CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
Apr
il 3, 2023
TO: Cit
y Council
FR
OM: Department of Environmental Services
SUBJ
ECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ONE
COMMISSIONER TO THE AREA HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE
COUNTY OF VENTURA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2023-14 appointing Joseph J. Piechowski to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners to fill an unscheduled vacancy with a term ending September 30, 2025.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (AHA) represents seven jurisdictions in Ventura County, including the City of Simi Valley. Each jurisdiction appoints two Commissioners. Also, the jurisdictions jointly appoint one resident Commissioner. The Commissioners are appointed to four -year terms, and their duties include policymaking, protection of public funds, and general oversight responsibilities. One of the City’s two Commissioners resigned as of March 7, 2023, resulting in an unscheduled vacancy for the position with a term ending September 30, 2025.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
In February 2023, Commissioner Marques Crutchfield informed City staff of his intent to vacate his seat on the AHA Board of Commissioners effective March 7, 2023. He has represented Simi Valley for the last seven years since his initial appointment in 2016. As a result of his resignation, there is currently an unscheduled vacancy for a position with a term through September 30, 2025.
A recr uitment was initiated on February 23, 2023, and concluded on March 9, 2023 .
Through various means of outreach including publication of a press release, cab le television advertisement, a City Focus newsletter article, and posting on the City’s website, the City received 14 applications for the one vacancy.
AHAccmtg4-3-23(klk)
AGENDA ITEM NO.
3(A)1
AHAccmtg4-3-23(klk)
At the March 6, 2023 City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Judge and Council Member Litster were appointed by the City Council to conduct interviews and nominate a prospective Commissioner for appointment. However subsequent to the appointment, a scheduling conflict was identified for Mayor Pro Tem Judge and Council Member Cavanaugh volunteered to serve on his behalf. On March 15 , 2023, 13 applicants were interviewed and Joseph J. Piechowski was nominated for appointment.
T
he following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Adopt Re solution No. 2023-1 4 appointing Joseph J. Piechowski to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventur a Board of Commissioners to fill an unscheduled vacancy with a term commencing immediately and ending September 30, 2025;
2. Provide staff with further direction.
The Interview Committee recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to adopt Resolution No. 2023-1 4 appointing Joseph J . Piechowski to the AHA Board of Commissioners to a term commencing immediately and conc luding September 30, 2025.
SUMMARY
The City Council appoints two Commissioners to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners. After a recruitment process and interviews of eligible applicants, Joseph J. Piechowski has been nominated for appointment to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners to fill an unscheduled vacancy with a term ending September 30, 2025. ___
_________________________________
Stratis Perros
Environmental Services Director
P
repared by: Eric Chen, Associate Planner
INDEX Page
Resolution No. 2023-14 ................................................................................................... 3 A
ttachment A - Application .............................................................................................. 4 2 AHAccmtg4-3-23(klk)
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-14
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY APPOINTING A COMMISSIONER TO THE
AREA HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF
VENTURA BOARD OF COMMIS SIONERS, TO FILL AN
UNSCHEDULED VACANCY WITH THE TERM ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
W
HEREAS, the City of Simi Valley, with other local agencies, has created an Area Housing Authority through an agreement executed by the City on January 24, 1975; and
W
HEREAS, the City Council of the City of Simi Valley appoints two Commissioners to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners and one position is currently vacant with a term ending September 30, 2025.
NO
W, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
S
ECTION 1. Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 34246, Joseph J. Piechowski is hereby appointed as Commissioner to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners, to fill an unscheduled vacancy, with a term expiring on September 30, 2025.
S
ECTION 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura.
S
ECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk.
PASSED
and ADOPTED this 3rd day of April 2023.
A
ttest:
Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Fred D. Thomas, Mayor of the City of Simi Valley, California
A
pproved as to Form: Approved as to Content:
David L. Caceres, City Attorney Brian Paul Gabler, City Manager S tratis Perros, Environmental Services
Director
3 Submission # 2282788
IP Address
Submission Recorded On 03/04/2023 3:36 p.m.
Time to Take Survey 3 minutes, 21 seconds
Applications are now being accepted for a representative to serve on the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners. Applicants will be interviewed by a committee of two City Council Members and will be recommended to the City Council for appointment in April 2023. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, March 9, 2023.
*1) Name
Joseph J. Piechowski
*2) Home Address
*3) Home or Mobile Phone Number
*
Renewal by Andersen
*
I am a Design Consultant for Renewal by Andersen. I consult with homeowners who are looking to remodel the windows in their homes. *7) Work Phone Number
*
I received an email from Emily Habib with the City of Simi Valley. *
I want to help the AHACV find ways to assist people in need of affordable housing to become homeowners. *
First and foremost, the AHACV is responsible for administering federal housing programs in the cities it serves. The Commissioners have an obligation to be good stewards of the federal funds the Authority receives while making sure those who need a hand up receive it, rather than just a handout. *
I recently served as the Chairman of the Special Event Support Review Committee which was charged with determining which non-profit organizations should receive city support as well as how much support each organization should receive. I also just completed a term on the Executive Board of Neighborhood Council #4, where I served as chair for six months of my 18-month term.
*
I am willing to contribute as much time as is necessary to get the job done. *
There are members of our community who need housing help. The AHACV provides that help. By doing that, it likely prevents these members of the community from being or becoming homeless while providing necessary services like career training and employment readiness programs as well as positive parenting classes and financial empowerment training. These types of programs can help community members no longer need the Authority's services in the future. That should be the goal of the Authority. **SKIPPED**
*15) Please select 'agree' affirming agreement with the following statements (Nos. 1-3):
Agree
Statement No. 1
I understand that if selected as a Commissioner of the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners, I will serve at the pleasure of the Simi Valley City Council.
Statement No. 2
I understand that as a volunteer, I am not considered as an employee and consequently not covered by workers’ compensation or other City of Simi Valley insurance policies.
Additionally, the City of Simi Valley’s liability does not cover volunteers.
Statement No. 3
I understand the following Commissioner Requirements:
Eligible applicants may not be a participating landlord in the agency programs; must submit required conflict of interest filings; and demonstrate the ability to regularly attend meetings in person or virtually to maintain attendance with no more than three absences in a year. 16) Upload any attachment (not required)
**SKIPPED**
*
5) Employer
6) Job Title/Duties
8) How did you hear of the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura? 9) What contributions do you think you can make to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura? 10) What do you see as your responsibilities if appointed as a Commissioner to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura? 11) Please list any community activities you are currently involved in. Attach additional pages, if necessary. 12) How much time are you willing to contribute to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura on a monthly basis (in hours)? 13) Why do you think the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura is important? 14) Please add any additional information you would like considered. 17) By entering my name in the box below, I am digitally signing my application to serve as a Commissioner for the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura and certify that the foregoing information is true and correct. ** 4) Email Address
ATTACHMENT A
4 Joseph J. Piechowski
Thank you for your interest in serving on the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Commission. 5