July Archives

July 2004

Law Enforcement Sales Tax Update - On July 20, 2004, the Board of Supervisors agreed to submit to County voters on the November 2, 2004 ballot an ordinance to increase the sales tax by 1/2 cent to fund Countywide law enforcement services and crime-suppression programs. The measure would yield an estimated $560 million annually, and requires 2/3 voter approval for enactment.

County Claims Board Website Debuts - Interested residents can now log on to a new County Claims Board website for information on claims filed against the County of Los Angeles and recommended for settlement rather than litigation. Once approved by the Claims Board - comprising representatives of the Chief Administrative Officer, Auditor-Controller and County Counsel - the claim is calendared for final consideration by the Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky announces the new Sun Valley Park Multi-Use Project, part of an ongoing public/private effort led by his office to address environmental and flooding problems in the Sun Valley portion of the San Fernando Valley through an innovative combination of engineering and landscaping solutions. This project involves staggered tree plantings and infiltration and drainage systems to capture stormwater runoff for percolation into the ground and replenishment of the groundwater table. (7/21/04)

Yaroslavsky Cautions Feds on Westwood FBI Headquarters Project - Federal officials have announced plans to construct a new FBI headquarters with nearly a million square feet of new office space adjacent to the Federal Building at Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue in Westwood. Click here for the General Services Administration correspondence describing the project in more detail. In response, Supervisor Yaroslavsky sent a letter to the General Services Administration expressing concerns about resulting traffic congestion, parking shortages, and adverse impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.

West Nile Virus Update – Health officials consider West Nile Virus (WNV) to be a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in summer and continues into the early fall. Transmitted primarily by infected mosquitoes, it causes no symptoms in most people and requires no specific treatment. It is potentially serious, however, and in the minority of cases presenting more severe symptoms such as high fevers and dehydration, hospitalization may be necessary. On a motion by Supervisor Yaroslavsky, County health officials and vector-control district staff have been directed to organize a West Nile Virus training program at appropriate locations for park and recreation facility staff members on measures to reduce the threat to the public. Click WNV Board action for details; for the latest WNV updates, visit West Nile Virus information.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky takes a turn at the baton as Guest Conductor for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, leading the orchestra in "The Star-Spangled Banner" to open the evening program - a revival of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", dramatized by Glendale-based theatrical troupe A Noise Within and accompanied by Felix Mendelssohn's incidental score performed by the Philharmonic under the baton of Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen. Recalling the legendary 1934 production staged by internationally renowned German emigré director Max Reinhardt , the evening's special guest of honor was 84-year-old actor Mickey Rooney, who memorably reprised his role as Puck/Robin Goodfellow in the original Bowl production for the classic 1935 Warner Bros. film version the following year. (7/13/04)

Supervisor Yaroslavsky Invites You to “Summer Concerts in the Park” – Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky invites you to this year’s “Summer Concerts in the Park” series at El Cariso Park, located at 13100 Hubbard Street in Sylmar. Upcoming events include the Big Band and swing sounds of Moondance on July 25, the fiery salsa of Orquesta Melaza on August 8, Latin jazz with Susie Hansen on August 22, and the classic rock ‘n’ roll sounds of Flight 19 on September 5. Concerts run from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Don’t forget your blanket, lawn chair and picnic dinner! Call (818) 367-7050 during regular business hours between 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. for more information.

Yaroslavsky Announces Commission Appointments (+ designates reappointments)

7/13 - George F. Hill+, Los Angeles County Small Business Commission

Corinne Sanchez+, Commission for Public Social Services

7/6 – Monica Rodriguez, Community Advisory Committee (Sunshine Canyon Landfill)