Public Works News Feb 7, 2024

A couple days early as “The biggest storm of the season” says Emily Montanez, associate director with the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management is arriving Sunday and the city has taken measures to prepare and we ask you to do the same. 

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Mayor Bass Announces Preparedness Measures Before Storm

Mayor Bass mobilized City departments to urgently prepare for the storm to ensure the safety of all Angelenos. The Mayor and her office worked with LAHSA to provide more augmented winter shelter vouchers and directed the approval of four Recreation and Park shelters in different areas of the City, which will provide hundreds of additional beds for unhoused Angelenos to seek shelter from the rain. LAHSA began leading outreach across the City on Monday January 29th with a particular focus on areas of extreme flooding like the L.A. River and the Sepulveda Basin.

How Angelenos Can Prepare: 

• Angelenos should register for NotifyLA for local alerts regarding this storm. The Los Angeles City Emergency Management Department will post updates here.
• Los Angeles Department of Transportation Transit Operations will make any announcements involving significant road closures or transportation impacts here. 

How Angelenos Can Request Support:

• In the event of a life-threatening emergency, Angelenos should call 9-1-1. 
• For impacts like roadway flooding, tree limbs blocking roads, or mudslides, Angelenos should request service through https://lacity.gov/myla311 or by calling 3-1-1. Angelenos can also download the MyLA311 app. 
• In the event of power outages or water main breaks, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers can call 1-800-DIAL-DWP or click here. If you see a downed wire, always assume it is live. Never approach or touch any wire that is down or dangling and immediately report it by calling 9-1-1.

Read more HERE on steps the City of Los Angeles is taking and the resources

available. 

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Al Fresco Financial Assistance Program

Mayor Bass announced that restaurant owners can now apply for the permanent Al Fresco outdoor dining program. The outdoor dining program originally was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and remains popular. The Mayor also launched financial relief for businesses owners to help them continue participating in the permanent program.

Small business owners will be automatically considered for the Fee Relief Program upon submitting their application for a revocable permit ― the permit required to operate outdoor dining on the sidewalks and on-street. Business owners are encouraged to apply early to take advantage of the fee relief and ensure adequate time for processing and inspections. As many as 1,800 small businesses are expected to benefit from the Mayor’s fee relief program.

Learn more HERE

Additional information and resources are available to businesses applying for the permanent program can:

• Visit the Online Al Fresco Guide, which outlines requirements, anticipated costs, and answers to most frequently asked questions. 
• Ask questions by contacting the Al Fresco Assistance Helplines (Scroll to bottom)
• Get help applying for the program by contacting or visiting one of the City’s ten BusinessSource Centers. Consultants are ready to assist at no cost.
• Attend Al Fresco Webinars to learn more about the new program. 
• Webinars are available the 1st Wednesday of each month at 12:00 PM from February 2024 to June 2024. RSVP for the the first webinar on February 7 here.
• Please refer to the L.A. Al Fresco Disabled Access Toolkit to learn how to provide equal access to customers with disabilities in the Public Right-of-Way.

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AccessingLA: BuildWith- February 27

On February 27, 2024, the Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA) will be hosting the 7th Annual AccessingLA: BuildWith at the Ray A. Anderson Recreation Center in Exposition Park. The theme for this year is Keeping the City Moving and will focus on identifying partnership opportunities in the construction and transportation industries. The day will feature educational programming, exhibit tables, and BCA's signature networking Business-to-Business (B2B) Matchmaking event, which matches Prime Contractors and Subcontractors in an effort to promote business opportunities for both large and small businesses. BCA’s annual AccessingLA event series seeks to advance jobs and public-private partnerships with the City.  

Learn More HERE

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Eviction Resources

Last week Mayor Bass released information to assist renter households impacted by the February 1 deadline to repay owed rent between October 1, 2021, and January 31, 2023, as well as the rent increase of 4%, and up to 6% if the property owner pays utilities, for housing units under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO).

The City encourages renters not to self-evict without receiving advice.

Learn more about support services HERE

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ICYMI: Inside Safe Operation in Chinatown

Last week Mayor Bass and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis today announced the newest Inside Safe operation, which concluded near the intersection of North Main Street and North Vignes Street in Chinatown. 

More than 15 Angelenos were brought inside through this operation. This citywide, voluntary approach leads with housing and services and is one feature in a comprehensive strategy to confront the homelessness crisis

More info HERE

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LASAN Clothing Drive

The 2024 Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s Clothing Drive, sponsored by the City Facilities Recycling Program (CFRP) of LA Sanitation and Environment, is here.

From January 2^nd through March 1^st, 2024, the CFRP will be collecting new and gently used (washed and clean) men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing.

Donated items will be provided to the Livability Services Division of LA Sanitation and Environment, the St. Francis Center, and Inside Safe participants to help Angelenos in need.

For more HERE

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Bulky Item Drop Off

LA Sanitation will be accepting bulky items at five locations around the City on February 10th. 

More information HERE

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Tax Season: Let the Library Help With Your Taxes

Do you need a hand getting your 2023 income tax returns ready? The Library is here to help with free tax preparation and filing assistance programs at 21 branches as well as a host of online resources to make filing easier.

Learn more HERE

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