MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Simi Valley, California October 9, 2023
a.
b.
1. 1A.
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:00 p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Rhodes, Litster,. Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor Thomas
Remote: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS: Having no public statements, the City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:01 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION:
(1) Public Employment
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1):
Title: City Attorney
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. (OPEN SESSION)
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS: City Manager Gabler reported that with the retirement of City Attorney David Caceres the City Council by a vote of 5 - 0 appointed Algeria R. Ford as the City Attorney as a result of the Closed Session meeting held on October 09, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Christian, local Boy Scout member.
ROLL CALL: Present:
Remote:
Absent:
Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro
Tern Judge and Mayor Thomas
None
None
AGENDA REVIEW: City Manager Gabler noted that Item BA is continued to the meeting of October 23, 2023.
ACTION: Council Member Rhodes moved that all resolutions and ordinances presented tonight be read in title only and all further readH1g be waived. Mayor Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion. {CC)
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
!DA- 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
ROLL CALL: '
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
2 October 9, 2023
Co~ncil Members Rhodes, ·utster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor 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 agenqa 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
10. CERTIFICATES/HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS: None
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
3. APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
3A. APPOINTMENTS:
(1) Selection of two City Council members to conduct interviews and nominate a prospective commissioner to serve on the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners (Perros) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member Cavanaugh moved to select Mayor Pro Tern Judge and City Council Member Rhodes to conduct interviews and nominate a prospective commissioner to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura ~oard of Commissioners. Council Member Litster seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: .
NAYS: .
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor Thomas
None
None
None
38. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
Minutes
3 October 9, 2023
(1) Overview of the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura and their programs in Simi Valley (CC)
Community Relations Manager Linda Fisher-Helton introduced Carrie Sabatini, Deputy Director of Area Housing Authority, who presented an overview of the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura and their programs in Simi Valley. 3C. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
4A.
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. John Lapper, Simi Valley, CA, commented abourNational Bullying Prevention Month, he spoke in opposition to some posts on a Facebook group, in support of the reinstatement of the Traffic Motor Officer Unit, and he commented about a good experience he had with the Simi Valley Police Department Citizen's Academy. ·
2. Edgardo Galileo Rivas, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about an ongoing dispute he has with his apartment complex.
3. Elena Johnson, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in support of additional Simi Valley Police traffic motor officers, commented in opposition to a zero bail policy for crime, and she spoke about motor homes being parked in a local parking lot.
4. Joe Piechowski, Simi Valley Area Housing Authority Commissioner, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about the high level of fiscal responsibility shown by the Ventura County Area Housing Authority.
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRiCT COMMENTS.REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Council Member Rhodes asked Mr. Gabler, City Manager, about the recreational vehicles parked at a Target parking lot and 11e advised that the Police Department is working on the issue. He spoke about the report given by the V~ntura County Area Housing Authority and indicated he would like to follow up with Mr. Piechowski.
Council Member Litster recognized Mr. Lapper's concern about some social media posts. Sh~ commented that she has spoken with Mr. Rivas and has made some inquires about his circumstance and will continue to do so. Council Member Litster thanked Elena Johnson for her perspective, and she thanked Mr. Piechowski for his service on the Ventura County Area Housing Authority.
Minutes
5. 6.
6A.
7. 4 October 9, 2023
Council Member Gavanaugh commented she was glad Mr. Lapper enjoyed the Simi Valley Police Department Citizens Academy, she thanked Elena Johnson for speaking about the motor home issue, and she thanked a local Scout group for being at the meeting.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge thanked the Scouts for being at the meeting. He spoke about the Motor Officer Program and explained it needed to be revamped to provide proper training fpr the motor officers.
Mayor Thomas addressed the motor home issue and advised it is being worked on, and he thanked the Scouts for being at the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONTINUED PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS. APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: Nor1e
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
.•. .
Council Member Litster pulled Consent Item 1 for discussion. (1) Accept the grant awards from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and the Traffic Records Improvement Proiect <TRIP). ratify the City Manager's execution of the grant agreements. and authorize the City Manager or designee to sign all necessary documents, authorize the Police Department to purchase enforcement related equipment and supplies, and approval of a Supplemental Budget Request for Funds 280 (Shorts) (CC)
ACTION: Approved Supplemental Budget Request.
(2) Award of contract to New Flyer of America. Inc. for the purchase of two (2) 35- foot low-floor heavy duty Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses through CALACT/MBTA Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, CP75000002, FAIN: CA- 2023-033~00 (Fuchiwaki) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to New Flyer of America, Inc.
Minutes
8. 8A.
5 October 9, 2023
(3) Approval of First Amendment and Assignment and Assumption of the Contract by ODP Solutions, LLC under the Omnia Partners, Public Sector/City of Tamarac Contract #19-12R Cooperative Agreement for the purchase of office ·supplies (Johnson) (CC)
ACTION: Approved First Amendment and Assignment and Assumption for ODP Solutions, LLC.
ACTION: Council Member Cavanaugh moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 2 and 3. Council Member Rhodes seconded the motion:
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor Thomas
None
None
None
ACTION: Council Member Litster moved to approve Consent Calendar Item 1.
Council Member Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor Thomas
None
None
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Second reading of Ordinance No. 1352 to amend portions of Title 9 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code to update standards for accessory dwelling units in response to recent State law changes, a determination that the amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Perros) (CC)
Ordinance No. 1352 -AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY FOR CITY INITIATED MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT (Z-S-2023- 0004), TO AMEND PORTIONS OF TITLE 9 OF THE SIMI VALLEY MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ESTABLISH OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR DEVELOPING
TWO-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS
FOR SUBDIVIDING SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, IN RESPONSE TO STATE SENATE BILL 9 (SB 9); AND A DETE_RMINATION THAT THE
AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT
Item continued to the meeting of October 23, 2023.
Minutes
6 October 9, 2023
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9A. Approval of Supplemental Budget Request. for Fund 100, to fund training costs, and the purchase of motor officer uniform gear and protective equipment. and three (3) police motorcycles for three (3) new motor officers to reinstate the Traffic Motor Officer Unit (Shorts) (CC)
10. 10A.
ACTION: Mayor Pro Tern Judge moved to approve the supplemental budget request in Fund 100 to authorize the Police Department to fund training costs, the purchase ~f motor officer gear and prote.ctive equipment, and three (3) BMW police motorcycles, for three (3) new. motor officers at a total estimated cost of $139,500. Council Member Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REPORTS:
.· Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor Thomas
None
None
None
City Council/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Membe~ Reports:
Council Member Rhodes reported he attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee meeting via ZOOM, the Presidential Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the first ad hoc committee meeting for a Simi Valley Amphitheater, and the City of Simi Valley Volunteer Dinner. He reported he attended the 301h anniversary celebration of the Samaritan Center, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Community Economic and Human Development Committee meeting, the SCAG Regional Council meeting, and the Clean Power Alliance meeting. Council Member Rhodes reported he attended the Celebration of Life for Pat Montoya (founder of Not One More), and he spoke about the war in Israel, denounced all forms of terrorism and commented his support for Israel.
Council Member Litster reported that she met with the Gerrity Group regarding the Simi Valley Town Center Mall, she attended the Presidential Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the first ad hoc committee meeting for a Simi Valley Amphitheater, and she attended the City of Simi Valley Volunteer Dinner. She reported she attended the SCAG Energy and Environment Committee meeting, the Soroptimist International of Simi Valley Little Black Dress event, the Celebration of Life for Pat Montoya, a Memorial Service for community member Ed Huntley, and the Council On Aging meeting. She shared the Council On Aging's upcoming Octoberfest, Dance, and the Arts and Crafts Fair.
Minutes
7 October 9, 2023
Council Member Cavanaugh reported she attended the Presidential Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the City of Simi Valley Volunteer Dinner, she participated in conducting Neighborhood Council interviews, she attended the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Executive Board meeting, and she attended the Soroptimist International of Simi Valley Little Black Dress event. She also met with the new City Attorney Al Ford.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he attended the City of Simi Valley Volunteer Dinner, the 30th anniversary celebration of the Samaritan Center, he participated in conducting Neighborhood Council interviews, he attended the SCAG Executive Action Committee meeting, and the SCAG Regional Council and Policy Committee meeting. He reported he attended the Soroptimist International of Simi Valley Little Black Dress event, the Ventura County Transportation Committee (VCTC) meeting, and he recognized both Indigenous Peoples Day, and Columbus Day. He met with the new City Attorney Al Ford. Mayor Pro Tern Judge spoke about the war and loss of life in Israel and he expressed his support of Israel.
Mayor Thomas reported he met with the Gerrity Group regarding the Simi Valley Town Center Mall, he attended the Presidential Debate at the Ro,n·ald Reagan Presidential Library, the City of Simi Valley Volunteer Dinner, and attended the 3Qth anniversary celebration of the Samaritan Center. He reported he met with new City Attorney Al Ford, he attended the Soroptimist International of Simi Valley Little Black Dress event, and the Celebration of Life for Pat Montoya.
1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items: None
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. in the memory of Senator Dianne Feinstein , Manhattan Police Officer Chad Swanson, Edward Huntley and Peter Bruno, to the meeting of October 23, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. There being no objections, the motion carried through acclamation.
Fr D. Thomas, Mayor of the City of Simi
Valley, California,