Englander E-News: New Website With Parking Tips, Holiday Donation Drives and More

Improving DWP Customer Service…

This week, I testified at the Los Angeles City Council’s Energy and Environment Committee regarding my motion to implement a customer call back feature for the Department of Water and Power (DWP)’s Customer Service System in order to minimize wait times and facilitate the needs of its customers.

The Department of Water and Power recently implemented its new Customer Information system which is a modernized billing system intended to facilitate customer service. Since its September 2013 installation, the System has been impacted by software glitches that have resulted in thousands of inaccurate bills for customers.Customers concerned about their inaccurate bills have called the Department’s customer help line to attempt to rectify their bills. However, many of the customers have complained about experiencing extremely long wait times. They have complained about being put hold; and then waiting approximately 45 minutes to an hour to talk to a customer representative.

As the DWP addresses these matters, it should also look at implementing a feature in its customer service system that allows customers to receive a call back from the Department instead of having to wait on hold. These customer call back systems have been used effectively in the private sector and function in a manner that ensures customers convenience.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

New Parking Enforcement Website Launched... 
On Wednesday, in an effort to improve customer service throughout the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti launched the new parking enforcement website.

The site lists routes within the City where parking restrictions are relaxed each day. You can also find your area’s street sweeping schedule which are arranged by Council District.Click here to view the street sweeping schedule for Council District 12.

The new website has been described as a beta-site which will be the precursor to a more comprehensive website for parking enforcement throughout the City.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District 

CD 12 and the North Valley Family YMCA Thanksgiving Basket Give Away…

This Monday, my office partnered with the North Valley YMCA to deliver over 3000 Thanksgiving meals to families in need throughout the San Fernando Valley.

The Thanksgiving Basket Give Away began 6 years ago with a goal of giving away 50 dinners to families in the San Fernando Valley. Last year, the YMCA donated an unprecedented 2700 Thanksgiving baskets and this year they have surpassed that by donating 3000 baskets at 28 locations. The Thanksgiving baskets included a turkey, vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, chicken broth, stuffing, dessert and a $10 gift card for each family.

Thank you to the over 500 volunteers and sponsors for supporting our partnership with the North Valley Family YMCA. These 3000 meals will feed over 12,000 people throughout the Valley this Thanksgiving.

Devonshire Community Police Station Dedicates New Roll Call Room…

This week, I was happy to join the Los Angeles Police Department Devonshire Division’s Captain Kris Pitcher and the Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire (S.O.L.I.D.) in dedicating the Roll Call Room at Devonshire Community Police Station.

S.O.L.I.D. raised over $40,000 to fund the reconstruction of the roll call and break rooms which were in deplorable conditions. The newly renovated roll call room will be used by officers daily for briefings prior to starting their patrol duties. The room will also be used regularly for training, Neighborhood Watch meetings, and other community meetings.

Formed in 1990, S.O.L.I.D. is a non-profit organization that provides officers in the Devonshire Division of the Los Angeles Police Department with resources which the City of Los Angeles does not provide and supports Community Policing efforts.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

New Porter Ranch Community Signs Unveiled...

This week, I was pleased to unveil eight new community signs for the neighborhood of Porter Ranch. The signs were put up as a result of a petition from the residents of Porter Ranch to identify the boundaries of this unique community.

The new Porter Ranch Community Signs are posted at the following locations: Aliso Canyon and Rinaldi Street; 118 Freeway and Wilbur Avenue; 118 freeway and Tampa Avenue; 118 Freeway and Corbin Avenue; 118 Freeway and Porter Ranch Drive; 118 Freeway and Mason Avenue; 118 Freeway and Rinaldi Street; and the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council Office.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

VIDEO: CD 12 Business of the Month-Brent's Deli...

The Lung Cancer Alliance's Shine a Light Vigil...
Our Field Deputy, Jessie Levine, attended the First Shine A Light Vigil in Northridge last Saturday evening. Shine A Light Vigil is a vigil to recognize those touched by cancer with a program including a moment of silence, an acknowledgement of survivors or a slide show tribute. Here in Northridge, the committee honored the dedication of the doctors, nurses and caretakers from the Leavey Cancer Center located at Dignity Health, Northridge Hospital Medical Center. Many thanks to Lynda Zimmer, the Planning Committee for Shine A Light Vigil for Lung Cancer and the Lung Cancer Alliance for such a heartwarming event.

For more information about Shine A Light Vigil, please visithttp://www.lungcanceralliance.org/shinealightonlungcancer/

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Parks Operations...
The Department of Recreation and Parks is holding community workshops throughout the city to seek input and comments for their next fiscal year. The Department has created a survey to strategically plan the delivery of maintenance services and provide operational support to parks and recreation centers. The full schedule of meetings is available at http://laparks.com/pdf/comInput.pdf.

It fill out the survey please visit www.laparks.org.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Sign Up Now for One-On-One Help With Representatives of City Departments at Our Community Service Center...
We are now taking reservations for community members to meet one-on-one with representatives of City Departments at our Community Service Center in Chatsworth.

We have regularly scheduled time slots for community members to meet with the Planning, Police, Transportation (LADOT), Housing, Community Development and Neighborhood Empowerment Departments and the Bureau of Sanitation. This will offer community members a chance to get information and assistance in Chatsworth without having to travel all the way to Downtown.

The following Departments are currently taking appointments:

Department of Building and Safety
Tuesday, December 3
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Our Community Service Center is located at 9207 Oakdale Ave., Second Floor, in Chatsworth.

For more information call Kathy Lettieri at 818-882-1212 or emailKathy.Lettieri@lacity.org.

CSUN Administrator Meet and Greet…
Residents of Northridge, here is your chance to meet key administrators that work in California State University Northridge. This meeting is an opportunity to discuss campus happenings, hear your concerns on an array of issues and, most importantly, strengthen the overall communication between the campus and immediate surrounding community.

Monday, December 2
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

CSUN Sierra Hall, Whitsett Room (4th Floor)
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge

Please feel free to share this information with other university neighbors whom might be interested. For planning purposes, we appreciate your RSVP by November 25 to Susan Widelitz at susan.widelitz@csun.edu or(818) 677-2123.

LAPD Devonshire PALS 30th Annual Holiday Toy Drive...
CD 12 is proud to support the toy drive for underserved youth in our community hosted by the LAPD Devonshire PALS Center. Toys can be dropped off at our Community Service Center located at:

Council District 12
Community Service Center
9207 Oakdale Ave.
Chatsworth

PALS Center
8721 Wilbur Ave.
Northridge

Devonshire Police Station
10250 Etiwanda Ave.
Northridge

The final day to drop off toys is Friday, December 13. The 30th Annual Toy Drive is on December 14 at 9:00 AM. 

Please help us present 1,000 local children with toys at this year's event!

We are looking for community groups and businesses to help us collect toys by organizing toy drives and collecting personal donations. A toy collection box can be provided upon request. If you are interested, please contact Jessie Levine, Field Deputy at (818) 882-1212 orjessie.levine@lacity.org

Parents need to attend with their children to receive a toy. No reservations are necessary.

Valley Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s Holiday Concert…
Come and enjoy your Valley's young musicians in a winter concert for the whole family, led by distinguished Conductor, Dr. Henry Shin.Sunday, December 15
7:30 pm

In Christ Community Church (former World Vision Church)
19514 Rinaldi St.
NorthridgeProgram includes Verdi, Strauss, Rodgers, Borodin & Holiday Music. For advance discount tickets contact Jackie at 213-458-4618orjackiek818@juno.com. http://valleyphil.org

Granada Hills Clothing Drive…
The Granada Hills Woman's Club will be collecting used clothing for Genesis House, a home for homeless women and children and Hope of the Valley rescue mission. Gently used men's, women's and children's clothing is needed. Clothing can be brought to the Council Office or the Granada Hills Chamber office.

Council District 12 Community Service Center
9207 Oakdale Ave.
Chatsworth

Granada Hills Woman's Club
10666 White Oak Ave.
Granada Hills

If you need more information pleases call Virginia Snow at (818) 363-0848.

San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center’s Toy Drive…
Please help the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center provide gifts to our deserving children by donating a new toy or gift for infants through teenagers. New toys or gifts may be dropped off at:

San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center’s
16360 Roscoe Blvd., 2nd Floor
Van Nuys

The last day to drop-off toys is Monday, December 23.

For more information please call (818) 901-4830 or visit our website atwww.MovingLivesForward.org.