At the Tuesday, October 16th City Council meeting, Councilmember Koretz, joined by Councilmembers Eric Garcetti and Tom LaBonge voted against a proposed billboard "study group" that morphed on the floor into what is called a "staff review and recommendation."

The bottom line is that a "No" vote such as the one Councilmember Koretz cast was to keep the existing sign rules (including a ban on digital billboards) remaining in place.  A "Yes" vote was intended to start the process of lifting the ban on digital billboards. To the dismay of those who care about eliminating billboard blight, the majority of the City Council, through the "Yes" vote, requested a staff investigation and consideration of new billboard regulations including both new signs and new revenue to the City. 

Eventually, such staff deliberations and recommendations will be presented to the Council's Planning & Land Use and Budget Committees.

The history of this issue is complex, full of twists and turns usually related to litigation involving the billboard companies.  In 2000 and 2002 the City passed ordinances banning new "off-site" signs and billboards. As part of that action, the City also enacted an Off-Site Sign Inspection Program requiring existing billboards to pass an inspection and pay a nominal fee to the City. This program led to years of protracted litigation from the billboard companies. In 2006, the City entered a settlement agreement regarding litigation with two huge billboard companies, Clear Channel and CBS Outdoor. That settlement agreement required that the City issue ten monthly permits to "modernize" off-site signs by replacing them with digital billboards. The settlement agreement only applies to CBS and Clear Channel:  a separate agreement with Regency exists but was never utilized. This led not only to tension with residents about light, noise and safety distractions from digital boards but also led to unfair competition complaints from competing outdoor advertising companies such as Van Wagner and Summit Media.

By 2008, the City was facing 15 different lawsuits pending against it, including two critical cases from Summit Media. The Summit Media case filed in state court ultimately led to a ruling in 2009 that the City's settlement agreements with Clear Channel and CBS Outdoor were illegal. The court ruled that the City could choose to allow or not allow digital billboards but that those decisions had to be made in the open and through ordinance rather than in a closed-door settlement negotiation.

Pursuant to that ruling and conflicts with Pedestrian Design Overlays, three billboards were appealed in 2009 within Council District 5:  at 1333 South Westwood, 2131 South Westwood and 10333 West Santa Monica Boulevard. Then-City Council candidate Paul Koretz testified in support of the community in requesting that the City order these taken down. Ultimately the zoning administrator issued a split decision on these billboards but the Area Planning Commission in 2010 ordered all three billboards be taken down after the testimony of Koretz, who was by then the sitting City Councilmember.

By 2010, CBS and Clear Channel had filed litigation challenging the three billboard take-downs mentioned above, and had also appealed the 2009 trial court decision invalidating their settlement agreements. Litigation regarding the three CD5 billboards has stalled, pending the outcome in the Court of Appeals regarding all the digital billboards in the City. The arguments before the Court of Appeals are scheduled for October 30th.

The City Council motion that promoted creating a working group for signs was also seen as an attempt at legislating a solution in order to avoid a court-ordered action. While the motion’s purpose was widely described as gathering input and finding a win-win solution, it was clearly aimed at avoiding or delaying a ruling in the Court of Appeals in the Summit case. It is likely that the Court of Appeals will affirm that the settlement agreements were illegal and that in fact digital signs have been illegal since 2002 and are today. For those seeking to end billboard blight (including CD5 activists and Councilmember Koretz), a loss in the Court of Appeals is a win.

Though Councilmember Koretz and his allies lost the Oct. 16th Council vote, he promises to do everything in his power to make certain that the staff review fully include neighborhood concerns and that, regardless of any court-related schedules, adequate time is provided for forming a consensus recommendation that truly takes into account community input. The Councilmember says he will vote against – and actively seek to defeat – any ordinance that ultimately results in more digital signs in CD5.

Closure of a 10 mile stretch of the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass will occur this upcoming September 29-30 weekend. This is part of the Sepulveda Pass Improvement Project, and it’s goal is truly momentous – crucial transportation improvements will be achieved – but the cost in aggravation and complications may be dear, unless we plan, prepare and proceed as successfully as we did in 2011.  During Carmageddon I, people wisely stayed away from the 405 and mostly out of their cars, and enjoyed their home neighborhoods and the local shops, recreation and entertainment, so that a feared traffic nightmare was averted.  Hopefully, the same positive outcome will occur this time around, as well.
 
Everyone is strongly encouraged to become as knowledgeable as possible about Carmageddon II, and to prepare accordingly.   Ramp closures will begin to happen on Friday night (September 28), with ramps and connectors scheduled to reopen by 6:00am Monday morning (October 1).  Progress reports and any updates will be made available by Metro on their website, so for the most timely and up-to-date info on Carmageddon II please visit Metro online at www.metro.net/405 , twitter.com/I-1405 , and facebook.com/405project .

Every year, the City’s Commission on the Status of Women honors women from all around the City who have been important leaders in a variety of ways – civic activism, commerce, education, law enforcement and other fields.  These 15 Pioneers – one from each Council District – are role models who remind us of the contributions that women have made to our City.
 
This year, Councilmember Koretz was proud to nominate one of CD 5’s most accomplished civic leaders, male or female – Westwood’s own Sandy Brown. A founder of the Friends of Westwood and the longtime president of the Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association, Sandy has been fighting for her beloved Westwood for decades.  Sandy would be the first to say it is not always easy being on the other side of the table from her. Just ask any developer (or elected official or planning department employee or ….) who has worked in Westwood.  But we all enjoy a more livable community because of her activism.

 
Amazingly but predictably, even while she was in City Hall being honored, Sandy was busy phoning various City Hall offices in order to arrange same-day meetings where she could argue causes for the sake of her community. Now that's an activist!

As she begins her own diamond jubilee year, CD 5 says thanks and congratulations to our own Pioneer, Sandy Brown.

Recent horrendous shootings in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater and Sikh temple in Wisconsin accounted for numerous deaths by gun violence and caused pain, injury, trauma and loss for many innocent people.  The news media granted these stories big headlines, but the tragic truth is that when the headlines for those particular massacres cease, gun violence in this nation will continue to take a daily toll that is devastating for victims, loved ones and society as a whole.

There is room and there is need for information, debate and action. That's why Assemblymember Mike Feuer is holding a town hall discussion on current city, state and federal gun laws regarding where we are and where we are headed.  Councilmember Koretz will be among the speakers, as will be Councilmember Tom LaBonge, L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca and LAPD Assistant Chief Michel Moore.  Complimentary parking is available in the Pritzker Parking Garage, located on 6th Street just east of Fairfax Avenue.  For additional information, please contact Assemblymember Feuer's district office at (310) 285-5490.

Rather than curse the darkness – or more literally, the heat which can be miserable and even dangerous to endure – the Los Angeles DWP provides the following guidance:
With high temperatures in the forecast for the next several days in Los Angeles, LADWP offers these tips to help customers stay cool and conserve energy. Energy conservation during high temperature summer days helps prevent strain on power system infrastructure while also helping LADWP customers save money on their power bills.

These simple tips are easy to implement in daily routines and are highly effective conservation measures:

Tips for the Home
• Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage during the hottest hours of the day when air conditioning systems have to work hardest to cool.
• Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day- use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.
• Try to avoid using your stove or oven during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home.
• Ventilate your home at night and early morning by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
• Turn off lights and equipment when they are not in use.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) wherever appropriate.
• Close draperies, shades or blinds during the heat of the day to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight.
• Check your home for adequate insulation and for proper sealing of windows and exterior doors.
• Plant shade trees to reduce heat gain inside the house.
• Install / use ceiling fans or "whole house" fans for comfort cooling. A whole house fan will cool down your house early evenings and early mornings for a fraction of the energy cost of operating an A/C unit. 
• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically and maximize your energy savings.
• Clean or replace air-conditioner filter(s) every month to maintain efficiency and air flow.
• Regularly brush or vacuum the condenser coils at the bottom or rear of your refrigerator and check door gasket for tight fit and adjust if necessary.
• When buying appliances, choose energy-saving EnergyStar-rated models.
• Limit the time you run your pool pump during summer to six hours a day, and schedule the run time to avoid operation between 1 pm and 5 pm.
• Unplug "energy vampires" like cell phone chargers, DVD players, microwave ovens and other appliances that use energy even when turned off or in sleep mode.

Tips for the Workplace
• Turn off your desk and overhead lights, and meeting room lights, if they are not needed, or install motion detector switches in each room.
• Keep personal appliance use to a minimum.
• Turn off all computer equipment when you leave the office or when they are not in use for long periods of time.
• Be sure your computer equipment goes into sleep mode when temporarily not in use.
• Go paperless when possible. Reduced printing and copying translates into reduced energy use.

LADWP Energy Conservation Rebate Programs
• Energy Star-Rated Room Air Conditioners. $50 rebate on qualifying models.
• Central Air Conditioners. $100-$120 rebate on an energy efficient model.
• Refrigerator Exchange for Low Income Customers. Qualifying low-income or Lifeline customers can receive a free energy efficient refrigerator in exchange for an old inefficient model.
• Refrigerator Turn-In and Recycle. LADWP customers who buy new Energy Star-rated refrigerators and turn in their old model for recycling can receive up to $115 in rebates.
• Whole House Fans. $200 rebate per unit.
• Energy Star-Rated Residential Window Products. Rebate of $2.00 per square foot of glass for qualifying models.
• Cool Roofs. Rebate of $0.30 per square foot.
• Pool Pump and Motor Replacements. $500 rebate on variable speed models.

For More Information
• How to apply for the above rebates, please click here.
• For energy-saving tips and programs, click here.
• The City of Los Angeles "Ready L.A." for information on how to prepare for a heat wave.

Hot times are not kind to our pets, so Brenda Barnette, General Manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, has sent out a bulletin as a reminder and to share tips.  Here is the message and information she has shared:

According to composer George Gershwin, Summertime means “the livin’ is easy, fish are jumpin’, and the cotton is high”. This special season can also mean we need to protect our companion animals from extreme heat.

Keep in mind that when it is hot for you, it is even hotter for them. Dogs and cats do not sweat through their skin. They cool themselves by panting or rapid breathing, which means animals must work hard to stay cool.
 
Too much heat can be extremely dangerous or even fatal. If your best friend has a shorter nose, like Persian cats and bulldogs, he is more susceptible to heatstroke than breeds with longer noses.

If your dog or cat begins very rapid, noisy breathing, has trouble swallowing, and looks very distressed, she could be having a heatstroke. Heatstroke is an emergency. Get the animal out of the heat. Apply cold, wet towels to the back of the head. Place cold packs wrapped in towels or plain wet towels between the back legs and on the belly. Cool off your furry friend and then take her to the vet immediately.

The best plan is to keep your dog and cat protected from the summer heat.
Always make sure that your dog or cat has plenty of fresh water to drink. A bucket that holds a gallon or more of water will stay cool longer than water in a shallow pan. Some dogs consider ice cubes a treat, and you can add a few to the water bowl.

Dogs and cats do sweat a little through the pads of their feet. The cats I know do not appreciate water added to any part of their body, but dogs often enjoy having cool water on their feet. Some dogs enjoy walking through or even lying in a child’s wading pool.

It is dangerous to leave your dog or cat in a car for 5 minutes. If he cannot go inside at every stop with you, he is safer at home on hot days! Car interiors heat very quickly in the hot sun, even with the windows open. If it is 85 degrees outside, it will climb to 102 degrees inside your car within ten minutes. In half an hour, it will reach 120 degrees or more! If it is 90 degrees out, temperatures can top 160 degrees faster than you can walk around the block.

While walking your dog outdoors, play particular attention the hot pavement or sidewalks that make your dog’s lower to the ground walking space hotter and can even burn their feet. Early morning and later evening walks will be more comfortable for you both!

Animals who go outside need access to shade. Dark coats absorb heat. Lighter coated animals, especially white ones, are at higher risk for skin cancer from exposure to the sun and they are more susceptible to sunburn.

Longer coated dogs and cats who are brushed regularly have natural insulation from the heat. However, if the coat has gotten matted, a summer clip will make your buddy much more comfortable and allow you a new start at keeping him brushed. Remember, newly clipped animals can get sunburned.

If your dog spends time in the yard, make sure she has access to shade. Shade trees, a covered patio, or a cool spot under the porch can help keep her comfortable.
Companion animals want to be with you. They will be safer and cooler inside with you, where they can spend their time doing what they do best: being your best friend!

Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your summer,

Brenda Barnette
General Manager

The Councilmember wishes you and your family a wonderful Fourth of July, and invites you to review the holiday information and safety tips included in the current HI-5 Newsletter .

Early in the morning of May 31, a horrendous and utterly senseless tragedy occurred, when Dr. Robert Rainey was murdered in his chiropractic office, located at 9255 Venice Blvd.  Police are investigating, and anyone with information about this murder is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department, West Bureau Homicide Unit, at (213) 382-9375 during business hours.  Tips  may also be directed to the 24-hour anonymous number, 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or Text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or online at http://lacrimestoppers.org.  The LAPD has put out a "Community Alert" flier, which you are encouraged to study and also to share by email and other means.

Dr. Rainey, who was fifty-four years old, was adored by his wife and family, and was treasured by his patients and his many other friends and acquaintances  throughout the community.  (The office was located in a portion of Palms that will become part of the 5th Council District once redistricting is officially finalized.)  Robert Rainey was a rugged marathon runner but also a gentle person, known for his kind ways and generous spirit.   It is devastating for all the people who knew him to know that he was attacked and beaten to death. 

At the request of the LAPD,  Councilmember Koretz, authored a motion, unanimously approved by the Los Angeles City Council, authorizing a reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Robert Rainey.  The sum of $50,000 shall be the aggregate maximum sum of any payment or payments of such a City reward. 

On June 21, Councilmember Koretz joined with members of the Rainey family and representatives of the LAPD to announce the reward.  He said, "the sorrow this family feels must seem like a impossible burden to carry, but this entire city joins with them in mourning over such a cruel and tragic loss. We offer what comfort we can through the tears we shed and prayers we share, and through our strong actions described today.  My deepest, heartfelt condolences also go to this community, for Robert Rainey was a healer of people, a helper for those in pain and those in need, and a friend and ally to countless local residents, and so the community is stricken, has suffered and is in grief.  We will do what we can to stand up for law, justice and public safety, but also for the healing of the fabric of a community that like all communities, desperately deserves and seeks peace and safety from violence and crime."

Dear Friends,
 
Starting this Friday night, June 22nd, major work begins on the Wilshire Ramps Reconstruction – an effort that is being managed by Metro on behalf of Caltrans and in collaboration with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and other agencies. 

The good news is that the eventual outcome, once work is complete on the Wilshire Ramps Reconstruction, will be one of significant improvement for motorists traveling through the area. The Wilshire-405 "intersection" has long been considered among the worst designed intersections/interchanges in the state, leaving many drivers and passengers feeling like they're on a roller coaster ride when they're getting off or on the freeway.  Because of the Reconstruction, vehicles will have a longer and more graceful transition phase between the freeway and Wilshire, thereby providing greater safety and a steadier and speedier traffic flow on freeway and Wilshire alike.  Here is the link to the educational video that explains why Metro is rebuilding those ramps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-5AF73Ce8g.

The bad news is that many of us are likely to suffer some inconvenience, maybe even major inconvenience, in the weeks and months to come, because of closures that will necessarily occur as work progresses. While the immediate phase that starts on Friday night is scheduled to last approximately three months, the entire Wilshire Ramps Reconstruction could last for more than a year.  There will be no magic detour – we will all just have to adjust as best we can, including by keeping track of changes in closures (some of them, overnight closures) as they occur.  That will be a big strain on those who live or work in the immediate area, but even those of you who travel infrequently through this area might want to determine in advance if any pertinent closures have been scheduled.

Metro has created some excellent tools for tracking the work and determining closures, and I recommend that you explore their use:
 
Here is the direct link to the Wilshire Ramps Reconstruction webpage: http://www.metro.net/projects/I-405/wilshire-bl-ramps-reconstruction/.

The easiest way for someone to receive e-blasts and more frequent Construction Notices is to send an email to the project email address: i405@metro.net – you can always request to be deleted from that list, if you wish.

Each closure is posted on the Metro website – www.metro.net/405 – and on Metro's Facebook and Twitter pages – www.facebook.com/405project and twitter.com/i_405.

The Project hotline is  213.922.3665.

If you or your business have a robust website, here is a link to the applet that allows a webmaster to add a compact display version of daily closures: http://www.metro.net/projects/I-405/link-us/.

With an effort this mammoth, and with so many differing agencies and jurisdictions involved, even the best plans can prove problematic if there's a failure in communications and implementation, and if the people in their home communities are not recognized or heard in the process. It is also important to note that work on other portions of the 405 causes inconvenience for local residents, and we are always eager to find ways to mitigate any hardship. Please know that I always invite you to contact me and my office whenever you feel there might be a problem that we can help resolve, or when you have an idea for making our quality of life better.

Thank you all for your patience and for your love of community.

Sincerely,

PAUL KORETZ