September 29, 2023

This week, Los Angeles Police Department Devonshire Division unveiled their newly renovated trailer for the division’s senior lead officers. The division acquired this trailer in 1992 with the assistance of then Councilmember Hal Bernson. Over the years, it became evident that the trailer was in serious need of renovations. Together with the support of local neighborhood councils, Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire (S.O.L.I.D.), volunteers, and Council District 12, the renovations were made a reality.

Additionally, I had the honor and privilege of commemorating the life of Officer Steve Morris. Officer Morris was an incredible man, public servant, and wholly dedicated to the betterment of our city. He led an impressive career with the Los Angeles Police Department, eventually becoming a Sergeant-At-Arms in the city council chambers. For 15 years, Officer Morris worked with various councilmembers and mayors and throughout it all, he maintained the highest level of professionalism and dedication to his role. May he rest in peace.

CD12 COMMUNITY UPDATES

Attend a Public Meeting about LA’s Bus Stops!

ATTENTION ALL LA BUS TRAVELERS…The City welcomes you to participate in a public meeting to improve LA’s bus stops! The City is working to improve LA’s bus rider experience by providing shelter

from heat and weather, shade, safety, seating comfort, as well as innovation and accessibility throughout Los Angeles from the Valley to the Harbor. There are multiple ways to participate:

Zoom Webinar: Join the online meeting on Thursday, October 5th at 6:00 p.m. (Register here).
In-person North Hollywood: Attend on Tuesday, October 10th at 6:00 p.m. (Register here).
In-person South Los Angeles: Attend Thursday, October 19th at 6:00 p.m. (Register here).
Online Survey: Take the Design & Customization Survey for a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards.
Follow & Comment: Sign up for project updates or leave a comment on the proposed
improvements.

All are welcome, so share the invitation with your family, friends, and coworkers. Visit the website (LABusStop.com) to find out more about the project and on attending a meeting.

Community Investment for Families Department Survey

The Community Investment for Families Department invites you to participate in the Community Investment for Families Department’s short, 5-minute survey and let them know where you get your child care. Your participation will help them identify how the City can better support families like yours. The survey is available in eight different languages and can be accessed by visiting https://bit.ly/3WCGMT4

United to House Los Angeles Emergency Renter Assistance Program

The City of Los Angeles’ United to House Los Angeles (ULA) Emergency Renters Assistance Program is now accepting applications. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of the City of Los Angeles, have unpaid rent due to their current landlord for any month between April 2020 and now, have a household income that is at or below the area median income, and have one more individual in the household who has experienced a loss of employment, reduction of income, incurred significant costs or any other financial hardship between March 2020 and present. Click here to find out more information and to apply.

Small Business Webinar Series

The City of Los Angeles Office of Procurement is organizing a small business webinar series to guide small businesses on how to do business with the City of Los Angeles. The six-part Small Business Webinar Series will focus on small business initiatives and procurements the City of LA is maintaining to create accessible contracts and opportunities for small, emerging, and micro businesses looking to participate in government contracting. The first webinar - focused on a Citywide overview of procurement - will be held virtually on Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PST. Click here to register.

LAHD Homeownership Programs

The Los Angeles Housing Department continues offering assistance programs to first-time, low and moderate-income homebuyers in the City of Los Angeles. Requirements vary by income level and participants are required to participate in an 8-hour education course that provides an overview of the home-buying process.

Follow this link to learn more about the Low Income Purchase Assistance Program.

Click here to learn more about the Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program.

LADWP Student Engineer Program

LADWP is currently accepting applications for its Summer 2024 Student Engineer Program (SEP). The goal of the SEP is to provide college engineering students with experiential job training opportunities, including career mentoring, theoretical and technical instruction, and project-related infrastructure work tasks. Student Engineers will be paired with LADWP engineers and work in technical teams within the organization’s Water, Power, and Joint systems. The SEP eligibility requirements and employment application are available at: http://www.ladwp.com/sep. The deadline to submit a completed application is January 8, 2024.

Metro Youth Council

As part of its mission to improve transit for everyone, Metro is creating a Youth Council to serve as a platform that welcomes young people to share their perspectives on Metro. To qualify, applicants must be 14-17 years old, commit to a one-year term during which they will complete an “Introduction to Metro” training, be motivated, and participate in meaningful dialogue with Metro on the organization’s projects and initiatives. If you or someone you know may be interested, please follow this link to read more about the initiative and to apply.

LA Al Fresco Dining Application Portal Update

Since the beginning of this temporary program in May of 2020, the Outdoor Al Fresco Dining Program has had over 3,000 participants. Due to its success, the city is now working to make this program permanent. As the transition from the temporary application portal to a more permanent location is made, LADOT will temporarily close the current application portal on September 30th. If you do not want to wait to apply under the new application portal, please click here to apply for sidewalk and/or private property dining authorization or click here to apply for a curbside or parking lane dining authorization.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Matthew Hernandez

This week, my office bid a fond farewell to our colleague, Public Safety Deputy Matthew Hernandez, who has served the residents of Council District 12 since 2017.

In his role, Matt worked directly with the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, City Attorney’s Office, Emergency Management Department, Department of Building and Safety, Parking Enforcement, Cannabis Regulation, and Film LA, along with myriad partner public safety agencies to ensure that CD12 residents and stakeholders received attention toward resolving their issues.

One of Matt’s chief responsibilities was to work collaboratively with LAPD command staff to deploy police units in areas of need, resulting in arrests and a reduction in crime. Matt also worked closely with the LAPD to organize large community events aimed at bringing the community together in a positive way.

Matt also served as one of Council District 12’s Emergency Response Coordinators, monitoring the status of emergency situations in the district such as the Saddleridge Fire in 2019. Stationed at the LAFD command center and deployed in the field around the clock, Matt’s role was to coordinate with multiple agencies to ensure that we had the most up-to-date, comprehensive information available to relay to the public during the wildfire. Subsequently, Matt worked diligently with city departments to assist residents who were affected by the fire to quickly rebuild their homes and lives.

Matt has worked tirelessly to foster and deepen the strong relationships with our public safety agencies that have been a cornerstone of CD12’s legacy, and those relationships that he has forged with our public safety personnel on the ground, especially, have benefitted the district. His work is indicative of CD12’s emphasis on public safety in our community and our unwavering support of the men and women of the LAPD, LAFD, and other agencies.

Matt’s proudest personal accomplishments over the last few years include coaching and mentoring youth and helping them to succeed, both in his role as a board member of LAPD Devonshire PALS and as a youth sports coach in lacrosse and basketball. He is also proud to have been selected to Mexico's Men's National Lacrosse team, which allowed him to compete in the 2018 Lacrosse World Games in Israel, the 2022 Pan-American Lacrosse World Games Qualifiers in Colombia, and the 2023 Lacrosse World Games in San Diego (during which he was selected by his teammates to serve as one of the Team Captains).

We are proud that Matt will continue in public service as the Government Affairs Director at the Los Angeles Fire Department, where we know he will do a wonderful job continuing to serve the people of the City of Los Angeles. Thank you, Matt, for your tireless service to the residents of Council District 12!

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

UPCOMING

10/28 - Councilmember John Lee’s Drive-In Movie Night!

Councilmember Lee invites the Council District 12 community to the beloved annual Drive-In Movie Night! This year’s feature film is the 2017 Oscar Winning Film, Coco. Please click here to RSVP.

9/30 - NVRCC Oktober Festival

North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomes you to join them for live music, food, drinks, and local merchants at their Oktober Festival! Follow this link for more information.

9/30 - Free Community Resource Fair

Magnolia Public Schools invites you to join them for a free community resource fair. Click here for more information.

10/1 - Chatsworth Historical Society’s Pioneer Day

The Chatsworth Historical Society invites you to join them for a day of old-time fun for everyone! Click here to view the flyer for this event.

10/6 - S.O.L.I.D.’S 26th Annual “All You Can Eat Pasta Dinner”

Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire invite you to join them in support of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division. Click here to learn more.

10/6 - 10/8 - Saint Bernadine’s Fall Festival

Swing by Saint Bernadine’s Fall Festival for a 3-day extravaganza featuring brunch, silent auctions, and great music. Click here to see the full schedule.

10/7 - Valley Hive’s 5th Annual Honey Competition and Dessert Contest

Join the Valley Hive in a day of drinks, food, and fun to benefit the LA County Beekeepers Association! Follow this link to find out more.

10/7 - 10/8 - Shepherd Loves Local

Shepherd Church invites you to their yearly Shepherd Loves Local Weekend which connects the community with local businesses. Click here for more information.

10/14 - Kiwanis Oktoberfest

The Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth welcomes you to come by the Chatsworth Junior Baseball League Field to celebrate a classic October tradition. Follow this link to see the flyer.

10/19 - Metro Telephone Town Hall

Metro invites the public to provide feedback about the agency’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget process during a live, interactive Telephone Town Hall. Click here to register.

10/21 - Giant Used Book Sale Book at Chatsworth Library

The Friends of Chatsworth Library are holding their quarterly book sale. Go to laplchatsworthfriends.org or call (818) 341-4276 for more information.

10/21 - Political Collectibles Show & Sale

Come see, marvel, and purchase political trinkets and collectibles from various decades. Click here for more information.

THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

Wilkinson Senior Center’s New Phone Number
The Wilkinson Senior Center would like to share that it has recently changed its phone number. The new number is (818) 654-8376. Click here for more information.
September is National Preparedness Month
The focus of this year's National Preparedness Month is preparing older adults for disasters. The City of Los Angeles' Emergency Management Department has compiled a list of ways to prepare yourself or family members in case disaster strikes. You can click here to read the department's newsletter.
Free U.S. Citizenship Exam Preparation Classes
Los Angeles Public Library locations citywide are offering free Citizenship Classes throughout the fall to assist individuals currently working towards obtaining U.S. citizenship. Click here to view the class schedule.
LAHD Webinars for Tenants and Landlords
If you are interested in learning about Los Angeles' current rules regarding tenant protections, follow this link to register for one of LAHD's upcoming sessions.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Volunteers Cleaning Communities’ All Street Clean-Up event was a big success. With the help from the community, the organizations managed to pick up litter and clean up 11+ miles of streets in the Valley.

COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER
By appointment only. Please call or email.
9207 Oakdale Avenue, Suite 200
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone: (818) 882-1212
Fax: (818) 701-5254

LOS ANGELES CITY HALL
By appointment only. Please call or email.
200 North Spring Street, Room 405
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 473-7012
Fax: (213) 473-6925

Copyright © 2023 Councilmember John S. Lee, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a stakeholder in Council District 12.

Our mailing address is:
Councilmember John S. Lee
9207 Oakdale Ave.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Add us to your address book

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.