May 3, 2019

In This Issue
"The new Inglewood stadium will enable us to bring world-class sporting events back to Los Angeles "
- Los Angeles Rams COO Kevin Demoff

Media Mentions
Here's How Privacy Law Will Hurt Business
April 29

Westfield Promenade 2035 Project Faces Public Hearing
April 30

Councilmembers Austin & Mungo Agendize May 7 Council Item to Oppose SB 50
April 30

LA's Next Epic Education Battle
April 30

Here's How Privacy Law Will Hurt Business
May 2

LA Tax Addicts Looking to Score
May 2



Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members
____________________

PLATINUM
MEMBER
(2000)

SILVER MEMBER

(2002)
__________________

JLM Strategic Talent Partners
(2012)

True Summit Productions
(2016)
__________________

VICA Welcomes New Member

Eisner Health
 
Calendar

The Week Ahead

Energy, Environment & Utilities Committee
Sponsored by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Thursday, May 9
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Save the Date

Joint Transportation - Land Use Committee
Hosted by The Garland
Tuesday, May 14
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood
Click here to RSVP

Government Affairs Committee
Hosted by Penny Lane Centers
Wednesday, May 15
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Penny Lane Centers
15314 Rayen Street, North Hills
Click here to RSVP

2nd Annual Great Futures for Kids Breakfast
Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley
Thursday, May 16
7:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Hilton Woodland Hills
6360 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills
Click here to RSVP

Two Day Sacramento Advocacy Trip
Wednesday, May 22 - Thursday May 23
Sacramento, CA
Click here to RSVP

Ambassador Committee
Tuesday, May 28
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys 
Click here to RSVP

VICA University
Led by Gaspar Insurance
Wednesday, May 29
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Leaders Forum with Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins
Thursday, May 30
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
The Airtel Plaza Hotel
7277 Valjean Ave., 
Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Aviation Committee
Hosted by Aeroplex Aerolease
Wednesday, June 5
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Aeroplex Aerolease
7943 Woodley Ave., 
Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP



Hot Issues 

Academic Decathlon Champions
Last Saturday, Granada Hills Charter High School reclaimed  the United States Academic Decathlon title. Saturday's victory is the school's seventh national championship.

High-Speed Rail
The estimated cost for the state's plan to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles via high-speed rail has increased. According to a report from the High-Speed Rail Authority, connecting the two cities may cost nearly $100 billion.

Measure EE
Last minute changes to the ballot language for VICA-opposed Measure EE could create legal issues surrounding the proposed property tax. The changes would make previously exempt structures like parking structures and garages eligible to be assessed for the proposed property tax.

Water
After heavy winter storms, this years snowpack is expected to replenish the state's water reservoirs through August. Experts say that the snowpack is expected to melt slowly, maintaining a steady source of water for the state.

Wildfires
In the wake of last years devastating fires, local municipalities are requesting additional financial support to help repair damage. The state is still learning how to deal with the aftermath of increasingly common wildfires and their associated costs.

Jobs
U.S. employers added 263,000 jobs in April. This strong job growth is far greater than Labor Department predictions, which estimated an increase around 185,000 jobs. Unemployment is at its lowest rate since 1969, dropping to 3.6 percent.


Council District 12 Candidates Discuss Housing, Homelessness and Jobs
Candidate Jeff Daar, Mike Martinek (State Farm Insurance), Immediate Past Chair Coby King (High Point Strategies), and Candidates John Lee, Scott Abrams, Loraine Lundquist, Josh Yeager

Candidates for the City Council's 12th District seat joined VICA members for a Newsmaker Connection. Scott Abrams, Jeff Daar, Frank Ferry, John Lee, Loraine Lundquist, Stella Maloyan, and Josh Yeager spoke about housing, homelessness, and jobs. Abrams noted that "if employees that can't afford to live here are spending hours  commuting , people will leave." Frank Ferry spoke up against regulations on businesses and stated that "we need to do everything we can to keep and draw businesses to the district." Maloyan countered, saying that "environmental and labor laws are here to stay" and emphasized a focus on developing green technology jobs. Lundquist agreed, saying "the green economy will bring business opportunities to our district." John Lee stressed the need to protect industrial zones in CD 12, saying "once industrial zones are changed, they are never coming back." Yeager also brought up the need to protect industry in the district, saying "CD 12 has the largest industrial zone in the city" and cited plans to bring life science and biotechnology jobs to CD 12. Finally, Jeff Daar emphasized his desire to help Los Angeles businesses, saying that he will "help businesses expand into the global market."

Thanks to VICA Immediate Past Chair Coby King ( High Point Strategies) for moderating the discussion and to our presenting sponsor,  State Farm Insurance.

Click here to view the video from this event.


REQUIRED BY LAW
Harassment and Discrimination Training

VICA invites you and your work team to join the  Gaspar Insurance Services Harassment & Discrimination Training here at the VICA office. 

Gaspar Insurance Services are offering  VICA Members a SPECIAL offer of $25/attendee
  • By January 1, 2020 an employer having five or more employees shall provide at least two hours of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding sexual harassment to all supervisory employees and at least one hour of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding sexual harassment to all non-supervisory employees in California within six months of their assumption of a position.
  • This training must be provided once every two years, and it must be provided by qualified trainers (attorneys admitted for more than two years, Human Resources Professionals with 2 or more years of practical work experience, professors and instructors who have a post-graduate degree or a California teaching credential).
TRAINING DATES:
(Space is limited) 

Wednesday, May 29th 
Wednesday, June 12th

8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, 
Van Nuys

VICA University Workshop led by:


Click here to register
Los Angeles Rams COO Kevin Demoff Talks New Stadium and Rams Community Outreach
VICA Board Member Scott Mills (The Garland), Christina Ketsoyan (U.S. Bank), Kevin Demoff (Los Angeles Rams), VICA Vice Chair Charles Crumpley (San Fernando Valley Business Journal), Benjamin Jurjevich (BYD America)

On Thursday, VICA members enjoyed lunch at The Garland with Los Angeles Rams COO Kevin Demoff during a VICA Leaders Forum. Demoff discussed a wide range of topics including community outreach, the Ram's link to the Valley, the draft, and the new Inglewood stadium. Demoff described the team's first three years in Los Angeles, saying "we have had a tremendous run... over the last two years we have led the NFL in wins and points scored." Demoff also described the team's dedication to the community, including  service days in the Valley. He emphasized the importance of "embracing Los Angeles" and the team's roots as the city's original professional sports team. Demoff expressed his excitement for the completion of the new stadium, saying that it would enable us to "bring world-class sporting events back to Los Angeles."

Thank you to our presenting sponsors, The Garland and U.S. Bank and to our co-sponsor, BYD America.

Click here to view pictures from the event


Thursday, May 30, 2019
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Airtel Plaza Hotel
7277 Valjean Ave.,
Van Nuys

Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins

On May 30, Stephanie Wiggins, Chief Executive Officer of  Metrolink will join VICA to discuss
Metrolink's critical role in providing transit options to Angelenos. Wiggins will take time to answer member's questions and give an overview of  Metrolink services and expanded safety features. 

Sponsorships are available - email Helene@vica.com or call the 
VICA Office at (818) 817-0545

Click here to register
Business Advocate Blog
Whether or not you are a fan of the show we have to admit that HBO and Game of Thrones (GOT) have dominated the water cooler TV show talk for quite some time now. This article by VICA member Cowe Consulting will walk you through how GOT pulled off a marketing miracle and how you can take advantage of the tactics they followed. 

To read more, click here >>  Cowe Consulting's Marketing Map #ForTheThrone
Spotlight on VICA Committee Leadership
David Goldberg is a partner at the land use boutique firm, Armbruster Goldsmith & Delvac LLP and co-chair of VICA's Land Use Committee. He represents property owners and developers on complex land use entitlement matters before local jurisdictions and state and regional agencies throughout California.

Why is VICA valuable to you or your business?
VICA has been incredibly valuable to my law practice by keeping me informed of the critical issues affecting my clients' interests, connecting me with other practitioners and stakeholders facing similar issues, and providing me with the platform to engage directly with the electeds and other decision makers driving those issues. 

Why should members consider becoming more involved with the Land Use Committee?
The Land Use Committee is an efficient, effective means to learn about key land use and development issues affecting the Valley and members' interests and engage with key decision makers and stakeholders. Now, in particular, members have a unique opportunity to help VICA in its efforts to shape local and state housing policy that could impact the Valley for generations to come. 

The Land Use Committee's next meeting is on May 14.
Click here to RSVP for the May 14 Land Use Committee meeting.

Click here to learn more about VICA's Policy Committees
Making the Consumer Privacy Act Work for Small Businesses
VICA has strong concerns over the potential impacts of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which creates new costs and compliance burdens for many businesses and increases the risk of litigation. VICA supports the need to protect consumer privacy, but believes that laws designed to do so must be reasonable and feasible for impacted businesses. 

VICA is supporting three bills which would narrow the definition of personal information to exclude non-identifiable data, clarify that the CCPA is not intended to prohibit small businesses from offering loyalty programs or other services, and clarify which methods companies can offer consumers to submit personal information requests.

Click here to read more about how this law will impact business. 


Tuesday, July 16, 2019
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Airtel Plaza Hotel
7277 Valjean Ave.,
Van Nuys

Assemblymember Christy Smith

Join VICA for our upcoming After Dark, featuring California State Assemblymember Christy Smith. Attendees enjoy hosted drinks and appetizers as they meet and interact with other prominent business leaders from the community.  VICA After Darks are complimentary to VICA members.

Sponsorships are still available - email Helene@vica.com or call the 
VICA Office at (818) 817-0545

Non-members who are interested in attending are encouraged to contact  Helene@vica.com.

Click here to register
Advocating For Economic Vitality in the San Fernando Valley
VICA continued to advocate in favor of Westfield Promenade 2035, which will help enhance the economic vitality of the greater San Fernando Valley area. The exciting Promenade project guides the Warner Center toward a mixed-use, transit-oriented regional center, in line with state and city efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. It will include housing units, retail, office space, green space, and a new stadium to create a downtown in line with the Warner Center vision plan.

This week, VICA celebrated approval of the Centennial Project at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The Centennial Project is an important investment that will help alleviate the housing crisis facing our county and our state. The project will provide over 19,000 new homes and generate 23,000 jobs for Los Angeles County.

For more information, email Armando@vica.com

Join Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley's Chair Jessica Yasukochi (VICA) as her guest. To RSVP please contact jessica@vica.com

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