Measure R -- Meeting Today's Challenges

The Westside Cities Council of Governments (COG) joint powers authority is a voluntary, cooperative effort among the cities to forge consensus on policies and programs of regional significance. The COG provides a forum for discussion and communication as well as formalized representation and advocacy on behalf of the Westside subregion with regional, state and federal agencies. The COG representatives include City Council members appointed by their respective jurisdictions.

Below are projects recently accomplished and activities the COG is involved in.

	Westside Cities' Livable Boulevards Symposium The Westside Cities' Livable Boulevards symposium was held on October 6, 2006 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. This effort exemplifies the Westside Cities' commitment to developing practical strategies for reinventing segments of our boulevards as attractive mixed-use neighborhood centers, even as these streets maintain their local and regional transportation functions. Click here to learn more and to access the Symposium White Paper and "Toolkit," a collection of recent literature on the subject.
	Westside Mobility Advocacy Toolkit Westside Mobility Advocacy Toolkit Funding is needed to move Exposition Light Rail to Santa Monica and the Westside Subway Extension from the drawing board to reality. Click here to access the toolkit and learn more. Sample Advocacy Letter Sample Advocacy Letter Download and print this letter to use as a sample for creating your own correspondence to local, regional, state and federal officials to encourage their support for funding Exposition Light Rail to Santa Monica and the Westside Subway Extension.
	The Westside Mobility Study The Westside Mobility Study takes a multi-jurisdictional approach to addressing regional transportation needs. It is focused on practical short-term and longer-term transportation solutions, ranging from improved transit stops and improved arterial efficiency to construction of up to two regional rail lines, as well as funding considerations. Click here for more. MOBILITY IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE: OCT. 2004
	Multimodal Mobility Linking the Westside Cities to the Future Venice/Robertson Light Rail Station aims to identify alternative transportation options for the Westside Cities in the area around the proposed Expo light rail station at Venice/Robertson and the I-10/Robertson interchange. This study assesses and describes existing barriers to multimodalism, identifies strategies to enhance multimodal mobility at Expo and across the Westside, and sets the stage for future development and planning in this area, putting emphasis on the convenience and safety of non-motorized transportation modes. Click here for more.
	The Walkable Westside A Partnership for Pedestrian Safety is designed to achieve more powerful, far-reaching results than any of the cities could expect to achieve individually. http://movingviolator.org/ COG Advocacy for Homeless Vets COG officials are advocating for designation of buildings on the West Los Angeles VA campus for “long-term therapeutic supportive housing” for homeless veterans with special needs and chronically homeless veterans. Click here and learn more.
	Sector Governance Council Service Sector Governance Councils are established by the MTA to oversee the planning and implementation of service within their area, including calling and conducting public hearings for sector bus lines, approving and evaluating sector programs and implementing service changes. WESTSIDE-CENTRAL SECTOR