June 14, 2019

In This Issue
"The budget deal will maintain the state's ongoing commitment to fiscal prudence . "
- SENATOR HOLLY MITCHELL, CHAIR OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE
Media Mentions

Statewide Messages in Aftermath of LA Parcel Tax's Defeat
June 11

Bullying Business Won't Help LA Schools
June 11

Los Angeles school district regroups after tax election failure
June 14

Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members
____________________

PLATINUM MEMBER
(2011)

__________________

American Beverage Association
(2015) 

Epax Systems
(2002)

Los Angeles County Office of Education - GAIN
(2016)
Calendar

The Week Ahead

VICA Sacramento Advocacy Day
Tuesday, June 18
Sacramento, CA
Click here to RSVP

Government Affairs Committee
Hosted by Penny Lane Centers
Wednesday, June 19
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Penny Lane Centers
15314 Rayen Street, North Hills
Click here to RSVP

VICA 2019 San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame Dinner
Thursday, June 20
5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Sheraton Universal Hotel
333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City
Click here to RSVP

Save The Date

Transportation Committee
Hosted by The Garland
Tuesday, July 9 
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The Garland 
4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood
Click here to RSVP

Not-For-Profit Committee
Hosted by Child Care Resource Center
Thursday, July 11
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Child Care Resource Center
19809 Prairie St, 2nd Floor,
Chatsworth
Click here to RSVP

VICA After Dark with Assemblymember Christy Smith
Tuesday, July 16 
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Airtel Plaza Hotel
7277 Valjean Avenue, 
Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Government Affairs Committee
Hosted by  Penny Lane Centers
Wednesday, July 17
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Penny Lane Centers
15314 Rayen Street, North Hills
Click  here to RSVP



Hot Issues 

Aviation
VICA member Burbank-Hollywood Airport was awarded the best airport in the US by Fodor's inaugural Travel Awards.


Uber Air
It was announced that Melbourne, Los Angeles and Dallas will be trial cities for Uber Air, an aerial ridesharing service expected to launch in 2020. 

Rolling Blackouts
A heatwave in the Bay Area on Monday caused almost 26,000 PG&E customers to lose power. Among the areas that lost power was Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.

U.S. Inflation
On Wednesday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report that revealed California cities lead the U.S in inflation with housing having a huge weight on the consumer price index.

Vacancy Tax
On Tuesday, Los Angeles City Council approved a motion that asks city staff to analyze and report back on options for a vacancy tax, a tax on property owners for vacant units. Before being implemented, the tax would need to be placed on the ballot for voter approval. 

Transportation
A crucial Measure M project supported by VICA has the potential to transform the 405 corridor.

Lombard Street
On Wednesday, the California Senate Governance and Finance Committee advanced a bill that would implement a reservation system and fees for San Francisco's famous Lombard Street. The potential fee has not been determined and officials have said the new system would not be in place before 2020. 

Energy
On Tuesday, PBF Energy announced an agreement with Shell to purchase the Martinez refinery, which is located northeast of San Francisco. With the acquisition, PBF's total throughout capacity will increase to over one million barrels per day and its refining system will have a consolidated Nelson Complexity of 12.8. 

Councilman Paul Koretz Joins VICA After Dark
VICA First Vice Chair Brad Rosenheim ( Rosenheim & Associates ), VICA Board Member Maria Camacho ( LA Rams ), Councilmember Paul Koretz, Mindy Fink ( Buca di Beppo ), Tim Dodd ( Sweet Flower )
On Tuesday, VICA held an After Dark with Councilmember Paul Koretz at Buca di Beppo. Councilman Koretz discussed a variety of topics, focusing mainly on the growing issue of homelessness in Los Angeles, including the recently-released results of the Homeless Count, which found that in spite of over 20,000 individuals being housed, homelessness in the City of Los Angeles increased 16 percent. With the growing number of people on the streets, Koretz expressed his frustration, saying "let the homeless sleep indoors. I don't care if they put their sleeping bags in City Hall".

Thank you to our presenting sponsors Buca di Beppo and Sweet Flower, and our co-sponsor the Los Angeles Rams



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 [email protected] or call the 
VICA Office at (818) 817-0545

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

ALERT : City of Los Angeles Minimum Wage Increase

On July 1st, the minimum wage in Los Angeles will increase to $14.25 an hour for businesses with 26 or more employees, and $13.25 an hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees or not-for-profit organizations. Don't forget to check your 2019 City of Los Angeles Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Poster is up in the relevant languages, too. For more information and to download the poster, visit wagesla.lacity.org


THURSDAY, AUGUST 8
11:30 - 2 P.M.

BURBANK AIRPORT MARRIOTT - 2500 N. HOLLYWOOD WAY, BURBANK

CONFIRMED LOCAL OFFICEHOLDERS
(as of 6/10)

Los Angeles County Supervisors
Kathryn Barger
Sheila Kuehl

Los Angeles City Attorney 
Mike Feuer

Los Angeles City Councilmembers
Paul Koretz
Paul Krekorian

City of Burbank
Sharon Springer

City of Pasadena
Terry Tornek

City of San Fernando 
Joel Fajardo

City of Calabasas
Fred Gaines

LAUSD Board Members
Nick Melvoin
Scott Schmerelson
 
Apply for Citizens' Redistricting Commission to Shape California Governance
Applications for the Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) are now open on the Shape California's Future website! The Voters FIRST Act of 2008 assigned redistricting authority to California citizens, ensuring that new political boundaries are drawn without bias. Applications to be one of the 14 members on the CRC will be open from June 10 until August 10, 2019. Don't miss this opportunity to impact California's governance for the next ten years - VICA encourages our members to apply!
Click here to learn more and to apply
Valley Elected Officials Meet with VICA for Housing Roundtable

L ast Friday, VICA members met with Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Assemblymember Luz Rivas,  Senator Henry Stern, Councilmember Paul Koretz, and Los Angeles Department of City Planning Director Vince Bertoni for an important roundtable discussion on housing and homelessness.

During the discussion business leaders and elected officials discussed existing barriers to housing development and policies that could be changed to help developers get through the approval process faster and in turn, increase overall housing production.
 
The housing crisis has damaged our state's economy and left many working-class families with very few affordable housing options. As this issue continues to impact our city and state, VICA remains committed to continue collaborating with our elected officials and decision makers on strategies to address the housing crisis.
VICA is Hiring!
VICA is currently looking for two individuals to join our dynamic team. The two positions are:

Membership Manager: VICA is looking for a Membership Manager to help recruit new members, retain existing members, sell sponsorships and advertising and develop a strong membership program and ambassador committee. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated professional who wants to facilitate participation and networking in the most influential business community in the Valley. 

Legislative Affairs Associate: VICA is looking for a Legislative Affairs Associate to support the legislative affairs team's advocacy efforts for business at the local, state, and federal level. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate to work in a fast-paced environment on a wide range of policy issues, with opportunities to learn, grow, and gain valuable networks and experience.

If you or anyone you know would like to work for the most influential business group in the Valley, email a resume and cover letter to  [email protected]  

Click here to view the job descriptions.
Committee Reports

Land Use Committee (6/11)
Hosted by The Garland 
  • Special guests Samantha Millman, President, and Vahid Khorsand, Vice President, of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission joined the Land Use Committee to discuss trends and issues in local planning. 
  • The Committee also discussed and recommended positions on three bills: SB 5 (Beall) an Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Program, SB 521 (Portantino) on a credit program for landlords accepting Section 8 vouchers, and SB 568, on rapid rehousing for college students. 

Healthcare Committee (6/13)
Hosted by Valley Presbyterian Hospital
  • The Committee heard an update from Elan Shultz, Senior Health Deputy for Supervisor Kuehl, on Behavioral Health Services in LA County and Supervisor Kuehl's priority for the 3rd Supervisorial District. 
  • Sandy Vangyi, Development Manager for the Northeast Valley Health Corporation, presented to the committee on their efforts to provide medical services to homeless individuals. 
  • The committee recommended to support AB 1004 (McCarty), which would improve developmental screenings for children ages 0 to 3 years old. 
 
International Trade Committee (6/13)
Hosted by the Port of Los Angeles
  • VICA members visited the Port of Los Angeles for an overview of Port operations and economic impact, followed by a boat tour of the harbor. Thank you to the Port of Los Angeles for hosting us!
Click here to learn more about VICA's policy committees.
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.