NEIGHBORHOODS LA-Several people outside the Neighborhood Council system have commented that the individual NCs do things for their communities but ask: what do they do for the City of Los Angeles at large?
Good question! There have been three major changes that the collective Neighborhood Councils have either spearheaded or collectively supported, which have made a difference to those who live in Los Angeles:
1) Forced the Department of Water and Power to appoint a "Rate Payer Advocate ". Whose main job is to represent us...the stakeholders when it comes to rates and policies.
2) Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the DWP that NC’s would have plenty of time to voice opinions on decisions made by the DWP before they went into effect.
3) Helped eliminate from the previous June ballot, the three billion dollar resolution to fix all the streets by increasing the property taxes without any hearings or public input. They are still considering it as a ballot measure but looking for additional ways to fund the initiative and holding public hearings.
Today I want to tell you about another movement gathering steam. "The Los Angeles Parking Freedom Initiative." Two gentleman, Jay Beeber, (saferstreetsla.org) an active member of the Sherman Oaks NC and Steven Vincent (parkinglosangeles.org) a consumer advocate, have gotten together to try and overhaul the City's policy with regards to parking enforcement.
They are currently addressing NC’s, Chambers of Commerce, business groups, etc. They are asking for suggestions and hope to get some things changed by adjusting policies and others through a ballot measure. They want to change what they call a "Gotcha" mentality to "one that will manage our parking resources to facilitate commerce, ease of transit and livability."
Jay Beeber is no stranger to grass roots activities. He is one of the people instrumental in getting the traffic cameras removed. He said that before he joined the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood council he had no idea how City government worked. He almost single handily convinced the Los Angeles Police Commission and several Council members that the red-light cameras were a bad idea … costing the City over a million dollars annually.
According to the Parking Freedom Initiative, the parking system now exists to create new revenue streams by imposing outrageous fees and fines on drivers. The city of LA collected over $158 million in parking fees last year. What used to be a $10 fine for overstaying a meter time is now over $70. That is more than some people earn in a day.
Some of the suggestions they are considering break down into three areas:
In a Commercial Business District:
● Limiting the cost per hour for parking meter fees
● Limiting the maximum fine for expired meter
● Requiring all meters to accept a minimum of three hours payment
● Setting a maximum time of enforcement of 6:00 pm
● Establishing a system for employees of businesses
Residential District:
● Prohibiting metered parking in a residential neighborhood
● Allowing individual NC's to help create a parking system that meets the needs of the community.
Citywide:
● No metered parking on Sundays
● Allowing meters to accept additional payment for use of space after expiration
● Prohibiting the issuance of street cleaning violations when street cleaning does not occur or is finished earlier than the prohibited two hours.
● Prohibit the City from selling the municipal parking meter system to private investors
● Require the City allocate at least 50% of funds collected from parking fees and fines to maintenance and improvements within three miles of the area collected
Is it "pie in the sky"?... maybe ... but even though we want world peace, elimination of hunger, it's the smaller things that make us comfortable in our daily lives.
There are two points I would like to emphasize: you don't need a zillion dollars and a large paid lobbying group to make a difference. Both Jay Beeber and Steve Vincent are proof of that. They are not receiving compensation for what is almost a full time job.
The Neighborhood Council System inspires the average citizen to take on big things. We have learned that we can fight city hall, although rather than use the word "fight" I would prefer "educate" our elected and appointed officials. I also think that we can partner with them and accomplish great things for all our citizens.
I understand that the Department of Public Works is reviewing the street cleaning violation policies.
Some of the other suggestions don't need a ballot initiative to change; however, what happens if the next administration is not as receptive to the comfort and wishes of its constituents? We just read about the large payout several LA policemen received because they were urged to write 18 traffic violations per day.
Will this go anywhere? I hope so because it contains some good ideas and even more importantly, shows what a few can accomplish for the many. I urge you to check out the website parkinglosangeles.org.
(Denyse Selesnick is a Board member and Vice Chair of the Outreach Committee for the Tarzana Neighborhood Council and a contributor to CityWatch covering NC land. She can be reached at [email protected].)
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 11 Issue 100
Pub: Dec 13, 2013