Chamber of Commerce Website: https://southpasadena.net/
3/30/2021
City Hall Scoop
South Pasadena News and Updates
With Spring Break upon us, LA County’s Department of Public Health encourages everyone to remain close to home and adhere to the State travel advisory which recommends no recreational travel outside a 120-mile radius.
Recreational travelers and residents coming to LA County are required to self-quarantine for 10 days after returning from out-of-state or out-of-country travel.
It is recommended that resident travelers who are exposed to crowds and/or unmasked individuals in close proximity get tested upon their return. There is a heightened risk if traveling to places with high rates of community transmission, like Miami, which is recently reporting a 9% test positivity rate; this is 6 times higher than the test positivity rate in LA County.
Remember how easily this virus can spread, and take every action you can to protect yourself and others until we all can get vaccinated. To see when it’s your turn for a vaccine, go to: VaccinateLACounty.com.
3/29/21
The Los Angeles County Commission on Insurance has unanimously re‑elected Scott J. Svonkin, for the 19th consecutive year as its Chairman. Chairman Svonkin was first appointed to the Commission in November 1997 by former Third District Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and was re-appointed in 2017 by current Third District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “My goal is to help our commission lead the fight in Los Angeles County against insurance fraud and educate consumers,” said Chairman Svonkin. Appointed to the Commission in July 2017 by Board Chair Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Vice Chairman Ari Ruiz was also re-elected Vice Chairman for his fourth consecutive year. Vice Chairman Ruiz has been noted as an influential civic and political activist who has devoted his life to community and civic engagement, particularly in the areas of immigrant rights, LGBT equality, youth empowerment, and education. He is a former member of the City of Los Angeles Commission for Children, Youth & Their Families and served as the second youngest Commissioner in the history of the City of Los Angeles. In that capacity, he served as an advisor to the Mayor and City Council for policy regarding children, youth, and their families, including health insurance. Vice Chairman Ruiz serves as District Representative for Assemblywoman Autumn R. Burke, where he advises her on Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender issues and education, environment, and insurance issues. Duties of the 10-member Commission include apprising the Board of Supervisors of significant developments concerning consumer insurance matters, crafting recommendations for reducing the cost of insurance, improving public education, and community awareness regarding insurance issues. The Commission holds annual press conferences during fire season to inform the public of the importance of maintaining adequate homeowner’s insurance. Currently, the Commission is focused on the issues of insurance regarding rights and services, fraud, and consumer education. If you would like to have more information about this topic, please call Commission on Insurance at (213) 974-1431 or email at lacic@bos.lacounty.gov.
3/29/21
In 2019 and 2020, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), was awarded funding to support housing and homelessness programs in the region. One of the key issues identified for regional coordination and collaboration was the need for an alternative crisis response for people experiencing homelessness and mental health crises.
The SGVCOG Regional Homeless, Mental Health, and Crisis Response Study will examine how a regional crisis response program could be developed and implemented in the San Gabriel Valley. RDA Consulting (RDA) was selected as the consultant for the project in December 2020 and the project began in February 2021.
The project will deeply involve regional stakeholder and community engagement and will produce an actionable implementation plan for the region.
To complete the study and develop the implementation plan, RDA will:
The community’s input, perceptions, and needs will be critical in this work. We encourage participation from all community members. Please see below to learn about the multiple ways RDA and the SGVCOG are seeking meaningful community input throughout the study. These activities are in the planning phase, more details will be posted soon.
The Steering Committee members are city staff from across the San Gabriel Valley region and include Police Lieutenants & Officers, City Homeless Program Supervisors, Housing Directors, Firefighters & Paramedics, Recreation and Community Services staff, and Human Services representatives. The Steering Committee will help guide the work, support outreach and data collection activities, and provide feedback in the development of the final report. The Steering Committee will also help recruit members of the Community Advisory Group.
Having connections to local communities will help to ensure meaningful feedback from all areas of the San Gabriel Valley. Members of the Community Advisory Group should be well connected and understand the local crisis response, homelessness, and mental health landscape. The Community Advisory Group will meet virtually a total of three times between March and December of 2021. Between meetings, members will help support outreach and help to make sure RDA and the SGVCOG are talking to all the right people in the community forums. Members of the Community Advisory Group can be first responders, behavioral health or other front line providers, individuals with lived experience, or family members.
RDA will be hosting virtual meetings targeted to each of the following groups: 1) first responders (EMTs, law enforcement officers, and fire departments), 2) behavioral health providers from the San Gabriel Valley, and 3) consumers and family members. An additional meeting will be held with LA County Mental Health Department providers and staff. Dates for the forums will be announced soon and promoted through members of the Community Advisory Group and Steering Committee.
An online survey will be open to all people who live or work in the San Gabriel Valley region. The survey will help us understand the needs of the region, peoples’ experience of the current crisis response system, and to learn what the community would like to see in a re-imagined regional crisis response system. A link to the survey will be posted here soon.
Contact ngamachekocol@RDAconsulting.com to get more information on the project
3/29/21
Every year, the South Pasadena Public Library celebrates the nominees for the California Young Reader Medal (CYRM), with kids having the chance to cast their votes for their favorite book. Since the CYRM’s inception in 1974, millions of California children have nominated, read, and voted for the winners of the CYRM. Visit our YouTube channel to watch librarians read the 2020-2021 CYRM primary picture book nominees, or borrow them from the library to read yourself. Then fill out our ballot by the end of March to vote for your favorite!
Click the links below to place holds on the Primary Picture Book Category Nominees:
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López
Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp
Alfie: (the Turtle who Disappeared) by Thyra Heder
After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat
Poor Louie by Tony Fucile
Readers can also vote for their favorites in other categories, like picture books for older readers and young adult.
Cathy Billings
Library Director
3/29/21
Even as vaccines roll out, pandemic-related food insecurity will persist for months to come in Los Angeles County. The first – and best – line of defense is the CalFresh program, which provides free monthly grocery benefits to individuals in need. Please encourage your community members to enroll. #LetsFeedLACounty getcalfresh.org/
3/29/21
Reminder! Proof of citizenship is NOT required for COVID-19 Vaccinations, only proof of eligibility.
3/26/21
As we move through vaccinations and reopening’s, please continue to stay safe, follow public health guidelines and protect each other. We can get through this, together.
3/26/21
COVID-19 vaccines are 100% free and health insurance is NOT required. For more information visit http://VaccinateLACounty.com
3/25/21
City Hall Scoop 