Welcome to the First Council District webpage. Below you will find updates from the community.

 

AUGUST 26, 2013
GREETING FROM COUNCILMEMBER GIL CEDILLO

Last week was consumed with contract agreement talks with the Department of Water and Power (DWP) and efforts by my office to support the Los Angeles River revitalization. The mural ordinance vote motion was scheduled to take place last week, but was moved twice due to union negotiation talks with DWP. The official vote will take place Wednesday, August 28^th at 10:00am at Council Chambers.

While at the Public Works committee, I heard a motion by my colleague, which eased the process for outdoor seating permits in a business corridor within his district. I quickly asked how we could emulate that in CD1. My legislative staff is working on a motion that will look at all the major corridors within CD1 and allow businesses within those zones to attain an outdoor seating permit without getting caught up in bureaucratic processes. We will cut red tape to begin the economic development transformation this district has been waiting for. Together we will make the First District #1!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Save Our Streets LA

On Thursday, my colleagues presented their plan to repair the streets of Los Angeles, also known as the Save Our Streets LA initiative. More than 8,700 lane miles of streets in the City need rehabilitation. Funding a program of this magnitude would require an additional $300 million annually for the next 10 years. Due to budgetary constraints and other competing needs, this level of funding for street rehabilitation is not feasible. At the rate the City is currently able to tackle this situation it would take 60 years to finish rehabilitating all 8,700 lane miles, barring any additional lane miles falling into critical disrepair. A General Obligation Bond, approved by the voters, is the only option to secure sufficient funding to accomplish this work within a realistic, 10-year timeframe. At the conclusion of the proposed Bond program, all failed and nearly failed streets would be rehabilitated and the City could reasonably maintain the entire public street system in good condition through available sources of funding.

The resolution before the council called for the placing of a 20-year $3 billion Street Repair and Safety General Obligation Bond Program on the May 21, 2013 General Municipal Election Ballot with all work to be performed in 10 years.

Los Angeles and DWP Reach an Agreement

Mayor Eric Garcetti reached an agreement this week for a four-year contract with Department of Water and Power (DWP) workers. It is estimated that the City will save $6.1 billion over 30 years. The agreed upon contract would:

-Delay a raise that was scheduled for October 1^st until 2016 and limit it to 2%
-Reduce starting salaries for many classifications of new employees
-Give the mayor more control over work rules that produce extra income for DWP workers

LA River Plan Approved At Council

Friday, the members of the LA City Council unanimously spoke in favor of, and voted for, the LA River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study alternative resolution. The Los Angeles River watershed was selected as one of only seven nationwide first phase pilots of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, an implementation piece of the America's Great Outdoors initiative, which aims to "stimulate regional and local economies, create local jobs, improve quality of life, and protect Americans' health by revitalizing urban waterways in under-served communities across the country." The Study was selected as the top priority of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership in Los Angeles. In 2013, the Army Corps of Engineers developed a final array of four "best buy" alternatives for the Study and only one of those alternatives includes both significant restoration at the Los Angeles River's confluence with the Verdugo Wash near the City's border with the City of Glendale, and the only substantial western bank connection-providing a profound hydrological link between the Los Angeles State Historic Park (Cornfields site) and the river, leveraging a significant investment made by the State of California toward river restoration.

The City's Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan identified these two "opportunity areas" as critical opportunities for restoration. The Council, with the concurrence of the Mayor, by the adoption of this Resolution, endorsed a Study alternative that results in the most expansive ecosystem restoration, and sets the following as priorities for the City of Los Angeles:

-Verdugo Wash Confluence
-Taylor Yard/Bowtie
-Taylor Yard/G-2
-Arroyo Seco Confluence
-Cornfields LA State Historic Park
-Piggyback Yard (Union Pacific Railroad)

This resolution will put us in a position to help leverage resources and partnerships to finally restore the LA River.

FIELD UPDATE

Conversation with Chinatown/Victor Heights/Solano Canyon

The 2013 Listening Tour made a stop at Chinatown/Victor Heights/Solano Canyon. Team Cedillo was greeted by a room full of 120 local community members at Castelar Elementary School in Chinatown. For the first time in listening tour history, we translated into more than two languages: Chinese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Among the issues raised by the community were public safety, the need for youth programs, and more open space.

NEWS UPDATE

Cathedral 12th Annual Alumni Gala

Cathedral High School in Solano Canyon celebrated their 12th Anniversary Gala this past Saturday. Hundreds of alumnae were present to celebrate their alma mater at Dodger Stadium. Council Member Cedillo was in attendance to welcome the group before the festivities began. It was an evening of food and dancing with music from the eras. There was something for everyone. The Council Member was received by the School's President, Martin Farfan, and the Principal, Brother John Montgomery. Cathedral has been educating young men in the Lasallian tradition for over 100 years, preparing them for success in the world.

Fresh Start

Over 20,000 people were in attendance at SEIU United Long Term Care Worker's Fresh Start Back to School Festival at Dodger Stadium. Children could be found at the resource fair with ice cream in hand and proudly wearing their new Dodger backpacks. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers, a plethora of resources were available to the community, including enrolling families for health care through Covered California.

Councilmember Cedillo volunteered and handed out back packs to children as they were greeted with high fives.

With a new haircut and school supplies, students were ready go back to school with a Fresh Start for the school year and a "Fresh Start" in the communities.

Chinatown Summer Nights

Chinatown was bustling with energy, packed restaurants, food trucks, and families enjoying the culture of the final 2013 Chinatown Summer Nights. A joint effort with the Chinatown Business Improvement District and KCRW, Chinatown Summer Nights highlights all that Chinatown has to offer in a safe and clean environment during the summer. Councilmember Cedillo was toured around Chinatown's hotspots like the Starry Kitchen, the historic General Lee's, and Via Cafe by BID President George Yu. Confetti and dancing provided for a block party environment suitable for all ages. The First District looks forward to more community events like this to bring us together and showcase the great businesses that call CD1 home.

Becoming Kingdom Ready Job & Resource Fair

Councilmember Cedillo attended Becoming Kingdom Ready's Job and Resource Fair in Highland Park. Resources were available to the community to prepare them for the workforce. New haircuts and resume workshops were made available to participants.

Becoming Kingdom Ready, a non-profit, faith-based organization, has been empowering the community through their gang and drug intervention program with the leadership of Evangelist Wayne Turner. BKR is an organization in the First District that is working diligently to turn lives around.

LA River Press Conference

Members of the community joined Councilmembers Cedillo, O’Farrell and LaBonge, Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez and the offices of Congressmembers Roybal-Allard, Schiff and Becerra, Senator de Leon, and the Friends of the LA River for a press conference to push for LA River revitalization efforts. Taking place at the intersections of Broadway and Avenue 19, the press conference was held at the Downey Recreation Center Pool, located alongside the LA River. Councilmember Cedillo spoke about the need, and his commitment, to engage the community and leverage the funds necessary to revitalize the River to its full potential. The press conference called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider adopting the most expansive plan for the River revitalization. Also known as Alternative 20, this option would bring four projects to CD1, one to CD13, and another to CD4.

Councilmember Cedillo will continue to work with his colleagues and coalition members to push the Army Corps to adopt Alternative 20. The Army Corps is expected to make their recommendation public on September 20^th, 2013.

 

SEPTEMBER 16, 2013

Greeting from Councilmember Gil Cedillo

We had another productive week at CD1. I was able to enjoy and support multiple arts and music events in the district, which supports the district's priority to increase Arts & Culture. The children at the Lincoln Heights Youth Arts Center melted my heart this past week. I joined a recital by Lincoln Heights youth, many of whom had picked up an instrument for the first time in their lives, and in four short weeks mastered the art of music. I also joined my good friend Yancey Quinones at Antigua Coffee House for NELA Art Walk. Using the local coffee shop as a gallery, Yancey has been able to provide an innovative and creative space to showcase local artists. I encourage other communities to create arts and music programs in the district. Our youth and residents deserve an opportunity to broaden their horizons through art and music.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Cedillo Continues to Push for LA River Revitalization

This week Councilmember Cedillo wrote letters to the President of the United States and the entire LA Congressional delegation thanking them for their continued support of the LA River and urging them to support the most comprehensive plan for the LA River Revitalization, also known as Option 20. This project includes the following project:
-Verdugo Wash Confluence
-Taylor Yard/Bowtie
-Taylor Yard/G-2
-Arroyo Seco Confluence
-Cornfields LA State Historic Park
-Piggyback Yard (Union Pacific Railroad)

A report from the Army Corps of Engineers is expected soon, which will delineate their suggestion for the breath of the revitalization. The majority of the proposed projects fall within CD1 jurisdiction. It is for this reason that Councilmember Cedillo will continue to push for all the proposed projects in the plan. A motion authored by the Councilmember will reach City Council next Friday. Join us for a press conference before the council meeting in support of the LA River on Friday, August 23rd at 9:00am at Downey Recreation Center (1772 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90031).

Crazy Socks Day at City Council

On Wednesday, Councilmember Cedillo joined his council colleagues in wearing crazy socks on Crazy Socks Day. This initiative, spearheaded by Council President Herb Wesson, is meant to inspire a friendly sock collection drive between the council offices. The goal is to collectively get 1,500 - 15,000 pairs of socks donated during a two week period culminating in a short council presentation/video that will illustrate how important socks are to the LA homeless population. The office that collects the most socks will have bragging rights. All socks will benefit the Midnight Mission in Downtown Los Angeles.

FIELD UPDATE

Cedillo Listens to Pico Union/University Park

On Thursday, the 2013 Listening Tour stopped at Pico Union/University Park. The Councilmember and his staff was greeted by a group of 150 residents from the community at the Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center in Pico Union. Participants were broken up into small groups, where they were encouraged to share ideas and concerns in the following issue areas: Public Safety, Environment, Arts & Crafts, and Economic Development. The group unanimously spoke up against dumping of furniture and trash on curbsides, and a disproportionate amount of marijuana dispensaries in the area (18) and prostitution, that creates public safety concerns, especially for youth in the area. The LAPD was on hand to lend support for the community meeting. The Councilmember will follow up on the marijuana and prostitution concerns with LAPD, in hopes that increased paroles will mitigate the situation.

Ana Gomez, Pico Union/Westlake, Koreatown/University Park/Temple Beaudry Field Deputy, will create a report from the findings in every group and address the issue with the help of the community.

Affordable Housing for Seniors Comes to MacArthur Park

On Thursday, Councilmember Cedillo helped celebrate the grand opening of Parkview on the Park, an 80-unit apartment building across the street from MacArthur Park that's designed as a modern, transit-oriented, community of affordable housing for seniors. Half of the units are reserved for older adults who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, as well as military veterans.

The building was a five-story Art Deco hotel dating from the 1920s with 198 small rooms and shared bathrooms. Extensively rehabilitated over 18 months by the Los Angeles Housing Partnership using a variety of local, state and federal funding, Parkview on the Park now features furnished larger units with their own kitchen and full bath.

More than 8,000 square feet of Parkview on the Park is devoted to common areas within the building. Each of the floors features a resident lounge and a laundry room. Other amenities include a library, fitness center, arts and crafts/community room, a community kitchen, computer classroom, and a vegetable and community gardens. Social services are provided to the residents by two social workers from Affordable Living for the Aging, who are on site Monday through Saturday.

The Councilmember welcomes and invites more affordable housing to the District.

Lincoln Heights Youth Discover Music

Last Saturday, Council Member Cedillo attended the Music LA Summer Showcase at the Lincoln Heights Youth Arts Center. An array of talent was displayed by the children, whose ages ranged from 4-12. It is apparent that the instructors, who are professional musicians themselves, have transferred their skills onto their students. Gilberto Torres' band consisted of flute, piano, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, and drums and percussion sections. Students performed pieces from classical legends, such as Beethoven and Mozart on the piano. In Inez Woods' guitar class, students learned different techniques for playing the guitar, along with the "call and response" performance style, as was demonstrated in their La Bamba/Twist & Shout Medley.

Achievement awards were distributed by the Councilmember as proud parents stood by taking pictures. Program Manager Angelica Loa Perez has assembled an amazing program that is supported by her talented staff to unleash the talent Lincoln Heights children have within themselves. Councilmember Cedillo was thoroughly impressed by the talent and anticipates the growth of this program and hopes to see more music and art programs throughout the district.

The students were so grateful with the investment and commitment Councilmember Cedillo has made, that they wrote thank you letters for his support and attendance at their recital.

NELA Art Walk

On Saturday, Councilmember Cedillo attended two galleries at the NELA Art Walk. Sponsored by the Northeast Los Angeles Arts (NELAart) the Art Walk brings together local artists and arts enthusiasts for a night of art appreciation.

NELAart is based in Highland Park and consists of galleries and art organizations located in Northeast Los Angeles who are dedicated to increase the visibility of the thriving arts community in the area. Northeast Los Angeles has a long tradition in the arts. Many working artists now continue this tradition by making their homes and having their studios here. The neighborhood is also home to many galleries, alternative arts spaces and arts organizations. NELAart provides a resource to share information and ideas, and assist in promoting galleries and organizations.

Yancey Quinones, owner and attendant at Antigua Coffee House (3400 N. Figueroa St., 90065), showed the Councilmember around the innovatively used underground art tunnel. Kathy Gallegos from Avenue 50 Studio greeted the Councilmember and showed him around her gallery. Councilmember Cedillo hopes to bring a rebirth of Arts and Culture to the First Council District. Thank you NELAart for your efforts to bring arts to the Northeast.

NEWS UPDATE

Cedillo Meets with Political Representatives

On Wednesday Councilmember Cedillo hosted a meeting in City Hall with Consul Generals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, and a representative from the National Commission for Immigrants of Honduras and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The meeting was held to forge relationships between LAPD and the Latin American Community, and to address local immigration issues and Special Order 7 (impoundment of vehicles of unlicensed drivers).

Continuing his working relationship with LAPD, Cedillo called a meeting with concerned Latino political representatives over the most pressing issues facing their communities. Citing clean and safe neighborhoods at the top of their agenda, community leaders also expressed concerns over the stalled immigration reform movement and the most recent court decision by Superior Court Judge Terry Green to strike down LAPD's vehicle impound policy for unlicensed drivers.

Three items were agreed upon as a result of this discussion. Councilmember Cedillo's office will help facilitate:

1. Urging the House of Representatives to promptly pass bipartisan immigration reform legislation that mirrors S.744 passed by the Senate, and ultimately signing it into law by the President.

2. Asking LAPD Chief Beck to continue to enforce Special Order 7 until the Court drafts its final ruling, at which time the Councilmember's office will work cooperatively with the City Attorney's Office to seek an appeal.

3. Work with the City Family to ensure appropriate outreach is being done to our Latino communities regarding available city services, for example our bulky item pick up to keep our streets clean, and our 311 system to assist families. The Councilmember will also continue to promote affordable housing policies that ensure adequate housing to meet the needs of CD1. 

1 Year of Deferred Action

On Thursday Councilmember Cedillo held a press conference to commemorate the one year anniversary of the application process for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. On June 15, 2012, President Obama signed a memo establishing deferred action (protection from deportation) for certain undocumented young people who came to the U.S. as children and met certain criteria. Applications under the DACA program began one year ago, on August 15, 2012. Since then, undocumented students have been granted deferred action, attained a driver's license and a work permit, transforming their lives and expanding their opportunities.

DACA assists undocumented youth who were brought to this Country as children by no fault of their own. CD1 currently has the honor of employing three DACA students, because they are the best and the brightest. These are individuals that have interned with the Councilmember's office for years (in the CA legislature) without monetary compensation because they could not legally attain employment. They were at the forefront when we passed the CA Dream Act in Sacramento. The press conference asked that the U.S. House of Representatives take note of how the lives of these youth has been transformed by this opportunity, and reminded them that millions more are still waiting for their opportunity. There was a strong push pass a comprehensive immigration reform program that benefits all immigrants in this country, providing a path to citizenship.