DWP Water Ordinance
New lawn watering restrictions are in effect beginning August 25 after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa approved an ordinance already passed by the City Council.
Under the new guidelines, most Angelenos may water their lawns three days each week rather than the current limit of two days per week. However, the allowable watering period will be shorter - 8 minutes instead of 15.
The new guidelines also alternate watering days between properties whose addresses end in even and odd numbers. For addresses ending in odd numbers, watering will be allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For addresses ending in even numbers, watering will be allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. To read the proposed new guidelines, click here.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power proposed changing the restrictions because the changes in water pressure when the residents turned their sprinklers on at the same time each week was linked to a series of water main breaks throughout Los Angeles.
John Marshall High School's New Look
Acclaimed artist Yuriko Etue is installing a new mosaic at John Marshall High School, in part through a city grant that funds community improvements. The artist, known for the Vine Street Elementary School entrance mural and for her contribution to the Silver Lake mosaic "Art Cans," taught a group of students, city officials and neighbors how to place tiles within the huge mosaic on the corner of Griffith Park Boulevard and St. Georges Street on Thursday. Councilmember LaBonge was the first to participate.
"This mural will add to students' pride in their school and their beautiful campus," the Councilmember said.
The mural, funded by the community, school and city contributions, portrays the school's emblematic "M" in front of blue rolling hills. Students from Dorothy Lee's art class designed different versions of the mural, and the neighborhood council voted on the design. Etue, students and neighborhood volunteers are working to install the mosaic by October.
HIRE LA's Youth a Success
Councilmember LaBonge points out the benefits of Mayor Villaraigosa's HIRE LA's Youth program at culminating ceremonies this week.
Councilmember LaBonge joined Mayor Villaraigosa to announce the Mayor's call to action for non-profit, private and public organizations to hire Angeleno youth for summer work yielded 10,000 paid internships between July and August.
"Summer jobs are important. The experience of working cultivates an understanding of teamwork and develops leadership skills that are critical to success in life," Councilmember LaBonge said. "It also gives the kids a little bit of money to have some summer fun."
The LA Area Chamber of Commerce certified all HIRE LA's Youth to ensure companies received high-quality workers. The workers themselves received resume assistance, interview skills and job training.
Nearly 200 kids and summer employers attended the culmination event. The program was funded in part by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.
For more information, click here.
New Watering Ordinance
New lawn watering restrictions could go into effect as early as next week, if Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa approves an ordinance passed by the City Council this week.
Under the new guidelines, most Angelenos will be able to water their lawns three days each week rather than the current limit of two days per week. However, the allowable watering period will be shorter - 8 minutes instead of 15.
The new guidelines also alternate watering days between properties whose addresses end in even and odd numbers. For addresses ending in odd numbers, watering will be allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For addresses ending in even numbers, watering will be allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
To read the proposed new guidelines, click here.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power proposed changing the restrictions because the changes in water pressure when the residents turned their sprinklers on at the same time each week was linked to a series of water main breaks throughout Los Angeles.
Support for 9/11 First Responders
Tom presented a resolution to Council on Wednesday to help public safety and fire fighters who rushed to the emergency effort after 9/11. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would provide long-term health care and compensation for police officers, firefighters and other 9/11 first responders across the nation who have become sick after working at Ground Zero.
The measure, which was defeated in Congress in July, was given new consideration after President Obama released a statement of support. Named after a fallen NYPD officer who died of health complications after 9/11, the bill will be sent back to the floor next month.
For more information or to read HR 847, please click here.
The First Green-Roofed Fire Station
The last beam of the fire station is lifted into place
Councilmember LaBonge and LAFD Chief Peaks joined other city officials, firefighters and community members for the “Topping Off Ceremony for Fire Station 82,” the City’s first green-roofed fire station. The long-anticipated event was held at the building site on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue on Thursday. Commissioner Steven Nutter from the Department of Public Works and Chief Deputy City Engineer Deborah Weintraub were also in attendance.
“This station will meet the needs of the firefighters of Battalion 5, making it easier for them to answer the calls of residents,” Councilmember Tom LaBonge said. “Not only will the fire station promote public safety, but it will be environmentally friendly. The residents in this area will think green whenever they hear those sirens.”
The original fire station on Bronson Avenue was over-crowded with outdated equipment and will now be transformed to include a community room, classroom space and equipment storage. The new building is nearly three-times the size of the old structure at 18,900-square-feet and can house 16 firefighters per shift, far exceeding the six-per-shift maximum of the old station. The building will also boast underground parking and a variegated roof with a garden. The roof garden, which will keep the station cool, is part of a rainwater treatment system.
City officials and community members signed the final beam, symbolizing the nearly 10 years of community collaboration and the interdepartmental negotiation involved in the project. The crowd looked on as a crane lifted the final beam to the top of the third story.
"This is a very exciting occasion for both our City family and the community. This project is symbolic of the vision Los Angeles voters had back in 2000 to construct and renovate fire stations and animal shelters across the city,” said Board of Public Works Commissioner, Steven Nutter. “The Department of Public Works is very proud to be part of this rewarding partnership."
The $30 million building is being funded through the Prop F General Obligation bond, approved by voters in November, 2000. The new fire station, designed by RRM Design Group, will qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. Since 2003, all Department of Public Works’ newly designed and constructed projects of 7,500 square feet or more must be LEED-certified.
Fire Station 82 serves areas of Councilmembers LaBonge and Garcetti’s districts, including parts of East Hollywood and Hollywood Hills.
Councilmember: Highland Median Maintenance a Priority
The Highland Avenue medians, which create an expanse of green between Wilshire Boulevard and Melrose Avene in Hancock Park, are dotted with palm trees that are Historic Cultural Landmarks of the City of Los Angeles.
In the current economic climate, the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services no longer has the staff or funding to continue the level of maintenance that this proud landmark has always enjoyed.
Councilmember LaBonge entered a motion on Tuesday to use Pipeline Revenue Funds, which are intended for street improvements, to maintain the medians for the next year. It passed unanimously. Under the motion, contractors, who already mow, weed and clean other City medians, will now care for the Highland Avenue medians as well.
“Medians are so important to a City,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “They are part of the aesthetics for the surrounding area. I couldn't allow these medians, which thousands of residents and motorists enjoy each day, to become overgrown or fall into disrepair.”
The Councilmember is working with the Department of Public Works to address the maintenance of other medians in Council District Four as well. Department of Public Works officials expect to begin a rotation of maintenance beginning in September.
Councilmember Steps Toward Cyclist-Friendly Stairs
(Picture taken from the Councilmember's Summer Bike Series. For updates on the next bicycle ride, subscribe to LaBonge.News@lacity.org)
On Wednesday, Councilmember LaBonge proposed to install “bicycle stairs” to address wear and tear on outdoor City stairways. Bicycle stairs are channels that run alongside a set of stairs, allowing cyclists to wheel the bicycle up or down steps with ease.
“Some of the world’s greatest cities have taken cyclists into consideration when designing or updating their urban areas,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “There is no greater city than Los Angeles, and it’s about time we incorporate the needs of bicyclists into our architectural plans.”
Councilmember LaBonge envisions a bicycle-friendly city and has made strides in improving the infrastructure to include bicycles. A number of cycling-minded initiatives have been instituted by the Councilmember, including the Fourth Street bike sharrow in the Wilshire district. The sharrow was recently the setting of the Los Angeles County Bicycling Coaltions (LACBC) event in July held to promote awareness and movement towards a city friendly towards cycling enthusiasts. The Councilmember spoke at the event, asking constituents to give the City feedback on the proposed bicycle plan.
Angelenos can view the Los Angeles Bicycle Plan Update, the city's long-term plan for improving bike transportation, by clicking here. It identifies streets that are targeted for easier bike access with designated bike lanes or sharrows, which are shared lane markings.
For more information or to track the motion, please click here.
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