February 16, 2018

In This Issue
" The connections between Canada and the United States are as old as our countries themselves - from deep family ties, to businesses that work back and forth across the border, to the world's most important trade relationship. All of us benefit when we work together. " 

- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his visit to California
Media Highlights
______________

New Metro Shuttle to Improve Warner Center Connectivity,
February 8

A State Bill Could Boost Housing Near LA Transit. Here's Why One City Leader Is Against It
February 9

Metro Plans Warner Center Bus Route,
San Fernando Valley Business Journal ,
February 9

Gas Moratorium Pulled From CPUC Agenda,
San Fernando Valley Business Journal,
February 15
VICA Thanks our Renewing Members
______________
(2009)


(2003)
____________________
(1998)
_______________________

Carollo Engineers
(2017)
·
First 5 LA
(2014)
·
Greer Dailey, Inc.
(2012)
·
History for Hire
(2010)
·
Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell, LLP
(2012)
·
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles
(2007)
·
Set Decorators Society of America
(2013)
·
Western States Petroleum Association
(2012)
Calendar
The Week Ahead

Government Affairs Committee
Wed. Feb 21
12 to 2 pm
Hosted by: 
Providence Tarzana Hospital
18321 Clark St., Tarzana
Click  here to RSVP


New Member Breakfast
Fri. Feb 23
8:30 to 10 am
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP

______________________

Save the Date


Newsmaker Connection- AD 45 Forum
Mon. Feb 26
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP

Newsmaker Connection- AD 39 Forum
Tues. March 6
8:30 - 10 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click  here to RSVP

Aviation Committee
Wed. March 7
Noon to 1:30 pm
Aerolease Associates
7943 Woodley Ave,
Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Entertainment Committee
Thurs. March 8
8:30 to 10 am
VICA Office 
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

State Officeholders Dinner
Fri. March 9
5:30 to 8:30 pm
The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood
1000 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
Click here to RSVP



View VICA's 2018 Event Calendar
HERE 

Hot Issues 
Water
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is exploring the feasibility of owning the majority stake in the Delta tunnels project, enabling the twin tunnels to get built at the same time. Last week, the Brown administration announced it was scaling back the project to just one tunnel for now. VICA strongly supported the initial proposal for a two tunnel project. 

Infrastructure
Metro's new Warner Center service plan, which will connect the Warner Center to the Orange Line bus rapid transit, was approved by the San Fernando Valley Service Council with strong support from VICA.

Federal Budget
The Trump administration outlined its policy priorities in a budget that calls for billions of dollars to fight the opioid epidemic, secure the country's borders and overhaul safety net programs. 

Entertainment
Mayor Garcetti launched the Evolve Entertainment Fund (EEF), a public-private partnership that plans to raise $5 million by 2020 to award grants to various entertainment industry organizations dedicated to building career pathways into film, television and music.

Education
Gov. Brown appointed 15 technology and education experts to a newly created panel charged with overseeing implementation of K-12 computer science standards in California. VICA strongly supported the creation of this panel to ensure more students statewide have access to computer science courses. 


Unnecessary Los Angeles County Business Registration Program

This week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors brought back a proposal to implement a business registration program for all businesses in unincorporated L.A. County. In 2016, when the proposal was first raised, VICA strongly opposed the registration program and fee as the VICA board failed to see the problem it would solve. Creating a new program will add another layer of regulation and fees with no benefits to County residents, local employees or business owners. VICA will continue to work with County Supervisors and staff as they prepare to report back.
Housing LA's Homeless Population

Los Angeles continues to experience a dire need for housing. On Tuesday, VICA urged the Los Angeles City Council Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM) to support two ordinances that will help address the homeless issue. These proposals will ensure Measure HHH dollars are properly utilized and will help produce much needed housing for thousands of homeless individuals across Los Angeles. The Permanent Supportive Housing Ordinance would reduce strict requirements and streamline the approval process for housing projects that include supportive services. The Interim Motel Conversion Ordinance would allow motels to be temporarily turned into supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. We commend the PLUM committee for moving forward on these two proposals and reducing barriers which have prevented housing development in Los Angeles. 



VICA Defeats Proposed Gas Moratorium
This week, The California Public Utilities Commission scrapped a flawed proposal for a moratorium of new natural gas connections in Southern California. VICA was at the forefront in opposition to this proposal, which would have harmed businesses' ability to expand, as well as provide new job opportunities. Thank you to our members who were active in sending letters, emails and contacting officials to explain our concerns and urge them to rethink this proposal. We commend the Public Utilities Commission for listening to the business community's concerns and forgoing the moratorium. In the San Fernando Valley and throughout Southern California, businesses rely on natural gas as an energy alternative that has proven to be affordable, safe, reliable and efficient. The Commission's decision will maintain natural gas as an affordable energy choice for customers.

Committee Reports

Land Use Committee - 02/13/2018
Hosted by the The Garland

  • Rubina Ghazarian from the LA Department of City Planning provided an update on the work the department is doing to revise the Transportation Demand Management Ordinance.
  • The committee recommended to approve two development projects: the Tejon Ranch Centennial Project and Universal Villas Project.
  • The committee voted to support Senate Bill 827 (Wiener), if amended. This bill would remove local housing regulations and restrictions to allow for new housing developments near transit.
  • The committee voted to table Assembly Bill 1759 (McCarty) with concerns that the language in the bill would shift from its original version. This would make the distribution of transportation funds from Senate Bill 1 (Beall) to cities and counties contingent on the percentage of housing needs met in their annual production report. 
Member Messages:
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For more information or to schedule your member message, contact Helene@vica.com  or 
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