MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Simi Valley, California October 23, 2023
a.
b.
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:30 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 5:31 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION:
(1) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation {CC) (2)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 5495.9{d)(1) Workers' Compensation:
One (1) Matter:
Name of Case: Joseph R. Pesce v. City of Simi Valley
Case No.: (605371, 605374, 605407) ADJ NOS: ADJ14102279; ADJ14254353; ADJ14488868
Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation {CC) Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d){1 ):
One (1) Matter:
Name of Case: Bruce Boyer v. City of Simi Valley
Case No.: 2:19-cv-00560-R-JPR
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. (OPEN SESSION)
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS: City Attorney Ford stated there was no reportable action as a result of the Closed Session meeting held on October 23, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Joe Ayala
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
2 October 23, 2023
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Judge and Mayor Thomas
· Remote: None
Absent: None
1. AGENDA REVIEW: None
1A. ACTION: Council Member· Rhodes moved that all resolutions and ordinances presented tonight ,be read in title only and all further reading be waived. Council Member·Utster seconded the motion. (CC)
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS: .
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members Rhodes, Litster, 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 agenda items. Should the City Council continue to address agenda items 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 conclud~ the agenda (Section 2-1.106 SVMC).
DECLARATION.OF CONFLICT: None
CERTIFICATES/HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
(1) Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to outgoing Neighborhood Council Executive Board members (CC)
Senior Management Analyst Julia Ramirez read and Mayor Thomas presented Certificates of Appreciation to Jill Abele, Suanne Aguilar, Karl Birch, Dmitry Erman, Julie Bershin, Evelyn Gatewood, Bobby Calderon, Brian Kane and Mike Murphy, outgoing Neighborhood Council Executive Board Members.
(2) Presentation of a proclamation declaring the month of October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (CC) ·
Assistant .City Manager Sam Argabrite read and Mayor Thomas presented the proclamation declaring the month of October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month to Nazlin Kanji, Susan Blumert Becky McGuigan, Terri Staszak, Gena Quarantello, Amy Corneau, and Brook Grayson, members of Soroptimist International Simi Valley.
Minutes
3 October 23, 2023
(3) Presentation of a proclamation declaring the week of October 21 - 28, as California Flood Preparedness Week (CC)
Public Works Director Ron Fuchiwaki read the proclamation declaring the week of October 21 - 28, as California Flood Preparedness Week. (4) Presentation of Certificates of Completion to the Fall CERT Graduating Class (CC)
Emergency Services Coordinator Rachel Myers read and Mayor Thomas presented Cassandra Ayala, Rose Ayala, Samantha Ayala, Erin Booker, Doyle Cleveland, James Collins, John Czach, John Damico, Frank De L.a Torre, Andrea Deluna, Bradley Fitch, Sean Ford, Daniel Gale-Lame, Catherine Guiffre, Gary Griggs, Matthew Griggs, Thomas Harmon, Matthew Kaufman, Kevin Lackey, Sara Lizarde, Justin Moisan, Estephanie Morales, Brandon Pelayo, and Burton Weistein with Certificates of Completion.
(5) Presentation of Employee of the Month for July, August. September, and October 2023(CC) .
City Manager Brian Gabler, Administrative Services Director Carolyn Johnson, Assistant City Manager Linda Swan and Mayor Thomas presented Accounting Technician II Brian Egan, Accounting Technician II Pamela Messier(not present), Graphics Media Coordinator Eric Mancilla, and Management Analyst Heidi DiNardo with Employee of the Month awards.
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
3. APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
3A. APPOINTMENTS:
(1) Appointments of Neighborhood Council Executive Board members to the four Neighborhood Councils (Swan) (CC)
ACTION: Mayor Pro Tern Judge moved that the Council authorize and the Mayor appoint Suzanne Thoutte, Dwight Thompson, Frank Perotta and Will Marmoloejo to serve on Executive Board of Neighborhood Council 1, Brian Neiens, There~a Ramirez, Douglas Robertson, and Michael Tirpak to serve on Executive Board of Neighborhood Council 2, Peter Carrube, Kevin Marshall, Revathi Pudhota, Tony Hudacs, Steven Baker, and Jon Gatewood to serve on Executive. Board of Neighborhood Council 3, Steven Koep, David Hechter, Dale . Cutler, and Susan Derksen to serve on Executive Board of Neighborhood Council 4 for. a term commencing on November 1, 2023, and expiring .on October 31, 2025. Council Member Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
Minutes
38. 3C.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS: ..
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
4 October 23, 2023
Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor Thomas
None
None
None
(2) Appointment of Youth· Employment Service Advisory Board members (Swan) (CC) .
ACTION: Mayor Pro Tern Judge moved to approve, and the Mayor appoint, Youth Representative Amey Gupta, Youth Council Representative Anika Nedunuri, and Alternate Member Rithmika Naveen to the Youth Employment Service Advisory Board. 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
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: None
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:
4A.
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Lyle Hibbs, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in opposition to the height of the Tapo and Alamo apartment project.
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Council Member Rhodes thanked Mr. Hibbs for his comments about the Tapo and Alamo apartment project and indicated he wants careful scrutiny of the project.
Minutes
5. 6.
6A.
7. 5 October 23, 2023
Council Member Litster thanked Mr. Hibbs for his con,ments about the Tapo and Alamo apartment project and agreed that Council-'· needs to closely examine developments.
Mayor Thomas commented City Council needs to oversee· ·every detail on the Tapo and Alamo apartment project.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONTINUED PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
(1) Approval of minutes for the Regular City Council :meeting of August 28, and the Special City Council meeting (Retreat) of August 30, 2023 (Blanco) (CC) ACTION: Approved August 28 minutes and August 30 minutes as amended. (2) Authorization to accept $14,509 from the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the purpose of expanding the eCitation System to the Police Department Patrol Division: authorize the .City Manager to execute and ratify grant related documents; and approve a Supplemental Budget Request (Shorts) (CC)
ACTION: Approved Supplemental Budget Request.
(3) Approval of Quarterly Trustee Investment Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (Johnson) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request. .. : ' .· ... :~ ..
(4) Award of contract for the construction of Signal Head Replacements and Retroreflective Backplates Project (HSIP Cycle 10), .CP60000035, Specification No. SV 22-36R: and approval of a Supplemental Budget Request (Fuchiwaki) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to Econolite and approved Supplemental Budget Request. ·
Minutes
8. BA.
6 October 23, 2023
ACTION: Council Member Litster moved to approve the Consent Calendar. 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 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 determination that the amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Stratis) (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 lWO-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS
FOR SUBDIVIDING SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, IN RESPONSE TO STATE SENATE BILL 9 (SB 9); AND A DETERMINATION THAT THE
AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT
ACTION:. Council Member Cavanaugh moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1352. 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
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9A. Receive and file the Samaritan Center's COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant Annual Performance Report and consider request to reallocate unspent Year-One grant funds to various categories for Year-Two funding (Swan) (CC) Minutes
10. 10A.
7 October 23, 2023
ACTION: Council Member Cavanaugh moved to receive and ·file the Samaritan Center's COVID-19 Community Recovery Grant annual performance report for the first year of grant funding and approve the request to reallocate unspent Year-One funds to Year-Two funding. Council Member Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REPORTS:
Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor Thomas
None
None
None
City Council/Board Memberrrrustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Rhodes reported he met with Council Member Litster and the City Manager regarding the Simi Valley Amphitheater project, he attended ·the ribbon cutting for the grand reopening of the Junkyard Cafe, the Neighborhood Council #4 meeting, and he attended the rededication of the Veteran's Wall at El Rancho Pioneer Cemetery. He reported he represented the City Council at Simi Valley High School for a question and answer session with the History classes, he attended a Rotary event in Bakersfield, and he participated in conducting interviews for the Area Housing Authority.
Council Member Litster reported she met with Council Member ~hades and the City Manager regarding the Simi Valley Amphitheater project, she attended the grand opening of Adam's Forge, and a ribbon cutting at Sypamore Elementary School and Garden Grove Elementary School for their new inclusive playgrounds. She reported she attended the quad areas grand opening at Simi Valley High School, the Simi Valley Senior Center Oktoberfest, the grand opening of Code Ninjas, and the Simi Valley Education Foundation Barn Crawl event held at Strathearn Park. Council Member Litster reported she attended the grand reopening of the Junkyard Cafe, the Ventura County Housing conference, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Economic Committee meeting, and the Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) meetings. She reported she attended the rededication of the Veteran's Wall at El Rancho Pioneer Cemetery, the 85°C Bakery Cafe grand opening, the Sweat Haven grand opening, the M_ajestic Residential Care grand opening., and the Senior Cent~r Craft Fair. ·
Minutes
8 October 23, 2023
Council Member Cavanaugh reported she attended the Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) dinner, the Economic Development Collaborative Board (EDC) meeting, and she attended and addressed the Simi Valley Police Department Citizens Academy. Council Member Cavanaugh reported she attended the 85°C Bakery Cafe grand opening, and the Majestic Residential Care grand opening.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he attended the Simi Valley Police Foundation meeting, the quad areas grand opening at Simi Valley High School, the Five Star Simi Valley Chamber. of Commerce breakfast, and the grand opening of Code Ninjas. He reported he attended the Relay for Life at the Simi Valley Town Center, he commented about a $9,000 donation the Elks Lodge made to Simi Valley elementary schools, and he attended the grand reopening of the Junkyard Cafe. Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he attended the rededication of the Veteran' s Wall at El Rancho Pioneer Cemetery, the 85°C Bakery Cafe grand opening, the Sweat Haven grand opening, Gigi's Playhouse Gala at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and he participated in conducting interviews for the Area Housing Authority .
Mayor Thomas reported he attended the Relay for Life at the Simi Valley Town Center, the ADA Paratransit Advisory Committee meeting, he spoke at the Simi Valley Police Department Citizens Academy , he attended the Ventura County Sheriff's Department Foundation Barbecue , and he attended Gigi's Playhouse Gala at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items: None
ADJOURNMENT : Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. in memory of Krislyn Rekell James, to the meeting of November 6 at 6:30 p.m.
There being no objections, the motion carried through
acclamation .
Fred omas, Mayor of the City of Simi
Valley , California,