City Approves Economic Development Measure to Boost Local Production
LOS ANGELES - Heralding the chance to "make a real difference to our economy in Los Angeles," Councilmember Paul Krekorian and the City Council unanimously approved a measure to waive television pilot fees last week.
Television pilot productions will be exempt from about $400 in fees while the city, as it works to shore up one of its most important economic sectors, could potentially gain millions of dollars from shows that stay local.
The impetus for the motion, crafted by then-Councilmember Eric Garcetti and Krekorian last year, lie in the ongoing epidemic of runaway production. The percentage of television pilots using Los Angeles as their backdrops decreased from 80 to 51 percent in recent years, with other municipalities and countries, such as Canada, siphoning away television production with the promise of incentives, officials said.
That has hurt the city's bottom line and work crews throughout the region, Councilmember Krekorian said.
"When production leaves Los Angeles, the loser is not the big studio, the loser is not the famous producer, the loser is not the A-list actor," he said. "The loser is the person who gets up early in the morning, drives to work in a pick-up truck in order to serve as a carpenter on a set, or the person who has been working their entire career as an electrician in the film industry, or the seamstress, or the other below-the-line workers or other middle class workers who don't travel to Vancouver or to New Mexico or New York to go with a production.
The benefit in approving this motion, he continued, will be realized not just by the film and television industry but by all Angelenos.
"The multiplier effect of ensuring production stays here in Los Angeles is tremendous," Councilmember Krekorian said. "When we support TV pilots being filmed here in Los Angeles, there's a very good chance that when that series is picked up, the television series will be produced in Los Angeles as well and then you have millions and millions of dollars spent on those productions, which are spent right here in Los Angeles instead of in Vancouver or New York."
"[W]e want production here and we're going to fight to make sure that market share goes from 50% to where it should be. If we do that successfully, it's going to make a real difference to our economy in Los Angeles, it's going to make a real difference to the middle class employees of this industry and also the small businesses throughout Los Angeles."
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The Future of the Valley's
Council of Governmnents
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LOS ANGELES - The Rotary E-Club of The Greater San Fernando Valley recently sat down with Councilmember Krekorian to discuss the priorities, future and his plans as chairman of the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments (SFVCOG).
In July, Councilmember Krekorian was elected to lead the coalition of representatives from the County and City of Los Angeles, as well as the cities of Glendale, Burbank, Santa Clarita and San Fernando. As chairman, the councilmember said he will push the Council of Governments to focus its attention on priorities that broadly impact the Valley and its residents.
"I'm hoping to inject more vitality in the engagement of the COG, particularly around the issues of transportation and economic development [in the Valley]," the Councilmember told the Rotary E-Club. "For the longer term plan, I have some thoughts about collective environmental goals that we should be seeking as well in terms of open space protection and water, among others."
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Paul Krekorian sits down for an interview with the Rotary E-Club Greater SFV. Click here to watch.
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The SFVCOG was established in 2010 to develop and implement policies and plans to address the unique needs of the greater San Fernando Valley region, including transportation, environmental and planning issues. The board meets bimonthly to discuss coordination of government programs while working to provide recommendations and solutions to problems of common and general regional concern.
The Council of Governments consists of the two County Supervisors and seven Los Angeles City Councilmembers whose districts encompass the Valley, as well as one councilmember from each of the City Councils of Burbank, Glendale, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.
To listen to the councilmember's full interview, visit the Rotary Club's website.
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A Cleaner CD2
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Sun Valley Graffiti Busters recently cleaned up an alley at DeGarmo Avenue and Lanark Street | Photo SV Graffiti Busters
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SUN VALLEY - Last issue, we highlighted the Bureau of Street Surfaces' work in cleaning up neighborhoods in the Second District via their bulky item pickup service. BOSS is not the only one taking action, though. Local non-profit Sun Valley Graffiti Busters is also out there, helping the community by picking up trash and beautifying our neighborhoods.
At the behest of Councilmember Paul Krekorian, with help from neighborhood groups and community organizations who identify locations around the district, the Sun Valley Graffiti Busters removed nearly 225 tons or 450,000 pounds of bulky items since April from streets and neighborhoods in Sun Valley.
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Clean in North Hollywood over the weekend | Photo CD2
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In addition to bulky item removal, the group also provides graffiti abatement services and street clean-ups. Last week, the group removed 53 bags of weeds and debris and took away a truck load of green tumble weed during a clean-up effort along San Fernando Road between North Hollywood Way and Arcola Avenue in Sun Valley.
Apart from those efforts, the North Hollywood West Neighborhood Council his past weekend organized a community clean-up along Coldwater Canyon Boulevard between Sherman Way and Raymer Street with help from local high-school volunteers from North Hollywood High. The office of Councilmember Krekorian provided tools, such as rakes and shovels, for the Saturday clean-up where volunteers collected more than 20 bag of trash.
Is there an area in your neighborhood in need of care? Let us know by calling (818) 755-7676 or dial 3-1-1 for the city services directory. You can also email us, Tweet us, or send us a message on Facebook.
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City Council Recognizes
Leaders of Latin Heritage
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Mary Garcia receives recognition for her work as a community leader and a figure of empowerment. | Photo CD2
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LOS ANGELES - In commemoration of Latino Heritage month, members of the City Council celebrated prominent leaders across Los Angeles.
Mary Garcia, a community activist, leader and president of the Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council, accepted the honor for her advocacy and work in the Second District. A long-time resident of North Hollywood, Garcia has helped the community flourish through her support of the arts and revitalization of the arts scene in North Hollywood as Co-founder and Executive Director of the NoHo Regional Arts Council.
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Mary Garcia serves as President of the Midtown NoHo Neighborhood Council | Photo nohoartsdistrict.com
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Councilmember Krekorian commended Garcia for her great work, dedication and leadership in the community.
"Mary Garcia is an example of an impactful life," he said. "She is best known in our neighborhood as being a clear voice of neighborhood empowerment.
"She has played a vital role in transforming the [Arts District] in North Hollywood from one that was getting kind of tired and rundown in some respects to place now of energy and vibrancy [with its] contributions to the cultural life of our city. None of that could have happened without the engagement and organization of Mary Garcia."
Latino Heritage Month, annually celebrated nationally from September 15 through October 15, recognizes the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States while celebrating the group's heritage and culture. To learn more about Latino Heritage month and view the calendar of events, visit the Dept. of Cultural Affairs website.
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Community Groups Get an Update
from Councilmember Krekorian
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Councilmember Krekorian sits down with members of
the Valerio Homeowners Association. | Photo CD2
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STUDIO CITY - Councilmember Krekorian made stops at the Studio City Neighborhood Council, Valley Village Homeowners Association and Valerio Village Homeowners Association meetings last week, speaking with East Valley stakeholders about local issues and giving an update on news from his office.
Neighborhood council board members, homeowners and stakeholders received insight from the councilmember about projects that are slated for the district included street repair and roadwork, how the community groups can continue its working relationship with the district office and other district updates.
Are there any issues we should know about? Call us at (818) 755-7676 or email [email protected].
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City Council Recognizes
Anti-Bullying Month
 LOS ANGELES - The City Council united against bullying last Friday in recognition of Bullying Prevention Month to raise awareness about an issue that affects millions of children across the nation. According to
national statistics, nearly 3.2 million students are victims to bullying each year. Councilmembers encouraged parents, adults, and children to stand up to bullying by teaching kids what to do in a situation of bullying.
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Workshop Series on
Water Teaches Conservancy
STUDIO CITY - Local non-profit Water LA, kicked off a new workshop series last week to educate the community about water conservation.
Funded by a community partnership grant from the LADWP, the free weekly workshops are aimed at teaching residents and homeowners about local water issues while encouraging them to take water conservancy into their own hands. Residents have the opportunity to learn where their water comes from, how much it costs to get it here, how water and energy are related, what the future of water in LA looks like, and what can be done at the residential level to alleviate the impending water crisis.
The eight part workshop series will cover a range of topics from selecting the best plants for the climate, how to build healthy soil and capture rainwater, how not to kill your lawn, building a watershed-wise residence and more, all centered on efficiently using water resources.
The Water LA workshops are held every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Rhodes Avenue and Valley Spring Lane [map] until November 30. For more information on upcoming workshops and to view the full schedule, visit the Water LA website.
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