Signed, Sealed, Delivered: City Passes Budget
budget signing
Councilmembers Bill Rosendahl, Paul Koretz, Paul Krekorian and Tom LaBonge join Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa  
during Tuesday's signing of the budget.
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa last week signed the last budget of his tenure as Los Angeles' chief executive, finalizing a spending plan that balances the city's books while laying the groundwork for future growth.  
 
The signing of the $7.68 billion budget follows more than a month of hearings and meetings - some lasting all day - led by Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the city's Budget & Finance Committee. 

As he praised the mayor and his colleagues - and the residents of Los Angeles who helped shape the budget - Councilmember Krekorian reflected on the reality of a city still finding its financial footing in the wake of the worst recession in modern times.

"The future looks much brighter now in the city of Los Angeles than it did, but our job is not yet done," the Councilmember said during the signing ceremony. "It's important that we continue to move forward on a sustainable budget. It's important that we continue to make Los Angeles a city government that is less expensive and it's important that we continue to create jobs and create economic vitality that we're all dependent upon."

The budget increases the size of the city's reserve fund, restores $1.1 million in cuts to Senior Meals programs that the Federal government had put on its sequester chopping block and increases spending for tree trimming. 

Other highlights include:
  • 800 miles of Pavement Preservation, up from 735 last year;
  • $1 million for graffiti abatement;
  • Upgrades 25 Fire Companies from Basic Life Support service to Advance Life Support;
  • Restoration of 7-day service at the Central Library and eight regional libraries;
  • Preserves current level of sworn staffing at LAPD and provides for 294 new police vehicles to replace an aging fleet;
  • $1.75 million for mural restoration and implementation of the city's mural policy;
  • $49 million to the Budget Stabilization Fund, bringing the total to $61.5 million.  

 

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We Moved Offices!
 
The district office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian has a new address in North Hollywood!

The office is now located in the heart of the NoHo Arts District, two miles south of our previous Laurel Canyon Boulevard address. The new North Hollywood District Office is open and ready to serve. 

Here's our office information:

5240 N. Lankershim Blvd., Suite 200 
North Hollywood, 91601 
Phone: (818) 755-7676 
Fax: (818) 755-7862 
Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Our office is accessible via bus and the Metro Red Line. For more information about how to get there using public transit, click here.
 
The council office is your link to city government. Whether you have a neighborhood concern, need a pothole filled, tree trimmed, or want to learn more about how your local government works, we are here to help. If you have any question, contact our office at (818) 755-7676, via email at councilmember.krekorian@lacity.org, or visit our website at cd2.lacity.org.

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Students Reflect on Their Day 
with Councilmember Krekorian 
Kennedy Green, left, and Jeremy Bradford, right, tour the City Council chambers with Councilmember Krekorian.
LOS ANGELES - Kennedy Green and Jeremy Bradford, students at Harvard-Westlake School, each have an immense interest in politics, shaped by current events and their collective desire to help others. Last week, they had the opportunity to shadow Councilmember Paul Krekorian as the representative for the Second Council District held meetings and visited sites in Studio City and Sun Valley before showing the students the center of city democracy. 
Students, Kennedy Green and Jeremy Bradford, with Councilmember Krekorian and volunteers of the Village Gardener. 

   

"I got interested in public service as a little girl, after watching Superman 2 and realizing that there are ways everyone can be a hero," said Kennedy, 16, set to begin her senior year this fall. "Being a hero can even mean being a politician, who is a hero that continuously strives to help and protect more than themselves without needing to change into a different suit."


Jeremy's interest in politics was cemented during the 2008 election of President Barack Obama.

"President Obama ran an inspiring campaign that, for the first time in my life, made me truly consider how lucky U.S. citizens are to live in a democratic system - a society that allows everyone to have a voice," said the 17 year-old senior. "From that year on, I knew that I would want to play a role in politics, to play a role in bringing about positive change in the future of our country."

After the tour, each was asked to offer their recollection of their day with the Councilmember.  

 

Kennedy Green:


"To be a politician is to be resilient, flexible, kind and firm all at once. Today I learned that being a member of the L.A. City Council requires those traits in higher quantities than I expected. Councilman Krekorian showed me that you must be steadfast in representing your constituency, while also being patient and kind enough to truly listen to every opinion that may not be your own.


"The highlights of my day included a new appreciation for companies like Crown Disposal, underneath its intense fumes, that provide services not just on the city's scale but on the state scale. In my hardhat, I got to meet the wonderful employees and administrators of the company, who do for the community and the environment what no one else can. Another highlight was learning over lunch that not just as an L.A. City Councilman but in his entire career, Mr. Krekorian has advocated for environmental legislation; has taken everyone's issues seriously (complaints and otherwise); and, he has empathized in some way with everyone he interacts with. 


"Even though our day shadowing Councilman Krekorian was based o
n tours and not in Council meetings, I have no doubt in my mind of how Councilman Krekorian acts in the chamber's: resilient, kind, flexible, firm in his opinions, and unique, all at once."   
 
Jeremy Bradford:
 

"This week, I had the truly fortunate opportunity to shadow Councilmember Krekorian as he went about his daily duties.

"I began the day at the councilmember's North Hollywood office, where I met the councilmember before heading off to the L.A. River. There, we meet up with the nonprofit Village Gardeners to talk about potential future beautification projects around the L.A. River. The next stop on our tour was the Crown Disposal Company, where following a meeting, we got to tour a recycling plant and see firsthand innovative recycling processes in action. All in all, it impressed me to see just how personal the interactions actually are between a councilmember who oversees an entire council district and his constituents.

 

"Although the first two sites alone already impressed me, I have to say that the most interesting part of the day had to be my first trip to City Hall. Following a brief lunch break, Councilmember Krekorian led us on a grand tour of City Hall, taking us from the Rotunda to the cornerstone of the building and all the way [up] to the Observation Deck where I got to see an amazing panoramic view of the city of Los Angeles. Councilmember Krekorian made my first visit to City Hall a truly unforgettable experience.

"Of all the things I was impressed with, what impressed me most of all was just how optimistically and truly in the interest of his constituents Councilmember Krekorian carried out each and every one of his duties. I can't thank Councilmember Krekorian enough for taking the time out his busy schedule to take us through an exciting day in the life of a councilmember. The whole experience was fun as well as inspiring, and no doubt has pushed me even closer to seeking a profession in politics in the future."

    

Kennedy and Jeremy toured the community recycling center with Councilmember Krekorian in Sun Valley.

 

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At East Valley High School, 
Broadcast Center Opens its Doors 
The Broadcast Center control room

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - East Valley High School ushered in a new era of high-tech creative learning last week, as Councilmember Krekorian joined parents, students and school officials to herald the opening of the state-of-the-art broadcast center.

 

The multi-million dollar facility is home to a fully equipped broadcast control room and studio with a 360 degree green screen, three studio cameras, full sound board, teleprompter and the latest editing software for students to use. As part of East Valley's Media and Communications Academy, the new broadcast center will be a training ground for students to develop their technical skills in television broadcast, filming, editing, post-production and more in preparation for careers in the arts, television and film industries. 

 

Councilmember Krekorian, who helped enact the state's first film tax incentive program to combat runaway production and annually hosts a county-wide student media film festival in the San Fernando Valley, emphasized the importance of having this space for students and the role it will play in California's heritage industry.

 

"For East Valley to open this new resource, in the heart of the North Hollywood Arts District, is a great opportunity for these student and it's going to help them become the foundation for one of our most important industries here in California for generations to come," Councilmember Krekorian said.

   

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Valley Village Firefighters Get Recognition   
Councilmember Krekorian stands with the members of Fire Station 76

VALLEY VILLAGE - Members of the LAFD's Battalion 14 received a special recognition last month for their swift response and heroism during February's apartment fire on Bellingham Avenue. Following the City Council honor, Councilmember Krekorian spent an afternoon with the dedicated members last Tuesday. 

 

Nearly 200 firefighters extinguished the February apartment building blaze, containing most of the fire to a couple of units in less than 90 minutes and saving all of the 75 tenants in the building.

 

 

"It's important that we recognize this great example of the kind of heroism, the kind of skill, the kind of extraordinary performance that our fire department makes us so proud of everyday," Councilmember Krekorian said.

   
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Councilmember Chats With 

Studio City's Island Community

Councilmember Krekorian speaks with residents 
of this Studio City community.

STUDIO CITY - Councilmember Paul Krekorian joined the Island Community of Studio City last week to share community updates and answer residents' questions.

 

The neighborhood inlet, originally under the charge of Councilmember Tom LaBonge, shifted within the second district's borders following last summer's redistricting. Bordered by the Los Angeles River, South Weddington Park and Lankershim Boulevard, the Island Community is located south of the 101 freeway. [map]

 

More than 20 residents attended the Wednesday evening meet and greet where Councilmember Krekorian answered questions from the group. Stakeholders received an update regarding the city's budget process, available neighborhood services such as tree trimming and sidewalk repair and more.  

 

With several projects underway in Studio City, such as the NBCUniversal expansion, among others, Councilmember Krekorian said he and his office will continue to work closely with the community to address needs and improve the area's quality of life.

 

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A Closer Look at Studio City's 
L.A. River Greenway

STUDIO CITY - The Village Gardeners showcased the progress of their beautification projects last week during Councilmember Krekorian's tour of the banks along the Los Angeles River.

The Village Gardeners, a local nonprofit group dedicated to the beautification of the L.A. River between Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Fulton Avenue in Studio City, have led the community in preserving the river greenways through education, awareness and action. With the help of community partners and the office of Councilmember Krekorian, the organization has planted native trees, bushes and flowers along the embankments, in addition to keeping the area free of trash.

Future projects for the greenway include planting more native species along the embankments, upgrading the fencing along the south side and a mixed-media mural, which will serve as a spillway for excess water during large storms and prevent erosion.

For more information on how to volunteer with the Village Gardeners, visit thevillagegardeners.org.

 
 
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Special Olympic Athletes 
Carry Torch Through the Valley
Members of the LAPD Van Nuys Division and Special Olympic athletes with the Special Olympics Torch. 
NORTH HOLLYWOOD - The Special Olympics of Southern California commenced its 2013 torch run relay last Monday, where the flame of hope made its way across the Southland in anticipation of the Summer Games, which kicked-off last weekend.

 

More than 4,000 law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes ran 1,500 miles through 200 communities in Southern California, from May 28 through June 8, with the torch to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Southern California.

 

Locally, members of the LAPD North Hollywood and Van Nuys Divisions, and Special Olympic athletes completed a nearly eight-mile segment last week. They concluded the run with the passing of the Special Olympics torch as part of the flame's 60 mile journey through the San Fernando Valley.

 

The Special Olympics Summer Games, which convened in Cal State Long Beach over the weekend, featured more than 1,100 athletes showcasing their skills and determination in vying for the gold, silver and bronze medals.  

 

For more information about the games, visit  www.sosc.org/summergames.

        

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Councilmember Tours 
Sun Valley Recycling Center
Councilmember Krekorian speaks with Tim Fry, General Manager of Crown Disposal, about the dual recycling and waste bin above.
SUN VALLEY - Following up on his promise to demand cleaner, safer operations at a local recycling center, Councilmember Paul Krekorian last week toured the Community Recycling and Recovery Center that has long been a concern for neighbors. 


The facility, operated by Crown Disposal, processes up to 4,600 tons residential, commercial, and multi-family waste each day. The recyclables get separated out from solid waste before the remaining material is transferred and disposed in a landfill. 

Councilmember Krekorian, whose district abuts the facility, continues to demand that the company enclose more of its operations than planned, and that it convert its trucks from diesel to compressed natural gas.

During his visit, the Councilmember toured the site and spoke with facility officials regarding their plan to make the site safer, healthier and more environmentally stable for the region. The facility is currently in the midst of reviewing an Environmental Impact Report and has plans to make improvements, they said.

 
 
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Photos From Around the District 
L.A. City Council recently honored the North Hollywood High School Science Bowl Team for their outstanding victory in the 20th Annual LADWP Science Bowl Competition, and for their strong performance in placing 7th during the National Science Bowl in Washington D.C. 
 
Councilmember Krekorian gave the graduation address on Friday, June 7, to North Hollywood High School's senior Class of 2013.
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How to Stay Safe When Grilling This Summer 
Grilling Fire Safety

LOS ANGELES - As summer nears, the U.S. Fire Administration reminds us that a key to keeping our family safe is grilling safe. Here's what you can do enjoy a safe and delicious summer:

  • Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors, placed away from home and away from overhanging tree branches;
  • Keep children and pets away from the grill;
  • Maintain your grill by cleaning buildup of grease and fat; 
  • Keep your gas grill lid open before lighting it;
  • Check the gas tank hose for leaks on propane grill when using it for the first time;
  • Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children;
  • Let coals cool before disposing then in a metal container;
  • Never leave your grill unattended.

For more tips to safe summer grilling, visit the U.S. Fire Administration website for information.

 

 
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Volume 4, Issue 15

June 10, 2013Back
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cd2.lacity.org 

In This Issue:
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: City Passes Budget
Students Reflect on Their Day with Councilmember Krekorian
At East Valley High School, Broadcast Center Opens its Doors
Valley Village Firefighters Get Recognition
Councilmember Chats With Studio City's Island Community
A Closer Look at Studio City's L.A. River Greenway
Special Olympic Athletes Carry Torch Through the Valley
Councilmember Tours Sun Valley Recycling Center
Around the District in Photos
How to Stay Safe When Grilling This Summer

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