Englander E-News: Enforcing Quality Street Repairs

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS

Nov. 18, 2011

Working to Improve City Street Repair Work...

We introduced a motion on Wednesday, Nov. 16 calling for better enforcement of the City's quality standards on road repair work done by private contractors. Every year, the City issues over 10,000 permits for utility installation and repairs on the public right of way, and many of them involve removing and repaving large sections of City streets.

Although the City must be notified before the work is done, and the work must be inspected to ensure it is up to traffic safety and quality control standards, that is often not the case. The road repairs are often not up to standards and that compromises the integrity and safety of the streets.

Similar problems involving sewer construction have been mitigated by raising bonding requirements and tightening oversight of contractors. The motion calls for the Bureau of Contract Administration and the Bureau of Engineering to report to the Public Works Committee with recommendations on similar solutions to ensure that all street repairs are up to the City's standards.

Supporting Efforts to Mitigate Odors Problems at Sunshine Canyon Landfill...

We introduced a resolution this week in support of the South Coast Air Quality Management District's (SCAQMD) petition to amend the stipulated order of abatement between the AQMD and Republic/BFI in response to the hundreds of verified odor complaints received concerning the Sunshine Canyon Landfill.
Click here to see the full resolution.
The petition requires that many improvements be made to the landfill's gas collection and flaring systems and requires an onsite independent environmental monitor. The SCAQMD Hearing Board will convene in Granada Hills at the Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Saturday, Dec. 3
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences
10445 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills
Click here for a map.

Come to the Holiday Toy Express and Support the Toy Drive for At-Risk Kids...

Get ready for the Holiday Toy Express, the Metrolink train covered in 50,000 colorful holiday lights, with animated displays, live entertainment, Santa and more, stopping at Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station on Friday, Nov. 18.

Come enjoy a free holiday party with your whole family, and bring unwrapped, new toys to donate to the Devonshire PALS (Police Activity League) Youth Center and Spark of Love toy drive. All donated toys will go to struggling families in the community who may not be able to afford to buy holiday gifts for their kids.

PALS offers valuable after-school programs to offer at-risk youth in our community positive alternatives to crime, gangs and drugs. Please visit www.devonshire-pals.org.

The festivities include live performances by the Woman's Quartet-from River Oaks Chorus, and the Chatsworth Hills Academy Glee Club, and free popcorn provided by Councilmember Mitchell Englander.

We are co-sponsoring this great holiday event, together with the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, Chatsworth Community Coordinating Council, Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce, the LAFD, LAPD and other local organizations.

Friday, Nov. 18
6:30 pm - festivities start
8:15 pm - train arrives
Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station
10046 Old Depot Plaza Rd., Chatsworth
Click here for a map.

This is the only opportunity to see the train in the west San Ferando Valley, so don't miss out! For a full event schedule and listing of all the stops please go to www.metrolinktrains.com/holidayexpress.

Street Closure for Construction of Canoga Orange Line...

As part of the construction of the Canoga Ave. Orangeline busway extension, Nordhoff St. from Canoga Ave. to Deering Ave. will be closed Friday, November 18, 9:00 pm, until 6:00 am on Monday, Nov. 21.

Crews will remove the asphalt and place new Portland Cement Concrete and new asphalt concrete pavement on Nordhoff St. The closure will not affect north-south traffic along Canoga Ave.

Metro’s Orange Line Extension on Canoga Ave. is progressing rapidly. The 4-
mile dedicated busway will run from the Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station to the endpoint of the Orange Line dedicated busway at Warner Center in
Woodland Hills, providing a vital mass transit link to the residents and
businesses of the Northwest Valley.

For more information, call Metro Community Relations at (213) 922-3668
or (818) 701-2827 or email molextension@metro.nett or visit
www.metro.net/projects/orangeline.

Help Provide Thanksgiving Dinners to Struggling Families...

Councilmember Mitchell Englander and the entire CD 12 staff are volunteering on Monday, Nov. 21 to help North Valley Family YMCA distribute 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners to struggling families. You can be part of this wonderful annual effort by the YMCA by volunteering or donating food or money.

Turkey Donation Challenge!

Councilmember Englander is donating $1,000 to the Thanksgiving dinner program, and will donate an additional $5 for every whole turkey donated by an individual. So bring a turkey to donate to the YMCA and help us give even more to this wonderful event!

Each year, the North Valley Family YMCA distributes baskets with a turkey and all the fixings so that a family can have their own complete Thanksgiving dinner at home. It is hard to express how important it is for a family that is barely able to keep afloat during these tough economic times to be able to provide their kids with a Thankgsiving dinner.

The YMCA needs donations of frozen turkeys, $10 gift certificates for Ralph's or Food 4 Less and donations of canned cranberries, pumpkin, green beans, gravy, boxed mashed potatoes and other Thanksgiving food items. Monetary donations are always welcome.

You can drop off a check made out to "YMCA" or food items at the YMCA Monday through Friday, 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, Saturday 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, or Sunday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Checks can also be mailed to Sisy Sagastume, North Valley Family YMCA, 11336 Corbin Ave., Porter Ranch CA 91326.

Volunteers are also needed for Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20 to help prepare the baskets.

To sign up, donate, or for more information, please call Sisy Sagastume at the North Valley Family YMCA at (818) 368-3231 ext. 2304.

Encino Farmers' Market Open Through Winter...

Come shop for farm fresh produce, delicious prepared food and arts and crafts every Sunday at the Encino Farmers' Market.

Many farmers' markets are closed during the winter, but Encino Farmers' Market stays open year round, so you can find those delicious items that are in season during the winter, such as mushrooms, clementines, root vegetables, brussel sprouts and caulifower.

Every Sunday
8:00 am to 1:00 pm
ONEGeneration Center
17400 Victory Blvd., Lake Balboa

This certified farmers' market features a wide variety of California grown fruits, vegetables, fresh flowers, eggs and chicken, honey, mushrooms, plants, and more! Every other Sunday you can have your knives sharpened, which will help your fine cutlery last a lifetime.

To find more farmers markets in your neighborhood, visit the California Federation of Certified Farmers' Markets online farmers' market finder. 

Honoring City Attorney Unit that Defends Police in Lawsuits and Saves Millions in Taxpayer Dollars...

We were proud to present commendations to the City Attorney's Civil Litigation Unit in City Council, in recognition of 20 years of service to the City of Los Angeles. We were joined by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.

The unit was formed in 1991 by then Chief of Police Daryl Gates and City Attorney James Hahn in order to defend the men and women of the LAPD involved in civil litigation arising from police incidents. On average, the Unit carries a case load of up to 200 civil cases at any given time and has represented thousands of Police Officers in civil lawsuits.

The Unit has a track record of winning 84% of all of their trial cases, and has saved the taxpayers of Los Angeles millions of dollars every year. They are one of the leading litigation units in the nation and they set the standards that other American law enforcement agencies strive to meet.

Street Sign Congratulating Granada Hills Charter High for Winning the 2011 National Academic Decathlon Championships...

I was proud to unveil a street sign on Thursday, Nov. 17 congratulating Granada Hills Charter High School on winning the 2011 National Academic Decathlon Championships. I was joined by school Executive Director Brian Bauer, the Academic Decathlon Team members, and over 100 students, teachers and parents.

It's a proud day when we can say that a school in our community is the best in America. The achievements of these amazing students is truly inspiring. To see our photo album from the event, visit our photo galleries page.
Congratulations!

Join Operation Gratitude and Help Support Our Troops Overseas During the Holidays...

There are only three more Holiday Assembly Days so come join Operation Gratitude and help assemble care packages to send to US troops serving overseas. The next assembly day is on Friday, Nov. 25

Friday, Nov. 25
Saturday, Nov. 26
Saturday, Dec. 17
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Operation Gratitude
National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys

Operation Gratitude is a San Fernando Valley-based non-profit that organizes volunteers and donors to put together care packages to ship to our troops serving overseas to offer them support and comforts from home. The care packages include everything from toiletries and snacks to books and letters of support.

Please RSVP to Volunteer Coordinator Penny Alfonso by sending an email to opgratvolunteer1@yahoo.com with "Operation Gratitude Volunteer" in the subject line.

Festival of Trees...

Don't miss Northridge Hospital Foundation's Festival of Trees, a three-day event where individuals and businesses can purchase, decorate, display and donate an artificial tree, wreath, centerpiece or handmade quilt for the Hospital's silent auction.

Enjoy live entertainment in the Magical Music Land with carolers, live bands and dance acts. Stop by Santa's Sweet Shop for hot cocoa, candy, fudge, cookies and other holiday treats.

The event raises funds to help Northridge Hospital purchase lifesaving equipment, technology and to support programs for the Richie Pediatric Trauma Center.

Opening Night
Thursday, Dec. 1
6:00 pm - Welcome & Reception
7:00 pm - Tree Lighting Ceremony & Silent Auction
21701 Prairie St., Chatsworth
Bid on exquisitely decorated trees, wreaths, centerpieces and quilts.
Tickets: $25. $15 presale before Friday, Nov. 18
For ticket sales information call (818) 885-5341 ext. 3

Festival Celebration
Friday, Dec. 2 & Saturday, Dec. 3
10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Entertainment & children’s activities, auctions on festival items.
Tickets: Adults - $5. Kids ages 3 to 12 - $3. Free for kids under 2.

For more information, visit or call (818) 885-5341 ext. 3

CMTC Offering Free Assistance to Manufacturers in the San Fernando Valley...

Our Field Deputy Erik Richardson is also our office's business liaison. He regularly offers information and resources to businesses in our District as part of our overall effort to help local companies thrive, create jobs and boost the economy.

He reports this week on a highly valuable service offered to small manufacturers by California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC). CMTC is a non-profit corporation that has been providing free consulting to small manufacturers in Southern California since 1992. CMTC operates through a cooperative agreement between the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership of the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the Department of Commerce.

CMTC's Small Manufacturers Advantage Program offers expertise and leadership to help small manufacturers identify and solve their problems. Their experienced consultants go to hundreds of small manufacturers every year, work with them to identify issues using their Company Snapshot assessment tool. Then they provide an improvement plan that the company keeps, that they can use to build higher productivity and profits. To learn more about this program, click here, call CMTC at (310) 263-3060 or email sma@cmtc.com.

For more information about CMTC's other programs, call (310) 263-3060 or email contact@cmtc.com. To sign up for CMTC's manufacturing email newsletter, click here.