May 31, 2019

In This Issue
"[Metrolink] is excited to work with VICA to deliver transportation service for small businesses ."
- Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins at VICA Leaders Forum
Media Mentions

Martin Cooper Treats UCLA's Film & TV Archive, the 2nd Biggest in the US, Like a $6 million Business
Daily Breeze
May 26

VICA President Stuart Waldman Discusses Measure EE
May 30



Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members
____________________

PLATINUM MEMBER
(2017)

SILVER MEMBER
(2009)

BRONZE MEMBERS

(2009)


(2005)
__________________

AS Design
(2006)

Glendale Community College
(2013)

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital
(2017)

The Higher Path
(2018)

The Village Family Services
(2013)
__________________

VICA Welcomes New Members
__________________

Elevate Public Affairs

North Valley Occupational Center

 
Calendar

The Week Ahead

Manufacturing Committee
Tuesday, June 4
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, 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

Entertainment Committee
Sponsored by Pacific Federal
Thursday, June 6
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Save The Date

Land Use Committee
Hosted by The Garland
Tuesday, June 11
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood
Click here to RSVP

After Dark with LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz
Tuesday, June 11
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Buca di Beppo
17500 Ventura Blvd., Encino
Click here to RSVP

VICA University Harassment & Discrimination Training
Led by Gaspar Insurance Services
Wednesday, June 12
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

Healthcare Committee
Hosted by Valley Presbyterian Hospital
Thursday, June 13
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Valley Presbyterian Hospital
15107 Vanowen St., Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP

International Trade Committee Port Tour
Hosted by Port of Los Angeles
Thursday, June 13
12:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Port of Los Angeles
Click here to RSVP

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


Hot Issues 
Transit-Oriented Communities
Los Angeles developers are taking advantage of the VICA-supported transit-oriented communities (TOC) program to build larger housing projects near transit. Since the TOC program launched in 2017, developers have proposed over 12,000 new units, including 2,300 affordable housing units.

Housing
Over the past twenty years, Southern California home prices have risen four times faster than wages. The number of renters in the region is growing three times faster than homeowners as would-be homebuyers are priced out of the market.

Wildfires
According to a new study, the federal government is not doing enough to control the threat of wildfires in western states. The use of controlled burns, which successfully clears brush and reduces the risk of catastrophic fires, has declined over the last 20 years.

Early Childhood Education
Despite the need for more subsidized child care sites across the state, obstacles have deterred many providers from expanding or building new facilities. A package of VICA-supported bills aim to eliminate barriers to expanding child care facilities.

Census
As California's population growth flattens out, the state could lose a congressional seat for the first time in its history. With some experts predicting an undercount in the 2020 census, it appears likely that the state will have 52 congressmembers for the next decade. 

Democratic Convention
More than a dozen presidential candidates and their supporters will attend the California Democratic Party convention this weekend to try and sway potential primary voters. Attendees will also pick a new chair for the state party.

Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins Discusses Transit in Los Angeles
Brandon Long (Cubic Transportation Systems), Lisa Thompson (HNTB), Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins, Darnell Tyler (Comcast NBCUniversal), Immediate Past Chair Coby King (High Point Strategies), VICA Board Member Mary Bedrosian-Valencia (OutFront Media)

On Thursday, VICA members enjoyed breakfast at the Airtel Plaza Hotel with Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins for a VICA Leaders Forum. Wiggins discussed a wide range of topics, including expanding Metrolink ridership and improvements to existing lines. Wiggins noted that nearly a quarter of a million jobs are within a half-mile of a Metrolink station saying, " Metrolink is providing a link to housing affordability" by allowing Southern California residents to keep a high-paying job while easily commuting from outside of the city. Wiggins also discussed Metrolink's impact on congestion, saying that in the San Fernando Valley alone, Metrolink reduces over 2 million car trips per year. Wiggins also  detailed her plans for Metrolink, aiming to target the importance of safety and security, modernizing their business practices and fare policy, and streamlining procurement opportunities.


Wiggins also announced an exclusive discount on Metrolink's Corporate Partner Program (CPP) for VICA Members. Metrolink's CPP is a pre-tax benefit program that allows companies and organizations the ability to offer transit benefits to their employees. New CPP participants receive a 25% discount on each pass/ticket purchased during the designated six-month time period. Exclusively for VICA Members that enroll between May 31, 2019, through June 7, 2019, new accounts receive an additional 10% off, for a total discount of 35%. For more information and to receive this exclusive VICA benefit, please contact Ricardo Davila at DavilaR@scrra.net.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal and HNTB, as well as our co-sponsor Cubic Transportation Systems and OutFront Media.

Click here to view pictures from the event.


REQUIRED BY LAW
Last Chance to Register!
Harassment and Discrimination Training

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

Gaspar Insurance Services is 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. They must also provide 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).
Wednesday, June 12th
(Space is limited) 

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

VICA University Workshop led by:


E-mail Cathy@vica.com to register
Vote NO on Measure EE this Tuesday, June 4
This Tuesday, VICA urges you to vote NO on Measure EE, a new property tax which will cost homeowners hundreds of dollars per year. Proponents of Measure EE say the money will go to schools, but there's NO guarantee this money will actually go to classrooms and NO meaningful accountability or oversight. Measure EE is a bailout of LAUSD, a school district which is failing students, and will allow them to keep paying for the status quo. Get more info at https://www.votenoonee.com/
 
Click here to learn more



Tuesday, June 11, 2019
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Buca di Beppo
17500 Ventura Blvd.,
Encino

Councilmember Paul Koretz

Join VICA for our upcoming After Dark, featuring Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz. 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 Jessica@vica.com or call the 
VICA Office at (818) 817-0545

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

Click here to register
As Legislative Deadline Passes, VICA Advocates on Key Business Issues
This week, the Capitol was abuzz as the deadline for bills to pass out of their house of origin passed. VICA was pleased that VICA sponsored AB 1560, which would allow the Valley to take advantage of incentives available to transit-oriented development, successfully passed the Assembly with no opposition. We were also excited that a number of positive bills impacting housing development, child care services, consumer privacy, and nightlife moved forward in the legislative process. VICA was also relieved that bills placing additional burdens on landlords and property owners failed to pass. 

However, VICA was disappointed that a number of harmful bills managed to move on, despite fierce opposition from VICA and other members of the business community. Assembly Bills 170 and 171 would drastically increase liability for businesses dealing with harassment complaints, and a package of bills unfairly targeting sugar-sweetened beverages managed to clear their houses of origin. Additionally, VICA was disappointed that a package of harmful bills attacking high-quality charter schools and a new rent control bill were passed by the Assembly.

Click here to view the VICA action center and make your voice heard on this important legislation.
Spotlight on VICA Committee Leadership
Francine Oschin is the President of Oschin Partners, Inc. and chair of the VICA Transportation Committee. Prior to opening her government relations consulting firm, Oschin was Assistant Chief Deputy to San Fernando Valley Councilmembers Hal Bernson and Greig Smith for fifteen years. An active community member, Oschin has served on the board of directors of many local organizations and is currently the Chair of the Los Angeles County Beach Commission.

Why is VICA valuable to you or your business?
VICA is the leading business advocacy organization in the San Fernando Valley and a key advisor for all decision-makers in our Valley communities and Los Angeles County as a whole. VICA provides my business with opportunities to meet and interact with elected officials and their staff on issues of great importance not only to my small business, but to the larger business community. The value of VICA membership cannot be overstated.

Why should members consider becoming more involved with the Transportation Committee?
I realize the benefit of VICA membership at every Transportation Committee meeting as there are always robust discussions and interactions with Transportation industry leaders from Metro, Metrolink, Caltrans, SCAG, the City of Los Angeles and much more. Additionally, representatives from City, County, and State elected officials' offices attend these meetings, providing committee members with an opportunity to hear first-hand legislative proposals that have an impact on our business community and conversely, have an opportunity to express opinions and concerns on the legislation being proposed. Without this attendance, these decision makers might not be aware of our concerns nor have them on their radar.
 
And we serve a great breakfast!

VICA's next Transportation Committee will be held on July 9.
Click here to RSVP for the July 9 Transportation Committee meeting.

Click here to learn more about VICA's Policy Committees
VICA Members Met With Councilmembers Martinez and Ryu to Discuss Paid Family Leave Policy
VICA met with Councilmembers Nury Martinez and David Ryu this week to discuss their proposed measure to require employers in the City of Los Angeles to make up the difference between the employee's existing State Disability Insurance or Paid Parental Leave benefits and the employee's normal gross weekly wages for up to 18 weeks. Members raised concerns about the cost and made suggestions on issues to include in the economic impact analysis and alternative solutions. VICA looks forward to continuing to work with Councilmembers Martinez and Ryu to achieve the intent of the proposal without hurting business and jobs in our community.

To learn more, email Elizabeth@vica.com



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 Jessica@vica.com or call the 
VICA Office at (818) 817-0545

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

Click here to register
Public Banks, A Risky, Expensive Waste of Taxpayer Dollars
VICA opposes Assembly Bill 857 (Chiu/Santiago), which would allow municipalities to create and operate publicly owned banks. Public banking is not the solution to the problems facing our state. Though public banks are often billed as a way to finance affordable housing, infrastructure projects, and to provide banking solutions to underserved communities, none of these problems require a municipal bank to solve them. There are nearly 200 private banks serving the state, providing choice and competition in the marketplace. California banks often partner with community organizations that operate where they do business to benefit the communities they serve. Past analysis of other proposed public banks in California has shown that these banks are risky and expensive. Even the Los Angeles Times editorial board agrees that public banks would be risky, expensive and a potential waste of tax dollars.

Click here to send a letter opposing AB 857.
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  Jessica@vica.com  

Click here to read the job descriptions
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.