Alliance of River Communities Meeting Summary
At its February meeting, the ARC was joined by Los Angeles Department of Transportation General Manager Seleta J. Reynolds, who shared highlights from the department’s 2015 Strategic Plan and spoke about some of the broader issues and projects that LADOT was focused on, including the Mayor’s Great Streets program and increasing access to the growing alternative ways that Angelenos commute and get around the city.
ARC member representatives approved a letter to submit to the Board of Public Works Commissioners outlining concerns and considerations for the newly remodeled multifamily and commercial trash disposal zones that companies are competing for in Los Angeles. While waste haulers for the exclusive franchise zones have not yet been collected, ARC neighborhoods stand to gain the benefits of recycling, stabilized prices and lowered emissions from the changes. The letter, available here, can be used by any neighborhood council wishing to echo the same concerns.
A recent LA Times article explained that LA City Council is exploring ways to utilize the existing tools that were part of California’s, now dissolved, Community Redevelopment Agencies, as a way to create Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts along the Los Angeles River. While these tools can be used for river revitalization, the ARC is urging City Council to ensure affordability, rent and mortgage stabilization and an extensive and exhaustive community input process for neighborhoods along the LA River. A draft of that letter is available for Neighborhood Councils to review as well.
Lastly, while the ARC did not take a position, the alliance discussed the potential impacts and costs to community candidates seeking municipal elected office given the proposed charter amendments 1 and 2, appearing on the March 3rd ballot. The ARC agreed to caution voters and NC leaders on the harmful impacts of shifting LA City Elections. This week the citywide Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition (LANCC) and the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils (VANC) passed resolutions opposing the amendments.
The next ARC meeting is scheduled for March 10 and you can sign up to receive email notifications by emailing [email protected], like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter (@ARCLosAngeles).
