Welcome to the April 2023 edition of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council's (SONC) newsletter, the Ziff Flyer.

email: lindsay.imber.sonc@gmail.com

Although the drought-busting rain we have experienced over the past few months may belie it based on what we're used to in Sherman Oaks, it is certainly Spring and with that a welcome turning of the calendar.

The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council completes a transition to in-person meetings for the board and all of its committees this month, with the COVID emergency order and extension officially expiring in March. We look forward to welcoming you to our first in-person meeting on Monday, April 10, at Louis Armstrong Middle School at 5041 Sunnyslope Avenue. Most of our committees will meet at the Library at 14245 Moorpark Street. Please consult the Calendar for meeting dates.

After several months of planning, we have finally approved the full roster of SONC's brand new Airport Committee, chaired by Bob Bramen. I have the utmost faith that Bob will guide this committee through the sometimes turbulent waters of aviation and air traffic issues that have enveloped Sherman Oaks and other communities surrounding the local airports, and am excited to see this committee flourish to address community concerns. I am glad this sometimes-contentious process eventually produced a near unanimous consensus as to the committee's composition.

Finally, SONC is officially in election season, and if you are interested in serving on the Neighborhood Council, you can visit our Elections page to view the open seats (Areas 2, 4, and 6) and find information on how to run. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on deadline days. For instance, our next Deadline Day is April 8, 2023, which is the last day to register as a candidate. Vote-by-mail applications will begin on April 23 and must be requested by June 10. Election day itself, which will assume a hybrid vote-by-mail and in-person format, is June 22, at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center, 5056 Van Nuys Boulevard, from 2-8pm.

Thank you for your continued interest in Sherman Oaks and in the Neighborhood Council. We invite you to join us at our next meeting and look forward to continued service to the community.

Please stay safe and be kind to one another,

Lindsay

To view webinar details, please visit the SONC calendar.

Vision Sub-Committee Meeting

April 17th, 2023, 6:30pm

April 25th, 2023, 7:00 PM

April 26th, 2023, 6:30 PM

page links for meeting agendas and to confirm dates & times.

In May 2020, the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council began to hold virtual meetings by way of video teleconferences using the Zoom platform, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Zoom platform allowed the Neighborhood Council to conduct its meetings and keep operating and interfacing with the community via the Internet and/or via standard telecommunications technology during that time. The City of Los Angeles has announced the resumption of in-person meetings effective March 30th, 2023.

All SONC meetings will now take place in-person. The monthly Board Meetings will be conducted at the Louis Armstrong Middle School, 5041 Sunnyslope Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Most committee meetings will be conducted at the Sherman Oaks Martin Pollard Branch Library, 14245 Moorpark Street, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Other meetings will be conducted at the L.A. City Council District 4 Field Office, 14930 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 210, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. For information on specific times and locations for each meeting, please consult the SONC website calendar page:

Many of the SONC Monthly Board meetings and many committee meetings that were conducted and recorded using the Zoom Video-teleconferencing platform are posted and available for playback. All recorded meetings are viewable by clicking the associated meeting date web links found on the various SONC committee pages.

The 2023 Neighborhood Council elections are taking place now. SONC is seeking interested Sherman Oaks community members to run. There are 9 council seats across areas 2, 4, and 6 that will be on the ballot. Please refer to the Area boundary map below and the area boundary descriptions that appear here to determine if you live in an area of Sherman Oaks that will have open seats on the 2023 ballot.

 

The 9 seats in contention are:

SONC Area 2 is located within the 91401 and 91423 zip codes and is bounded by:

 

SONC Area 4 is located within the 91403 and a small portion of the 91423 zip codes and is bounded by:

 

SONC Area 6 is located within the 91403 and a small portion of the 91423 zip codes and is bounded by:

 

The purpose of neighborhood councils is to promote public participation in City governance and the decision-making process so that government is more responsive to local needs and requests. Neighborhood Councils will advise the Mayor, City Council and City Departments on the City budget and will give local residents greater say over the decisions that affect our lives.

 

The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council is an official government entity of the City of Los Angeles and the community's gateway to Los Angeles City Council. Board members are elected officials who volunteer to serve their community. The elected Sherman Oaks Board members serve four-year terms of office. The current term period will begin on July 1, 2023 and run to June 30, 2027.

 

Eligible candidates can be residents, business owners, property owners, or community interest advocates who are key participants in local non-profit/service organizations. Candidates need not be US citizens or legal residents to qualify. Participation is also open to the formerly incarcerated. The minimum age to run for a council seat is 18.

 

If you are interested in becoming a candidate for an open position on the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, you can submit an application using the online Candidate Filing Portal or by completing a paper candidate application. You will need to create an Angeleno Account prior to submitting an online candidate application.

 

 

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on deadline days.

 

The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) has provided several resources for prospective candidates to learn tips for candidate filing, running a successful campaign, and connecting with voters:

 

 

In 2023, the City Clerk will be using a hybrid election model for NC elections that provides for both in-person polling place voting as well as the option to Vote-By-Mail. The minimum voting age is 16. Voters can only cast their ballots for candidates that are running in their respective area of Sherman Oaks. This means that only eligible certified voters associated with Areas 2, 4 and 6 will be voting in the 2023 election for candidates running for open positions in those areas. Participation to vote is open to those who live, work, or own property or a business within a specific area. The certification process to receive a ballot will require voters to attest to qualification via written documentation (California driver's license or ID, property tax statement, paycheck, City of LA issued business license, etc.).

 

As candidates are certified by the City Clerk's Office, their bio's and candidate statements will be published on-line. To view candidate information for stakeholders who filed an application, visit the Candidate Statements page on the City Clerk's website. The Official List of Certified Candidates will be posted on the website 60 days prior to Election Day.

 

The voting deadline for SONC elections will be Thursday, June 22, 2023, with official results released on July 6, 2023. Newly elected council members will be officially sworn in and seated at the July 10th, 2023 SONC board meeting.

 

Sherman Oaks stakeholders can submit a Vote-By-Mail(VBM) Application to obtain a ballot using the online VBM Application Portal or by completing a VBM paper application to request a NC ballot.

 

Applications to obtain a ballot are reviewed to ensure stakeholders meet the NC voter requirements, and once approved, ballots are mailed to the voters. Voted ballots can be returned by mail using the postage-paid envelope provided or dropped off at the polling place on Election Day. The deadline to submit an application to vote-by-mail is 19 days prior to the election. Completed NC ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than ten (10) days thereafter.

 

Like with the candidate application, you will need to create an Angeleno Account prior to submitting an online VBM application.

 

 

The in-person polling location for the 2023 Sherman Oaks NC Election will take place at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center (SOEVAC), 5056 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, in Building C, Back Division. Voting hours will be 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

 

In accordance with any current City policy, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the previous 72 hours may be required to enter a polling location. Any voter who cannot provide the required COVID-19 documents will be able to vote curbside or in front of the poll location. COVID-19 requirements are subject to change based on City policy.

 

Learn more about the 2023 Neighborhood Council Elections at: empowerla.org/elections 

Still not sure what area you live in or who your

current Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council representative is? Email SONC.Newsletter@gmail.com with your address or cross-streets with the navigational direction -- and we will help you out!

Jeff Kalban, Chair

Email: Jeff.Kalban.sonc@gmail.com

The Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM) has studied some of the latest land use bills being proposed in Sacramento. Two bills that, if passed, will have detrimental impacts on the quality of life in Sherman Oaks and throughout California.

Senate Bill 423 (SB 423) would allow a streamlined, ministerial approval process for a multi-family development with affordable units in any residential zone, by right, if a locality is either noncompliant on their Housing Element or if the locality has not issued enough building permits to meet its RHNA obligation as calculated at the midpoint of the housing cycle. Simply put, it is impossible for Los Angeles or any city to meet the criteria set up in SB 423. Therefore, every city will fail, and the authors of this bill will get what they have been pursuing for the last 5 plus years, unrestricted, unregulated development, including apartment houses in all single-family zones. It also allows for development in the previously protected coastal zones, high fire hazard zones and flood zones.

Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) allows religious institutions or independent institutions of higher learning to build affordable housing on property they own. We support the use of excess property to build affordable housing if the property for development is on or contiguous to the nonprofit’s main campus. For example, if a church with a large parking lot wants to develop affordable multifamily housing on their property, we have no objection. However, this bill, as written, would allow a property owned by that nonprofit remote from its main campus and in a single-family neighborhood to be granted “by right” designation for affordable housing development with density bonus. This bill is by the same senators that authored SB 423. Again, their goal is to get apartment buildings in single-family areas. We support this bill if amended to: This bill allows religious institutions or independent institution of higher learning to build affordable housing on property they own. We support the use of excess property to build affordable housing if the property for development is on or contiguous to the nonprofit’s main campus. For example, if a church with a large parking lot wants to develop affordable multifamily housing on their property, we have no objection. However, this bill, as written, would allow a property owned by that nonprofit remote from its main campus and in a single-family neighborhood to be granted “by right” designation for affordable housing development with density bonus.

We will keep Sherman Oaks posted on the progress of these bills.

Vision meets at 6:30 PM on the first Thursday of each month and PLUM meets at 6:30 PM on the third Thursday. For more information, please visit our PLUM/Vision web page.

Harold Shapiro, Chair

Email: Harold.Shapiro.SONC@gmail.com

Save the date: Saturday April 22nd, 2023. Once again SONC will be conducting the annual Spring Tree Giveaway event. Between 10:00 AM and until all plants are given away (typically no later than 2:00 PM) at the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks, come to celebrate Earth Day and adopt a tree. To be eligible to obtain any trees, you must provide your LA City ID. For more information on the types of trees provided and the details of this adoption program, please visit Cityplants.org. These trees are for planting in the ground or in your yard. These are not houseplants. With proper watering and care, these trees will grow to provide shade for your home, and since some plants offered are also fruit bearing trees, they could yield some agricultural bonuses!

The SONC Outreach Committee is currently developing the plans for the 2023 Summer Movies in the Park Series. Targeted dates are Saturday June 24, Saturday July 22 and Saturday August 25th. These film screenings are held at the Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park, outdoors on the softball field in the evenings once the sun sets, and its dark enough. Typically, these screening events also include activities for the whole family, such as bubble blowing or face painting.

SONC is asking its Ziff Flyer readers and community stakeholders to submit suggestions for film titles. Please email: sonc.newsletter@gmail.com if you have recommendations, or favorite movies that you would like to see displayed in the Summer Movie Series.

The SONC Outreach Committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 18th. Please join us. For more information, to view meeting minutes and meeting agendas, and for details on where the monthly meetings will be conducted visit the Outreach Committee web page.

Joe Cappelletti, Chair

Email: Joe.Cappelletti.SONC@gmail.com

This recognition was bestowed by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in the category of “Exemplary High Performing Schools.”

Update on the mindfulness program instituted last year at Kester.

Under the caring and effective leadership of Mrs. Schnider the pilot mindfulness program that SONC generously supported is having a profound impact.

“When you taught me how to stay calm and be calm it helped me a lot at home.”

“Thank you for helping us make mindfulness jars. When I think about them or use them the thought of glitter slowly falling helps me to be mindful.”

“I have learned a lot of mindfulness from you. I use your methods when I am in stressful situations. I value your lessons very much.”

“Your mindfulness has helped me so much. It helped me to enjoy myself even more.”

“You have impacted me by containing my emotions and being a kinder human. Every time we have a class I go home and tell my parents all about what I did with you.”

We continue to get positive feedback from Chandler elementary about the beautiful garden and Ranger classes that were partly sponsored by a generous grant from SONC.

We’re hoping Riverside will be next! We are in the process of conceptualizing some beautification projects, including murals and the restoration of some existing tree benches.

If you’d like to get involved, let us know. We’d love more community engagement. Let’s make Sherman Oaks an example of how civic engagement inspires connection, creativity and community.

My best regards,

Joe Cappelletti

The SONC Education Committee meets on the third Monday of each month. Our next meeting will be held on Monday, April 17th. Please join us. For more information, to view meeting minutes and meeting agendas, and for details on where the monthly meetings will be conducted visit the Education Committee web page.

The Budget Advocates are conducting a survey of stakeholders and Neighborhood Council board members about the state of City services in your neighborhood. Follow this link to participate: tiny.cc/BAsurvey23 Please respond by April 30. The survey results will be collated and shared directly with the City Council Budget, Finance and Innovation Committee.

The Budget Advocates have an opening in your region. If you are interested in becoming a Budget Advocate, please respond to this email address: labudgetadvocates@gmail.com to let us know.

The Mid-Year Financial Status Report (“FSR”) and the Controller’s Revenue Forecast Report each indicate that there are significant issues that need to be addressed by Mayor Bass in her first budget that must be submitted to the City Council on or before April 20. You can find the FSR under the Budget and Financial Information tab on the CAO’s website at cao.lacity.org.

The FSR indicates that the City’s General Fund had over-expenditures through January of $129 million. The major culprits include the Fire Department, General Services, Project RoomKey, and the repayment of an over advance from the Sewer Construction and Maintenance Fund. A large portion of the over expenditures will be covered by the Reserve Fund and Unappropriated Balances.

Revenues were $44 million higher than anticipated. The big winners were property, utility, and business taxes. But a major concern is the precipitous drop in the Documentary Transfer Tax because of the slow down in the real estate market that could have a ripple effect on other revenue sources.

The Controller’s Revenue Forecast Report projects growth of 1.5% for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on July 1. This is below previous projections. At the same time, expenditures are expected to increase at a higher rate because of inflation, the need to hire new employees to fill vacancies (citywide vacancy rate is at 17%), invest in 21st century infrastructure, and fund new priorities.

The City Administrative Officer (“CAO”) estimates that revenue generated from the voter approved Measure ULA (United to House Los Angeles) will generate $672 million in the upcoming 2023-24 fiscal year. The levy will be equal to 4% of property sales of $5 million or more and 5.5% on property sales of $10 million or more, each from dollar one. This tax will be paid for the most part from the sale of commercial properties.

After paying administrative expenses of $54 million (8%), 70% of the remaining ULA funds ($433 million) will be spent on Affordable Housing Programs and 30% on Homeless Prevention Programs. There are further mandated categories.

The CAO and the Los Angeles Housing Department prepared a 20-page memo discussing the implementation of Measure ULA, including the proper staffing, that can be found in Council File 23-0038.

The Reserve Fund is for emergencies such as earthquakes and pandemics, not to fund operating expenses. Yet, the City has tapped the Reserve Fund to fund overruns on the Human Resources and Payroll Project ($30 million), to repay a loan from the Building and Safety Enterprise Fund

($25 million), to fund the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies ($12 million), and to pay for selected homeless expenditures ($75 million).

Friday March 31 marked the end of the eviction moratorium in Los Angeles County. While the City’s moratorium sunset in February, the County had extended their protections for tenants at certain income levels. 

Here’s what renters in Los Angeles can expect moving forward – 

You CANNOT be evicted for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19 impacts if you pay any back rent owed in full before the deadlines below: 

If you owe back rent from March 1st, 2020 to September 30th, 2021, that back rent is due in full by August 1st, 2023. 

If you owe back rent from October 1st, 2021 to January 31st, 2023, that back rent is due in full by February 1st, 2024.

You also CANNOT be evicted for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19 impact if you pay before the deadlines below:  

If you owe back rent from March 1st, 2020 to September 30th, 2021, that back rent is due in full by August 1st, 2023. 

If you owe back rent from October 1st, 2021 to January 31st, 2023, that back rent is due in full by February 1st, 2024.

You CAN receive a rent increase. If your unit is protected under State Bill AB 1482, you cannot receive an increase of more than 10% of your current rent.

To see if you’re protected under AB 1482, visit zimas.lacity.org.

As pandemic related tenant protections come to an end, my team and I have fought hard to add some of the strongest tenant protections in the City of Los Angeles since the Rent Stabilization Ordinance went into effect 40 years ago. For more information about these new protections, be sure to visit our Renters Rights page HERE!

As always, our office is available for questions and additional assistance at contactCD4@lacity.org and (213) 473-7004.

CD4 will be distributing FREE kitchen countertop compost pails on Saturday, April 8 from 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM at the Sherman Oaks Library (14245 Moorpark St). Please RSVP for your pail by using this link. These FREE compost pails are being provided by LASAN to help you separate your food waste at home. As of January 16, 2023, Angelinos are now required to place food waste and food-soiled paper in their green trash bins to be composted by the City, alongside the landscaping waste that already goes in this bin. Our Council Office is enthusiastic about working together to combat climate change. Keeping food out of landfills where it decomposes is a simple way to reduce harmful greenhouse gasses. We hope to see you there!

The Office of District 4 Councilmember Nithya Raman provides Sherman Oaks with a dedicated field deputy to handle resident and business owner issues at the city level. Ryan Ahari is the Sherman Oaks Field Deputy, and also services Van Nuys. If you need assistance with City services, agencies, and departments (graffiti, trash, abandoned properties, and more), you can always reach Ryan through his CD4 web page here or call (213) 424-2412 and Ryan's email address is:

In addition to contacting Ryan, for any issues related to homelessness anywhere within Council District 4, you can contact Senior Homelessness Deputy Sarah Tanberg (sarah.tanberg@lacity.org) or Homelessness Deputy Josh Scarcella (josh.scarcella@lacity.org)

To sign up, please visit: https://nhifp.org/

If you are interested in volunteering with the LA Regional Food Bank, please visit this link.

amartinez@lafoodbank.org

Facebook - @laworks 

Twitter - @LAWorksNow 

Instagram - @laworksnow

Please visit LAWorks.com

Email Contact:

Get Involved In Your Community

If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain and starting a Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood, please contact your Senior Lead Officer at the email addresses or phone numbers listed below to obtain further details. There are 4 senior lead officers assigned for all of Sherman Oaks:

email: 30853@lapd.online

(818) 731-2565

9SL89

email: 40229@lapd.online

(818) 731-2563

9SL63

email: 36816@lapd.online

(818) 731-2560

9SL41

email: 32914@lapd.online

(818) 731-2562

9SL37

Please sign up on Nextdoor.com to receive current updates about crime trends and events in your community.

You can contact Alan Scher for more information about the Neighborhood Watch Program.

The April edition of the Van Nuys Neighborhood Watch News is available to read online here.

Make a difference as an LAPD volunteer and be the change you want to see in your community. Volunteers represent a broad range of ages, from teenagers to senior citizens. As a volunteer, here are some of the available opportunities:

For information on volunteer opportunities with the LAPD, email Officer Jason Jimenez in the Community Relations Office at 38903@lapd.online, or call (818) 374-5420. You can also get more information about the LAPD Volunteer Program by visiting this link.