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GREETING FROM COUNCILMEMBER GIL CEDILLO
Friends,
We had a big week. At City Hall, we held a press conference in partnership with Controller Ron Galperin to revisit the City’s Foreclosure Registry program and introduced legislation to fix the current system. We also took a moment to recognize a young but brave CD1 resident who survived a tragedy and helped others do the same. We celebrated the Army Corps of Engineers’ recommendation of Alternative 20 for the LA River and honored Lauren Bon and Metabolic Studios at LA River Day in City Council.
In the field we participated in a Montecito Heights tradition, of strolling through gardens and building community. I personally danced for two hours straight at the 9th Annual Lummis Day Festival. What a great assortment of music. Just yesterday we hosted a River Improvement Overlay (RIO) meeting to inform residents of requirements for new major remodeling of buildings on properties near the River. I also taped a show with Telemundo’s Enfoque to talk about the requirements for those benefitting from AB60.
We end the week with two major events. We will have two events going on simultaneously at both ends of CD1. I invite you to helps us clean MacArthur Park and walk with Mayor Garcetti in Highland Park.
Gilbert A. Cedillo
Councilmember, District 1
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Foreclosure Registry Press Conference
Councilmember Cedillo joins Controller Ron Galperin at Press Conference
(Photo Credit: Fredy Ceja)
On Tuesday, Councilmember Cedillo joined City Controller Ron Galperin for a press conference to announce the results an audit of the City’s current Foreclosure Registry. The intent of the Registry Program was to establish an abandoned residential property registration program as a mechanism to protect residential neighborhoods from becoming blighted through the lack of adequate maintenance and security of abandoned properties as a result of the foreclosure crisis.
On the heels of Controller Galperin releasing his audit on the performance of the City’s current Foreclosure Registry, Councilmember Cedillo introduced legislative fixes to current ordinance. In order to address the blight caused by the escalating number of foreclosures in the City of Los Angeles, in 2010 the City Council adopted the Foreclosure Registry Program. The program required banks issuing notice of defaults to owners to register with the City and pay a $155 fee. After a 30 day violation of the ordinance, banks are faced with a $250/day fine. Councilman Cedillo asked for a complete report on properties who have not registered and how much money the City has lost by not collecting said fee. Click here to read Cedillo’s motion.
Read the LA Times article about the issue here.
Recognizing A Local Hero: Miles Hill
Father explains how proud he is of his son, Miles Hill
(Photo Credit: Fredy Ceja)
On Tuesday Councilmember Cedillo honored a previously mentioned hero from CD1 during council. On Thursday, April 10th, students were headed to visit Humboldt State University for a weekend college tour. That night, a FedEx truck crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into the bus carrying the prospective college students. This horrific accident left 10 people dead and 35 people injured. Out of tragedy, humanity prevailed. Miles Hill was on that bus and courageously kicked a window out so that his colleagues would make it out of the bus. Miles was commended for his remarkable act of valor during this great time of adversity. Were it not for Miles and other members on that bus, we might have a higher catastrophe rate.
Miles mentioned that he’s happy to be alive, but that in the end, ten people did not make it. He is about to graduate from high school and plans to attend CSU San Francisco.
Watch coverage of the presentation here.
LA River Day: Honoring Lauren Bon
(Photo Credit: Sergio Infanzon)
On Wednesday the LA City Council was treated to a day of celebration over the great news we received last week form the Army Corps of Engineers. Now that the City has secured Alternative 20 for the LA River revitalization, we had to thank the many people that have helped move this historic project along. Every council district honored one ‘Hero of the LA River.’ Councilmember Cedillo selected Lauren Bon for all of her and Metabolic Studio’s work along the river.
Lauren Bon has an incredible list of personal accomplishments in education, group exhibitions, commissions and symposia where she played an instrumental role either as an artist, architect or as a designer at the most important artistic platforms around the world. However, it is as the leader of Metabolic Studios that she has created a social masterpiece to help and support the communities of CD1. Derived from the Greek word for ‘change,’ metabolism is the process that maintains life. Team Cedillo believes that is exactly what Lauren Bon has done. She has created a way to sustain and maintain life in our District.
Her work in connection with the LA River has been transformative and sustainable. She has created a bridge to transform natural resources into energy, actions and objects that nurture life, projects such as the water wheel. What a vision for the future!
It is for these and many other reasons, that CD1 selected Lauren Bon as the District One “Hero of the LA River.”
FIELD UPDATE
Montecito Heights Blossoms with the Annual Garden Tour
(Photo Credit: Montecito Heights Improvement Association)
On Saturday, Rose Aleman organized the Montecito Heights Garden Tour. Everyone had a great time. After touring the many gardens in Montecito Heights, participants gathered at her home to name the winners of this friendly competition.
There were two first place winners-Chris and Leticia Solek and Jacqueline Dreager; second place winner was Jennie Marie and Chris Petrini; 3rd place winners were Jessica and John Bower. The event proceeds benefitted the Montecito Heights Improvement Association. Thank you all for participating, walking the hill and enjoying the company of neighbors while sipping on homemade lemonade made by Marlie Petrini.
Lummis Day
Cedillo taking a moment to say peace, during the Lummis Day festivities
(Photo Credit: Martha Benedict)
The 9th Annual Lummis Day Festival, “A Hidden Treasure of NELA”, was held on Sunday. The event held true to its mission of celebrating the arts, history and ethnic diversity of Northeast Los Angeles through educational and cultural events. It drew together the community for a shared experience through music, poetry, art, dance and theater, providing a platform for cooperation among people of all ages and backgrounds.
For all those who attended the day long arts festival in honor of Charles Lummis and his spirit of inclusiveness and curiosity, the Happy Sunday, as one Facebook posting named it, began with a Native American Blessing from Lummis Day Board Member Ted Garcia. Poets gathered at the front door of El Alisal, the Lummis Home, under the leadership of Suzanne Lummis, and artists and artisans filled the garden.
At Heritage Square Museum, a shuttle bus ride across the Arroyo, family activities included hands on science activities, puppets and a planting booth. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, performed a 20 minute blues set with Jack Maeby and members of Little Faith. They were joined by Councilmember Cedillo and Culture Clash icon Richard Montoya once La Chamba’s music began to play.
Emphasizing the cooperative nature of the Lummis Day Festival, this event is brought together annually by an all-volunteer Lummis Day Organizing Committee and over 100 youth volunteers from four area high schools. Councilmember Cedillo is proud to support the event and celebration.
RIO Community Meeting
(Photo Credit: Fredy Ceja)
This Wednesday, Councilmember Cedillo welcomed over 125 residents of Lincoln Heights, Chinatown, Cypress Park, Glassell Park, Atwater Village, Elysian Valley, El Sereno and other neighborhoods to a community meeting regarding the proposed River Improvement Overlay (“RIO”) Ordinance. The RIO would encompass roughly 30 miles along the River and require new major remodeling of buildings on properties near the River to comply with certain design requirements (such as, landscaping, fencing, screening and lighting).
Earlier this year, the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee considered the proposed ordinance. However, the public had not been engaged on the matter since 2012, when the City Planning Commission last voted on it. Councilmember Cedillo felt it was important to open the process and re-circulate the proposal.
The RIO comes on the heels of Army Corps of Engineers’ recent announcement it will recommend a $1 billion plan to make-over 11 miles of the River, much right in the heart of CD1. Special thanks to Mayor Eric Garcetti and community stakeholders who lobbied Washington, D.C., and our U.S. Senators and Congressional Representatives who have been our best allies. Congress still needs to approve the plan, so let’s all stay vigilant and continue our advocacy!
The PLUM Committee will hold a public hearing on the RIO in the next few weeks.
For information on the ongoing work of LA River revitalization, you may visit: http://www.lariver.org .
For more information on the RIO, please contact Claire Bowin, Department of City Planning, at (213) 978-1213 or claire.bowin@lacity.org.
To access the Council File, click here.
NEWS UPDATE
Enfoque Los Angeles Interview
(Photo Credit: Kris Ortega)
On Wednesday, Councilmember Cedillo was invited to speak with Telemundo’s Enfoque program about the pending issuance of CA Driver’s Licenses. After the passage of Cedillo’s historic AB60 bill, the California DMV was charged with producing a driver’s license for undocumented drivers that meets the requirements of the Real ID Act. Unfortunately, California’s first submission was rejected by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). California Governor Jerry Brown and DMV are working hard to make improvements to the license, in hopes that DHS will approve it and issue license by the mandated January 1, 2015 deadline.
For now, undocumented people are encouraged to study for DMV’s written test. For more information on CA Driver’s Licenses or for a practice written test, please visit: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/.
Keep It Clean MacArthur Park
Councilmember Cedillo and Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina have teamed up with the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, Mama’s Hot Tamales, Praise Chapel, InnerCHANGE, YESSS, LA Commons, JUiCE, Rediscover MacArthur Park Alliance, and Para Los Niños to expand Councilmember Cedillo’s ‘Keep It Clean’ campaign to MacArthur Park. The campaign launch will include art, entertainment, a clean-up and resource fair. Join us!
Walking With Mayor Garcetti
Join us tomorrow as we walk with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Teams of volunteers will go door-to-door in Highland Park to inform residents about their city government and resources.
To register, please click here.
Bike Lane Community Meeting
Please join Councilmember Cedillo to give your opinion on the proposed Bike Lanes on North Figueroa in Highland Park.
Bike Lane Community Meeting
Thursday, June 12th
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Franklin High School Auditorium
820 N. Avenue 54
Los Angeles (Highland Park), CA 90042
Please RSVP with the District Office at (323)550-1538 or go to: http://goo.gl/2gHMJX
Councilmember Gilbert Cedillo, First District, would like your input on Phase 2 LADOT’s proposed bike lanes for North Figueroa Street, from Avenue 52 to York Blvd. in Highland Park. The proposal would remove one of two southbound traffic lanes on North Figueroa Street. Other options will be presented as well.
Refreshments and translation will be provided.
UPCOMING EVENTS
LAPD Hollenbeck CPAB
KEEP IT CLEAN CAMPAIGN
AVE 21 & AVE 20 COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP
Saturday June 7th, 2014
9:00 AM -11:00 AM
Avenue 21 and Mozart St.
Lincoln Heights, CA. 90031
Lincoln Park Recreation Center
Pool & Bathhouse Replacement Project Meeting
Wednesday, June 11th, 2014
6:00 PM
Lincoln Park Recreation Center
3501 Valley Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90031
USC Culinary Job Fair
Thursday, June 12th, 2014
1:00 PM— 3:00PM
USC Radisson Hotel
3540 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
CD1 Bike Lane Community Meeting
Thursday, June 12th, 2014
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Franklin High School Auditorium
820 N. Ave. 54
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Safe Summer Clean Up & Kick Off
Saturday, June 21, 20149:00AM-2:00 PM
Sycamore Grove Park (Band Shell)
4702 N. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Summer Night Lights 2014
June 25th-August 9th, 2014
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Montecito Heights Recreation Center
4545 Homer Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Chinatown Summer Nights
Second Saturdays
June/July/August
5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
943 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Lotus Festival
Saturday, July 12th, 2014
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sunday, July 13th, 2014
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Echo Park Lake
751 Echo Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Plaza de La Raza Golf Tournament
Thursday, June 19th, 2014
Montebello Country Club
901 Via San Clemente
Montebello, CA 90640
Sacred Heart High School
3rd Annual Dinner Dance
Saturday, July 26th, 2014
6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
2111 Griffin Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90031
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