September 8, 2023

Over the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of joining colleagues and leaders in our community to celebrate important milestones and discuss critical issues in our city.

I recently joined Providence Holy Cross Medical Center for the grand opening of their new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The newly expanded NICU will have six additional cribs for a total of 18, a new cooling system to lower the temperature of a baby after a traumatic labor experience, and secure private cameras at each bed so loved ones can watch these tiny patients from home. I was delighted to join the community and help fund this critical expansion of medical care for the North San Fernando Valley.

I was also pleased to join my colleagues at the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Valley Luncheon, which invites members of the business community to hear from local San Fernando Valley elected officials. One of my priorities has been to advocate for the business community and it was an honor to share my opinion on what Los Angeles is doing to uplift businesses and where we can improve.

Lastly, the City of Los Angeles has made it clear that our city is a place for women to make history, something that was reflected and celebrated at the Women of City Hall event. It was a privilege to join my colleagues in celebrating our first-ever female mayor, our first female City Attorney, our first female LAFD Chief, and the largest make-up of women on the City Council ever.

CD12 COMMUNITY UPDATES

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.

CD12 Job Fair

Join us for a job fair in partnership with the Canoga Park-South Valley WorkSource Center for a chance to connect with various companies hiring to fulfill a multitude of job openings. From careers in medicine to public safety, this job fair offers you the chance to connect with a variety of employers and explore different career options. Please bring your resume and if needed, printers will be available on-site to help you print your resume. Click here to register.

Fernando Awards Grants for Youth Volunteers

Do you know an outstanding young adult who is in grades 9-12 and volunteers in their community? The Fernando Award Foundation recently announced a new program that aims to recognize outstanding youth volunteers in the San Fernando Valley. Eligible youth can receive a grant of up to $1,500 to help with educational expenses, travel, or any other personal developmental activities. Applications are due by September 12th. Click here to access the application.

GoPass for Students

With the start of the new school year, Metro encourages students, families, and school districts to participate in its GoPass pilot program which allows students in K-12 and community college unlimited free rides on Metro bus and rail. All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will offer GoPass to their students this school year, with activation codes available through the LAUSD student portal. Click here for more information.

Wages LA

At the end of 2022, the Bureau of Contract Administration was entrusted to help implement and enforce the Fair Work Week Ordinance (FWWO). The FWWO was put into place to promote the health, safety, and welfare of retail workers in the City by providing them with a more predictable work schedule that ensures stability for themselves and their families.

This ordinance applies to retail businesses in the City of Los Angeles with 300+ employees worldwide. Based on the Office of Finance’s Listing of Active Businesses dataset, as of April 2023, there are over 52,000 retail businesses in the City of Los Angeles that could potentially be impacted depending on the number of employees. For more details on determining who is covered by the new ordinance and their rights and responsibilities, please visit our website wagesla.lacity.org.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

David Hartmire

This week’s CD12 community spotlight recognizes a community leader of a long-time beloved organization in Council District 12. It is our pleasure to introduce David Hartmire who is the newest Executive Director at North Valley Family YMCA in Porter Ranch.

Since taking on his new role two years ago, David moved to Porter Ranch and has enjoyed the unique sense of community and plentiful entertainment that CD12 has to offer. During his time at North Valley YMCA (Y), he has had the good fortune of meeting and working with many members, staff, and volunteers who share the same passion for community engagement as he does. He began his lifework with the Y in the summer of 1980 and upon graduating college in 1983, he decided to pursue a professional career with the YMCA. All his years of experience working with the Y have prepared him to lead our North Valley YMCA where he is proud to spearhead cornerstone programs like the annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Program. Each year, over 400 volunteers along with support from community organizations, corporations, individuals, and neighborhood councils come together in a true community effort to provide meals for over 3,600 families throughout the San Fernando Valley.

This same spirit of collaboration and enthusiasm is what David is most grateful for and for which he credits the success of North Valley YMCA’s ability to recover post-pandemic. The unwavering support of volunteers, staff, and nearly 1,000 families who maintained paid membership throughout the pandemic closure enabled the continuation of vital services such as food distribution, child care, and online tutoring support for children in need. Today, the North Valley Family YMCA is thriving and healthy once more and well on its way to exceeding pre-pandemic numbers.

In addition to his work at the Y, David is also a member of the Granada Hills Rotary Club, Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce, North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce. In his free time, you can find David exploring the outdoors, golfing at the Knollwood Country Club, reading a good book, or enjoying time with his grandchildren. North Valley Family YMCA is the fifth branch David has had the pleasure of working with and he hopes to conclude his dedication to volunteerism at this location.

Thank you David for all you do for our community and our Y.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

UPCOMING

9/14 - REAL ID Pop-Up Event Round 2
We are proud to bring you round 2 of our REAL ID Pop-Up event. CD12 residents are invited to get their REAL ID or REAL ID Driver’s License quickly and easily! Space is limited. Email Jieun.Kim@lacity.org to register.

9/9 - Touch a Truck - ONEgeneration
See, touch, and hear different types of vehicles! Climb in a dump truck, run the sirens on a police car, and even lift the hose of a fire truck. Proceeds from this event help support ONEgeneration.

9/9 - Chili Cook Off & Flag Retirement Ceremony
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and Preschool is hosting a chili cook-off and flag retirement ceremony. RSVPs are crucial to ensure enough food for attendees. Here's the info.

9/9 - LAPD Hiring Workshop & Testing Seminar

The LAPD Recruitment and Employment Division invites those interested in protecting and serving their community to attend a hiring seminar at the Ahmanson Recruit Training Center. Click here to learn more and register for the event.

9/9 - Storytime with Dogs

The Northridge Branch Library invites you to bring your little ones to read books with adorable therapy dogs. Click here to find out more.

9/10 - Family Fun Day at The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley invites you to a Fall Family Fun Day to enjoy ice cream and art! Click here to see the flyer.

9/12 - Neighborhood Watch Meeting with Senior Lead Officer Parker

Join Senior Lead Officer John Parker for a discussion on department-wide crime stats and get an update on extra patrols in the community. Follow this link to access the flyer.

9/15 - Juni Fisher Live in Concert

Join Juni Fisher for an unforgettable evening of music under the stars at Homestead Acre. Tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting Janice at jthomps7110@yahoo.com. Click here for more information.

9/16 - Declutter and Donate Drive

Late on your spring cleaning? A donation drive to benefit Operation Blankets of Love is ready to accept any new or gently used blankets, towels, and pet supplies you are ready to get rid of. Click here to find out what they need and where to drop off supplies.

9/18 - Batty for Bats!

The Santa Susana Mountain Park Association invites you to join Wildlife Educator Dana Stangel for a public presentation to learn more about our batty neighbors. The flyer can be found here.

9/19 - Adelante Latino/Latina Business Hub Event

Join the Valley Economic Alliance as they kick off the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with an afternoon of networking and insight into starting and growing your business. Secure your spot here.

9/20 - Coffee with a Cop

Come meet your local LAPD Devonshire Division Senior Lead Officers. Click here for the details.

9/23 - LAPD Topanga PAL Charity Poker Tournament

Come by for an evening of poker at the LAPD Topanga PAL Charity Poker Tournament! Participation in this poker tournament gives you the chance to win fantastic prizes while contributing to a worthy cause.

9/23 - VCC All Street Clean-Up Event
Volunteers Cleaning Communities invites you to help pick up litter along Nordhoff Street. They are aiming to clean 11+ miles in 2 hours. Click here to learn more.

9/24 - Volunteers for Beautification
Join the Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth, the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, and Volunteers Cleaning Communities for beautification near the historic Olive Trees on Lassen.

9/23 - 9/24 - Fall CSUN Food Pantry Drive
First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills is sponsoring a Fall CSUN Food Pantry on Saturday, Sept. 23, 10am - 1 pm, and Sunday, Sept. 24, 8:30 am - 11:00 am. To help food-challenged CSUN students, they are asking for canned or boxed food items and toiletries. Please no glass containers or expired items. Checks made payable to CSUN Food Pantry are also welcome. The address is 10400 Zelzah Ave., Northridge, CA 91326

9/26 - Chatsworth Coordinating Council Meeting

The Chatsworth Community Coordinating Council will hold its first meeting following the summer break at Chatsworth West United Methodist Church. Click here for more information.

9/28 - Free Movie Matinee at the Chatsworth Library

On Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 1:30 PM there will be a free showing of the movie Cyrano at the Chatsworth Library. Light refreshments will be available. For more information call (818) 341-4276.

9/30 - 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.

THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER

118 Freeway Reseda Blvd Off-ramp Update
Caltrans is currently working to complete improvements on the right lane of Rinaldi St. near the off-ramp to the Reseda Blvd exit on the 118 Freeway. The project is expected to be complete in a few weeks.
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.
Community Investment for Families Department Seeks Input
To better understand the childcare needs of families and what support they want from the City, the Community Investment for Families Department has launched a childcare family survey here.
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. There are additional webinars for landlords specifically which can be found by clicking here.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Alongside our partners at LA Sanitation & Environment, our office has continued to address issues of illegal dumping throughout the district, including this location in an alley along Gledhill St. Report any locations in need of service by calling our Community Service Center at (818) 882 -1212.

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.
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Chatsworth, CA 91311
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