September 2000

Yaroslavsky Speaks Out on MTA Strike - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has issued the following statement regarding the MTA strike, which began on Saturday, September 16:

"This strike is a tragedy for the nearly 500,000 people who daily use our buses and trains to get to work, school, the doctor or other critical destinations. It is all the more tragic for being totally unnecessary. Right up until the bus drivers' union decided to strike, it had shown little desire to engage in substantive talks with the MTA representatives.

At $98 per hour, the MTA’s bus operating costs are among the highest in the nation. In comparison, it costs Long Beach $67 per hour and Santa Monica $65 per hour to operate their buses. Santa Monica's bus company pays nearly the same wages as does the MTA, but runs its bus system more efficiently, free of the MTA's type of antiquated work rules.

The MTA has treated its employees extremely well. The total compensation package for transit workers here is greater than at almost any other transit system in the United States. Approximately 40% of the MTA’s bus drivers and nearly 57% of its mechanics earn between $55,000 and $85,000 per year. Employee health benefits are 100% subsidized by the MTA, and many of these employees can retire with a full pension after only 23 years of service – one of the richest pension packages in the nation.

Nevertheless, the MTA has still offered a pay raise for the next three years and an increase in benefits, asking only in return for some concessions on overtime and work rules to reduce its $45 million annual operating deficit. Failure to do so will only increase the pressure to hike bus fares from the current $1.35 to $1.55 or more.

This strike hurts the transit dependent of Los Angeles County the most. My colleagues and I are prepared to work around the clock to settle this strike, and I will use every tool at my disposal to keep the unions at the table and to get the buses back on the street."

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Board Approves Hollywood Bowl Renovation - On Tuesday, September 12, the Board of Supervisors unanimously granted final approval for a project to renovate the Hollywood Bowl shell and stage areas. The plans call for the existing shell to be demolished and replaced with a new structure that integrates the classic elliptical Art Deco form of the shell's original 1928 design with state-of-the-art acoustics and lighting technology. Yaroslavsky explained that the project is to be completed in two phases: the stage and dressing room improvements will be finished in time for the Summer 2001 season, while the replacement of the shell will be completed in time for the Summer 2002 season. On Yaroslavsky's motion, the completed Hollywood Bowl Performing Arts Complex will be designated as "Los Angeles County Cultural Landmark No. 1," and nominated for listing by the County's Historic Landmarks and Records Commission. For further information on the project, click here for the Hollywood Bowl Website.

Yaroslavsky Microchip Pet-Protection Plan Approved - An innovative proposal by Yaroslavsky to utilize microchips to protect pets adopted out from County shelters won Board approval on September 19. Yaroslavsky's plan calls for County shelters to implant tiny microchips in the pets as they are adopted, which then transmit vital data to a database maintained by the County's Animal Care and Control Department. Lost pets can be more quickly found and retrieved, reuniting them with their owners and minimizing the need for euthanasia of orphaned animals.

Board Approves Yaroslavsky/Molina Wage Hike Proposal for In-Home Support Service Workers - On September 12, the Board approved a joint motion by Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Gloria Molina to grant a $0.50/hr wage increase to some 74,000 in-home support services workers who help care for ailing seniors, the disabled and other homebound residents living independently as a preferred alternative to hospitalization. The motion also calls on Gov. Gray Davis and the Legislature to increase state financial participation in the program to permit additional wage increases. Yaroslavsky noted that the IHSS program saves state taxpayers millions of dollars annually by avoiding costly institutionalization, while at the same time offering a modicum of dignity and independence for the clients.

Yaroslavsky Unveils Metro Rail Red Line Parking Improvement Plan - Acting on a proposal advanced by Yaroslavsky, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is moving to ease a frustrating parking shortage for park-and-riders utilizing the Metro Red Line's North Hollywood and Universal City Stations. The plans call for restriping the North Hollywood station lot to add 74 spaces, and restriping the existing Universal Studios lot to add 54 spaces. In addition, a new temporary lot will be constructed at the NW corner of Lankershim Blvd. and Chandler Blvd., offering an additional 205 spaces. Yaroslavsky said transit officials hope to have the parking improvements completed within the next few months.

Board Approves Yaroslavsky/Antonovich Sober-Living Plan - On August 29, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a joint motion by Yaroslavsky and Supervisor Mike Antonovich to convene a Sober Living and Congregate Housing Task Force to examine oversight and accountability issues surrounding the County's privately operated sober-living facilities and report back in six months with recommendations for improvements. Such facilities are an important part of drug and alcohol rehab programs, as well as a sentencing component in the criminal justice system, but Yaroslavsky noted that formal certification and adequate monitoring are presently lacking.

Yaroslavsky Wins Approval for Needle-Exchange Program to Curb Spread of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis - Also on August 29, the Board of Supervisors approved Yaroslavsky's motion to direct County health officials to develop a plans to implement a controlled needle-exchange program, on a replacement basis only, to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases among injection-drug users, their partners, and their children. The plan will address such issues as proper certification of program operators, operation and monitoring of the programs, refining their role as a bridge to drug treatment, and requirements for notifying and working with affected communities.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Set for Agoura-Calabasas - Supervisor Yaroslavsky has announced an upcoming Countywide Household Hazardous Waste Roundup at the the Calabasas Landfill, 5300 Lost Hills Road, on Saturday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Further information may be obtained by calling toll-free, at (1-888) CLEAN-LA, or (1-888) 253-2652.

Board Approves Yaroslavsky Senior Estate Planning Proposal - Also on September 12, the Board unanimously approved Yaroslavsky's motion to establish a Countywide "hotline" to refer seniors with modest estates to available legal services to assist with their estate planning needs to protect their assets from exploitation.

Yaroslavsky Calls "911" To Rescue County Trauma System - Also on September 12, the Board of Supervisors adopted Yaroslavsky's motion to authorize County health and budget officials to negotiate temporary agreements with private trauma hospitals to preserve the County's 13-hospital trauma care network for the next two years. Yaroslavsky's proposal also calls for development of a legislative action plan aimed at restoring the State partnership role in supporting the trauma system in Los Angeles County and Statewide.

Board Takes Up Yaroslavsky Call to Extend County Initiative-Petition Verification Process - The Board of Supervisors on August 29 also unanimously approved Yaroslavsky's motion calling for state legislation to extend from 30 to 60 days the allotted time for counties to verify signatures to qualify initiative petitions for the ballot. Yaroslavsky's proposal came in the wake of the controversy surrounding the County Registrar-Recorder's failure to certify a proposed term-limit initiative for lack of valid signatures. Subsequent checking revealed enough valid signatures to qualify.

Yaroslavsky Announces Public Works Projects - Yaroslavsky has announced Board approval of the following public works projects in the Third District:

• Calabasas Sewage Pump Upgrade - Yaroslavsky announced a project will soon be underway to upgrade the Ulmus Drive Sewage Pump Station in Calabasas in order to increase its efficiency in delivering sewage over the mountains to the treatment plant. The renovation should be finished by March 2001 and may mildly disrupt traffic, but local access will be maintained at all times.

• Hollyhills Storm Drain Contract - Yaroslavsky announced Board approval of a contract with Brea-based Southern California Underground Contractors, Inc. to replace three connector pipes that tie into the storm drain system along San Vicente Boulevard in the Beverly Hills area. Yaroslavsky said that approximately 200 feet of pipe would be installed to connect the street drains with the main storm drain as part of the larger ongoing project to improve storm drainage in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and surrounding areas.

• Yard Waste Recycling Program - Yaroslavsky has announced Board approval of a $1.5 million contract to Los Angeles-based Environmental Science Associates to help establish a comprehensive Countywide yard waste program over the next three years. The program will promote backyard composting, grass recycling, and water-conserving gardening techniques throughout the County.

• Flood Control Channels To Be Cleared - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has announced plans to clear debris and overgrown vegetation from flood control channel rights-of-way in the County's West Area. Yaroslavsky explained that clearing overgrown vegetation and debris from channels would ensure maximum capacity for storm flows in the County. The County Department of Public Works will unseal contract bids to perform the work on September 26. The Department will administer the project to help ready the flood control systems for the winter storm season.

Yaroslavsky Announces Commission Appointments in September (+ designates reappointments)

09/19/00 Hal Helsley, Regional Planning Commission (permanent appt.)

09/12/00 Paul M. Kim+, Commission on Judicial Procedures

09/12/00 Bernard Siegel, Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities

09/12/00 Karen Verham, Point Dume Community Services District

09/05/00 Marilyn Fried, Adult Day Health Care Planning Council

09/05/00 Hal Helsley, Regional Planning Commission (emergency appt.)

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