Council Approves 2010-2011 City Budget
On Monday, the City Council approved a $6.7 billion budget for fiscal 2010-2011. It includes as many as 1,761 layoffs of city employees, reductions in city services and some fee increases, while maintaining current police staffing levels.
The dramatic service and staffing reductions are a response to declines in property and sales tax revenue over the past several quarters.
Councilmember LaBonge supported the budget and felt the Council made difficult choices that had to be made.
Bike to Work Week
Tired of sitting in traffic?
Bowled over by the price of gasoline?
Yearning to shrink your carbon footprint?
Why not use your bike to commute to work starting now, today, the first day of Bike to Work Week? Councilmember LaBonge joined transit officials and bike activists this morning in the kick-off ceremony for the biggest cycling advocacy week of the year.
Right now, just 1 percent of trips in Los Angeles county are made on bicycle but Metro, which has invested close to $200 million in bike facilities and programs, hopes to boost that percentage. Besides direct investment in bike related projects, the expanding network of Metro buses and trains means more cyclists can use public transit to carry them part of their trip.
Both Metro and the Dept. of Transportation are offering free rides on Thursday, May 20th to anyone riding a bike or carrying a bike helmet. For more information, click here.
Silver Lake Public Safety Meeting
Councilmember LaBonge convened a public safety meeting in Silver Lake Wednesday night in response to a series of recent burglaries in the area. More than 100 residents filled the auditorium at Ivanhoe Elementary School to hear news from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Captains William Murphy and Dave Lindsey, commanding officers for the LAPD's Northeast Division, asked the public for help tracking down leads on 15 burglaries between April 11 and May 11 in the area between Glendale Boulevard on the east and Hyperion and Fountain avenues on the west. Other burglaries had been reported in adjacent neighborhoods as well.
The suspects are young men, possibly teenagers. They are stealing items they can carry and easily conceal. Councilmember LaBonge's home was one of those that was burglarized.
Police expect to release a composite sketch of the suspects next week. It will be posted here as soon as it is available.
In a related incident from last year, the captains announced that two young men arrested last February in a series of street robberies in Silver Lake and Echo Park had been convicted as adults and sent to prison.
Anyone with information about the recent burglaries are urged to call the Northeast Division at (213)485-2563. For information on how to protect your home, please click here.
Johnny Grant Post Office Dedicated in Hollywood
Councilmember LaBonge joined Congresswoman Diane Watson, actress Angie Dickinson and family and friends of the late Johnny Grant to dedicate the historic Hollywood Station Post Office to the late radio and television personality and producer.
Johnny Grant, a two-time Emmy winner, tirelessly promoted Hollywood locally and around the world. He was a smiling presence at community functions, including the unveiling of new stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also played host to red carpet arrivals at the Oscars and produced the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. Grant claimed his mission in life was to bring the Hollywood story to everyone.
In 1980, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce named him Honorary Mayor of Hollywood, a title he cherished until the day his death in 2008.
"Johnny would have been 87 years young yesterday, so this is a great day to celebrate him," said Councilmember LaBonge. "By dedicating the Hollywood Post Office to him, we are honoring Johnny for who he was: a great Angel of the City of Angels and an Angel of Hollywood."
Hollywood Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1937 under the Works Progress Administration and contains a magnificent wood relief sculpture titled "Horsemen," that was commissioned under the Treasury Relief Art Project.
A Mate Named Kate for Reggie the Alligator
Councilwoman Janice Hahn and Councilmember Tom LaBonge at the Zoo's announcement that female alligator Cajun Kate has moved in with famous runaway gator Reggie.
The Los Angeles Zoo announced today that renegade gator Reggie, who grabbed headlines by eluding capture for two years while living in a lake at a city park, now has a female friend named Cajun Kate.
Councilmember LaBonge brought Gatorade to toast the happy new couple.
Councilmember Janice Hahn called Kate a "cougar" since at 40 years old, she is twice Reggie's age. Zoo officials speculate that Reggie may have never mated before since he had been kept as a pet before he was released into Lake Machado in Harbor City five years ago.
Zoo officials said that Reggie and Cajun Kate were introduced in mid-April. As can happen with any first time meeting, there was some friction following the introduction. L.A. Zoo animal keepers kept a close eye on the pair as they adjusted to their new situation. Though there were a few superficial wounds, the duo has adapted to their newly shared digs near the Zoos entrance.
New Smart Parking Meters
Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and Councilmember Tom LaBonge demonstrated the ease of payment at the first of 10,000 new Coin & Card parking meters being installed citywide. The new meters are more convenient and reliable for drivers while generating more revenue for the City.
“Broken meters frustrate drivers and cost the City too much lost revenue,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Instead of carrying a bagful of quarters to feed the meter, drivers will now be able to pay quickly and conveniently with a credit card.”
"A modern city needs modern technology. These smart meters will allow people to park with greater ease and pay with a swipe of the card," said Councilmember Tom LaBonge.
The installation of new meters began with 200 that were unveiled today in Los Feliz. LADOT estimates that the 10,000 Coin & Card meters will generate an additional $1.0-1.5 million annually in net meter revenue. They are being installed in the areas with the highest traffic in the city.
"LADOT is excited to be installing 10,000 new parking meters that accept coins as well as credit/debit cards. This will make it more convenient for Los Angeles residents and visitors to park at meters on City streets," said Rita L. Robinson, General Manager.
Upon the completion of the installation of the 10,000 new meters, approximately 37% of the City’s 40,000 meters will have been upgraded. These modern meters will generate more than 50% of the City’s parking meter revenue.
Through a pilot project, approximately 500 upgraded meters have previously been installed and operating in the City. Meter revenue has increased nearly 40% on average where Card & Coin Meters are installed.
Don't Text While You Drive
American Idol 2009 winner Kris Allen and finalist Allison Iraheta joined Councilmember LaBonge at a "No Phone Zone" rally at John Marshall High School on Friday.
Councilmember LaBonge joined talk show host Oprah Winfrey's No Phone Zone campaign on Friday to discourage teens from texting while driving. Ms. Winfrey launched the No Phone Zone campaign with rallies in five U.S. cities, including one at John Marshall High School in the Franklin Hills.
"When you get behind the wheel, turn on the music and enjoy the ride. You don’t need to text or talk on the phone," said Councilmember LaBonge. "Safety comes first."
Even though California banned texting while driving in 2008, some people still subvert the law. Friday's rally included speeches by public officials, the story of one mother whose son was killed by a driver who was texting and a closing duet by 2009 American Idol winner Kris Allen and finalist Allison Iraheta.
Hollywood Grove HPOZ Moves to Next Step
To preserve one of the beautiful historic neighborhoods in his district, Councilmember LaBonge directed the City Planning Department today to move forward on an Interim Control Ordinance for Hollywood Grove.
This ordinance would impose a moratorium on tear-downs during the establishment of a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, or HPOZ. The area, bordered by Franklin Ave. to the south, Canyon Dr. on the west, Western Ave. on the east and Foothill Dr. on the north.
"I am working to move this HPOZ process forward - given the serious financial issues the City is currently facing - because I want to support and protect this great neighborhood," the Councilmember said.
The Planning Department is facing a 40% staff cut because of the current budget shortfall and revenue reductions expected for fiscal 2010-2011. The Planning Department is the process of streamlining the HPOZ process to make it more efficient.
An important public meeting on the streamlining process is being held on Monday, May 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hollywood Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1711 N. Van Ness Ave.(at Hollywood Blvd.) For more information on this meeting, visit: click here.
All are invited.
Sections
Archives
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
