DECEMBER ARCHIVES

DECEMBER ARCHIVES
1999

On Thursday, December 9, Yaroslavsky was joined by other City and County officials and delivered an address at the final groundbreaking for the $274 million Walt Disney Concert Hall, a state-of-the-art facility intended as the new home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Slated for completion sometime during the 2002-2003 concert season, the Hall, located at the southwest corner of First St. and Grand Ave., will become the fourth and newest addition to the Music Center Complex, which currently includes the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Ahmanson Theatre. The late Lillian Disney, widow of Walt Disney, donated the initial $50 million to launch the project in 1987. Yaroslavsky (right) joins outgoing Disney Concert Hall Committee Chair Eli Broad (left) and Supervisor Don Knabe after the ceremony.

"Supervisor Yaroslavsky Hails Groundbreaking for
Walt Disney Concert Hall"

disneyhall2.bmp (249958 bytes)

Board Adopts Yaroslavsky Call to Oppose Knight Initiative - On Tuesday, December 21, the Board adopted Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's motion to formally oppose Prop. 22, the so-called "Limit on Marriage" initiative sponsored by State Sen. William "Pete" Knight. Calling the measure entirely unnecessary as well as disruptive, Yaroslavsky said the real aim of the initiative was to roll back hard-fought programs aimed at extending such employment benefits as health insurance, sick leave, hospital visitation rights and bereavement leave to domestic partners. "It is divisive, it exploits prejudice, and it's not in the public interest to approve this," Yaroslavsky said of the measure. In an unrelated action, the Board unanimously approved Yaroslavsky's motion to implement new state legislation that requires hospitals to permit patients to receive visitors of their own choosing, including domestic partners.

Yaroslavsky Wins Approval to Improve Public Access, Participation in Weekly Board Meetings - Also on Tuesday, December 21, Yaroslavsky won unanimous Board approval for his motion to expand public access and participation in weekly Board meetings by providing real-time Spanish-language interpretation of proceedings through special headsets available to audience members, through a second audio track on subsequent Board meeting telecasts, and through a special telephone line. The motion also will establish live feeds to area radio and TV stations to facilitate news coverage. Yaroslavsky said that County officials hope to have the headsets available and phone lines in place sometime in January.

Yaroslavsky Announces Free Cervical Cancer Examinations in January 2000 – Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky announced that the Board has approved Cervical Cancer Best Practices pilot projects to be conducted in January 2000, at health facilities in the five supervisorial districts. Third District sites include the Mid-Valley Comprehensive Health Center, 8121 Van Nuys Blvd. in Panorama City; at (818) 947-4000; and San Fernando Health Center, 604 S. Maclay St. in the City of San Fernando, at (818) 837-6969. The Board also approved no-cost screenings at facilities Countywide on the last three Fridays in January for low-income women who have not had a Pap test in the past 3 years. The pilot programs will become operational Monday, January 3rd. Click here for details.

Yaroslavsky Calls on Mayor, Council to Approve Interim Joint Powers Authority for San Fernando Valley Transit Zone - In a letter sent on Wednesday, December, 15, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky urged Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan and City Councilmembers representing the San Fernando Valley to approve the City's entry into an interim Joint Powers Authority to establish a San Fernando Valley Transit Zone. The Zone would operate outside MTA jurisdiction in an effort to improve public transportation services in the Valley. In the letter, Yaroslavsky noted that the City initially took the lead in exploring the establishment of such a zone, but now remains the only holdout among eight other Valley cities and Los Angeles County itself against signing onto the JPA.

Yaroslavsky Offers Consumers Holiday Shopping Tips - Click here for details.

Yaroslavsky Announces Public Works Projects in Third District - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has announced the following public works projects, which were recently approved by the Board of Supervisors:

Pacific Coast Highway Signal Synchronization - Yaroslavsky announced that a project will soon be underway to improve safety and traffic flow by synchronizing traffic signals along a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway between the California Incline and Trancas Canyon Rd., in the vicinity of Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The work will be performed under a $564,453.75 contract awarded to Bell Gardens-based C. T. & F, Inc.
Topanga-Fernwood Pipeline Replacement Project - Yaroslavsky announced that a project will soon be underway to construct a new 16-inch-diameter water main to replace the existing 6-inch-diameter main currently serving the unincorporated Topanga Canyon area. Yaroslavsky said the current water main does not meet the increasing demand for water in that location. The Board recently approved a $130,000 contract with Parsons Engineering Science, Inc., to provide design plans, specifications, and construction cost estimates for the project, which is expected to commence sometime next spring.
Final Phase of Swift-Water Rescue Anchor Project in County Flood Channels - Supervisor Yaroslavsky announced plans to complete the County's Swift-Water Rescue Anchor Project, which provides anchor bolts in flood channels to assist swift-water rescue teams. The final phase involves the installation of 41 anchor bolts, bringing the total to 110. County Public Works officials developed the bolts at the request of rescue personnel who previously had to tie their lines to the most stable object available, often a vehicle or nearby fence post. The anchor bolts can withstand up to 10,000 pounds of pressure and offer increased safety to swift-water rescue teams as well as improve the chance of rescue for those trapped in the flood control channels. Bids will be opened January 11 for the project, estimated to cost between $330,000 and $385,000. The project will be funded through the Flood Control District.
Malibu tree trimming - Yaroslavsky announced that a project will soon be underway to trim 3,286 trees along various County streets in the Malibu, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Viewridge, and Woodland Crest areas. Yaroslavsky said that because residents of these wooded communities are committed to preserving the forest-like atmosphere, work will be performed with maximum communication between his office, the County's Department of Public Works as project administrator, local homeowners associations, and agencies like the National Park Service and the Resource Conservation District. Click here for details.
New lighting system for Kanan Road Tunnel - Yaroslavsky announced Board approval of a $98,690 contract to City of Industry-based L.A. Signal, Inc. to replace the lighting system in the Kanan Road tunnel about five miles north of Mulholland Highway in the Westlake Village area. "The new lighting will increase visibility and safety for drivers on this mountain road," Yaroslavsky explained. Click here for details.
Glenoaks Bridge Seismic Upgrade Project over Pacoima Wash - Yaroslavsky has announced that a project will soon be underway to upgrade the Glenoaks Boulevard Bridge over Pacoima Wash in the City of San Fernando. "The project calls for upgrading the bridge to increase stability during an earthquake," explained Yaroslavsky. "It's part of an important program to increase public safety throughout the State." Bids for the project will be unsealed on January 4. Click here for details.