Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Newsletter: Issue #25-2

Welcome to the February 2025 edition of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council's (SONC) newsletter, the Ziff Flyer.

Message from the President

Lindsay Imber

email: lindsay.imber.sonc@gmail.com

Are you interested in serving on SONC? Here are a few roles we are actively looking for stakeholders to serve in.

The Traffic & Transportation and Green & Sustainability Committees:

We are reestablishing these two SONC committees and thus are looking for community stakeholders who wish to serve on or chair these committees.

Traffic & Transportation: The purpose of the Traffic and Transportation Committee is to provide the Sherman Oaks community with resources and tools for improvement of Traffic and Transportation issues. Previous efforts of this committee include traffic calming initiatives (e.g., no turn signs) and supporting transit solutions to benefit people.

Green & Sustainability: This committee seeks to promote environmentally-conscious initiatives and events in Sherman Oaks. Previous efforts of this committee include organizing garden tours and supporting sustainability-focused legislation.

To submit your interest for either committee: E-mail me at lindsay.imber.sonc@gmail.com.

Join SONC as a Neighborhood Councilmember:

Are you interested in serving on the SONC Board?

2025 is an election year for SONC, in our odd numbered areas 1, 3, 5, and 7. You may be eligible to run for the SONC Board if you are a resident, business stakeholder (employer/employee), or community interest stakeholder (nonprofit member, school affiliate, etc.). Curious what your area is? Click here to view our boundary map.

To run for the SONC Board: Click here to create an account/login to the NC candidate portal and to register as a candidate for the 2025 Neighborhood Council election.

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is also looking for volunteers on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Click here for information on the Homeless Count and click here to submit your volunteer application. Volunteers will meet at 6:30pm on February 18 at 14115 Magnolia Blvd.

Thank you for your continued interest in and dedication to the Sherman Oaks community. Please stay safe and be kind to one another.

With Pride and Determination—

Lindsay

Join SONC for our annual tree adoption event, featuring a limited supply of shade trees available to LA city residents (bring ID) in a first come, first-to-adopt format. Saturday, March 22, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park

14201 Huston Street

To view up-to-date details, please visit the SONC calendar.

Council - Full Board

February 10, 6:30 PM

Public Safety Committee

February 11, 6:30 PM

Planning and Land Use (PLUM)

February 20, 2025, 6:30 PM

Outreach Committee

February 21, 4:30 PM

Government Affairs Committee

February 25, 6:30 PM

Finance Committee

February 26, 2025, 6:30 PM

Human Services Committee

March 3, 2025, 6:30 PM

Vision Sub-Committee

March 6, 2025, 6:30 PM

Executive Committee

See Website for Meeting Date

Airport Committee

See Website for Meeting Date

Green & Sustainability

See Website for Meeting Date

Traffic & Transportation

See Website for Meeting Date



Please visit the committee

page links for meeting agendas and to confirm dates, times and locations.

How to Attend SONC Committee Meetings

Whereas in-person monthly Board meetings take place at the larger Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center (5056 Van Nuys Blvd), in-person SONC committee meetings are generally held at Sherman Oaks Martin Pollard Branch Library, 14245 Moorpark Street, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Note that virtual meetings are held via telephone or Zoom. The President and Committee Chairs are empowered to select a meeting format that works best for their group or committee. Meeting locations, formats (in-person vs virtual), dates, and times are listed on the applicable agenda published before the meeting.

For information on specific times and locations for each meeting please consult the SONC website calendar page:

https://www.shermanoaksnc.org/calendar

Planning & Land Use Committee + Vision Committee

Jeff Kalban, Chair

email: jeff.kalban.sonc@gmail.com

The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Vision Committee has crafted a comprehensive response to the City’s land use section of both the Southeast Valley Community Plan Update and the North Sherman Oaks-Van Nuys Community Plan Update. This evolving document, titled "A Vision for Sherman Oaks 2025," outlines our vision for thoughtful urban growth, sustainability, and community-driven planning.

View the report: A Vision For Sherman Oaks 2025

This is the fifth draft of an ongoing initiative that we will be reviewing with the City Planning Department staff. We invite you to be part of this crucial conversation shaping the future of Sherman Oaks!

Affordable single-family homes are just as essential as affordable apartments. To address this, we are collaborating with the Planning Department to explore innovative ways to increase the supply of affordable single-family homes.

Upcoming Meetings – Get Involved!

PLUM Committee Meeting – February 20, 6:30 PM at the Sherman Oaks Library

Vision Committee Meeting – March 6, 6:30 PM at the Sherman Oaks Library

Together, we can refine the Community Plan Update to promote smart, sustainable development—focusing density where it belongs along commercial corridors while prioritizing parks, open spaces, and green infrastructure to create a vibrant, walkable Sherman Oaks.

Your voice matters! Join us and help shape the future of our community.

Election Committee

Jeffrey Hartsough, Treasurer & Committee Member

email: jeffrey.hartsough.sonc@gmail.com

Election day is June 10, 2025. If you want to run and be elected to the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council (SONC) you need to act now. The Candidate Filing Period began on February 7 and ends on March 24.

Use these links to learn about Neighborhood Councils and how to be a candidate, get elected, and represent your community.

SONC 2025 Election Timeline – Click Here

Election Information and Resources – Click Here

SONC Election Email List

If you want to be on SONC’s email list about the 2025 Elections, please email your preferred contact information to: sonc.elections@gmail.com

Thanks for being an active member of the Sherman Oaks community.

Subscribe to SONC's 

Early Notification System via the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment to receive all agendas for council meetings and committee meetings.

If you need assistance with City services, agencies, and departments (graffiti, trash, abandoned properties, and more), you can contact the Office of District 4 Councilmember Nithya Raman here or via (213) 473-7004.

In addition to contacting the office, for any issues related to homelessness anywhere within Council District 4, you can contact Senior Homelessness Deputy Sarah Tanberg (sarah.tanberg@lacity.org).

Volunteer with

The Valley of Change

Feed Our Friends In Need

Second Saturday of Month

Community Cleanup

Second Sundays

'Come to the Corner'

Email Contact:

info@thevalleyofchange.org



For more information please visit:

TheValleyofChange.org

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:

Jose Saldana

email: 30853@lapd.online

(818) 731-2565

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Mariana Romo

email: 40229@lapd.online

(818) 731-2563

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Joel Gutierrez

email: 36816@lapd.online

(818) 731-2560

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Kristan DeLatori

email: 32914@lapd.online

(818) 731-2562

9SL37