Member News

Compliance isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about protecting your business and your people.

When an employee requests a disability accommodation, employers are legally required to respond appropriately under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But the law isn’t always straightforward—and missteps can lead to costly consequences.

This article from Koegle Law Group breaks down the legal and practical essentials every employer should know. From decoding the interactive process to identifying executive pain points, we help businesses stay compliant, confident, and prepared.

Key Takeaways:

• A clear explanation of the ADA-required “interactive process”

• The most common employer missteps—and how to avoid them

• Pain points executives face when navigating accommodation requests

• Why relying solely on “at-will” status can backfire legally

• How Koegle Law Group supports employers with proactive, compliant strategies

Smart policies aren’t just good HR—they’re good business.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

Tickets on Sale Now

This year’s State of the City event will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., at the Canyon Country Community Center. This year’s theme is Celebrating Hart Park: History in Every Frame. Join the Santa Clarita City Council as they highlight all the incredible accomplishments from the last year, what projects are on the horizon while also paying tribute to the City’s 40^th Park.

A cherished landmark in the heart of our City, Hart Park is a place where history, tradition and natural beauty come together. Just like the silent films that made William S. Hart a legend, every frame of this event is filled with meaning—from updates on public safety and homelessness to the unveiling of exciting new projects like the River of Lights and Pioneer Oil Refinery Park.

State of the City will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m., in the Grand Room, for presentations and videos from the City Council. Following the program, guests are invited to gather on the picturesque Terrace for music, appetizers and happy hour.

Tickets are $45 per person and $450 per table of 10. The ticket price includes appetizers, drinks and a commemorative gift. For more information, please call the City of Santa Clarita at (661) 255-4939 or visit SantaClarita.gov.

SCV Water is taking another big step toward ensuring safe, clean drinking water for the community. At its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Agency’s Board of Directors approved a construction contract for the new S Wells PFAS Treatment and Disinfection Facility, which will remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water produced by three local wells.

The facility will be built on a small parcel of land near Bridgeport Lane and designed with landscaping and features to blend with the surrounding neighborhood. In addition to the treatment plant, the project will include new pipelines and upgrades at the S6, S7, and S8 Wells to improve water delivery and reliability.

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals that can be found in the environment and drinking water. This project is part of SCV Water’s ongoing commitment to address PFAS in our local water supplies and meet all state and federal health standards.

“This project allows us to bring important local wells back online that have been out of service due to PFAS contamination,” said Principal Engineer Orlando Moreno “By restoring these wells, we’re increasing our local water supply and reducing our reliance on imported water — both of which are critical for reliability, especially during drought periods.”

Construction is expected to begin in October 2025 and will take approximately 18 months to complete.

The $23.9 million project is funded in part by more than $11 million in state and federal grants, including support from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the State Water Resources Control Board.

To learn more about PFAS and SCV Water’s efforts to remove them, visit yourscvwater.com/pfas.

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About SCV Water:
The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water) is a full-service regional water agency located in the Santa Clarita Valley. SCV Water provides water service to approximately 75,000 business and residential customers. It was formed on January 1, 2018, when local water suppliers combined into one integrated, regional water provider. More information can be found at yourSCVwater.com.

Greater Los Angeles businesses are navigating rapid digital transformation across industries – from healthcare systems expanding to telehealth to real estate firms adopting smart building tech. Comcast Business is helping local companies stay ahead with advanced technology solutions, helping businesses adapt, evolve, and thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape. Across industries and around the globe, Comcast Business designs and delivers reliable, flexible, and scalable solutions that help empower business growth.

With a suite of solutions including connectivity, networking, cybersecurity, and unified communications and a range of service models, Comcast Business can meet the needs of any size business at scale. Comcast Business’ stance as a part of Comcast – a Fortune 50 leading media, technology, and entertainment company – enables a unique set of capabilities and a broad perspective to customers.

Recognized by leading analyst firms for growth, innovation and leadership, Comcast Business continues to evolve its approach with a focus on serving its Orange County customers striving to provide the very best, today and tomorrow.  Learn how enterprise managed services from Comcast Business can help you create better customer experiences. Contact your local Comcast Business Executive Account Executive Alex Alvarez today - alex_alvarez2@comcast.com (661) 648-6853

Handshake deals don’t hold up in court. Clear expectations do.

When something goes wrong in business, the first thing courts look for is a written agreement. Without one, disputes can quickly turn into a he said, she said scenario—with your reputation, finances, and operations on the line.

Written contracts aren’t just legal formalities—they’re strategic tools that help business owners reduce risk, define responsibilities, and protect long-term success. At Koegle Law Group, we work with business leaders to identify gaps in existing agreements and create strong documentation that stands up under pressure.

Key Takeaways:

• Why handshake deals create legal exposure

• How written agreements protect long-term business growth

• The essential elements every contract should include

• Five steps to audit your current agreements

If your agreements aren’t in writing—or haven’t been reviewed in a while—it’s time to take a closer look.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

Brandon Barclay has been selected as the new Captain of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, bringing nearly two decades of law enforcement experience with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to his new post. Barclay spent nearly four years as the second in command at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, serving as former Captain Justin Diez’s Operations Lieutenant.

“Having served as our Operations Lieutenant for the past four years, Captain Barclay recognizes the critical importance of working proactively with the City to address current public safety challenges,” said City Manager Ken Striplin. “His leadership and expertise will further our shared commitment to maintaining low crime rates and enhancing the safety, security and overall quality of life that defines Santa Clarita as one of the safest cities in California.”

Barclay is replacing Sheriff's Captain Justin Diez, who was recently promoted to Commander. Diez served as the Chief of Police for the Santa Clarita Valley Station since 2020.

Barclay began his service with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2007, attending the North Academy at College of the Canyons. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from California Lutheran University. Further enhancing his professional development, Barclay possesses a Certificate of Negotiation Mastery from Harvard Business School. He also earned a Master's degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego, where he graduated with department honors. 

His initial assignments were at Pitches Detention Center North and South Facilities, before transferring to the Mira Loma Detention Center. He then transitioned to patrol duties, commencing his field career at the Palmdale Sheriff Station. Demonstrating a commitment to community engagement, he later worked with Community Partnership Bureau Crime Impact Teams. His leadership potential was recognized with a promotion to detective in Lancaster, where he served from 2013 to 2015. Barclay's career trajectory continued upward as he became a field sergeant, assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station for two years. During this period, he discovered a profound passion for assisting vulnerable populations, leading him to supervise the Mental Evaluation Teams in the North Patrol Division. He dedicated four years to this critical role, concurrently serving as a crisis negotiator, a testament to his specialized skills in de-escalation and crisis intervention. Barclay's leadership capabilities were further acknowledged with his promotion to watch commander, initially in Lancaster, and then, after nearly a year, he was reassigned as watch commander of Santa Clarita Station, before his promotion to Operations Lieutenant and now Captain.

"Serving as Captain of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is more than a job—it’s an honor to protect and serve the community I call home,” said Captain Barclay. “Throughout my nearly 20 years with the Sheriff’s Department, I’ve built a career on teamwork, listening to residents and taking proactive steps to keep neighborhoods safe. My background in patrol, investigations, crisis negotiation and mental health response has given me the tools to address crime from every angle. I’m committed to working alongside our City, community partners and residents to drive crime down and ensure Santa Clarita remains one of the safest places to live, work and raise a family."

Captain Barclay lives in the Santa Clarita Valley with his wife and son. In his spare time, he enjoys physical fitness, travelling and enjoying all our City has to offer.

Discover how smart technology is transforming data into actionable insights – join Comcast Business for an exclusive webinar on unlocking the power of digital innovation taking place August 21 at 10a PT.  Learn how enterprise business leaders are using connected solutions to drive smarter decisions and better outcomes.  Register Here.

Link:  https://business.comcast.com/community/browse-all/post/from-data-to-decisions-unlocking-the-power-of-smart-technology

We’ll cover:

• How edge and cloud processing combine to turn raw sensor data into real‑time decisions

• The ways data‑driven efficiency is boosting productivity, reducing costs, and unlocking new growth opportunities

• Real-world use cases like IoT in facilities management, retail analytics, and loss control

• Best practices for implementing smart technologies, such as IoT, video analytics and digital signage

• Considerations around connectivity, security, and governance as smart technology implementations scale

On January 1, 2025, California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) law changed: employers can no longer require workers to use their vacation or PTO before taking state-paid leave. For Santa Clarita Valley business owners and HR leaders, this isn’t just a compliance update—it’s a chance to strengthen workplace trust, avoid disputes, and show proactive leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Employees now decide whether to use PTO during PFL; employers can no longer mandate it.

• Outdated handbook language could trigger compliance risks or employee complaints.

• Make sure your PFL policy works in harmony with other leave laws, including PFL, CFRA, FMLA, and SDI.

• Policy updates protect your business while supporting employee satisfaction and retention.

By updating your employee handbook and aligning leave policies now, you set a clear standard, reduce legal exposure, and position your business as both compliant and employee-focused.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

Remarks will begin at 6:00 PM during the Open House

Handshake deals may feel friendly, but they leave Santa Clarita Valley entrepreneurs exposed to late payments, scope creep, and costly disputes. Conversely, a customized Terms & Conditions (T&C) sheet turns informal promises into enforceable commitments—protecting revenue and elevating your professional reputation.

Key takeaways:

• Set crystal-clear expectations on deliverables, timelines, and revision limits.

• Lock in payment terms so you get paid in full and on time.

• Define project boundaries to prevent scope creep and protect margins.

• Create legal leverage with dispute-resolution and termination clauses that favor your business.

Using a T&C sheet isn’t just about legal protection—it’s about building trust and professionalism. When your clients see that you have structured policies in place, they know they’re working with a business that takes its work seriously.

Ready to upgrade from generic templates and handshake promises? We outline exactly what to include—and what to avoid—in your next client agreement.

👉 Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Koegle Law Group, proudly serving businesses in Santa Clarita and beyond. This communication may be considered advertising material under the rules of professional conduct governing lawyers in California.

The temporary lane split on the southbound I-5 between McBean Pkwy and Calgrove Bl will remain in place through the end of July 2025. Thank you for your patience during our construction. 

Presented by Brian Koegle, Candice Gottlieb-Clark & Stacy Rouse

MONDAY, JULY 28, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (PACIFIC TIME)

Brian will join Stacy Rouse, and Candice Gottlieb-Clark to host this timely and thought-provoking event that explores the hidden forms of harassment that stem from generational and gender-based dynamics in today’s workplace.

To sign up click the link - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2qWqFpH7QkSguQrdsM7FBQ#/registration

More About This Event
HIDDEN FORMS OF HARASSMENT
Workplace harassment isn't always overt. Sometimes, it shows up in subtle, often unrecognized ways that can significantly impact team culture, morale, and productivity. This timely and thought-provoking event explores the hidden forms of harassment that stem from generational and gender-based dynamics in today's workplace.

GENERATIONAL AND GENDER BASED ISSUES IN THE WORKPLACE
Join us as we uncover how unconscious bias, microaggressions, and outdated norms can manifest between colleagues of different ages and genders - and what organizations can do to recognize, address, and prevent these issues before they take root.

As temperatures in Southern California reach triple digits this week, Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, is helping to lead a series of bills aimed at addressing the growing threat of extreme heat.

Together, these bills will bring critical infrastructure improvements to at-risk communities, assist the federal government in responding to heatwaves, and coordinate strategies to create long-term solutions.

“With temperatures rising in California and across the country, it’s more important than ever to take action to protect our communities,” said Rep. Whitesides. “This slate of bills will provide important resources to keep families safe, reduce heat risks, and strengthen our response to rising temperatures.”

The following three bills as part of Rep. Whitesides’ efforts to combat extreme heat:

The Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act 

-This bill supports projects that improve infrastructure, green spaces, and innovative technologies to cool at-risk cities.

The full text of the Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025 can be found here.

The Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act 

-This bill creates a unified federal strategy to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events, improving collaboration among agencies and ensuring communities receive timely support. The bill also creates additional pathways for data collection, public warnings, and heat-health research.

The full text of the Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act of 2025 can be found here.

The Extreme Heat Economic Study Act 

-This bill tasks the National Integrated Health Information System (NIHHIS) with studying how extreme heat affects the economy, giving lawmakers the data they need to create stronger plans to protect people’s health and support local economies.

The full text of the Extreme Heat Economic Study Act of 2025 can be found here.