March 29, 2019

In This Issue
"Everyone traveling to or from LAX should have access to modern, reliable public transportation that gets them to their destination on time ."

- Mayor Eric Garcetti
Media Mentions 
LAUSD's Punishing Tax Proposal
VV Daily Press
March 26

Receipts Would Go All Digital Under Proposed California Bill
March 26


Members

VICA Thanks Our Renewing Members
____________________

PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE

(1949)

PREMIER PARTNERS

(2006)

(1982)

SILVER MEMBER

(2015)

BRONZE MEMBER

(2018)

__________________

The Adult Skills Center
(2017)

Dolphin Group
(2011)

LA Family Housing Corp.
(2007)

Moss Group
(1993)

Northeast Valley Health Corporation
(2005)

Valley Village
(2001)

Van Nuys Airport Industrial Center
(2002)
__________________

VICA Welcomes our New Members

Gibson Transportation Consulting

KDG Construction Consulting
 
Calendar

The Week Ahead

After Dark with Los Angeles City Councilmember David E. Ryu
Tuesday, April 2
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Vitello's Restaurant
4349 Tujunga Ave., 
Studio City
Click here to RSVP

Keep the Promise Rally
Friday, April 5
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Van Nuys State Office Building
6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys
Click here to learn more

Fill The Truck
Saturday, April 6
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Promenade at Westfield Topanga
6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park
Click here to learn more

Save The Date

Land Use Committee
Hosted by The Garland
Tuesday, April 9
8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood
Click here to RSVP

Sacramento Advocacy Day
Wednesday, April 10
All Day
Sacramento, CA
Click here to RSVP

Not-for-Profit Committee
Hosted by Child Care Resource Center
Thursday, April 11
8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Child Care Resource Center
19809 Prairie Street, Chatsworth
Click here to RSVP

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

Newsmaker Connection Council District 12 Election Forum
Tuesday, April 30
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
VICA Office
16600 Sherman Way, Suite 170, Van Nuys
Click here to RSVP



Hot Issues 

Housing
A poll by the Public Policy Institute of California found that residents ranked housing as the number one issue in the state. The poll also showed that nearly half of the adults surveyed said that they considered moving due to the high cost of housing.

DMV
An audit of the California DMV found that poor planning for Real ID licenses led to hours-long wait times. The audit showed a  long list of problems including poor budgeting, inadequate staffing of service windows, missed opportunities to improve customer service, and a lack of employee training.

State Finances
The California State Controller's Office is gravely concerned that problems with the Fi$Cal accounting system could undermine the state's credit worthiness. The system has delayed the state's monthly cash reports and are threatening the accuracy of the state's financial report.

Congestion Pricing
The Southern California Association of Governments released its first study on congestion pricing. The study found that a $4 fee to enter into a 4.3-mile area of West Los Angeles could reduce traffic delays by more than 20%.
 
Decathlon Champions
VICA member Granada Hills Charter School won the California Academic Decathlon in Sacramento and will advance to the national competition next month.

New Terminal
VICA staff attended a Hollywood Burbank Airport public workshop to provide input on early design options for the airports replacement terminal.


VICA Sponsored Bill Will Help Build More Homes in the Valley
VICA is proud to sponsor Assembly Bill 1560 by local Assemblymember Laura Friedman and principal co-author Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, which would bring more homes along Metro's Orange Line by amending the definition of Major Transit Stop. The existing definition is too narrow and excludes parts of California served by Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), but not served by rail. This means that the Valley and other communities across the state cannot take advantage of CEQA exemptions and incentive programs offered to affordable housing projects built within a 1/2 mile of a Major Transit Stop. The Orange Line is one of the busiest BRT lines in Los Angeles County. It is essential that areas surrounding the Orange Line and areas served by local circulators, are eligible for incentives and CEQA exemptions to ensure housing development is maximized near transit. AB 1560  will maximize housing development near transit throughout California where housing is ideal, but been excluded under existing definitions . Click here to view the AB 1560 Fact Sheet.

Click here send a letter supporting AB 1560
VICA Annual Report: A Look Back at 2018

Last year was a momentous year for VICA, with some of our biggest successes advocating for the San Fernando Valley business community and our members. VICA's Annual Report for 2018 is now available. You can learn about VICA's advocacy-related accomplishments on the local, state and federal levels, highlights of our major events, and summaries of staff, partners, and membership development from 2018. We're proud of what we accomplished in 2018, but none of it would be possible without our active and passionate members. Contact our office if you would like to find more ways to be involved with VICA in 2019.
Click here to view the 2018 Annual Report
Support Removing Barrier to Construct Affordable Housing
VICA supports Senate Constitutional Amendment 1 (Allen / Wiener), which would place a measure on the 2020 ballot to allow the construction of low-rent housing projects financed in whole or in part by the state without approval from the voters. SCA 1 would repeal Article 34 of the California Constitution, which requires voter approval before publicly financed housing is built in a community. Article 34 creates unnecessary obstacles that slow down the construction of much-needed affordable housing. 

Click here to send a letter supporting SCA 1


Thursday, May 2, 2019
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave., 
North Hollywood

Kevin Demoff
Executive Vice President of Football Operations and Chief Operating Officer of the Los Angeles Rams 
 
On May 2, Kevin Demoff, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and Chief Operating Officer of the Los Angeles Rams, will discuss last year's NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams. Demoff will take time to answer members' questions and give an overview of last season, next season, and the new stadium.

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

Click here to RSVP
Spotlight on VICA Committee Leadership
Jane Skeeter is Chair of VICA's Manufacturing Committee.

Skeeter founded her stained glass and glazing company in her garage in the early '70s. Since then, UltraGlas has evolved into a global enterprise and serves a variety of OEM, construction, and designed building material markets. The largest project to date is 125,000 square feet of UltraGlas to clad the exterior of the world's 6th largest hospital in Kuwait. UltraGlas was inducted into VICA's Hall of Fame in 2017.

How is VICA valuable to you or your business?
I value VICA for many reasons. It advocates for business at all levels of government, thereby giving me a voice. It educates and informs me of issues and opportunities. It provides a forum for various viewpoints with exciting dialog and valuable connections. It does important work to help improve the quality of life for those living and working in our great Valley.

Why should members consider becoming more involved with the Manufacturing Committee?

The Manufacturing Committee offers engaging and pertinent programming geared to inform members of the latest: HR/staffing, zoning, contract, import/export issues and laws, manufacturing processes, financing, government acquisition opportunities, advocacy and provides ideal opportunities for networking connections. Meeting attendance is financially and personally rewarding; please join us!


The Manufacturing Committee's next meeting is on June 4.

Click here to learn more about VICA's Policy Committees


Join us as VICA continues its tradition by inducting the Valley's remarkable businesses into the San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame. We are looking forward to celebrating Valley businesses and 70 years of VICA members.

VICA is excited to announce that our emcee for the evening will be NBC4's Fritz Coleman.

Thursday, June 20, 2019
Sheraton Universal Hotel
333 Universal Hollywood Dr., Universal City
Reception 5:30-6:45 p.m. 
Awards 6:45-7:45 p.m.  |   Dinner  7:45-9:00 p.m.

Click here to RSVP
VICA Supports Warner Center 2035 Plan at Five-Year Review
VICA voiced its continued support for Warner Center 2035 at the projects five-year review. VICA highlighted the project's balanced approach to planned growth and the need for housing, jobs, and community services and applauded the progress that has been made. VICA is proud to support this forward-thinking plan that will create long term jobs and achieve a more urban, mixed-use, transit-oriented regional center.

To learn more, email armando@vica.com
Ban on Digital Rooftop Advertising  Moves Forward at City Council Transportation Committee
VICA was disappointed by the City Council Transportation Committee's decision to move forward with a ban on digital rooftop advertising on rideshare vehicles. Digital rooftop advertising helps connect businesses with consumers through the use of innovative technology and reach a diverse audience in neighborhoods typically hard to reach while remaining within budget. The proposed ban will negatively impact communities that benefit from the increased economic activity generated by consumers who have supported local businesses. VICA will continue to urge the City to enact a sensible policy that ensures public safety and the continued success of businesses using new technology. 

To learn more, 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.