---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our General Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 12th. Below are highlights from our guest speakers.
Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29): Introduced by Vice President William Castillo, Congresswoman Rivas shared key legislative updates, detailed major federal funding projects secured for the East San Fernando Valley, and highlighted how her district office can assist local residents.
- Wildfire Preparedness & Sylmar Fire Station Funding: Congresswoman Rivas secured $850,000 in federal community project funding as a down payment toward a new fire station in Sylmar. Recognizing that Sylmar faces significant wildfire risks yet has far fewer fire stations than areas of comparable geographic size, she continues to prioritize emergency response resources for our foothills.
- LA County Fire Department Pacoima Warehouse Upgrade: Nearly $1 million in federal funding was awarded to modernize the LA County Fire Department’s central supply warehouse in Pacoima. Unrenovated for over 50 years, this facility serves as the primary regional distribution point for emergency gear and supplies during countywide wildfires.
- LA Mission College: Following a previously secured state grant of $10M for a new biotechnology/biomanufacturing building, Congresswoman Rivas submitted a $1.8 million request for a Construction Technology Workforce Training program to prepare ~300 local students over three years for trade careers.
- LA Valley College: Highlighted a $1 million federal allocation for a Fire Technology career training center, expanding on past investments in their cyber technology safety initiative.
- Community Advocacy & The HART Act of 2026: Addressing the severe local impacts of immigration enforcement actions across the district, Congresswoman Rivas introduced the HART Act. The bill proposes establishing the Office of Immigrant Community Mental Health and Resiliency to provide supportive mental health services to affected families, students, and neighborhood communities.
- Housing Accessibility: Congresswoman Rivas spoke on her support for the bipartisan 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which expands financing opportunities for manufactured homes and raises FHA limits.
How the District Office Can Help You
Congresswoman Rivas emphasized that her staff in Arleta is ready to advocate directly for constituents experiencing delays or issues with federal agencies:
- Social Security & Medicare: Assistance with delayed benefits, claim disputes, or medical care wait times.
- IRS & Financial Recovery: Recovering improperly withheld tax funds or small business back-payments.
- Passports & Urgent Travel: Expediting emergency passport requests (such as local passport fairs and urgent appointments).
- Immigration & Homeland Security: Locating family members in detention centers and navigating agency inquiries.
- Washington, D.C. Tours: Booking Capitol tours for residents visiting D.C.
Note for Homeowners Insurance Inquiries: Issues regarding home non-renewals and the California FAIR Plan fall under state jurisdiction. Residents experiencing insurance challenges are encouraged to reach out to state representatives Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez or State Senator Caroline Menjivar.
Helpful Links & Resources
- Official Congressional Website:
rivas.house.gov
- Help with a Federal Agency:
rivas.house.gov/services/help-with-a-federal-agency
- U.S. House Community Project Funding:
house.gov/appropriations/community-project-funding
- California Department of Insurance (State Resources):
insurance.ca.gov
Community Recognition
During the visit, Congresswoman Luz Rivas presented a plaque to the Board of The Oakridge Residents Association for their active engagement, impactful outreach programs, and collaborative partnerships with local, state, and federal officials, in having made a lasting contribution to the safety, unity, and well-being of Oakridge residents.
O.R.A. President and Vice-President William Castillo accepted the Plaque of Recognition presented by Congresswoman Luz Rivas.
New Sylmar Fire Station 31:
- Location: The triangular empty lot at Foothill Boulevard and Balboa Boulevard (just after passing under the 210 Freeway).
- Design & Features: Planned as a full-sized, two-story station featuring two apparatus bays, first-floor operations, second-floor firefighter quarters, expanded wellness center facilities, and dedicated gender-specific restrooms in the captain's quarters.
- Milestones & Timeline: The City Planning Commission recently approved zoning entitlements (reclassifying the land from light industrial to public facilities). The design contract award process is underway, with design expected to take 12–18 months, followed by a two-year construction phase aimed for completion by 2030.
- Investment & Purpose: Ground was broken this spring on a $54 million infrastructure project at 10943 Herrick Ave in Pacoima, funded through Measure W and LADWP to capture rainwater and replenish local aquifers.
- Park Amenities: The project brings massive community upgrades, including two new baseball fields, backstops, dugouts, shade covers, bleachers, a batting cage, bullpens, sports lighting, exercise equipment, a multipurpose field, hydration stations, new walking paths, bioswales, and fresh landscaping. Construction is targeted for completion in Spring 2028.
Youth Sidewalk Repair & Infrastructure Expansion:
- LACC Partnership: Expanded from a CD7 pilot program with the LA Conservation Corps, this program trains youth aged 18–26 in trade skills while repairing broken sidewalks.
- Citywide Expansion: Additional city funding secured with Mayor Bass is now expanding repairs citywide, currently focusing on infrastructure around venue corridors for LA28.
- Future Sidewalk Additions: The office is also partnering with LiUNA (the Laborers' Union) on an innovative model utilizing union apprenticeship hours to construct brand-new sidewalks in areas needing safe pedestrian pathways, such as near local schools along Glen Oaks Boulevard.
Sylmar Senior Center Progress:
- Field Rep Monica Benavides confirmed weekly design coordination meetings for the new Sylmar Senior Center (located next to Station 91).
- Design plans are in their final stages (focusing on exterior facing, shade, and landscaping), with an estimated groundbreaking scheduled for early next year.
Traffic & Truck Access Concerns:
- In response to resident questions regarding heavy traffic and truck turns at Balboa/Foothill as well as safety along Foothill Boulevard near Sierra Highway, team members confirmed ongoing coordination with LADOT to evaluate traffic signals, turn lanes, and truck route enforcement.
Helpful Links & Resources
- LA City Council District 7 Official Site:
monicarodriguez.org
- LA City Department of Public Works / Bureau of Engineering:
eng.lacity.org
- Safe Clean Water LA (Measure W Projects):
safecleanwaterla.org
- Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC):
lacorps.org
- MyLA311 Service Request Portal:
myla311.lacity.org
Thank you to Marie Rumsey and Monica Benavides for joining us and keeping Oak Ridge informed on our city's progress!
Community Recognition
During the visit, Council District 7 presented official City Certificates of Recognition to local community members for their outstanding volunteer service:
Lenny Garza: Recognized for over 12 years of dedicated volunteer service keeping the streets and common areas of Oak Ridge clean, safe, and beautiful.
Ray Wepprecht: Recognized for ongoing volunteer efforts supporting the wider Sylmar community.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEWSFLASH! Snake Wrangler Cary Quashen was so moved with our community when he spoke at the last membership meeting, that he is offering his services free of charge!
Details and contacts are listed further below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------