It was a jam-packed final week of Council as we say goodbye to 2024. Here at CD11, our field office will remain open and our usual district operations will continue. We’ll see you out on the Westside!
Our City partners and the CD11 Beautification Team were out in force across the Westside this week maintaining sidewalks, trimming trees, improving street cleanliness, and removing unsafe vehicles from our curb space. Every day, we are restoring safety and accessibility by removing encampments and moving people into safer settings. If you need assistance in your area, please contact our Westchester District Office.
Supporting Our Coastal Restaurants
As the work to make al fresco dining across the City permanent progressed over the last year, many of our beloved restaurants in the Coastal Zone have been left out because of complicated and expensive coastal parking and permitting requirements.
This week, we successfully secured nearly a million dollars in funding to help our coastal restaurants across Council District 11 make their outdoor patios permanent. During the pandemic, our City’s Al Fresco program provided lifeline to local businesses, helping to keep their doors open and money in the pockets in the pockets of workers. However, as the City has transitioned to a permanent program, coastal restaurants have had to grapple with cumbersome state rules and regulations with fees totaling in the tens of thousands of dollars. This is why I have led efforts to make our coastal restaurants whole by subsidizing their permit applications.
It was great to join the California District Attorneys Association, the California Business Properties Association, elected officials from across California, law enforcement and victims organizations, recovery providers, and other key stakeholders to discuss implementation of Prop 36, which passed in a landslide election last month. This new law will enable police and prosecutors to properly arrest and prosecute repeat thieves and drug dealers, and open new pathways to supervised care for those who need it.
As many of you know, we worked hard this year to fight back against the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, which would have led to job losses, higher prices, and multiple store closures in Los Angeles, including our beloved Little Vons in Westchester. We are excited to report that the merger is off, and our workers and grocery stores will remain necessary anchors in our neighborhoods!
I was really excited to speak to the incredible young women at the Archer School for Girls in Brentwood. We covered how local government works, preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and what young people can do to participate in public service.
Venice Sign Lighting Festivities
We had a blast lighting the Venice sign at Windward last weekend! Thousands of people came out for an evening of music, snow, and sparkle where we honored Lifeguard Captain Matthew Pennington for his lifetime of service with the Local Hero Award. We also had musical performances by Venice All Stars House Band, Michael Lemmo, and Triple Bueno.
I personally got to light the sign with Guns N Roses legend Steve Adler and Venice legend Harry Parry. A huge thank you to George Francisco and the Venice Chamber for putting on this killer annual event, and as always, to Venice Paparazzi for the great photos!
Holiday Toy Drives Around CD11
For this week’s Park’s Pick, I have the pleasure of highlighting Dancer University! Started only about three years ago by Playa Vista resident Nicole Gil, Dancer University has quickly grown with studios in West Los Angeles and Westwood, welcoming dancers of all levels. Thank you and congratulations, Dancer University, for becoming one of the reasons why the Westside is such a wonderful place to live!
Let's Stay Connected!
TRACI PARK
Councilwoman, 11th District
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