Issues

Improving Traffic Congestion in Diamond Bar

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced plans today for a traffic signal synchronization project in the City of Diamond Bar. The total cost of the project is expected to be $700,600, with funding coming from several sources. Approximately $595,600 will come from the County, with $516,400 coming from the County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Grant Fund and $79,200 coming from other County funds. The remaining $105,000 will come from a contribution by the City of Diamond Bar.

The project involves equipment installations on Golden Springs Drive from Adel Avenue to Copley Drive and also along other portions of Copley Drive. Upgrades will also occur on Pathfinder Road from Brea Canyon Road to the State Route 57 southbound ramp, Brea Canyon Road from Golden Springs Drive to Washington Street, Diamond Bar Boulevard from Gentle Springs Drive/Palomino Drive to the State Route 60 eastbound ramp, and on Golden Springs Drive from Brea Canyon Road to the State Route 60 eastbound ramp.

This project is part of the County’s larger effort to install and administer Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) within various cities and unincorporated areas. Since its start in 1995, ITS projects added traffic control systems and signal synchronization systems in communities throughout the County

South Coast Botanic Garden to be Renovated

The South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula will receive several refurbishments as part of a General Improvements Project that was approved by the Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today.

The renovation project will include the installation of a new Japanese Garden trellis; replacement of a chain link fence with tubular black steel fencing; replacement of the termite-infested sections of the trellis at the main entry to the Francis Young Hall; installation of new lighting; installation of Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliant sidewalk; installation of new turf in three meadow areas; and various other site improvements.

The total cost of the refurbishments at the South Coast Botanic Garden will be approximately $622,429, and funds for the project will come from the Safe Neighborhood Parks Proposition A of 1996.

The project is estimated to be completed within 210 working days, and the required construction should result in minimal disruption of services. Signs that inform the public of any upcoming work will be posted at each site 30 days prior to the start of construction.

County Develops New Job Opportunities for Military Veterans

The County of Los Angeles plans to assist local military veterans with employment opportunities under a plan developed by Supervisors Don Knabe and Michael D. Antonovich.

The program, approved today by the Board of Supervisors, directs County departments to begin internship programs for Veterans including employment outreach, new hiring protocols and education opportunities.

As part of this effort to provide Veterans with employment opportunities within the County, the Chief Administrative Office and Director of Personnel will develop training classes appropriate for Veterans, modify job classifications where needed, and give work experience credit where appropriate for previous military service and training.

There is a disproportionate unemployment rate in our region for recently discharged Veterans, said Knabe.

It is my hope that this program will connect these men and women and their useful skills with employment opportunities within Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County Waives Park Fees for Veterans and Military Personnel

In honor of Veterans Day, admission fees for the County Arboreta and Botanical Gardens are being waived as well as vehicle entrance fees to regional park facilities from November 10 through November 17, 2006. The motion, introduced by Supervisor Don Knabe, was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

As Veterans Day approaches, it is important that we recognize the many contributions that Veterans have made for our great County over the years, said Knabe. We owe them many freedoms that we have today and they truly deserve the honor and respect of their fellow Americans.

All Veterans, military personnel and their immediate families are invited to visit the following Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation facilities from November 10 through November 17, 2006:

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park

120 Via Verde Drive

San Dimas

(909) 599-8411

Castaic Lake Recreation Area

32132 Castaic Lake Drive

Castaic

(661) 257-4050

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

4100 North La Cienega Boulevard

Los Angeles

(323) 298-3660

Santa Fe Dam Regional Park

15501 East Arrow Highway

Irwindale

(626) 334-1065

Schabarum Park

17250 East Colima Road

Rowland Heights

(626) 854-5560

Whittier Narrows Regional Recreation Area

750 South Santa Anita Avenue

South El Monte

(626) 575-5526

Arboretum of Los Angeles County

301 North Baldwin Avenue

Arcadia

(626) 821-3212

Descanso Gardens

1418 Descanso Drive

La Canada Flintridge

(818) 952-4400

South Coast Botanic Garden

26300 Crenshaw Boulevard

Palos Verdes Peninsula

(310) 544-6815

Virginia Robinson Gardens

(310) 276-5367

By appointment only

Commercial Vehicle Ban Approved for Portions of Hacienda Heights

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a ban today on the parking of commercial vehicles of 10,000 pounds on the west side of Countrywood Avenue, between Pepperbrook Way and Colima Road in Hacienda Heights.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works will post adequate signs along all of the affected streets, so that the public is aware of the new parking prohibition. The parking ban will be in effect 24-hours a day and violators will be subject to fines.

$10,000 Reward Renewed for Information Related to Hit-And-Run Death In Marina del Rey

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously renewed a $10,000 reward today, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to the hit-and-run death of Marina del Rey resident, Patrick Conarpe.

On Saturday, October 28, 2006, at approximately 7:55 p.m., Conarpe, an employee of Ralphs Supermarket, was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver at the intersection of Mindanao and Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey. While taking a break from his duties at the market, Conarpe was crossing Admiralty Way with his friend and co-worker when he may have dropped some personal articles in the crosswalk. While retrieving his personal items from the roadway, he was struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound on Admiralty Way suffering fatal injuries.

"This was tragic and unnecessary death, said Supervisor Knabe. We need to continue our efforts to find the person responsible for the death of Mr. Conarpe, and it is my hope that this reward will help lead to new information.

Any person having any information related to this crime is asked to contact CHP Investigator Dan Morrison of the California Highway Patrol at (310) 642-3939, Ext. 244.

24-Hour Lifeguard Coverage Coming to San Pedro and Palos Verdes Peninsula

Supervisor Don Knabe has secured $428,250 in the County’s 2006-2007 Budget to fund 24-hour staffing for Los Angeles County Lifeguards at Baywatch Cabrillo in San Pedro. The LA Harbor will now have 24 hour lifeguard coverage; this is important in case of an emergency (i.e. terrorist problem, air crash, problem on a cruise ship, etc.)

Specifically, Baywatch Cabrillo will assume more search and rescue responsibilities from the United States Coast Guard, allowing the Coast Guard to commit more time and resources to ensuring the the security of the nation’s and world’s fifth largest port complex. The Baywatch Cabrillo crew will be actively patrolling the area to hopefully minimize any potential maritime incidents. The crew will also be receiving special equipment and training from the Coast Guard.

"This additional manpower is absolutely critical to ensuring that our ports are secure," said Supervisor Knabe. "In addition to helping with homeland security, the Baywatch Cabrillo will be providing 24 Hour emergency response to the Palos Verdes and San Pedro coastlines.

$10,000 Reward Established for Murder of Norwalk Man

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a $10,000 reward today for information related to the stabbing death of Norwalk resident, Manuel Marquez, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe.

On Monday, October 23, 2006, Marquez was found beaten and stabbed to death in his home at 12005 Pioneer Boulevard, in the City of Norwalk. The victim was last seen alive on Friday evening and was discovered by his girlfriend on Monday. Marquez was a family man and a business owner.

"This was a savage and heinous murder, said Supervisor Knabe. We need to find those responsible for the death of Mr. Marquez, and it is my hope that this reward will help lead to new information and ultimately an arrest.

Any person having any information related to this crime is asked to contact Detective Karen Lee Shonka of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5621.

Improvements Completed at Carolyn Rosas Park in Rowland Heights

Supervisor Knabe announced recently that the improvement project that had been taking place at Carolyn Rosas Park in Rowland Heights is now complete.

The refurbishment which began in November of 2005 was completed within the budget and timeline required of the contractor.

The project included improvements to the existing park’s community building to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including upgrades to the restroom and repairs to the interior doors, walls and floor, and to accommodate a computer lab within the community building were provided.

In addition, the project included various improvements to the park site, including repairs to the parking lot, replacement of concrete walkways and the installation of new picnic shelters, barbeque braziers, drinking fountains and connective pathways to improve ADA access. Security lights throughout the park were also replaced.

"I am excited that these improvements are finally complete," said Supervisor Knabe. "The upgrades to this park will benefit this community for many years to come."

Free Self-Help Legal Access Center Opens at the Long Beach Courthouse

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a series of sweeping reforms today addressing the County’s policies for the retention and destruction of confidential documents.

These reforms came about as a result of a legislative priority of Supervisor Don Knabe to strengthen the County’s document destruction policies to ensure that any confidential or personal information is secured and disposed of properly in all County departments and agencies.

Serious questions of existing policies came into question after an investigation by KNBC-TV in early 2006 revealed several incidents of security breeches of confidential employee records and welfare recipient client information maintained by the Department of Public Social Services. As a result of this investigation, Supervisor Knabe called for a review and reform of document retention policies across the entire County.

In providing services to the public, this County has no more important responsibility than to protect any confidential or personal records of our residents, said Knabe.

The plan approved by the Board of Supervisors today represents the most sweeping reform in document retention policy since the Board first addressed the issue in May 1958. The new plan includes policies for portable computing devices, such as laptops, policies for the handling and destruction of confidential documents in all County departments, policies for record retention and protection and outreach programs for County employees and residents who may have been the victims of identity theft.