VICA Weekly: Stop Increase in Property Fees Without Voter Approval

October 6, 2017

In This Issue

"The state needs the water. We gotta have it."

- Governor Brown, on the California WaterFix Project

Media Highlights

Business Groups Warn Republicans to Not Oppose the State's New Gas Tax

L.A. Times

October 5

Metro Considers Orange Line Time-Saving Measures

San Fernando Valley Business Journal

October 4

How the New Housing Bills Are Expected to Revamp Affordable Housing

NorCal News

October 4

Corporate Presence

San Fernando Valley Business Journal

October 2

Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members

Bronze Member

(2015)

Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic (FAST)

Granada Hills Charter High School

U-Frame It Gallery

VICA Welcomes Our New Members

Bronze Member

American Airports Corporation

Southern California Association of Governments

Calendar

Next Week

Over the Edge for Veterans

Hosted by Homes 4 Families

Saturday, Oct. 7

All Day Event

Hilton Universal City

555 Universal Hollywood Dr., Universal City

Click here for more information.

Take on the Streets 2K & Family Festival

Hosted by Village Family Services

Sunday, Oct. 8

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

North Hollywood Park

Click here for more information.

Land Use Committee Meeting

Hosted by The Garland

Tuesday, Oct. 10

8 to 10 a.m.

The Garland

4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood

Click here to RSVP

Leaders Forum with Senator Tammy Duckworth

Tuesday, Oct. 10

12:30 - 2 p.m.

Airtel Plaza Hotel

7227 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys

Click here for more information

Information Session on East Valley Transit Corridor

Hosted by Metro

Tuesday, Oct. 10

5:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Van Nuys State Building Auditorium

6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys

Manufacturing Committee Meeting

Hosted by Bobrick

Thursday, Oct. 12

8:30 to 10 a.m.

Bobrick Washroom

6901 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood

Click here to RSVP

Valley Cultural Center's Dancing With Our Valley Stars

Featuring VICA President Stuart Waldman

Friday, October 13

6 to 10 p.m.

Warner Center Marriott

21850 Oxnard St, Woodland Hills

Click here for more information.

Save The Date

Government Affairs Committee Meeting

Hosted by Providence Tarzana Medical Center

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Noon to 2 p.m.

Providence Tarzana Medical Center

18321 Clark St., Tarzana

Click here to RSVP

Healthcare Committee Meeting

Hosted by Valley Presbyterian Hospital

Thursday, Oct. 19

Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Valley Presbyterian Hospital

15107 Vanowen St., Van Nuys

Click here to RSVP

2017 Business Forecast Conference

Presented by Wells Fargo and SoCal Gas

Friday, Oct. 20

7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Hilton Universal City

555 Universal Dr, Universal City

Click here to RSVP

Great Futures Gala

Hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley

Friday, Oct. 27

6:30 p.m.

Warner Center Marriott Hotel

Click here for more information.

Hot Issues

Elections

Democrats Wendy Carrillo and Luis Lopez will compete for Rep. Jimmy Gomez's former Assembly seat, in the AD-51 run-off on December 5.

Politics

California GOP Vice Chair Kristin Olsen, has announced her resignation, opening up the search for the next state Republican leade r.

Taxes

President Trump's tax plan may result in tax hikes for middle-class households, according to Administration officials.

Safety

It will no longer be illegal to start crossing a road when the red hand is flashing, provided pedestrians finish crossing by the end of the countdown.

Immigration

Governor Brown signed legislation that makes California a 'sanctuary state' with limits on state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Stop Undemocratic Bill That Will Increase Property Fees Without Voter Approval

VICA urges its members to ask Governor Brown to veto a bill which would make it easier to raise your property fees without voter approval. Senate Bill 231 (Hertzberg) would redefine "sewer" for the purpose of Proposition 218 to include stormwater services, resulting in stormwater service-related fees being exempt from voter approval requirements. SB 231 would allow local governments to enact higher property fees and taxes for stormwater-related projects without seeking voter approval. This bill is an undemocratic attempt to bypass the will of the voters and undermines the intent of Proposition 218. VICA recognizes the importance of stormwater capture and drought preparedness, but this bill opens the door to infringing on Californians' rights under Proposition 218.

Urge Governor Brown to VETO SB 231 by clicking here.

Please join us in welcoming

Tammy Duckworth

U.S. Senator, D-Illinois

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

12:30 - 2 p.m.

The Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7227 Valjean Ave., Van Nuys

Join us as we meet U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth for a Leaders Forum on Tuesday, October 10. Senator Duckworth was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 after representing Illinois's Eighth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for two terms. She serves on the Environment & Public Works Committee; the Energy & Nautral Resources Committee; the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee; and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee. Senator Duckworth is an Iraq War Veteran, Purple Heart recipient and former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. She served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring from military service in 2014. Senator Duckworth attended college at the University of Hawaii and earned a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University.

RSVP by clicking here or emailing [email protected]

Vince Bertoni

Director of Planning, City of Los Angeles

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Bobrick Washroom, 6901 Tujunga Ave., Studio City

Vince Bertoni is the Planning Director for the Los Angeles Department of City Planning. With more than 28 years of professional planning experience, Bertoni leads the largest city planning department in the nation. He is charged with developing policies that shape the future of the City and guide development decisions for a diverse and dynamic metropolis of over 4 million people.

Join VICA members and guests for hosted drinks and appetizers as they meet and interact with other prominent business leaders in the community. VICA After Darks are complimentary to VICA members.

RSVP by clicking here or emailing [email protected]

Keynote Speaker:

Tom Penn

President/Owner, Los Angeles Football Club

Friday, October 20, 2017

7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Hilton Universal Hotel, 555 Universal Dr, Universal City

Click here for sponsorship opportunities and speaker information.

Oppose Bill to Increase Administrative Costs to University of California

A bill which would restrict the University of California's (UC) ability to contract cost effective and competitive bids would ultimately increase annual administrative and operating costs by more than $88 million. VICA opposes Senate Bill 574 by Senator Lara and has written to Governor Brown urging his veto. This bill would require that bidders certify that their employees are compensated at a level that does not undercut by more than 5% the average compensation for UC employees performing similar work. SB 574 is unnecessary, will reduce competition, and will raise costs.

Click here to send a letter to the Governor with one click.

On October 7, 2017, join Habitat for Humanity SF/SCV and Homes 4 Families in going Over the Edge for Veterans - a chance for the most daring donors to rappel down the Hilton Universal City. 100 percent of the funds you raise will help build homes and provide services for veteran families in North Los Angeles County. Click here to register or explore sponsorship opportunities, or call Donielle DeLeon at (818) 884-8808.

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 [email protected] 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.