Next summer six families will move into brand new homes they helped build in Oxnard's neighborhood of La Colonia.
But the celebration of the six-home Habitat for Humanity project begins Saturday. Officials have invited the community to join the selected families in a groundbreaking ceremony at 9 a.m. at the project site, 125 N. Hayes Avenue. The two- and three-bedroom homes are affordable units, costing the families less than $250,000. "In Ventura County, overall, there's a tremendous need for affordable housing," said Steve Dwyer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County. "Our mission is to provide safe, decent, affordable homes for purchase." The $1.8 million project has been subsidized through partnerships with agencies like Gold Coast Health Plan, which donated $75,000 for the project. The grant is part of a Community Health Investments program that supports improvements to health care access, food security and neighborhood environments. A housing nonprofit such as Habitat for Humanity may not be a traditional partner for health care agencies but that is starting to change, said Dale Villani, chief executive officer of Gold Coast Health Plan, a public agency serving Ventura County Medi-Cal members. "There's a fair number of homeless people in Ventura County and many of them are actual members of Gold Coast Health Plan," Villani said. "We like our members to have safe and healthy homes to live in." Villani said there are many factors in determining a person's health and they include a healthy living environment. "Health care is really looking at the whole person," he said. The health plan grant, totaling $1.5 million, was awarded to 16 local organizations including FOOD Share, Brain Injury Center of Ventura County and Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project. There were 23 groups that applied for the grant. "We were very pleased to see a company with the presence of Gold Coast clearly making that link between investing in the health of a family to improving the community over time," Dwyer said. The La Colonia project also received support from the city of Oxnard, Department of Housing and Urban Development, St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, West Coast Air Conditioning, Ventura County Community Development Corporation and Ventura County Housing Trust Fund. Meathead Movers, with locations in Ventura County, has made Inc. Magazine’s Honor Roll for the sixth year in a row.
Company is on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. “As we continue to expand and grow, it’s important that we stay focused on our core values,” said Aaron Steed, CEO. “We want our brand to reflect our dedication to our customers and our employees. We look forward to the next 20 years of providing exceptional moving services in California and beyond, and we’re so humbled to be included on the Inc. 5000 list again in 2017.” Story by: VC Star A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that imposes a cost to contractors with county contracts and subjects contractor and subcontractor employees’ private information to Public Records Act requests has been held in a Senate fiscal committee pending review of the bill’s financial impact on the state budget. The CalChamber-led coalition is opposed to AB 1250 (Jones-Sawyer; D-South Los Angeles) because the bill seeks to severely limit options for county agencies to determine the most appropriate solution to providing efficient and effective public service by establishing significant and costly obstacles for agencies and for vendors contracting for personal services. Must Justify Contracts AB 1250 imposes not only onerous requirements on counties in order to justify the need for contracting out personal services, but also imposes costs on contractors. The bill requires the agency to conduct an audit of the contract to determine if anticipated cost savings of the contract have been realized. The contractors would be required to reimburse the agency for the cost of the analysis, and would be prohibited from factoring the cost of the audit into the contract costs, thereby imposing a fee on the contractor. If the onerous process for these agencies to follow when seeking to contract for personal services does not discourage the agency from attempting the process, the cost to the contractors will discourage many from engaging. AB 1250 requires the contractor, on a monthly basis, to furnish the names and hourly rates of all contractor and subcontractor employees, as well as any independent contractor’s names and compensation. This private information would be provided to anyone who makes a request, per the Public Records Act. The public release of private information could be damaging to the individuals whose contact information is exposed. It is unclear why providing this personal information benefits the public. Counties have a long history of addressing service delivery challenges with creativity, self-reliance and innovation in partnership with the private sector. Limited budgets create further challenges to local governments that can sometimes be addressed through using outside vendors to provide services. By establishing near-insurmountable barriers to contracting, AB 1250 seeks to eliminate even the consideration of contracting as a tool to meet the needs of these agencies. By limiting their choices, AB 1250 limits the options that counties rely upon to provide public services, and stay within their means. If in fact a county makes it to this point and determines that contracting out these services has merit, there may not be any contractors to bid on these contracts because of the costs associated with reimbursing the contracting agencies for the required audit. AB 1250 will in effect leave agencies with limited choice, or lacking the ability to maintain and provide needed services altogether. Department of Finance Opposed During the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on August 21, the state Department of Finance (DOF) announced that it opposes the bill because AB 1250 “would create unknown, but likely significant General Fund costs to the state.” The DOF opposition rationale also aligns with the CalChamber-led coalition’s concerns about increased costs from AB 1250. Action Needed September 1 is the deadline for all bills to be sent to the Senate and Assembly floors. CalChamber urges members to contact their senator and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and recommend they oppose AB 1250 and hold the bill in the appropriations committee. The City of Oxnard will continue to hold sign-up opportunities for the utility rate assistance program "Project Assist" on August 23 & 24 and is determined to reach income-qualified customers. The program offers low-income residents a $10 monthly discount toward residents’ trash, sewer, and water utility bills. To qualify, customers must be participants in Southern California Edison or Southern California Gas Company’s CARE program. Oxnard residents will be notified of approval in the first week of September and program enrollment begins within 30 days of acceptance. Funds are limited and acceptance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Currently, city staff has signed-up, reviewed, and approved 158 participants in the program that officially started on July 1st. To submit a program application, residents are invited to attend one of two August community sign-up events, where city staff will accept applications. To complete an application on site, residents must bring a copy of a valid driver’s license or most recent utility bill, and a copy of an Edison or SoCal Gas bill showing proof of CARE program eligibility, and sign the application. Applications will also be available online at www.oxnard.org/project-assist. Schedule of Sign-Up Events: • August 23, 3 p.m.-6 p.m., Oxnard Public Library, Room A, 251 South A Street. • August 24, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Oxnard Public Library, Room A, 251 South A Street. For more information, visit Oxnard.org/project-assist or contact the Public Works Customer Services Manager Jay Duncan at 385-8387. Major Expansion and Modernization Projects at St. John’s Regional Medical Center St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC), a Dignity Health hospital, is proud to announce a new modernization and expansion project that will transform our campus into the hospital of the future. As part of our ongoing mission to provide the latest medical technologies and world-class services for generations to come, these significant developments will dramatically enhance our capacity to meet the future health needs of patients and their families. "The modernization and expansion project contributes significant benefits to Ventura, Oxnard and Camarillo," said Darren W. Lee, President and CEO of St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo. "These new additions to our hospital further support our mission to provide high-quality health care services to all. St. John’s Regional Medical Center proudly brings the best of 21st century health care to the Oxnard community with these exciting advancements." We look forward to inviting media and community members to monumental groundbreaking celebrations and blessings starting this fall. Installation of some new equipment and completion of some of the new procedures already began. The two-year project scheduled for completion by April 2019 includes: Emergency Department (ED) Improvements • Three fully remodeled, state-of-the-art trauma bays • Nine additional exam rooms (with one bariatric room) for a total of 31 exam rooms • Two psychiatric exam rooms for patients requiring mental health evaluations • Three separate triage rooms to ensure faster access to medical care for everyone • New dedicated X-ray suite inside the ED for expedited treatment time • Modern design of bigger, improved ED patient and ambulance entrance Patient Access Additions • Enlarged private patient discharge in the back of the hospital for convenience and discretion • Separate entrance that directly leads to Labor & Delivery and the NICU to allow expectant women to bypass the emergency room and receive immediate attention Labor and Delivery Program Modernization • Four upgraded Labor & Delivery rooms with contemporary features such as tubs for water births, birthing balls and a bright, cheerful decor • New private and semi-private triage rooms for a relaxing, family-oriented admitting process • Comfortable and tastefully decorated all-new waiting rooms for family and visitors Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Expansion • Current large group monitoring rooms will be built out into an entire unit of twenty private NICU rooms with room for mom, dad or a guest and sophisticated nurse monitoring capabilities • Family lounge with kitchenette and shower for those wishing to remain near our tiniest patients as much as possible while they remain in our care Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Technology • Only 3T (Tesla) MRI in use at a Ventura County hospital generates exceptional anatomic detail over the standard power 1.5T machines • Latest 3D Tomosynthesis Breast Imaging Machine provides more accurate detail • SPECT/CT scan room for cutting-edge 3D nuclear medicine treatment • Navigational bronchoscopy equipment to biopsy the edges of the lungs Building a Neuroscience Center of Excellence • World class neurosurgery suite with capability to perform brain clot removal, aneurysm repairs, carotid artery stenting, advanced brain and neck tumor removal • Siemens biplane angiography machine to remove brain clots, stop intracranial hemorrhages, and fix blood vessel damage in the brain, accessed with minimal invasion through the groin in a similar method as Cath Lab procedures • Powerful new Pantero microscope for use with intraoperative fluorescence technology during neurosurgeries will be the only one in Ventura County Center for Cardiovascular Health • Investing in new technologies and procedures to remain a national leader in cardiac care with our award-winning heart health services (sutureless aortic valve replacement, chronic total occlusion removal from coronary arteries, embolectomies for large clots, TAVR) • First in the county to implant a leadless pacemaker and perform cryoablation for AFib • Establishing a structural heart disease program and conducting cardiac stem cell research Click here for a flyer promoting the Modernization and Expansion Project at Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Medical Center. About Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Medical Center St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard is a recipient of the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence and rated among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care by Healthgrades. St. John’s Regional is a member of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety and service. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo. Each hospital is supported by a philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/stjohnsregional The California State Assembly and Senate return today from their month-long summer recess and will consider the remaining job killer bills over the next several weeks. The next significant deadline for the job killer bills is September 1, the date by which fiscal committees must send the bills along for consideration by the entire Senate or Assembly. In addition, nine tax-related job killer bills remain alive because they were not subject to the July 21 deadline for bills to pass policy committees and move to fiscal committees. Although they still are eligible for consideration, they are not set for hearings at this time. Job Killer Bills Three Senate job killer bills and one Assembly job killer bill remain active. The California Chamber of Commerce has identified 25 job killer bills to date. The following job killers are still moving: Arbitration Discrimination SB 33 (Dodd; D-Napa) Discrimination Against Arbitration Agreements — Unfairly discriminates against arbitration agreements contained in consumer contracts for goods or services with a financial institution, as broadly defined, which is likely preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act and will lead to confusion and unnecessary litigation. Increased Labor Costs AB 1209 (Gonzalez Fletcher; D-San Diego) Public Shaming of Employers -- Imposes new data collection mandate on California employers to collect and report data to the Secretary of State regarding the mean and median salaries of men and women in the same job title and job description, determine which employees perform “substantially similar” work, and then have that report posted on a publicly accessible website, where such employers will receive undue scrutiny and criticism for wage disparity that is not unlawful and justified by a bona fide factor. SB 63 (Jackson; D-Santa Barbara) Imposes New Maternity and Paternity Leave Mandate — Unduly burdens and increases costs of small employers with as few as 20 employees by requiring 12 weeks of protected employee leave for child bonding and exposes them to the threat of costly litigation. Increased Unnecessary Litigation Costs SB 49 (de León; D-Los Angeles) Creates Uncertainty and Increases Potential Litigation Regarding Environmental Standards — Creates Uncertainty and Increases Potential Litigation Regarding Environmental Standards. Creates uncertainty by giving broad and sweeping discretion to State agencies to adopt rules and regulations more stringent than the federal rules and regulations in effect on January 19, 2017 through an expedited administrative procedure without public participation or input, when the State agencies determine that federal action leads to less stringent laws and regulations than those in effect on January 19, 2017; and increases the potential for costly litigation by creating private rights of action under California law, which may be triggered when a State agency takes the foregoing discretionary action. Tax Increases; Not Subject to Deadline The following nine tax-related job killer bills were not subject to the July 21 deadline. Although these bills aren’t moving in the Legislature, they could be taken up at any time before the end of the session.
Action Needed CalChamber is asking businesses to contact their legislators and urge them to oppose these job killers. Becoming a Chamber member allows Mary Sawyer the opportunity to become involved in the local community and serve on many levels. As a liaison she feels it is essential to become familiar with the community in which she services. Mary says, “The Oxnard Chamber is an amazing group of professionals who all have the common goal to make the community better, and I am excited to be a part of this group and look forward to the many opportunities that I and Assisted Home Health and Hospice can contribute to the Oxnard community. I look forward to being a part of the Oxnard Chamber and its members”. Mary is a California Native, and she recently relocated to Ventura County after residing in Lompoc for 34 years! After losing her only sibling to Cancer 6 years ago she knew that she wanted to be involved with Hospice. She feels truly blessed to serve the Ventura Community as a Hospice Liaison. Her goal is to educate the community on Hospice and the amazing service of Assisted Home Health and Hospice Care. Mary is here to provide, loving, compassionate, assistance in the Hospice process for your loved ones and the community of Oxnard. Assisted Home Health and Hospice offers Home Health, Palliative Care, Private Duty Care and Hospice. For more information call 805.677.7405 and visit their website at www.Assisted1.com If you have visited Channel Islands Harbor in the last five or ten years, you likely noticed the state of disrepair Fisherman's Wharf is in. It's quite sad to see the corner that was once a bustling destination for visitors and locals alike look as if it wants to fall into the sea. Channel Islands Harbor spent many years as the poor stepchild in Ventura County. It was one of the best assets, but ignored by many politicians and policy makers. It has taken a lot of investment on the part of private industry to pump life into it, and Harbor management has been challenged to attract viable developers to venture into projects on leased land that requires percentage rents to be paid to the County. After a few failed attempts by various parties to redevelop Fisherman's Wharf, the perfect scenario seems to have presented itself. The trio of Thomas R. Tellefsen, Peter Mullin and Geoff Palmer are proposing a rebuild of the project that adds many public amenities and retains the flavor of the original nautical theme. Thomas Tellefsen is the principal of Tellefsen Investments, a private asset and investment management firm in Pacific Palisades. Peter Mullin, amongst many interests, is the owner of the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard where a portion of his collection of French Art Deco era cars is on display. Geoff Palmer of G.H. Palmer Associates has been in the business of building luxury apartment units for many years. Specifically, the proposal to revitalize Fisherman's Wharf includes refurbishing the landmark lighthouse, restoring or rebuilding many of the existing buildings, redesigning the waterfront to include a wide promenade and outdoor dining options, increasing the retail space by about 9,000 square feet, creating a public park, and providing approximately 390 luxury residential units. (Some of the previous proposals included up to 800 apartments.) The Oxnard Chamber has studied the redevelopment proposal for Fisherman's Wharf and thoroughly supports it. The County Board of Supervisors has given the project a green light. It's important to note that the County of Ventura owns Channel Islands Harbor and the land immediately adjacent to it up to the Channel Island Boulevard Bridge, where the City of Oxnard takes over. Unfortunately the project has hit a couple of bumps in the road. The city of Oxnard recently amended its 2030 General Plan to require "urban villages" have specific plans (a very costly regulation!). And there seems to be some squabbling over who has the permitting authority for the site. Historically the County has had that role. In addition to that hiccup, there is a small group of very vocal Oxnard residents that believe incorporating apartments in the project constitutes the "taking" of public property. Hello! The entire peninsula in the harbor is apartments. The project does not pencil out if the apartments are not a component. In addition, the old adage of "rooftops drive retail" is a big factor in sustaining the restaurants and retail not only at Fisherman's Wharf, but throughout Channel Islands Harbor. Last year when the project was in front of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for approval and many opponents spoke against it, Supervisor Steve Bennett noted other proposals had come forward in recent years, this was a quality project, and if this one doesn't move forward the site will likely continue to decay and deteriorate. The Oxnard Chamber will continue to strongly support the proposal to bring new life to what should be a beautiful part of our community. Your support is welcome, too! New venue and new keynote speaker! The September 14 Knowledge & Networking lunch will feature the State of the Port report. The Port is one of the biggest economic engines in Ventura County. It is owned and operated by The Oxnard Harbor District, created in 1937, as an independent special district (business enterprise) and political subdivision of the State of California. Its mission is to operate as a self-supporting Port that enforces the principles of sound public stewardship maximizing the potential of maritime-related commerce and regional economic benefit. The Oxnard Harbor District’s policies are set by a five-member Board of Harbor Commissioners elected at large from the District. Day-to-day business operations of the Harbor District are administered by the CEO & Port Director and professional staff. The Harbor District, by its charter, can acquire, construct, own, operate, control or develop any and all harbor works or facilities necessary to efficiently accomplish its mission. It prepares and controls its own budget, as well as fiscal activities. It is responsible for all Port construction and operations. Port of Hueneme CEO and Port Director Kristin Decas will be the keynote speaker. A proven leader, Kristin Decas repeatedly demonstrates her ability to build vision and implement strategy through open, collaborative processes that foster results. Since beginning her tenure with the Port of Hueneme in February 2012, the Port has realized several successes. Tonnage totals have grown every year since her arrival from 1.3 million tons for FY 2012 to over 1.575 million metric tons in 2015 marking the Port’s strongest sustained trade years since its inception in 1937. Kristin championed the first annual Port Banana Festival, drawing over 10,000 visitors to the Port. Port of Hueneme related activities generate $1.1 billion in annual economic impact and create more than 10,200 direct, indirect, induced and influenced jobs. Kristin was recently selected as Top Port Director of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals. The Knowledge & Networking Lunch will be Thursday, September 14 from noon to 1:30 at the Courtyard by Marriott on Esplanade Drive. Click here to go to the online registration or call the Chamber office at 805-983-6118. Click here to go to the online registration or call the Chamber office at 805-983-6118. California’s housing crisis is a big focus of attention at the State Capitol as studies highlight two elements of the crisis that are inextricably linked—supply and affordability. The Department of Housing and Community Development estimates that California must build at least 180,000 units a year to keep pace with demand, not accounting for the backlog of approximately 2 million units that has accrued over the last several decades. The supply shortage has sent home prices and rents soaring, resulting in many individuals and families being priced out of the market and leading to overcrowding, homelessness, substandard housing conditions, and an exodus of Californians to other states. For every $1,000 increase in a California home, 15,000 buyers are priced out of the market, according to a recent study by the National Association of Home Builders. Based on pending legislation, lawmakers are concentrating on things like local land use, funding affordable housing, or expedited permit processing. Local Land Use Decisions The Legislature will grapple to define the scope of the state’s role in local land use decisions. One of the driving issues in the crisis is the reluctance of local governments to approve new housing projects due to “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) resistance. Several bills have been introduced to hold local governments accountable for meeting their affordable housing elements. Such bills include SB 167 (Skinner; D-Berkeley) and AB 678 (Bocanegra; D-Pacoima), both supported by the California Chamber of Commerce. These bills require a local agency to make relevant findings if it denies a housing development, clarify provisions of the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), and impose added penalties on agencies that violate the HAA by failing to make appropriate findings. Another CalChamber-supported bill, AB 943 (Santiago; D-Los Angeles), seeks to increase the vote required to pass an ordinance that would reduce density or stop development or construction of parcels located less than one mile from a major transit stop, in an effort to limit the NIMBY effect. AB 1397 (Low; D-Campbell) further attempts to ensure that sites contained in a local government’s housing element can realistically be developed to meet the locality’s housing needs by requiring that such sites have sufficient infrastructure available to support housing development. Funding Affordable Housing Another focus is funding for state subsidies to develop affordable housing. The two bills getting the most attention are:
Other proposed funding methods include taxes:
Both these tax bills have been identified as job killers and have not moved through the legislative process at this juncture. While the state places significant focus on funding, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office report, it would have to raise upwards of $250 billion to subsidize itself out of the housing crisis—a feat that cannot be accomplished. Permit Processing Several bills aim to streamline permit processing, which is much needed to stimulate development; however, the bills’ limitations or prevailing wage requirements make them unlikely to have much impact on the ground. Other bills attempt to relax rules for granny flats (accessory dwelling units) and home additions. Fortunately, three “wrong way” bills have been taken out of the equation.
Other Possibilities Three potential key factors in addressing the housing crisis that do not appear to be getting much attention are the potential for Proposition 13 property tax and CEQA reform, and revival of some version of California’s redevelopment agencies. Although there is no silver bullet to tackle the housing crisis, the Legislature will need to consider all available and possible avenues to increase supply to address the state’s housing crisis—the stimulation of actual construction being of the utmost importance. Louinda V. Lacey presents a recap of housing bills at the CalChamber Capitol Summit.
Kristin Decas, Port Director & CEO of the Port of Hueneme in California, was selected as Top Port Director of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). While inclusion with the International Association of Top Professionals is an honor in itself, only a few members in each discipline are chosen for this distinction. These special honorees are distinguished based on their professional accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership abilities, longevity in the field, other affiliations and contributions to their communities. All honorees are invited to attend the IAOTP’s annual award gala at the end of this year for a night to honor their achievements. With over a decade of professional experience in the Maritime-based Trade, Transportation and Infrastructure Industry, Kristin has certainly proven herself as an accomplished professional and expert in the field. As a dynamic, results-driven leader, she has demonstrated success not only with the Port of Hueneme but with every position she has ever held. Since beginning her tenure with the Port of Hueneme in February 2012, the Port has seen Tonnage totals have grown every year since Kristin arrived from 1.3 million tons for FY 2012 to over 1.575 million metric tons in 2015 marking the Port’s strongest sustained trade years since its inception in 1937. Kristin led the first annual Port Banana Festival which drew over 10,000 visitors to the Port. Port of Hueneme related activities generate $1.5 billion in annual economic impact and created more than 13,633 direct, indirect, induced and influenced jobs. Kristin’s prior role before serving the Port of Hueneme, she served as CEO and Port Director for the Port of New Bedford, MA, the nation’s number one value fishing port. When she obtained this position in 2007, Kristin inherited a $200,000 deficit and she impressively cleaned up not only the financial problems but the physical landscape of the Port as well. Kristin generated a healthy profit for the Port and also played as a key asset in developing a new terminal to support commerce and offshore wind energy projects. Under her leadership the Port of New Bedford realized significant growth in cruise and recreational boating activity. The President of IAOTP, Stephanie Cirami, stated “Choosing Kristin for this award was an easy decision for our panel to make. In a male dominated industry, Kristin is talented, bright, beautiful and brilliant at what she does and we felt she would make an amazing asset to our organization. We are looking forward to meeting her at the gala and know we will be seeing more amazing things from this amazing woman.” Kristin graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Vermont in 1991 and with her Masters Degree in Environmental Policy and Law from the University of Denver in 1997. Throughout her illustrious career, Kristin has received many awards and accolades and has been recognized worldwide for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the industry. For 2018 she is being considered for the “Female Visionary of the Year Award” and the “Top Female Executive Award” by the International Association of Top Professionals. For 2017, she was selected as Top Port Director of the Year by IAOTP. She was recognized by the Trade Administration officials for her impressive work in promoting economic development through international trade promotion, and for her service on scores of federal level shipping and port committees. She was awarded a high profile appointment by the U.S. Department of Transportation to both the National Freight Advisory Committee (NFAC) and the U. S. Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC). Kristin was elected by the board of directors of the American Association of Port Authorities AAPA, a trade association representing more than 130 public port authorities in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, as the association’s Chair for 2014-2015. Kristin was the first woman to run both the Port of New Bedford in its 50 year history and the Port of Hueneme in its 75 year history. She is also the 4th woman to chair the AAPA in its 103 years. Looking back, Kristin attributes her success to her training, her perseverance, mentors she has had along the way, and her passion for what she does. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. For the future, she will continue to grow as a professional and continue to strive for excellence in whatever position she is in. For more information on Kristin please visit: http://www.portofhueneme.org/about/kristin-decas/ About IAOTP The International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) is an international boutique networking organization who handpicks the world’s finest, most prestigious top professionals from different industries. These top professionals are given an opportunity to collaborate, share their ideas, be keynote speakers and to help influence others in their fields. This organization is not a membership that anyone can join. You have to be asked by the President or be nominated by a distinguished honorary member after a brief interview. IAOTP’s experts have given thousands of top prestigious professionals around the world, the recognition and credibility that they deserve and have helped in building their branding empires. IAOTP prides itself to be a one of a kind boutique networking organization that hand picks only the best of the best and creates a networking platform that connects and brings these top professionals to one place. For More Information on IAOTP please visit: www.iaotp.com Channel Islands Harbor has been awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, the Ventura County Harbor Department announced. The achievement celebrates businesses and destinations that have earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Ventura County owns and operates 310 acres comprising the Channel Islands Harbor. The majority of the Harbor is operated by businesses who have been granted long-term leases by the Board of Supervisors. On TripAdvisor, the Channel Islands Harbor is highly rated in the “top things to do” and “good for peace & quiet seekers” categories in Oxnard. “Receiving this recognition is a credit to all lessees and businesses who make the Channel Islands Harbor a great place to live and visit,” said Ventura County Harbor Department Director Lyn Krieger. “There is no greater seal of approval than being recognized by our visitors. With the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence based on visitor reviews, the achievement is a remarkable vote of confidence to our success and commitment to service excellence.” The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. As the first recreational harbor in Ventura County, Channel Islands Harbor has become one of the largest in California, after Marina Del Rey and San Diego in Southern California. It now includes over 300 acres of land and water, but the initial development included only a small portion of the current harbor area. Additional construction took place over the years, including the west channel of the harbor, along Harbor Boulevard and Peninsula Road. Development of the harbor has been largely accomplished through leases with private developers, who have constructed eight marinas (not including the three constructed by the County) comprising over 2200 boat slips, two hotels, two yacht club buildings, two boat yards, three shopping areas, two freestanding restaurants, a Maritime Museum, over 100 condominiums and 485 apartments. In addition, public agencies have provided parks, restrooms, the public launch ramp and parking for the public. For more information on Channel Islands Harbor visit www.channelislandsharbor.org. The California Chamber of Commerce is reminding employers with 10 or more employees that they are required to electronically submit employment tax returns, wage reports, and payroll tax deposits to the Employment Development Department (EDD). The requirement began January 1 for employers with 10 or more employees. All remaining employers are required to begin reporting and paying electronically with their 2018 payroll or as soon as they report having 10 or more employees, whichever happens first. Unemployment Insurance and Electronic Reporting AB 1245 (Cooley; D-Rancho Cordova, Statutes of 2015) requires electronic reporting for unemployment insurance reports submitted to the EDD. It also requires employers to remit contributions for unemployment insurance taxes by electronic funds transfer. Any employer required under existing law to electronically submit wage reports and/or electronic funds transfer to the EDD remains subject to those requirements. For more information, visit FAQs – E-file and E-pay Mandate for Employers. The EDD encourages employers to enroll in e-Services for Business to meet the requirement. For more information about the e-file and e-pay mandate, please visit: www.edd.ca.gov/EfileMandate Benefits of Electronic Filing and Payments
File and Pay Electronically with e-Services for Business Employers can use e-Services for Business to comply with the e-file and e-pay mandate. e-Services for Business is a fast, easy, and secure way to manage employer payroll tax accounts online. With e-Services for Business, employers can:
Waiver This mandate contains a waiver provision for employers who are unable to electronically submit employment tax returns, wage reports, and payroll tax deposits. The EDD began accepting waiver requests from employers in July 2016. To request a waiver, employers must complete and submit the E-file and E-pay Mandate Waiver Request (DE 1245W). Here are the ways to obtain a DE 1245W:
Waiver requests can be submitted by mail or fax: Mail: Employment Development Department Document and Information Management Center P.O. Box 989779 West Sacramento, CA 95798-9779 Fax: (916) 255-1181 Employers will be notified by mail if their waiver is approved or denied. An approved waiver will be valid for one year. Upon the expiration of the approval period, an employer must start to electronically file and pay, or submit a new waiver request to avoid a noncompliance penalty. Penalties for Not Complying with the E-file and E-pay Mandate Penalties will be incurred for noncompliance with this mandate. To avoid the penalties, enroll in e-Services for Business. When your business has an issue that you cannot solve on your own, who do you call? Of course, it depends on the subject matter, but chances are, your Oxnard Chamber membership is a direct line for assistance and the appropriate resources. Many companies join or renew their membership and forget to utilize the chamber benefits. Some businesses use their membership to increase their sales of goods or services, or for networking, or to learn more about new business laws and regulations. Nevertheless, having a business advocate organization working on your behalf can prove that your Oxnard Chamber membership provides a significant return on your investment. The Oxnard Chamber Business Advocacy Committee (BAC) meets the second Monday of every month at noon at the Oxnard Chamber office. Led by Oxnard Chamber board members Tom Cady and Stacy Miller, the committee meets on proposed legislation, local elections and measures, and other issues such as energy, transportation, land use and water. The BAC is open and transparent and often has legislative aides in attendance, as well as the City and County representatives. Once an agenda item has been vetted and voted on through the BAC, it is then forwarded to the full Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors as an “Action Item” at the next scheduled board meeting. As chair of the board of directors I’m repeatedly impressed by those around the table who represent a myriad of industries in the Oxnard community and contribute to a thoughtful and methodical discussion on any particular item. Additionally, it is not uncommon for Nancy Lindholm, President & CEO, and Oxnard Chamber board members to spend hours at a city council or county board of supervisors’ meeting on your behalf. Moreover, we’ve also taken several trips to Sacramento to express our positions on a variety of topics. There are residents and other organizations who have strong opinions on local issues, however advocating for a member in good standing and whose business benefits the community is a roll the Chamber is proud to take on. It’s reassuring to know that the Oxnard Chamber is your business advocate. Now, who are you going to call? The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce strongly supports California WaterFix to protect the reliability of our state and local water supplies. In our role as a champion for a stronger community, we know how critical it is to have a reliable source of water to serve our businesses and residents alike.
One-third of Southern California's water supply comes from Northern California. Our long-term water supply depends on modernizing the state's water delivery system in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. After 10 years of research and environmental review, state and federal agencies have proposed California WaterFix as the solution. This modernized system would have two locations to divert water – one in the north Delta and one in the south Delta. This will provide more flexibility and reduce conflicts with fish species like salmon and smelt. The new tunnel pipelines will safely transport supplies to the 25 million people, farms and businesses that depend on this water in the event of an earthquake or other disaster that collapses Delta levees and disrupts the water we get from the current decades-old system. There are many regional benefits to having a reliable State Water Project. Water from Northern California helps to prepare the Southland for future droughts and emergencies. Imported supplies from Northern California help replenish our ground water basins. Sierra snowmelt is pure enough to recycle again and again, promoting more water recycling projects. The cost for California WaterFix is roughly half the cost of other large-scale local water supply projects. This investment, spread over the expected supply, breaks down to less than a tenth of a penny per gallon and will protect the supply for decades. In addition, California WaterFix will create about 100,000 jobs, and it supports Southern California's trillion dollar economy and hundreds of thousands of existing jobs. Camarillo Hospice is pleased to announce our Fall 2017 training beginning September 12th. Reservations currently are being accepted for the class, which will meet eight consecutive Tuesday mornings from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm starting September 12th through October 31st. Participants will: * become familiar with common elements of family dynamics * acquire communication skills for supportive interactions with patients and families * investigate their own feelings and attitudes toward death and loss * become familiar with spiritual aspects of supporting the hospice patient and family * recognize the practical tasks, decisions and changes that friends and family face * learn about and discuss end-of-life care choices While required for Camarillo Hospice patient care and bereavement volunteers, the course is an excellent learning experience for everyone and is open to the public. Recent trainees have said: “I really wish I had attended this training program long ago, before I needed the information for my own family,” and “EVERYONE should take this class –this is information about life and death we ALL should have!” Camarillo Hospice volunteers can provide respite care for caregivers, friendly visits, and practical assistance to patients and families such as running errands, simple meal preparation, etc. Opportunities for volunteers may include conducting “Life Story” interviews, providing pet and music therapy, and sitting at a dying patient’s bedside at St. John’s Hospitals in Oxnard and Camarillo. Bereavement volunteers can lead or co-lead grief and loss support groups. Additional training required. For more information, please contact Sandi Biggs, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, at 805-389-6870 ext.453 or sbiggs@lmvna.org before September 2nd, as space is limited. The California Chamber of Commerce-supported California WaterFix project has achieved the next crucial milestone on the road to securing the state’s future water supplies. The long-awaited plan to fix the state’s aging water distribution system received approval from the state Department of Water Resources—a Notice of Determination (NOD)—which is the final approval needed at the state level under the California Environmental Quality Act. In June the federal procedural step was met when the biological opinions (BiOps) from federal agencies responsible for protecting species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) signed off. After extensive environmental reviews that started under the Obama administration, the new BiOps released June 26 from the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found the construction and operations of WaterFix would not jeopardize the future existence of ESA-listed species. Over the last six months, critical strides have been made in moving WaterFix forward, including the issuance of the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on December 22, 2016. The exhaustive review process for California WaterFix reflects nearly a decade of scientific and public analysis, including nearly a year of public review of the EIR, 600 public meetings throughout the state, and responses and revisions based on more than 40,000 public comments, concluding that WaterFix is the only viable plan to protect the state’s water supply and the environment. As WaterFix moves toward implementation, rigorous and continuing assessments of habitat and wildlife standards are expected. California WaterFix Two-thirds of California homes, farms, and businesses depend on water that flows through an aging distribution system to regions across the state. The California WaterFix will address the severe vulnerability in the state’s water infrastructure and secure local water supplies. Outdated, dirt levees would be replaced with a modern water pipeline built to withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters. Natural water flows would be restored to support the surrounding environments. The plan is critical for many California communities and the state’s economy. The CalChamber supports the WaterFix as part of the Californians for Water Security coalition of more than 12,000 California citizens and more than 180 organizations representing business leaders, labor, family farmers, local governments, water experts, environmentalists, public safety officials, infrastructure groups, taxpayer associations and others. For more information on the California Water Fix and coalition, visit www.watersecurityca.com |