VICA Weekly
Valley Industry & Commerce Association
Friday, December 4
In This Issue
  • Quote of the Week
  • VICA Celebrates Approval of Westfield Promenade Project
  • Members
  • LADWP Mono Basin Restoration
  • Upcoming Events
  • Hot News
  • VICA Advocacy
  • Member Spotlight
  • Media Mentions
  • 2021 Government Handbook
  • Committee Meeting Recaps
"Remember: this is temporary. Hope is on the way. Relief is on the way. A vaccine is coming -- with first doses arriving in the next few weeks."
Governor Gavin Newsom
Statement on COVID-19 Regional Restrictions
VICA Celebrates Approval of Westfield Promenade Project
After years of advocacy, VICA is celebrating a huge win with the Westfield Promenade Project, which was supported unanimously by the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday. VICA has been a strong supporter of the Westfield Promenade Project as it will help elevate the economic vitality and stability of the San Fernando Valley and its residents. Repurposing the old Promenade mall into an innovative new urban center will generate thousands of jobs and construct over 1,000 residential units. Now, more than ever, the San Fernando Valley local economy needs the project's economic boost and tax revenues that will support public services critical to recovering from our current crisis. VICA is very proud to see this project move forward, and we commend the City Council for supporting such a positive development for the San Fernando Valley!
Members
VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members
Gold Member:
Bronze Member:
VICA Welcomes our New Members
LADWP Advances One of the Largest Environmental Restoration Projects in the Mono Basin
Last month, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) announced the Department is advancing one of the largest environmental restoration projects in Mono Basin - a region in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains that provides recreation opportunities as well as water supplies for the City of Los Angeles through the LA Aqueduct. The project consists of constructing an enhanced spillway structure that will allow LADWP to deliver higher flows through the region's creeks and streams during wet years and represents the capstone project to decades of restoration in Mono Basin.

This project exemplifies the Department's work to balance the city's water supply needs with protecting the natural environment in which it operates. Here in Los Angeles, LADWP is investing in water recycling, stormwater capture, groundwater replenishment and conservation while also continuing to protect the environment in all regions where it operates, like the Mono Basin, where decades of restoration projects have revitalized streams and ecosystems for plants, fish, and birds.

Learn more about the project here and learn more about LADWP's restoration work in the Eastern Sierra here.
Upcoming Events
At VICA's 71st Annual Meeting on December 11th, VICA members will elect a new Board and Executive Committee for 2021. Nominees from a diverse set of businesses, organizations and industries were carefully selected to lead VICA in the coming year.
The Week Ahead
Land Use Committee Meeting
Tuesday, December 8
8 to 10 a.m.
Online Video Conference
VICA 71st Annual Meeting
Friday, December 11
11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Online Video Conference
Hot News
COVID-19
Los Angeles County broke its single-day COVID-19 case record with 7,713 new cases amid imminent state and local shutdown orders.

Stock Market
Although new job growth slowed in November, the stock market is trading at record highs this week, and is on track for the fourth weekly gain in five weeks.

Vaccine
The State of California has announced that it will receive an initial stock of 375,000 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses, and has outlined the distribution plans.

Climate
Southern California will be under multiple extreme weather warnings and advisories over the next few days, including a hard freeze warning, a red flag warning, a high surf advisory, and high wind warnings.
Education
A lawsuit has been filed against the State of California claiming that, during the pandemic, the state failed to provide a free and equal education to all students, as required by the state Constitution.

Wildfires
Thousands of Southern California residents have lost power to avoid wildfires amid low humidity and sustained Santa Ana winds.

Healthcare
California hospitals are fearing staffing shortages and overwhelmed systems as COVID-19 cases continue to surge. Based on current predictions, if cases continue to rise, L.A. County will have a shortage of ICU beds in the next four weeks.

Employment
The economy added 245,000 jobs in November, the slowest month of growth since COVID-19 recovery began.
VICA Advocacy
Metro East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project Moves Closer to Becoming Shovel Ready
This week, VICA staff and members provided comments during the Metro Board Meeting to voice support for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit (ESFV LRT) Project. VICA has been an active supporter of the ESFV LRT Project for years, which will transform transportation in the Valley and provide service to many transit-dependent populations who rely on Metro's service to get to work and for essential needs, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to VICA's advocacy efforts, the Metro Board voted this week to approve the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIS) and First/Last Mile Plan for the ESFV LRT. VICA thanks the Metro staff for moving this beneficial project forward and for investing in the community development of the San Fernando Valley.
VICA Opposes the Los Angeles City Council Consideration of Oil Well Setbacks
VICA spoke during the LA City Council Committee on Energy, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice Thursday, opposing the implementation of an oil well setback in the City. The increased setbacks being considered would negatively impact our economy, jeopardize good-paying jobs, impose unnecessary costs on residents and local businesses, and increase our dependence on unreliable foreign sources of oil. VICA believes it is irresponsible for the City to consider this oil well setback as it will put Angelenos out of work and cut tens of millions in critical tax revenue for local services while Los Angeles continues to face the economic impacts of COVID-19. VICA will continue to encourage the City to embrace an energy strategy that incorporates all forms of energy to ensure a reliable supply for our businesses and residents.
Member Spotlight
David A. Goldberg - Armbruster Goldsmith & Delvac LLP
David A. Goldberg is a partner at the land use boutique Armbruster Goldsmith & Delvac. He was born and raised in the Valley, attended LAUSD K-12 schools, and still lives in the Valley today with his wife and two teenage kids. At Armbruster Goldsmith & Delvac he represents developers, institutions and nonprofits on complicated entitlements throughout Southern California and up and down the coast. David shared that he and his wife have known each other since they were infants, as a kid he did radio commercials, including an award winning ad for AT&T.

When asked a few questions about VICA and his experiences he shared these thoughts with us:

Tell us about your experience with VICA, how has VICA been valuable for you? 
I have been involved with VICA for nearly my entire 20+ year career, including as a member, board member, Executive Committee member, land use committee co-chair and now land use committee chair. VICA has been an invaluable resource throughout my career to help build my law practice and better represent clients, while also providing a platform to help improve the quality of life and business climate throughout the Valley.

If you were to tell a peer or friend about VICA, what would be your sales pitch? 
VICA is a one stop shop to get educated on issues of importance to the Valley, make connections with civic and business leaders, engage in effective advocacy efforts and be part of a collaborative and supportive business community.

What is your favorite experience or memory with VICA?
In 2010, Game 7 of the Lakers/Celtics NBA finals coincided with the VICA Hall of Fame event. In a stroke of genius, VICA arranged to have the hotel put up two huge projector screens in the ballroom during dinner to show the game, in what turned out to be the most exciting sports watch party I’ve ever attended.

How has your company made commitments or adjustments to support employees and/or the community during the COVID-19 pandemic? 
We have retained all our employees and are working remotely to help slow the spread.
Media Mentions
Government Helping Businesses and Employees
Spectrum 1: Inside the Issues | December 1
2021 Government Handbook
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 cathy@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.
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