MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VENTURA COUNTY WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 8
SIMI VALLEY PUBLIC FACILITIES FINANCING AUTHORITY
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE SIMI VALLEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SIMI VALLEY LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Simi Valley, California January 9, 2023
a.
b.
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:30 p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern
Judge, and Mayor/Chair/President Thomas
Remote: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS: Having no public statements, the City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:32 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION:
(1) Conference with Legal Counsel-Anticipated Litigation (CC) Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2):
One (1) potential case (City Clerk will have a copy of the "Tricia Moran" claim available for public inspection/review at the meeting)
(2) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (CC) Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) <Workers' Compensations):
Name of Case: Robert Belanger v. City of Simi Valley
Case No.: (605300) ADJ11788125
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. (OPEN SESSION)
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS: City Attorney Caceres stated there was no reportable action as a result of the Closed Session meeting held on January 9, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Note: If this is a joint meeting of the City Council and Boards of Directors, the applicable entity is identified at the end of each agenda item.
CC - City Council
\NWD - Waterworks District No. 8
IDA- lndustrial°Development Authority
PFFA - Simi Valley Public Facilities Financing Authority PFA- Public Financing Authority
SA - Successor Agency
LB - Simi Valley Li_brary Board of Trustees
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the CC, \NWD, IDA, PFFA, PFA, SA, and/or LB after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Clerk's Office at 2929 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley, CA during normal business hours.
Minutes
2 January 9, 2023
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Evelyn Garfield
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern
Judge, and Mayor/Chair/President Thomas
Remote: None
Absent: None
1. AGENDA REVIEW: City Manager Gabler noted supplemental material on Agenda Item 9A.
1A. ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved that all resolutions and ordinances presented tonight be read in title only and all further reading be waived.
Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion. {CC/WWD/PFFA/SA/LB)
ROLL CALL
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Thomas
None
None
None
1 B. It is the policy of the City Council that upon reaching 11 :30 p.m., the City Council will not address any new agenda items. Should the City Council continue to address an in-progress agenda item past 12:00 midnight, the following motion is in order. 1C.
10. MOTION: Move that the City Council meeting tonight may extend beyond the midnight deadline to conclude the agenda (Section 2-1.106 SVMC).
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT: None
CERTIFICATES/HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
(1) · Presentation of a proclamation declaring the month of January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month {CC)
Management Analyst Heidi DiNardo read the proclamation declaring the month of January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. ·
Minutes
3 January 9, 2023
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
3. APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
3A. APPOINTMENTS:
(1) Selection of City Council Members to interview and nominate prospective Neighborhood Council Executive Board · members . (Perros) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved to select Mayor Thomas and Mayor Pro Tern Judge to interview and nominate prospective Neighborhood Council Executive Board members for Neighborhood Council Nos. 1 and 3, and himself and Council Member Lister for Neighborhood Council Nos. 2 and 4. Council Member Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litster, Cavanau·gh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Thomas
None
None
None
(2) Appointment of representation of City Council/Board Members on boards, commissions, and committees and consideration of recommended changes (Gabler) (CC/WWD/PFFA/SA/LB)
ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Judge moved to appoint City Council Members to Boards, Commissions, and Committees with the following changes as discussed by the City Council and approve all recommended changes to committees:
Mayor Thomas was appointed to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Advisory Committee, the Association of Water Agencies, the Clean Power Alliance, Alternate No. 1, as a voting delegate for the League of California Cities, the Murphy Estate Property Agency, the Neighborhood Council Joint Chairs, the Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century (RDP-21), the Simi Valley Tourism Alliance, as a General Assembly Voting Representative for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the Ventura County Regional Energy AIUance (VCRE).\), the Youth Council, Chair for the Ventura County Waterworks District No 8, Chair for the Simi Valley Industrial Development Authority, President for the.Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees, and Chair for the Simi Valley Public Facilities Financing Authority.
Council Member Cavanaugh was appointed to Neighborhood Council No. 1, Council Member Litster was appointed to Neighborhood Council No. 2, Mayor Pro Tern Judge Minutes
38. 3C.
4 January 9, 2023
was appointed to Neighborhood Council _No. 4, Council Member Rhodes was appointed to the Affordable Housing Subcommittee, the Clean Power Alliance, Neighborhood Council No. 3, and the Simi Valley Arts Commission. Council Member/Directorrrrustee Litster seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directorsrrrustees Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Thomas
None
None
None
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: None
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
(1) Informational presentation by Youth Council member Ella McCrossan (CC) · Youth Council Member Ella McCrossan provided an informational report on behalf of the Youth Council.
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Nikki Lian, co-owner of Body Brain Train, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about their mission to bring fitness and wellness to the senior community and asked the City Council to increase funds allotted through the Simi Valley Event Graht Fund.
2. Jenny Allen, Volunteer for Body Brain Train, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in support of the Body Brain Train to receive additional funding, and commented about the improvements she has seen in seniors in this program.
3. Dawn Cobalt, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in support of Body Brain Train to receive additional funding. .
4. Frank Tomlinson, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in support of Body Brain Train to receive additional funding.
5. Julie Bershin, Chair Special Event Support Review Committee for Neighborhood Council #3, Simi Valley, CA, requested the City Council to consider increasing the funds available for allocation to non-profit organizations. 6: Debbie Jen (no address given), spoke in support of Body Brain Train, and addressed the benefits of the classes she attends.
7. Joe Piechowski, Simi Valley, CA, Special Event Support Review Committee, requested City Council to consider increasing the funds available for allocation to non-profit organizations.
Minutes
4A.
5. 6.
6A.
7. 5 January 9, 2023
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Council Member Rhodes recognized Nikki Lian and her team for their work with Body Brain Train and thanked everyone who spoke on their behalf. He acknowledged the tough task of committee members, Ms. Bershin and Mr. Piechowski, in allocating funds to the non-profit organizations.
Council Member Litster agreed with Council Member Rhodes' comments and thanked everyone for speaking at the meeting. She also thanked Ms~ Bershin and Mr.
Piechowski for serving on the Special Event Support Review Committee.
Council Member Cavanaugh agreed with Council Members Rhodes and Lister's comments and thanked everyone for coming to the City Council meeting.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge thanked everyone for coming to the City Council meeting, and thanked Body Brain Train for their work.
Mayor Thomas thanked Body Brain Train for their efforts with · informing the City Council of their organization.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONTINUED PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
(1) Approval of the Monthly Investment Report for the month ended November 30. 2022 (Johnson) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request.
(2) Approval of second amendment to the contract between the City of Simi Valley and Venco Western, Inc .• for Landscape District No. 1 Maintenance Services, Contract B, Specification No. SV 18-18R (Fuchiwaki) (CC) (3)
ACTION: ·Approved second amendment to Contract B with Venco Western, Inc.
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Cavanaugh moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 and 2. Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion.
Minutes
8. 9.
9A.
ROLL CALL
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
6 January 9, 2023
Council Members/Directorsrrrustees Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Thomas
None
None
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Selection of recipients to receive 2023 Special Event Support Grants and authorize the City Manager to execute contracts with recipients (Swan) (CC) Mayor Thomas recused himself from Agenda Item 9A at 7:58 p.m. due to a contlict of interest.
ACTION: Council Member/Directorrrrustee Litster moved to modify the recommendation of the Special Event Support Review Committee for the distribution of the 2023 Special Event Support Grants, and authorize the City .Manager to execute grant contracts with the recipients with the following modifications: Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley will not receive $5,000 for the Star-Spangled Jam & Fireworks Special from this funding source, another funding source will be found. Body Brain Train will receive an additional $3,000; For the Need Foundation will receive $1,000; and GiGi's Playhouse will receive $1,000. Council Member/Directorrrrustee Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directorsrrrustees Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, and Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern Judge
None
None
Mayor/Chair/President Thomas
Mayor Thomas returned to the dais at 8:05 p·.m.
Minutes
10. 10A.
7 January 9, 2023
REPORTS:
City Council/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Rhodes reported he attended via ZOOM the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee meeting; attended via ZOOM call that welcomed a new business, Four Walls, to the City of Simi Valley, and he reported he stepped down from the Youth Employment Services Committee due to serving on City·council.
He reported he attended the City Holiday Lunch Truck event, a retirement reception for Chief Livingstone, a swearing-in ceremony for three new Simi Valley Police Officers, and he met with Mayor Thomas and Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin. Council Member Rhodes reported he attended the Chabad of Simi Valley Hanukkah Candle Lighting held at the Simi Town Center Mall, he met with City staff regarding the City's monthly financials, attended the Planning Commission meeting, and he attended a Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District meeting.
Council Member Litster reported she chaired the Simi Valley Arts Commission meeting, attended the retirement reception for Chief Livingstone, and a swearing-in ceremony for several new Simi Valley Police Officers. She reported she was a speaker at the Rotary Sunset Club, attended the Southern Califqrnia Association of Governments (SCAG) Energy and Environment Committee meeting, and she met with Board of Director, Raul Avila, of Division 1 Calleguas Municipal Water District.
Council Member Cavanaugh reported she was out of town for much of this time period.
She reported she attended the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Board meeting, the Simi Valley· Leadership meeting, and she recognized National Law Enforcement Day.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he attended the City Holiday Lunch Truck event. He congratulated Interim Chief Shorts on his promotion to Interim Chief of the Simi Valley Police Department, as well as Lincoln Purcell and John Adamczyk on their promotions to Acting Assistant Chiefs. Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he attended the retirement reception for Chief Livingstone, the swearing .. in of three new police officers, and he participated in Wreaths Across America at the Simi Valley Pioneer Cemetery. He reported he attended the Oath of Office for Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Board members Ed Abele and Brian Dennert, he attended a Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) meeting, and he attended the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) meeting. in Camarillo.
Mayor Thomas reported he attended the City Holiday Lunch Truck event, the retirement reception for Chief Livingstone, a swearing-in of three new police officers, and he commented he had the honor of swearing-in the newly re-elected Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Board members. Mayor Thomas reported he attended the City Selection Committee meeting.
Minutes
108.
8 January 9, 2023
City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items:
Council Member Cavanaugh asked for an item to investigate the possibility of increasing the Special Events Support Grant budget. City Manager Gabler stated he will include this as an item to be discussed at budget time.
Council Member Litster requested an item regarding the subject of allowing chickens in backyards. City Manager stated he will check the animal overlay requirement before bringing before the City Council.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair/President Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m. in the memory of Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Isaiah Cordero, Pamela Mary Link (Justin Link's Mother), Ken Anderson (B. J.'s husband) , Greg Seaton (Leigh Seaton's brother) , Cole Kiblinger , and Kirk Smith to the meeting of January 23, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. There being no objections, the motion carried through acclamation.
ucy Blanco, City Clerk/District/Authority
/Agency/Board Secretary
Fred D. Thomas, Mayor of the City of Simi
Valley , California, Chair of the Ventura
County Waterworks District No. 8, Simi
Valley Public Facilities Financing Authority ,
Simi Valley Public Financing Authority ,
Successor Agency to the Simi Valley
Community Development Agency, and
President of the Simi Valley Library Board
of.Trustees