Statement on COVID-19 Regional Restrictions

After years of advocacy, VICA is celebrating a huge win with the Westfield Promenade Project, which was supported unanimously by the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday. VICA has been a strong supporter of the Westfield Promenade Project as it will help elevate the economic vitality and stability of the San Fernando Valley and its residents. Repurposing the old Promenade mall into an innovative new urban center will generate thousands of jobs and construct over 1,000 residential units. Now, more than ever, the San Fernando Valley local economy needs the project's economic boost and tax revenues that will support public services critical to recovering from our current crisis. VICA is very proud to see this project move forward, and we commend the City Council for supporting such a positive development for the San Fernando Valley!

Gold Member:

Last month, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) announced the Department is advancing one of the largest environmental restoration projects in Mono Basin - a region in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains that provides recreation opportunities as well as water supplies for the City of Los Angeles through the LA Aqueduct. The project consists of constructing an enhanced spillway structure that will allow LADWP to deliver higher flows through the region's creeks and streams during wet years and represents the capstone project to decades of restoration in Mono Basin.

This project exemplifies the Department's work to balance the city's water supply needs with protecting the natural environment in which it operates. Here in Los Angeles, LADWP is investing in water recycling, stormwater capture, groundwater replenishment and conservation while also continuing to protect the environment in all regions where it operates, like the Mono Basin, where decades of restoration projects have revitalized streams and ecosystems for plants, fish, and birds.

Learn more about the project here and learn more about LADWP's restoration work in the Eastern Sierra here.

Tuesday, December 8

8 to 10 a.m.

Friday, December 11

11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Los Angeles County broke its single-day COVID-19 case record with 7,713 new cases amid imminent state and local shutdown orders.

Although new job growth slowed in November, the stock market is trading at record highs this week, and is on track for the fourth weekly gain in five weeks.

The State of California has announced that it will receive an initial stock of 375,000 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses, and has outlined the distribution plans.

Southern California will be under multiple extreme weather warnings and advisories over the next few days, including a hard freeze warning, a red flag warning, a high surf advisory, and high wind warnings.

A lawsuit has been filed against the State of California claiming that, during the pandemic, the state failed to provide a free and equal education to all students, as required by the state Constitution.

Thousands of Southern California residents have lost power to avoid wildfires amid low humidity and sustained Santa Ana winds.

California hospitals are fearing staffing shortages and overwhelmed systems as COVID-19 cases continue to surge. Based on current predictions, if cases continue to rise, L.A. County will have a shortage of ICU beds in the next four weeks.

The economy added 245,000 jobs in November, the slowest month of growth since COVID-19 recovery began.

This week, VICA staff and members provided comments during the Metro Board Meeting to voice support for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit (ESFV LRT) Project. VICA has been an active supporter of the ESFV LRT Project for years, which will transform transportation in the Valley and provide service to many transit-dependent populations who rely on Metro's service to get to work and for essential needs, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to VICA's advocacy efforts, the Metro Board voted this week to approve the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIS) and First/Last Mile Plan for the ESFV LRT. VICA thanks the Metro staff for moving this beneficial project forward and for investing in the community development of the San Fernando Valley.

VICA spoke during the LA City Council Committee on Energy, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice Thursday, opposing the implementation of an oil well setback in the City. The increased setbacks being considered would negatively impact our economy, jeopardize good-paying jobs, impose unnecessary costs on residents and local businesses, and increase our dependence on unreliable foreign sources of oil. VICA believes it is irresponsible for the City to consider this oil well setback as it will put Angelenos out of work and cut tens of millions in critical tax revenue for local services while Los Angeles continues to face the economic impacts of COVID-19. VICA will continue to encourage the City to embrace an energy strategy that incorporates all forms of energy to ensure a reliable supply for our businesses and residents.

David A. Goldberg - Armbruster Goldsmith & Delvac LLP

David A. Goldberg is a partner at the land use boutique Armbruster Goldsmith & Delvac. He was born and raised in the Valley, attended LAUSD K-12 schools, and still lives in the Valley today with his wife and two teenage kids. At Armbruster Goldsmith & Delvac he represents developers, institutions and nonprofits on complicated entitlements throughout Southern California and up and down the coast. David shared that he and his wife have known each other since they were infants, as a kid he did radio commercials, including an award winning ad for AT&T.

I have been involved with VICA for nearly my entire 20+ year career, including as a member, board member, Executive Committee member, land use committee co-chair and now land use committee chair. VICA has been an invaluable resource throughout my career to help build my law practice and better represent clients, while also providing a platform to help improve the quality of life and business climate throughout the Valley.

VICA is a one stop shop to get educated on issues of importance to the Valley, make connections with civic and business leaders, engage in effective advocacy efforts and be part of a collaborative and supportive business community.

In 2010, Game 7 of the Lakers/Celtics NBA finals coincided with the VICA Hall of Fame event. In a stroke of genius, VICA arranged to have the hotel put up two huge projector screens in the ballroom during dinner to show the game, in what turned out to be the most exciting sports watch party I’ve ever attended.

We have retained all our employees and are working remotely to help slow the spread.

VICA members can promote their business, events and news in VICA Weekly. Member messages are available for $50 per week or $175 for four weeks. Messages are text-based and may not contain more than 70 words. A logo may be added for an additional $5 per week. For more information or to schedule your member message, contact cathy@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.