neighbors, donating toys for struggling families during the holidays, or supplying necessities for neighbors affected by emergencies such as the Woolsey Fire, the generosity of West Valley residents is unmatched. The needs of cabin community residents vary. If you are interested in donating items, please contact the service provider, Hope of the Valley at 818-392-0020 or [email protected] to ensure donated items match with local needs. If you or your organization are looking for ways to help the community through donation drives or community clean ups, please contact Senior Field Deputy Safi Lodin, at 818-774-4330.

Feedback for the Proposed 1-405 Sepulveda Pass ExpressLanes Project

Metro is conducting an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/ Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed 1-405 Sepulveda Pass ExpressLanes project. They are exploring ways to improve traffic flow and increase vehicle pass on the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass, which could include adding a dynamically-priced high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane--like the ones on the 110 and 10 Freeways--and/or converting the existing carpool (HOV) lane to a HOT lane.

The 405 is a critical route for many West Valley residents to reach jobs, schools, and other areas of LA. Your feedback is needed on the project alternatives and to identify issues that may need to be addressed.  Please submit comments here or join a virtual meeting.

In the Community

Blumenfield celebrates National Night Out with LAPD Topanga Division at a community block party and LAPD West Valley Division at Randall D. Simmons Park with a movie screening of Disney Pixar’s “Onward.” For 35 years this event has brought residents and law enforcement together through festivals and local activities, continuing to grow a positive bond in the community. Today, events are held in all 50 states in more than 16,000 communities.

Blumenfield spends time outdoors at Lanark Park for Summer Night Lights where grab and go meals were distributed to families and kids enjoyed playing some baseball.

Historic West Valley-Valley Youngsters Fishing at Reseda Park Lake

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on June 13, 1963. Reseda Park Lake is still in use for families to gather and people to come and try their hand at catching some fish. Learn more about this photo here.

Because the number of COVID-19 cases has increased in LA County due to the highly transmissible Delta variant, it is very important for everyone to help slow the spread of the virus by wearing masks indoors and in crowded outdoor areas. If you aren’t fully vaccinated, your mask is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect yourself and others.  It is super easy to get vaccinated, not only can you go to your doctor or pharmacy, but this month you can get vaccinated for free at our Valley Cultural Center’s Movies and Concerts in the Park series.

To reach true herd immunity and better prevent the spread of dangerous variants, we need to help people get vaccinated by reducing barriers and fears. Getting vaccinated reduces the risk of needing medical attention and reduces your risk of contracting the virus. I have heard heartbreaking stories from individuals who did not get vaccinated and are now in the ICU wishing that they had and are now urging their family and friends to get the vaccine.  It’s our shared responsibility to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help save lives.

By continuing to wear a mask and getting vaccinated, we are on the path to returning to normalcy and having more gatherings with family and friends. Let us enjoy the last summer weekends together and safely. Join me and Valley Cultural Center for the remaining Movies and Concerts at Warner Center Park. All are welcome at this free event and a free vaccine mobile clinic will be on site. 

These are trying times, but by taking some simple steps, we can get through them safely. 

Honoring a Valley Native- Brody Stevens

Councilmember Blumenfield declared August 18 (818), Brody Stevens’ Day, in honor of the late comedian and San Fernando Valley native. Stevens was a legendary and unique standup comedian who was in many films and television shows from The Hangover to Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Beloved by his fans and fellow comedians, Stevens performed all over the world. But, regardless of where he was, he would always share his love for Reseda, the Valley and Los Angeles.

“Brody loved our community and he made such a positive impact on so many,” said Blumenfield. “It’s truly special to be joined by his family and friends to name ‘818 Day’ after Brody, a proud West Valley native and one of the best comedians of his generation.”

He played baseball at Reseda High School, took his talents to Arizona State University, and he’d regularly blend his passions for comedy and baseball and appeared on a variety of sports shows as well.

In 2019, Stevens passed away after a long battle with mental illness but his memory lives on through his friends, fellow comedians, fans and family. Blumenfield was joined by Brody’s sister Stephanie, his mother Jackie, as well as comedians and fans. The event was held at ‘Brody’s Bench’ at Reseda Park that was procured through his friend Tommy Godlove, who also helped organize this event. Other comedian friends who shared memories at the event included Jeff Ross, Teina Manu, Yoshi Obayashi and Darren Carter.

Requiring Vaccination for City Employment and Patronizing Indoor Restaurants, Bars and Other Spaces

Requiring vaccinations for eligible LA City workers, or for folks patronizing certain indoor establishments, is not something that should ever be done lightly.  Such temporary restrictions are being moved forward by the City Council because the increased risk of spreading COVID-19 when people are unvaccinated is substantial and the impact of that spread is both lethal and incredibly costly, financially and health-wise. Blumenfield believes that to responsibly address this COVID crises we must take these bold steps quickly, however he also recognizes that there are many details that need to be hammered out to make sure that it is implemented appropriately.  For example, it must be decided who enforces these requirements and what the consequences are for non-compliance.

While these important details have not yet been worked out, the City Attorney has been directed by the Council to put forward draft ordinances. Blumenfield will work to make sure that these ordinances are nuanced enough to address the complexities and legalities associated with these new requirements.  He also believes that we cannot ‘let the perfect be the enemy of the good— whatever verification system is enacted, it will be modified over time as it is implemented.

Helping Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19

Soon the City of Los Angeles will launch “Comeback Checks,” a COVID-19 financial recovery program for small businesses. So many local business owners are continuing to struggle through the COVID-19 crisis and the first round of this program will offer $37 million in grants. The Economic and Workforce Development Department’s Business Source Centers can help Angelenos ready their applications so please click here to find out more.

Improving and Beautifying the West Valley

Enhancing the quality of life for residents by upgrading our public infrastructure has always been a priority of Councilmember Blumenfield. As Chair of Public Works, Blumenfield sees firsthand StreetsLA’s commitment to improving our sidewalks, preserving our tree canopy, maintaining the safety and accessibility of our streets, and more. Last fiscal year, StreetsLA trimmed over 1200 trees, removed over 7000 cubic yards of debris, and repaired 78 miles of road in Council District 3 alone. To learn more about the work of StreetsLA, please take a look at their just released 5-Year Strategic Plan here.

LA City and LAUSD Redistricting Commission Continues to Receive Testimony from Angelenos

The LA City Redistricting Commission (LACRC) is still receiving testimony from residents. If you haven’t already, please complete the Community of Interest Form here. The LACRC will present the redistricting plans to the City Council by no later than October 29, 2021. The LA City Redistricting process is behind schedule because of the delay in receiving Census data. The 2020 Census was impacted by COVID and new online submissions. 

Similarly, you have an important role to play in helping the LAUSD Redistricting Commission redraw the LAUSD School Board Member (Board of Education) district lines. The Commission will be hosting seven virtual hearings over the next couple weeks to build people powered maps, but they need to hear from you first. Join the conversation and advocate on behalf of your community. RSVP and submit public comment here.

Historic West Valley- Valley Mothers March for Traffic Safety

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on February 10, 1960. “More than 100 mothers of Winnetka Avenue School pupils massed at the school’s entrance, Winnetka Ave and Roscoe Blvd, to march with placards protesting absence of sidewalks and crossing guards for their children’s safety.”

Pedestrian safety, especially for our children walking to school, is a priority of Councilmember Blumenfield. LADOT is hiring an additional 138 crossing guards Citywide. For more information and to apply to be a crossing guard, please click here.

Since the onset of this pandemic over a year ago, I’ve worked to provide protections that will help those impacted by COVID-19 receive the security and peace of mind necessary to avoid the worst possible outcomes - health and financial. A top priority has been ensuring that renters are protected from evictions due to COVID related loss of income. Such evictions would not only be untimely and cruel, but they could make it impossible for folks to shelter-in-place and therefore worsen the health crisis. As you may know, with my strong support, the City implemented one of the strongest eviction moratoriums in the country, implemented new laws to prevent tenant harassment, and paid more than 100 million dollars of rent for struggling Angelenos. Before State and Federal funds were even available, I got the program started for my constituents by using money from my office’s discretionary funds.

The latest good news on this front is that with the funds provided by the American Rescue Plan, the City and State are combining efforts to streamline rental assistance for a new Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Angelenos will soon have access to a much larger pool of resources to ensure that qualified demand for assistance is met. “Housing is Key” is the central location for renters to apply for funds. Eligible households can get 100% of their rental debt paid. If there is insufficient funding for rental assistance from the City of Los Angeles to cover everyone, applicants will be notified that their application has been referred to the State program.

Applications are now being accepted and City of Los Angeles renters and landlords will be able to apply online via HousingIsKey.com. Residents can also call the appointment call center at 833-687-0967 if they need help filling out an application. To get past COVID’s devastating economic toll, we need to do everything we can to make renters and their housing providers whole. Please share the informational flyer at the end of this newsletter.

Please know that if you are a renter or property owner who previously applied for the City’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program, you can check your application status online at hcidla.lacity.org. If you are on the waitlist for the City’s program, your application will be prioritized under Housing is Key. If you already received funds from the City’s program but need additional months of rent covered, you can apply to the new Housing is Key program as well.

Again, I encourage you to visit housingiskey.com to apply for rent relief as soon as possible. You can also see your rights and other important resources for yourself. Knowing your rights is important and you can find yours at stayhousedla.org. 

These are challenging times but we will get through them together.

Council Passes Blumenfield’s Resolution to Support LAUSD in Addressing Anti-Semitism and Affirming the Value of Jewish Students, Staff and Families

Recognizing the importance of fighting hate in schools and communities, the City Council recently approved Councilmember Blumenfield’s resolution calling on the Los Angeles Unified School District to direct all schools and offices to affirm the rights of Jewish students, staff, and families; to report acts of anti-Semitism; and to establish a curriculum and professional development working group to recruit teachers and administrators with expertise in Jewish history and culture. The measure includes updated bulletins, curricular and instructional resources, and training to address anti-Semitism.

It is particularly important now because anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise in California, Los Angeles, and across the country. Also, the timing and context is important because there is currently a well-organized and systematic effort among some educational stakeholders to demonize Israel and disenfranchise Israeli immigrants in Los Angeles. Some of these folks have been pushing a one sided, pernicious Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) resolution at UTLA. Blumenfield thanked the hundreds of parents and teachers who wrote in to support it and Dillon Hosier of the Israeli-American Civic Action Network.

Blumenfield Welcomes Mocean Carshare to Warner Center

Providing a new service for people who use transit or don’t own vehicles, Blumenfield joined local mobility leaders to welcome Mocean Carshare to Warner Center. This low-cost carshare service fosters sustainability, helps fight traffic and reduces parking needs. It is the latest step in Blumenfield’s effort to encourage transit ridership and reduce dependence on automobiles in Warner Center.

Last year, he designated Warner Center as the City’s first Transportation Technology Innovation Zone to test new mobility solutions, paving the way for companies like Mocean to come to the West Valley. Mocean provides drivers with quick and convenient access to hybrid-electric vehicles for up to three days, at a price comparable to renting an electric scooter. With the touch of a button, the app-based service allows drivers to rent the low-emission vehicles by the minute, hour or day, providing a much-needed alternative to privately owned vehicles.

Last Call to Submit Testimony to LA City Redistricting Commission

On Saturday, September 11 at 11am, the LA City Redistricting Commission will be completing the first phase of public hearings. This is the last opportunity for Angelenos to participate and provide public testimony on their communities. Redistricting helps assure that communities have equal access to political representation. How and where district boundaries are drawn can shape the communities’ ability to elect the representatives of their choice. To attend this virtual meeting, please click here.

Observing International Overdose Awareness Day

Joining many cities around the world in observing International Overdose Awareness Day, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield recognized local advocates, Dr. Laura Berman and Samuel Chapman, whose tireless advocacy work turned their family’s tragedy into a message of awareness and strength for others. In February, their son, Sammy, was the victim of an accidental Fentanyl poisoning and passed away. Too many families have experienced this pain with almost 100,000 overdose and poisoning deaths in the US, just since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please watch this PSA Blumenfield made with Dr. Laura Berman to learn more.

Blumenfield Supports AB1400- California Guaranteed Health Care for All Program (CalCare)

Blumenfield and his colleagues voted to support AB1400 which would create the California Guaranteed Health Care for All program (CalCare), to provide comprehensive universal single-payer health care coverage and a health care cost control system for the benefit of all residents of the state. Blumenfield stated, "When people have unexpected expenses for health care, they can end up homeless on the street. So many social issues and justice issues are inextricably linked with health care, and single-payer would help improve the lives of families.”

A longtime supporter of a single-payer system, Blumenfield was the co-author of SB 810  (in 2011) while a member of the State Assembly, fighting for a single-payer system in California.

Special Delivery for Roya, One of the First People to Move to Permanent Housing From Cabin Community

Last week, Blumenfield joined Ken Craft and Rowan Vansleve from Hope of the Valley to visit Roya in her new home and make a special delivery. Not long ago she and her adult son were living in her car in the West Valley because they were priced out of their apartment and had no other options. Things started to get better for them when they were able to move into the Safe Parking program behind Blumenfield’s office. Soon after, Blumenfield’s team was able to help them become residents in the Cabin Community that is also behind his office. There, they were able to get stabilized, get signed up for appropriate assistance programs and the son was able to work a job at a pizza restaurant. Working with caseworkers they were able to find an apartment that they could afford and the team at Hope of the Valley helped them move in. Southern California Gas Company generously donated funds to help they acquire some furniture and basic supplies and  Blumenfield helped deliver a brand new refrigerator and vacuum as part of these move-in efforts.  

Become a Mentor with Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of LA

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of LA (JBBBSLA) has been serving Los Angeles County, including the West Valley, for over 100 years. JBBBSLA’s signature mentorship program pairs local, disadvantaged Jewish youth with a Jewish mentor to help them thrive and build confidence. Right now, JBBBSLA has a huge need for West Valley based mentors (Bigs). If you are looking for a worthwhile volunteer experience, please visit jbbbsla.org/mentorship or call 323-761-8675.

In addition to the mentoring program, JBBBSLA offers disadvantaged youth of all faiths and backgrounds many programs including free college guidance and scholarships, Teen Talk App for social and emotional support, and weekend camp retreats that provide a safe, nurturing environment where children learn to be creative, responsible, and thoughtful individuals. More information can be found here.

Historic West Valley

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on September 26, 1957. “Residents of California Home for Aged in Reseda, 19260 Sherman Way, worship in a tent as their ancestors did thousands of years ago in Israel. They are shown at Rosh Hashanah services which opened Jewish High Holy Days.”

Originally known as the Hebrew Sheltering Home for the Aged, the Jewish Home for the Aging was founded in Boyle Heights in 1912 and in 1967, acreage was purchased in Reseda and a facility was built on Victory Blvd. A second campus on Tampa Ave in Reseda was created in 1979 with a merger with the Menorah Village.

The sundown of September 6th marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. Blumenfield wishes you and yours a Shanah Tovah U'metukah, a good and sweet new year.

Rent Relief Flyer to Share

Because of CDC guidelines and the County’s ‘shelter in place’ COVID restrictions, CARE+ cleanups of homeless encampments had been prohibited for the past 17 months, except adjacent to Bridge Home sites. Because of vaccine availability and other health restrictions being lifted, the City has just recently resumed CARE+ cleanups citywide. CARE+ cleanups are much more extensive than regular spot cleanings as they require everything in the public right of way to be temporarily removed so that the sidewalk can be power washed and CARE+ cleanups also require that Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) be on site to offer services. 

This week I was able to get our city partners to conduct a comprehensive CARE+ cleaning of the encampment outside of the Target on Ventura Blvd. This has undoubtedly been one of the larger encampments in the West Valley. Getting the unsheltered people help and cleaning this site have been top priorities, so when these CARE+ teams resumed work, our Target location was high on the list. I’m continuing to work with city departments and local nonprofits to get similar areas as clean as possible and also connect folks living on the streets with needed services.

I have written about the new 41.18 laws limiting encampments, and I want to make it clear that CARE+ clean ups and 41.18 are different tools.

Before designating any area as a ‘no-encampment zone’ under 41.18, the City Council needed to approve a street engagement strategy, i.e. rules and protocols for departments to follow. That strategy was unanimously approved this week. That means next week, Councilmembers will submit resolutions with locations that meet the location/other criteria outlined in 41.18. Those resolutions will go directly to a full council vote, though it will still take weeks to complete the process in a Constitutional manner. 

But for areas, like the Target, that are more than 500 ft from freeway on/off ramps or sensitive use areas (and therefore don’t easily qualify under 41.18), the main tool to keep those sites clean will be the CARE+ clean up, combined with consistent outreach.

The Bowlero is also still high on my priority list. My staff and I will continue to do outreach there, and based on its proximity to the 101, it could qualify to be a no-encampment area under the new 41.18 law. I am taking the steps necessary to make that happen and am continuing to work on a more permanent solution for that area. However, it is important to recognize that even a 41.18 restriction does not prohibit people from living in their RVs or any other vehicle. 

The main difference between the CARE+ and 41.18 is that with CARE+ clean ups, unhoused people can come back to the area where they were encamped when the area is cleaned. With 41.18, once the outreach is conducted and folks are given a choice date to accept appropriate shelter or move elsewhere, that area becomes off-limits for encampments.

I know many folks in the community are upset by the layers of regulations and limits in these rules. But the reality is that due to many federal court cases, if the City isn’t careful and meticulous in how these actions are conducted, even these limited tools could easily be ended by another lawsuit. And the main reason why we now even have these limited new rules is because we’ve built thousands of transitional and permanent housing units around the City. 

At the end of the day, we need more of that housing and to continue the intense outreach that my staff and I, LAHSA as well as our friends in the non-profit sector have been doing for years. CARE+ and 41.18 are both critical tools to maintain a needed level of hygiene and access through our public rights of way as more and more housing solutions come online. These tools are not a substitute for growing the services, treatments, and housing options available to homeless people. And neither CARE+ and 41.18 nor increased services and housing are a substitute for addressing the underlying factors that are driving homelessness such as poverty, addiction, lack of education and opportunity, and inequity. Homelessness is a complex problem and we need solutions on many fronts and at many levels.

Developing Unarmed Crisis Response Teams

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to move forward with their Request for Proposal to create unarmed, non-violent responder teams in LA. Unarmed interventionists can be more cost effective and can develop and rely on a different set of skills and lived experience that is often better suited for certain non-violent types of crises.

“From welfare check-ins, to non-violent mental health/drug issues, to minor health crises in encampments and elsewhere, we need more tools in our tool box to truly help Angelenos in need," said Blumenfield. "We can’t keep asking our police officers to also be social workers, mental health clinicians, and outreach workers and it’s important to move forward with this program."

Blumenfield encourages everyone who is interested in learning more about the CAHOOTS model from Eugene, OR to watch this presentation he hosted with a former CAHOOTS member and the Chief of Police in Eugene. The CAHOOTS mobile crisis team model has proven to be effective and over its 30 year history has become an established organization loved by the community. They typically divert approximately 17% of their 911 calls to alternative interventionists.

Blumenfield thanks his co-authors Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Curren Price, and former Councilmember Herb Wesson for their partnership. More must be done and this is a big step forward to provide the right kind of first responders for all emergencies.

Addressing Street Racing

Blumenfield has heard from concerned neighbors throughout the district about ongoing illegal street racing. Like you, he fears for the safety of pedestrians and other drivers when he hears the sound of cars racing in the neighborhood. This week, the City Council approved a motion introduced by Councilmember Monica Rodriguez and seconded by Councilmember Blumenfield that aims to curb illegal street racing by adding deterrents such as street humps, rumble strips, raised center medians, and traffic circles at common locations of races. In the next steps, the Los Angeles Police Department and Department of Transportation will identify a menu of recommendations which can quickly be installed. Blumenfield continues to prioritize safe streets for all in the West Valley.

Blumenfield is also very happy that AB 43, State legislation by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman which provides local government greater flexibility in setting and reducing speed limits, passed the legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Blumenfield and the entire City Council strongly supported this Bill and passed a resolution urging the State to adopt it.

More Bus and Rail Service for West Valley Transit Riders

On September 12, Metro increased service on most of the bus routes serving the West Valley. A complete summary of the changes is available here.

All of these changes are part of Metro’s NextGen Bus Plan, which is the first comprehensive overhaul of Los Angeles’ bus route network in more than 25 years. As Chair of the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments’ Transportation Committee, Councilmember Blumenfield is committed to improving transportation options for all residents of the Third District.

Help LAUSD Superintendent Search

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the second largest school district in the country and the future of public education in Los Angeles is critical. The Board of Education is in charge of selecting the next Superintendent to run the district—and they need your help.

The next Superintendent must reflect the priorities of the entire LA Unified community. You have a unique opportunity to weigh in as the Board of Education chooses the next Superintendent for LAUSD. All you need to do is spend three to four minutes of your time answering 21 easy questions. It is completely free, safe and anonymous—and all of our futures depend on it. Fill out the survey here by September 30.

Wrap on Concerts at the Park

Movies and Concerts at Warner Ranch Park has come to an end for the season and Blumenfield thanks Nora Ross, Joe Andrews and the entire Valley Cultural Foundation team who worked tirelessly to put on such great programming. He also thanks the CORE volunteers and first responders who offered COVID-19 vaccines and testing to concert and moviegoers. Despite the ongoing pandemic, these events brought a sense of normalcy that brought together family, friends, and neighbors. Blumenfield was proud and happy to sponsor both the Movies and the Concerts. Team Blumenfield looks forward to next summer's events.

In the Community

Over the weekend, Blumenfield joined community members at Alliance for Community Empowerment’s (ACE) Car Show and Community Healing Memorial where folks gathered to remember those we lost during the last 2 years, heal together from the struggles we have faced and move forward to build a resilient community together.

Historic West Valley

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on August 26, 1959. Decades before the Orange Line, there was the West Valley Freeway Flyer which took commuters from Reseda to downtown Los Angeles in 45 minutes, depending on the traffic. Learn more about this photo here.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have encouraged folks to do all they can to stop the spread of this deadly virus. With thousands of lives lost in the West Valley, we must continue to encourage vaccination and remove barriers to vaccine accessibility. This year I helped secure the City’s second largest vaccination sites in my district at Pierce College, and enabled pop-up and mobile vaccine deliveries. Despite readily available free vaccines, with the entire medical community advocating for them, some folks are still hesitant. Now, with the Delta variant and potentially more serious strains, it’s more important than ever to use every tool to increase vaccinations — including mandatory vaccine requirements to access critical public places. It’s time to stop needless deaths, costly hospitalizations, and the drag on the local economy.

Vaccine mandates in other countries and cities like New York have demonstrated that requiring proof of vaccination in public spaces and private establishments can help push the vaccine hesitant to finally accept the inoculation. The only way to end this public health emergency is by getting every eligible person vaccinated. We cannot afford to go backwards.

The City Attorney has drafted an ordinance that would require proof of vaccination, or a 72 hour negative COVID test if claiming an exemption, to enter businesses where food or beverages are served, gyms, entertainment and recreation venues, and personal care facilities. There are a number of questions around enforcement that need answers and I will keep working with my colleagues on that until the final vote next week and via ‘clean-up’ legislation afterwards. Also, while the need for this is urgent, it needs to be temporary and lifted once the crises abates and the infringement/inconvenience is no longer worth the health benefits because we have either achieved herd immunity or found other ways to get the virus under control.

I also encourage eligible residents to schedule booster doses. Following the CDC’s recommendation, the following groups of people who received the second of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago are eligible:

• People aged 65 years or older
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• People aged 18 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions
• People aged 18 to 64 years with high institutional or occupational risk, including healthcare workers, first responders, teachers and day care staff, grocery workers, and workers in homeless shelters or prisons, among others

Thank you to the millions of Angelenos who've already done the right thing, but for those who haven't, please do so for the sake of the health of our community.

Corbin Underpass Cleaning - Soon New Laws Can Prohibit Encampments within 500 feet

This month, with the resumption of CARE+ cleanups after a year and a half hiatus due to COVID, Councilmember Blumenfield has been pushing City partners to conduct limited comprehensive clean ups at some of the largest encampments in the West Valley. Recently, he was able to get the area outside the Target in Woodland Hills cleaned and this week crews cleaned the Corbin underpass. Team Blumenfield and service providers have been connecting with all the unhoused individuals and conducting outreach there for months. 

The Corbin underpass is included in Blumenfield’s recent resolution to make all CD3 underpasses off-limits to encampments. Most currently do not have encampments, but it’s crucial to avoid simply moving encampments from one underpass to another. These critical corridors should be free from encampments for both the health and safety of the surrounding community and for the folks who have encamped there. With the recent passage of the revised 41.18 law, which he co-authored, councilmembers can now make certain eligible streets and sidewalks ‘off limits’ to encampment. Eligible areas include those within 500 feet of sensitive use areas like schools and daycares, critical underpasses, and areas that have resulted in documented crime problems. Also, areas within 1000 feet of homeless shelters/housing are eligible. The resolution he submitted is currently pending a vote by the City Council. Check out the attached map to see the eligible locations in his first 41.18 resolution.  

While the City still does not have enough housing for all of its homeless residents, over the past 18 months, Blumenfield has led the effort to create more beds in CD3 than people who were homeless according to 2020 homeless count. This is important because he wants to make sure that anyone who is living in these areas is given a legitimate shelter or housing option before that area is made off-limits. Due to many federal court cases, if the City isn’t extremely careful and meticulous in how it restricts encampments, even these limited new tools could easily be taken away by another lawsuit.  

By week’s end the entire Corbin underpass will be cleaned. Until the CD3 specific resolution is passed by the City Council to make it a no-encampment zone, you may still see tents, belongings and outreach workers there. When the resolution passes he will update you here as well as on his social media accounts and newsletter. If you have any questions, please reach out to Team Blumenfield by calling 818.774.4330 or by sending an email to [email protected].

Join the Cool Blocks Initiative

The Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance (NCSA) and the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office are launching Cool Blocks, a neighbor-to-neighbor organizing effort that aims to reduce your block's carbon footprint, adopt water stewardship practices, prepare for disasters, and improve the quality of life in your neighborhood.

The NCSA hopes to recruit 200 Cool Block leaders. Team leaders will host neighborhood meetings via Zoom over the course of five months and each leader will receive full training, coaching and support. For more information on how to get involved, please contact [email protected], call 323-660-2780, or visit the NCSA or Cool Blocks online.

Support the LA River Project

This Tuesday, October 5 at 1pm, a Scoring Committee will be discussing the proposed LA River Green Infrastructure Project. This initiative will improve water quality as well as increase local water supply and enhance existing bike lanes. Blumenfield encourages West Valley residents to support this project and submit comments to [email protected] by October 4th at 5 PM with the subject line: "Public Comment: Upper LA River 10/5/2021". This regional Enhanced Watershed Management Program Project led by the City of Los Angeles would create a regional multi-benefit dry weather project in the Upper Los Angeles River Watershed. 

Landscape Transformation Hands-On Workshops

Join the LADWP for a hands-on workshop to learn how to remove turf, install sustainable landscaping, and capture rainwater. Blumenfield transformed his home and office’s front lawns and they look great. This two day workshop is happening in Reseda on October 2 and October 9 from 9am-1pm. For more information and to register, please click here.

Condiments and Utensil Drive

It’s time to clean out those drawers full of utensils and condiments. From now through October 29, LA Sanitation & Environment’s City Facilities Recycling Program (CFRP) is collecting sealed, unused takeout utensils packs and condiment packets, items that many of us receive with takeout and delivery meals, but do not use. Help to keep them out of the landfill by donating them to the West Valley District Yard located at 8840 Vanalden Avenue in Northridge from 9am - 4pm Monday through Friday. Donated items will be given to St. Francis Center for their meal services.

LA City Redistricting Commission Meetings in October

Over the course of the next several weeks, the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission will continue to discuss the proposed draft map. The Commission is continuing to accept written testimony so if you haven’t done so already, please submit your comments and concerns to [email protected] or join a virtual meeting.

• Wednesday, October 6, 2021, (6 PM) Zoom Link
• Saturday, October 9, 2021 (10 AM) Zoom Link
• Wednesday, October 13, 2021 (6 PM) Zoom Link
• Saturday, October 16, 2021 (10 AM) Zoom Link
• Thursday, October 21, 2021 (6 PM) Zoom Link Adoption of Final Map
• Thursday, October 28, 2021 (6 PM) Zoom Link Adoption of Final Report

In the Community

Blumenfield recently toured the Bell Creek Apartments project in Canoga Park which will bring 80 more permanent supportive housing/affordable units to the West Valley. Thanks to Meta Housing and Western Housing for partnering with Blumenfield on this project. More updates on this site and other PSH projects to come.

Blumenfield at the 7th annual Inspirational Women of the San Fernando Valley Event organized by the United Chambers of Commerce. Congratulations to the honorees: Nora Ross, Carolyn Rose, Natalie Cortez, Mona Curry, Waltona Manion, and Pegi Matsuda. Blumenfield was honored to recognize the amazing work of these truly inspirational women who bring their knowledge, skills, expertise, and passion to bear for the benefit of our great City.

Historic West Valley

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on March 10, 1956. Members of the Woodland Avenue Elementary PTA join students in planting trees during Plant a Tree Week. Learn more about this photo here.

COVID-19 Update - Vaccination Requirements 

Last week the City Council approved an ordinance that will require proof of vaccination for large events, City buildings, and indoor public spaces such as restaurants, gyms and fitness venues, entertainment and recreation venues, and personal care establishments beginning on November 8, 2021. Those who claim medical or other exemptions to the vaccine are able to show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours. Those who are unvaccinated are still able to use the outdoor areas and may use the indoor portion briefly to use the restroom, order, pick-up, or pay for food “to go.” 

I voted for this ordinance, but I did not take this  decision lightly. I understand the gravity of limiting individuals’ ability to go to restaurants and other places, but it is necessary as we face an ongoing extreme crisis with more than 700k American deaths, including losing 26,000 people in Los Angeles County. Many others are still struggling with COVID symptoms for months. Every day, more people are hospitalized and other, more dangerous, variants are allowed to develop among the unvaccinated and spread to kill others. We’ve made so much progress; the last thing we need is to go back to the business closures, lockdown and hospital bed shortage of just a few months ago.  Unvaccinated people are 5 times more likely to get COVID and therefore are much more likely to spread it. 

Getting everyone who is eligible vaccinated is key to our return to ‘normal’ and I encourage everyone to do their part. If you need more information on where to get the vaccine, a test, or wish to know if you are eligible for a booster please visit the County’s Public Health portal here.  

Let’s keep up the progress and each do what we can to put this pandemic behind us. 

Cool Pavement Expands to More Neighborhoods

Pushing for innovations to reduce the impact of climate change, Blumenfield was joined by Mayor Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Keith Mozee with City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services, Assemblymember Luz Rivas and many climate and public works friends to check out LA's latest 'Cool Neighborhood' in North Hollywood. This effort started with one Canoga Park street in 2017 and has continued to expand to each Council District. Check out this video from the event.

The science has been clear - Cool Pavement, along with more trees, lowers the temperature of pavement and surrounding communities. More data will be collected as part of this 48 street expansion and Blumenfield is excited to see the progress and continued results of this effort. To find out more details about this program and the City’s expansive tree planting and maintenance endeavor, give this Los Angeles Daily News article a read.

Redistricting Update

With the release of the 2020 Census a few months ago, commissions all around the nation are convening to update districts for various levels of government to reflect the population and demographic changes from the previous decade. Right now the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission (LACCRC) is doing just that. 

Recently the LACCRC voted to move forward with a map that has some pretty big implications for the future of the San Fernando Valley’s representation at City Hall. Last week Blumenfield wrote this guest editorial for the Valley News Group about what is at stake, where in the process the LACCRC is, and how it’s critical for everyone to make their voice heard.  While the commission has proposed adding some wonderful new communities to CD3, they have also proposed removing some of the amazing communities that are already part of CD3– communities where Blumenfield and his team are strongly connected and have invested years of service and work into. There’s one more LACCRC hearing tomorrow morning (more info here) that is dedicated to public comment and he hopes you can call in and share your thoughts and feedback. 

More updates to come. 

Feasibility of a Los Angeles Public Bank

On October 5, the City Council voted to move forward with studying the feasibility of a public bank in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has a large number of unbanked and under-banked residents who face high fees from check-cashing services, money orders, and the like, as well as facing difficulty accessing credit and being charged higher fees and interest rates on credit cards, car loans, and mortgages. A public bank could provide basic financial services to Angelenos where the private banking system has failed. However, there are many questions about how a public bank would be financed, its mission, and its governance structure. The study is intended to answer those questions to enable the City Council to make a sound decision on this issue. More information can be found here.

Update on the Los Angeles River Bikeway and Greenway Project

The City’s Bureau of Engineering just released details to close the gap on the LA River bike path in the West San Fernando Valley between Vanalden Avenue in Reseda to Balboa Avenue in the Sepulveda Basin. In 2019, Blumenfield secured $18.8 million in State funding for the project, which includes the installation of bicycle and pedestrian pathways, construction of undercrossings and river parks, and on-street improvements to increase access to the LA River Bikeway in this area. Construction is anticipated to begin in the Fall 2022 and last for approximately three years. This project was included in voter-approved Measure M and will receive additional funding from Metro and other sources.

Blumenfield looks forward to the day when we have one continuous greenway-bikeway that goes from the headwaters in his district, 51 miles through downtown and eventually to the ocean in Long Beach.

Next Steps for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project

Blumenfield thanks all who have submitted feedback to Metro’s Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project. The Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project will provide a high-quality transit service that will effectively serve a large and growing travel market between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside and eventually to LAX. Metro will soon begin the environmental phase with a scoping period where residents can continue to submit input. To hear the latest update on the status of the project, join a lunchtime webinar on Tuesday, October 26 from 11:30am-1:30pm. Register now.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Prevention and intervention in domestic violence requires a multi-faceted approach with the partnerships between nonprofit service providers and law enforcement. Domestic Violence affects families of all backgrounds, income levels, ethnicities, and has caused the deaths of too many people, particularly women, in the West San Fernando Valley. According to the Downtown Women’s Center domestic violence is one of the main drivers into homelessness for the over 18,330 homeless women in Los Angeles County. From the immediate crisis to finding a safe temporary shelter for victims, to breaking the cycle and permanently stopping the violence, Blumenfield believes the City of Los Angeles must invest in intervention and support services for the long term. Register now for the LA City Attorney’s webinar focused on a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting survivors of domestic violence and their children experiencing homelessness in our community happening on October 26 from 12:30pm-2pm.

If you or someone you know needs services or support, please call the LA County Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-978-3600. In the West San Fernando Valley, Haven Hills has gone above and beyond by providing safe, crisis shelter along with outreach services such as support groups and educational information sessions to survivors of domestic abuse. For more information about Haven Hills, please call 818-887-7481 or visit havenhills.org. 

Historic West Valley

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on June 19, 1956. Taken at the corner of Saticoy and Mason in Winnetka, drivers take a look at the buckled street caused by 105 degree temperatures. Cool pavement is one of our tools to combat climate change and improve the infrastructure in the West Valley. Learn more about this photo here.

Update on Redistricting

Now that the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission (LACCRC) has approved their map for presentation to the City Council, you may be hearing more about the layout of my and other districts. With contentious votes, (often 15-6) several districts, including my CD3, were radically changed from their current configurations. While some inequities were resolved, such as putting all of Koreatown into one district, others were created. One Councilmember could represent a completely new area where none of the people that voted last year reside.

The Commission’s final map removes Reseda, Winnetka and Canoga Park from CD3 and replaces them with Encino, Sherman Oaks and Valley Glen. While I would be happy to add these wonderful communities to CD3, I hate the idea of losing the amazing communities of Reseda, Winnetka and Canoga Park — especially since I have made revitalization of these areas a cornerstone of my work with over $100 million in investments in Reseda and more than $50 million in Canoga Park. Also I have formed deep personal and professional relationships with the constituents of these areas. The Commission also removed Pierce College and a portion of the Warner Center from CD3 and put them in the newly drawn district to the north. I have received many emails and comments about these particular changes, as well as the overall divisions and splitting of communities in the commission proposal.

What I or other Councilmembers wanted was clearly not a driving factor in the LACCRC process. While I appointed one of the 21 commissioners, he was not tasked with designing a district that I wanted. The task is not to enable Councilmembers to choose their constituents, it is to ensure that districts are made up of equal populations and communities of interest as envisioned by the Voting Rights Act (VRA). With the Commission’s role ending, it’s now up to the Council to decide whether the newly drawn districts comply with the VRA and whether they should be altered to better reflect communities of interest. They could be radically changed again, so do not despair if you have been removed from CD3 and do not rejoice if you have been placed into CD3 (obviously I think CD3 is the best place to be). The process is not complete.

This week Council President Nury Martinez acted to create an ad hoc committee to review the Commission’s map and explore potential changes. No members have been appointed as of this writing (though I’ve asked to serve), but because the map must be approved by the Council by the end of the year, the timeline is tight. Your voice will be important in this process, so please stay tuned.

It is my honor to serve the San Fernando Valley, and if you have questions about this process or any issue please reach out to me or my staff by calling 818.774.4330 or by sending an email to [email protected].

Three Critical Pieces of Legislation Pass to Help Address West Valley Homeless Crisis

Last week, three pieces of Councilmember Blumenfield’s legislation aimed to help the homeless crisis in the West Valley overwhelmingly passed in the City Council. These efforts involved the following:

• Bringing more mental health and drug treatment interventions to our local streets with the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center
• Creating new local innovative shared housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness
• Establishing limited, but sensible ‘no encampment’ locations along certain critical public right-of-ways

To learn more about each of the endeavors, please read his recent blog post.

Regulating ‘Donation Bins’ in LA

This week a new ordinance passed that Councilmember Blumenfield helped shepherd to regulate ‘donation bins’ that are placed on private property and inadvertently attract massive amounts of garbage and mislead well-intentioned donors. The issue came to light after businesses on Sherman Way in Winnetka complained bins were placed at their locations without their permission. Team Blumenfield soon discovered that Winnetka was not the only community where these unauthorized bins had been left and poorly maintained.

“There are some legitimate nonprofits that operate these bins but far too many were placed unknowingly by for-profit companies and they have become nuisances in our community,” said Blumenfield. “These things are heavy and incredibly hard to remove and it's been unfair to local business owners and our communities who often have to deal with the ramifications.”

‘Donation’ bins often are owned by for-profit companies and are found everywhere from next to gas stations, on public-rights-of-way and in grocery store parking lots. Often constituents, as well as the business owners of the property they are on, call Blumenfield’s office to ask for help to get rid of them. Sometimes they have been sitting there for years and the company that placed them there aren’t reachable or refuse to remove them.

Until now there have been practically no regulations on who can place them where, who is in charge of cleanliness etc. This new law remedies this by outlining that the property owners must have a permit from the city to host a bin and represent a non-profit. You can find more of the specific regulations here.

Applications Open for Basic Income Guaranteed: Los Angeles Economic Assistance Pilot (BIG:LEAP)

Starting today, October 29, the City of Los Angeles is accepting applications to the Basic Income Guaranteed: Los Angeles Economic Assistance Pilot program. The largest guaranteed income pilot in America aimed at confronting poverty, this program will provide approximately 3,000 individuals with $1,000 per month for 12 months. Participants can use the money however they see fit to meet their needs. For more information and eligibility requirements, please visit bigleap.lacity.org Deadline to apply is Sunday, November 7th at 11:59 PM.

Comeback Check Program for Small Businesses

Applications are now open. Small businesses can apply for $5K grants to help with the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 crisis. The City’s $25 million Comeback Checks Program will assist 5,000 local businesses throughout LA so make sure to go to ComeBackChecksLA.com to learn more and apply by November 2^nd.

Welcoming Pierce College Intern

This month Team Blumenfield launched a new partnership with Pierce College to provide a paid internship for a student to work in his Reseda District Office. In partnership with the college's Career Center and Umoja Community, Blumenfield has hired Kekeli Gbewonyo to work part time for four months to learn about constituent services and city operations. Kekeli is a graduate of Cleveland High School and first year student at Pierce. Formerly a volunteer at the West Valley Branch Library, Kekeli brings firsthand knowledge of the West San Fernando Valley community needs and great enthusiasm to learn about public service. Pierce College staff asked Blumenfield to consider creating paid internship opportunities for students who cannot afford to work for free in order to gain valuable experience. This position is funded with City funds allocated to Blumenfield's office and is already proving to be a win-win.

Upcoming Events

Historic West Valley

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on August 17, 1959. Taken at the Woodland Hills Fall Festival, community members gather for some fun to benefit local youth and service clubs. This weekend, join the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Chamber for activities, costume parade, and tons of fun at their annual Fall Family Festival. Learn more about this photo here.

LA City Vaccine/Testing Mandate Now In Effect

As of November 8th, the City of Los Angeles vaccine requirement is in effect, building on the rules already in place by the County. So what does this mean for daily activities?

Proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, or a recent negative test if you are claiming a medical or religious exemption, is now required to eat indoors at restaurants as well as go to gyms, hair salons, music venues, movie theaters and other similar congregate settings. While the new rules are officially in effect, there will be no fines issued to businesses until after November 29th to allow for a period of adjustment, awareness and education. Before anyone is subject to a financial penalty, warnings will be issued.

Our city cannot afford another shutdown and far too many Angelenos have already lost their lives or are living with long term impacts of this virus. We must continue to encourage everyone to get the vaccine. Unnvaccinated people are 7 times more likely to get COVID than vaccinated people. Also, a recent study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said COVID-19 survivors who remained unvaccinated were five times more likely to get a new coronavirus infection compared with fully vaccinated people who had never been infected.

This means that when unvaccinated people are in crowded indoor spaces, especially those spaces where people often take off their masks, they are not only putting themselves at risk, but they are much more likely to be carriers and to infect others. Requiring vaccinations to be in these indoor spaces where people are likely to remove their masks is an inconvenience and a highly unusual restriction, but it is necessary to save lives by reducing the spread of COVID.  

To find out more about how to get your vaccine, if you are eligible for a booster shot, or additional information please go to VaccinateLACounty.com. To learn more about the City’s vaccine requirement, go to safepassla.org To learn how to get a QR code on your phone which easily shows you have been vaccinated, please go to myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov

Redistricting Plan for LA Moves Forward, What Does it Mean For the West Valley?

This week the City Council moved forward with a new redistricting plan that helps expand equity and keeps West Valley communities together. With the threat of having CD3 split in half, Councilmember Blumenfield successfully fought to ensure that almost all current residents of CD3 remain in the CD3, despite the fact that the district must shrink in territory to maintain a population balance with the other districts.

Essentially, the biggest change that impacts the West Valley is that instead of the north eastern portion of Reseda being represented by Councilmember John Lee, that area will now be served by Councilmember Nithya Raman. She will also serve a tiny portion of Reseda that had been in the CD3 (CM Raman will also represent Encino which is currently represented by CM Paul Koretz). 

Blumenfield’s Reseda Rising investments which include the Reseda Theater and Senior Housing project, the Reseda Ice Rink, the Sherman Way facade program and various LA River park projects all remain in CD3, the district represented by Blumenfield.

To learn more about this process and the results, please read this recent editorial by Blumenfield.

Honoring Local Heroes on Veteran’s Day

As part of the City’s virtual Veterans Day celebration, each Councilmember honored a local veteran in their community. Councilmember Blumenfield recognized Petty Officer Third Class Bob Akre as Council District Three’s Veteran of the Year. A native Angeleno, Bob Akre served in the United States Navy from 1965-1969. Though he served during Vietnam, he served all over Asia including the Philippines, Hong Kong and Okinawa where he was an Opticalman specialist who serviced radar equipment, telescopes, and other crucial equipment. Today, Akre is an active member of the community and a leader of the LA River Walker and Watchers, a Reseda based group helping clean up and maintain the West Valley portion of the river.

Also, Councilmember Blumenfield helped kick off the 18th annual San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Celebration (virtual this year). Blumenfield recognized veterans who may have passed away due to COVID-19 and emphasized the need for more housing for unhoused veterans. Blumenfield continues to fight to protect homeless veterans as they had protected us while in the service.

Eighteen years ago when Blumenfield worked for Congressman Howard Berman, he helped start this parade with fellow staff member, Fred Flores, and a committee of active community members. It all began when Fred’s son, Alfred (of blessed memory), didn’t like having to go all the way to Long Beach for a Veterans Day parade. After researching and finding out there were no official Veterans Day celebrations in the area, the San Fernando Valley parade was born. Blumenfield is proud that it has become a wonderful annual tradition and it's always touching to help bring so many service members together and honor them.

Watch the recap video here. 

More Cool Pavement in the West Valley

Safer Streets in the West Valley

On November 5, LADOT activated a new traffic signal at Victory and Vanalden, including ADA-compliant curb ramps and high-visibility crosswalks. This signal helps provide a safe, convenient connection between the LA River Path and the Orange Line Bike Path, and makes it safer for nearby residents to use the Vanalden pedestrian bridge across the LA River to access the West Valley Library, local schools and other destinations. Councilmember Blumenfield provided the funding for this project from CRA Excess Bond proceeds.

Also more pedestrian safety improvements are taking shape in Canoga Park. This week Blumenfield visited StreetsLA crews at Sherman Way/Independence to check out new curb extensions at Canoga Park Branch Library, part of a small grant-funded project to make it safer for people to cross.

More biking/walking infrastructure improvements are coming soon from our $31M Active Transportation Program with the California Transportation Commission.

LACC Clean and Green Updates

The LA Conservation Corps is working hard to make a difference in the West Valley. One of their recent projects was servicing a request at the alleyway on Saticoy between Mason and Oso, as well as, on the sidewalk of Mason Ave in Winnetka.

Blumenfield has provided space for the Corps in his West Valley office to encourage the inclusion of local young people on projects in the district and he set aside special funding from his budget to make their local work possible. Together they have been doing cleanups throughout the District. These special CD3 cleanups supplement the work of the Department of Sanitation.

If you have suggestions for cleanup locations, please send us an email with location information to [email protected]

In the Community

Blumenfield at the 21st Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Festival in Canoga Park celebrating and remembering loved ones who are no longer with us. Thanks to Main Street Canoga Park and Valley Cultural Foundation for bringing together the community for another successful event.

Historic West Valley

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on November 16, 1964. Taken at at Melvin Avenue Elementary School in Reseda, a color guard from the Canoga Park Marine Corps recruiting depot join students in a Veteran's Day celebration. Learn more about this photo here.

Holiday Season Begins

The season of gratitude is upon us and I’m beyond grateful for the community leaders and organizations that continually spread joy and give back to local families. Many nonprofits have been stepping up and my team and I recently joined the West Valley YMCA and ACE in distributing turkeys and all the fixings to over 700 families ahead of Thanksgiving. Thank you to all who are helping to prevent families from going without food this holiday season — including the West Valley Food Pantry, Shaili, and many others.

This Sunday, November 28 marks the first night of Hanukkah which celebrates a miracle – that the oil that was only supposed to be sufficient for one day lasted for eight days.  

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate and reflect, I want to remind folks to have a COVID-19 safe Thanksgiving and Hanukkah celebrations. In a recent data report provided by County health officials, the West Valley had among the highest number of COVID cases in the City, despite a high vaccination rate. I urge folks to follow some tips provided by the LA County Department of Public Health before the Thanksgiving holiday:

• Make sure everyone eligible is vaccinated and boosted
• Stay local until everyone in your household is fully vaccinated
• Gather outdoors if possible
• Take extra precautions around unvaccinated or high-risk people
• Get tested in the days before your gathering
• If unsure of the vaccination status of the group, wear masks indoors and keep physical distance from people outside your household

Wishing you all a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!

New Transportation Infrastructure in the West Valley

Last week Councilmember Blumenfield unveiled a new pedestrian/traffic signal at Victory and Vanalden. For people who walk or bike, this signal provides a safer crossing between the LA River Bike Path and the West Valley Library to the north, and the Orange Line Path and Vanalden Ave. Elementary School to the south. Five years ago Reseda Neighborhood Council member Joe Phillips asked for improvements at this location that connects key routes. By securing and utilizing excess former CRA bond funds, Blumenfield was able to make this happen and activate this pedestrian safety improvement. Blumenfield financed this project from CRA Excess Bond Proceeds in 2019. LADOT is also designing new pedestrian signals at Tampa/Calvert and Tampa/Hatteras, with construction expected next year. Sidewalk and curb ramp work on the Reseda Boulevard Complete Streets Project is continuing, and work on traffic signals and bus boarding islands will begin by the middle of 2022. 

Blumenfield wants to especially thank Seleta Reynolds (General Manager of LA Department of Transportation), neighbors like Joe Phillips and Sharon Brewer with the Reseda Neighborhood Council and local leaders like Evelyn Aleman for their partnership on this community improvement as well as a variety of efforts to improve Reseda. Click here for a recap.

MRCA Enhancing the LA River

Metro Fare Collection Resumes January 2022

Due to COVID-19, Metro suspended front door boarding on their busses and relaxed rules requiring riders to use the farebox and TAP validator. Beginning on January 10, 2022, Metro will restart fare collection and resume front door boarding only.

For LAUSD students in need of assistance, Los Angeles Unified is partnering with Metro to offer students unlimited rides until June 30, 2023 on buses and trains run by LA Metro and other participating transit systems, at no cost to families. LAUSD Schools (including Charter Schools within LAUSD) and students requesting a tap cards should visit https://achieve.lausd.net/metro for complete updates and instructions. All others outside of LAUSD,  please visit https://www.metro.net/about/fsi/ to be redirected to your school district’s webpage and GoPass point of contact.

Interactive LA River Meeting

Join Councilmember Blumenfield and the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation on December 8th at 6pm for a community update on the LA River Green Infrastructure Project. Greening the valley and improving the infrastructure and environment along the LA River are top priorities of Councilmember Blumenfield. The project is located in multiple locations along the LA River in Canoga Park, Reseda, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills. It includes bioswales for water quality, new trees/landscaping,and  naturally filtering urban runoff with benefits to residents, pedestrians, and LA River recreational zone users as well as the wildlife that calls the LA River their home. RSVP to learn more and share your thoughts on the project.

Blumenfield Holiday Party and Drive

Each year, Councilmember Blumenfield hosts an annual holiday party and toy/essentials collection drive at his District Office. Due to COVID-19 we weren’t able to gather in 2020, but this year Team Blumenfield is looking forward to seeing familiar and new faces on December 9th from 4-7pm at an outdoor gathering at the Warner Ranch Park Bandshell. Like in years past, Team Blumenfield will be collecting toys, nonperishable dry and canned goods, hygiene products, and more to be distributed among less fortunate members of the community. See above for more details and don't forget to RSVP.

In the Community

The West Valley is home to thousands of small businesses offering every product and service imaginable. From sushi and pizza, to shoes and office supplies, these businesses help drive the local economy. Each month, Councilmember Blumenfield visits local businesses and the one-on-one interactions allows him to provide business owners with helpful information and resources from the City of LA and to listen directly to their concerns. Most recently, Blumenfield visited businesses in Tarzana along Ventura Blvd. including Shilpark Paint, iMobile LA, and Tarzana Cafe Bakery.

Upcoming Event

Historic West Valley

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on December 9, 1963. Members of Westvale B'nai B'rith Women plan a Hanukkah event for residents of the Reseda Home for the Aged (now known as LA Jewish Home). Learn more about this photo here.

Happy Holidays to everyone, and it was especially nice to see to the many community members who braved the cold weather who attended my outdoor holiday gathering/donations drive. The generosity of West Valley residents is unmatched and I extend my heartfelt thanks to all who donated items to those in need. Your non-perishable dry or canned goods will go directly to food insecure families thanks to our amazing local partner food banks- West Valley Food Pantry, Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center, and ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Center. The donated new socks and gently used jackets and blankets will benefit our unsheltered neighbors. And, like previous years we will distribute the many donated toys to local nonprofits including Guadalupe Center, Kids Cancer Connection, NEW Economics for Women, El Salvador Foundation, Nueva Vision, and Family Resource Center. Lastly, the holiday cheer you helped spread while we were together continues to reverberate and lift our collective spirits.

As the holiday season continues, I know many of you are excited to celebrate with family and friends, but we must continue do so safely and remember that the COVID-19 virus is still around and the Omicron variant is lurking. Learn more about keeping safe and preventing spread here. Thank you for doing your part and helping reduce the risk of COVID-19 for family, friends, and everyone in the community.

41.18 Update-Outreach and Housing Placement Continue

Blumenfield is continuing his efforts to expand housing and shelter opportunities, and has been helping lead the City to adopt humane, constitutional laws that allow for encampment restrictions along certain critical corridors. Progress has been intensely slow, but over the past year there have been more transitional housing opportunities than people on CD3 streets (according to the last LAHSA Homeless Count in 2020) and on December 1, “41.18” ‘no encampment zones’ took effect at three key locations. The underpasses at Corbin and De Soto as well as the area surrounding Winnetka Park are now officially off-limits to encampments. The other 23 locations approved for 41.18 designation will follow shortly.

The goal is to move people indoors and onto a path toward permanent housing, targeting outreach teams at these specific locations so they can better connect with each person. This focus is key as we want people to really hear, trust, and understand both how life changing housing opportunities can be and how serious we are about keeping certain critical corridors free of encampments. Blumenfield and his team, along with several service providers, have talked with people at these locations over the course of the year and have been offering shelter to people at the 101 freeway locations repeatedly since the first ‘cabin communities’ opened in June. Please read his recent editorial from the Valley Vantage for more details.

Local Groups Receive Community Beautification Grants

Blumenfield is proud to congratulate the LA River Walkers and Watchers and the Reseda Neighborhood Council on each receiving $2,500 grants from the Beautify LA Grant Program. This grant program was created to support the efforts of community-based groups to enhance public spaces throughout Los Angeles. A total of 52 applications were received and The LA River Walkers and Watchers and Reseda NC successfully pitched their ideas to the Board of Public Works. The focus of the LA River Walkers and Watchers is the LA River Bike Path along the headwaters and the Reseda Neighborhood Council is the Valerio Street Pocket Park. Blumenfield thanks these two organizations for their commitment to improving the quality of life for residents of the West Valley.

Water Conservation in Effect

Closures on US 101 to Replace Concrete Median Barrier

As you may have noticed, Caltrans is continuing demolition work to replace the concrete median barrier on the 101 between De Soto Ave and Winnetka Avenue in Woodland Hills. Motorists should expect delays and are strongly advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes. 

Night work are as follows:

• Sunday, December 5 through Friday, December 10 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Sunday, December 12 through Friday, December 17 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Sunday, December 19 through Thursday, December 23 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Monday, December 27 through Thursday, December 30 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

In the Community

Blumenfield, along with Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, joined NewFilmmakers LA in recognizing aspiring youth filmmakers from the West Valley and other parts of the City. Blumenfield has been a proud supporter of NewFilmmakers LA and their commitment to providing students with experience of working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

Upcoming Events

Historic West Valley

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times on December 18, 1962. Taken in Tarzana, holiday decorations are hung along Ventura Boulevard between Mecca and Wilbur Avenue. Learn more about this photo here.

From my family to yours, wishing you a happy and a healthy new year! As your Councilmember, I look forward to continuing all of the progress we have made and the important work of bettering our communities in 2022 and beyond. Below are some of the best memories and moments from 2021.

Year in Photos

January/February

In early January, Team Blumenfield organized welcome kits for new residents at the Willows, the West Valley's first Bridge Housing site in Canoga Park. The Willows opened on February 1 and is home to 80 individuals and there are many critical amenities and resources onsite including case management, space for animals and larger quarters for couples. 

As vaccines became available, Blumenfield helped to bring the COVID-19 vaccine site to Pierce College, and over 80,000 people got their shots there. 

March

Construction was completed on the Sherman Way Great Street project between Wilbur Avenue and Lindley Avenue. Launched by Councilmember Blumenfield in 2014, this $3.5 million streetscape project is helping to beautify and revitalize Reseda's commercial core and it is providing greater safety for all road users. The improvements include new "Reseda" monument signs on Sherman Way near Lindley and Wilbur, new trees and landscaping in the medians and sidewalks along the entire 1-mile stretch of Sherman Way, a new pedestrian crossing at Sherman Way/Capps, new street furniture, a mini-roundabout at Hart Street/Baird Street, and more. 

April

Councilmember Blumenfield held an in-person, masked meeting with Reseda residents who requested it to answer questions about the cabin community that was under construction on the parking lot of his District Office. Blumenfield had been actively communicating with nearby residents about this project since Fall 2020 in an effort to be transparent and forthcoming whenever any homeless services are being developed in his district. 

Blumenfield partnered with TreePeople, MTO Shahmaghsoudi and Child Development Institute to give away free pomegranate trees and aloe plants.

May

Councilmember Blumenfield visited Temple Aliyah as part of the synagogue’s “Community Helper Week.” At this first in-person (masked and socially distanced) visit with children in over a year, Blumenfield had an opportunity to say hi to kids and their parents and talk about public safety and how the City helps people in hard times. 

Blumenfield celebrated the grand opening of the Sycamore Cabin Community in Reseda, the first of its kind in the West Valley. These 52 tiny homes are for those experiencing homelessness on nearby streets and will offer AC/heat, laundry, meals, restrooms & case management and counseling.

June

Councilmember Blumenfield joined over 30 constituents for the Great Woodland Hills Cleanup along Ventura Blvd. 

Blumenfield joined friends from Providence Cedar Sinai Medical Center as the first completed public benefit project from their $540 million expansion was unveiled- a brand new traffic/pedestrian signal on Burbank Blvd., between Reseda Blvd. and the 101 freeway. 

July

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission (HotV) opened the West Valley’s latest Cabin Community in Tarzana for local unhoused Angelenos. The ‘Sunflower Cabin Community’ boasts over 70 tiny homes with 140 beds that are now available to those experiencing homelessness on the streets of the West Valley.

August

Councilmember Blumenfield spends time outdoors at Lanark Park for Summer Night Lights where grab and go meals were distributed to families and kids enjoyed playing some baseball.

Blumenfield declared August 18 (818), Brody Stevens’ Day, in honor of the late comedian and San Fernando Valley native. Stevens was a legendary and unique standup comedian who was in many films and television shows from The Hangover to Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Beloved by his fans and fellow comedians, Stevens performed all over the world. But, regardless of where he was, he would always share his love for Reseda, the Valley and Los Angeles.

September

Despite the ongoing pandemic, Blumenfield was proud and happy to sponsor both the Movies and Concerts at Warner Ranch Park. These events brought a sense of normalcy that brought together family, friends, and neighbors.

Providing a new service for people who use transit or don’t own vehicles, Blumenfield joined local mobility leaders to welcome Mocean Carshare to Warner Center. This low-cost carshare service fosters sustainability, helps fight traffic and reduces parking needs. It is the latest step in Blumenfield’s effort to encourage transit ridership and reduce dependence on automobiles in Warner Center.

October

Councilmember Blumenfield launched the next phase of 'Cool Pavement' in the West Valley. By the Summer of 2022, this cooling technology will be applied to 25 more streets in Canoga Park, lined by 280 new trees, which will help lower the heat island effect in the hottest area of our city.

November

Councilmember Blumenfield visited StreetsLA crews at Sherman Way/Independence to check out new curb extensions at Canoga Park Branch Library, part of a small grant-funded project to make it safer for people to cross. More biking/walking infrastructure improvements are coming soon from our $31M Active Transportation Program with the California Transportation Commission.

Blumenfield unveiled a new pedestrian/traffic signal at Victory and Vanalden. For people who walk or bike, this signal provides a safer crossing between the LA River Bike Path and the West Valley Library to the north, and the Orange Line Path and Vanalden Ave. Elementary School to the south.

December

Councilmember Blumenfield, along with LA Family Housing President, Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, marked the one year anniversary of their Project Roomkey site in Reseda. The site is currently being converted to Project Homekey to serve as more Permanent Supportive Housing in the West Valley. 

With the donations collected at Blumenfield's Toy and Collection Drive, generous West Valley residents prevented neighbors and families from going without food, toys, and warm clothing this holiday season. Blumenfield distributed goods to NEW Economics for Women, Haven Hills, Kids Cancer Connection, West Valley Food Pantry, and several more nonprofits in the West Valley.

Blumenfield congratulates Economic Development Deputy, Kevin Tamaki, on his much deserved retirement. Prior to joining Team Blumenfield, Kevin worked for AT&T representing the company with local, state, and federal government officials on a variety of telecommunications issues. A member of Team Blumenfield since February 2018, Kevin led the efforts in creating Blumenfield’s Economic Development Community Action Team (BobCAT) and successfully engaged and visited 200+ small businesses in the West Valley. During the COVID-19 recovery efforts, Kevin was instrumental in helping small businesses survive by connecting them with organizations and programs offering financial assistance. Kevin will be missed greatly, but Team Blumenfield wishes him the best as he begins a new chapter in his life.