Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Newsletter: Issue #26-2 | | Welcome to the February 2026 edition of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council's (SONC) newsletter, the Ziff Flyer. | | |
February brings meaningful progress, civic engagement, and an important moment for Sherman Oaks and the entire San Fernando Valley. After several years of research, public engagement meetings, presentations, collaboration among community-based organizations, and persistent community coalition advocacy to LA Metro, a major milestone has been reached. The LA Metro Board has adopted the Local Preferred Modified Alternative 5 heavy rail subway for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project.
This transformative project will connect the San Fernando Valley to the Westside in under 20 minutes, linking the Van Nuys Metrolink Station, the G Line, and the East San Fernando Valley light rail line currently under construction. It represents a generational investment in mobility, sustainability, and regional connectivity. The outcome demonstrates a powerful truth: when the Sherman Oaks community unites and speaks with one strong voice, we can move a mountain together—or in this case, bore through one.
A core part of SONC’s mission is to “bring government closer to the people.” We do this by providing opportunities for stakeholders to meet, hear from, and engage directly with elected officials and government leaders. Recently, SONC has taken positions on several important issues, including opposition to ICE operations in Sherman Oaks and Los Angeles, concerns over increasing noise pollution from air traffic and modified mufflers, exploration of noise camera implementation, shade expansion, heat action, resilience planning, and the City’s sustainability plan.
Stay informed by joining our email list, attending meetings and events, or—better yet—join a committee to contribute directly to our work for the betterment of Sherman Oaks. We welcome your participation and look forward to seeing you Monday, February 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the Sherman Oaks Adult Center, 5056 Van Nuys Blvd. Visit the SONC website www.shermanoaksnc.org for information about our work and calendar of upcoming in person and virtual meetings, activities and events, all of which are open to the public.
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SONC needs you! Please contact SONC with your interest to possibly serve on the Board in one of the vacant seats listed below. View the SONC area map to see the areas https://www.shermanoaksnc.org/page/map.
There are open seats in the following areas:
Area 2 Business Representative
Area 3 Business Representative
Area 5 Business Representative
Area 5 Community Representative
Area 5 Residential Representative
Contact SONC President to express your interest: hkatchen@shermanoaksnc.org
| | 📅 Upcoming SONC Meetings:
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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
| | How to Receive Agendas When They Are Posted | | | | Subscribe to LA City's Early Notification System (ENS) to be notified via email of all upcoming Board & Committee Meetings and to receive meeting agendas. | | |
Government Affairs Committee
Lindsay Imber, Chair
email: lindsay.imber.sonc@gmail.com
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The Government Affairs and Ad Hoc Bylaws Committees continues its process of bylaw review and has proposed changes to SONC's absence policy, allowance for alternate seats on committees, greater accessibility for general public comment and requiring public comment be heard toward the start of meetings.
Additionally, I will present a motion at Monday's meeting to support a state bill seeking to prohibit peace officers in California from being employed by, serving as an independent contractor for, or volunteering with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) relative to immigration enforcement (City Council File 26-0002-S1).
This follows SONC's adoption in January of a motion to support council files relative to civil rights protection, inhumane immigration tactics, and LAPD protocols concerning constitutional rights violations by Immigrations and Customers Enforcement (ICE).
There is a significant difference between enforcing the law & engaging in tactics tantamount to tyrannical terrorism.
On that note, please refer to this document regarding your rights if ICE stops you in public or comes to your workplace. Scroll down for an image of this card.
As specified in SONC's January motion (Item 12.b), ICE's operations have caused fear and trauma among residents, particularly immigrant communities, regardless of citizenship status, and raise serious concerns about violations of constitutional protections, including the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures and the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments guaranteeing due process of law.
Since then, we have also seen potential constitutional violations of the First Amendment (namely freedom of speech/press/assembly).
At our February meeting, the Government Affairs Committee will consider LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell's ominous statement that LAPD will not enforce California's No Secret Police Act (SB 627), which bans federal and local law enforcement, including ICE, from wearing ski masks and similar extreme masks (with exceptions for SWAT operations and the like).
This law was put into place, in part, because of concerns that individuals are impersonating local law enforcement or using the current atmosphere to confuse the public into thinking they are affiliated with legitimate law enforcement.
Thought exercise: What would you do if an unmarked SUV pulled up to you and a group of armed and masked unidentified individuals swiftly approached you without identifying themselves?
There are legitimate questions to be had regarding this issue and its logistics and we look forward to these discussions in committee.
Please check the SONC calendar to confirm meeting information and to access the agenda later this month. We invite you to join us as we begin the process of bylaw review and identify areas to focus on during the upcoming months of discussion and amendment.
With Pride and Determination—
Lindsay
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Planning & Land Use Committee + Vision Committee
Jeff Kalban, Chair
email: jeff.kalban.sonc@gmail.com
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A Huge Win for Sherman Oaks!
The Metro Board has officially voted to approve a route and technology for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor subway; and it’s a major victory for our community. The approved plan places the subway under Van Nuys Boulevard, with stations at Van Nuys & Oxnard, Van Nuys & Ventura Boulevard, UCLA, and Wilshire near Sepulveda. This outcome reflects years of persistence, advocacy, and smart community leadership.
Since 2019, the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council (SONC) and the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association (SOHA) have worked together with Metro and our elected officials to push for the best possible transit solution. Along the way, we successfully fought back against deeply flawed proposals, most notably an elevated train that would have emerged from the hills at Valley Vista and run above Sepulveda Boulevard, threatening to permanently damage Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys.
Through countless SONC Vision Committee meetings, we helped shape a better alternative. Last summer, we developed and presented a proposal advocating for a Van Nuys Boulevard alignment, paired with subway technology originally proposed by Bechtel for Sepulveda Boulevard. That proposal earned approval from both the SONC Board and the SOHA Board and was formally forwarded to our County Supervisor and Metro Board Member, Lindsey Horvath.
With Supervisor Horvath’s support, the Sherman Oaks community’s preferred alternative became Metro’s preferred alternative. This is a powerful reminder that organized, informed community voices truly matter.
There is still a long road ahead, including years of final engineering and design, completion of the final Environmental Impact Report, and roughly a decade of construction. We will need to remain vigilant and stay engaged every step of the way.
But today is for celebrating. This is a hard-earned win for Sherman Oaks, and it proves that when our community comes together, we can shape our future.
Note: Our proposed "Alt 6R" is the same as Metro's adopted locally preferred alternative titled "Modified Alt 5"
| | A Ready Together Emergency Preparedness event is happening this Saturday, February 7th, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The event will be held at the Los Angeles Mission College Campus Center located at 13356 Eldrige Ave, Sylmar CA 91342. Organized by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath's office, visit bit.ly/getreadysfv for more information and to RSVP. | | |
· The Public Safety Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The meeting for February will be held on: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, starting at 6:30pm - Via Zoom only. (see agenda for login)
· SONC has been working closely with the residents around the Ventura / Stern area which has experienced safety concerns for several years. Thank you to SONC President, Howard Katchen for hand delivering our request for additional resources to the Mayor's office. Additional resources have also been requested by residents, this council, and LAPD. Our LAPD division captain, Captain Zine deserves a huge thank you for adding additional patrols to this area even though no additional resources have been provided and staffing levels in our Van Nuys division remain critically low. Captain Zine personally drives by this area several times a day, he meets regularly with the officers and outreach workers who are assigned to that area, and with the community members who he praises, by saying "the community has been great being actively involved in solving these issues and we appreciate the partnership." Sherman Oaks is fortunate to have a team of extremely dedicated officers assigned to our division. Unfortunately, even with the tremendous effort from law enforcement, residents, & outreach workers, this area is still struggling with safety issues. This highlights the need for all levels of our city agencies to work in coordination with each other, and to make Public Safety their number one priority. SONC will continue to monitor this area, receive updates, and assist when possible.
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· REMINDER: The beginning of the year is a great time to check the batteries in your smoke / carbon monoxide alarms. Also, check the expiration dates on the items in your disaster supply kits, including food, water, medications, first aid supplies and batteries. If you've been prescribed new medications, be sure they've been added to your disaster supplies. Make sure you have food, water, and medications for your pets too!
· Co-Chair of this committee, Christy Adair updates residents on the availability of Emergency Response / Safety Courses that benefit the person and the community.
· For information on how to participate in programs such as C.E.R.T., go to: www.cert-la.com or email: christy.adair.sonc@gmail.com.
· If you have any concerns that you'd like to bring to our attention, please join us during the meeting via zoom. You can also request that we add your concern as an agenda item by emailing us prior to the meeting. Email to: susan.collins.sonc@gmail.com.
· STATS TO REMEMBER:
· 30% of LAPD calls are homeless related.
· 80% of LAFD calls are homeless related.
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Need help with potholes, street pavement issues, graffiti removal, or other city services? Try submitting a report via MyLA311.
MyLA311 connects residents, local businesses, and visitors to popular City services and information through its call center, website, & mobile app. The mission of MyLA311 is to connect people to City services and information, quickly and easily, via the communication channel of their choice. Click here to visit MyLA311.
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Subscribe to SONC's
Early Notification System via the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment to receive all agendas for council meetings and committee meetings.
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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
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Volunteer with NHIFP
Take advantage of helping out your community.
North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry is looking for volunteers.
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LA Regional Food Bank
If you are interested in volunteering with the LA Regional Food Bank, please visit this link.
Questions, concerns, please email:
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L.A. Works
Join L.A. Works and learn about all the volunteer opportunities available here in our great City of Los Angeles!
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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
9SL89
Mariana Romo
email: 40229@lapd.online
(818) 731-2563
9SL63
Joel Gutierrez
email: 36816@lapd.online
(818) 731-2560
9SL41
Kristan DeLatori
email: 32914@lapd.online
(818) 731-2562
9SL37
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Get Involved!
What interests you?
If you live, work, own property, own a business, or belong to a non-profit organization, school, or religious institution in Sherman Oaks, you are a stakeholder in Sherman Oaks. We hold monthly Board of Directors and various committee meetings which you are invited to attend to learn about and participate in your community. Join SONC's Mailing List today.
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What is a Neighborhood Council?
The Neighborhood Council system enables meaningful civic participation for all Angelenos and serves as a voice for improving government responsiveness to local communities and their needs. We are an advisory body to the City of Los Angeles, comprised of stakeholder volunteers who are devoted to the mission of improving our communities.
Neighborhood Councils 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. You can view a brief video explaining what Neighborhood Councils do and what it means to be a Neighborhood Council member here. |
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