Councilman Cedillo Repairs Sidewalk
On August 2nd under the leadership of Councilman Gilbert Cedillo of CD 1, BSS repaired a sidewalk in front of EL ARCA, an organization that was established in 1965 to provide essential services to the disabled population of Greater Los Angeles. The Councilman took time out of his busy schedule to apply the finishing touches to the sidewalk and take pictures with the crew.
UFD Presents at the California Urban Forest Council
On August 6, George Gonzalez, Chief Forester with the BSS gave a presentation at the California Urban Forest Council’s (CUFC) regional meeting in Chula Vista, CA. The presentation consisted of an overview of the City Plants program; from its inception to present day. The presentation focused on successes the program has had and what challenges it has faced. The presentation also focused on how to fund a program that does not rely on the City’s General Fund as well as also how to mobilize volunteer groups and manage the organization of nonprofits to best leverage resources. Finally, the presentation compared the successes of Los Angeles tree planting initiatives with those of other municipalities including New York. The conclusion by the well known Urban Forestry researcher Dr. Robert Young is that the City Plants model produced the highest survivability rates of newly planted trees at the lowest cost.
BSS Gets Creative with Alley Lift Project
The Resurfacing Division of the BSS received an urgent request, via social media, for alley repairs. Although the Bureau is currently not funded to perform this service, the alley was used to
test a modified repair technique. This specific alley was a suitable candidate for this pilot and was welcomed by the adjoining businesses and residents. Now with a new surface the alley can once again serve as an agreeable alternate travel route in the normally-congested area of Beverly Boulevard and La Brea Avenue. The lessons learned during this pilot will be incorporated in the future when funding resumes for alley repairs.
BSS Conducts Safety Workshop at LAX
On Tuesday morning, August 19, a workshop lead by Transportation Security Administration (TSA)and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) took place at LAX. This was a joint effort to conduct vulnerability assessments and perform risk analysis for the Sepulveda Tunnel underneath the LAX taxiways. Various public agencies including LAPD, LAFD, Airport Police, CHP, Caltrans, and the BSS attended the workshop to assist with antiterrorism assessment and site survey of the Sepulveda Tunnel. The Bureau was able to participate by giving TSA and USACE a tour of the Ventilation Buildings and provide operation related information and as-built drawings.
BSS Helps Repair Sunset Blvd
The Department of Water and Power requested the assistance of the BSS to help reopen Sunset Bl., Marymount Pl to Westwood Pz next to UCLA after a 36″ diameter water line pipe ruptured. As DWP crews completed their work on the pipe, BSS crews followed by immediately rebuilding the roadway with asphalt base materials on Sunday, August 3rd. BSS crews worked late into the evening to have Sunset Bl. open for Monday morning commuters. This was a collaborative effort as BSS worked alongside several other City of Los Angeles Public Works Agencies to complete the job in a timely and efficient manner.
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