The DLANC Sustainability Committee meets on the First Tuesday of every month at the Central Public Library.
Our committee chairs host office hours and neighborhood stakeholders gather for project workshops
to help advance several community-driven initiatives - for Downtown Los Angeles.


What is your vision for a more livable, affordable and efficient neighborhood?

Community Events Calendar

Send an event posting to sustainability@dlanc.com

PLACEMAKING in Downtown Los Angeles


Placemaking in
Downtown Los Angeles

Tuesday March 31 2009
The Exchange
(114 W 5th Street)
7:00pm-9:00pm


"Placemaking is not just the act of building or fixing up a space, but a holistic approach to creating vital public destinations that promote community commitment and involvement. It capitalizes on a community's assets, inspirations, and potential, creating good public spaces that promote health, happiness, and well-being."
- Project for Public Spaces

Presentation & Interactive Workshop Presented by the Sustainability Committee of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council

Project for Public Spaces is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build stronger communities. Founded in 1975, PPS embraces the insights of William (Holly) Whyte, a pioneer in understanding the way people use public spaces. Today, PPS has become an internationally recognized center for best-practices, information, and resources about Placemaking.

James Rojas, transportation planner and co-founder of the Latino Urban Forum, uses scaled models to engage community members in the discovery and creation of new urban configurations with an emphasis on more pedestrian-friendly environments.

The Sustainability Committee is dedicated to empowering the downtown community to create a culture of sustainability. We will work with the community to increase accessibility to existing programs and services through outreach and public education. We will identify and create opportunities for new programming and partnerships to meet our goals for a more livable, affordable, and efficient urban center.

The mission of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council is to unite the diverse communities of Downtown Los Angeles and to provide an innovative forum for all community stakeholders to contribute to a healthy, vibrant, and inclusive Downtown.

Committee Chair Meeting to Discuss SDAT Grant Opportunities

Monday, March 30, 2009, 6:30-8:30pm
Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Office
(453 S. Spring Street, Suite 1020)

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA SC-07-090330
1. Welcome.
2. Public Comment on Non-agenda items including community announcements (5 minutes).
3. Presentation of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) grant and process (15 minutes).
4. Discussion potential opportunities for collaboration among Neighborhood Council Chairs (1h 30minutes).
5. Adjournment

The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address the DLANC SUSTAINABILITY Committee on any item of the agenda prior to the Committee taking action on an item. Comments from the public on agenda items will be heard only when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the agenda that is within the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the public comment period. Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker, unless waived by the presiding officer of the Committee. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting Committee Board Chair Ashley Zarella at ashley.zarella@DLANC.com.

SI REQUIERE SERVICIOS DE TRADUCCION, FAVOR DE NOTIFICAR A LA OFICINA 3 dias de trabajo (72 horas) ANTES DEL EVENTO. SI NECESITA ASISTENCIA CON ESTA NOTIFICACION, POR FAVOR LLAME A NUESTRA OFICINA AL 323-224-2316.

March Regular Monthly Meeting

Approved at the 4/20/09 Regular Monthly Meeting.

1. Welcome.

2. Public comment on non-agenda items including community announcements.

3. Review and approval of meeting minutes from February 2009 will be deferred until April 2009 meeting.

4. Committee membership needs to be confirmed. Committee members are expected to attend meetings so we can vote with a quorum.

5. Report on progress of SDAT process: AIA agreement has not been approved by the City of Los Angeles. DONE has recommended we apply for the new Neighborhood Purposes Grant (NPG) as a way of circumventing the approval process and obtaining the $5,000 community match required by the SDAT.

6. Jennifer and Ashley presented the committee structure as it would work with the 2009 Projects. Jennifer and Ashley are each taking the “lead” committee chair role for four of the eight projects but will share responsibilities in the The Sustainability Committee discussed their individual interest in their involvement with the 2009 Projects.

7. Adjournment.

April Meeting Agenda

When: Monday, April 20, 2009, 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Office
(453 S. Spring Street, Suite 1020)

MEETING AGENDA SC-08-090420

1. Welcome.

2. Public Comment on Non-agenda items including community announcements (5 minutes).

3. Review meeting minutes from the February and March meetings (5 minutes). Action Item: Approve minutes (SC-06-090226) for the February 26, 2009 meeting and minutes (SC-07-031609) for the March 16, 2009 meeting (all meeting attendees).

4. New meeting schedule proposed (2 minutes): First Tuesday of the Month, Neighborhood Council Office, 453 S. Spring Street, Suite 1020. Motion to approve new meeting time and location.

5. Motion to approve thank you letter for Ardas Café (Business Director Jon Toktas) for hosting the Sustainability Committee in its infancy (3 minutes). Propose to continue to send community updates for the Ardas Café newsletter and propose future partnership.

6. Community Proposed Agenda Item (10 minutes): Community Member Daveed Kapoor is proposing the Sustainability Committee write a letter of support asking for the addition of a bus stop along the Wilshire 720 Express between Main Street and Soto. Please view a diagram of the proposed new stop here. Committee to discuss next steps. Possible motion: To write a letter of support of the proposed Wilshire 720 Express stop.

7.Discussion on Committee membership (15 minutes). Confirmed list of committee members to date to be reviewed and amended for errors. Declaration of additional membership. Final list to be submitted to Executive Committee at next meeting (typically Thursday before Board of Directors Meeting).

i. Membership will be defined by a voting seat at all Regular Sustainability Committee meetings. Membership is for a one year period (the committee can alter this through a vote at a regular Sustainability Committee meeting).

ii. Attendance is essential and all committee members agree to attend all meetings unless there are circumstances for an excused absence. If you are absent, then please inform the Committee Board Chair (Ashley Zarella) at least 24 hours in advance, if possible. Committee members will reevaluate their members after more than two consecutive absences (excused or unexcused) as participation is key to the work of the Committee. Public alternates are allowed by the approval of the committee. Committee members agree to their names being posted on the Sustainability Committee website/blog (currently: http://downtownsustainability.blogspot.com).

iii. All committee members and community stakeholders are permitted and encouraged to propose agenda items that relate to the 2009 goals and objectives (as approved by the Sustainability Committee in February 2009). If the intent of the agenda item is not directly related to the stated committee goals, the Sustainability Committee should discuss including the proposed agenda item at a regular committee meeting. Proposed agenda items will be listed under the “Next Meeting Proposed Agenda” item on the regular agenda.


8. Budget discussion (30 minutes).
i. 2009 Budget - Remaining Allocations
ii. 2010 Budget - Proposed Budget for upcoming budget
Motion to approve 2010 budget proposals and remaining 2009 allocations.

9. Report on ongoing projects (5 minutes) Status on the 2009 AIA SDAT (Sustainable Design Assessment Team) grant. Status on the “greening the neighborhood council office” initiative.

10. Next Meeting Proposed Agenda (5 minutes).

11. Adjournment

The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address the DLANC SUSTAINABILITY Committee on any item of the agenda prior to the Committee taking action on an item. Comments from the public on agenda items will be heard only when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the agenda that is within the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the public comment period. Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker, unless waived by the presiding officer of the Committee. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting Committee Board Chair Ashley Zarella at ashley.zarella@DLANC.com.

SI REQUIERE SERVICIOS DE TRADUCCION, FAVOR DE NOTIFICAR A LA OFICINA 3 dias de trabajo (72 horas) ANTES DEL EVENTO. SI NECESITA ASISTENCIA CON ESTA NOTIFICACION, POR FAVOR LLAME A NUESTRA OFICINA AL 323-224-2316.

Committee meeting Monday, March 16 6:30-8:00pm

When: Monday, March 16, 2009, 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Office (453 S. Spring Street, Suite 1020)

MEETING AGENDA SC-07-090316

1. Welcome.
2. Public Comment on Non-agenda items including community announcements (5 minutes).
3. Review meeting minutes from the February meetings (5 minutes). Action Item: Approve minutes (SC-06-090226) for the February 26, 2009 meeting (all meeting attendees).
4. Discussion on Committee membership.
5. Report on ongoing projects (10 minutes) Status on the 2009 AIA SDAT (Sustainable Design Assessment Team) grant. Status on the “greening the neighborhood council office” initiative.
6. Discuss and review of 2009 Sustainability Committee projects. Determine next steps and review proposed timeline for committee (60 minutes).
7. Adjournment

Special Meeting: Neighborhood Council Committees & SDAT

Invited: Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Committee Chairs (open to public)
When: Monday, March 30, 2009, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Office
(453 S. Spring Street, Suite 1020)

1. Welcome.

2. Public Comment on Non-agenda items including community announcements (5 minutes).

3. Presentation of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) grant and process (15 minutes).

4. Discussion potential opportunities for collaboration among Neighborhood Council Chairs (1h 30minutes).

5. Adjournment

Letter of Support: Proposed Recycling Chute Ordinance

April 29, 2009

Dear Councilmembers Garcetti, Huizar and Perry,

On behalf of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council and the community of stakeholders we represent, we would like to encourage your support for the proposed ordinance to amend Section 12.03 and Subsection A of Subdivision 19 of Section 12.21 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code to include definitions and regulations for recycling chutes and areas in multi-family and commercial buildings throughout the City. This ordinance will provide residents and businesses more convenient options for recycling and divert unnecessary waste from landfills in and around Los Angeles.

The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council supports this initiative as it supports the goal of diverting 75% of solid waste by 2013 as mandated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles City Council. While this ordinance does not address the challenges of waste generation, it will provide residents and businesses in the city the opportunity to make better choices when disposing of their waste.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to seeing this ordinance come before the City Council and hope you will agree to support this update to the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

Check out the latest on this proposed ordinance.

2009 Projects Announced

Are you looking for a way to get involved? Whether you live, work or own a business in Downtown Los Angeles, the Sustainability Committee would like to invite you to get involved with any of our 2009 Projects. We are looking for project leaders and team members to help us meet our goal of creating a more livable, affordable, efficient neighborhood while empowering our community to make more sustainable choices where they live and work. We will be using the tools of education, outreach and advocacy to meet these goals.

To read more about our 2009 Projects and Objectives, follow this link.
To read more about our committee and project team structure, follow this link.

For more information on committee structure and how we will be organizing these projects, click here.

Let us know you're interested! Email us at sustainability@dlanc.com

Sustainability Committee Structure & Project Teams

Committee Chairs: Establish overall committee agenda in response to stakeholder input. Support project leads and project teams by establishing partnerships with business, non-profit and government. Develop templates and tools for project management; provide review of project and performance feedback; assist outreach and identifying advocacy opportunities. Advise on individual project scope and approach to ensure equal representation of downtown stakeholders.
• Ashley Zarella, Chair
• Jennifer Regan, Nominated Public Vice Chair
As committee chairs, Jennifer and Ashley will each oversee four of the eight projects. Our committee meetings will provide an opportunity for ongoing public review of each project.

Project Leads: Serve as project point of contact for both project team and committee co-chairs. Document project activity and update Sustainability Committee on progress. Monitor team timeline and goal achievement.

Project Teams: Identify scope of project and project timeline. Shape education, outreach and advocacy components for each project. Determine measures of success for project and document progress. At conclusion of project or event, Project Team will be expected to create a summary of shortcomings, successes and future recommendations.

For more information on our 2009 Projects, follow this link.

2009 Projects & Objectives

For more information on committee structure and project teams, click here.

Livability - Urban Beautification and Living Solutions

We will work to facilitate a vibrant downtown Los Angeles with clean streets, natural shade, accessible public amenities, and green space. We will work with the community to create opportunities for rooftop gardens and citywide composting to enhance the benefits of living in a dense urban environment.
Project 1: Rooftop Edible & Composting Containers
Project 2: Tree Planting

Affordability - Equity Now and For the Future

We will identify affordable solutions for the workplace, home and shared public space so all members of the community may benefit from more environmentally-friendly options. We will highlight existing cost-saving rebate and assistance programs, increase awareness and encourage participation through outreach. We will identify programs that could incorporate assistance provisions so we can advocate for greater inclusion of our community.
Project 3: Increase Participation in Cost-Saving Efficiency Programs: Energy & Water Focus
Project 4: Increase Participation in City & Private Recycling and Food Waste Programs

Efficiency - Resource Efficiency and the Efficient Use of Resources
We will work with the community as we transition toward the more efficient use of natural resources (water, waste, energy, land, materials, and transportation) by advocating for increased participation and utilization of existing programs and community resources.
Project 5: Online Toolkit of Existing Resources
Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) Program
>>>>Check out our first outreach event on the SDAT program.

Empowerment – Representing our Community as a Knowledgeable and Inclusive Voice
We will engage Downtown stakeholders, including those not traditionally included, to get the community’s feedback and best understand how we can help meet our long term goals for a sustainable urban neighborhood. We will advocate on behalf of our community to call attention to current needs with potential solutions. We will work with community partners and local government on their future sustainability efforts.
Project 7: Event and Education Programming & Calendar
Project 8: Green Living Program

2009 Project 1: Rooftop Edible & Composting Containers


Develop a test program for "rooftop container" sustainability using edible plants and composting as the initial strategies. (J. Regan)


Save the Date: 3rd Annual Gathering of Community Gardens
Saturday-Sunday October 24-25, 2009 at Farmlab



EDUCATION: Educate and engage support from tenants and building owners about the benefits and techniques to rooftop gardening and composting. Identify and work with a few downtown "building teams" to manage a pilot program on their rooftop. Document and publish information on pilot program success to enable other buildings to start either edible-plant containers and/or composting containers. Check out some great images of green roofs downtown!

OUTREACH: Connect building owners/managers/tenants with community partners and the necessary technical support. Potentially create inter-building relationships that link composting with planters.

ADVOCACY: Identify rooftops that already have this strategy in place and determine how the Sustainability Committee can help foster the continuation of these activities. Identify and support legislation and policy that would help support further development of rooftop green space.

Project Lead (Rooftop Gardens): Dawna Nolan


Marc Ross
- Sustainable Community Projects Intern, Sustainability Committee 2009 (ordinance study)

Volunteers are wanted to help move this project forward. If you are interested in getting involved, please email us at sustainability@dlanc.com.

2009 Project 2: Tree Planting


SAVE THE DATE: Planting Day October 24, 2009 from 8:30am-Noon
Skid Row Tree Planting Project
Phase 1: Alameda Corridor Planting
For more information, click here.

Check out the recommended tree species by the LACC. See the species to be planted in this LA Times article or do a websearch for Fern Pine Trees (Podocarpus macrophylla).

Create a tree planting initiative that maps opportunities for new street trees downtown and set a realistic goal for number of trees planted in 2009 and key areas of the neighborhood with the greatest need. (Project Lead: Gunnar Hand, Chair AZ Hand)

EDUCATION: Develop outreach material highlighting the importance of trees downtown and the benefits of shade.

OUTREACH: Engage volunteer participation in the mapping and tree planting efforts and connect with community partners for assistance with implementation and maintenance.

ADVOCACY: Develop the framework for an ongoing effort to introduce more trees to downtown Los Angeles. Support city initiatives to plant more trees. Encourage planting of Fruit Trees in Downtown.

Check out our latest update for our community partners.

Community Partners:
Council District 9 - Jan Perry
Council District 14 - Jose Huizar
Department of Recreation & Parks
Department of Water & Power
Million Trees LA
Rotary Club of Los Angeles Morning
LA Conservation Corps
Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust


View Skid Row Tree Planting Project in a larger map

10.12.2009 Meeting with Los Angeles Conservation Corps
08.28.2009 Meeting with Los Angeles Conservation Corps
07.24.2009 Meeting with State Senator Gil Cedillo's Office
07.07.2009 Meeting with Supervisor Gloria Molina's Office
06.18.2009 Meeting with CCEA - Central City East Association
06.12.2009 Meeting with California Assemblyman John Perez Field Office
05.22.2009 Meeting with Los Angeles Conservation Corps

GOOD NEWS! The DLANC Sustainability Committee, LACC, and CCEA met with Lisa Sarno of the Million Trees LA Initiative on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. At the meeting, MTLA agreed to designate the Alameda Corridor portion of our project as a Signature Project. As such, all the trees along the Alameda Corridor will be planted with 24 as opposed to 15 gallon trees.

2009 Project 3: Increase Participation in Cost-Saving Efficiency Programs: Energy & Water Focus


Determine existing resources available to downtown residences and businesses to achieve energy savings and water conservation. (A. Zarella)

EDUCATION: Identify different educational tools such as seminars, posters, emails, local media coverage, etc to facilitate better understanding and knowledge about energy efficiency and water conservation.

OUTREACH: Partner with organizations currently providing rebates, free energy audits, as well as groups with innovative Do It Yourself solutions to increase downtown stakeholder access to programs.

ADVOCACY: Advocate for extension of assistance programs as well as identify other incentive programs that could increase participation among downtown community.

Project Lead: Corey Prost

2009 Project 4: Increase Participation in City & Private Recycling and Food Waste Programs


Determine existing resources available downtown businesses and residences to help reduce waste and increase recycling. (A. Zarella)

EDUCATION: Identify different educational tools such as seminars, posters, emails, local media coverage, etc to facilitate better understanding and knowledge about value of trash and recycling.

OUTREACH: Partner with organizations currently working on waste and pollution reduction. Research and identify innovative outreach efforts that were successful at increasing trash and recycling participation in other cities and use as model for Downtown. Create and implement at least one bilingual outreach initiative in 2009 to reach out to stakeholders on this issue.

ADVOCACY: Lobby the city to install Big Bellies bin and public recycling containers in downtown.

Project Lead: Corey Prost

2009 Project 5: Online Toolkit of Existing Resources

Research and identify existing resources available to businesses and residents downtown that will help them meet sustainability goals as defined in our mission statement (livability, efficiency, affordability). (J. Regan)

EDUCATION: Downtown stakeholders on existing resources and "tools" to connect them to sustainability on the levels of the individual, the building, and city block (i.e. multiple scales). Develop a platform that can be used with the forthcoming Sustainability Committee website that will establish the Sustainability Committee as a resource for this information.

OUTREACH: Partner with other Sustainability Committee projects (see below) to help coordinate the collection of information in specific areas of interest. Develop relationship with third parties who will send content update directly to Sustainability committee website making this site a credible access point to the Downtown community. Create a system for ongoing maintenance and update of this information as well as a network of contacts that will help maintain this resource for our community. Work closely with the Project 3 Team to highlight cost savings programs on online tool.

ADVOCACY: Survey downtown stakeholders (residents, business owners, employees, etc.) about their current awareness level on existing programs and their perceived focus points.

Project Lead: Ryan Saucerman

2009 Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) Program


Project Goals: Provide support for the SDAT process by collecting the information and research necessary on existing city programs and community-based initiatives (in partnership with Project Team 3 and Team 5) and creating a means of presenting this information to the SDAT professionals, steering committee, and public. Further develop the outreach strategies as outlined in the SDAT grant application for implementation. Research and understand how this process worked in Culver City (2008 SDAT Grant) and the lessons learned. Develop supplemental content as a "manual" of services and initiatives downtown.

SAVE THE DATE
: The SDAT arrives to Downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 2 for a three day visit. Get involved with this exciting planning process.

2009 SDAT Goals
We have issued the following project goals for the SDAT to consider when they are here for their visit:

1: A well connected, balanced Downtown with physically, socially, and economically integrated nodes of activity at the neighborhood level; streetscapes that support pedestrian activity; and open space that is adequate, well-maintained, and accessible.

2. City services to improve sustainability that are coordinated between Departments and easily understood and accessed by Downtown stakeholders.

3. Neighborhood Councils with the capacity, structure, and model to follow on how to achieve sustainability goals at the grassroots level.

4. An actionable strategy for improving sustainability Downtown that can be implemented by the Neighborhood Council and Steering Committee members.

An outside team of experts will be able to help us address these goals with both short and long-term strategies. This promises to be an exciting process and we encourage you to get involved.

Fundraising will also be a component of this project team's responsibilities as the community must provide a match of $5,000. The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council has committed $1,500 to support the grant but we must raise the rest from our neighborhood stakeholders. If you would like to get involved, please contact Project Lead Veronica Siranosian and Sustainability Committee Chair Ashley Zarella Hand at sustainability@dlanc.com

Recent News & Updates:
- 09.10.26: SDAT Project Team Meeting Summary - Planning for the December 2009 Visit
- 09.09.10-09.09.11: SDAT Preliminary Visit Summary
- 09.09.10 SDAT Preliminary Visit
- 09.09.07 SDAT Preliminary Visit Announced
- 09.09.03 SDAT Project Team Meeting
- 09.08 Sustainability Committee wins APA-CA Award of Merit for Grassroots Initiative
- 09.06 Sustainability Committee wins APA-LA Planning Excellence Award for Grassroots Initaitive

2009 Project 7: Event and Education Programming & Calendar

Create calendar of engaging and educational sustainable programming aimed at fostering a culture of sustainability in and around downtown. (J. Regan)

EDUCATION: DLANC to create publicly accessible educational programming on topical environmental issues.

OUTREACH: DLANC to partner with other Environmental event calendars and event organizations to help promote attendance at all environmentally related events occurring in Downtown. Create a system for ongoing maintenance and update of this information as well as a network of contacts that will help maintain this resource for our community. DLANC to determine which groups of stakeholders are currently not engaged in the conversation and to create program aimed at attracting participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

Project Lead: Volunteers wanted!
If you're interested, please email us at sustainability@dlanc.com

2009 Project 8: Green Living Program

Research and identify green living education programs and determine the feasibility of getting the city to launch an initiative downtown. (A. Zarella)

EDUCATION: The community on the value of "green living workshops" that give residents the information and tools they need to make more sustainable choices at home.

OUTREACH: Partner with existing green living educational programs (e.g. Santa Monica's Sustainable Works program) to bring pilot program to downtown. Class should be aimed at all downtown stakeholders (including people who work downtown but do not necessarily live here).

ADVOCACY: Develop a strategy for advocating the city to launch the program.

Project Lead: Pamela Tuttle