WNC Against Proposed DWP Rate Increases

The board voted unanimously at the January 2008 meeting against the proposed DWP rate increases. The motion read:

"The WNC supports the NC/LADWP Memorandum of Understanding Oversight Committee January 5, 2008 Resolution regarding proposed LADWP Rate Actions for 2008-2010 to not approve any LADWP rate increases until the information and recommendations of the IEA Survey can be considered by the Mayor, Controller, City Council, and Neighborhood Councils so as to allow all to make informed decisions." A letter was sent to the DWP MOU Oversight Council.

Due to challenges with LAUSD, principal Caren Guthmans has requested that the funds be increased to $3,000 to pay for tables and umbrellas outside the parent center. The WNC is currently coordinating with the principal to move forward on these exciting projects. 

Public Works Initiatives Currently Under Way

Beautify Business District
The committee would like to pursue a joint project between the WNC, the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce and the Community Redevelopment Agency of LA to beautify the area around Winnetka and Saticoy as well as Sherman Way between Corbin Ave and Desoto, and along Winnetka Ave between Vanowen Ave and Nordhoff St. The idea was presented to the Chamber on May 7, 2007. The committee agreed on May 31, 2007 to send a letter to Councilman Zine to request his support.

Big Sunday Improvements for Schools
The WNC approved funds on June 12, 2007 for beautification projects at Fullbright Elementary. The completion of these projects is pending an update on project funding.

Speed Display
The WNC is partnering with Councilman Greig Smith’s office to set up a Kustom Signal Pole-Mounted 275 Radar Speed Display along Mason Ave north of Roscoe Blvd. The WNC is contributing $2,500 to the cost of the speed display. According to the Councilman's office the expense has been approved. Installation date to be determined.

Left Turn Signal
We have recommended to Councilman Greig Smith that a dedicated left turn signal be installed Southbound Winnetka Ave to Eastbound Sherman Way. We have received approval from Ken Feroozmand / Transportation Engineer West Valley District. Installation date to be determined.

Brick Cross Walks
The Committee decided to request support from Council Members Dennis Zine and Greig Smith regarding the installation of faux red brick motifs in the crosswalks at major intersections along Sherman Way and Winnetka Ave and at those intersections that mark the Winnetka neighborhood boundaries.

Street Resurfacing - September 2007

One of the Winnetka Neighborhood Council’s long standing goals is to address the worst streets in the WNC boundaries. Over the years we’ve managed to work with the City to get streets such as Lubao Ave and Quartz Street’s repaved. In addition, in 2006 we worked with the City to allocate a one-time allotment of $100,000.00 to repave streets around some of our local schools. One goal set almost at the beginning of the WNC’s existence was to re-pave Mason Ave, between Sherman Way and Roscoe, easily one of the worst major streets in our community.

On September 1, 2007, the WNC, with the assistance of Councilmember Zine’s office, completed a portion of our long term goal. A section of Mason Ave, from Saticoy to Stagg was repaved. In 2005, the WNC had the street reviewed by the Bureau of Engineering and it was deemed a failed street. It’s taken us since then to get this project resolved.

It’s important to understand that the WNC has very little direct control over street paving. We get numerous requests throughout the year from stakeholders with bad streets. In the past, your City Councilmember may have also had a say in which streets get paved and which don’t. However, with the advent of modern technology and the extreme financial situation the City is in, even that has changed. What the WNC can do is work with the City Councilmember and the Bureau of Street Services and help to define what the priorities are. If it’s possible, and if it fits in the overall street maintenance and resurfacing plans we can have some influence.

The Bureau of Street Services website, does a wonderful job of explaining the daunting task that they do and can help us all to understand why it’s so hard. According to their website, they accomplish their mission by, “a variety of minor and major maintenance techniques are employed by the Street Maintenance and Resurfacing Divisions which are responsible for maintenance and repair of 6,500 miles of dedicated public roadways (28,000 lane miles) and 800 miles of alleys (400 miles fully improved and 400 miles unimproved, of which 178 miles are unimproved dirt alley). It performs nearly all resurfacing and reconstruction of residential and major streets and alleys averaging up to 200 miles of resurfacing per year. It also cleans all improved 13,000 curb miles of streets and alleys, the pedestrian subways, tunnels and public walkways. Miscellaneous functions include bridge and stairway repair and bulkhead construction. The Bureau's two asphalt plants produce approximately 600,000 tons of asphalt annually.”

At a recent public educational meeting Bill Robertson, Director of Public Works, explained that the City hasn’t had enough funds to address the City’s streets in decades. At one point he explained that it would take almost $1 billion dollars to adequately return LA City streets the level they should be. Needless to say, that type of money just doesn’t exist. Putting it another way, street repair is probably third in line in City priorities behind Fire and Police…which we all know we don’t have enough of either.

The Bureau of Street Services has in place a very regimented plan for taking care of the streets. Streets that are relatively new or in good condition are maintained by making sure that cracks and potholes are filled as quickly as they are reported. More seriously damaged streets can be addressed by slurry or flex sealing (which keeps additional water from seeping into the street and further damaging it by eroding the base), maintenance blanketing (about 1 to 1½ inch of asphalt over damaged areas), or complete resurfacing.

WNC Supports Bridge Improvements

In May 2007 the Board approved a recommendation by the Public Works and Transportation Committee to support the concept and design of bridge improvements for two bridges:

• The Winnetka Ave Bridge over the Los Angeles River between Archwood St. and Gilmore St.
• The Vanowen St. Bridge over the Los Angeles River between Oso Ave and Mason Ave.

Recommended improvements were presented to the Committee by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Public Art Division and Department of Public Works, Bureau of engineering.

The WNC will continue our efforts to address the infrastructure of our community. However, we can’t do it without your help. Please get involved and attend Board and Committee meetings. The Public Works & Transportation Committee generally meets the fourth Thursday of the month at Valley Village at 6:30 PM. Our ability to address your concerns relies on the strength of our numbers.

WNC Request Zine Assistance with Median Beautification

The Board approved $28,000 in funds from the Public Works and Transportation Budget on July 10, 2007 to beautify the median on Sherman Way between Winnetka and De Soto. Implementation is pending the City's repair of the current irrigation system. The Committee has had challenges moving forward with the City and has issued a letter to Councilman Dennis Zine requesting assistance in December 2007.

Brick Cross Walk Beautification

In April 2007, the Board unanimously approved a recommendation by the Public Works Committee to request faux red brick cross walks from Councilman Zine for the following intersections:

• Sherman Way & De Soto
• Sherman Way & Corbin
• Winnetka & Saticoy
• Winnetka & Oso Ave.