In February, VICA fought hard to stop the rushed and damaging Board of Supervisors and City Council hazard pay proposals. VICA urged for a thorough economic and policy analysis before moving forward with implementing any policy. Despite warnings from staff regarding the expense and job loss that would occur, both the City and the County moved forward with their proposals requiring grocery stores to provide Hazard Pay to their employees. This $5 increase is equivalent to a 30 percent wage increase, will be passed onto consumers in the form of higher grocery costs. This will negatively impact many in our region who are already struggling to afford living expenses during the pandemic. As a result of similar Hazard Pay ordinances by the Long Beach City Council, the Kroger Co. announced the permanent closure of 25 percent of its stores in Long Beach.

A delegation of VICA members and staff virtually visited Sacramento to speak with lawmakers in February about proposed legislation which will impact the San Fernando Valley and the business community. VICA met with Senator Bob Archuleta, as well as Assemblymembers Wendy Carrillo, Heath Flora, Laura Friedman, Tom Lackey, Evan Low, Devon Mathis and Cottie Petrie-Norris. Click the links below to send letters to legislators on important issues impacting the San Fernando Valley and our business community. The following bills and topics were discussed:

VICA provided comments in support of Metro's Sepulveda Transit Corridor (STC) this month, and urged the Board to consider an alignment that provides equity between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. While VICA does not currently have a preference for the alignment or technology for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor project, we want to make sure the Valley does not get shortchanged, and that any alignment Metro moves forward with includes an on-campus station at UCLA. An on-campus station would have the potential to serve tens of thousands of UCLA staff and students, many of whom take advantage of Metro services and would likely be among the first early adopters of a faster, more efficient form of transportation such as the STC. VICA looks forward to continuing to work with Metro as this project moves forward to determine the best result for the Valley and Westside public transit users.

This month, VICA brought shared concerns regarding the Agoura Hills City Council Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), which proposes to mandate electrification in new residential and commercial buildings. This would eliminate affordable energy options currently available to consumers, and both residents and businesses would be required to pay high costs for energy supply and appliances. This would be financially unfeasible to the point where living and doing business in Agoura Hills would be impracticable. Further, 100 percent electrification could lead to more power outages when many are working from home and students are distance learning. VICA will continue to fight for reasonable policies which provide a balanced approach and do not increase the cost of living and doing business.

In February, VICA sent letters to the State, County, and City Redistricting Commissions to advocate for the diverse and cohesive needs of the San Fernando Valley. VICA argued that Cities in the Valley need to be recognized as unique municipalities that share geographic boundaries, and the districts need to be split in a way that gives voters in the Valley their fair share. We expressed our support for the creation of districts that maximize the connection that legislators and elected officials have with the San Fernando Valley, and urged the Commissions to maximize the number of districts that are wholly within the Valley or in which the Valley is the most influential voter bloc. Further, VICA explained that all recognized communities within the Valley should be kept together as part of compact and contiguous districts that recognize geographic features and natural boundaries. VICA will continue to be involved in the redistricting processes and will work to ensure that San Fernando Valley residents and businesses get fair representation for the next 10 years.

This month, VICA advocated for progressive new sign regulations within the City. The new ordinance, if done right, will support small and large businesses who rely on billboards to help grow their companies, which would put us on par with over 1,000 municipalities throughout the nation who have already passed similar progressive sign ordinances. Further, it would boost our local economy and the City would benefit from millions of dollars in new revenue that could provide essential services during these difficult times. However, VICA urged the City Planning Commission to not tie digital conversions to Sign Districts, but instead consider progressive changes and allow digital conversions by way of relocation agreements outside of sign districts. These changes will provide the best strategy for meaningful community benefits across the table.

VICA's Director of Legislative Affairs Armando Flores attended LA Sanitation and Environment's Hyperion 2035 Advisory Group, which discussed LASAN's Hyperion 2035 Program, which involves 100 percent water recycling at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant (WRP).

VICA President Stuart Waldman, Vice President Jessica Yasukochi, Membership Manager Shauna Carter, and Office Manager Cathy Mendoza participated in the three day Western Association of Chamber Executives Conference, a series of webinars to help chambers recover and improve.

VICA Membership Manager Shauna Carter joined into the United Chambers of Commerce - San Fernando Valley Region's 6th Annual Virtual Inspirational Women event.

VICA President Stuart Waldman urged the state to reopen California's schools in a Business Community Press Conference, which helped provide a unified business voice in support of school reopening.

VICA Legislative Affairs Associate Kayla Koerting attended Boeing's Environment and Sustainability series, which discussed Boeing innovations and commitment to sustainability.

VICA Membership Manager Shauna Carter joined CalChambers for the Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Pathways to Success.

VICA President Stuart Waldman joined in on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Rally for Recovery Call with the White House, where unified business organizations discussed nationwide efforts to protect and inform employees, communicate with customers, and support local communities.

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