Community Announcements
Posting date: November 19th, 2010
Author: webmaster
Below you will find some pertinent updates from the San Fernando Valley office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. You will find information on the following:
--- Children's Day 2010, A Salute to Kids
--- Mid Valley Community Town Hall Meeting
--- Free Flue Shots at NEVHC
--- City Clerk Begins Recruiting Election Day Pollworkers
--- GRYD Newsletter
--- Access to Capital Symposium
--- The 2011 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count
--- San Fernando Valley YouthBuild
--- Mayor Villaraigosa announces Chrisler Group LLC Opening new dealership in Downtown Los Angeles Auto District
--- Mayor Villaraigosa appoints Fire Administrator Georgia Mattera Deputy Mayor for Budget and Financial Policy
--- Mayor Villaraigosa announces stremlined electric vehicle home charger permitting and inspection program
--- Mayor Villaraigosa appoints Blue Ribbon Panel to Review Security at LAX
--- Mayor Villaraigosa proposed Free Transit for School Field Trips
--- Volunteer opportunities with City's Crisis Response Team
--- Los Angeles Convention Center achieves Gold LEED Certification
Please contact us with any questions. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
CHILDREN'S DAY 2010
The San Fernando Valley 2010 Children's Day- A Salute to Kids
Carnival Rides, Rock climbing, Face painting, kids resource fair, arts & crafts, petting zoo, police helicopter, firetrucks, clebrities, entertainment, music, and food.
November 20, 2010 from 9:00am to 4:00pm
Woodley Park
6350 Woodley Ave.
Between Victory Blvd. and Burbank Blvd.
Rain or Shine!
www.childrensday2010.com
MIDVALLEY COMMUNITY TOWNHALL MEETING
Presented by your Van Nuys LAPD officers and Command Staff
Tuesday, December 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Sunkist Building
14130 Riverside Dr.
Sherman Oaks - 91423
* free parking available in the west lot - entrance to meeting is directly up the west
entrance steps in the Cafeteria
HEAR ABOUT THE CURRENT TRENDS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE LATEST IN PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
STRATEGIES AND GOALS FOR CRIME REDUCTION IN 2011 ARE BEING SET – LAPD WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU FIRST!
BRING YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS TO THIS MEETING!
HOSTED BY THE LAPD VAN NUYS AREA STATION SERVING THE BUSINESS AND HOMEOWNERS OF VAN NUYS, SHERMAN OAKS, VALLEY GLEN, and parts of STUDIO CITY AND VALLEY VILLAGE.
ENDORSED BY THE COMMUNITY POLICE ADVISORY BOARD AND THE MID-VALLEY COMMUNITY POLICE COUNCIL.
FREE FLUE SHOTS AT NEVHC
School Base Flu Prevention Program
Free flue shots for children up to 18 years of age
Flue shots will be available from November 1st to February 18, 2011
NEVHC Sun Valley Health Center
7223 N. Fair Ave.
Sun Valley, CA
818-432-4400
Mondays: 1-4pm and Wednesdays: 3-6pm
Maclay health Center for Children
12540 Pierce St.
Pacoima, CA 91331
818-897-8193
Tuesdays: 8:30am -4pm and Fridays: 12-3pm
For more information please call Rigo Garcia at 818-898-1388 ext. 41518
CITY CLERK BEGINS RECRUITING ELECTION DAY POLLWORKERS
2011 Municipal Elections
Recruiting 6,476 pollworkers to staff polling places throughout election day jurisdictions for the March 8, 2011 Primary Nomination Election and the May 17, 2011 Municipal Election.
Pollworkers earn stipends of up to $125 for each Election Day they work. Inspectors receive a $100 stipend; Clerks receive an $80 stipend; and each are paid an additional $25 for a mandatory training class, which is scheduled at various times and locations.
In order to serve as a pollworker, the community volunteer must be U.S. Citizen and registered voter who will be at least 18 years old on Election Day. The Election Division seeks pollworkers who are able to speak, read and write in English.
Volunteers may sign up by calling the Election Divisions's Pollworker Recruitment Hotline toll free at 866-899-VOTE (8683) or locally at 213-978-0363. Sing-up forms are available on the Election Division's website in the "Pollworker Information" section.
http://cityclerk.lacity.org/
GRYD NEWSLETTER
It is with great excitement that we send you the first issue of the Mayor's Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) Newsletter. Please see attached.
The newsletter will serve as a means for the GRYD Community to learn more about the programs in our office and shed light to projects/initiatives that are not always highly publicized. We hope that this newsletter continues to grow.
ACCESS TO CAPITAL SYMPOSIUM
We would like to welcome small business owners to our Access to Capital Symposium to be held on Friday, December 10, 2010 from 8:30-11:00AM at the Galen Center at USC. The event will be an opportunity for small business owners to understand the impact of the Small Business Jobs Act on the Los Angeles community and to discuss various forms of capital available to them.
Continental Breakfast. Program starts promptly at 8:30 a.m.
Galen Center Founders Room
3400 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles
Parking is available at a reduced rate of $5 in USC Parking Structure X via Gate 3 at the intersection of Figueroa Street and USC McCarthy Way
ATTENDANCE IS FREE.
Opening Remarks by First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner followed by Panel Discussions
The four panel discussions moderated by USC faculty are:
• Borrowers • Community Banks
• Traditional Banks • Alternative Sources of Capital
As space is limited, please have them RSVP at smallbusiness@lacity.org. Thanks again for your support.
THE 2011 GREATER LOS ANGELES HOMELESS COUNT
The 2011 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is fast approaching. Volunteer Counters are needed to help enumerate our County’s homeless during the week of 1/24/11. The San Fernando Valley Homeless Coalition will be assisting LAHSA with the recruitment and training of volunteers who have a particular interest in counting the street homeless who reside in SPA 2, the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys, on the evening of Thursday, January 27, 2011.
If you would like to be a Volunteer Counter for SPA 2, you can register directly by visitinghttp://theycountwillyou.org/ and proceed with the following steps:
Enter your email address in the black box located on the right that is labeled “Volunteer for the 2011 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.” Click Join to access the on-line Registration Form.
Confirm your email address on the Registration Form.
Select your Volunteer Interests on the Registration Form. *To register as a Volunteer Counter for SPA 2, please select “Counting the Homeless” and “Jan. 27, 2011 PM: San Fernando Valley/Santa Clarita Valley.”
Enter your name, city, zip code and primary phone # in the appropriate fields.
In the field labeled “Team Name”, you may enter San Fernando Valley Homeless Coalition.
If you are interested in Volunteering for the SPA 2 street count, but have additional questions, please feel free to contact:
John Horn of LA Family Housing (Coalition Co-Chair) at JHorn@LAFH.org
Eddie Sanders of Northeast Valley Health Corporation (Coalition Co-Chair) at Esanders@nevhc.org.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY YOUTHBUILD
San Fernando Valley YouthBuild is unique program that focuses on the transformation of young people's lives and gears them towards success.
YouthBuild provides a diploma program for low-income, at-risk young people ages 16 to 24, in conjunction with job training, life skills preparation and leadership development, all within a charter school environment.
San Fernando Valley YouthBuild’s target population is serving young people who have dropped out of school, aged out of high school, require an alternative learning environment, have been identified as having disciplinary concerns and/or have been involved in the judicial/probation system. It is the desire of SFVYB to develop the future leaders of our communities and to teach them how to improve their own communities from within. Who else knows better what is needed than those who are directly affected?
Once in YouthBuild always in YouthBuild! We are family once we are connected to a young person they can always come back for supportive services.
For more informaction contact us at: 818-256-1997 or www.
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA ANNOUNCES CHRYSLER GROUP LLC OPENING NEW DEALERSHIP IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES AUTO DISTRICT
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Chrysler Group executives in announcing the opening of a new Chrysler Group store in Downtown Los Angeles in 2011.
“With 54 dealerships that employ over 5,200 people in the City, the vitality of our auto industry is inexorably intertwined with the strength and growth of our local economy,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “The Chrysler dealership will be a great addition to our already thriving Downtown Auto District by creating more jobs and generating more revenue for our City.”
Chrysler Group will be opening a flagship dealership on Figueroa Street and 21st in Downtown L.A., joining nine dealerships including Audi, Chevy, Cadillac, Honda, Mercedes, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Four other brands will also be sold at the new Chrysler Group dealership: Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram. This dealership is one of the first in the country to re-introduce Fiat – bringing it back into the U.S. market after 27 years.
“The auto industry is a crucial part of this community. In downtown alone, there are eight dealerships that represent over $290 million a year in revenue and employ almost 800 people,” said Councilwoman Jan Perry. “That is why I have worked with Chrysler for the last two years to help them locate in Auto Row."
For over a century, automobiles have been an integral part of Los Angeles’ economic vitality and landscape, generating over $250 million a year in sales tax revenue.
"Auto dealerships pay more sales tax to the City than any other business," said First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner. "In just the past six months, we have helped open or expand BYD and Chrysler downtown, BMW in the Mid-City, and Mercedes and Porsche in the San Fernando Valley."
To encourage more people to buy cars within the City, the Mayor’s Shop LA Program and the Los Angeles Federal Credit Union rolled out a discounted financing program for people who buy vehicles from dealerships located in Los Angeles. The "Shop LA" discount provides a special half-percent off LAFCU’s regular new and used vehicle rates that can save hundreds of dollars in finance charges. LAFCU rates for a new vehicle are now as low as 1.99% for qualified borrowers and potential car buyers can save even more when they combine LAFCU’s low rates with dealer incentives provided through Shop LA’s participating vehicle dealers.
“We are thankful for the Mayor, First Deputy Mayor Beutner and their team for working with us,” said Peter Grady, Vice President of Chrysler Group. “Chrysler is committed to Southern California, and with the revival of Downtown Los Angeles and L.A. consumers being well-known as early adopters of new technology, this is both a logical and exciting place for us to come.”
The City also announced a formal designation for the Downtown Auto District-- located between both sides of the 10 Freeway on Figueroa with the installation of monuments along Figueroa Street. To further strengthen Downtown Los Angeles’ Auto District, BYD will be locating their North America headquarters there and are set to open in 2011.
“This designation is significant for auto businesses and dealerships that make up this stretch of the Figueroa Corridor, and is an important step in improving this historic area between Downtown and the University of Southern California (USC),” said Darryl Holter, CEO of Shammas Group. “Efforts like this will bring attention to Figueroa and help drive continued investment along the corridor, creating jobs and sales tax revenue.”
These announcements coincide with the annual Los Angeles Auto Show, which will showcase over 1,000 of the 2011 makes and models of imported and domestic cars. The event is an economic driver, attracting thousands of tourists and press to the City. The event is held at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), which hosts close to 400 events a year. The Auto Show represents close to 20% of the annual revenues of LACC.
MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA APPOINTS FIRE ADMINISTRATOR GEORGIA MATTERA DEPUTY MAYOR FOR BUDGET AND FINANCIAL POLICY
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today the appointment of Georgia Mattera as Deputy Mayor for Budget and Financial Policy. In this post, Ms. Mattera will lead the Mayor’s newly reconstituted Office of Budget and Financial Policy, charged with developing and implementing a balanced budget plan to put the City on a path to a fiscally sustainable future.
“In the midst of the worst financial crisis this City has faced in generations, Los Angeles needs someone with the skills, vision and experience to chart a responsible path toward a fiscally sustainable future,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Georgia Mattera has the skills, vision and experience to get the job done. As Deputy Mayor for Budget and Financial Policy, Georgia will lead a team of the best and brightest from around the City to propose and implement smart solutions to balance the budget while protecting critical public services.”
Ms. Mattera currently serves as the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Fire Administrator, a position she has held since 2004. Ms. Mattera is both the City’s first Fire Administrator and the first civilian woman to hold the title of Bureau Commander in LAFD’s 120-year history. She directly oversees the 150-person Administrative Services Bureau and is responsible for the development and implementation of LAFD’s $500 million annual operating budget, oversight of the collection of $140 million in annual revenue and the administration of Homeland Security Grants.
Ms. Mattera also oversees LAFD’s overall technology strategy and was responsible for the successful approval of the City’s move to electronic patient care records for paramedic personnel and the modernization of the billing process for LAFD, estimated to save the City $100 million over a six year period.
“I took this job because I believe we all reach a point in our lives where we feel the need to give back,” Mattera said. “Over the past 20 years of my career, the City has been good to me and for a large part, has made me who I am today. I care deeply about this City and its residents. I see this position as an opportunity to step up and help make a difference. We are facing unprecedented financial challenges, if I can contribute to solving our problems in some small way – then I can feel as if I helped to make the City a better place for everyone.”
Prior to her appointment as Fire Administrator, Ms. Mattera served as a Principal Administrative Analyst in the Office of the City Administrative Officer (CAO) where she was responsible for the development and implementation of budgets – both capital and operating – ranging from $12 million to $900 million.
Ms. Mattera has also served as the Assistant General Manager of Finance and Administration for the Los Angeles Convention Center and as an Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety for Mayor Richard Riordan.
Ms. Mattera will head a team of financial and operational experts recruited from across the City to balance the budget and guide the City toward a fiscally sustainable future.
David Luther, Assistant General Manager of the Personnel Department; Neil Guglielmo, Chief Financial Officer of the Bureau of Sanitation; and Paul Wang, Financial and Rates Manager at the Department of Water and Power, will support Ms. Mattera in the development of the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2011-12 City budget.
Ms. Mattera, Mr. Luther, Mr. Guglielmo and Mr. Wang will join the Mayor’s current Budget and Financial Policy team, which includes policy analysts Matthew Rudnick, Alma Guerrero, John Brady, Adrian Garcia and Zara Bukirin.
Ms. Mattera replaces former Deputy Mayor Ben Ceja, who now holds a position in the CAO’s office.
These appointments are effective immediately.
“By streamlining the process for permitting, inspection and meter installation, the City of Los Angeles is making it easy and convenient for residents to own electric vehicles,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “With the largest city-owned utility in the country, Los Angeles has a remarkable competitive advantage in the race to be the electric car capital of the world. We are leveraging LADWP’s considerable resources to improve the home charger installation process and provide incentives in the form of reduced electricity rates at off-peak hours to encourage Angelenos to purchase electric cars and make an investment in our green future.”
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and City of Los Angeles’ Department of Building and Safety have worked together to streamline the permitting, inspection, and meter installation process for electric vehicle owners in the City of LA. In addition, the LADWP has completed significant electrical infrastructure upgrades to support EV charging; installed the new generation of EV chargers at the LA Convention Center and Los Angeles International Airport; and will expand its EV program even further to meet customer needs in the coming weeks.
“The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is setting a national standard by making sure that our customers are able to charge their vehicle within a week of purchase,” said First Deputy Mayor and LADWP GM Beutner. "Los Angeles is the second largest city in the country with the largest municipally owned utility which enables us to do this."
7-Day Streamlined Permitting, Inspection & Meter Installation
Under the new program, for basic home installations, the entire permitting process – from permit to plug in – will take under 7 days, provided the customer’s electrical system can support the charging requirements.
LADWP will also be available to conduct pre-inspections to identify potential issues with an installation and assist customers who may have problems.
Permits can be obtained instantly at https://www.permitla.org and the City will inspect the installation within 24 hours of request. Once installation of the EV charger is complete, LADWP will expedite a new meter.
Power Infrastructure Upgrades
The LADWP has been upgrading the City’s electrical infrastructure to support the increased power demand necessary for charging an electric vehicle. To date, LADWP has upgraded 1,223 distribution transformers and replaced 479 poles in its vast power grid to address potential system impacts related to EV charging.
The new generation of chargers have also been installed at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Los Angeles International Airport. Additional system upgrades will be made over the next two years.
Discounted Electricity Rate Options for EV Owners
The Mayor and LADWP General Manager Austin Beutner also announced that LADWP will offer rate incentives for EV owners that will enable them to save money and clearly see how making the switch to electric vehicles will impact their utility bill.
LADWP has established an EV discount of 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour off regular rates to encourage EV owners to charge during off-peak, nighttime hours. Charging at night is also as an effective way to guard against straining the electric grid and maximizing the use of renewable wind generation during those hours.
The cost on a per mile basis for charging an EV versus paying for gasoline is approximately 50% – 75% less. In other words, a family who currently spends about $60 per week on gasoline for one car could instead pay as little as $15 on their electric bill by charging their vehicle at night.
Customer Service
As consumer demand for EVs increases, the LADWP will expand its EV program to accommodate customer needs. The LADWP is currently working on a full-spectrum program to address the needs of EV consumers from purchase to plug-in. The program will include an incentive program for EV home chargers; power rate options for EV owners; a dedicated customer care team for EV customers; and public access charging station upgrades.
LADWP is establishing a dedicated customer care team to serve as the single point of contact for EV buyers. With just one call to 1-800-DIAL-DWP beginning December 1, 2010, customers will be connected to an LADWP EV Customer Connect representative, who can answer questions on rates, incentives, the charger installation process and help to schedule an assessment with field personnel. Customers are encouraged to call and “connect” as soon as they decide to move forward with the purchase of an EV so the Department can schedule a preliminary check to identify potential issues regarding the charger installation.
Regional Collaboration
In October, Mayor Villaraigosa convened the first So Cal EV 101 workshop with regional partners. The workshop brought together local cities, utilities, and environmental agencies to discuss regional electric vehicle readiness. By creating partnerships with other cities and utilities, Los Angeles is the regional leader working to create a network of charging locations so electric vehicle owners will be able to drive seamlessly throughout the Southern California region.
Electric Vehicle Outreach
EV representatives from the LADWP will be present at the LA Auto Show from November 19-28 (excluding Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25). Customers are encouraged to stop by the exhibit to learn more.
The LADWP will also be conducting workshops for customers who are interested in purchasing an electric vehicle. The first of these will take place in early December.
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA APPOINTS BLUE RIBBON PANEL TO REVIEW SECURITY AT LAX
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa announced the appointment of a 26-member Blue Ribbon panel to conduct a comprehensive security review of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and recommend improvements. After a top-to-bottom security review, the panel will provide recommendations for staying on the cutting edge of best practices in airport security, such as homeland security/counterterrorism, law enforcement, fire, emergency management, and the available resources for safety enhancements
"This panel will have full authority to review and inspect all aspects of security at LAX, which is a top terrorist target in the nation," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "We have continually made improvements to security at LAX, but we must ensure our facility and protocols remain state of the art to prevent and disrupt potential threats."
The panel includes high caliber professionals from diverse fields including homeland security, law enforcement, academia, anti-terrorism, technology, and emergency management, and it will be chaired by Lourdes Baird, a retired federal judge.
"The Mayor has brought together an extremely impressive list of some of the best minds on security for the LAX Blue Ribbon Panel. I am confident that this group of experts will bring forth strong recommendations so that we can make LAX the safest airport in the country," said Councilmember Greig Smith who will serve as the City Council’s representative on the panel.
"This blue ribbon commission couldn't come at a better time. Every day we discover new threats to the security of the traveling public, whether through breaches in our cargo, or passenger screening," said
Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who is Chair of the City Council's Trade, Commerce and Tourism Committee. "Security is our number one priority, and I welcome the findings and recommendations of the blue ribbon
commission."
"Keeping Los Angeles International Airport safe means we have to be vigilant and stay ahead of the curve on public safety and security. The Blue Ribbon panel should leave no stone unturned and present all of the facts so that we can be proactive in keeping the airport safe," said Councilmember Dennis Zine.
"We strive to deliver the best safety and security at LAX, as demonstrated by our continual investment in law enforcement personnel and technology," said Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey. "We welcome the panel's observations and suggestions."
In a unique partnership, security experts from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport will return for their third visit to LAX to advise the panel. In 2008 Mayor Villaraigosa negotiated a first of its kind cooperative agreement with the Israeli experts who conducted a study of LAX's security measures and recommended areas of improvement. The Israelis will again review the airport's security and meet with the panel and offer their insights on improving the public safety at the airport.
The panel is expected to convene meetings later this month and to provide a summary of its findings by (Spring 2011).
The panel includes:
Lourdes G. Baird, Chair
Judge, United States District Court, Central District of California (retired)
Former United States Attorney, Central District of California
Currently serves on Senator Feinstein's federal judicial appointments selection committee
Judith C. Chirlin, Vice Chair of the Blue Ribbon
Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court (retired)
Douglas Barry
Chief, Los Angeles Fire Department (retired)
Robert C. Bonner
Former Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (Department of Homeland Security)
Former Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service
Former Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency
Former United States District Court Judge
Former United States Attorney
Ronald J. Boyd
Chief, Los Angeles Port Police
Former Acting Chief of LAWA PD
Former Airport Security Coordinator for LAWA
Michael Downing
Deputy Chief, Los Angeles Police Department
Commanding Officer, Counterterrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau
Richard E. Drooyan
Commissioner, Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners
Partner, Munger, Tolles and Olsen
Former Assistant United States Attorney (Chief of Criminal Division)
Former Deputy General Counsel for the Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department (the "Christopher Commission)
Former General Counsel of the Rampart Independent Review Panel
Jeffrey P. Fegan
Chief Executive Officer
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
James G. Featherstone
General Manager, Emergency Management Department, City of Los Angeles
Chair, National Advisory Council for the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Steven L. Gomez
Special Agent in Charge, Counterterrorism Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office
Michael Hillmann
Assistant Sheriff, Orange County Sheriff's Department (retired)
Deputy Chief, Los Angeles Police Department (retired)
Bruce Hoffman
Professor, Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Former Chair in Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency at RAND Corporation
Founding Director, Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Ronald L. Iden
Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer of the Walt Disney Company
Former Director of the California Office of Homeland Security
Former Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation
John Linstrom
Emergency Management and Mass Fatality Consultant
Unit Commander, Region 9 Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security.
Participated in disaster response to: 1999 F5 Tornado in Oklahoma City; 2001 9/11 World Trade Center Attack; 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; 2008 Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav and Ike; 2009 North Dakota Floods; 2010 Haiti Earthquake.
James P. Lonergan
Independent Contractor/Consultant
Former Fire Chief, Massachusetts Port Authority, Boston Logan International Airport
Former Battalion Chief, Philadelphia Fire Department (specializing in aircraft and water related incidents)
Ethel McGuire
Assistant Chief for Homeland Security and Intelligence, Los Angeles Airport Police
Former Assistant Special Agent in Charge and Executive Manager of the Counterterrorism Branch of the FBI
Randy Parsons
Federal Security Director at Los Angeles International Airport
Former Special Agent in Charge for Counterterrorism, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Alan Rothenberg
President, Board of Airport Commissioners
Los Angeles World Airports
James Smith
Consultant, aviation mutual aid, airports and emergency management, and preparedness at airports
Erroll G. Southers
Associate Director of the University of Southern California's Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events
Former Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Airport Police Department
Former Deputy Director of the California office of Homeland Security
Former Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Milind Tambe
Professor of Computer Science and Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Southern California
Fernando Torres-Gil
Board of Airport Commissioners
Los Angeles World Airports
James A. Wall
TEES Associate Research Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University
Director, Computing and Information Technology Division, Texas Center for Applied Technology
Mayor Representative:
Eileen M. Decker
Deputy Mayor, Homeland Security & Public Safety
Council Representative:
Greig Smith
Member of Council, District 12
Chair, Public Safety Committee
Council Member Appointee (the Mayor afforded Councilman Smith, in his role as Chair of Public Safety, to appoint a member to the Blue Ribbon):
Ted Stein
Former Member and President of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners
Former Member and President of the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA PROPOSES FREE TRANSIT FOR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced a new policy for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that would allow students from public and private schools in Los Angeles County to ride MTA transit for free during the day.
“Schools throughout Los Angeles County are struggling with severe budget challenges, and cutting field trip transportation means less opportunity for students to take advantage of museums, programs, and events outside of school buildings,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “This is especially true for low income students whose families do not have the resources for alternative transportation.”
MTA will not suffer an increase in operating costs because service is already running, and no revenue loss because students would not otherwise be riding transit during school hours without this policy.
"Our students are missing out on educational experiences because we have no funds to bus them on field trips. Access to Metro rail and buses will open a world of opportunities for learning beyond the classroom," said Santee teacher Trebor Jacquez.
“Because MTA buses and trains have unused capacity during school hours, making free transit available for students is a ‘win-win’ policy for MTA,” added Mayor Villaraigosa.
If approved by the MTA Board at its December 9, 2010 board meeting, MTA management would be required to develop specific procedures for administering the policy and implement the system by the end of January 2011.
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA ANNOUNCES LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER ACHIEVES GOLD LEED CERTIFICATION
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Villaraigosa announced that the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) has achieved the prestigious Gold level certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
“I am especially proud of the Los Angeles Convention Center for their continued commitment to investing in our green economy and environmental stewardship,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “We are now one step closer to reaching our vision of being the greenest big city in the U.S.”
LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most.
“When comparing new construction projects to existing buildings (EB), EB facilities don’t have the luxury of incorporating pre-planned green measures,” SAID Rey Castro, Chief Building Engineer of the Los Angeles Convention Center. “This makes it all the more challenging and costly to achieve LEED-EB status at any level for any facility.
According to an LACC spokesperson, this accomplishment is considered by many city stakeholders to be more pronounced as the LACC’s LEED-EB re-certification application process began last year in the midst of business pressures and calamities common to all sectors which could have derailed significant progress made over the past few years.
“While our primary goal, albeit challenging, was to achieve the LEED-EB Silver level, surpassing that goal by achieving LEED-EB Re-Certification at the Gold level defines the culture of excellence at LACC,” stated Pouria Abbassi, P.E., CEO and General Manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
“This monumental achievement is a true testament to the tireless efforts of the women and men of the Los Angeles Convention Center in pursuing the center's "best of class" goals in environmental stewardship. I am honored to represent the Convention Center,” said City of Los Angeles 9th District Councilwoman Jan Perry.
LACC was the only and largest existing building in the City of Los Angeles building / facility portfolio to become LEED-EB certified back in September of 2008. Today, LACC attains the LEED-EB Gold level for 4.1 million square feet of built on a 54 acre property that was opened back in 1971 with the newest portion completed 17 years ago in 1993. LACC now becomes the largest convention center in the nation to achieve this milestone.
“I believe the Los Angeles Convention Center’s commitment to excellence in environmental stewardship will resonate with the many generations to come,” said Lance William, PhD, Executive Director of U.S. Green Building Council – Los Angeles Chapter.
“We look forward to working with our green partners to explore and incorporate even more energy efficient systems, state-of-the-art technologies, and environmental processes in the construct of our business, in supporting our community and in reflecting the best of Los Angeles,” added Abbassi.
LACC is underway to enhance its eco-friendly commitment with new “green” programs like exploring thermal storage and creating green space for the surrounding community.
ABOUT LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER
LACC is a model environmental-friendly facility. Its solar panels are capable of meeting electricity needs of an estimated 100 homes, and it’s recycling, energy efficiency, and water conservation programs help to conserve the environment. LACC uses biodegradable food service ware through its 11 public food outlets, and is registered with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) as a member of the Los Angeles and National Chapter and holds the prestigious USGBC LEED certification for existing buildings.
For more information visit: www.lacclink.com.
Author: webmaster
Archived:
No
--- Children's Day 2010, A Salute to Kids
--- Mid Valley Community Town Hall Meeting
--- Free Flue Shots at NEVHC
--- City Clerk Begins Recruiting Election Day Pollworkers
--- GRYD Newsletter
--- Access to Capital Symposium
--- The 2011 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count
--- San Fernando Valley YouthBuild
--- Mayor Villaraigosa announces Chrisler Group LLC Opening new dealership in Downtown Los Angeles Auto District
--- Mayor Villaraigosa appoints Fire Administrator Georgia Mattera Deputy Mayor for Budget and Financial Policy
--- Mayor Villaraigosa announces stremlined electric vehicle home charger permitting and inspection program
--- Mayor Villaraigosa appoints Blue Ribbon Panel to Review Security at LAX
--- Mayor Villaraigosa proposed Free Transit for School Field Trips
--- Volunteer opportunities with City's Crisis Response Team
--- Los Angeles Convention Center achieves Gold LEED Certification
Please contact us with any questions. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
CHILDREN'S DAY 2010
The San Fernando Valley 2010 Children's Day- A Salute to Kids
Carnival Rides, Rock climbing, Face painting, kids resource fair, arts & crafts, petting zoo, police helicopter, firetrucks, clebrities, entertainment, music, and food.
November 20, 2010 from 9:00am to 4:00pm
Woodley Park
6350 Woodley Ave.
Between Victory Blvd. and Burbank Blvd.
Rain or Shine!
www.childrensday2010.com
MIDVALLEY COMMUNITY TOWNHALL MEETING
Presented by your Van Nuys LAPD officers and Command Staff
Tuesday, December 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Sunkist Building
14130 Riverside Dr.
Sherman Oaks - 91423
* free parking available in the west lot - entrance to meeting is directly up the west
entrance steps in the Cafeteria
HEAR ABOUT THE CURRENT TRENDS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE LATEST IN PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
STRATEGIES AND GOALS FOR CRIME REDUCTION IN 2011 ARE BEING SET – LAPD WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU FIRST!
BRING YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS TO THIS MEETING!
HOSTED BY THE LAPD VAN NUYS AREA STATION SERVING THE BUSINESS AND HOMEOWNERS OF VAN NUYS, SHERMAN OAKS, VALLEY GLEN, and parts of STUDIO CITY AND VALLEY VILLAGE.
ENDORSED BY THE COMMUNITY POLICE ADVISORY BOARD AND THE MID-VALLEY COMMUNITY POLICE COUNCIL.
FREE FLUE SHOTS AT NEVHC
School Base Flu Prevention Program
Free flue shots for children up to 18 years of age
Flue shots will be available from November 1st to February 18, 2011
NEVHC Sun Valley Health Center
7223 N. Fair Ave.
Sun Valley, CA
818-432-4400
Mondays: 1-4pm and Wednesdays: 3-6pm
Maclay health Center for Children
12540 Pierce St.
Pacoima, CA 91331
818-897-8193
Tuesdays: 8:30am -4pm and Fridays: 12-3pm
For more information please call Rigo Garcia at 818-898-1388 ext. 41518
CITY CLERK BEGINS RECRUITING ELECTION DAY POLLWORKERS
2011 Municipal Elections
Recruiting 6,476 pollworkers to staff polling places throughout election day jurisdictions for the March 8, 2011 Primary Nomination Election and the May 17, 2011 Municipal Election.
Pollworkers earn stipends of up to $125 for each Election Day they work. Inspectors receive a $100 stipend; Clerks receive an $80 stipend; and each are paid an additional $25 for a mandatory training class, which is scheduled at various times and locations.
In order to serve as a pollworker, the community volunteer must be U.S. Citizen and registered voter who will be at least 18 years old on Election Day. The Election Division seeks pollworkers who are able to speak, read and write in English.
Volunteers may sign up by calling the Election Divisions's Pollworker Recruitment Hotline toll free at 866-899-VOTE (8683) or locally at 213-978-0363. Sing-up forms are available on the Election Division's website in the "Pollworker Information" section.
http://cityclerk.lacity.org/
GRYD NEWSLETTER
It is with great excitement that we send you the first issue of the Mayor's Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) Newsletter. Please see attached.
The newsletter will serve as a means for the GRYD Community to learn more about the programs in our office and shed light to projects/initiatives that are not always highly publicized. We hope that this newsletter continues to grow.
ACCESS TO CAPITAL SYMPOSIUM
We would like to welcome small business owners to our Access to Capital Symposium to be held on Friday, December 10, 2010 from 8:30-11:00AM at the Galen Center at USC. The event will be an opportunity for small business owners to understand the impact of the Small Business Jobs Act on the Los Angeles community and to discuss various forms of capital available to them.
Continental Breakfast. Program starts promptly at 8:30 a.m.
Galen Center Founders Room
3400 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles
Parking is available at a reduced rate of $5 in USC Parking Structure X via Gate 3 at the intersection of Figueroa Street and USC McCarthy Way
ATTENDANCE IS FREE.
Opening Remarks by First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner followed by Panel Discussions
The four panel discussions moderated by USC faculty are:
• Borrowers • Community Banks
• Traditional Banks • Alternative Sources of Capital
As space is limited, please have them RSVP at smallbusiness@lacity.org. Thanks again for your support.
THE 2011 GREATER LOS ANGELES HOMELESS COUNT
The 2011 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is fast approaching. Volunteer Counters are needed to help enumerate our County’s homeless during the week of 1/24/11. The San Fernando Valley Homeless Coalition will be assisting LAHSA with the recruitment and training of volunteers who have a particular interest in counting the street homeless who reside in SPA 2, the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys, on the evening of Thursday, January 27, 2011.
If you would like to be a Volunteer Counter for SPA 2, you can register directly by visitinghttp://theycountwillyou.org/ and proceed with the following steps:
Enter your email address in the black box located on the right that is labeled “Volunteer for the 2011 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.” Click Join to access the on-line Registration Form.
Confirm your email address on the Registration Form.
Select your Volunteer Interests on the Registration Form. *To register as a Volunteer Counter for SPA 2, please select “Counting the Homeless” and “Jan. 27, 2011 PM: San Fernando Valley/Santa Clarita Valley.”
Enter your name, city, zip code and primary phone # in the appropriate fields.
In the field labeled “Team Name”, you may enter San Fernando Valley Homeless Coalition.
If you are interested in Volunteering for the SPA 2 street count, but have additional questions, please feel free to contact:
John Horn of LA Family Housing (Coalition Co-Chair) at JHorn@LAFH.org
Eddie Sanders of Northeast Valley Health Corporation (Coalition Co-Chair) at Esanders@nevhc.org.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY YOUTHBUILD
San Fernando Valley YouthBuild is unique program that focuses on the transformation of young people's lives and gears them towards success.
YouthBuild provides a diploma program for low-income, at-risk young people ages 16 to 24, in conjunction with job training, life skills preparation and leadership development, all within a charter school environment.
San Fernando Valley YouthBuild’s target population is serving young people who have dropped out of school, aged out of high school, require an alternative learning environment, have been identified as having disciplinary concerns and/or have been involved in the judicial/probation system. It is the desire of SFVYB to develop the future leaders of our communities and to teach them how to improve their own communities from within. Who else knows better what is needed than those who are directly affected?
Once in YouthBuild always in YouthBuild! We are family once we are connected to a young person they can always come back for supportive services.
For more informaction contact us at: 818-256-1997 or www.
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA ANNOUNCES CHRYSLER GROUP LLC OPENING NEW DEALERSHIP IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES AUTO DISTRICT
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Chrysler Group executives in announcing the opening of a new Chrysler Group store in Downtown Los Angeles in 2011.
“With 54 dealerships that employ over 5,200 people in the City, the vitality of our auto industry is inexorably intertwined with the strength and growth of our local economy,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “The Chrysler dealership will be a great addition to our already thriving Downtown Auto District by creating more jobs and generating more revenue for our City.”
Chrysler Group will be opening a flagship dealership on Figueroa Street and 21st in Downtown L.A., joining nine dealerships including Audi, Chevy, Cadillac, Honda, Mercedes, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Four other brands will also be sold at the new Chrysler Group dealership: Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram. This dealership is one of the first in the country to re-introduce Fiat – bringing it back into the U.S. market after 27 years.
“The auto industry is a crucial part of this community. In downtown alone, there are eight dealerships that represent over $290 million a year in revenue and employ almost 800 people,” said Councilwoman Jan Perry. “That is why I have worked with Chrysler for the last two years to help them locate in Auto Row."
For over a century, automobiles have been an integral part of Los Angeles’ economic vitality and landscape, generating over $250 million a year in sales tax revenue.
"Auto dealerships pay more sales tax to the City than any other business," said First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner. "In just the past six months, we have helped open or expand BYD and Chrysler downtown, BMW in the Mid-City, and Mercedes and Porsche in the San Fernando Valley."
To encourage more people to buy cars within the City, the Mayor’s Shop LA Program and the Los Angeles Federal Credit Union rolled out a discounted financing program for people who buy vehicles from dealerships located in Los Angeles. The "Shop LA" discount provides a special half-percent off LAFCU’s regular new and used vehicle rates that can save hundreds of dollars in finance charges. LAFCU rates for a new vehicle are now as low as 1.99% for qualified borrowers and potential car buyers can save even more when they combine LAFCU’s low rates with dealer incentives provided through Shop LA’s participating vehicle dealers.
“We are thankful for the Mayor, First Deputy Mayor Beutner and their team for working with us,” said Peter Grady, Vice President of Chrysler Group. “Chrysler is committed to Southern California, and with the revival of Downtown Los Angeles and L.A. consumers being well-known as early adopters of new technology, this is both a logical and exciting place for us to come.”
The City also announced a formal designation for the Downtown Auto District-- located between both sides of the 10 Freeway on Figueroa with the installation of monuments along Figueroa Street. To further strengthen Downtown Los Angeles’ Auto District, BYD will be locating their North America headquarters there and are set to open in 2011.
“This designation is significant for auto businesses and dealerships that make up this stretch of the Figueroa Corridor, and is an important step in improving this historic area between Downtown and the University of Southern California (USC),” said Darryl Holter, CEO of Shammas Group. “Efforts like this will bring attention to Figueroa and help drive continued investment along the corridor, creating jobs and sales tax revenue.”
These announcements coincide with the annual Los Angeles Auto Show, which will showcase over 1,000 of the 2011 makes and models of imported and domestic cars. The event is an economic driver, attracting thousands of tourists and press to the City. The event is held at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), which hosts close to 400 events a year. The Auto Show represents close to 20% of the annual revenues of LACC.
MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA APPOINTS FIRE ADMINISTRATOR GEORGIA MATTERA DEPUTY MAYOR FOR BUDGET AND FINANCIAL POLICY
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today the appointment of Georgia Mattera as Deputy Mayor for Budget and Financial Policy. In this post, Ms. Mattera will lead the Mayor’s newly reconstituted Office of Budget and Financial Policy, charged with developing and implementing a balanced budget plan to put the City on a path to a fiscally sustainable future.
“In the midst of the worst financial crisis this City has faced in generations, Los Angeles needs someone with the skills, vision and experience to chart a responsible path toward a fiscally sustainable future,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Georgia Mattera has the skills, vision and experience to get the job done. As Deputy Mayor for Budget and Financial Policy, Georgia will lead a team of the best and brightest from around the City to propose and implement smart solutions to balance the budget while protecting critical public services.”
Ms. Mattera currently serves as the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Fire Administrator, a position she has held since 2004. Ms. Mattera is both the City’s first Fire Administrator and the first civilian woman to hold the title of Bureau Commander in LAFD’s 120-year history. She directly oversees the 150-person Administrative Services Bureau and is responsible for the development and implementation of LAFD’s $500 million annual operating budget, oversight of the collection of $140 million in annual revenue and the administration of Homeland Security Grants.
Ms. Mattera also oversees LAFD’s overall technology strategy and was responsible for the successful approval of the City’s move to electronic patient care records for paramedic personnel and the modernization of the billing process for LAFD, estimated to save the City $100 million over a six year period.
“I took this job because I believe we all reach a point in our lives where we feel the need to give back,” Mattera said. “Over the past 20 years of my career, the City has been good to me and for a large part, has made me who I am today. I care deeply about this City and its residents. I see this position as an opportunity to step up and help make a difference. We are facing unprecedented financial challenges, if I can contribute to solving our problems in some small way – then I can feel as if I helped to make the City a better place for everyone.”
Prior to her appointment as Fire Administrator, Ms. Mattera served as a Principal Administrative Analyst in the Office of the City Administrative Officer (CAO) where she was responsible for the development and implementation of budgets – both capital and operating – ranging from $12 million to $900 million.
Ms. Mattera has also served as the Assistant General Manager of Finance and Administration for the Los Angeles Convention Center and as an Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety for Mayor Richard Riordan.
Ms. Mattera will head a team of financial and operational experts recruited from across the City to balance the budget and guide the City toward a fiscally sustainable future.
David Luther, Assistant General Manager of the Personnel Department; Neil Guglielmo, Chief Financial Officer of the Bureau of Sanitation; and Paul Wang, Financial and Rates Manager at the Department of Water and Power, will support Ms. Mattera in the development of the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2011-12 City budget.
Ms. Mattera, Mr. Luther, Mr. Guglielmo and Mr. Wang will join the Mayor’s current Budget and Financial Policy team, which includes policy analysts Matthew Rudnick, Alma Guerrero, John Brady, Adrian Garcia and Zara Bukirin.
Ms. Mattera replaces former Deputy Mayor Ben Ceja, who now holds a position in the CAO’s office.
These appointments are effective immediately.
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA ANNOUNCES STREAMLINED ELECTRIC VEHICLE HOME CHARGER PERMITTING AND INSPECTION PROGRAM
LOS ANGELES – With the first of the new generation plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) set to roll onto Los Angeles’ streets in December, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LADWP General Manager Austin Beutner announced a program to help residential customers within the City of Los Angeles go from permit to plug in for home electric vehicle chargers under 7 days.“By streamlining the process for permitting, inspection and meter installation, the City of Los Angeles is making it easy and convenient for residents to own electric vehicles,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “With the largest city-owned utility in the country, Los Angeles has a remarkable competitive advantage in the race to be the electric car capital of the world. We are leveraging LADWP’s considerable resources to improve the home charger installation process and provide incentives in the form of reduced electricity rates at off-peak hours to encourage Angelenos to purchase electric cars and make an investment in our green future.”
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and City of Los Angeles’ Department of Building and Safety have worked together to streamline the permitting, inspection, and meter installation process for electric vehicle owners in the City of LA. In addition, the LADWP has completed significant electrical infrastructure upgrades to support EV charging; installed the new generation of EV chargers at the LA Convention Center and Los Angeles International Airport; and will expand its EV program even further to meet customer needs in the coming weeks.
“The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is setting a national standard by making sure that our customers are able to charge their vehicle within a week of purchase,” said First Deputy Mayor and LADWP GM Beutner. "Los Angeles is the second largest city in the country with the largest municipally owned utility which enables us to do this."
7-Day Streamlined Permitting, Inspection & Meter Installation
Under the new program, for basic home installations, the entire permitting process – from permit to plug in – will take under 7 days, provided the customer’s electrical system can support the charging requirements.
LADWP will also be available to conduct pre-inspections to identify potential issues with an installation and assist customers who may have problems.
Permits can be obtained instantly at https://www.permitla.org and the City will inspect the installation within 24 hours of request. Once installation of the EV charger is complete, LADWP will expedite a new meter.
Power Infrastructure Upgrades
The LADWP has been upgrading the City’s electrical infrastructure to support the increased power demand necessary for charging an electric vehicle. To date, LADWP has upgraded 1,223 distribution transformers and replaced 479 poles in its vast power grid to address potential system impacts related to EV charging.
The new generation of chargers have also been installed at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Los Angeles International Airport. Additional system upgrades will be made over the next two years.
Discounted Electricity Rate Options for EV Owners
The Mayor and LADWP General Manager Austin Beutner also announced that LADWP will offer rate incentives for EV owners that will enable them to save money and clearly see how making the switch to electric vehicles will impact their utility bill.
LADWP has established an EV discount of 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour off regular rates to encourage EV owners to charge during off-peak, nighttime hours. Charging at night is also as an effective way to guard against straining the electric grid and maximizing the use of renewable wind generation during those hours.
The cost on a per mile basis for charging an EV versus paying for gasoline is approximately 50% – 75% less. In other words, a family who currently spends about $60 per week on gasoline for one car could instead pay as little as $15 on their electric bill by charging their vehicle at night.
Customer Service
As consumer demand for EVs increases, the LADWP will expand its EV program to accommodate customer needs. The LADWP is currently working on a full-spectrum program to address the needs of EV consumers from purchase to plug-in. The program will include an incentive program for EV home chargers; power rate options for EV owners; a dedicated customer care team for EV customers; and public access charging station upgrades.
LADWP is establishing a dedicated customer care team to serve as the single point of contact for EV buyers. With just one call to 1-800-DIAL-DWP beginning December 1, 2010, customers will be connected to an LADWP EV Customer Connect representative, who can answer questions on rates, incentives, the charger installation process and help to schedule an assessment with field personnel. Customers are encouraged to call and “connect” as soon as they decide to move forward with the purchase of an EV so the Department can schedule a preliminary check to identify potential issues regarding the charger installation.
Regional Collaboration
In October, Mayor Villaraigosa convened the first So Cal EV 101 workshop with regional partners. The workshop brought together local cities, utilities, and environmental agencies to discuss regional electric vehicle readiness. By creating partnerships with other cities and utilities, Los Angeles is the regional leader working to create a network of charging locations so electric vehicle owners will be able to drive seamlessly throughout the Southern California region.
Electric Vehicle Outreach
EV representatives from the LADWP will be present at the LA Auto Show from November 19-28 (excluding Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25). Customers are encouraged to stop by the exhibit to learn more.
The LADWP will also be conducting workshops for customers who are interested in purchasing an electric vehicle. The first of these will take place in early December.
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA APPOINTS BLUE RIBBON PANEL TO REVIEW SECURITY AT LAX
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa announced the appointment of a 26-member Blue Ribbon panel to conduct a comprehensive security review of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and recommend improvements. After a top-to-bottom security review, the panel will provide recommendations for staying on the cutting edge of best practices in airport security, such as homeland security/counterterrorism, law enforcement, fire, emergency management, and the available resources for safety enhancements
"This panel will have full authority to review and inspect all aspects of security at LAX, which is a top terrorist target in the nation," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "We have continually made improvements to security at LAX, but we must ensure our facility and protocols remain state of the art to prevent and disrupt potential threats."
The panel includes high caliber professionals from diverse fields including homeland security, law enforcement, academia, anti-terrorism, technology, and emergency management, and it will be chaired by Lourdes Baird, a retired federal judge.
"The Mayor has brought together an extremely impressive list of some of the best minds on security for the LAX Blue Ribbon Panel. I am confident that this group of experts will bring forth strong recommendations so that we can make LAX the safest airport in the country," said Councilmember Greig Smith who will serve as the City Council’s representative on the panel.
"This blue ribbon commission couldn't come at a better time. Every day we discover new threats to the security of the traveling public, whether through breaches in our cargo, or passenger screening," said
Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who is Chair of the City Council's Trade, Commerce and Tourism Committee. "Security is our number one priority, and I welcome the findings and recommendations of the blue ribbon
commission."
"Keeping Los Angeles International Airport safe means we have to be vigilant and stay ahead of the curve on public safety and security. The Blue Ribbon panel should leave no stone unturned and present all of the facts so that we can be proactive in keeping the airport safe," said Councilmember Dennis Zine.
"We strive to deliver the best safety and security at LAX, as demonstrated by our continual investment in law enforcement personnel and technology," said Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey. "We welcome the panel's observations and suggestions."
In a unique partnership, security experts from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport will return for their third visit to LAX to advise the panel. In 2008 Mayor Villaraigosa negotiated a first of its kind cooperative agreement with the Israeli experts who conducted a study of LAX's security measures and recommended areas of improvement. The Israelis will again review the airport's security and meet with the panel and offer their insights on improving the public safety at the airport.
The panel is expected to convene meetings later this month and to provide a summary of its findings by (Spring 2011).
The panel includes:
Lourdes G. Baird, Chair
Judge, United States District Court, Central District of California (retired)
Former United States Attorney, Central District of California
Currently serves on Senator Feinstein's federal judicial appointments selection committee
Judith C. Chirlin, Vice Chair of the Blue Ribbon
Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court (retired)
Douglas Barry
Chief, Los Angeles Fire Department (retired)
Robert C. Bonner
Former Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (Department of Homeland Security)
Former Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service
Former Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency
Former United States District Court Judge
Former United States Attorney
Ronald J. Boyd
Chief, Los Angeles Port Police
Former Acting Chief of LAWA PD
Former Airport Security Coordinator for LAWA
Michael Downing
Deputy Chief, Los Angeles Police Department
Commanding Officer, Counterterrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau
Richard E. Drooyan
Commissioner, Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners
Partner, Munger, Tolles and Olsen
Former Assistant United States Attorney (Chief of Criminal Division)
Former Deputy General Counsel for the Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department (the "Christopher Commission)
Former General Counsel of the Rampart Independent Review Panel
Jeffrey P. Fegan
Chief Executive Officer
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
James G. Featherstone
General Manager, Emergency Management Department, City of Los Angeles
Chair, National Advisory Council for the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Steven L. Gomez
Special Agent in Charge, Counterterrorism Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office
Michael Hillmann
Assistant Sheriff, Orange County Sheriff's Department (retired)
Deputy Chief, Los Angeles Police Department (retired)
Bruce Hoffman
Professor, Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Former Chair in Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency at RAND Corporation
Founding Director, Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Ronald L. Iden
Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer of the Walt Disney Company
Former Director of the California Office of Homeland Security
Former Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation
John Linstrom
Emergency Management and Mass Fatality Consultant
Unit Commander, Region 9 Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security.
Participated in disaster response to: 1999 F5 Tornado in Oklahoma City; 2001 9/11 World Trade Center Attack; 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; 2008 Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav and Ike; 2009 North Dakota Floods; 2010 Haiti Earthquake.
James P. Lonergan
Independent Contractor/Consultant
Former Fire Chief, Massachusetts Port Authority, Boston Logan International Airport
Former Battalion Chief, Philadelphia Fire Department (specializing in aircraft and water related incidents)
Ethel McGuire
Assistant Chief for Homeland Security and Intelligence, Los Angeles Airport Police
Former Assistant Special Agent in Charge and Executive Manager of the Counterterrorism Branch of the FBI
Randy Parsons
Federal Security Director at Los Angeles International Airport
Former Special Agent in Charge for Counterterrorism, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Alan Rothenberg
President, Board of Airport Commissioners
Los Angeles World Airports
James Smith
Consultant, aviation mutual aid, airports and emergency management, and preparedness at airports
Erroll G. Southers
Associate Director of the University of Southern California's Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events
Former Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Airport Police Department
Former Deputy Director of the California office of Homeland Security
Former Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Milind Tambe
Professor of Computer Science and Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Southern California
Fernando Torres-Gil
Board of Airport Commissioners
Los Angeles World Airports
James A. Wall
TEES Associate Research Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University
Director, Computing and Information Technology Division, Texas Center for Applied Technology
Mayor Representative:
Eileen M. Decker
Deputy Mayor, Homeland Security & Public Safety
Council Representative:
Greig Smith
Member of Council, District 12
Chair, Public Safety Committee
Council Member Appointee (the Mayor afforded Councilman Smith, in his role as Chair of Public Safety, to appoint a member to the Blue Ribbon):
Ted Stein
Former Member and President of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners
Former Member and President of the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA PROPOSES FREE TRANSIT FOR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced a new policy for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that would allow students from public and private schools in Los Angeles County to ride MTA transit for free during the day.
“Schools throughout Los Angeles County are struggling with severe budget challenges, and cutting field trip transportation means less opportunity for students to take advantage of museums, programs, and events outside of school buildings,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “This is especially true for low income students whose families do not have the resources for alternative transportation.”
MTA will not suffer an increase in operating costs because service is already running, and no revenue loss because students would not otherwise be riding transit during school hours without this policy.
"Our students are missing out on educational experiences because we have no funds to bus them on field trips. Access to Metro rail and buses will open a world of opportunities for learning beyond the classroom," said Santee teacher Trebor Jacquez.
“Because MTA buses and trains have unused capacity during school hours, making free transit available for students is a ‘win-win’ policy for MTA,” added Mayor Villaraigosa.
If approved by the MTA Board at its December 9, 2010 board meeting, MTA management would be required to develop specific procedures for administering the policy and implement the system by the end of January 2011.
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA ANNOUNCES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH CITY'S CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced volunteer opportunities for individuals living or working in the City of Los Angeles to become a member of the City’s Crisis Response Team (CRT). The program is particularly in need of volunteers with bilingual capabilities in Spanish and Korean.
"Our City’s Crisis Response Team is a vital asset to our emergency first responders," said Mayor Villaraigosa. “I urge Angelenos to get involved and assist in their neighborhoods in times of crisis.”
The Crisis Response Team is composed of community volunteers that respond to traumatic incidents at the request of the Los Angeles Police and Los Angeles Fire Departments. The volunteers provide immediate, on-scene crisis intervention, attend to survival and comfort needs, act as a liaison between the victim and emergency personnel, and provide referrals to victims and their families affected by a death, a serious injury, a violent crime or other traumatic incidents. These incidents include homicides, suicides, serious traffic accidents, natural deaths and multi-casualty incidents.
“The Mayor's Crisis Response Team is a vital, greatly appreciated asset to both the community and the Los Angeles Police Department,” said Chief Charlie Beck. “Team members, whose selfless time and efforts are completely voluntary, provide added dimension and value to our relationships with crime victims and really make a difference in the lives they touch.”
The Crisis Response Team program is managed by the Mayors Office of Homeland Security & Public Safety, and is operated in collaboration with the City's Fire and Police Departments.
"Training is the key to any successful program,” said Chief Millage Peaks. “The new year will bring the opportunity for volunteers to learn the skills necessary to assist those in great need and work in critical situations. The LAFD appreciates their passion to help others."
Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and in good physical condition. CRT volunteers participate in 48 hours of intensive training over a seven week period designed to help them develop the skills, knowledge and relationships necessary to function effectively in the field. The seven week training session begins on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 and will take place each on Tuesday and Thursday evenings through March 3, 2011.
Training will take place in the Downtown area followed by a graduation ceremony at City Hall typically presided over by Mayor Villaraigosa with the Police and Fire Departments.
Residents interested in learning more about volunteering for the Crisis Response Team should contact Jeffrey Zimerman, Crisis Response Team Manager at 213-978-0697 or by e-mail: LACRT@lacity.org.
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA ANNOUNCES LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER ACHIEVES GOLD LEED CERTIFICATION
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Villaraigosa announced that the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) has achieved the prestigious Gold level certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
“I am especially proud of the Los Angeles Convention Center for their continued commitment to investing in our green economy and environmental stewardship,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “We are now one step closer to reaching our vision of being the greenest big city in the U.S.”
LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most.
“When comparing new construction projects to existing buildings (EB), EB facilities don’t have the luxury of incorporating pre-planned green measures,” SAID Rey Castro, Chief Building Engineer of the Los Angeles Convention Center. “This makes it all the more challenging and costly to achieve LEED-EB status at any level for any facility.
According to an LACC spokesperson, this accomplishment is considered by many city stakeholders to be more pronounced as the LACC’s LEED-EB re-certification application process began last year in the midst of business pressures and calamities common to all sectors which could have derailed significant progress made over the past few years.
“While our primary goal, albeit challenging, was to achieve the LEED-EB Silver level, surpassing that goal by achieving LEED-EB Re-Certification at the Gold level defines the culture of excellence at LACC,” stated Pouria Abbassi, P.E., CEO and General Manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
“This monumental achievement is a true testament to the tireless efforts of the women and men of the Los Angeles Convention Center in pursuing the center's "best of class" goals in environmental stewardship. I am honored to represent the Convention Center,” said City of Los Angeles 9th District Councilwoman Jan Perry.
LACC was the only and largest existing building in the City of Los Angeles building / facility portfolio to become LEED-EB certified back in September of 2008. Today, LACC attains the LEED-EB Gold level for 4.1 million square feet of built on a 54 acre property that was opened back in 1971 with the newest portion completed 17 years ago in 1993. LACC now becomes the largest convention center in the nation to achieve this milestone.
“I believe the Los Angeles Convention Center’s commitment to excellence in environmental stewardship will resonate with the many generations to come,” said Lance William, PhD, Executive Director of U.S. Green Building Council – Los Angeles Chapter.
“We look forward to working with our green partners to explore and incorporate even more energy efficient systems, state-of-the-art technologies, and environmental processes in the construct of our business, in supporting our community and in reflecting the best of Los Angeles,” added Abbassi.
LACC is underway to enhance its eco-friendly commitment with new “green” programs like exploring thermal storage and creating green space for the surrounding community.
ABOUT LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER
LACC is a model environmental-friendly facility. Its solar panels are capable of meeting electricity needs of an estimated 100 homes, and it’s recycling, energy efficiency, and water conservation programs help to conserve the environment. LACC uses biodegradable food service ware through its 11 public food outlets, and is registered with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) as a member of the Los Angeles and National Chapter and holds the prestigious USGBC LEED certification for existing buildings.
For more information visit: www.lacclink.com.
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