MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VENTURA COUNTY WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 8
Simi Valley, California September 11, 2023
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. (OPEN SE~SION)
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Harvey Mahler
ROLL CALL: Present:
Remote:
Absent:
Council Members/Directors Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh,
Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Judge and Mayor/Chair
Thomas
None
None
1. AGENDA REVIEW: City Manager Gabler noted that the Day of Peace is being recognized as September 21, 2023, not September 11, 2023, as noted on the Agenda. 1A. ACTION: Council Member/Director Rhodes moved that all resolutions and ordinances · presented tonight be read in title only and. all further reading be waived. Council Member/Director Litster seconded the motion. (CC/WWD)
ROLL CALL:.
AYES: Council Members/Directors Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: 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 agenda items past 12:00 midnight, the following motion is in order:
MOTION: Move that the City Council meeting tonight may extend beyond the midnight deadline to conclude the agenda (Section 2-1.106 SVMC). 1C. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT: None
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
Materials 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
1D.
2 September 11, 2023
CERTIFICATES/HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
(1) Presentation of a proclamation declaring September 21, 2023 as Day of Peace (CC)
Management Analyst Heidi DiNardo read the proclamation declaring September 21, 2023, as Day of Peace.
(2) Presentation of a proclamation declaring the month of September 2023 as Emergency Preparedness Month (CC)
Police Chief Shorts read the proclamation declaring the month of September 2023 as Emergency Preparedness 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:
3C.
4. (1) Presentation by Adventist Health President Jennifer Swenson (CC) President Jennifer Swenson presented an update on Adventist Health Simi Valley.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Kent Matthews, Board Member Hollow Hills Homeowners Association, Simi Valley, CA, commented about a property maintenance issue that was not their responsibility. in the past and asked City Council to agendize the issue, and he raised a concern about an unstable retaining wall.
2. Mario Astorga, Board Member Hollow Hills Homeowners Association, Simi Valley, CA, commented about a property maintenance issue that has not been their responsibility in the past and asked City Council to agendize the matter.
Minutes
4A.
3 September 11, 2023
3.- Edgardo Galileo Rivas, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about an ongoing dispute and asked for City Council to investigate it.
4. Edgar Garibay, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about excessive speeding on Royal Avenue and safety concerns he has for his children walking to school. He asked City Council for assistance in a long-term solution.
5. Sep Bayani, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about her community park on Sequoia and Galena, and in opposition to replacing the greenery with artificial turf and rocks.
She commented about health and cleanliness concerns with the park being used by children and pets. ·
6. Michelle Moutes, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about her unsuccessful efforts to have abandoned shopping carts located throughout Simi Valley removed, and she suggested the Graffiti hotline method be considered for removal of the carts.
7. Elena Johnson, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about concerns she has with recreational vehicle parking regulations. Ms. Johnson suggested an umbrella organization to look at the activities of the City Council, Public Works, and the ~oard of Education.
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Council Member Rhodes commented he will follow up on the property issue raised by the Hollow Hills Homeowners Association Board members. He addressed the traffic safety issue on Royal Avenue, spoke about the abandoned shopping cart issue, and the school Bond issue that was raised stating it is of great concern.
Council Member Litster commented about the school Bond issue that was raised, and she addressed the abandoned shopping cart issue and indicated she would like Council to discuss it further. Council Member Litster spoke about the traffic safety issue on Royal Avenue and commented it needs to be looked at. .
Mayor Pro Tern Judge addressed the traffic safety issue and commented to Police Chief Shorts that the speed limit needs to be vigorously· enforced during school hours.
He spoke about the abandoned shopping carts and advi~ed that the issue can be called in to the graffiti or pothole hotline numbers and it would get reported to the Public Works Department.
Council Member Cavanaugh addressed the traffic safety issue on Royal Avenue and indicated that City Council needs to look at what can be done.
Minutes
5. 5A.
58. 4 September 11, 2023
Mayor Thomas addressed traffic safety concerns on Royal Avenue and throughout the City, .and commented he is communicating with Police Chief Shorts r~garding the matter.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A public hearing to consider adoption of a resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority for the financing of a qualified residential rental project for the elderly and the disabled (Swan) (CC}
Resolution No. 2023-39- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY APPROVING A PLAN OF FINANCE INCLUDING THE ISSUANCE OF
REVENUE BONDS BY THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL FINANCE AUTHORITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $20,000,000 TO
FINANCE AND REFINANCE A QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROJECT FOR
THE BENEFIT OF HEYWOOD GARDENS, LP, AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS
RELATING THERETO
There being no public testimony Mayor Thomas opened and closed the public portion of the hearing at 7:38 p.m.
ACTION: Council Member/Director Rhodes moved to adopt Resolution No. 2023-39 authorizing the issuance of one or more series of revenue bonds in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000 by the California Municipal Finance Authority, on behalf of Heywood Garden, LP, to provide for financing of a residential rental project for the elderly and disabled, located at 1770 Heywood Street; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any supporting documents to effectuate the resolution. Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Judge seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Judge, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
None
None
Consideration of General Plan Amendment Pre-Screening review of GPPS-2023- 0001 (Newport Land Company}. a request to change the location of approved General Plan land use designations of Open Space. Recreation Commercial. Residential Estate. Low Density Residential and Medium Density Residential for a 1,771-acre site (Lost Canyons Specific Plan) located at 3301 Lost Canyons Drive (Perras) (CC}
Minutes
6. 6A.
7. 5 September 11, 2023
Mayor Thomas opened the public portion of the hearing at 7:52 p~m.
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Ronald Cammarata, El Rancho Simi Valley Cemetery Board of Trustees, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about the need for new land for expansion ~nd asked for the Council's support.
2. Stephen Frank, El Rancho Simi Valley Cemetery Board of Trustees, Simi Valley, CA, asked for the Council's assistance to identify a location for 150 acres for cemetery space.
3. Debbie Wall, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in opposition to the project and cited traffic concerns and an escape route during an emergency.
4. Rick Nelson, Newport Pacific Land Company, provided a presentation.
Mayor Thomas closed the public portion of the hearing at 8:27p.m.
ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Judge moved to authorize GPPS-2023-0001 for further processing as a formal General Plan Amendment. Council Member/Director Rhodes seconded the motion.
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/Director Litster pulled Consent Item 3 for discussion. (1) Approval of minutes for the City Council meeting of June 12, July 17, and July 31, 2023 (Blanco) (CC)
ACTION: Approved minutes.
(2) Approval of Waterworks District No. 8 response to the Ventura County Grand Jury 2022-2023 Water Availability for Wildfires in Ventura County Report (Fuchiwaki) (CC/WWD)
ACTION: Approved request.
Minutes
6 September 11, 2023
(3) Approval of the Draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for submission to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (Perros) (CC) ACTION: Approved request.
(4) Approval of Ventura County Stormwater Permit Implementation and Cost- Sharing Agreement (Fuchiwaki) (CC) · ·
ACTION: Received and filed.
(5) Award of contract to purchase sixty (60) programmable Logic Controllers.
CP76300060 (Fuchiwaki) (WWD) .
ACTION: Awarded contract to Royal Industrial Solutions, Inc. (6) Approval of the second amendment to the contract between the City of Simi Valley and ·Federal Engineering, Inc. for radio systems upgrade project needs analysis, RFP development and procurement support (Johnson) (CC) ACTION: Approved second amendment to Federal Engineering, Inc. (7) Adoption of a resolution ratifying certain amendments to the City's 457 Deferred C~mpensation 'Plan (Gutierres) (CC)
Resolution ·No. 2023-40- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY ADOPTING CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY'S 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
ACTION: Adopted Resolution No. 2023-40.
ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Judge moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, and 4 through 7. Council Member/Director Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Judge, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
· None
None
None
Minutes
8. 9.
9A.
10. 10A.
7 September 11, 2023
ACTION: Council Member/Director Litster moved to approve Consent Calendar Item . 3. Council Member/Director Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors Rhodes, 'Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Judge, and.Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
None
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Consideration of distribution of FY21-22 Budget Surplus Funds in accordance with the Fund Balance Policy (Gabler) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member/Director Rhodes moved to approve the distribution of $9,469,508 from FY21-22 Budget Surplus as outlined in staff's report. Council Mayor Pro TemNice Chair Judge seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REPORTS:
Council Members/Directors Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Judge, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
None
None
City Council/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Rhodes reported he attended the Council Retreat, he participated in conducting interviews for Neighborhood Council #3, and Neighborhood Council #4, and he attended the Police Foundation Golf Tournament. He reported he attended the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Community Economic and Human Development meeting, the SCAG General Council meeting, and the Clean Power Alliance meeting. Council Member Rhodes reported he attended the grand opening of Iron Chiropractic, and he attended the Cops N' Cruisers Car Show.
Minutes
8 September 11, 2023
Council Member Litster reported she met with Newport Land Development, she attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Job Fair, the Council Retreat, and she participated in conducting interviews for Neighborhood Council #3, and Neighborhood Council #4. Council Member Litster reported she attended the Simi Valley Education Foundation Teacher of the Month Award, the Royal High School Football game and she recognized Adventist Health for their hospitality. She reported she attended the SCAG Regional Council and Policy Committee meeting, the Council on Aging meeting, and she recognized the 15th anniversary of the Chatsworth Metrolink crash.
Council Member Cavanaugh reported she attended the Council Retreat, she assisted at the Sirni Valley Police Foundation Golf Tournament, and she commented about a good experience she had wittJ a City Building Inspector. She reported she attended the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Executive Board meeting, and she expressed her condolences to the family of Pat Montoya.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he attended the Council Retreat, he assisted at the Simi Valley Police Foundation Golf Tournament, he attended the SCAG Executive Administrative Committee (EAC) meeting, the SCAG Regional Council and Policy Committee meeting, and the Ventura County Transportation Committee (VCTC) meeting in Camarillo. He recognized St. Rose for the Blue Mass, and he attended the Cops N' Cruisers Car show at City Hall. Mayor Pro Tern Judge commented about requests he received from some citizens regarding Simi Valley businesses accepting cash.
Mayor Thomas reported he attended the Council Retreat, the Simi Valley Police Foundation Golf Tournament, and the Cops N' Cruisers Car show at City Hall. 1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda ~terns:
Council Member/Director Litster requested a review of the lights, traffic, and speed issues on Royal Avenue near Madera Road. City Manager Gabler stated that staff would prepare a report on the matter for Council Boxes.
Minutes
9 September 11, 2023
ADJOURNMENT : Mayor/Chair/President Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m. in the memory of Pat Montoya, President of Not One More Simi Valley and the victims of the attack on Septembe r 11th 200 1, to the meeting of September 25, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. There being no objections , the motion carr ied through acclamation.
Fred D. Thomas , Mayor of the City of Simi
Valley , California , Chair of the Ventura
County Waterworks District No. 8