This week, construction began on the Van Nuys temporary housing site, located at 7700 Van Nuys Boulevard. This structure will house 100 individuals experiencing homelessness in the Van Nuys area. It is at one of the Valley's most connected Transit Hubs, with access to buses and trains, near the LA County Social services building. Continue reading

This week, on Sherman Way near Lankershim, we achieved another milestone in the effort to reduce homelessness across the northeast San Fernando Valley. Continue reading

I had the opportunity this week to tour the new 85-bed Bridge Housing site at 13160 Raymer in North Hollywood that is scheduled to open in June. The facility, which will be operated by Hope of the Valley, is a critical part of my ongoing effort to provide both Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Bridge Housing in CD2. Continue reading

This week, some two dozen taxi cab drivers and allies attended the meeting of the Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee to express yet again their opposition to recently-enacted rules at LAX that adversely affect the drivers' ability to make a living. Continue reading

This past Tuesday, Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell and I went to Sacramento to discuss funding for homeless services and other issues. We met with the governor's office and a number of legislators, including several from the San Fernando Valley. Continue reading

Last summer, Mayor Garcetti unveiled a new strategy regarding street cleanups, with the introduction of Comprehensive and Rapid Engagement (CARE) teams. As chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, I allocated $6.5 million for expansion of the teams, two of which are based in CD2. Continue reading

This week, the Homelessness and Poverty Committee approved my motion calling on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to demonstrate greater transparency regarding its funded programs and expenses. The motion, which will next be considered by the full council, specifically requests LAHSA provide any performance data and expenses by category, program, and provider going back four years. Continue reading

On a daily basis it's not easy to gauge the great contribution of city employees to both the beautification and upkeep of CD2. But annual statistics released by Streets LA leave no doubt. Continue reading

As a member of the Metrolink Board, I am well aware of the positive effect on the Southern California economy of our transportation projects. A report issued late last week by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation offers more evidence. Continue reading

For more than two years, the City Attorney and I have put the Federal Aviation Administration on notice that failure to comply with repeated requests for specific information about a southward shift in departures from Burbank Airport could prompt legal action. During that time the agency has answered our requests and those of the community with a series of evasive and hollow responses or non-responses. Continue reading

The resignation this week of the executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) affords the City the opportunity to take a closer look at an agency that has not performed to expectations during our current homelessness crisis. In 2017, voters approved a measure that allocates 355 million dollars per year for homeless services, and yet the number of people living on our streets every night continues to rise. By any standard, this is unacceptable. Continue reading

Four years ago, I introduced a motion to create the city's first-ever Small Business Commission. My intent was to enable small businesses to have a more powerful presence within city government. Continue reading

This week the Council approved a motion that replaces the existing taxi franchise system with an open permitting system. I strongly believe these changes, set to be implemented in July 2020, will greatly benefit both drivers and riders. Continue reading

As air travelers know only too well, the past few weeks have been a logistical nightmare at LAX. Arriving passengers have been forced to wait sometimes hours to take transportation from the airport to their destination. This intolerable situation is particularly exhausting and frustrating for those arriving on flights from the East Coast or foreign countries. Continue reading

At the end of last week I sponsored a motion to build additional bridge housing in CD2. The site is 7700-7798 Van Nuys Boulevard, which includes part of a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power storage and maintenance yard and an adjacent parking lot owned by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.  Continue reading