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 February 13, 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 5:31 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION:
(1)
(2)
Conference with Labor Negotiator (CC)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.S{a):
City's Designated Representative: Samantha Argabrite, Assistant City Manager
Employee Organization: Simi Valley Police Managers Association Conference with Labor Negotiator (CC}
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.S{a):
City's Designated Representative: Samantha Argabrite, Assistant City Manager
Employee Organization: Simi Valley Police Officers Association 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
WNO - Waterworks District No. 8
IDA - Industrial Development Authority
PFFA- Simi Valley Public Facilities Financing Authority PFA-. Public Financing Authority
SA - Successor Agency
LB - Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees
Material's related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the CC, WNO, 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 February 13, 2023
(3) Conference with Labor Negotiator {CC}
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a)
City's Designated Representative: Samantha Argabrite, Assistant City Manager
Employee Organization: Service Employee International Union (SEIU) (4) Conference with Labor Negotiator {CC)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a)
City's Designated Representative: Samantha Argabrite, Assistant City Manager
Unrepresented Employees: Accounting Projects Analyst, Accounting Specialist, Accounting Supervisor, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Officer, Administrative Services Director, Assistant City Attorney, Assistant City Clerk, Assistant City Manager, Assistant Community Services Manager, Assistant Engineer, Assistant Planner, Assistant Public Works Director, Assistant to the City Manager, Assistant Waterworks Services Manager, Associate Engineer, Associate Planner, Budget & Administration Manager, Budget Officer, Chief of Police, City Attorney, City Clerk,_ City Engineer, City Manager, Code Compliance Manager, Code Compliance Officer, Code Enforcement Supervisor, Communications Systems Coordinator, Communications Manager, Community Services Coordinator, Community Services Director, Community Services Manager, Counter Technician, Court Liaison, Crime Analysis and Prevention Manager, Crime Analyst, Cultural Arts Center Technical Coordinator, Customer Services Manager, Customer Services Supervisor, Deputy Administrative Services Director (Fiscal Services), Deputy Administrative Services Director (Information Services), Deputy Administrative Services Director (Support Services), Deputy· Building Official/Plan Check, Deputy City Attorney, Deputy City Clerk, Deputy City Manager, Deputy Community Services Director, Deputy Director/Economic Development, Deputy Director/Housing & Special Projects, Deputy Director/Police Administration & Communication, Deputy Director/Traffic Engineer, Deputy Environmental Services Director, Deputy Environmental Services Director (Building Official), Deputy Environmental Services Director (City Planner), Deputy Human Resources Director, Deputy Public Works Director (Administration), Deputy Public Works Director (Development Services) Deputy Public Environmental Compliance), Deputy Public Works Director (Maintenance Services), Deputy Public Works Director (Maintenance Services Engineer), Deputy Public Works Director (Sanitation Services), Deputy Public Works Director (Transit), Deputy Public Works Director Minutes
3 February 13, 2023
(Waterworks Services), Digital and Print Media Coordinator, Emergency Services Coordinator, Emergency Services Manager, Enterprise Systems Analyst, Environmental Compliance Program Analyst, Environmental Compliance Program Coordinator, Environmental Services Director, Executive Assistant, Fiscal Services Supervisor, GIS Coordinator, Home Rehabilitation Coordinator, Human Resources Analyst, Information Services Analyst I, Information Services Analyst II, Laboratory Chemist, Laboratory Supervisor, Landscape Architect, Legal Administrative Assistant, Maintenance Superintendent, Maintenance Supervisor, Management Analyst, Management Assistant, Payroll Coordinator, Permit Services Coordinator, Plant Maintenance Supervisor, Plant Operations Manager, Plant Operations Supervisor, Plant Support Systems Manager, Police Communications & Records Manager, Police Maintenance Supervisor, Police Records Manager, Police Records Supervisor, Police Services Supervisor, Principal Engineer, Principal Information Services Analyst, Principal Planner/Zoning Administrator, Public Works Director, Risk Manager, Senior Accountant, Senior Administrative Officer, Senior Assistant City Attorney, Senior Code Compliance Officer, Senior Crime Analyst, Senior Engineer, Senior Human Resources Analyst, Senior Information Services Analyst, Senior Management Analyst, Senior Planner, Staff Accountant, Supervising Building Inspector, Supervising Public Works Inspector, Transit Finance Manager, Transit Operations Manager, Transit Supervisor, Treasury Officer, Utility Services · Specialist, Wastewater Collection System Supervisor, Water Distribution Supervisor, Water Operations Supervisor, Waterworks Field Services Supervisor, Workers' Compensation Adjuster I, Workers' Compensation Adjuster II, Workers' Compensation Manager, Workers' Compensation Supervisor
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 February 13, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Joe Piechowski
ROLL CALL: Present:
Remote:
Absent:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees · Rhodes, Litster,
Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Pro Tern
Judge and Mayor/Chair/President Thomas
None
None
Minutes
4 February 13, 2023
1. AGENDA REVIEW: City Manager Brian Gabler stated that a Supplemental Staff report was provided for Agenda Item 9C and a correction on Consent 1, Minutes for January 9, 2023.
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.
Council Member/Director/Trustee Litster 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 ~eyond the midnight deadline to conclude the agenda (Section 2-1.106 SVMC).
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT: None
CERTIFICATES/HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
(1) Presentation of certificates of appreciation to outgoing Special Event Support Committee members (CC)
Management Analyst Heidi DiNardo presented outgoing Special Event Support Committee members Joe Piechowski, Julie Bershin, Gayle Sutton, and Ted Andrews with a Certificate of Appreciation.
(2) Presentation of a proclamation declaring February 2023 as Black History Month (CC)
Management Analyst Heidi DiNardo read the proclamation declaring the month of February 2023 as Black History Month.
Minutes
5 February 13, 2023
(3) Presentation of a proclamation declaring February 2023 as American Heart Month {CC)
Management Analyst Heidi Di Nardo read the proclamation· declaring February 2023 as American Heart Month.
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
3. APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
3A. APPOINTMENTS: None
38. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
(1) Economic Development Presentation (CC)
Assistant City Manager Linda Swan and Management Analyst Kelly Tinker provided a presentation regarding the economic development of the City of Simi Valley. 3C. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
(1) Informational presentation by Youth Council member Advaith Nair (CC) Youth Council Member Advaith Nair 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. Bill Meade, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about the need for traffic safety in Simi Valley.
2. Maria Ventura, Senior Public Affairs Manager, SoCal Gas, Oxnard, CA, provided information about the historically high gas bills.
3. Heather Cornes, Not One More, spoke about the need for the Heroin Task Force, and in opposition to disbanding it.
4. Elena Johnson, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about quality of life policing, and in opposition to disbanding the Heroin Task Force.
5. Aliza Thomas, Board Member, Not One More, spoke about the need for the Heroin Task Force, and in opposition to disbandiftg it.
Minutes
4A.
5. 6 ..
6A.
7. 6 February 13, 2023
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Council Member Rhodes thanked everyone for coming out ~nd speaking. He commented about the Heroin Task Force and expressed that the City Council does not want to take away the available resources, but rather the program may be evolving. Council Member Rhodes thanked the SoCal Gas representative for the update, and he agreed with Mr. Mead that traffic is an issue and supports the idea of a traffic safety month.
Council Member Litster thanked Not One More and expressed that the City Council is committed to ensuring they get resources and support. She thanked Mr. Mead for bringing his traffic safety concerns, and she questioned the SoCal Gas representative on a credit available to qualifying residents.
Council Member Cavanaugh expressed she agreed with the comments made by Council Member Rhodes and Litster, she addressed the concerns raised about the Heroin Task Force and thanked Aliza Thomas for sharing her story. Council Member Cavanaugh thanked everyone for coming out to speak.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge responded to the concern raised about street potholes and graffiti and commented that the City Council relies on citizens to be proactive and report the issue so it can be fixed as soon as possible. He spoke about the Heroin Task Force and expressed that it is not going away but it will morph into something else. Mayor Pro Tern Judge thanked everyone for coming out and speaking.
Mayor Thomas thanked everyone for speaking. He addressed the issue of the Heroin Task Force and commented he appreciates the importance of the Task Force and he spoke about his involvement in drug abuse education for the past 13 years.
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:
Council Member Litster pulled Consent Item 1 for discussion.
Minutes
(1)
7 · February 13, 2023
Approval of minutes for the City Council meeting of November 7, 14, December 5, 12, 2022 and January 9, 2023 (Blanco) (CC/WWD/PFFA/SA/LB) Action Required -Approved as amended.
(2) Acceptance of Highway Infrastructure Program Grant Funds from the California Department of Transportation and approval of Supplemental Budget Request to adiust the Streets and Roads Fund {Fund 600) and Maior Street Rehabilitation Program Expenditure Budget for Fiscal Year {FY) 2023 (Fuchiwaki) (CC) ACTION: Approved Supplemental Budget Request.
(3) Consideration of claiming $1,576,318 of American Rescue Plan Act funds as revenue loss (Gabler) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request.
(4) Authorization to accept funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Grant Program to purchase supplies and equipment for the Disaster Service Worker Team and approval of a Supplemental Budget Request for Fund 287 (Shorts) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request.
(5) Award of contract to Grainger North America for the purchase of facilities maintenance, repair, and operations supplies through the Sourcewell Cooperative Agreement (Fuchiwaki) (CC) ·
ACTION: Awarded contract to Grainger North America.
(6) Adoption of a resolution authorizing the acceptance and execution of the Building Forward Library Infrastructure Grant Funds from the State of California for electrical infrastructure upgrades at the Simi Valley Public Library. authorization for the City Manager to execute any grant related documents. and approval of a Supplemental Budget Request (Swan) (CC)
Resolution No. 2023-06 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY AUTHORIZING THE GRANT ACCEPTANCE, AND
EXECUTION OF THE GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA BUDGET ACT OF 2021 (SB 129) FOR THE ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
UPGRADES AT THE SIMI VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
ACTION: Adopted Resolution No. 2023-06 and appro~ed Supplemental Budget Request.
Minutes
8 February 13, 2023
(7) Consideration of a resolution implementing the provisions of AB 361 allowing for a remote meeting option (Gabler) (CC)
Resolution No. 2023-07 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY CONFIRMING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL
EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZING REMOTE TELECONFERENCE
MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
PURSUANT TO BROWN ACT PROVISIONS
ACTION: Adopted Resolution No. 2023- 07.
ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 2 through 7. Council Member/Director/Trustee Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
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
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Cavanaugh moved to approve Consent Item 1 as amended. Correction to the December 12, 2022 minutes Item 38(3), appointing Ken Rice as Mayor Pro Tern Judges' Planning Commissioner and corrections to the January 9, 2023 minutes Item 3A(2)1 appointing Council Member Rhodes as member and Mayor Thomas as Alternate No. 1 to the Clean Power Alliance and correcting the motion to Item 9A to include that another funding source will be found for Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley for the Star-Spangled Jam and Fireworks Special. Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion.
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
Minutes
8. BA.
9. 9A.
9 February 13, 2023
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1347 approving a change of Zone Classification (Z-S-2022-0002) and adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration to change the zone of a 0.22-acre portion of a 4.57-acre site for property located at 1850 Heywood Street (Perras) (CC)
Ordinance No. 1347 -AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY APPROVING A CHANGE OF ZONE CLASSIFICATION (Z-S-2022- 0002) AND ADOPT THE MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION TO CHANGE THE ZONE OF A 0.22-ACRE PORTION OF A 4.57-ACRE SITE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1850 HEYWOOD STREET
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Litster moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1347. Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes seconded the motion.
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
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion and possible action regarding the City of-Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected Officials and Members of Appointed Boards, Commissions and Committees (Argabrite) (CC)
ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge moved to make no changes to the City of Simi Valley Code of Ethics and Conduct. Council Member/Director/Trustee Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
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
Minutes
10 February 13, 2023
98. Introduction of an ordinance amending Article 1, of Chapter 1, of Title 3 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code regarding exemptions from the business registration and tax requirements for charitable. religious, and nonprofit organizations (Johnson) (CC) Ordinance No. 1348 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY AMENDING ARTICLE 1, OF CHAPTER 1, OF TITLE 3 OF THE SIMI
VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO BUSINESS TAX CERTIFICATION ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Cavanaugh moved to introduce Ordinance No. 1348, as amended to limit the exemption to 501(c)(3) organizations.
Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion.
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
9C. Approval and adoption of the 2023 Legislative· Platform (Argabrite) (CC/WWD/LB) ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Litster moved to approve and adopt the 2023 Legislative Platform as amended, with an added statement regarding pension reform. Member/Director/Trustee Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
10. 10A.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REPORTS:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chafr/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Thomas ·
None
None
None
City Council/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Mem.ber Reports:
Council Member Rhodes reported he participated in the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Forum, he attended the Clean Power Alliance Orientation via ZOOM, the CBC Federal Cre~it Union ribbon cutting, and he reported he was elected to a seat on Southern California Association of G9vernments (SCAG) Minutes
11 February 13, 2023
for District 46 (Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, and Simi Valley). He reported he attended the SCAG Community, Economic, and Human Development Committee meeting, the SCAG Regional Council meeting, and a Clean Power Alliance meeting.
Council Member Rhodes reported he attended a Simi Valley Rotary Club meeting where the Chair of SCAG (Jan Harnik) was the guest speaker, he participated in conducting interviews for Neighborhood Council #2 and #4, he attended the Simi Valley Education Foundation Teacher of the Month award, and the Ronald Regan Presidential Library Mike Pompeo event. He reported he attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Salute to Excellence dinner, a ribbon cutting for Urban Taco, he was an overnight monitor for the Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) program, and he met with senior staff of SCAG.
Council Member Litster reported she attended the CBC Federal Credit Union ribbon cutting, the Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) Administrative Committee meeting, the Simi Valley Education Foundation January Teacher of the Month award, and the swearing-in ceremony of Police Officer Dereck Jester, who transferred from LA Port Police. She reported she attended the Varenita of Simi Valley one year anniversary celebration, the Cal Cities New Mayors and Council Members Academy, the SCAG Energy and Environment Committee meeting, a ribbon cutting _for East Coast Pizza, and she participated in conducting interviews for Neighborhood Council #2 and #4. Council Member Litster reported she attended the Simi Valley Education Foundation February Teacher of the Month Award, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Salute to Excellence dinner, a ribbon cutting for Urban Taco, and the Council On Aging meeting.
Council Member Cavanaugh reported she· had the first Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Executive Board meeting as the Chair of the EDC Board of Directors, she was a speaker for the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce leadership class, she attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Salute to Excellence dinner, commented about all the activities at the fully accessible Challenger Field, and she visited the Samaritan Center.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he participated in conducting interviews for Neighborhood Council #1 and #3, he attended the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Transportation Committee and Regional Council meetings, and the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) meeting in Camarillo. Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he attended the grand opening of Epic Tacos, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Salute to Excellence dinner, the grand opening of Urban Taco, and the Council On Aging meeting.
Minutes
12 · February 13, 2023
Mayor Thomas reported he attended the Simi Valley Tourism Committee meeting, he participated in conducting interviews for Neighborhood Council #1 and #3, and he attended the Varenita of Simi Valley one year anniversary celebration. He reported he attended the Cal Cities New Mayors and Council Members Academy, the grand opening of Epic Tacos, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Mike Pompeo event, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Salute to Excellence dinner, the grand opening of Urban Taco, and he attended the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce dinner. 1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items:
Council Member/Director/Trustee Litster requested an official goal planning session for the Council, Mayor Thomas concurred.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair/President Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m. in memory of Selma Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco, to the meeting of February 27, at 6:30 p.m. There being no objections, the motion carried through acclamation .
Blanco, City Cl istrict Secretary/
Authority/Agency/Board Secretary
Fred D. Thomas , Mayor of the City of Simi
Valley , California, Chair of the Ventura
County Waterworks D.istrict No. 8, Simi
Valley Public Facilities Financing Authority,
Successor Agency to the Simi Valley
Community Development Agency, and
President of the Simi Valley Library Board
of Trustees