VICA Weekly
Valley Industry & Commerce Association

March 3, 2023

In This Issue
  • VICA State Officeholders Dinner
  • VICA Hosts After Dark with Councilwoman Traci Park
  • Congratulations to Cathy for Graduating
  • VICA Advocates for Stakeholder Engagement in the ULA Process
  • Join Metro's East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project Leadership Council
  • Join VICA University Workshop on new California Labor Laws
  • VICA's ACCESS D.C Trip

Quick Jump - Register to Attend!

"With some leadership and determination, in the first 45 days of my term, we have moved 150 people into interim housing. My team and I will not rest until we give everyone the opportunity to move indoors."

Councilwoman Traci Park

Statement on Homeless Housing from Thursday's After Dark Event

VICA's Annual State Officeholders Dinner

This past Friday, over 350 VICA members and a dozen state elected officials braved the rain, the wind, and a flash flood warning to attend VICA's annual State Officeholder's Dinner at Universal Studios Hollywood. After a brief shuttle ride onto the lot, guests enjoyed an evening reception where they took photos with Minions and Trolls and shared dinner and drinks with elected officials.

Thank You to Our State Officeholders!


SENATORS

  • Steven Bradford
  • María Elena Durazo
  • Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
  • Josh Newman


ASSEMBLYMEMBERS

  • Wendy Carrillo
  • Mike Fong
  • Laura Friedman
  • Mike Gipson
  • Chris Holden
  • Reggie Jones-Sawyer
  • Luz Rivas
  • Miguel Santiago

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal, Amazon, and Kaiser Permanente!

VICA Hosts After Dark with Councilwoman Traci Park

This Thursday, VICA hosted an After Dark event with newly elected Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park of Council District 11.


The Councilwoman shared with VICA members that as a municipal law attorney and a native Southern Californian, she was drawn into running for City Council because of the ongoing city crises and to support her district, which is home to LAX and Venice Beach, the number one tourist destination in the city. She told VICA members that she looks forward to working with LA28 and the tourism industry to increase activities in the San Fernando Valley and LA City.


Within Councilwoman Park's first 80 days at City Hall, she has focused on building a team that blends both city hall experience and community experts and has kept the homeless issue top of mind for her agenda, working with Mayor Karen Bass to move people from homeless encampments to interim housing, having moved 150 people in the first 45 days of her term.


As Councilwoman, she looks to immediately begin addressing the homeless crisis, bridge home inside safety initiatives in the Venice area, and solve problems that address constituents' concerns regarding their trust in local government.


Councilwoman Park also discussed her interest in focussing on public safety and infrastructure development, which is essential to our local and regional economies by keeping public transit and patrons safe to encourage ridership. She also looks to study the trafficking of homeless youth and address systemic concerns regarding domestic violence and gun safety matters.


VICA thanks our presenting sponsor, EKA, and our Leadership Sponsors: LG Strategies & Sun Hill Properties/Hilton Universal City.

From Left to Right: Christine Aghassi (Dolphin Group), Jeff McConnell (EKA), Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11), Mark Davis (Sunhill Properties), and Darnell Tyler (NBCUniversal)

VICA Celebration! Cathy Graduates Chamber Executives

VICA proudly announces that Cathy Mendoza, Office Manager for VICA, has graduated from the Western Association of Chamber Executives Academy.


W.A.C.E Academy is a three-day (three-year) high-quality summer program on chamber management essentials geared for today's chamber executives and professional staff.


Cathy states, "This has been a great experience. The educators and the content that the Academy taught have helped me better serve our members and our business community. What I have learned will allow me to become a better leader, bring new ideas to our organization, and collaborate with other chambers."


VICA wishes Cathy many congratulations and looks forward to her continued leadership.

VICA Advocates for Stakeholder Engagement in ULA Process

On Wednesday, VICA provided comment as Los Angeles City Council's Housing and Homelessness Committee to emphasize the need for stakeholder engagement in the process of implementing programs outlined in ULA, an LA City ballot measure passed by voters this past fall.


VICA was an opponent of the 2022 Ballot Measure ULA, a measure that will impose new tax and labor requirements on private and commercial properties valued above $5 million dollars. We believe that this measure will discourage developers from investing in Los Angeles and result in an increase to the cost to build affordable housing.  


Although this measure was passed by 58% of voters this past November, the City of Los Angeles is facing a lawsuit to overturn Measure ULA because it did not garner the two thirds required by law. As we await the verdict of this lawsuit, VICA urged the City Council to consider the importance of stakeholder engagement throughout the process of developing and implementing ULA funded programs. 


We understand that a portion of ULA funding must be used to establish a Right to Council program. However, we want to emphasize that an increase in lengthy, expensive lawsuits is not beneficial to renters or property owners.


Over the past two years, property owners have dealt with well-intended renter-protection policies that ended up being abused, resulting in months, if not years, of lost income. VICA believes the city and property owners must work together to ensure that future policies are beneficial to all Los Angeles residents.  

Join Metro's East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project Community Leadership Council

Metro is currently taking applications for their Community Leadership Council (CLC) for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit (ESFV LRT) project.


This project will bring light-rail to the Valley and serve some of the most equity-focused communities in all of Los Angeles County. VICA has been a supporter of this project for nearly a decade, working hard to bring more transit projects to the San Fernando Valley to support the local business community.


All CLC applicants must either live, work, attend school, own a business or commercial property, or be an active community interest stakeholder within the project area. The project area map is below, but it is also included on page 4 of the application (linked below).


The application can be filled out online, or you can pick-up/drop-off a hard copy at your local City Council office. Click the buttons below to apply online, download a hard copy of the application, or visit Metro's website for more information. Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM, March 24. Feel free to contact Abby King with any questions.

    Apply Online    
Application Hard Copy
More Information
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VICA University Workshop: New California Employment Laws

VICA invites you to join us for an informative 90-minute program that will cover new employment laws for 2023 on Thursday, March 23 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. with Sue Bendavid from Lewitt Hackman.


Sue Bendavid represents employers in employment-related litigation, counseling and transactions - representing them in all matters from employee claims prevention and management training to individual and class action lawsuits. As a California employment attorney who advocates employer preparation and litigation prevention, Bendavid also provides in-house training on topics such as sexual harassment, discrimination, hiring and firing practices, proper disciplinary methods, leave of absence management, and other employee-related topics.


If you are interested in attending our VICA University program, please click on the button below to register. You may not be the person who needs to attend this for your company - who takes care of your HR needs - SEND THEM!

Register Here!

VICA's 2023 Extraordinary Women in Leadership Breakfast

VICA's Women event brings together women from all walks of life to share their experiences, challenges in the business world, overcoming odds, and leading successes.


Tickets are $250 per person. Circle of influence and Business Leader members receive a free ticket to this event - please get in touch with Cathy@vica.com to reserve your free seat.

Our confirmed speakers include:


Welcome by:

  • Cynthia McClain Hill, President of the Board of Water & Power, LADWP


Keynote Speakers:

  • Julie Miller-Phipps, SCAL Regional SVP, Kaiser Permanente
  • Julie Uhrman, President, Angel City Football Club


Panel Speakers:

  • Caroline Torosis, Santa Monica City Councilwoman
  • Christina Vega, President of Casa Vega Restaurant
  • Doris Savron, Vice Provost, University of Phoenix
  • Hydee Feldstein Soto, Los Angeles City Attorney
  • Laureen Driscoll, Interim Chief Executive, Providence South Division
  • Lily Castaneda, Wells Fargo
  • Lisa Gritzner, Founder/CEO, LG Strategies
  • Lydia Shayne, Owner, DeLuscious Cookies and Milk
  • Martha Santana-Chin, Medicare & Medi-Cal President, Health Net
  • Patrice Marshall McKenzie, Board Member, Pasadena Unified School District
  • Sara Hernandez, Los Angeles Community College District Trustee

If you are interested in attending and have not yet registered, email Cathy at cathy@vica.com or click the button below.

Register Here

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email Yoko at yoko@vica.com. For more information on sponsorships, click the button below.

Sponsorships

Last Chance to Register for Access D.C.

ACCESS D.C. is the region's largest annual advocacy trip, connecting more than 200 business and civic leaders with federal lawmakers on issues ranging from immigration and education to transportation and health care.


ACCESS D.C. ensures the region is a leading voice in federal policy discussions. The coalition of business and civic organizations travel to D.C. to advocate with a united voice on critical national issues that impact our region.


Our 3-day trip will include a full day of VICA-only advocacy meetings and a lunch with Congressman Brad Sherman, followed by two additional programming and advocacy meetings with other advocacy organizations and program speakers.


Reserve your spot today!

Register for Access D.C.

VICA's 2023 Congressional Luncheon

Our Congressional Luncheon is a unique and fun opportunity to directly engage with elected officials from Washington, D.C. who represent the San Fernando Valley in a "Fireside Chat" type format.


Register at vica.com or email Cathy@vica.com. Tickets are $200 per person, and early bird rates at $100 per person if purchased before 3/10/2023.

Confirmed Congress members:


  • Congressman Brad Sherman
  • Congresswoman Katie Porter
  • Congressman Mike Garcia
  • Congressman Tony Cardenas

If you are interested in attending and still need to register, email Cathy at cathy@vica.com or click the button below.

Register Here

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email Yoko at yoko@vica.com. For more information on sponsorships, click the button below.

Sponsorships

Members

VICA Thanks Our New & Renewing Members!

MWlogo image

Renewing Members:


New Member:

Events

VICA After Dark: Supervisor Lindsey Horvath

May 3 | 5:30 PM

Marriott Burbank Hotel


Supervisor Lindsey Horvath was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in the fall of 2022 and assumed office on December 5, 2022. Sher previously served as a City Councilmember and the longest consecutively serving Mayor for the City of West Hollywood. Horvath’s career has been defined by tackling the hardest problems, building diverse coalitions, and delivering results for her community.  


VICA thanks our host and Presenting Sponsors Burbank Airport Marriott and EKA.

Register Here
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The Week Ahead

Healthcare Committee

Wednesday, March 8

Noon - 1:30 PM

VICA Office

Sponsored by Hospital Association of Southern California

RSVP

Save the Date 

Transportation Committee

Tuesday, March 14

8:30 - 10:30 AM

Hosted by The Garland

RSVP

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Wednesday, April 5

Noon - 1:30

Sponsored by Ajimori Sauce Company

RSVP

View Calendar

VICA In the News

$31 Million Goes to San Fernando Valley Light-Rail Line – and to Engage Community

Los Angeles Daily News | March 1

Member Spotlight

Pacific Crest Consultants


Pacific Crest Consultants (PCC) is a full-service, land-use consulting company whose services include entitlements, permit expediting, due diligence, and project management. With a team of 30 professionals, PCC has one of the largest and most experienced staffs in Los Angeles dedicated to permits and entitlements. PCC has obtained approvals for residential, commercial and industrial projects throughout Los Angeles - from Coastal projects in Venice and Playa Del Rey to Specific Plan approvals in the Northeast Valley and all points in between. PCC also has worked on projects as far south as Del Mar in San Diego County and as far north as Santa Ynez in Santa Barbara County. Pacific Crest is co-owned by Chris & Jennifer and John & Deborah Parker, who purchased the company in 2017 from its founders (former VICA members Gary Morris and Penny Flinn).

Hot News

Storm Hammers Southern California

Another week of pounding snow has deluged many of California’s most popular mountain resorts and communities, from Lake Tahoe to Lake Arrowhead, where residents struggled with shuttered highways and dwindling food supplies. Crews across the state worked desperately to clear roadways as more snow fell overnight, amid a blizzard warning that has been in place since Monday. Record-breaking snowfall forced Yosemite National Park to close and emergency officials pleaded with people to stay home and avoid the roads. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Wednesday evening for 13 counties, including Los Angeles, affected by winter storms that have ushered in unusual snowfall and strong winds and have damaged state highways and roads.


Garcetti's Nomination in Limbo

The nomination of former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to be the next ambassador to India continues to be in limbo in the US Senate with a vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee now expected to be held next week. Sen. Bob Menendez, the chair of the Foreign Relations panel, told CNN on Tuesday that he expects to reschedule a vote for Garcetti’s nomination next week. The nomination was held over for one week out of a courtesy to Republicans this week. CNN reported last year that concerns over the nomination have centered around a former employee in Garcetti’s mayoral office who has accused him of ignoring alleged sexual harassment and bullying by one of his former senior aides. Garcetti has repeatedly denied the allegations that he ignored the alleged harassment.


LA County Emergency Order Ending

Los Angeles County will end its COVID-19 emergency declaration at the end of March, becoming the latest region to take that step amid improving pandemic conditions. The move, approved unanimously Tuesday by the County Board of Supervisors, came the same day Gov. Gavin Newsom formally rescinded the statewide emergency declaration issued three years ago. Like their state counterparts, LA County officials praised the original 2020 proclamation for providing necessary authority and flexibility to respond to the outbreak.

But given the current situation — with vaccines and therapeutics plentiful and hospitalization and death rates having tumbled without the sort of aggressive interventions seen earlier in the COVID-19 era, such as mask mandates and stay-at-home orders — officials said the emergency declaration was no longer necessary.

SoCalGas Offers Aid for Gas Prices

SoCalGas announced $10 million in shareholder funding to help customers with bill assistance and to bolster community resources for those who may be struggling financially. The company committed $5 million in shareholder funding to the Gas Assistance Fund, a program administered by United Way that provides income-qualified customers with one-time grants to help pay their natural gas bills. The contribution is the largest in the fund's 40-year history and will help United Way expand access to the program. SoCalGas also announced it will contribute $4 million to relaunch their popular Fueling Our Communities program, a collaboration with local food banks and nonprofits that has provided free meals and groceries to thousands of Californians facing food insecurity since 2020.


Student Loan Plan in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court’s conservatives gave a sharply critical hearing Tuesday to President Biden’s plan to forgive more than $400 billion in student loans, arguing that only Congress can approve such a large amount of federal spending.

“We’re talking about half a trillion dollars and 43 million Americans,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. told Solicitor Gen. Elizabeth Prelogar at the outset of Tuesday’s argument. “We take very seriously the idea of the separation of powers and that power should be divided to prevent its abuse,” he said. The chief justice’s comments set the tone for three hours of arguments. His views were echoed by other conservative justices, who suggested Biden had overstepped his authority.


Changes to California Conservatorship

With support from a coalition of mayors, mental health advocates and California Legislators, State Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) unveiled two bills Wednesday that would bring changes to the state’s behavioral health system. The laws, proponents said, are meant to address the cycle that many individuals with severe mental illness face between homelessness and treatment, filling emergency rooms and exhausting providers, while running the risk of incarceration, overdose or death. Eggman and other speakers voiced frustration with the state’s inability to help its most vulnerable residents. An estimated 16% of adults in California live with a mental illness, but more than 60% of those individuals do not receive treatment, according to a statement from Eggman’s office.

Member Messages

Member Messages

Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!

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 yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.

ABOUT VICA
Presenting the business perspective on behalf of employers in the
San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,
Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.
Read more about VICA at vica.com
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