OCTOBER ARCHIVES

OCTOBER ARCHIVES
1999

Yaroslavsky Unveils "Jobs First!" Probation-to-Work Program - On October 14, Yaroslavsky unveiled his new "Jobs First!" Program, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Los Angeles County, local community-based organizations and one-stop centers, organized labor and Valley employers to offer juvenile and adult probationers from the Northeast San Fernando Valley an opportunity to transition successfully into a world of employment, career opportunities, and responsible independence. "The best weapon against crime is a good job," Yaroslavsky declared. Yaroslavsky also noted that the program proves a means for probationers to help pay restitution to their victims and repay their debt to society. Click here for further information.

On October 19, the Board unanimously approved Supervisor Yaroslavsky's motion to audit all County custodial service contracts to ensure that contractors are complying with state and federal labor and employment laws. Earlier, Yaroslavsky had brought to light the systematic exploitation of custodians employed by one contractor who routinely failed to withhold taxes, pay overtime, and maintain a safe workplace. Yaroslavsky said that the Auditor-Controller and County Counsel would forward the audit results to the contracting departments and to the Board upon completion for further action as required.

"Yaroslavsky Wins Approval for Plan to Stop
Exploitation of County Contract Custodians"

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Yaroslavsky Calls for Review of County Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure Policies - On October 12, Yaroslavsky won approval for his motion directing the County Code Review Panel - a three-member body representing the Board, the County personnel director, and County attorneys - to review County Conflict-of-Interest Codes to ensure that all County decision-makers are required to disclose their financial interests as well as gifts received. Yaroslavsky's motion was prompted by a County audit which revealed a high-ranking official in the County's Department of Children and Family Services had accepted a $25,000 gift and additional financing assistance from a personal friend toward the purchase of a new Mercedes, shortly after the friend had been awarded a multi-million dollar County contract.

Yaroslavsky Calls on County Health Officials to Investigate Potential Cancer Clusters at Two Area Schools - On October 19, Yaroslavsky won approval for his motion, co-sponsored with Supervisor Burke, directing the County's Department of Health Services to work with state health and toxic-substance control officials to address all public health issues and concerns voiced over potential cancer clusters at two area schools, one in Sun Valley and the other in Carson, which are located near former dump-sites.

Yaroslavsky Continues Area Code Overlay Fight - On October 5, Yaroslavsky won approval for his continuing effort to block new area code overlays or splits - most recently, those proposed for the (323) service area in Yaroslavsky's Third District - pending a full statewide review of existing allocation and conservation measures governing state assignment of new long-distance numbers. Click here for a copy of the motion.

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,
an $89,351 contract to D. J. Scheffler, Inc., of Pomona, lowest of 12 bidders, to construct a retaining wall and guardrail on Las Flores Heights Road in the Malibu area, in order to stabilize and restore eroded embankment on the canyon road.
a bid opening November 9 for a project to replace the current aging lighting system in the Kanan Road tunnel about five miles north of Mulholland Highway in the Westlake Village area.

Yaroslavsky Calls on District Attorney to Restore Officer-Involved Shooting Roll-out Squad - On September 28, spurred by recent allegations of police misconduct and wrongful shootings by members of the LAPD's Rampart Division, Yaroslavsky won Board approval for his motion asking the District Attorney to restore his "roll-out" team, dormant since the County budget crisis of 1995-96, which would comprise a unit of independent investigators and prosecutors to review all shootings and other use-of-force incidents by local law enforcement. Yaroslavsky's motion also called on County officials to document the costs associated with the program, and identify funding sources to underwrite the effort as quickly as possible. In response, officials in the District Attorney's office vowed to reinstate the program within 60 days.

"Yaroslavsky Hails Transfer of Agoura Hills "Carpeteria" Parcel to Parks Agency"

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Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky (second from left) gives "thumbs up" on the successful removal of a longstanding "For Sale" sign advertising an undeveloped five-acre commercial parcel outside the City of Agoura Hills long coveted by parks officials as a vitally important wildlife corridor. Prop. A, a park and open-space funding measure sponsored by Yaroslavsky and approved by voters in 1996, provided $1.4 million in funding to successfully acquire the parcel and preserve it for undeveloped habitat. Joining Yaroslavsky, from the left, are Denis Weber, Agoura Hills Councilmember; Fran Pavley, former Agoura Hills Councilmember and state Assembly candidate; and Joe Edmiston, Executive Director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. (10/20/99)

Yaroslavsky Announces Board Approval of Plan to Halt and Reverse Sand Erosion at Malibu Beaches - Yaroslavsky announced approval on October 5 for the Malibu Coastal Sediment Placement Sites Project, an effort to mitigate erosion at five Malibu area beaches by depositing flood-debris sediment at strategic points along the coast. By reusing sediments that would otherwise be hauled off for disposal at the Calabasas Landfill some 15 miles distant, the project will reduce the associated expenses and environmental problems. Click here for further information.

Yaroslavsky Announces Launch of Pilot Program to Stop Red-Light Running - On October 12, Yaroslavsky won Board approval for the launch of a three-year pilot program aimed at discouraging red-light running. Yaroslavsky noted that the intersection in his District identified for the program - Sepulveda and Wilshire Boulevards in Westwood - is notorious for the high number of serious accidents caused by drivers failing to stop for red lights. Under the plan, automated cameras will photograph vehicles entering the intersection after the light has turned red. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will issue tickets upon reviewing the photos. Click here for further information.

Yaroslavsky Announces Commission Appointments in October (+ designates reappointments)

10/19/99 Helen Levin+, Consumer Affairs Advisory Commission

10/19/99 Tony Lucente+, Los Angeles County Citizens’ Economy and Efficiency Commission

10/12/99 James B. Henderson, Los Angeles County Commission on Local Governmental Services