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February 5, 2015
It's Your Venice -- Get Involved!
Councilmember Bonin Addresses VNC
Dear Venice Neighborhood Council:

As the economy recovers and the pace of residential development continues to speed up, I have grown increasingly concerned about the loss of affordable housing - throughout the City of Los Angeles, but particularly in the Coastal Zone and most particularly in Venice.

As you may know, the Mello Act is a state law, adopted over 30 years ago, that is supposed to preserve, replace, and develop low-income and affordable housing in the coastal zone.  In recent months, I have grown extremely concerned about whether the City of Los Angeles is properly following the provisions of the act, and is fulfilling its obligations to protect affordable housing.

For the past 15 years, the City has been implementing the Mello Act through a set of interim guidelines.  The only way that we can make sure the City is following the Mello Act the way it was intended is to finally get an ordinance on the books implementing the Mello Act, and, in the meantime, to make sure that the City is doing everything it possibly can to follow the rules that we do have.  

Accordingly, I introduced a motion today intended to just that: to direct the City to take steps it should have taken over a decade ago by replacing the interim Mello Act provisions with a permanent ordinance; to get clear, on-the-record answers about how or whether the City has been complying with the guidelines, and to figure out what more the City can do to protect affordable housing in the coastal zone, including by requiring rigorous third-party financial analysis of applications covered by the Mello Act.

A copy of my motion is attached.

If you have any questions, please contact Tricia Keane or Chris Robertson of my office at tricia.keane@lacity.org or   .

Regards,


MIKE BONIN
Councilmember, 11th District
(213) 473-7011
twitter:  @mikebonin


For more information, click here...
Feb. 6 - Free E-Waste pickup at Farmers Market

Every first Friday, the Electronic Recycling Solutions Truck will be onsite at the Venice Farmers' Market, 7:00A.M. - 11:00 a.m., 500 N. Venice Blvd. Venice, CA 90291.  For further Information:    
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Feb. 9 - VNC Administrative Committee

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Feb. 10 - VNC Discussion Forum Committee

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Feb. 12 - Middle School Forum

LAUSD Board Member Steve Zimmer, Superintendent Cheryl Hildreth, EducationalService Center West and  the Venice, Mar Vista, Del Rey Communities invite you to an upcoming


Middle School Forum



For more information, click here...   
Feb. 28 - Green Venice Expo
Actor, Activist Ed Begley to keynote Green Venice Expo


Actor and Sustainable Green Activist Ed Begley, Jr. will serve as the keynote speaker at the first annual Green Venice Expo:

Where:  Mark Twain Middle School
             2224 Walgrove Avenue
When:   Saturday, February 28th
Time:    12 noon to 6pm
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Community Improvement Application Now Available!
Do you have an idea for a Community Improvement Project? A project that will improve the quality of life in Venice? Would you like up to $5000 to implement your idea?

Click HERE to find out about the new round of Community Improvement Projects!

Fill out the form you'll find linked to the page and submit it before 4/1/15 for consideration!

This is a unique opportunity - in past years we've limited our maximum project funding to less than half that available this year. So take advantage and apply NOW. Click on the 2015-2016 Community Improvement Project Page today to find out the details and download your application!

Questions? Contact Ivan Spiegel at parliamentarian@venicenc.org for more information.                                
Call for Artists - Power of Art

Attention Artists! We would like you to be a part of the largest art project in the history of Los Angeles, Power of Art. We are physically turning LA into the largest art gallery in the world and we would be honored if you submitted your work for consideration.

For centuries, artists have been pushed to the side, disrespected and taken advantage of for their talent. This is especially true in Los Angeles. But enough is enough. It is time to bring opportunity to artists and bring them out of the shadows.

Power of Art is unveiling LA's soul in the streets. We have successfully fought to secure mural access to over 4,000 signal boxes in Los Angeles.


For more information, click here...
L.A. for Kids - Proposition K Program RFP
The L.A. for Kids - Proposition K Program is proud to announce the release of the 9
th Competitive Funding Cycle Request for Proposal (RFP). This RFP is for fiscal years 2016 -17, 2017-18, and 2018-19.  

RFPs may be picked up beginning January 29, 2015, at the Bureau of Engineering, Recreational and Cultural Facilities Division.
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LADWP Offers $10 to Go Paperless
LOS ANGELES - For a limited time, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is offering a $10 bill credit for new paperless billing customers. Customers who currently receive printed LADWP bills, and who sign up for paperless billing through ladwp.com, will receive a $10 credit on their next bill.
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Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Los Angeles County has implemented an emergency mass notification system that will be used to contact County residents and businesses via recorded phone messages, text messages or 

e-mail messages in case of emergency.  The system, called Alert LA County, will be used by the County's Emergency Operations Center to notify residents and businesses of emergencies or critical situations.                                                                               More. . .                                   

ReCode LA Moving Forward
Stay up to date by visiting http://recode.la/updates/news.                    More. . .                                     
Register to Receive City Planning Bi-Weekly Early Notification Reports
Do you want to avoid a surprise when construction starts next door to you?  Do you want a chance to make your voice known to the City and to the applicants for City Planning permits before the deadline for appeal? 

Sign up to receive a bi-weekly email from the Department of City Planning, which lists all of the applications filed in Venice since the prior email. 
More. . .                                    
Your Venice Neighborhood Council Wants You!
The Neighborhood Council system is growing.  We are too.  Learn about us here.

In addition to seeking new Board members and Committee Chairs, we are always looking for good people to serve on VNC committees. 

Now is the perfect time to get involved! 

For more information, contact Mike Newhouse or Marc Saltzberg.