SCV Business Journal March 2021

Contact: Perry Smith Business Editor Phone: 661-287-5599

S A N TA C L A R I TA VA L L E Y

BUSINESS JOURNAL BJ INSIDE SPOTLIGHTS B4 A message from the SCV

Chamber B5 SCV Chamber events/

advocacy B9 The List: SCV tax

preparation B9 The SCV EDC Econowatch NEWS & FEATURES B1 Preparing for tax season B2 How COVID could impact

your return B6 IRS reminds about online

accounts B10 The future of office space SCV BUSINESS VOICES B1 Henry Mayo B3 SCVEDC B6 M & M Fasteners B7 Mission Valley Bank B10 Audiology Associates FROM THE EXPERTS B2 Paul Raggio: Leadership vs.

management B3 Ken Keller: Deeper into the

profit zone B7 Paul Butler: The importance

of safety first B8 Jeff Prang: Prop. 19 &

inheritance

Email: psmith@signalscv.com Mail: 26330 Diamond Place Suite 100 Santa Clarita, CA 91350 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · WWW.SIGNALSCV.COM · B1

PREPARING FOR TAX SEASON, COVID EDITION

BY EMILY ALVARENGA Signal Staff Writer

A

s tax season gets into full swing after the roller coaster year that was 2020, tax experts say this year will be unlike any other when it comes to filing taxes.

The first big change comes as the IRS has moved the initial filing date to Feb. 12, whereas returns usually would already have started being accepted in January.

Julie Sturgeon, a certified public accountant, said ahead of that date that a “floodgate” of activity was expected then — which turned out to be exactly what happened.

This change has essentially caused tax preparers to lose a third of tax season, added Karol Johnson, an enrolled agent and partner at All Valley Tax. As can be expected, the pandemic has been at the forefront of many tax changes this year for a few reasons.

STIMULUS CHECKS Anyone who got a stimulus check in 2020 will have to report it on their taxes, but that money is not taxable income — so it won’t affect your return, according to Johnson.

Instead, Johnson explained that anyone who was underpaid in their stimulus could get the difference sent to them as part of their tax return.

“There’s some really positive things,” she said. “Let’s say you had a baby last year. We can get the extra stimulus payments on this year’s tax return.”

With Congress in talks for a third stimulus payment, those who have had their income increase the past year, or have yet to receive their second stimulus payment, may want to wait to file this year, as it can affect their payment, Johnson added.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS For business owners who received PPP loans in most states, Congress clarified language in the most recent relief bill to make PPP expenses, like rent and payroll,

Certified Public Accountant Julie M. Sturgeon works in her Valencia office during last year’s tax season, which started a little later this year due to COVID-19.

PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL completely tax-deductible.

Currently, California doesn’t allow these deductions, but Assembly Bill 281 was introduced in the Legislature to conform California law with federal law, Sturgeon said.

“What I’m hearing is that if businesses have received a PPP loan, and it’s forgiven, their best bet is to go on extension and to wait and see what happens with the state, rather than filing and then having to go back and amend return,” she added. “That makes it a little bit more complicated and probably doesn’t sit very well with a lot of business clients, because they want to get their tax returns done.”

SELF-EMPLOYED TAX CREDITS Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, employers who provided qualified sick and family leave, for those who, due to COVID-19, were unable to work relating to their own health or a family member’s, were to receive a payroll tax credit to offset the costs for doing so.

With tax form 7202, self-employed individuals can figure in the amount to claim.

“If you were off up to 10 days, there is a credit, and it’s a phenomenal credit, on the bottom line of your tax return, especially for sole proprietors,” Johnson said.

“It’s a great credit that will help.”

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS While stimulus money may not be taxable, unemployment benefits certainly are.

Many who didn’t withhold any money from those payments for tax purposes are in for a shock when that money comes due this tax season, added Deborah Ramirez, a KPMG accountant.

“Even if you had taxes withheld, you’re probably still going to owe money because there was no way to withhold taxes out of that federal freebie, the extra $600 they were giving earlier in the year, and then the $300 they’re giving now,” Johnson said.

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

RAISING HEART-HEALTHY KIDS PATRICK MOODY Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

T

hink heart health is solely an adult topic? Think again. Research suggests that the risk factors for heart disease begin to develop during childhood years.

Fortunately, you can help your kids reduce some of their risks by helping them develop healthy heart habits while they’re young.

HEART DISEASE RISK FACTORS THAT CAN AFFECT KIDS Some conditions that increase heart disease risk can actually begin in childhood. Among them: Unhealthy cholesterol levels. American children and adolescents have higher blood cholesterol levels than young people their age in most other developed countries. And the rate of heart disease tends to keep pace with cholesterol levels, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). One study found early signs of hardening of the arteries in 7% of children between the ages of 10 and 15 years. The rate was twice as high among those between the ages of 15 and 20.

High blood pressure. An estimated 3.5% of all children and teens in the U.S. have high blood pressure, according to the AAP. Because it often has no symptoms, the AAP recommends children have blood pressure checks every year, starting at age 3.

Overweight and obesity. By age 7, more than half of high blood pressure is due to obesity, according to the AAP. This number rises to as high as 95% by the teenage years. Nearly 1 in 3 kids or teens in the U.S. is overweight or obese, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO There are a variety of steps parents can take to help kids establish good heart health at an early age. To start with, be a good role model. Not only will your kids likely follow your lead, your heart will benefit as well.

Eat heart-smart foods. Like exercising, eating well can help kids maintain a healthy weight and control cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Very young children usually don’t need to watch their intake of fat. Fat is an essential nutrient that children need for growth and active play and should not be severely restricted, according to the AAP. Limit screen time. Smartphones, TVs and other screen-based devices are making kids more sedentary, according to the AHA. And being sedentary is tied to overweight and obesity.

Patrick Moody is the director of marketing and public relations at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. For more information about local community health programs, visit HenryMayo.com. 

See TAX PREP, page B6

B2 · SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

A LOOK AT LEADERSHIP VERSUS MANAGEMENT

BY PAUL RAGGIO Co-owner, One True North

T

he opening scene in this seventime Academy Award-winning film is iconic: A lone figure, climbing stairs to a narrow stage with the United States Flag as a backdrop, addresses an unseen auditorium of his soldiers.

He wears a black helmet with four stars, one perched on top of three. Below the stars is a large, white, block letter A on a blue background, circled in red, representing the Third United States Army.

Gen. George C. Patton, in this scene that never took place, was addressing his troops before the Normandy invasion. A speech, never given, nonetheless accurately portrays how Patton would inspire his troops to victory against the Germans.

Hollywood took some liberties with history, but not in conveying the power of Patton’s leadership. Leadership … the ability to inspire others to perform extraordinary acts in accomplishing a shared goal most certainly is reflected in this scene from the 1970 American epic and a biographical movie on Patton.

Leadership versus management. I make this distinction because all too often, the terms are confused or interchanged when talking about teams. In the simplest terms, leaders inspire people to perform extraordinary acts in accomplishing a shared goal, whereas managers efficiently and effectively employ resources in undertaking collective tasks.

Why the distinction? It has to do with motivation and consumption. Leaders inspire … followers are motivated to act.

Managers employ … resources are consumed to produce.

Leaders deal with people. Managers deal with resources. Leaders may be called to manage, and similarly, managers may be called to lead. Both behaviors impact productivity. However, there is a distinct difference between the skills required to be competent in one or the other.

Essential to a leader’s success is for that person to act with good judgment and be character-driven, a visionary, and competent communicator when inspiring people. Competencies and critical skills that amplify these attributes and motivate followers reside in the individual’s Emotional Intelligence, otherwise known as

IN THE SIMPLEST TERMS, LEADERS INSPIRE PEOPLE TO PERFORM EXTRAORDINARY ACTS IN ACCOMPLISHING A SHARED GOAL, WHEREAS MANAGERS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY EMPLOY RESOURCES IN UNDERTAKING COLLECTIVE TASKS. EQ. Daniel Goleman, one of the leading experts on EQ, wrote in his January 2004 Harvard Business Review article “What Makes a Leader?” He states, “Without (EQ), a person can have the best training in the world, an incisive, analytical mind and an endless supply of smart ideas, but he still won’t make a great leader.”

Goleman identifies five primary constructs where a leader can increase their competencies and skills, thus driving their leadership performance. First, self-awareness is the ability to know one’s emotions, strengths, weaknesses, drives, values, goals and recognize their impact on others. Second, self-regulation involves controlling or redirecting one’s disruptive emotions and impulses and adapting to changing circumstances. Third, social skill is managing relationships to get along with others. Fourth, empathy is considering other people’s feelings, especially when making decisions. Last, motivation is being aware of what triggers themselves and others to act.

On the other hand, essential to a manager’s success is recognizing efficiencies and effectiveness in the consumption of resources constrained by the company’s capacity, human capital, workflow, and processes.

Competencies and critical skills that amplify these attributes center on managers mastering five activities that impact cash flow and business sustainability: First, lead generation can target a specific market segment that will benefit from your product or service and generate enough interest on their part to buy.

Second, the conversion convinces an interested party to buy your product or service because it’s of value to them and will fulfill an immediate need.

Third, the dollar value of the product

Leadership is a little different than management, writes business expert Paul Raggio, a distinction that has to do with motivation and consumption. (MC) or service is set such that it produces the optimum number of buyers given the demand and cost of goods sold.

Fourth, the number of transactions committed by a buyer represents their satisfaction with your product and services’ quality and delivery.

Last, maximize profit margin by managing capacity, facility, supplies, workflow, and labor optimally.

Differentiating between the skills required to be an exceptional leader and an outstanding manager correlates to a company’s dynamic. When encountering challenges in your business, always assess whether the problem is rooted in the absence of leadership or management skills … people versus process. Making the correct diagnosis means treating the appropriate condition, thus increasing productivity and ultimately employee,

customer and stakeholder satisfaction.

This is how you scale a business.

You don’t have to be Patton leading the Third Army into battle to be an exceptional leader. However, you do need to understand the nuanced differences between leadership versus management.

Leaders must master EQ and continuously hone the appropriate competencies and skills to inspire teams to achieve exceptional results. Managers must master employing and consuming resources in the output of your company’s products and services. Knowing the difference between cultivating leaders and managers is critical to the success of your business.

This is how you lead, think, plan and act.

Now, let’s get after it!

Paul A. Raggio is co-owner, with his sister Lisa, of One True North INC Leadership and Business Coaching Solutions. 

HOW COVID-19 COULD IMPACT YOUR TAX CREDITS

BY EMILY ALVARENGA Signal Staff Writer

T

ax season is once again upon us.

Many aspects of your life may look very different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that doesn’t stop with your taxes and finances.

In response to the economic hardships felt across the nation, a number of COVID relief measures were passed, some of which will affect your taxes, experts say.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOAN RECIPIENTS While Congress has allowed business owners who received PPP loans to make PPP expenses, like rent and payroll, completely tax-deductible, California has yet to take the same steps.

Assembly Bill 281 was introduced in the Legislature to conform California law with federal law, but it’s still in its initial stages, meaning there will be amendments to its current form, according to attorney Brian Koegle of Poole Shaffery & Koegle LLP. “(AB) 281 is obviously the biggest one that we’re tracking right now, because it has the broadest impact,” Koegle said.

Business owners who received the PPP loan should consider going on extension this tax season, until it’s clearer what AB 281’s impact will be, Koegle added.

While Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a number of COVID-19-related measures Tuesday, the Legislature is still negotiating a PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loan conformity bill that would allow businesses to deduct expenses paid with these loans or grants, and tax experts say it is hoped that this bill would be passed in the coming weeks.

EMPLOYEE RETENTION TAX CREDIT The original Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act included an employee retention tax credit, which encouraged employers to keep employees on their payroll.

The most recent COVID-19 relief bill passed in December extends and expands this credit through June 30, added Ken Raleigh, tax director at Hedman Partners.

The refundable tax credit increased to 70% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer for each quarter whose business had been financially impacted by

Tax preparer Dindi Cervantes, center, and her partner and enrolled agent Karol Johnson review tax returns at All Valley Tax Service in Santa Clarita.

PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

COVID-19, and is now available to businesses who received PPP loans, which it wasn’t before.

“You have to have been impacted by a government order that limited your ability to do business, but that’s quite a few businesses, so that’s a hot topic,” Raleigh said.

Newsom approves more small business COVID-19 relief Newsom signed a number of legislation, including a measure set to provide cash payments to qualified small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Senate Bill 87 is expected to codify and provide an additional $2.1 billion to expand on the California Relief Program over the $500 million currently being distributed.

The program provides grants of up to $25,000 for qualified small businesses, including nonprofits, with annual gross revenues of more than $1,000 and less than $2.5 million.

These payments are set to be exempt from California tax, but are subject to

federal tax.

PROPOSED FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF BILL In addition to the proposed $1,400 stimulus payments expected to be included in the $1.9-trillion COVID-19 relief bill set to be approved by the House soon, the current bill includes an extension of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act through Sept. 30, according to Koegle.

“That would impact businesses of all sizes, and revive the sunset provisions requiring paid sick leave and paid family medical leave,” Koegle said.

As currently drafted, the bill would not affect businesses who have already provided the maximum emergency paid sick leave and paid family medical leave and does not create a new obligation for 2021, Koegle added.

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF TAX RELIEF BILLS The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced its support of

two tax relief bills for small businesses.

The first, Assembly Bill 62, would provide small and essential businesses with an income tax credit for the costs of complying with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards.

This series of COVID-19 emergency workplace standards were adopted in November and apply to nearly every employer operating in California, according to the chamber.

“Federal, state, and local grant programs, while helpful, are limited and not enough to sustain businesses in the longterm who are fighting for their lives,” a chamber statement read. “Businesses must be given as much relief as possible in order to not only remain in business but thrive when the pandemic lifts.”

In addition, the chamber supports AB 91, a tax relief bill for small businesses set to reduce the annual $800 minimum franchise tax to $400 for small businesses and to $200 for micro businesses. 

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · B3

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

THE SCVEDC 2020 ANNUAL REPORT For more information on the SCVEDC, visit SCVEDC.org.

Holly Schroeder is president and CEO of the SCV Economic Development Corp., a unique private / public partnership

representing the united effort of regional industry and government leaders. For more information about the SCVEDC, visit SCVEDC.org, or call (661) 288-4400. 

HOLLY SCHROEDER President & CEO of SCVEDC

T

he COVID-19 pandemic brought both health implications and serious economic ones. In 2020, the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the work of the organization has never been more vital! SCVEDC continues to focus on business assistance, business attraction and retention, community marketing, and information and data.

Here are highlights that we would like to share: BUSINESS ASSISTANCE While much of our business assistance was focused on issues related to the pandemic, SCVEDC continued with other programs as well, including helping companies access incentives and resources, helping developers quickly address County permit issues at LA County Connect meetings, and assisting companies with issues around Public Safety Power Shutoffs. Also, in 2020, SCVEDC continued hosting the Aerospace & Defense Forum, and worked with AJCC in layoff aversion efforts and job fairs in cases of employee reduction.

In addition, SCVEDC launched a comprehensive COVID-19 Resource Page on our website, offered several webinars to help businesses navigate the rapidly changing protocols, closures, and safety measures, and partnered with the City of Santa Clarita to offer COVID-19 Relief Grants to businesses in unincorporated Los Angeles County.

BUSINESS ATTRACTION Despite the challenges, 2020 was a successful year for many companies, and there were several attractions and expansions across our target industry clusters. Attractions included two, new Amazon Fulfillment Centers, DrinkPak, a beverage manufacturer, and a California testing lab to process COVID-19 tests. SCV companies that expanded included P3, Inc., LA North Studios, Mellady Direct Marketing, Lief Labs and 24/7 Events.

COMMUNITY MARKETING In 2020, SCVEDC continued to promote the SCV’s many accolades and desirability as a prime location to live and work.

DATA AND INFORMATION Considering the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, data and information has never been more vital. In spring, SCVEDC offered a webinar series for businesses and an initial economic update and forecast.

SCVEDC’s annual Economic Outlook Forecast was moved to September and featured geopolitical and commercial real estate experts.

LOOKING FORWARD The Santa Clarita Valley remains one of Southern California’s best places to live and work. This is in large part due to the many community leaders who work tirelessly in support of organizations like ours. SCVEDC is deeply grateful for the many business leaders who devote their time, talent and resources and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our entire Board of Directors for your dedication and support.

Information vital to your business in 2021 and beyond!

TWO EVENTS! Friday, March 26 Virtual Event | 8:30 – 9:30 AM Friday, September 17 Hybrid Event | 8:30 – 11:00 AM SCV Performing Arts Center

Featured economists will provide an in-depth forecast of our national and local economies, as well as discuss global trends. Limited sponsorship opportunities are available. In person attendance at the September event will be limited to sponsors ONLY, and if permitted by public health orders.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

TICKET & SPONSORSHIP INFO Online: scvedc.org/outlook Phone: 661.288.4400 Email: scvedc@scvedc.org

DEEPER INTO THE PROFIT ZONE Keep in mind that one “A” level employee can do KEN KELLER

P

SCVBJ Contributing Writer

rofits are much more than increasing revenue and keeping costs down.

There are 10 elements in your profit zone and last month, I covered the first five: employee engagement; the three levers of revenue; having a strategic and tactical focus; gross and net profit margin education of employees; and, understanding cash flow.

This month, I will address your business cost structure, customer satisfaction, staff voltage; quality; and, innovation.

First, good leaders know that they must focus on reducing their cost of goods sold (or cost of sales if a service company) as a first step in improving profits. Knowing what this number consists of should help any CEO how to improve because this number shows what it actually costs the company to do business.

Once the staff knows what it costs to make the product or deliver the service, they can help improve how the business functions.

Unfortunately, most CEOs focus on overhead, or fixed costs. If they spent more time on reducing their costs of production or service, they are likely to see an immediate improvement of profits and cash flow.

Second, the message that excellent service equals excellent profits is lost on too many CEOs. How do you provide

the work of up to three employees who really don’t want to be doing the job they are being paid to do. excellent service? It starts by hiring and retaining exceptional employees.

Do these great employees cost more money? Yes, they do, but keep in mind that one “A” level employee can do the work of up to three employees who really don’t want to be doing the job they are being paid to do.

Third, staff voltage is the energy in the workplace that reflects the enthusiasm and the intensity of the focus expressed by the people working in your company.

As a customer, you can feel the vibe in a business when people are energized.

And, you can also feel it when there is no energy. Where would you rather work?

Where would you rather be a customer?

Next, quality counts. Higher quality can be leveraged to provide higher margins. Take the cup of coffee you purchase at Starbucks versus one at a coffee shop.

The Starbucks coffee is fresh, made of premium beans and you pay more for it. The cup served at the coffee shop is more likely made of lesser quality beans and who knows how long it has been sitting on the warmer. The cost of goods between the two cups cannot be more than a dime, yet Starbucks charges substantially more for their offering, and that is reflected in their profits.

Finally, innovation should be a global mindset within your company to constantly be improving how the company does business. The better companies encourage their employees to constantly

offer suggestions to improve processes to serve the customer better.

At far too many companies, all the ideas come from the top, because no one can have a better idea than the person who signs the front of the paycheck.

Sadly, I used to work at places like this.

Now I advise CEOs how to get their employees more engaged and to help innovate and refresh the companies they lead. I teach them how to use the tools of The Profit Zone.

Ken Keller is an executive coach who works with small and midsize B2B company owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs. He facilitates formal top executive peer groups for business expansion, including revenue growth, improved internal efficiencies and greater profitability. Email:Ken. Keller@strategicadvisoryboards.com. Keller’s column reflects his own views and not necessarily those of the SCVBJ. 

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2021 DIRECTORS

B4 · SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

FIRST RESPONDER GRATITUDE CAMPAIGN The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce announced its First Responder Gratitude Campaign to say “Thank you” to our hospital workers, emergency first responders and paramedics for risking their own health and safety, even sacrificing time with their loved ones, to care for our community.

The SCV Chamber will use 100% of the proceeds of the $30,000 goal to pay for $25 gift cards from local SCV restaurants and retailers, which will be distributed to 1,200 to those working at our local hospitals and health care facilities and who are on the front lines as paramedics and emergency first responders.

CHAIR OF THE BOARD JOHN VANCE

Vance Wealth

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HUNT BRALY

Poole, Shaffery & Koegle, LLP

MARISOL ESPINOZA

Southern California Gas Company

KEVIN HOLMES

Martini Akpovi Partners, LLP

TROY HOOPER

Kiwi Hospitality Partners

DR. CHRIS RAIGOSA

Kaiser Permanente

CHRIS SCHRAGE

LBW Insurance Financial Services

NANCY STARCZYK

Realty Executives

The concept for the campaign came to the SCV Chamber from local resident, Janine Cooper Ayres, who was moved by all the first responders have done. The Chamber evolved Ayres’ idea into the Gratitude Campaign to also support local businesses and began raising funds to launch the campaign.

“I was pleased to put Janine and the SCV Chamber together to bring this grassroots campaign to fruition,” stated Santa Clarita Mayor Bill Miranda. “This campaign is another example of our local SCV Chamber working collaboratively and going above and beyond during the pandemic to support our businesses, first responders and community. With vaccine distributions underway, now is the time to give thanks to our hospital and medical caregivers who have given more than we will ever know to care for our neighbors and families.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS KAREN BRYDEN

SCV Locations

ANDREA CARPENTER

Logix

STEVE COLE

SCV Water Agency

JASON CRAWFORD

City of Santa Clarita

ANDREA DE LA CERDA

Scorpion

MATT DIERCKMAN

Colliers International

JEFFREY FORREST

College of the Canyons

ALEEN MANCHESTER

California Resources Corporation

MARAL MATOSSIAN

Westfield Valencia Town Center

PATRICK MOODY

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

DR. IZU OKPARA

Omni Wound Physicians

DAN REVETTO AT&T BECKI ROBB Princess Cruises HENRY RODRIGUEZ

State Farm Insurance

SANDY SANCHEZ FivePoint LINDSAY SCHLICK

SchlickArt Photography & Video

LIZ SEELMAN

Southern California Edison

G. JESSE SMITH

California Institute of the Arts

DR. DIANNE VAN HOOK

College of the Canyons

DENNIS VERNER Burrtec KARINA WINKLER

Holiday Inn Express

BUSINESS COUNCILS Government Affairs

The Government Affairs council meets to discuss policy decisions on a local, county, state and federal level. As a member, you are encouraged to attend a meeting and have your voice heard throughout the SCV and take a stance on pertinent issues relative to the business community or your industry in particular.

Industry & Technology

The Industry and Technology council works to improve and enhance a strong business climate for Santa Clarita Valley based industry, manufacturing, processing and technology companies through pro-business advocacy to develop balanced laws, effective regulations and sound public policies to stimulate economic growth and create new jobs while safeguarding environmental resources.

Sand Canyon Country Club owner Steve Kim has graciously offered to help the SCV Chamber meet their goal with a dollar-for-dollar match for every dollar raised up to $15,000. Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in the campaign by donating what they can, knowing their contributions will be doubled with the match by Kim. “Being involved in this grassroots campaign means more to me than just being the lead sponsor for this event. All of our first responders, no matter their sector, deserve to be shown appreciation for their efforts and commitment to serving our community,” stated Steve Kim, CEO of Sand Canyon Country Club. “I am asking our community to take part in this campaign and stand with the SCV Chamber to give thanks.”

“We are eternally grateful for the sacrifices our local first responders have taken to protect all of us. This is just a small token to give our thanks” stated Ivan Volschenk, Managing Partner at Evolve Business Strategies, which manages the SCV Chamber. “We believe this gift card program will honor these hero’s while providing much needed support for our local businesses” The SCV Chamber has established a donation page, by visiting: scvchamber.com/campaigns. Members of the community are able to process their donations directly on the webpage. The grassroots fundraising campaign is looking to local residents and businesses to support the effort.

PPE UNITE

Small Business

Small Businesses are at the core of our Chamber’s membership and are the backbone of our economy. The Chamber offers a variety of educational and networking programming to help your small business thrive. The council focuses on three main objectives: Advises the SCV Chamber on small business related issues, programming and networking opportunities; Supports the Chambe’s “Retail Walks” with elected officials; and helps promote the nationwide “Small Business Saturday” program which highlights small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Non-Profit

The SCV has a strong philanthropic community with more than 100 locally-based non-profit organizations that help our community thrive. Our non-profits are a key reason why Santa Clarita is a great community and always looking towards a better future. The council provides business resources for our local non-profit leaders to help them connect, grow and learn about valuable information so they can successfully meet their organizations mission and goals.

Latino Business Alliance

Our LBA council works to promote Latino-owned business as well as relevant issues facing our Latino business community. In addition the LBA helps to educate businesses on how to enhance a company’s business efforts with Latino customers and other Latino-owned businesses.

NextSCV

NextSCV is our next generation of leaders and the group aims to develop the next leaders of the Santa Clarita Valley through personal and professional development, civic engagement, and network building opportunities that ultimately stimulate local businesses and support the mission of the SCV Chamber.

Courtesy photo/SCV Chamber

From left, Jay Tsao, Ivan Volschenk, Virginia Miranda, Mayor Bill Miranda, Assemblywoman Suzette Valladares, Jason Gibbs, Natalie Vartanian and John Musella. A partnership with the SCV Chamber of Commerce, PPE Unite and Supervisor Kathryn Barger provided more than 400 businesses with a 30-day supply of Personal Protective Equipment.

To find out more about the Chamber, the benefits of membership, its business councils and all its resources please email hello@scvchamber.com or visit

SCVChamber.com

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · B5

ADVOCACY NEWS As the largest business membership organization in the santa clarita valley, the scv chamber of commerce is the voice of business. the chamber actively advocates on behalf of our business community on important local, regional and statewide issues that have direct impacts on our local businesses

LET GOV. NEWSOM KNOW, WE ARE #READYTORIDESAFELY!

AS THE 2021 LEGISLASTIVE SESSION BEGINS, SCV CHAMBER BOARD IS TAKING ACTION ON MULTIPLE BILLS AS THEY ARE INTRODUCED With the legislative session starting, the SCV Chamber Board has taken positions on the following bills:

California’s amusement parks and attractions want to be a part of the solution as California faces the unprecedented hurdles presented by COVID-19.

Assembly Bill 62: COVID-19 Small and Essential Business Tax Credit - SUPPORT The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated our local economy. Federal, state, and local grant programs, while helpful, are limited and not enough to sustain businesses in the long-term who are fighting for their lives. Businesses must be given as much relief as possible in order to not only remain in business but thrive when the pandemic lifts.

After the Governor rolled out the Resilience Roadmap, California Attractions and Parks Association (CAPA) crafted a comprehensive plan with health and safety protocols for parks to reopen. Our parks have been busy planning and preparing to implement their own site-specific plans for reopening in manner that promotes the safety of both guests & employees.

On November 19, 2020, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/ OSHA) adopted a series of COVID-19 emergency workplace standards that apply to nearly every employer operating in the State of California. The new regulations were adopted under a truncated public review process without adequate time for input from large and small businesses alike.

Economic recovery will be slow-going. It will take time for consumer confidence to return and for struggling families to plan a trip to an amusement park. According to data collected from Visit California, the Tourism industry is suffering immense losses, with travel-related spending not expected to recover until 2024.

AB 62 provides small and essential businesses with an income tax credit for the costs of complying with the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards.

Throughout the world, amusement parks have successfully reopened and there are no known COVID-19 outbreaks being traced back to parks. These parks put the health and safety of both their employees and guests as a top priority and we’re confident that they can reopen safely as they have proven in so many other states and countries.

Our parks are ready to reopen in a responsible manner and yet they have not been authorized to do so.

To sign onto the letter, visit www.scvchamber.com and click on Impact SCV under the Advocacy tab.

Assembly Bill 91: Tax Relief for Small Businesses – SUPPORT Existing law imposes an annual minimum franchise tax of $800, except as provided, on every corporation incorporated in this state, qualified to transact intrastate business in this state, or doing business in this state. Existing law also imposes an annual tax in an amount equal to the minimum franchise tax on every limited partnership, limited liability partnership, and limited liability company doing business in this state, as specified.

AB 91 will help provide relief to California’s struggling small businesses by reducing the annual $800 minimum franchise tax to $400 for small businesses and to $200 for micro businesses.

Assembly Bill 420: Reopen Theme Parks - SUPPORT The prolonged COVID-19 related closures of California’s amusement parks have created devastating outcomes for surrounding businesses and communities.

While job losses have occurred in nearly every sector of the economy, they have been most acute in sectors not fully able to telework such as hospitality and leisure.

Magic Mountain is SCV’s largest private-sector employer and a major workforce development pathway for SCV young workers. It is also a tourism attractor, bringing additional spending in hotels, gas stations, restaurants, etc.

In December of 2020, the Industry Guidance for Theme Parks was amended, allowing operation of smaller theme parks in the Moderate (orange) tier but confining larger parks to the Minimal (yellow) tier.

The intent of AB 420 is to adjust the guidance for all amusement parks, regardless of size to open safely within the same tier.

OUR ADVOCACY HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT. JOIN THE CHAMBER TODAY TO STRENGTHEN THE VOICE OF BUSINESS IN THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY ELECTED OFFICIALS JOIN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COUNCIL MEETING

The SCV Chamber’s Government Affairs Council (GAC) was joined by newly elected Congressman Mike Garcia, Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares, and Santa Clarita City Councilmember Jason Gibbs.

Each of the newly elected officials spoke to the members, introduced themselves, shared their vision for Santa Clarita and what they intend to work on during their time in office. They each then hosted a Q&A session.

The SCV Chamber looks to continue working with all of our elected representatives to ensure a healthy business climate for the Santa Clarita Valley.

MEMBER BENEFIT

SCV CHAMBER 2021 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND PUBLIC POLICY PILLARS

The SCV Chamber successfully works on behalf of its members to maintain a healthy and vibrant business climate in what has been ranked one of the most business friendly cities in California. The Chamber takes an active role in shaping legislative policies in support of business. We represent our members before local, regional, state, and federal governmental entities and provides a forum for our members to develop policy positions that directly impact the Santa Clarita Valley business community. The SCV Chamber works with all elected officials, irrelevant of political party affiliations.

The Chamber Board of Directors adopted a set of Public Policy Pillars to convey to policymakers what the business community in the Santa Clarita Valley strives for. The Public Policy Pillars are set in place to guide the Chamber in directing our advocacy efforts. They are not intended to set specific policy priorities for the organization, but rather they should shape the way any policymaker approaches the decision they make.

Based on input and suggestions from our local business community, the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce also established and adopted its 2021 Legislative Priorities. The priorities consist of top local and state policy issues that will be the focus of the Chamber’s advocacy efforts for 2021.

The Public Policy Pillars and Legislative Priorities can be found on the website, www.scvchamber.com under the Advocacy tab.

MEMBER 401(K) PLAN

The SCV Chamber’s Member 401(k) Retirement Plan is designed to save local businesses time and money in the administration of a 401(k) program for their employees, while creating individual, customized plans.

Partnering with Lincoln Financial Group to oversee the Multiple Employer Aggregation Program (MEAP) including the plan’s important administrative, recordkeeping and fiduciary services. Locally, LBW Insurance and Financial Services, will serve as the preferred local agent for the plan helping to get more businesses enrolled in the plan to help them reduce overhead expenses and meet new state requirements. The plan is also open for all Chamber-member agents to participate.

Beginning June 30, 2021, California will require all businesses with over 50 employees to offer their employees a retirement savings program. Then, by June 30, 2022 companies with 5 or more employees will be required to provide a retirement plan.

Businesses seeking more information on the new SCV Chamber Member 401(k) Retirement Plan can email us at hello@scvchamber.com.

B6 · SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

M & M FASTENERS SUPPLY OFFERS SUPPORT FOR RETURN OF FILMING, CONSTRUCTION GROWTH

F

or years, the Santa Clarita Valley has been a home to feature films, TV shows, commercials and now streaming productions, as the SCV sits in the northern half of the Thirty-Mile Zone, or TMZ, an area created to encourage filming through tax breaks.

But what a lot of people might not realize is how many local companies, businesses like M & M Fasteners Supply Inc., play a vital role, so to speak, in making sure productions have the right parts.

While M & M has been known as a reliable name in commercial, aerospace and construction for four decades, after relocating to the SCV in January 2019, M & M CEO Eunice Hajek quickly realized that while she might be moving away from Hollywood, she was moving her company to a place where its ability to provide quality, reliable tools and fasteners would be hugely important for the filming industry.

Known as “Hollywood’s backlot” and “Hollywood North,” the SCV relies on countless local businesses like M & M to keep things running smoothly on the sound stages, on scene and anywhere else that complex, expensive film equipment or set building needs support tools and technology.

Another growth area for M & M has been in the support of essential construction. This progression was also a natural growth area for a company that’s long prided itself on supplying parts to keep us safe in the sky for the aerospace industry. Moving to a hotbed of growth has allowed M & M to become an authorized distributor for other trusted names, such as DeWalt, Senco, Elco, and Grabber Construction Products for hardware, tools, adhesives and more . Whether the need is a concrete anchor, an eyebolt, tek screws or nails, M & M prides itself on the motto, “Where quality meets customer service.”

“We have the tools and the hardware available not only to support the filming industry but also the construction industry,” Hajek said. “We’ve always provided quality customer care and the best parts available, but these recent economic conditions have really allowed us to demonstrate the ability and value of working with a local business as our economy begins to open up again.”

M & M Fasteners Supply is a stocking supplier of quality fastener products and accessories specializing in OEM, MRO, electrical and aerospace markets. M & M can also supply parts from a blueprint or technical specification. For more information, visit mmfastsupply.com or call (818) 767-8833.



TAX PREP

The Internal Revenue Service also created a video to assist you in self-filing, which can be seen here: youtube.com/ watch?v=zmUPHj3AvZc

Continued from page B1

EMPLOYEE RETENTION TAX CREDIT The most recent COVID-19 relief bill passed in December extends and expands the CARES Act employee retention tax credit through June 30, Ramirez said.

“This is a credit employers got for keeping employees on their payroll,” Ramirez said.

The refundable tax credit increased to 70% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer for each quarter whose business had been financially impacted by COVID-19, and is now available to businesses who received PPP loans.

GET PREPARED This year, as changes are continuing to take effect, it is more important than ever to be prepared, Ramirez said.

“Regardless of if you’ll be doing those

taxes in person or virtually, these changes mean that we’re going to need more time to gather the necessary documents with less time in the tax season,” she added.

Johnson and Sturgeon agreed, with Sturgeon adding, “I would recommend people gather their documents, anything that they do have, start getting that all together just to get it all organized and be ready to go when things open to start moving along.”

IRS OFFERS REMINDER ABOUT ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS

For more information from the IRS on tax changes in 2021, visit irs.gov/newsroom/ get-ready-for-taxes-whats-new-and-what-toconsider-when-filing-in-2021. 

ONE APP DELIVERS SANTA CLARITA to your phone

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BY BUSINESS JOURNAL STAFF

I

nternal Revenue Service officials recently reminded taxpayers they can securely access their IRS account information through an individual online account.

The IRS regularly adds features to online account. For example, people can now check the amounts of their Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) to help them accurately calculate any Recovery Rebate Credit they may be eligible for on their return.

The EIP amounts can be found on the Tax Records tab. Amounts will show as “Economic Impact Payment” for the first payment and “Additional Economic Impact Payment” for the second payment. For married filing joint individuals, each spouse will need to sign into their own account to retrieve their portion of the payments.

For more information regarding the credit, see Recovery Rebate Credit. Additionally, taxpayers can view: • The amount they owe, updated for the current calendar day • Their balance details by year • Their payment history and any scheduled or pending payments • Key information from their most recent tax return • Details about their payment plan, if they have one • Digital copies of select notices or letters from the IRS (under the Message Center tab)

Later this year, taxpayers will be able to digitally sign certain authorization forms, such as a power of attorney, initiated by their tax professional, according to an IRS news release. No specific date was mentioned.

HOW TO GET STARTED Here’s how to get started for new users: 1. Select View Your Account at IRS. gov homepage 2. Select the “Create or View Your Account” button 3. Click “Create Account” 4. Pass “Secure Access” authentication.

This is a rigorous process to verify that the taxpayers are who they say they are. They must be able to authenticate their identity to continue.

See IRS.gov/secureaccess for details.

5. Create a profile.

Once the initial authentication process is complete, returning users can use the same username and password to access other IRS online services such as Get Transcript and Get An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) (if applicable).

All password-protected online IRS tools for taxpayers are protected by multi-factor authentication, offering extra security precautions. 

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · B7

SCV BUSINESS VOICES

KEEPING SMALL BUSINESS IN BUSINESS 2 0 2 1 Q U A R T E R LY B U S I N E S S E D U C AT I O N S E R I E S

I

STEVE NUÑEZ Vice President, Relationship Manager, Mission Valley Bank

n the past year, businesses of every shape and size faced unprecedented challenges. Between COVID-19, government-mandated lockdowns and consumer fears that emerged as the pandemic evolved, no industry was left unscathed. Hard hit were small businesses, which account for 99.8% of California businesses according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2020 Small Business Profile.

Never has the importance of community relationship banking been more evident than in 2020. Despite all the obstacles the crisis brought to day-to-day operations, business owners honed their focus on the fact that staying in business takes sharp focus, unwavering determination, and valuable resources and partners to rely upon.

Having trusted professionals stand alongside to help navigate business during times of turmoil became an essential tool for survival.

When choosing a banking partner, business owners and managers learned the advantage of a relationship providing expertise in their specific area and a bank that is willing to work with them as a trusted advisor to help achieve greater success. Woven into that relationship, businesses discovered the value of bankers that went above-and-beyond to demonstrate their commitment with a client-focused, community-minded, and relationship-driven approach. The path to long-term success for businesses was to develop long-term relationships with bankers who demonstrate expertise, experience and dedication to the client’s success.

Community banks have a distinct advantage over larger financial institutions. They know their clients and understand their business when trouble arises. This affords smaller banks the ability to immediately determine what solutions are the best fit for a businesses’ unique situation. And throughout the relationship, a trusted advisor works beside the business to provide the tools they need.

As part of an ongoing effort to be a resource for both new and established business owners and decision makers, Mission Valley Bank is hosting a complimentary California Employment Law update webinar on Thursday, March 18, 2021. Brian E. Koegle, partner with Poole Shaffery & Koegle, LLP, specializes in employment law representing business interests and returns as the featured presenter. Advanced registration is required. To RSVP contact Carrie Burrell at 818.394.2334 or email cburrell@missionvalleybank.com.

Steve Nuñez is the vice president and relationship manager at Mission Valley Bank, a locally-owned, full service, independent community business bank with Preferred SBA Lender status serving the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. Steve can be reached at 661-753-5681 and by email at SNunez@ missionvalleybank.com or at www.MissionValleyBank.com. 

EMPLOYMENT LAW Q1 UPDATE Protecting You and Your Business What Every Business Owner/Manager Needs to Know Topics we’ll cover – • An update on COVID-19 in the workplace – including leaves, furloughs and telework arrangements • The latest changes in independent contractor classification • A wage and hour law update with best practices to avoid claims • New leave laws, including expanded leave for smaller employers (5+ employees) • New mandated reporting requirements • Preview of new laws for 2021

Presenting Speaker:

Brian E. Koegle, Poole Shaffery & Koegle Thursday, March 18, 2021

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Complimentary Virtual Seminar Register online at www.MissionValleyBankRSVP.com

No cost to attend but registration required.

For questions or to learn more about Mission Valley Bank’s business education seminars, contact Carrie Burrell at 818.394.2334 or CBurrell@missionvalleybank.com

M I S S I O N VA L L E Y B A N K . C O M Branches located in: SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 9116 Sunland Blvd., Sun Valley 818.394.2300

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY BRANCH OFFICE 26701 McBean Parkway, Suite 100,Valencia 661.753.5693

A FEW INSIGHTS ON OUTSOURCING PAUL BUTLER Signal Contributing Writer

“The trouble with most accountants is, they know the cost of everything but the value of very little.”

M

~ Albert Einstein

y wife and I recently came across a particular online service that seemed intriguing and very good value for money.

For a relatively low fee, we ordered a week’s worth of prepared meals to be delivered to our door. Now, don’t get me wrong — we love cooking and enjoy good quality meals. We just thought this “click rather than cook” option would make a refreshing change to the pallet.

The box of goodies came when it said it would. The packaging did its job. The contents were all fresh and attractively presented. Most importantly, the taste was good. All in all, we were satisfied enough to place a second order a few weeks later.

Sadly though, the second order never arrived and that’s when the fun started with the food company. Their back-end service was dreadful. So much resource must have gone into the marketing and the product itself, that the owners decided to strategically skimp on the after-sales support.

My wife took the lead on trying to get a replacement order, but after a tedious and rather trying experience with the online chat functionality, we moved quickly to a request for full reimbursement. Two facts became very evident about the faceless customer service agent my wife was dealing with: firstly, the person had a very poor command of the English language; secondly, they were just copying and pasting a prepared pat response to each question we asked.

End result: The second order was fully

reimbursed and they lost a customer for life. Prior to the debacle that surrounded the second order we were on the verge of becoming raving fans. We most certainly would have ordered again and most likely would have spread the word with a few friends, encouraging them to also give it a try. But after the excruciatingly bad aftersales service they’d make no more sales from, or through us.

Outsourcing is becoming more common. Organizations are returning to their core purpose — and outsourcing that which stands outside of said core. It makes sense in theory and, on paper, the numbers usually look good. As an ex-hotelier, we knew, for example, our guest was mostly interested in our location; free parking; good bed; hot shower; clean bedroom and a good breakfast.

At no point did it occur to the guest which of the services in the value chain were provided by an employee of ours or a vendor of ours. We just had to make sure the product and the service were seamless and matched or exceeded expectations for the price.

Where I believe some companies are getting outsourcing wrong is when their motivation is to save money. They don’t see so much value in the after-sales support and so they save a few percent there.

Their short-sightedness blurred the long game and, so, in our case with our meals, they grabbed a few dollars from our purse once, but we shan’t be back to play again.

From my business and consumer experience, the best way of looking at outsourcing is to consider the complete sales to support cycle and ask yourself whether the outsourced solution can provide even better service than the insourced option.

My observation has been — when you provide a superb product and match that with exceptional service, the sales keep coming. If you instead, see less value in the after-sales support and penny pinch at that point you’ll constantly be having to market to woo more customers to likely lose some of them the same way you lost us.

Optimally, outsourcing should be invisible to the customer who shouldn’t

MY OBSERVATION HAS BEEN — WHEN YOU PROVIDE A SUPERB PRODUCT AND MATCH THAT WITH EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, THE SALES KEEP COMING.

Regardless of whether your business can take advantage of the latest technology, taking care of customers’ needs has to be a primary concern. (MC) be able to sense whether their agent is an employee or an employee of a contracted company. When done right, everybody wins.

As we checked out of the online portal and said goodbye for the last time to the customer service agent whose job title we considered an oxymoron, we weren’t surprised to receive another automated email asking us to evaluate the service we’d just received — if indeed it wasn’t a 10 out of 10. We looked at each other and said, “Yeah, no” and clicked off the site and wandered down into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Paul Butler is a Santa Clarita resident and a client partner with Newleaf Training and Development of Valencia (newleaftd.com). The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Signal newspaper. For questions or comments, email Butler at paul. butler@newleaftd.com.

LEGAL RIGHTS: The writer and author, (Paul Butler) hereby offers the publisher (in this case, The Signal newspaper) first serial rights to publish this article for the first time.

All other rights remain with the writer and author for all past and future articles as agreed in writing with The Signal’s owner and publisher, Richard Budman on April 3, 2019. 

SignalSCV.com

Presents Weekly Podcasts SCV Leadership and Business Solutions with Lisa and Paul Raggio

Selina Thomas SCV’s HR Guru Cary Quashen’s The Real Deal Signal News Podcast With Aron Bender New podcasts every Friday

SignalSCV.com

B8 · SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

UPDATE ON PROP 19, INHERITANCE CONCERNS

BY JEFF PRANG Los Angeles County Assessor

L

ast month, I visited with you about a new Constitutional amendment to Proposition 13 that threatens the ability of middle-income and working-class families to leave their homes to their children without forcing them to pay a huge property tax.

I am revisiting this topic this month because my office has received scores of inquiries about this challenging new law and it’s important to understand the issues.

To not put too fine a point on it, Proposition 19 may actually drive working-class families of modest means into selling their homes, family farms as well as other property to avoid an enormous unintended tax burden because the property faces reassessment.

Prop. 19 was approved by the voters last November by a slim margin and, yes, it’s wreaking havoc among taxpayers and assessors statewide.

To make matters even more severe, some of the most challenging provisions are already in effect as of Feb. 16.

Let’s review: Under current law, parents (Proposition 58) and grandparents

Prop. 19 was approved by the voters last November by a slim margin and, yes, it’s wreaking havoc among taxpayers and assessors statewide, according to L.A. County Assessor Jeffrey Prang. (MC) (Proposition 193) were able to transfer residential and commercial properties to their children and grandchildren without any tax hike because the homes would not be reassessed, allowing the original tax base to be carried over.

Between 60,000 to 80,000 property owners statewide had been embracing this tax savings annually, avoiding as much as $10 billion in assessed value from reassessment, according to data from the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

However, in 2018, a Los Angeles

Times investigation revealed that Hollywood celebrities Beau and Jeff Bridges inherited a beautiful Malibu home with access to a semi-private beach and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from their famous father, actor Lloyd Bridges of Sea Hunt fame. The Times investigation revealed the brothers rented the home for $16,000 a month, but retained their father’s annual tax property tax payment of about $5,000. This was possible because they inherited their parent’s home under Proposition 58 which has

been informally referred to as the “Lebowski loophole.”

Under the new law and prior to transferring, the home now must be the parent’s principal residence, and become the principal residence of the children/child after the transfer. This was intended to eliminate the “Lebowski” loophole.

Although it certainly appears the intent of the measure was to eliminate the Lebowski Loophole, the measure impacts a broader range of the public and includes working families and middle-income families whose family assets are in modest real estate investments, placing new stress on the ability to pass along new found generational wealth.

In essence, this new law threw the baby out with the bath water.

It’s now estimated that Prop. 19 will impact 40,000 to 60,000 families each year with higher property taxes and, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, will result in hundreds of millions of dollars a year coming out of taxpayer pocketbooks. Prop. 19, in effect, repeals Propositions 58 and 193.

The simple fact is this was rushed on to the ballot at the end of the legislative session, and would have benefited greatly by further study and deliberation.

Because of this rush to the ballot box, the Constitutional amendment is deficient, confusing and in direct conflict with the intent of the measure.

See PROP. 19, page B10

VALLEY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 28368 Constellation Road | Suite 360 | Valencia | CA 91355 | 661.294.8088 | www.via.org

A D V O C A T E . E D U C A T E . I N N O VA T E .

VIA BELIEVES IN EDUCATION! As VIA continues to celebrate its 40th Anniversary this year, we want to share our dedication to both the existing and emerging workforces. VIA is a firm believer in education programs. Many years ago, through a unique partnership of the Valley Industry Association and College of the Canyons, the very successful Valencia Learning Center for our valley was created. Today, you may know it as the Employee Training Institute at College of the Canyons. Since its inception, the ETI has actively trained and retrained thousands of employees and continues to provide specialized training for the business community.

VIA’s dedication to education also extends to the emerging workforce. Over the years, our investment in students has included several programs for students, including the VIA Website Contest and the VIA STAR Program for high school students.

For the last 17 years, through the Connecting to Success Program, VIA has served as a leader in delivering necessary workplace skills training to high school students. Each year, 3000+ high school juniors receive training in critical workplace skills such in areas such as communication, ethics and financial literacy.

In 2020, our abilities to deliver the program were limited due to the pandemic, but that didn’t stop us! In 2021, we are thrilled to announce a newly created, completely virtual program has been created to serve the students of the William S. Hart Union High School District, and it will be available beginning in March. This interactive workforce readiness program will be available to all students of the district, and will include a series of videos from motivational speaker Dan Williams of Potential2Purpose.

Photo: 15 years of VIA Chairpersons helped celebrate VIA’s 30th Anniversary.

2021 VIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Hillary Broadwater Chairwoman of the Board QM Design Group Teresa Todd Immediate Past Chairwoman Point of View Communications Tim Burkhart Vice Chair, Programs Six Flags Magic Mountain

Michael P. Garrison CPA Treasurer KKAJ, LLP Kim Thomson Corporate Secretary SCV Relocation Services Steve Nunez Director at Large Mission Valley Bank

Sue Tweddell Vice Chair, Education Primerica Financial

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nola Aronson Advanced Audiology

JC Burnett Vice Chair, Advocacy Courier-Messenger, Inc.

Monica Fawcett City of Santa Clarita

Ed Masterson Vice Chair, Workforce Development SOS Entertainment

David Cantrell American Family Funding

Patti Handy Vance Wealth

Mark Young Donahoe Young & Willams

Laura Kirchhoff Circle Of Hope

Jill Mellady Mellady Direct Marketing

Mike Kuhlman William S. Hart USD

Jorge Lopez J & M Events

Kim Kurowski A-1 Party

Paul Raggio One True North

Kathie Martin SCV Water Agency

Justin Veyna Barkley Risk Management & Insurance

Myles McNamara Comfort Keepers In-Home Care Ted Sirotta Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

CEO/PRESIDENT Kathy Norris Valley Industry Association

Omar Torres College of the Canyons

Visit via.org for more information or call 661.294.8088 VIA.SCVBJ.Mar2021.V1.indd 1

2/11/21 2:13 PM

THE SIGNAL · SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · B9

Economic Development Corporation Santa Clarita Valley

26455 Rockwell Canyon Road | UCEN 263 | Santa Clarita, CA 91355 | (661) 288-4400 | www.scvedc.org

SAVE THE DATES FOR THE 2021 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FORECAST

BY HOLLY SCHROEDER President & CEO of the SCV Economic Development Corp.

TWO EVENTS — FALL & SPRING — SPONSORSHIPS NEARLY SOLD OUT

D

esigned to provide attendees with an economic analysis and outlook, the 2021 Economic Outlook Forecast will include national, state and global perspectives, but will also focus on the trends and issues associated with the Santa Clarita Valley and the surrounding business community. Attendees will hear about topics, such as demographics, employment, residential and commercial real estate development and quality of life.

In 2021, we are reshaping the event to provide business leaders the most accurate and up-to-date information possible. Because the economy is changing rapidly, the Economic Outlook Forecast will be presented in two parts: a spring virtual only event, and a fall hybrid event with planned in-person* attendance only for sponsors and sponsor guests.

General admission to the fall event will be livestreamed with opportunities for virtual networking.

WE KICK OFF THE DUAL EVENTS WITH OUR SPRING 2021 VIRTUAL ECONOMIC

a preliminary Economic Outlook report focusing on data from the SCV. This event will be held as a virtual, livestreamed event on Friday, March 26, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

OUTLOOK UPDATE: • Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo, will give a global economic update and discuss impacts of and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Economist Mark Schniepp, California Economic Forecast, will release

IN SEPTEMBER, WE WILL RELEASE THE FULL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FORECAST AT A HYBRID EVENT (IN-PERSON* FOR

SPONSORS ONLY): • A panel of SCV business leaders will discuss issues around corporate resilience, agility and innovation in the face of unique challenges.

• Economist Mark Schniepp, California Economic Forecast, will release the full Economic Outlook Forecast for the Santa Clarita Valley, California and beyond.

This event will be held on Friday, Sept.

17, from 8:30-11 a.m. Sponsors and their guests will be able to attend at the venue* (TBA), and those with general admission tickets will participate virtually.

To learn more about the 2021 Economic Outlook visit: www.scvedc.org/outlook. *SCVEDC will strictly adhere to any and all public health orders and protocols issued by Los Angeles County. The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) is a unique private / public partnership representing the united effort of regional industry and government leaders. The SCVEDC utilizes an integrated approach to attracting, retaining and expanding a diversity of businesses in the Santa Clarita Valley, especially those in key industry clusters, by offering competitive business services and other resources. 

Econo Watch Santa Clarita Valley

Q4 2020

Q3 2020 Q4 2020 Sq Ft

Commercial Vacancy Rates Office Space 14.42% 12.49%

2,817,393

Industrial Space

25,045,859

6.10%

Total Marked Sq. Ft. Vacancy Percentage: Office Space - as a % of Vacancy Industrial Space - as a % of Vacancy

Building Permits New Commercial/Industrial Building Permits Commercial Tenent Improvements/Alterations Local Company Stock Prices Bank of Santa Clarita (BSCA) California Resources Corp (CRC) Carnival Corp. (CCL) FivePoint (FPH) Mission Valley Bank (MVLY) Six Flags * (SIX) Woodward (WWD)

Unemployment Rates Santa Clarita Palmdale

7.10% 27,863,252

10.11% 89.89%

10.11% 89.89%

N/A N/A

Jan ’21

Dec ’20

Jan ’20

9 36

7 25

0 35

Jan ’21

Dec ’20

% Change

10.75 23.09 18.67 6.3 11.05 34.2 111.95

Jan ’21

10.17 23.59 21.66 5.46 10.55 34.1 121.53

Dec ’20

Lancaster

15.8% 15.5% 1.94%

Glendale

9.9% 10.2% -2.94%

Los Angeles County

10.7%

State

8.8% 9.0% -2.22%

Housing Stats

5.7% -2.12% -13.80% 15.38% 4.74% 0.29% -7.88%

% Change

9.3% 9.4% -1.06% 14.5% 14.7% -1.36%

Jan ’21

10.6%

Dec ’20

-0.94%

Jan ’20

SCV Average Home Price

746,800

743,400

689,900

SCV Average Condo Price

451,900

478,100

397,200

SCV Home Sales

198

310

118

SCV Condo Sales

74

120

54

SCV Avg. # of Days on Market (SF)

38 32 68

SCV Single Family Home Inventory

184

140

202

The List: SCV Tax-Preparation Services COMPANY

ADDRESS

PHONE #

ADDRESS

All Valley Tax SCV

26364 N, Sierra highway, Suite A, Santa Clarita

661-252-0052

allvalleytax.com

Breslin Tax Prep

25852 McBean Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

661-284-6627

breslintaxprep.com

Brunes Tax Services

21618 Golden Triangle Road #105 Santa Clarita, CA, 91350

661-799-8892

brunestaxservice.com

Buck Jones Taxes

18723 Via Princessa #1060, Santa Clarita, CA, 91387

661-655-4289

buckjonestaxes.com

Ez Tax & Insurance Services

24881 Railroad Avenue #101 Newhall CA 91321

661-310-2552

extaxexpress.com

Free Financial tax

22924 Lyons Avenue #205 Santa Clarita CA 91321

661-200-5657

free-financial.com

H&R block

19376 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country, Ca, 91351

661-252-6323

hrblock.com

Int'l Tax Network Inc.

19443 Soledad Canyon Road #109, Santa Clarita, Ca, 91351

661-251-6700

intltaxnetwork.com

Jackson Hewitt Tax Services

26471 Carl Boyer Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

209-408-1135

jacksonhewitt.com

Julie M Sturgeon CPA

28042 Avenue Stanford Unit E, Valencia

(661) 251-6031

https://santaclaritatax. com/

Krycler, Ervin, Taubman & Kaminsky, AAC

"27651 Lincoln Place, Suite 220, Santa Clarita, CA 91387 "

(818) 995-1040

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Explosion sparks fire Blast at Valencia industrial park business sends three burn victims to hospital

By Emily Alvarenga Signal Staff Writer

An explosion at a Valencia industrial park sparked a brush fire and sent at least three people to the hospital Tuesday afternoon with critical burns and other injuries.

Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel first responded to initial reports of a possible explosion on the 25100 block of Rye Canyon Loop just before 4:45 p.m., according to Supervisor Leslie Lua. Meanwhile, SCV Sheriff’s Station officials advised residents to stay clear of the area as fire crews and Hazmat units worked to conduct their investigation.

Units arriving on the scene reported a quarteracre brush fire running uphill just before 5 p.m., Lua said.

“Three burn victims are all being transported to a local trauma center with additional injuries,” added Supervisor Ed Pickett. “We don’t know what caused it, and we are doing an investigation right now.”

Forward progress on the blaze, dubbed the #RyeFire, was halted around 5:20 p.m. at 1 acre, according to Supervising Fire Dispatcher Martin Rangel, adding that “initial reports are that it was an explosion at

Judge hears case of DDA union vs.

Gascón

S A N TA C L A R I TA VA L L E Y

BUSINESS JOURNAL

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MARCH 2020 | VOL. 12 | NO. 3 | SCVBJ.COM

IT’S TAX TIME

Decision expected by end of the week

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By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

Caleb Lunetta/The Signal (above) Dan Watson/The Signal (left, below left, below)

(Above) A firefighting helicopter drops water from above while personnel from multiple agencies battle the Rye Fire — which officials say was sparked by an explosion in a Valencia industrial park Tuesday. (Left) Los Angeles County Fire Department Public Information Officer Jonathan Matheny holds a news conference Tuesday evening about the investigation of the explosion. (Below left) The county Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad arrives on the scene to help with the investigation. (Below) First responders clear the roadway as three burn patients in critical condition are transported to a local trauma center Tuesday.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge said Tuesday a decision in the case of the union for county prosecutors against District Attorney George Gascón could come by the end of the week, after hearing both sides of the argument.

Judge James C. Chalfant held a preliminary injunction hearing at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in L.A., where attorneys for the union argued that such a hearing was appropriate to help prevent deputy district attorneys from “violating the law.” The lawsuit argues that it was illegal for Gascón to issue what they deemed as a blanket rule that prohibits prosecutors from seeking sentencing enhancements under the Three Strikes law.

“I think preliminary injunction here is appropriate, your honor, in particular, because, as a result of the special directives, the deputy district attorneys in this county are put in the unfortunate position of having to violate the law in carrying out their duties in prosecuting these cases,” said David Carroll, attorney for the union. “By the special directives, telling the deputy district attorneys, ‘It doesn’t matter; you can’t plead See GASCÓN, A2

See EXPLOSION, A2

City: Business losses ‘significant’; help on the way Council begins discussion of pandemic’s economic turmoil, 2021-22 spending plan

By Tammy Murga Signal Staff Writer

Santa Clarita businesses suffered a total revenue loss of more than $300 million, while others permanently closed in 2020, painting a clear image of the economic turmoil brought

forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, but city officials announced Tuesday hope is on the horizon.

At the start of the coronavirus crisis, sales tax revenue was projected to drop in the double digits, and it did at 13%, or $3.2 million last year.

“I want to emphasize the sales tax revenue collected by the city is only 1%,” City Manager Ken Striplin said in a budget meeting before the City Council and commission members. “As you look at what is the economic impact of that loss beyond our $3.2 million, you’re looking at a total loss of revenue to local businesses of $300 million.

So, definitely a very significant number.”

Much of the loss in revenue comes after unwavering health orders that forced major industries, ranging from restaurants to retail, to shut down or implement a series of changes.

Santa Clarita is also facing an unemployment rate of 9.3%, which falls just below L.A. County’s rate of 10.7%.

At the peak of the pandemic over the summer, Santa Clarita had reached a rate of 20%,

according to the state’s Employment Development Department. There are now 109,400 jobs across the city, a number that dropped from 114,000 in 2019, according to Striplin.

“The longer we remain in this crisis, the more prolonged the impacts will be felt and the longer the recovery will take,” said Striplin, adding that the See BUDGET, A2

Hart district to discuss return to school

By Caleb Lunetta Signal Staff Writer

The William S. Hart Union High School District governing board is set to discuss school safety practices, a return to school campuses and the recognition of Black History Month.

One of the first topics the board will cover is a school safety update from Collyn Nielsen, chief administrative officer for the district, according to the meeting agenda for tonight’s session.

The presentation breaks down the 22 items involving safe school best practices in four different categories: mental health and wellness, site security, policy and training, and communication.

Nielsen’s report will go through

the various items, and explain why each policy is a best practice before highlighting the district’s progress in that area, according to a publicly available PowerPoint presentation.

The plan includes continuing the district’s partnership with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, including professional development opportunities for teachers, standardizing security cameras at each site and installing bulletproof glass.

Kathy Hunter, assistant superintendent of educational services, will also provide the board with an update on the status of online learning in the district, and the continued planning for a return to campus when it is deemed safe to do so.

The district has said it is targeting a Feb. 8 return date for small groups of cohort students to return to campus.

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The board also plans to join in with the rest of the nation during the month of February and recognize Black History Month. The resolution reads that the William S. Hart Union High School District “recognizes and celebrates the contributions of African American historical figures, leaders, teachers, parents, community activists and students” but also encourages each of the district’s school sites to “host discussions and presentations to enhance the education of each student.”

The virtual Hart district governing board meeting is set to begin at 7 p.m. The meeting can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ WQC9_nrWLm8. Public comments can be submitted by email to wshpubliccomments@hartdistrict. org no later than 4 p.m. today.

For more than100 years, The Signal has carried the banner of responsible community journalism in the Santa Clarita Valley.

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B10 · SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2021 · THE SIGNAL

HOW NEW HABITS ARE CHANGING OUR WORKPLACE

BY PERRY SMITH Business Journal Editor

O

ne thing is for sure as we look toward the future of office space: change.

For most, a healthy office or workspace is a social atmosphere — try and remember the proverbial water-cooler gathering, the communal donuts we all love to share in the morning or the huddling around a conference table.

And yet almost all of these aspects of office life, some of which are obviously more beloved than others, are definitely going to look different.

While many if not most have been telecommuting from home for the last 11 months or so — largely thanks to Zoom, Microsoft Team Meetings, Google Meet, et al — at some point, many of us will have to rejoin the world of commuters.

TRENDS AND CAUTIONS Until more people are safer and secure returning back to the way things were, our new normal is likely to involve an ever-changing series of regulations for our space, as no business owner wants to be responsible for an employee or a customer catching COVID-19.

Business consulting firm McKinsey noted that as early as last April, about 62% of working Americans were doing so from home — and 80% of those surveyed stated they enjoyed working from home.

“Many organizations think they can access new pools of talent with fewer locational constraints, adopt innovative processes to boost productivity, create an even stronger culture and significantly reduce real-estate costs,” according to a McKinsey report on office trends published on its website last June, which also notes that while there’s no

PROP. 19

Continued from page B8 It was touted as the initiative that would give much-needed assistance to seniors, the severely disabled and victims of fires and natural disasters, while simultaneously providing revenue for wildfire protection agencies and counties.

Just look at the official title of the measure: “The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act.” And it does have some positive aspects

one-size-fits-all approach.

And part of this shift in culture can already be seen in some of the newer designs that started to develop before the pandemic.

Vista Canyon in Canyon Country, which is one of the Santa Clarita Valley’s latest commercial and residential developments, was designed to incorporate many of the newer aspects in mind, according to developer Jim Backer of JSB Development.

Operable windows, more outdoor space and an “open-roof system” are just a few of the design elements incorporated into the project, in addition to making the workspace more centrally located with respect to creating walkable attractions to allow people more opportunity to work, live and play in the same area without the need to commute.

While economics can play a significant role in choosing an area, people are also looking more into what they need and want out of that space, he added.

“Buildings need some reinvention,” Backer said, “they need to be reconsidered and reflect what people want in their offices now. ... Part of it is how people choose to operate.”

He also noted that reopening spaces to the roofline (which also creates more airflow) is going to be more common, and people also enjoy seeing building features, such as a truss system, which can give a development a more “industrial look.”

“I think that the offices are much more open, they’re more free-flowing and connected,” he explained, adding that window placement has become more “egalitarian” in the sense that it’s more available to everyone in newer projects.

watch on the number of people circulating through City Hall’s higher-trafficked areas, such as the city’s permit center, to make sure the number of people who check in stay within the safely allowable figure.

CITY HALL SERVICE At Santa Clarita City Hall, for example, city officials wanted to make sure they

could still provide help for residents as much as possible, while also keeping their office space safe for staff and guests.

“For the city, we just want to make sure we’re providing the same level of service for our residents,” said Carrie Lujan, city of Santa Clarita communications manager, while making sure that we’re keeping our staff and the residents safe.”

In addition to removing high-touch surfaces, such as vending machines, the city installed an ultraviolet disinfectant to its HVAC systems and keeping a close

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION A bit of especially good news for the Santa Clarita Valley is that the decentralized approach that more and more businesses are using is a boon for familyfriendly communities like the SCV, which are considered more desirable places to live.

Time was, cutting down on the commute was an important part of the decision for where you’d pick your place of residence, so a commute from a location farther from Downtown Los Angeles, for example, could be a challenge. But now that employers are seeing the benefits and capability for more remote work, that’s becoming less and less of a priority, and people are moving here and establishing more satellites, for lack of a better term, locations, without much of a central hub.

“What we are seeing, and are going to continue to see — if you look at the research, the polling, the surveying, that many real estate professionals are doing — is that we’re likely to end up in a hybrid,” said Holly Schroeder, president and CEO of the SCV Economic Development Corp., describing the shaping of the new dynamic as having “changes in how often people go to the office. ... So you might have it where ... people go in a couple times a month, a couple times a week, depending on the nature of the business. And then where that office is and what that office looks like is predicted to change.” 

for seniors and the disabled.

However, as I said, as of Feb. 16th, parents and grandparents are no longer able to transfer property to their children or grandchildren without the possibility of triggering an increase in property taxes, unless certain requirements are met.

The good news is there is a solution to this regressive tax, and that is to encourage the Legislature to draft legislation that will serve as a corrective Constitutional amendment to Prop. 19.

This corrective Constitutional amendment will restore the ability of these families to leave their homes and other

property to their children that’s currently offered under Prop. 58 and 193.

I am working with the California Assessors’ Association and with state Legislators to do just that with a real sense of urgency.

I have to say absent legislative clarification, the implementation of Prop. 19 will be a challenge and create a great deal of confusion and uncertainty for both the public and administrators.

I will keep you posted as we move forward, but in the meantime, I encourage you to go to my website for the latest information regarding Prop. 19, assessor@

lacounty.gov/prop 19. Talk soon.

For more information on Prop. 19 or other tax savings programs, visit assessor. lacounty.gov or call 213-974-3211. Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang has been in office since 2014. Upon taking office, Prang implemented sweeping reforms to ensure that the strictest ethical guidelines rooted in fairness, accuracy and integrity would be adhered to in his office, which is the largest office of its kind in the nation with 1,400 employees and provides the foundation for a property tax system that generates $17 billion annually. 

The city of Santa Clarita has added plexiglass shields at City Hall to protect employees and residents, one of a number of measures implemented to help keep visitors safe while continuing in-person access to vital services. PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SANTA CLARITA

SCV BUSINESS VOICES 5 TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR HEARING AIDS DR. KEVIN BOLDER AuD, Audiology Associates

H

earing aids are designed to help you hear better even in the most challenging listening environments. In order to keep your hearing aids functioning properly it’s important to take care of them. Bringing your hearing aids in for regular check-ups and deep cleanings is important for the longevity of your devices.

TIPS FOR HEARING AID WEARERS 1. Handle your hearing aids with care 2. Turn your hearing aids off when you’re not using them 3. Store your hearing aids in a dry, safe place 4. Remove any earwax from your hearing aids 5. Change the filters and wax guards regularly Although hearing aids are designed to be durable, they should be handled with care and properly maintained. In order to ensure the technology keeps performing it’s best for you it’s important to have

your hearing aids serviced on a regular basis.

provide you with better hearing for the years to come.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEANING YOUR HEARING AIDS Earwax, dirt and other debris can accumulate in your hearing aids. Every time you take your hearing aids out of your ears you should wipe them down with a dry cloth. If you don’t feel comfortable changing the filters or wax guards, then be sure to come in for an appointment.

The best thing you can do to make sure you are maintaining your overall health and wellbeing is receive regular hearing screenings in addition to your other doctor visits. To schedule a hearing aid consultation today, please call Audiology Associates at (661) 284-1900.

Kevin Bolder, Au.D, Patrice Rifkind, Au.D. and John Davis, Au.D. are three of the best in Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valley. Visit our website at AudiologyAssociates.net or stop by our office located at 23838 Valencia Blvd, Suite 100, Valencia. We are hearing health care excellence! 

BRING YOUR HEARING AIDS IN FOR REGULAR CHECK-UPS Taking care of your hearing aids can be easy with these tips and will ensure they