Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Newsletter: Issue #26-1 | | Welcome to the January 2026 edition of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council's (SONC) newsletter, the Ziff Flyer. | | |
As we welcome 2026, we have an opportunity to reflect on what makes Sherman Oaks such a vibrant and resilient community—and to look ahead with optimism and purpose. A new year brings fresh energy, new challenges, and new possibilities for collaboration, civic engagement, and progress. Whether it’s neighborhood safety, infrastructure improvements, sustainability, or community connection, Sherman Oaks continues to thrive because stakeholders care deeply about where we live, work and how we shape our future together.
The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council (SONC) remains committed to being your voice at City Hall and a forum where ideas, concerns, and solutions can be shared openly. In the year ahead, we will continue advocating for quality-of-life issues, supporting local businesses, and fostering strong partnerships with our elected officials, city departments, and community organizations.
We are especially pleased to begin the year with an informative and timely presentation at our next SONC Board and Community Meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026. Our featured speaker will be Michael Menjivar, Director of Community Relations for LA28, who will provide initial information about the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to Los Angeles. This presentation will offer an early look at what the Games may mean for our city and region, including potential opportunities, impacts, and ways communities like Sherman Oaks can stay informed and engaged as planning continues.
I encourage all residents, stakeholders, and neighbors to attend, participate, and make your voice heard. Together, let’s make 2026 a year of meaningful progress, shared purpose, and continued pride in Sherman Oaks. We look forward to seeing you at the SONC Board and Community Meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026.
| | This Sunday, January 11, 2026, LAFD CERT Battalion 10 presents an Emergency Go Bag Workshop at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center auditorium at 5056 Van Nuys Blvd from 1-3 pm. Visit www.cert-la.com for info. | | |
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 will review and propose amendments to the SONC bylaws at our meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 27.
Items to be discussed for possible amendment include:
> Absence Policy for Board & Executive Members
> Board/Committee Alternate Seats
> General Public Comment (Before Elected Officials)
> Standing Rules: Limit Presentations Per Meeting
> Adding Electronic Public Comment
> Outreach Committee Responsibilities
> Requiring Committees to Have a Co- or Vice Chair
Government Affairs will also present a motion at the January SONC meeting concerning the Van Nuys Citizens Advisory Council, supporting City Council's retention of control over a select number of VNY CAC appointees.
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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Happy New Year from the Human Services Committee!
We’re kicking off 2026 with the Homeless Count on January 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Church of the Chimes Auditorium (14155 Magnolia Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91423). Please join us as we come together to count and support our unhoused neighbors. Taleen Keuroghlian, our Field Deputy for Sherman Oaks, will be there along with the LASHA team.
👉 Sign up today at www.theycountwillyou.org to register as a volunteer and make a difference!
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Looking back on 2025, we’re so proud of what we accomplished together — from distributing over 190 backpacks to local students at our August Movie Night, to hosting our Car Seat Safety Event with Assemblymember Nick Schultz’s office and the CHP.
In 2026, we’re excited to continue building connections between our Sherman Oaks neighbors and those in need. If you have ideas, questions, or want to get involved, join us!
We meet virtually on the first Monday of every month, and we’d love to see you at our next meeting.
Thank you!
Pamela Harris and Sarah Adamski - Co-chairs of the Human Services Committee
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Planning & Land Use Committee + Vision Committee
Jeff Kalban, Chair
email: jeff.kalban.sonc@gmail.com
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Our community of Sherman Oaks and the entire City of Los Angeles faces a serious crisis in the form of SB 79, a state bill that strips cities of their authority to control local zoning. This legislation allows seven-story-and-higher apartment buildings in areas where such development has raised significant concerns among our City Planning Department and elected officials.
SB 79 passed the State Senate by a single vote. Yet despite its narrow margin and far-reaching consequences, the City of Los Angeles failed to stop or meaningfully oppose the bill as it moved through the legislative process in Sacramento last year. This raises a troubling question: why did our elected leaders not act when they had the opportunity?
In March of last year, the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council (SONC), together with United Neighbors, formally brought SB 79 to the City’s attention. We presented detailed maps showing the bill’s potential impacts. While City officials expressed polite concern, no substantive action was taken until it was too late. Los Angeles is a Charter City, yet our elected officials did not defend the City’s charter-based zoning authority in a timely or effective manner.
To address this failure, SONC has proposed a revision to the City Charter, now under consideration, designed to ensure that local zoning authority is actively defended in the future. The proposed language includes the following provisions:
“The City Council, the Mayor, and the City Attorney shall have a mandatory duty to defend and uphold the City’s zoning authority against any proposed State law or regulation that seeks to preempt, override, or otherwise diminish local zoning and land-use controls, including actions taken by the State under a declared emergency. The City shall immediately and aggressively pursue all available legal, legislative, and administrative remedies to protect the integrity of its Charter-based zoning powers.
City resolutions relating to pending State legislation must be heard and resolved within 90 days, or the resolution shall be automatically approved.
The Planning Department shall have the authority and resources to review and evaluate the impacts of proposed State legislation.”
This revised City Charter is scheduled to appear on the ballot in November 2026. We will continue to keep you informed as the measure is finalized, including whether it incorporates this proposed reform and others advanced by the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council. Your vote will send a clear message to our elected officials that we expect our local rights to be preserved and vigorously defended.
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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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A CD4 Conversation with Council member Nithya Raman: Homelessness and the Road Ahead
📅 Thursday, January 15 | 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Virtual (via Zoom)
This virtual conversation will provide an overview of the current state of homelessness in Los Angeles, how we got here, our office’s approach to bringing people indoors, upcoming challenges, and our priorities for 2026. Community members will also have the opportunity to RSVP and submit questions in advance.
If you need additional assistance with City services, agencies, and departments (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 Field Deputy Taleen Keuroghlian (taleen.keuroghlian@lacity.org).
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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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