Englander E-News: Mobile Billboards, Gun Buybacks and More...

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS
April 19, 2013

Regulating Mobile Billboards

This week, the City Council unanimously approved several modifications to the City's existing regulations on advertising displays on motor vehicles. The adopted changes conform to recent amendments made by the State Legislature to the California Vehicle Code.

The most significant part of the City's regulations, which was passed last year, is the ban on mobile billboards on public streets. I worked with the City Attorney to craft this City ordinance and with the State Legislature to make the accompanying and necessary changes to State law. These mobile billboards were not only hazardous but also blight our neighborhoods. Since this ban on mobile billboards was enacted, they have all but disappeared from our communities.

Funding for the Gun Buyback Program

I was pleased that the City Council approved funding for citywide Gun Buyback program. Through a partnership with Ralph’s Groceries, people who have an unwanted firearm can trade it in return for a Ralph’s gift card. This vital program keeps our neighborhoods safe from dangerous firearms from falling into the wrong hands. Since the buyback program began in 2009, almost 10,000 firearms have been taken off the streets.  By further funding the Gun Buyback program we will remove more unwanted guns from our community and keep them from falling into the wrong hands.

10th Annual Day of the Horse Celebration

I was proud to co-sponsor of the 10th Annual Day of the Horse Celebration in Chatsworth. This fantastic event at Stoney Point Ranch brought together not just equestrians but people from throughout the community. The event featured riding demonstrations from the Conejo Valley Riders Drill Team, the Valley View Vaulters, Ride With Pride Therapeutic Riding Program as well as a horse parade showcasing twenty different breeds. I would like to thank Mary Kaufman, chairman of the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council's Equestrian Committee, for her hard work and dedication, and for making this year’s Day of the Horse Celebration the best yet!

Child and Family Guidance Center to Honor Councilmember Englander

On Thursday, April 25, 2013, the Child and Family Guidance Center will be honoring Councilmember Mitchell Englander for his service to the community as a champion for children. The Champions for Children 50th Anniversary Celebration will be held at the Sheraton Universal in Universal City.

Thursday, April 25
6:00 pm
Sheraton Universal Hotel
The Starview Room
333 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City

The Child and Family Guidance Center is a nonprofit organization serving vulnerable and at-risk children, as well as, their families. We provide a continuum of quality mental healthcare, supportive social services, and links to needed resources.  The Center embraces a family-strengthening philosophy aimed at helping clients to become empowered, overcome challenges, and flourish within the community.

The Center is committed to remaining responsive to the ever-changing needs of our families, developing innovative programs, and training professional staff members to work in a community setting.

For more information visit www.childguidance.org. 

Conversations with Councils

On Thursday, April 18, at Firestation 87 in Granada Hills, we were proud to host a lively and informative discussion with Neighborhood Council leaders at our "Conversations With Councils" meetings. At our Conversations With Councils, we invite Board Members from all Neighborhood Councils in our District to come together with Councilmember Englander to get updates on our legislation, projects and hot-button issues, ask questions, and discuss community matters.

At Thursday's meeting, we were joined by Tom Rothman, from the Los Angeles Planning Department and Felicia Filer from the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs to provide information on the proposed Mural Ordinance (CF# 11-0923).
 
The meeting was attended by representatives from all 10 of the neighborhood councils within CD12 including: Chatsworth, Granada Hills South, Granada Hills North, Reseda, West Hills, Porter Ranch, Northridge East, Northridge West, Northridge South, and North Hills West.

Street Bond Meeting

On Tuesday, Councilmember Joe Buscaino and I attended a Public Works Committee community meeting at Van Nuys City Hall regarding the proposed street bond. At the meeting the public heard from officials from the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, the Office of the Chief Legislative Analyst, the Bureau of Street Services. The street bond would finance the repairing of 8.700 miles of failed streets Citywide. We cannot afford to wait any longer to address the need for street repair. A second public hearing is scheduled for April 23rd. If you could not attend the meeting this week, I hope you will be able to make it this coming Tuesday.

Street Bond Public Hearing
Tuesday, April 23
6:00 pm
West Los Angeles Municipal Building
1645 Corinth Ave.
Los Angeles

Citrus Sunday

Please be a part of the 8th Annual Citrus Sunday and help ensure that this volunteer-driven charitable fruit drive is once again a huge success!

Sunday, May 5 
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  
Citrus Sunday is a volunteer effort to pick tens of thousands of pounds of fresh citrus fruit to benefit struggling San Fernando Valley families served at local food banks operated by Valley Interfaith Council. As you know, our District has thousands of citrus trees, but much of the fruit rots on the ground and goes to waste every year. You can help bring it to families who need it! 
 
Simply pick grapefruits, oranges or other citrus fruits from your trees, and drop them off at any designated location. If you don’t have a citrus tree, share this information with someone who does.
 
There will be various drop-off locations throughout the San Fernando Valley, including:

Chatsworth NCFire Station 96
21800 Marilla St.
Chatsworth
 
Granada Hills South NC
Granada Hills Charter High School
10533 Zelzah Ave.
Granada Hills
 
Granada Hills North NC
Knollwood Country Club
12024 Balboa Blvd.
Granada Hills
 
Northridge South NC
Dearborn Park
17141 Nordhoff St.
Northridge

Northridge West NC
North West corner of
Tampa Ave. and Chatsworth Street
Northridge
 
North Hills West NC
Fire Station 87
10124 Balboa Blvd.
North Hills

Porter Ranch NC
Temple Ahavat Shalom
18200 Rinaldi Pl.
Porter Ranch
* Drop off time will be from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Reseda NCCD3 Field Office
19040 Vanowen St.
Reseda
 
West Hills NC Field's Market
23221 Saticoy St.
West Hills
 
For questions or more information, contact Semee Park at (818) 882-1212 or email Semee.Park@lacity.org.

Sign Up Now for One-On-One Help With Representatives of City Departments at Our Community Service Center

We are now taking reservations for community members to meet one-on-one with representatives of City Departments at our Community Service Center in Chatsworth.

We have regularly scheduled time slots for community members to meet with the Planning, Police, Transportation (LADOT), Housing, Community Development and Neighborhood Empowerment Departments and the Bureau of Sanitation. This will offer community members a chance to get information and assistance in Chatsworth without having to travel all the way to Downtown.

The following Departments are currently taking appointments:

Department of Sanitation - Wednesday, May 1
8:30 am to 12:00 pm

Community Development Department - Friday, May 3
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Department of Billing and Safety - Tuesday, May 7
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Department of Transportation - Wednesday, May 8
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Los Angeles Police Department - Tuesday, May 14
8:30 am to 12:00 pm

We will announce in our newsletter the service hours of the remaining Departments once they have been established.