NOVEMBER ARCHIVES

NOVEMBER ARCHIVES
1999

Yaroslavsky Wins Approval for Pension Review - Concerned after the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association granted a $232,000 annual pension to the widow of Sheriff Sherman Block for what was deemed his "service-related" disability and death, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky won approval for his motion, co-sponsored with Supervisor Molina, directing County and pension system officials to report back to the Board in 60 days with a review of applicable policies and statutes to ensure that pension applicants don't exploit rules governing disability retirement.

Board Adopts Yaroslavsky Proposal to Extend Benefits for GROW Program General-Relief Participants - Declaring that the County's Department of Public Social Services must do more to extend job-training and education opportunities for time-limited general-relief welfare recipients, Yaroslavsky and co-author Gloria Molina won approval for their motion to delay by up to three months a scheduled benefits cutoff for participants in the GROW (General Relief Opportunities for Work) program. Yaroslavsky noted that the GROW program was officially launched in February 1999, but not all the elements were initially in place, thus denying participants the full training and counseling services they had been promised during their eligible period. Yaroslavsky noted a disappointingly low job placement rate of 13% among those who attended orientation classes, while only 9.7% utilized any of the supportive services available to them and a mere handful of 37 clients completed the education/job training program. Yaroslavsky's motion directed County officials to return in 30 days with a plan to improve job placement rates and boost the number of recipients attending orientation, completing the job club, receiving vocational assessments, obtaining supportive services and enrolling in job/educational training programs during the benefit extension period,

"Yaroslavsky Urges Metropolitan Transportation Authority to Extend Rail Service to Staples Center Patrons"

On November 8, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky introduced a motion calling on MTA officials to extend rail service to patrons attending concerts or sporting events at the new Staples Center downtown. By extending regular service hours or adding limited after-hours service, Yaroslavsky said that the MTA could "expand its ridership base, alleviate traffic and congestion in the downtown area and provide patrons with a convenient and safe way to attend events at Staples Center and other downtown destination sites" such as the Music Center and Disney Hall. Click here for release.

Yaroslavsky Announces County to Expand Low-Income Dental Services in Valley - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky announced Board approval on Nov. 9 of nine contracts with dental service providers to offer dental care to the medically indigent in the San Fernando Valley. Services will be available beginning Dec. 1, 1999, and continue through June 30, 2001, with four one-year options for renewal. The contracts are part of Yaroslavsky's continuing effort to expand County health services for low-income Valley residents. Click here for further information and locations of the nine dental office sites.

Board Adopts Yaroslavsky Call to Boost State Emergency Room-Trauma Center Funding - On Nov. 9, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Yaroslavsky's motion to seek state legislation to assure "stable and continuing funding" for private providers in the County's trauma-care network. Yaroslavsky's motion came in response to a plea from the County's Emergency Medical Services Commission for action in the wake of Gov. Gray Davis' state budget reductions, which will cut funding for private hospitals and doctors involved in the trauma care network by nearly 50%. Unless the funding is restored, Yaroslavsky said, the County's trauma network will be at risk of collapse.

Yaroslavsky Urges Burbank Airport, City Officials To Permit East/West Departures from Facility - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has formally notified Burbank Airport Authority and City of Burbank officials of his opposition to a proposed Framework For Settlement between City and Airport officials that would make permanent an existing ban on easterly departures from the facility. In his letter, Yaroslavsky argued that the ban could inflict grave noise and disruption on San Fernando Valley constituents residing in Valley Village, North Hollywood, Studio City and Sherman Oaks. Click here for release.

"Million Mom March" Announced for Mothers Day, May 14, 2000 in Washington, D.C. - With gun violence still dominating the news - fatal shoot-outs in a Honolulu Xerox facility and a Seattle shipyard as the latest examples - an organization called "MILLION MOM MARCH MOTHERS' DAY 2000" has been launched to combat the problem. The group, according to their Mission Statement, is "dedicated to the mission of educating our children and our country about the life-threatening danger of guns…We, the mothers, know that life is the first inalienable right promised by our Constitution. Our children's lives far outweigh the right for just anyone, especially juveniles, to carry a semi-automatic assault weapon or Saturday night Special. While we acknowledge that guns may be necessary for hunting, law enforcement, and national security, the proliferation of firearms intended for one purpose only - killing another human being - has become untenable." For further information, see the organization's Website at http://www.millionmommarch.com, or contact their local representative, Gail Powers, by e-mail at sca@millionmomarch.com, or by phone at (818) 366-3129.

Yaroslavsky Announces New County Web Page for Unincorporated Area Information - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky is urging all interested on-line County residents to log on to http://dpw.co.la.ca.us/general/facilities for detailed information about general services the County provides, including contact numbers and maps.

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:

a $3.2 million contract to Miramontes Construction Co., Inc., of Industry, lowest of five bidders, to construct a storm drain system in Woodland Hills on and around Platt Avenue north of Valley Circle Boulevard. The system will comprise 9,600 feet of storm drain on portions of Aetna Street, Kenwater Avenue, Calvert Street, Le Sage Avenue, Hatteras Street, and Burbank Boulevard, Click here for detail.
a project to synchronize traffic signals at 24 intersections along Pacific Cast Highway. The project will begin in Santa Monica at California Incline and extend through Malibu to Trancas increase safety and reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption, sir pollution and wear-and-tear on drivers' nerves. Yaroslavsky said.
a new project to construct 3,400 feet of reinforced concrete pipe storm drain in a hillside Studio City neighborhood. The storm drain will run along Longridge Avenue from Blairwood Avenue to Longridge Terrace, and will reduce flooding in the area. The County will unseal bids for the project on November 30. Yaroslavsky said that the project will significantly improve safety for motorists and pedestrians in the area during and after rainstorms.

Yaroslavsky Announces Commission Appointments in November (+ designates reappointments)

11/09/99 Aron Wolf+, Los Angeles County Aviation Commission

11/09/99 Herbert Semmel, Esq.+, Personal Assistance Services Council

11/02/99 John A. Mitchell+, Los Angeles City-County Native American Indian Commission

11/02/99 Kenneth D. Rozell -Los Angeles County Commission on Local Governmental Services

11/02/99 Lucien Wulsin, Jr. Esq.+ - Hospitals and Health Care Delivery Commission