Proudly serving the communities of Lake View Terrace, La Tuna Canyon, Mission Hills, North Hills, Pacoima,
Shadow Hills, Sunland-Tujunga and Sylmar
                         
                                                                                                             May 2015
Dear Friends,                                                    
 

On Tuesday, May 19th, Los Angeles, the nation's second largest city, joined San Francisco and Seattle to increase the minimum wage. I joined 13 of my colleagues to raise wages from $9 an hour to $15 an hour by 2020.

 

With a population of nearly 4 million people, I believe Angelenos, who are struggling to make ends meet, will now be able to breathe a little bit easier.

 

Most of the residents in my District are low-wage workers and stand to benefit the most from the minimum wage increase.

 

I understand the policy will be difficult for some businesses, however, I fought to make changes to allow for a smoother and easier transition for non-profits and smaller businesses.

 

My goal, from the very beginning of this discussion, was to support a minimum wage hike in a fair and equitable manner.

I believe the change will create a better environment that is worthy of employers, workers and their families, and the well-being of our economy. 

 

As always, I welcome your feedback and appreciate your continued support.


Felipe Fuentes
Councilmember, Seventh District
LEGLISLATIVE ACTION

TACKLING HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES


 Recently, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released a report revealing a 12% jump in the homeless population.

To date, in LA County, there are more than 45,000 people living on our streets up 9,500 people from last year. In Council District Seven, there was an 8% increase of homelessness. 

Thank you to Council President Herb Wesson for selecting me to join the Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness. More must be done to help end homelessness. We need to advocate for an update in the age old federal funding formula for homeless services so we can secure sufficient resources to address this growing issue, we need to build more permanent supportive housing and we need to work with one another to find local solutions to this difficult issue. 

I look forward to working with my colleagues and residents on developing polices, programs and long lasting strategies that works for our entire City.


THREE MAJOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THE NE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY


 The Los Angeles County Flood Control District, a County agency, intends to expand the Pacoima Spreading Grounds to increase storage capacity. The basin is a source of water for the LA Department of Water and Power. 

The DWP and the County are also working to reconfigure the spreading basins at the Tujunga Spreading Grounds and make other improvements to increase groundwater recharge. Additionally, the Council wants to remove sediment that has collected in the Pacoima Reservoir. 

Construction on these necessary projects will impact communities in CD7, that's why I introduced a motion requesting the DWP and the County to report back the status and timelines of each project as well as potential impacts and mitigation measures. 


REBATES FOR POOL COVERS


 Angelenos have answered the call during our State's drought. In fact, we are leading the way in water conservation. 

The Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners recently amended the City's Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance creating a phase 3 that includes limiting watering to two days per week and recommended the use of pool covers. Pool covers prevent water evaporation. Typical pools can lose an inch of water per week when left uncovered. 

To encourage more conservation, I introduced a motion requesting the LADWP to report on the feasibility of offering customers rebates for pool covers, including an implementation plan for the new rebate. 

 

 


URBAN AG INCENTIVE ZONES

 

There are thousands of vacant, unproductive lots throughout Los Angeles. By converting empty parcels into urban farms, we can encourage local economic development, green our communities, and provide produce in neighborhoods that lack access to fresh foods.

On May 15th, the City Council voted to move forward with the motion. Now the City's Planning Department will come up with a plan on how we can implement the temporary tax adjustment 
WORKING FOR YOU

GREENING AND COOLING OUR COMMUNITIES 


As Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, it's a priority for me to make our communities more sustainable and resilient. 

I partnered with Mayor Eric Garcetti on Arbor Day to plant nearly 100 trees around Olive Vista Middle School. The trees will help cool the temperature in those neighborhoods-which will easily rise into the triple digits this summer-and provide much needed shade. Thank you to Sylmar Graffiti Busters for maintaining the trees. 

My goal is to replicate this project around the entire Seventh District. Recently, we planted 100 trees on Van Nuys Boulevard, from Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Foothill Boulevard in Pacoima. Sunland-Tujunga is now enjoying nearly 100 new trees on Foothill Boulevard. 

The trees will beautify our communities, provide oxygen, clean the air, and cool our streets.
MAKING A CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY

TEEING OFF AT ANGELES NATIONAL GOLF CLUB


 

The Tierra del Sol Foundation provides support for individuals with developmental disabilities. The organization has always been about family, community and volunteerism in order to make a difference in people's lives. I was honored to kick off the 8th Annual Golf Tournament. 

Thank you to all of the community members who chose to support the foundation and teed off for a good cause.


  

HELPING CD7 LIVE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES


 The Valley Care Community Consortium received a three year grant from the California Department of Public Health for the funding of more community gardens-the first one located at St. Didacus School in Sylmar. They are working with the NEOP (Nutrition Education & Obesity Prevention) Program to help improve the health status of low income Californians through increased fruit and vegetable consumption and daily physical activity.

This is the first of many gardens that VCCC is planning to open with the NEOP program. The three year grant will allow them to open two more community gardens this year and 4-6 more gardens in 2016. Their policy is to implement edible gardens in the local churches to help promote sustainability and healthy eating practices for our communities. VCCC is working with the churches to help implement a Healthy Food and Drink Policy for the events that the church organizes. 

Thanks to VCCC for helping CD7 live healthier lifestyles.

MAKE YOUR HORSE COUNT

 

Registering your horse ensures the City maintains and preserves K properties in our neighborhoods. 

Council District Seven has a number of communities that permits homes zoned for horsekeeping and it's not uncommon to see riders parading their horses along the sidewalks of main thoroughfares. 

Thanks to the Sylmar Neighborhood Council and the Sylmar Equine Coalition for hosting this year's event at Stetson Ranch Park. 


 

Register your animals!


 


 DOING MY PART BIKING TO WORK

I love riding my bike. In fact, you've probably seen me riding around neighborhoods in the District. Since taking office in July 2013, I participated in Bike to Work Day. 

This year, I rode from my home in Sylmar to the district office in Pacoima. My ride led me on the San Fernando Road bike path, which provides a safe path for bicyclists and other exercise enthusiasts. Los Angeles has partnered with agencies and community partners to enhance connectivity to complete bicycle networks throughout our communities.

Bike routes are critical components to our transportation segment. Let's continue to use our safe routes. Let's Bike LA! Check out my ride to work.


 


 
RECOGNITION AND HONORS

GOOD SAMARITAN SAVES THE DAY


 On March 24th at 1:30 in the afternoon, a motor officer from the Los Angeles Police Department's Central Traffic Division and another motorist collided in the carpool lane on the southbound 5 freeway, just north of the 405 freeway near Sylmar. 

The collision occurred right in front of Dorian Cole, who was driving his big rig truck for Pacific Tank Lines. Concerned for the downed officer and motorist, he immediately jumped into action. He stopped and positioned his rig to protect the two injured riders from further harm. He jumped out of his truck and called 911. He ran to the officer's aid. 

It was an honor to recognize Dorian for stepping up the plate in order to save an LAPD officer and a fellow man. 

HAPPY CENTENNIAL PACOIMA CHARTER ELEMENTARY

 

It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of Pacoima Charter's 100th Anniversary. What a milestone! Pacoima Charter Elementary School has been a leader in our community. 

The school has provided our children with quality education with positive role models and teachers who help bridge the gap and nurture relationships with kindness, compassion and empathy. 

I am proud to witness the growth, success and achievements. Congratulations!

 

 

CELEBRATING CALFRESH AWARENESS MONTH


 This month, we celebrate CalFresh Awareness Month. CalFresh is a very important program that helps Californians provide fresh, healthy foods for their families. 

In the City of Los Angeles, more than a half million people receive CalFresh benefits. More than 50 percent of those receiving CalFresh benefits are children. But many more people could be participating in the program - in Los Angeles alone, an estimated 340,000 individuals are eligible for CalFresh benefits but are not participating in the program.

CalFresh Awareness Month seeks to increase access to the program and improve nutrition for children around the state. 

 

 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

MYKE'S CAFE, AN ECONOMIC DRIVER

Word travels fast in the restaurant business- one good experience will lead to another and so on and so on. It's the kind of exposure any restaurant owner dreams of. 

Myke's Caf� on Van Nuys Boulevard in Pacoima is the restaurant folks in the Southland are talking about and for good reason. One taste of any of the menu items will have you craving more. 

For the past two and a half years, restaurant owner Ralph Andrade has proven to his nay-sayers that owning a restaurant in Pacoima is not only good for his business, it's also great for the local economy. Check out the restaurant. 

In the meantime, check out the video.

 

 

 

A GREEN REVOLUTION AT SYLMAR HIGH SCHOOL


 Steve List has created something special at Sylmar High School-a green revolution. List took his 40 plus years of experience to teach his students and the community that living and eating healthy is not out of reach. Seven years into the program, List and his students have donated thousands of organic plants each year to local schools, nonprofits, community groups and low-income residents. They've helped build hundreds of community gardens and have given away more than 100,000 fruit trees. I have partnered with List and Sylmar High School to host a number of workshops and giveaways during "Sustainable Saturdays." List's energy is helping communities in CD7 thrive and grow. Check out the video.

 

 

 

 
7th DISTRICT NOTES:

LIBRARY NEWS

 

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest and most diverse population of any library in the nation. Its Central Library, 72 branch libraries, more than six million books, and state-of-the-art technology accessible at www.lapl.org, provide everyone with free and easy access to information and the opportunity for life-long learning. Where else but the Library can you take in some culture by visiting Central Library to view its latest, free photo exhibit featuring L.A.'s historic Bunker Hill neighborhood.

For the young ones looking to participate in this year's "Read to the Rhythm" Summer Fun at the Library, a free game board and incredible reading awaits those who sign up between June 8 and August 1. 

Don't delay; visit your local library or www.lapl.org today! 

 

CITY ATTORNEY MEDIATION

 
 The Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney offers free mediation services for settling all types of disputes. Mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which a neutral third party facilitates communication between people to resolve their disputes. It's Fair. It's Fast. It's Free. 

For more information, call the City Attorney's Dispute Resolution Program at 213-978-1880 or email mediate@lacity.org. 

For more information, visit www.atty.lacity.org/community. 

ELECTRIC LAWNMOWER EXCHANGE PROGRAM


 Trade in your gas-powered mower for a battery electric one. SoCal residents can score up to 70 percent in savings with this year's SCAQMD Lawnmower Exchange Program! 

The program is good for the pocketbook and SoCal's air by trading operable gas-powered lawn mowers for high-performance, environmentally-friendly and cordless battery-electric mowers. 

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. 

The nearest event is in Van Nuys on June 6. Claim your spot by registering at www.aqmd.gov/lawnmower or by calling 1-888-425-6247. 

 

 

CITY HALL

200 N. Spring Street Room 455
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tel: (213) 473-7007 | Fax: (213) 847-0707
PACOIMA CITY HALL
13520 Van Nuys Blvd, Suite 209
Pacoima, CA 91340
Tel: (818) 485-0600 | Fax: (818) 896-9250
SYLMAR DISTRICT OFFICE
14117 Hubbard Street #D1
Sylmar, CA 91342
Tel: (818) 756-8409 | Fax: (213) 847-0707
SUNLAND-TUJUNGA DISTRICT OFFICE
7747 Foothill Blvd
Tujunga, CA 91042
Tel: (818) 352-3287 | Fax: (818) 352-8563