Welcome to the
March 2026 Sunny Spot
Issue No. 80
Awesome Arellano Stars!
Happy Employee Appreciation Day! This Friday, March 6, we’re celebrating the incredible people who make this team the best around with a custom word search created by Genoveva Arellano. Check it out at the bottom of this Sunny Spot edition! Enjoy!
Click here to download the word search at the bottom of the page!
Click here to download the word search at the bottom of the page!
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Save the date! Join us for the AA Family Spring Event & Ice Cream Social on Saturday, May 30, from 11:30 AM–1:30 PM at the LA County Fair. Enjoy time together in our reserved picnic area, games, raffles, and ice cream—plus full-day fair access for you and your guests. RSVP below!
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Our reach is expanding with $1.2M in projects and five additional on-call partnerships. These six newest project wins are a testament to our team's hustle—see what we’ve been up to lately!
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In case you missed our last Tech Talks, the Innovations Team awarded Microsoft Team Wrapped Winners, honoring our staff who killed it on MS Teams. Check it out!
Project Spotlight
Sepulveda Transit Corridor
The Sepulveda Transit Corridor reached a defining milestone with the Metro Board’s unanimous adoption of the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) on January 22, 2026—a major step forward for one of Los Angeles County’s most transformative transit investments. Designed to connect the San Fernando Valley and the Westside across the heavily congested I-405 corridor, the project represents a generational commitment to improving mobility, sustainability, and regional connectivity.
Following the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) in June 2025, the team led a comprehensive 90-day public comment period that generated more than 8,000 formal comments and overwhelming public support. Community feedback directly informed the staff-recommended LPA, and the Board’s unanimous vote reflects both rigorous technical evaluation and the strength of the outreach strategy—positioning the project to advance with broad regional backing and strong media recognition.
Exceptional Public Participation
8,074 formal public comments received
90.5% expressed support for the project or specific alternatives
Input received from 922 unique zip codes
98% of comments from individual community members
Digital Engagement Success
Project Hub received 17,700 views during the review period
85% of comments submitted via online form
Six e-blasts sent to 17,000+ contacts with an average 52% open rate
High-Impact Meeting Series
5 Information Sessions + 5 Public Hearings
~240 attendees at information sessions
~470 attendees at public hearings
181 verbal and 49 written comments recorded during hearings
Strategic Community Presence
Engagement at six local pop-up events, including Pride festivals, farmers markets, CicLAvia, and community movie nights
Thousands of corridor stakeholders reached directly
STC Media Recognition
AI at AA
We are officially moving forward with taking our operational efficiencies to the next level by further integrating AI into our workflow. To kick things off, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our new AI-focused blog, where we will reflect on where innovation has been and how we are using it to support responsible, human-centered innovation in public engagement. We are also collaborating with the CAPIO organization for an exclusive webinar featuring four leading AI experts. A recording of the presentation will be shared with our entire team afterward.
To ensure we are scaling smartly, we are bringing on a specialized AI consultant to identify new opportunities where integration makes the most sense for our specific work. As we evolve, our core AI principles remain the foundation of every decision we make:
Augmentation, Not Replacement: AI is here to enhance your capabilities, not replace your expertise.
Transparency and Consent: We will remain open about how and where AI is being utilized.
Ethical Use and Continuous Review: We are committed to responsible implementation through constant evaluation.
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Move over, basic omelets—Elsa Argomaniz is sharing the ultimate guide to the perfect Tortilla de Patatas. Discover the secrets to achieving that golden, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes this Spanish staple a permanent favorite in any recipe book.
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Take a look at the updated Employee Handbook rolling out via Rippling, which incorporates our latest policy updates. Additionally, we are introducing essential new protocols for Events Team staffing and logistics to help our upcoming busy season run smoothly.
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Did you hear? You must register by March 18 to be eligible to purchase tickets to the Olympic/Paralympic Games in 2028! If you are interested in going to any of the Games, this is the only (affordable) way to get tickets. Good luck!
Employee Appreciation Word Search
The puzzle features the name of every single team member, and we hope you have a blast hunting for your colleagues. As an added bonus, if you turn in your completed word search to Jacky or Rhett by Friday, you’ll receive a $5 Starbucks gift card! It’s a small way to celebrate the individuals who make our team the greatest. Thank you!
