City Services 311

4/16/2007 stephy "that writer girl" s. says:

thanks for posting this, who knew?

4/16/2007 Aaron "I'm Roman so I speak Latin" R. says:

Yeah, I remember a friend of mine telling me to call this when I busted my car up on a nasty pothole! Its badass!!

4/16/2007 Maral "Butter" A. says:

I wish i could rate this, 'cuz it's very useful. thanks Aaron-poo!

4/16/2007 frank "enstein" L. says:

It's like 411 but instead of a four there's a three and the services are different.

4/16/2007 ericka "america's national flower" L. says:

Oh, you are soooo cool. :)

Keep in mind as Aaron said above this is for City of Los Angeles only. If you live in Pasadena like me, here's your resource tip sheet:

Main #: 626-744-4000

E-Government services (pay bills, report complaints, etc.): http://www.ci.pasadena...

Not sure who to contact? Try the general contact form: http://www.ci.pasadena...

4/16/2007 Shannon F. says:

Thanks Aaron! =])

4/16/2007 Jessica L. says:

insightful frank

does is work in long beach?

4/16/2007 Jessica L. says:

oh, I guess Ericka answered my question for me

4/16/2007 Carrie "high and mighty" R. says:

coolio

4/16/2007

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4/16/2007 Gary F. says:

I've used 311 to contact the franchise authority and file a complaint against Time-Warner Cable for their crappy service. So just know that you can do that if you're angry at Time-warner. Then call TW customer service and let them know you filed a complaint. They credited me on my bill.

4/16/2007 Pavel D. says:

Just too bad that there are only like 20 teams that actually do pothole work  for the entire city.  Don't expect anything anytime soon just because of a complaint number.
http://www.laobserved....

4/16/2007 ericka "america's national flower" L. says:

Pavel, you'd be surprised at how quickly the crews make it out if you provide specific information (eg, there's a pothole in the northbound [nb] lane of Sepulveda just south of Montana Avenue.) Potholes are something that are fixed fairly quickly.

Now street repaving, that's a whole other issue...

4/16/2007

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4/16/2007 Pavel D. says:

Cee, I think the city was almost forcing the homeowners to pay half of the costs, and would not reimburse the entire amount, and not in a very timely manner.  I tried to find the info, but gave up after a minute.

4/16/2007 ericka "america's national flower" L. says:

I'm not sure about that, Cee, but the City does now take requests to fix sidewalks through 311 or the website. There's a huge backlog for sidewalk repair, very difficult to get it done. I'll check into it and post info on such a program if it exists.

More info:

The State of California Improvement Act of 1911 provides cities the authority to require property owners to effect repairs to sidewalks abutting their property (California Streets and Highways Code.) Should the property owner fail to effect such repairs, City forces are authorized to make the repairs and the property owner is assessed for the cost. However, Los Angeles Municipal Code (Section 62.104, Ordinance No. 146.040 effective July 3, 1974) exempts homeowners from the responsibility for sidewalk repairs caused by city owned trees and places responsibility for these repairs with the City's Department of Public Works.

For the first time in approximately 25 years, the Mayor and City Council approved in the 2000-2001 budget approximately $9 million to permanently repair 46 miles of the most damaged sidewalks throughout the City.

The locations scheduled for sidewalk repair were based on a criteria of selected areas where there have been trip, slip, and falls; where tree roots have raised sidewalks within American with Disabilities Act "transition areas" as determined by the Department on Disability; where paths of travel issues exist in conjunction with access ramp construction, and in low and moderate income census tracts.

The Bureau coordinates the sidewalk repair work with respective Council offices. Each request is evaluated as it relates to the criteria established for this program. [F]iscal year 2006-2007 is funded for 50.5 miles with funding allotments for both years devoted to the 50/50 Voluntary Sidewalk Reconstruction Program.

Of the damaged sidewalks in the City, it is estimated that approximately 80 percent of the damage is the result of parkway tree root growth.

P.S. Yes, I am a total City geek.

4/16/2007 Pavel D. says:

50/50 Sidewalk Program --- The program, which started as a pilot program in the San Fernando Valley, has been extremely successful. Residents requesting sidewalk repairs pay 50% of the cost and the City pays 50%. The average cost to the homeowner is approximately $1300 -- more for corner homes. Some of the advantages of the program include no permit or inspection fees for the homeowner; workmanship is guaranteed for five years; and the work is performed according to the latest specifications. The program includes concrete sidewalk reconstruction, tree trimming, tree root pruning, and repair of affected sprinkler system, if required. Council District 11 has had 137 "buy-ins" of the 535 Citywide thus far this year. The program is available to private homes and apartment buildings, but not intended for commercial businesses.

4/16/2007 Pavel D. says:

L.A.'s 50/50 sidewalk program. The plan gives property owners the prerogative to get sidewalks repaired in a month --- if they're willing to pay half the cost.

Of course, that's the city's job, but good luck getting it done in this lifetime. Work orders are backlogged about 85 years, says Greuel. In 1998, a citywide parcel tax that would have raised $700 million to speed up sidewalk repair failed at the polls, leaving only about $9 million per year for emergency sidewalk repairs.

Truth is, many are willing to pay. Though it sticks homeowners with bills in excess of $1,000, the 50/50 plan has become so enormously popular that after just a few months the city had to start turning people away

4/16/2007 Aaron "I'm Roman so I speak Latin" R. says:

Wow... Ericka, that's some serious info...

4/16/2007 Aaron "I'm Roman so I speak Latin" R. says:

Nice info Pavel!!

4/16/2007

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