Permanent L.A. Al Fresco Dining Program

The Permanent Al Fresco Program has arrived! Because of the success of the temporary L.A. Al Fresco program, the City has established a new, permanent program. Both new applicants and Temporary Use Authorization holders must apply to offer outdoor dining. Current Temporary Use Authorizations are only valid until July 31, 2024. Businesses who are interested in applying, please use the guide linked above to learn more about requirements, ask questions, get help, and where to apply.

Quake Heroes Expo

You are invited to join us at a special Quake Heroes Expo on Saturday, February 3, at California State University Northridge (CSUN) to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Northridge earthquake.

The event is organized in partnership with CSUN, the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department, the Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC), and many other partners – to remember the lessons and losses of 1994 and to improve safety and resilience today.

The Expo features Quake Heroes, a new motivational documentary that blends Hollywood storytelling with real-life heroism from January 1994. The film was created by SCEC with support from FEMA and many sponsors to inspire individual and community resilience. Follow this link to learn more and register and we look forward to seeing you TOMORROW.

LADWP Revamped Power Outage Website

LADWP recently revamped its outage website, making it easier to navigate and adding more features. Customers can now see how many customers are without power for a particular neighborhood outage, based on the size of the dot on the map, while its color indicates the status of the outage, ranging from Reportage Outage, Assigned, Crews En Route, and Crews Working. What remains unchanged is the ability for visitors to click on the dot to access additional information regarding a specific outage such as the number of customers without power and the estimated time of restoration. To view the outage map, sign-up for outage alerts, or report an outage, visit www.ladwp.com/outages.  

Virtual Presentation on Granada Hills Pool Public Artwork

Join Councilmember John S. Lee, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Department of Recreation and Parks for a virtual community presentation on the proposed Granada Hills Pool Public Artwork. This meeting will take place on February 16 at 6:00pm. Follow this link on the day of to join the Zoom meeting.

Councilmember John Lee's Year in Review Volume III

Over the last year, we have made significant progress on the many subjects that impact Council District 12’s day-to-day quality of life.

Please click here to read the review.

Gas Assistance Fund

If you or someone you know is looking for assistance in paying a gas bill, SoCalGas is currently offering a program that can provide up to $200 in financial assistance. ONEgeneration is welcoming interested applicants to come by their campus in Van Nuys on Thursdays from 11:00am - 2:00pm to receive assistance in filling out the application. Click here to view the required documents and contact information.

Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program

Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) helps homeowners strengthen their homes and protect against earthquake damage by offering qualified homeowners a grant of up to $3,000 toward a building code-compliant earthquake retrofit. EBB is also offering a Supplemental Grant to homeowners with a household annual income of $87,360 or less as funding permits. An EBB retrofit is specifically for homes with a crawl space beneath the first floor. Click here to learn more and see if you qualify.

Business Accelerator Program

Join MCS and accelerate your business’ success. Sign up for a free 6-week program that will give you the tools, insight, and mentorship to navigate and succeed in your entrepreneurial journey. Click here to view the flyer and all of the information and to register.

Join the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council

The Chatsworth Neighborhood Council is looking for Chatsworth stakeholders who want to help shape the future of their community. The filing period to run for board seats opened on January 1st and will end on February 15th. Voting will take place on March 16. For more information, follow this link.

THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY

• Traffic Officer Job Openings

  The City of Los Angeles is currently accepting applications for traffic officers. If you are interested in becoming a public servant, click here to find out the qualifications and other job information.
  

• Bulky Item Drop-Off Events

  LA Sanitation will be accepting bulky items at five locations around the City each month throughout 2024. Furniture, carpet, yard trimmings, shelving, and wood will be accepted. To find out more information, click here.

  
  

• 10th Annual Inspirational Women of the San Fernando Valley
  The United Chambers of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for their beloved Inspirational Women Awards. Click here to read more and nominate an incredible lady in your life.
  
  

• Police Officer Recruitment Incentive Program

  LAPD is currently offering a $2,000 incentive for successful police officer referrals. To find out the necessary steps and requirements to protect and serve the City of Los Angeles, click here.

LADWP STORM TIPS

LADWP reminds customers to use caution around any downed or dangling wires or poles. If you see a downed wire, always assume it is live. Do not assume a downed wire is a communication line. Never approach or touch any wire that is down or dangling and immediately report it by calling 9-1-1.

In addition to downed trees, flooding and water intrusion into underground electrical systems may also occur, resulting in power outages. When the affected equipment is underground, crews must go from vault to vault to identify the source of the damage before repairs can take place, which can also take time.

In preparation for the rain and in the event of a power outage affecting your community, LADWP recommends customers take the following steps:

• Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency.

• Keep your cellphone fully charged as your cordless “landline” may also lose connectivity during a storm. It will also enable you to access information online.  

• Keep a fully charged portable cell phone charger handy in case you need to charge any of your electronics while the power is out.

If power does go out:

• Report outages online and track crew status at www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).

• Sign up for outage alerts at www.ladwp.com/outagealert.

• Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.

• Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold for longer.

• Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.

WEEK IN REVIEW

TOP: At Tuesday’s Council Meeting, I adjourned in memory of the De Leon family. This tragedy deeply impacted the entire Granada Hills community and left many of us in shock and disbelief. May the De Leon family rest in peace.

BOTTOM: Pleased to join the Valley Academy of Arts and Science for a surprise announcement that my office will be supporting improvements at the school such as batting cages and a mental wellness center!