Dear Friend:

Today, the City Council took bold and decisive action by voting 12-0 to make Los Angeles the biggest city in the country to move toward a fossil-free future. We approved a road map that will get LA to 100 percent clean energy in an efficient, sustainable and equitable way. Councilmember Mike Bonin and I authored the motion because the realities of inaction on climate change are too stark for us to do nothing. My goal with this motion is to set an example for action that I hope other cities will follow.  

Why clean energy? For the third year in a row, the American Lung Association ranked Los Angeles as the city with the worst air pollution in the United States.

Our "bad air days" are caused by airborne particles spewed by highway traffic, diesel trucks, farm equipment and fireplaces. The real culprit is our addiction to fossil fuels - which is unhealthy for our families and neighborhoods.

The American Lung Association report says Los Angeles remains the nation's leader in harmful ozone pollution from car tailpipes emissions. This pollution can trigger asthma attacks and heart attacks, lead to lung cancer and cause premature death. It a lso causes climate change. It's why we have had more extreme heat days this decade than the last. In fact, we just endured the hottest August ever recorded, in what might become the hottest year every recorded.

The issue is serious, and for those of us who care about our environment and the future of our planet, it's also frustrating because we have come so far since I was a kid in the 1970s, when the smog was so thick you couldn't see much of the Valley or the Basin if you were looking down from atop the Hollywood Hills.

 
That's why Councilmember Bonin and I partnered with the Sierra Club and other organizations, and most importantly the LADWP, to make 100 percent clean energy not just a goal, but something truly attainable in the future.  
 
What 100% Clean Energy Means for LA
 
The groundbreaking legislation we approved instructs LADWP to form a research collaborative with energy experts, local universities and other stakeholders to identify the specific steps necessary to generating all of the electricity Los Angeles needs from clean, safe and renewable resources.  
 
Los Angeles has made remarkable progress to clean up the electricity powering homes, schools and businesses in recent years, including adopting commitments to phase out coal-fired power, developing the largest energy efficiency program in the state, and expanding rooftop solar offerings for homeowners, renters and businesses. Importantly, LADWP is also embracing equity as a core part of the transition to clean energy with programs like the utility pre-craft trainee program, creating clean energy career pipelines from disadvantaged communities into the local union. The utility will also soon launch a community solar pilot designed to help low-income Angelenos share in the benefits of rooftop solar.
 
The 100 percent clean energy motion gives Los Angeles guidance as we transform the way the city powers its schools, businesses and homes. Under the leadership of LADWP, the research partnership will focus on identifying the roadblocks that stand in the way of a completely clean energy portfolio, and will make policy recommendations to the City Council as obstacles to clean energy are revealed. 
 
As a next step in the process, LADWP will report back to the Council  in 60 days with a structure for the partnership and a timeline for its work.

This is a great day for Los Angeles and our goal of building a sustainable future for generations to come. As noted by the students carrying homemade signs in City Hall, "the future is bright."

Please let me know what you think of LA's move toward 100 clean energy in Los Angeles. If you have comments or ideas, email paul.krekorian@lacity.org or call (213) 473-7002. 

Very truly yours, 
 
Councilmember Paul Krekorian, District 2
TOP STORIES
City Council Supports Measure M to Improve Transit
Councilmember Krekorian with Mayor Garcetti, Supervisor Mike Antonovich and other local leaders at Union Station. | Photo: CD2
 
LOS ANGELES - On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a resolution to support Measure M, the half-cent sales tax measure on the Nov. 8 ballot that, if approved, will raise $860 million a year countywide to revolutionize LA's transportation network and add 465,690 new jobs across the region.  With Measure M, the City of Los Angeles also will receive nearly $9 billion in local return money for local transportation projects over the next 45 years. 

A map designed by transit enthusiast Adam Linder. | Photo: Curbed
" As our population grows, congestion will only get worse unless we do something about it today. Measure M is the long-term solution we need," said Councilmember Krekorian. "It will ease traffic, create hundreds of thousands of jobs for local families, fill potholes and fix streets, expand our rail and bus system, and enhance bike and walking paths for every Angeleno to enjoy."
 
Angelenos spend an average of 81 hours a year stuck in traffic. Currently, there are 10 million people living in LA County, and we are projected to grow by 2.3 million people in the next 40 years. Traffic congestion and air pollution are expected to get worse with more growth, and the measure is intended to raise money to meet those needs. Measure M's goals are as follows:
  • Ease traffic congestion, improve freeway traffic flow, and reduce bottlenecks.
  • Expand rail and rapid transit system; accelerate rail construction and build new rail lines; enhance local, regional, and express bus service; and improve system connectivity.
  • Repave local streets, repair potholes, and synchronize signals; improve neighborhood streets and intersections, and enhance bike and pedestrian connections.
  • Make public transportation more accessible, convenient, and affordable for seniors, students, and the disabled; and provide better mobility options for our aging population.
  • Earthquake-retrofit bridges, and keep the transit and highway system safe and in good working condition.
  • Embrace technology and innovation; incorporate modern technology, new advancements, and emerging innovations into the local transportation system.
  • Create jobs, reduce pollution, and generate local economic benefits; increase personal quality time and overall quality of life.
  • Provide accountability and transparency; protect and monitor the public's investments through independent audits and oversight.
Read the Krekorian/Bonin Measure M resolution here:  http://bit.ly/2cRrAM0.
City Attorney, Krekorian Announce Historic Settlement
Holding Wells Fargo Accountable 
Photo: CD2

LOS ANGELES - Earlier this month, the City of Los Angeles achieved a historic settlement in the fight for greater consumer protection, a $185 million penalty against Wells Fargo, the nation's third largest bank. Councilmember Krekorian joined LA City Attorney Mike Feuer to announce the outcome of the major victory that will benefit consumers nationwide.
 
The settlement provides restitution to consumers who were affected by the banking giant's failure to oversee fraudulent behavior by their employees who may have opened millions of unauthorized accounts on behalf of customers. The $185 million settlement is the largest penalty ever imposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, with $25 million coming to Los Angeles. 
 
"This was fantastic work by our City Attorney and his hardworking staff," Krekorian said. "I'm going to make sure the city continues protecting the rights of consumers and holding banks that betray the public's trust accountable for their actions."  Krekorian, as chair of the city's Budget and Finance Committee, has helped provide more funding to the City Attorney's office for its consumer protection work and will continue to support the office's stellar efforts.
 
Following a 2015 LA Times report, City Attorney Feuer sued Wells Fargo after extensive investigation over the allegations of unauthorized accounts. A coordinated effort with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Comptroller of the Currency led to further findings over the bank's actions. 
 
As a result of the settlement, Wells Fargo must alert all of its California customers who have consumer or small business checking or savings accounts, credit cards or unsecured lines of credit, that they should consider visiting their local bank or call Wells Fargo to review their accounts, close accounts or discontinue services they do not recognize or want, and resolve remaining problems in addition to the restitution program. 
 
California Wells Fargo customers are encouraged to review your accounts for any unauthorized checking or savings accounts, unauthorized credit or debit card that were issued under your name, and open lines of credit you did not apply for. If you see any unauthorized activity, call the City Attorney's Consumer Tip Line immediately: (213) 978-3393.
LA Increases Developer Fees
to Secure More Funding for Public Parks
The Greenwood Square Park and playground in Van Nuys was created pursuant to the state's Quimby Act. 
| Photo: CD2

LOS ANGELES - The City Council recently voted to revamp how the city collects fees from developers to increase funding for parks and recreation spaces throughout LA under the state's Quimby Act. Councilmember Krekorian supported the measure and voted to make it law. 
 
Under the new fee structure, developers of condominiums and single-family residential homes, who currently pay between $2,700 and $8,000 a unit, will be required to pay $10,000 to fund community parks. Developers of apartment complexes will pay $5,000 a unit. The new fee structure will be go into affect in the next 120 days, which will bring more public spaces for Angelenos to enjoy.
CITY SPOTLIGHT
5 Free Things Your LA Library Card Can Get You
Councilmember Krekorian and City Librarian John Szabo. | Photo: CD2
 
LOS ANGELES -  Aside from a free digital subscription to the New York Times, the access and benefits an LA Public Library card can provide really does make it the best card in LA.  
 
You can use your Los Angeles Public  Library card to access everything from free online classes to live homework help to digital downloads of music, magazines and movies -- and save you thousands of dollars. Here's a short list of some of the perks an LA Public Library card brings:
  1. Freegal:  Freegal allows users to download up to five music track downloads a week from the Sony Music catalog, plus unlimited streaming music.
  2. Lynda.com: Lynda.com is an award-winning online learning site that offers more than more than 3,000 courses taught by recognized industry experts, and 150,000 video tutorials on business, technical and creative skills.
  3. Mango Languages: Free, online language-learning courses in more than 70 different languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic and Russian. You can also learn on the go with the Mango Mobile app for iPhone and Android.
So don't wait and sign up for a card at your local branch today! 

Since September is Library Card Sign-up Month,  you'll be entered into a drawing for a gift bag filled with  library  goodies, including several items from the  Library  Store  when you share a photo of you holding your  library  card with the LA Public Library on Twitter or Instagram  from now through Sept. 30.  Go to  www.lapl.org/card   for more information.
COMMUNITY CORNER
Have You Taken the Community Survey?
 
Click the image above to take the survey.
 
EAST VALLEY - Last week, we asked for your feedback on a community survey to tell us about the  important community fixtures that bring so much vibrancy to our neighborhoods. We were flooded with great, thoughtful responses that capture the neighborhood pride so many of us feel. That's why we want to hear more!
 
 
From restaurants and coffee shops, to great boutiques and salons, some of the best places to eat, shop and play are tucked away in our neighborhoods, just around the corner from where we live.  In this quick and easy survey, please share your favorite places, how you get there and what makes them so special to you.
 
Our communities wouldn't be the same without these go-to destinations. So if you haven't had a moment to fill out the survey, do it now! As always, we look forward to receiving your feedback and sharing the results.   
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
This Gault St. alley in North Hollywood is now clear of illegal dumping, graffiti and trash thanks to Krekorian's Cleanup Crew and neighborhood residents. | Photo: CD2

Councilmember Krekorian donned his 10 gallon hat at the annual Cops and Cowboys celebration hosted by the Mid-Valley Police Council. | Photo: CD2

Councilmember Krekorian joined the students, faculty and administrators of the Wesley School to christen the school's brand new art and administration building. | Photo: CD2
EVENTS
LACMA in NoHo -  Abstract Expressionist Painting
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2 p.m.
Valley Plaza Branch Library
12311 Vanowen St.
North Hollywood, CA 91605 
 
Abstract Expressionism is a style of art that developed in New York in the 1940s. The paintings were made with spontaneous and energetic movements often driven by the artist's innermost thoughts and feelings that resulted in abstract images. This workshop will discuss and show examples of work by well-known Abstract Expressionists, including Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Lee Krasner from LACMA's permanent collection. Create your own abstract paintings from those inspired pieces.
2016 California Friendly Landscape Training
Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 12 noon 
Van Nuys
 
The LADWP and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California invite you to a series of free workshops about how you can become a waterwise gardener. Learn six ways make your garden California friendly and conserve water. All workshops are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free parking is available. Class space is limited. so please RSVP to  waterconservation@ladwp.com and indicate what date you want to attend, include your name, LADWP service address, phone number, and name of guest (limit one guest); or call 1-800-544-4498 press option 5 for more information.
Summer Movies in the Park - Blue Crush
Saturday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. 
North Hollywood Park
5099 Tujunga Ave. 
North  Hollywood, CA 91606

This is the last movie in the Summer Movies in the Park series. Join the community for a screening of this summer thriller, Blue Crush, starring Kate Bosworth  and Michelle Rodriguez . Bring a picnic, blanket and the whole family to watch this fun film under the stars. 
LACMA in NoHo -  Sumi-e Ink Painting
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2 p.m.
Valley Plaza Branch Library
12311 Vanowen St.
North Hollywood, CA 91605 
 
Sumi-e is the Japanese word for black ink and a painting style that was developed in China in the early 7th century and adopted in other East Asian countries. Take a look at LACMA's exhibition Japanese Painting: From the Zen Mind, and learn how to hold the brush and create a text-based artwork.
Native American Indian Gallery Grand Opening
Sunday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
Andres Pico Adobe
10940 Sepulveda Blvd.
Mission Hills, CA 91345

The San Fernando Historical Society officially opens its new  Native American Indian Gallery  at the Andres Pico Adobe in Mission Hills. The free event celebrates the art and culture of the first peoples of North America in a new permanent exhibit featuring artifacts historical objects from indigenous tribes throughout the United States. For m ore information, visit  www.facebook.com/SFVHS.
 
LACMA in NoHo - Maya Ceramic Art
Monday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m.
North Hollywood (Amelia Earhart) Regional Library
5211 Tujunga Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91601
 
Be inspired by the ancient examples of Mayan ceramics from LACMA's permanent collection and  create your own clay pictographs as you  learn about the Maya civilization and the use of hieroglyphs during this LACMA workshop.
Village Run/Walk 5K
Sunday, Oct. 16, 7 a.m.
LA Valley College, Parking Lot A
5800 Fulton Ave.
Valley Glen
 
Join the  Village Family Services, Valley Village and Councilmember Paul Krekorian for the third annual Village Run/Walk 5K, a San Fernando Valley Community event that raises awareness and resources for two essential human service nonprofits. Visit www.villagerunwalk.org for more information and to register for this year's event.