Politics & Government
Councilman Garcetti's Weekly Newsletter
An update from Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti on April 19, 2012.
[The information below was provided by the Office of Councilman Eric Garcetti.]
GARCETTI SOLAR INITIATIVES WILL CREATE JOBS, GREEN ENVIRONMENT
Two recent initiatives by L.A. City Councilmember Eric Garcetti will facilitate the use of solar power -- and create thousands of jobs and clean up our environment.
Mayor Villaraigosa signed into law a Garcetti-authored ordinance that created a pilot program to make it easier for L.A. Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers to sell solar energy to the utility.
"Los Angeles is known around the world for our sunshine and I want us to also be known as the solar capital of the world," said Councilmember Garcetti. "This forward-thinking solar program will help us decrease our reliance on dirty fossil fuels while creating jobs that our communities need."
Dubbed CLEAN LA Solar, the new program makes Los Angeles the largest city in America with such a "feed-in tariff" program. It is expected to create 4,500 jobs and generate $500 million in economic activity while offsetting 2.25 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2016. The program's development was a collaborative effort that included business and environmental organizations such as the Los Angeles Business Council, Sierra Club, and Global Green. For more information about the program, please visit www.ladwp.com/solar.
The City Council also passed Garcetti and Councilmember Ed Reyes's package of reforms that will streamline the installation of solar panels on residential and commercial properties. Among other things, the new law removes barriers to retrofitting parking lots to accommodate solar structures, modifies existing height restrictions to account for solar panels, and establishes a new, more expedited process for solar installation proposals that do not meet the city's zoning code, the bulk of which was written well before the solar technologies of today.
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GARCETTI OPENS UNIDAD GARDEN, NORTH ATWATER PARK
Councilmember Eric Garcetti joined community leaders in opening two new green spaces for Angelenos to enjoy.
In Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust’s Unidad Park opened a beautiful community garden, funded through a Kaiser Permanente grant. The garden will serve the community and diabetic patients from Clinica Romero and includes 20 raised garden beds, a Pollinator Garden to entice butterflies and bees, and a Nopal Garden to grow the cactus whose fruit is beneficial to diabetics. In addition to Clinica Romero, Unidad Garden partners include HIFI, People’s CORE, SIPA, and the Children’s Institute.
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n Atwater Village, Garcetti joined Councilmember Tom LaBonge to celebrate the opening of the North Atwater Creek Restoration and Park Expansion project, which added a three-acre green space with a picnic area and outdoor classroom to the existing North Atwater Park as well as regraded an open channel to improve water quality in our river and ocean.
"I'm thrilled to open these new parks to give families and Angelenos of all ages a place where they can spend time together outdoors," said Councilmember Garcetti.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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On Saturday, April 21, St. Vincent Medical Center and LAUSD Nursing Services will host a free community fair where attendees can receive free medical services such as mammograms, ultrasounds, and glucose and blood pressure screenings. Stop by the Logan Street School (1711 W. Montana St) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or schedule an appointment by calling 213/484-7111, ext. 4616.
On Saturday, April 21, Drama West will provide free performances at the Edendale Branch Library (2011 W. Sunset Blvd) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the community room. For more information, please call the library at 213/207-3000.
On Saturday, April 21, Los Angeles International Charter High School (LAICHS) will host an open house for prospective students and their families from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on their campus located at 625 Coleman Ave. LAICHS is a free, charter public high school that is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year for grades 9,10, and 11. For more information, please visit www.laicharter.org.
On Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22, celebrate Earth Day with the William C. Velazquez Institute and its partners presenting Earth Day Latino at the Los Angeles Historic State Park, just north of Placita Olvera. This free event will include park walks, the unveiling of the Zanja Madre Water Wheel, a battle of the bands powered by a solar generator, and the ultimate urban camping experience. Participants can also sign up for an unforgettable opportunity to camp one-night right under the Downtown skyline. For more information on Earth Day Latino and/or to RSVP, please contact Audel Contreras at 323-222-2217 or email her at acontreras@wcvi.org.
On Sunday, April 22, Eco-Village invites everyone to join in their Earth Day Open House from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at 117 Bimini Place, this event will include free musical performances and workshops on arts, crafts, cooking, and more.
On Monday, April 23, join Elysian Heights Elementary and In-N-Out Burger for a delicious family night to benefit Elysian Heights Elementary School's 6th grade class field trip to the Catalina Island Marine Institute. The fundraiser will take place at the Elysian Heights Elementary (1526 Baxter Street) beginning at 5:00 p.m. Dinners will be available for purchase at $6 per person.
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