North Westwood Neighborhood Council recap – Sept. 9

The Westwood Village Improvement Association announced that it found housing for its first unhoused client through the Midvale Housing Program at the North Westwood Neighborhood Council meeting Sept. 9.

The council, which represents UCLA and the Westwood Village, meets on the first Wednesday of every month at UCLA’s Weyburn Terrace. Meetings can be attended in person or virtually by the public using the link posted on the corresponding month’s agenda. The next meeting is set to be held Oct. 8.

In the Sept. 9 meeting, the council and Westwood community members heard from public officials and discussed issues in the region.

Comments by public officials:

• Janet Turner, United States Representative Ted Lieu’s outreach deputy district director, said the Westwood Village post office extended its hours. Lieu is hosting a virtual event called “Conversations with Veterans” and is looking for veterans who are willing to share their experiences, she added. Turner said the congressman introduced H.R. 5045: Healthcare Enhancement And Learning Through Harnessing Artificial Intelligence Act to establish a grant program for research about the responsible use of generative AI in healthcare. She added that he co-sponsored H.R. 2094 – the HELPER Act of 2025 – to establish a mortgage insurance program for first responders, she said. Finally, Turner added that Lieu co-sponsored the American Decade of Sports Act to “require a sports diplomacy strategy to strategically leverage the major sporting events being hosted in the United States.”

• Sherwin Shamoeil, a field representative for California State Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, said the assemblyman has seven bills currently alive in the Senate and Senate committees. Vice President Andrew Lewis asked what the assemblymember’s stance is on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan, which would gerrymander districts in California to support Democrats, a direct response to Texas’ redistricting scheme that favors Republicans. Shamoeil said Zbur supported putting the proposition on the ballot but could not speak to whether he would advocate in favor of passing the measure.

• Michael Russell, the executive director of the Westwood Village Improvement Association, said the association found housing for their first unhoused client in the Midvale housing project – an initiative to move people experiencing homelessness in and around Westwood into housing. He added that 10 new business locations opened in Westwood within the last nine months, including 2nd Street and Noodle St. Russell also said Oakley’s Barber Shop – the oldest business in Westwood – will celebrate its 100th anniversary with an all-day event Sept. 27. A German-style Oktoberfest event will be held Oct. 18 in Broxton Plaza and will feature pretzels, bratwurst, games and live music from Ladyhosen, he added.

• Carmen Zambrano, the assistant director of UCLA Government and Community Relations, said the Career Center hosted a Sept. 10 event for local businesses that are looking for ways to connect with UCLA students. She urged community members to contact legislators and share personal stories about UCLA’s impact using #ResearchPowersProgress in response to the suspension of federal research funding. Zambrano added that Chancellor Frenk launched a plan called One UCLA – a campus-wide framework focused on “bridging divides” and centralizing “administrative functions to better support UCLA’s mission.”

[Related: UCLA plans to consolidate some campus services to cut costs, increase ‘efficiency’]

• Elizabeth Brady, the treasurer of the NWWNC, asked Zambrano how UCLA might respond to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids following the Supreme Court ruling allowing ICE to stop individuals based on race, accent, occupation or location. Zambrano said UCLA cannot stop federal agents from entering campus and was unsure of the university’s specific plans.

[Related: Q&A: UCPD Chief of Police Craig Valenzuela discusses vision for campus safety]

• Erica Gatica Doughty, a project coordinator for EmpowerLA – an organization that supports neighborhood councils across the city – announced upcoming events, including a Sept. 27 Congress of Neighborhoods event and the Nov. 8 West Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Summit. She also reminded the board about the ongoing LA City Charter reform, adding that board members should provide feedback about the barriers they face in the neighborhood council system.

• Patricia Macias, the field deputy for City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, did not attend the meeting, but council president Josh Trifunovic announced on her behalf that Yaroslavsky opened a new district office on Wilshire Boulevard. He added on Macias’ behalf that the Annual CD5 Pumpkin Bash event will be held Nov. 1 and will include raffles, activities and free pumpkin donuts to the first hundred pumpkin smashers.

Comments made by the public:

• Steven Sann, the chair of the Westwood Community Council, thanked Russell for mentioning the Oakley’s Barber Shop celebration. He added that the barber shop is the last original business in Westwood from 1929 and was frequented by the Janss brothers. Students will receive 40-cent haircuts in addition to free tacos and Diddy Riese cookies during the anniversary celebration. Sann added that the Elixir Piano Trio will perform at a library concert Sept. 13.

Agenda:

• Ayndrea Wilson, the executive director of the California Artist Coalition of Los Angeles, presented artwork from different artists for the Westwood Village Comprehensive Art Project, which was approved last month and includes the installation of two murals and a sculpture. Next month, the council will vote on a motion to support the art installation.

• Board Member Bettina O’Mara, one of the founding members of the NWWNC, presented on the council’s history. She said that the 1991 Westwood riots, following the release of the film “New Jack City,” negatively impacted Westwood businesses. Supporting businesses is an ongoing effort, especially as the 2028 Olympics approach, she added.

• The council passed a motion to support ending off-street parking mandates, which are city requirements that specify how many parking spaces must be provided on a property.

• The council did not approve a motion to allocate a $1,500 Neighborhood Purpose Grant for the Westwood Village Improvement Association to build a parking meter commemorating Professor Donald Shoup. Shoup, who died in February, was a former council member and UCLA professor of urban planning. The council debated whether to honor his legacy with the proposed parking meter and plaque or a bike rack.

• The council passed a motion supporting a community impact statement to allow accessory dwelling units – independent living units on a residential property with a primary home – to be more easily sold as condominiums.

• The council unanimously passed a motion to approve the revised 2025-26 fiscal year administrative packet, including changes in meeting room rental costs and additional expenditures for a wireless microphone and outreach activities.

• The council passed a motion to create an executive committee of the NWWNC President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

• The council approved its August consent calendar.

Announcements

• Jacob Lawson, a UCLA undergraduate student board member of NWWNC, said the Westwood Block Party will take place Sept. 21, and the Enormous Activities Fair will take place Sept. 22. He asked the board members to table at and attend the events.

• Trifunovic read an email from United Auto Works 4811, which promoted a science fair for research projects that were impacted by federal funding cuts on Sept. 11 in Rolfe Courtyard.

• Connor Webb, a board member, said LA Metro is gathering name ideas for the future D-line station. Suggestions can be submitted through LA Metro’s social media.

• Patrick Babajanian said the Ad Hoc Olympics Committee met and will discuss the city’s workforce and personnel in future meetings. He added that Alekent Sanders was removed from the Ad Hoc Olympics committee due to his lack of meeting attendance.