ENC Winter 2026 Newsletter

In This Issue

Message From the ENC President

Homeless Count January 2026 - Volunteers Needed

Update From the ENC Homelessness Liaisons

ENC Homelessness Town Hall Meeting

Encino Reservoir Project Update

Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan Update

March Emergency Preparedness Drill

Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings

Message From ENC President, Roy Nwaisser

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I find myself reflecting on the journey we shared throughout 2025. It was a year defined by resilience, community passion, and a commitment to making Encino the best and safest place to live in Los Angeles.

That spirit was clearly reflected in the tremendous voter turnout for the Encino Neighborhood Council election. You elected a dynamic, energetic Council, with more than half of our members newly elected. Forty-five percent of our committee chairs and 40 percent of our Executive Committee are also new to the ENC. While this transition came with some inevitable growing pains, it also laid the foundation for new ideas, collaboration, and momentum.

As I look ahead to 2026, I am excited to build on that momentum. The coming year will bring more neighborhood events, civic engagement opportunities, new safety initiatives, and additional community improvement projects—all designed to strengthen our connections and enhance our quality of life.

It all starts on February 5 at 7:00 PM with a town hall-style meeting about homelessness at the Encino Community Center. Our panel will include representatives from the departments that provide homeless services to answer your questions and provide updates for 2026.

I am excited to see what lies ahead and eager to take on whatever challenges come our way. On behalf of the entire Encino Neighborhood Council, I want you to know that we remain committed to listening to you, hearing your concerns, and serving our community with transparency and dedication. We encourage you to stay engaged—attend meetings, participate in events, and continue to share your priorities as we work together to shape Encino’s future.

I am grateful for the trust you place in us. Together, I am confident we will continue to move Encino forward.

Roy Nwaisser

President, Encino Neighborhood Council

Homeless Count January 2026 - Volunteers Needed

On January 20, 2026, Encino residents have the opportunity to participate in the city-wide Homeless Count. Your participation helps get resources to individuals experiencing homelessness and makes our communities safer. LAHSA will be conducting a training session on 1/16 at 12 pm via Zoom. Participation from community members like you is crucial to make sure every homeless person is accounted for and Encino gets the proper resources. It's also a great opportunity to meet your neighbors! Register HERE.

Encino's Homeless Update from the ENC Homelessness Liaisons: Rachel Perry, Jennifer Luce, & Josh Sautter

With the cold, wet, and windy Winter season underway now more than ever, it's important to get our unhoused community members indoors.

As part of the Sepulveda Basin clean-up, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Central Valley (LAHSA) Homeless Engagement Teams (HET) have been very active in the Basin, focusing on Zones 6, 11, & 12, which were where large encampments were located.

Currently, Zones 11 & 12 in the Basin are clear of encampments, and no person experiencing homelessness has reported returning to these areas. However, LA Park Rangers have reported periodic repops, which resulted in 2 arrests, but the continued diligence by LAHSA and Park Rangers to maintain the area is a top priority. The clean-up of encampments and hazardous materials in Zone 6, by the LA River, is underway. All crews are doing their part to clear the area and keep the process of getting people experiencing homelessness housed as seamless as possible.

So far, LAHSA has been able to make connections with 39 persons experiencing homelessness from August to the present.
These individuals have been offered housing and services.
LAHSA continues to engage with all individuals, even those who are not open to services at the moment; in most cases, they can ultimately work with the individuals to get them housed.
Each person is referred to the County's Emergency Centralized Response Center (ECRC) and connected to the LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH)/ Department of Health Services (DHS) if applicable.

The outreach won't stop once the initial Basin clean-up is complete. The LAHSA team is committed to engaging with PEH in the Basin and surrounding areas in Encino. Help from the Encino community by reporting people experiencing homelessness in the region is an invaluable tool. The information from residents helps LAHSA proactively engage with the individuals and prevent them from moving into the Basin or relocating.

Please utilize the LAHOP website HERE if you encounter someone experiencing homelessness. Working together, we can all do our part to keep the community safe and housed.

Please reach out with any questions. We are here for YOU, Encino.

Encino Homelessness Liaisons,

Rachel Perry, Jennifer Luce, Josh Sautter

ENC Homelessness Town Hall Meeting

Encino Reservoir Project Update

ENC's December Public Safety Committee meeting was a dedicated info session about the Encino Reservoir Floating Solar Project. Led by the committee chair, Roy Nwaisser, several members of LADWP and Encino residents gathered via Zoom to discuss the project scope and ask questions.

Project Overview

● Proposed 3–5 megawatt floating solar array with battery energy storage, located in the Encino Reservoir. It is estimated to generate 10,000 megawatts of clean, renewable energy, enough to power 2,677 homes per year. Offsetting 2,854 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

● Construction will last about one year, from Summer 2026 to Summer 2027.

● Designed as a pilot project to test floating solar in an urban environment.

● The Encino Reservoir is non-potable and not part of Encino’s drinking water supply.

Purpose of the Project

● Evaluate the safety, performance, and reliability of floating solar technology.

● Support grid resiliency and future distributed energy solutions.

● Utilize existing infrastructure and strong solar exposure.

Environmental & Health Concerns

● Residents raised questions about water quality, wildlife, algae growth, and microplastics.

● LADWP stated that only floating pontoons contact the water.

● Materials used are certified safe for drinking water applications, although the water in the Encino Reservoir is not used for drinking.

● Algae treatment would continue as needed.

● As a benefit, some studies suggest floating solar may reduce evaporation and lower water temperature.

Fire Safety & Battery Technology

● Encino residents cited fire risk concerns due to nearby wildfire history.

● Project requires approval from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

● Firefighting aircraft access to the reservoir would not be diminished; the solar project covers 8% of the reservoir.

● Battery system would use iron flow batteries, not lithium-ion. Flow batteries have lower fire risk and do not experience thermal runaway.

Maintenance, Lifespan & Cost

● Estimated project cost is approximately $25 million, initial project cost plus around 5 years of maintenance; long-term maintenance handled by LADWP.

● Expected solar panel lifespan of approximately 25 years. Panels would be replaced and repaired as needed. According to LADWP, systems would not be left in place to deteriorate if they are no longer operable.

Environmental Review & Public Process

● Project proceeding under a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND).

● Some residents questioned why a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was not required. LADWP stated that environmental review is conducted by a separate internal division and is subject to oversight.

● Project requires approval by the LADWP Board of Commissioners.

● ENC plans further discussion and follow-up during the regular Board Meeting.

● No vote or position on the project by the Encino Neighborhood Council was taken at this meeting.

ENC will continue to update Encino Residents as the project progresses.

Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan Update

By now, all Encino residents have seen the vast improvements that have taken place this Summer and Fall in brush and encampment clearance along Burbank Blvd. in and around the Sepulveda Basin. This is just the start of the ongoing Sepulvida Basin Vision Plan, a 25-year, $4.8 billion endeavor to enhance the Jewel of the Valley. The Vision Plan is a comprehensive, long-term strategy to evolve the Basin, a 2,000-acre open space, into a climate-resilient, accessible, and multi-use regional park that supports nature, recreation, mobility, and community connection.

Why the Vision Plan Matters

The Sepulveda Basin is the largest public open space in the San Fernando Valley. The Vision Plan aims to ensure the Basin continues to meet community needs while addressing environmental and climate challenges.

Key Goals Include

Increasing ecosystem health and habitat restoration through nature-based solutions.
Improving recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities.
Enhancing access and mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
Supporting water quality and flood protection.

Vision Plan Highlights

Restoration of the Los Angeles River and tributary systems.
Expanded walking and biking paths and improved connections throughout the Basin.
New and improved parks, open spaces, and gathering areas.

The Vision Plan builds upon and improves existing amenities such as sports fields, golf courses, bike paths, Balboa Lake, dog parks, and community gardens.

Implementation

The plan will occur in phases over many years; some early projects may begin before the 2028 Olympics.
Initial efforts will focus on pedestrian and bicycle improvements, habitat restoration, and community-oriented open spaces.

There will be continued community engagement opportunities as the vision plan progresses. Check back at the Bureau of Engineering website HERE for updates.

Encino's voice remains important as the Vision Plan moves from concept to reality.

CERT March Emergency Preparedness Drill