As our readers are aware, the Buzz strongly encourages all local stakeholders to get involved with their communities and lend their voices to ongoing discussions of important issues. There are a number of such opportunities now open and on the horizon – so please take a look and join the conversations!
DOT Community Meetings on Dockless Scooters, Bikes, Etc.
One of the biggest – and most interesting – topics of discussion in transportation these days is alternatives to automobiles and the widening array of mobility options, particularly for “first mile/last mile” transit. Over the last year or so, dockless scooters and bikes have taken the spotlight in these discussions, and the LA Department of Transportation has now scheduled a series of community meetings on the subject of dockless mobility. Community members are encouraged to attend and learn about how the City is working with dockless mobility providers at the following events (the one closest to us is in bold text):
•Tuesday, March 12 (6:00PM – 7:00PM) – Sherman Oaks Public Library, 14245 Moorpark St. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
•Thursday, March 14 (6:00PM – 7:00PM) – Will & Ariel Durant Library, 7140 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046
•Wednesday, March 20 (7:00PM – 8:00PM) – Disability Community Resource Center, 12901 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90066
LADWP’s New Board Meeting E-Comment System
Back in January, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power launched a new “eComment” system, which allows members of the public to submit comments remotely on any Board of Water and Power Commissioners’ agenda item, or any subject matter under the Board’s jurisdiction. Comment periods open at 10:00 a.m., on the Saturday before a scheduled board meeting, and close at 6 p.m. on the Monday before the meeting. Comments are then collected into a report that is distributed to bothe the Commissioners and attendees at the meeting.
The new system recognizes that constituents are not always able to attend Board meetings in person to give input to the Board for consideration, and provides a more convenient channel for stakeholders to weigh in. The comments become part of the official Board record, just like public comments made in person at the meeting.
Comments are now open for items on the agenda for the Board’s March 12 meeting. To submit a comment electronically, see the agenda at https://ladwp.granicusideas.com/meetings/864-board-of-commissioners/agenda_items and click on “Comment” next to the item you’d like to weigh in on.
Vote Center Placement Project
A few months ago, we passed along information about how polling places for upcoming elections will switch from community precinct locations to larger and more flexible regional Vote Centers in 2020. Since then, LA County has been collecting suggestions from stakeholders on where those new vote centers should be located. The survey closed on March 4, but county officials would still like the public’s input on the suggested locations. You can see an interactive map of the locations submitted in the public survey at http://www.placeworkscivic.com/project/lacovcpp …and your comments are welcome and encouraged by e-mail to [email protected]. You can find out more about the Vote Center project, and criteria for the Vote Center locations, at http://vsap.lavote.net/vote-center-placement-project/.
Metro NextGen Bus Meetings
Of course, one of most active local agencies these days is Metro, which – in addition building out the city’s rail lines – is working hard on the city’s overall mobility issues. And one of the biggest pieces of the overall transit system in LA is the bus network. Metro is currently conducting a major outreach effort to solicit stakeholder input into its “NextGen” bus system. The latest round of community meetings is underway, and stakeholders are invited to provide their input on how to improve the bus routes, days and times of operation, frequencies, and more. Everyone who attends will receive a free TAP card (while supplies last), and Metro transit passes will also be raffled. Refreshments will also be served. Here’s the latest list of upcoming meetings (those closest to us in bold text):
Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 4pm-7pm
Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s District Office Community Room
26600 Agoura Rd
Calabasas, CA 91302
Accessible via Metro Line 161; LADOT Commuter Express 423
Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 4pm-7pm
Holman United Methodist Church
3320 W Adams Bl
Los Angeles, CA 90018
Accessible via Metro Lines 37 and 209; LADOT DASH Midtown
Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 4pm-7pm
East Los Angeles Service Center
133 N Sunol Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90063
Accessible via Metro Lines 68, 770 and 106; Montebello Line 40; LAC El Sol Shuttle Union Pacific/Salazar Park and City Terrace/ELA
Metro Budget Survey
Next, Metro is also seeking public input on its fiscal year 2020 (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020) budget, which establishes priorities for funding and transportation projects across LA County for the coming year. And there are a couple of ways for the public to weigh in.
First, you can use an online budget tool that provides a short, interactive survey in which you can walk through various transit options, choose priorities, allocate dollars and provide feedback.
And second, you can comment in person at one of several community meetings on the topic. They include (meeting closest to us in bold type):
San Fernando Valley Service Council
Wednesday, April 3, 6:30pm
Marvin Braude Constituent Center
6262 Van Nuys Bl
Van Nuys, CA 91401
San Gabriel Valley Service Council
Monday, April 8, 5pm
Metro El Monte Transit Plaza
Third Floor, Council Chambers
El Monte, CA 91731
Westside/Central Service Council
Wednesday, April 10, 5pm
Metro Headquarters
One Gateway Plaza
Metro Board Room, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Gateway Cities Service Council
Thursday, April 11, 2pm
Salt Lake Park Community Center
3401 E Florence Av
Huntington Park, CA 90255
South Bay Service Council
Friday, April 12, 9:30am
Inglewood City Hall
1 West Manchester Bl
Inglewood, CA 90301
Metro’s Public Participation Plan Open for Public Comment
And finally, Metro is also seeking community input on its Draft Participation Plan. Every three years, the Federal Transit Administration requires that Metro update its Public Participation Plan as part of its Title VI Program Update. The Plan guides all of Metro’s outreach efforts to gather public input on possible changes to fares, bus and rail service, new projects in planning, construction and other programs, and other plans and and initiatives. To provide your valuable input, you can read the draft Plan, view an informational presentation, submit e-mailed comments to [email protected], submit an online comment via the form at https://www.metro.net/about/special-projects/public-participation-plan/, send snail mail to :
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Community Relations
Attn: Michael Cortez
One Gateway Plaza, M/S 99-13-1
Los Angeles, CA 90012
…or you can attend an in person meeting (closest to us in bold type):
San Gabriel Valley Service Council
Monday, March 11, 2019
5 pm
Metro Division 9 Building, El Monte Station
3 rd Floor, Service Council Room
3449 Santa Anita Ave
El Monte, CA 90031
Westside/Central Service Council
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
5 pm
Metro Headquarters, Union Station
3 rd Floor, Metro Board Room
One Gateway Plaza
Gateway Cities Service Council
Thursday, March 14, 2019
2pm
Salt Lake Park Community Center
3401 E. Florence Av
Huntington Park, CA 90255
Citizens Advisory Council
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
6 pm
Metro Headquarters, Union Station
3 rd Floor, Union Station Conference Room
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Finally, if you’d like to learn more about the Plan, see https://www.metro.net/about/special-projects/public-participation-plan/ or contact Michael Cortez at [email protected] or 213-418-3423.
