Yesterday, VICA hosted its annual Local Officeholders Luncheon, one of our largest events to include business leaders, city and local officials, and over 400 guests in attendance to discuss issues within the community including transportation infrastructure, housing development, job creation, public safety, and education investments.

After a networking session with members and public officials, our Q&A program began with moderator Martin Adams of LA Department of Water and Power, followed by Armando Flores from SoCalGas, and Marie Lloyd from Amazon, asking elected officials a wide variety of issues about their communities.

VICA welcomed local officials across various roles from Los Angeles and surrounding cities and received insight on important issues facing Los Angeles and its business community. VICA was pleased to also welcome LA Mayoral Candidate Karen Bass to the event.

Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez discussed the importance of intergenerational wealth and the significance that having access to homeownership for low income, minority members which has been stifled during COVID, becoming increasingly out of reach.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian discussed how the San Fernando Valley is currently going under a "Transportation Revolution" with Federal and State investments providing support for new developments such as the NoHo to Pasadena BRT project, the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit, and the Sepulveda Mile Project; all local transportation projects that would help and support local economies.

Finally, Santa Clarita Councilmember Marsha McLean discussed the various ways in which Santa Clarita supports economic development, discussing the business friendly environment that focuses on minimal taxation, public services to support business development, and its partnership with the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation.

VICA thanks the following elected officials for speaking with us and attending our local Officeholders Luncheon::

VICA would also like to thank our Presenting Sponsors Amazon, Comcast NBCUniversal, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, SoCalGas and Wells Fargo. VICA thanks our Co-sponsors, California Apartment Association, Fox, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Daily News, Microsoft, Providence, and Ralphs.

Beginning Tuesday, September 6th, residents and businesses in the greater Los Angeles County will need to suspend outdoor watering for 15 days for emergency repairs to our water pipelines.

After a leak was discovered in the 36-mile Upper Feeder Pipeline early in 2022, the City made temporary repairs and operated the pipeline at reduced capacity while a more permanent solution was designed and developed. The repairs are to be made between September 6th through September 20th.

Metropolitan member agencies under this call include cities of Beverly Hills, Burbank, Glendale, Long Beach, Pasadena, San Fernando, Torrance, as well as the Central Basin Municipal Water District, the Foothill Municipal Water District, Three Valley's Municipal Water District, and the West Basin Municipal Water District.

Prior to shutdown, residents should aerate their lawns, avoid mowing, and perform deep watering for plants, gardens, trees, equipped with mulch for added water retention. While the shutdown is occurring, residents and businesses should delay new planting, avoid fertilizing lawns, and weed out gardens to allow for more water retention for actual plants until September 20th. Remember to set your sprinkler time to "Off" on September 5th.

After completing her education, she relocated and built her career in Los Angeles County. She brings over 15 years of executive level experience in business development, corporate relations and sponsorships. She worked in the entertainment and hospitality industries for companies such as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Paley Center for Media, Advanced Imaging Society, and the Directors Guild of America. 

All nominee forms must be submitted via email to Cathy@vica.com by Friday, September 2, 2022.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating on the VICA Board in 2023 or Chairing a committee, please don't hesitate to click on the nomination form below and submit via email at Jessica@vica.com no later than Friday, September 2, 2022.

VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors, Sunhill Properties/Hilton Universal City, Medtrans, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger serves the residents of the 5th District — Los Angeles County’s largest — spanning over 2,785 square miles, which includes 20 cities and 83 unincorporated communities in the Antelope, San Gabriel, San Fernando, Crescenta, and Santa Clarita Valleys.

VICA thanks our Presenting Sponsors, Amazon, Anheuser-Busch, NBCUniversal, SoCalGas, SRAR, and Wells Fargo.

Sponsored by History for Hire

Sponsored by Verdugo Hills Council and Boy Scouts of America

Sponsored by Hospital Association of Southern California

Hosted by The Garland

On August 16th, President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which would expand healthcare coverage, implement a minimum corporate tax, and invest in climate change initiatives - a significant political win as the party sends a message before the midterms on Democrats ability to deliver on their campaign promises. The drug-price plan is the centerpiece of the Democrats’ bill, with the measure establishing incentives to combat the climate crisis, impose new taxes on corporations, and provide $4 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation to combat drought in the West — a last-minute addition.

On Monday, a Recall effort to remove Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon faltered, after the campaign failed to gather enough qualified signatures. Gascon has faced backlash from his own prosecutors over his handling of the cities 15 year high in crime and homicides. A recall attempt last year has similar failings, however this effort had more organization and funding. Similar recall efforts in San Francisco against DA Chesa Boudin were successful this June, fueling speculation that efforts would have been more successful in this recall effort against Gascon.

Governor Newsom announced Friday, August 12th, that he would extend the state's last operating nuclear power plant between 5 to 10 years to maintain power supply. Urgency arose after a decades long effort to keep the Nuclear Plant operating past its scheduled closure of 2025. Newsom's proposal would undo an agreement formed in 2016 between then Governor Brown, California's Legislature and utility regulators, plant workers and environmentalists.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors approved contracts to advance designs of the 52.4 mile project between Merced and Bakersfield. Approving the contracts brings the project closer to constructing the 171 mile high-speed rail intended to connect the Bay Area to Los Angeles. The authority provided $41 million to Stantec Consulting services, which will provide design support for 34 miles with 40 structures, and $45 million to HNTB for the 18.5 mile and 31 structure design between Shafter and Bakersfield. The High-Speed Rail project is under construction along 119 miles in California's Central Valley.

Following a failed negotiation attempt to generate a multi-state agreement this past Tuesday, the Bureau of Reclamation, issued mandatory reductions for various states from the Colorado River, however declared "no required water saving contribution for California in 2023". Los Angeles has imported water from the Colorado River since the early 20th century, with agriculture requiring a large supply of water through the decades. This statement recognizes the conservation efforts being made across the State, and ensures Southern California's decreasing dependence on importing water supplies.

This past Wednesday, Lebron James agreed to a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension through the 2024-25 season. Lebron is headed into his final year of his four year residency with the Los Angeles team, with the new deal providing $46.7 million this season. Lebron's commitment to the Lakers has cut against speculation that he would depart the team as a free agent or be subject to a trade.

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.