MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Simi Valley, California November 6, 2023
1. 1A.
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. (OPEN SESSION)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Frank Bush
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Judge and Mayor Thomas
Remote: None
Absent: None
AGENDA REVIEW: None
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 Litster 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 1C.
10. 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).
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT: None
CERTIFICATES/HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
(1) Presentation of a proclamation declaring the week of November 11 through 18, 2923 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (CC)
Note: If this is a joint meeting of the City Council and Boards of Directors, the applicable entity is identifi.ed at the end of each agenda item.
CC - City Council
\/iJ\ND - 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, \/iJ\ND, 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 November 6, 2023
Senior Management Analyst Gynthia McCullough read and Mayor Thomas presented the proclamation declaring the week of November 11 through 18, 2023 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week to representatives from Centro Familiar Nueva Esperanza, New Heart Church Food Pantry, Salvation Army of Simi Valley, Samaritan Center, Senior Food Share, SEWA International, Shepherd of the Valley, and Food Share of Ventura Co~nty.
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
3. APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
3A. APPOINTMENTS:
(1) Appointments of Special Event Support Review Committee members (Swan) (CC)
..
ACTION: Councif.Member Litster moved to appoint David Masso, Gayle Sutton, Bridget Charboneau, Jan Smith, and Janet Plant to the 2024 Special Event Support Review Committee: 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
38. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: None
3C. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Eileen Connors, City of Simi Valley Emergency Services Manager, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about the joint Emergency Preparedness Outreach and Evacuation Plan with the City of Moorpark and Thousand Oaks.
2. John Lapper, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about his experience with the Neighborhood Council nomination process and commented about Mayor Pro Tern Judge's employment.
Minutes
4A.
3 November 6, 2023
-·
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS-REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tern Judge responded to Mr. Lapper and commented -he had never been disciplined by the Los Angeles Police Department for Facebook posts.
Council Member Rhodes commented about the City of Simi Valley online Emergency Services survey, and he commented to Mr. Lapper that he believed Mr. Lapper had not submitted an application to the Neighborhood Council this time.
Council Member Litster thanked Eileen Connors for the information she reported about the Emergency Services Outreach, and she thanked Mr. Lapper for his comments.
Mayor Thomas thanked Eileen Connors for coming to the meeting and talking about the Emergency Services Outreach.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
5A. A public hearing to consider City-initiated Municipal Code Amendment (Z-S 2023-0006) to amend portions of Title 9 of the Simi Valley. Municipal Code to modify standards for residential off-street parking. front yard landscaping. rear yard vehicle access gates and screening: a determination that the amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act: and introduction of an ordinance. (Perros) (CC)
Ordinance No. 1353 -AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SJMI VALLEY FOR CITY-INITIATED MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT (Z-S-2023- 0006), TO AMEND PORTIONS OF TITLE 9 OF THE SIMI VALLEY MUNICIPAL
CODE TO MODIFY STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL OFF-STREET PARKING,
FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING, REAR YARD VEHICLE ACCESS GATES AND SCREENING; AND A DETERMINATION THAT THE AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Mayor Thomas opened the public portion of the hearing at 7:05 p.m.
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. John Lapper, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in opposition to amending Municipal Code Z S-2023-0006 regarding residential off-street parking.
2. Frank Bush (no address given) made suggestions for some additions to verbiage for Municipal Code Z-S-2023-0006 regarding residential off-street parking.
Minutes
6. 6A.
7. ·\'• . ... :
4 November 6, 2023
Mayor Thomas closed the public portion of the hearing at 7:1~ p.m.
ACTION: Mayor Pro Tern Judge moved to introduce Ordinance No. 1353 amending portions of Title 9 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code (Z-S-2023-0006) to modify residential off-street parking slandards, front yard landscaping~ and rear yard vehicle access gates _and screening; and a determination that the amendments are categorically exempt.from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) with the addition of only°'one RV in front of the house. Council Member Rhodes seconded the motion. · ·
ACTION: Mayor Pro Tern Judge withdrew his motion and moved to continue the hearing to the meeting of December 4, 2023. 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 PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APP~~NTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
...
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
(1) Receive and file update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Community Projects Grant Performance Reports for the first quarter activities (Perras) (CC) ACTION: Received and filed.
ACTION: Council Member Rhodes moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Mayor Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern ··· · Ju.dge, and Mayor Thomas
· Norie
None
None
Minutes
5 November 6, 2023
8. CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9A. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a change order to the contract with Schneider Electric Buildings America for the improvements at the Simi Valley Water Quality Control Plant (Fuchiwaki) (CC)
10. 10A.
ACTION: Council Member Cavanaugh moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a change order with Schneider Electric for a contract reduction, extend the contract term with a final completion date of May 7, 2024, and reduce the scope of work for the project. Mayor Pro Tern Judge 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 Memberrrrustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Rhodes reported he participated ·in conducting Area Housing Authority interviews, he attended the Ventura -Council of Governments (VCOG) annual dinner at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Street Fair, and he attended a ZOOM call with the Chief Operating Officer of the Clean Power Alliance.. He reported he attended the State of the Region Report Release event, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Community Economic & Human Development Committee meeting via ZOOM, and he attended the SCAG Regional Council meeting via ZOOM. Council Member Rhodes reported he attended the State of the County - Ventura County Celebrating 50 Years event, the Simi Valley Police Department Burgers with the Blue event, the YMCA 5th Annual Gala, and he was a speaker at Royal High School for the Brown Bag Lunch event.
Council Member Litster reported she chaired and attended the VCOG annual dinner at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, she attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Street Fair, the SCAG Energy and Environment Committee meeting via ZOOM, and the Simi Valley Education Foundation Teacher of the Month Award. She reported she attended the State of the County - Ventura· County Celebrating 50 Years event, the YMCA 5th Annual Gala, and she met with the Executiv~ Director of VCOG.
Minutes
6 November 6, 2023
Council Member Cavanaugh reported she attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Street Fair, the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Executive Board Committee meeting, the State of the County - Ventura County Celebrating 50 Years event, ~nd she attended the Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) Committee meeting. .
Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he participated in conducting Area Housing Authority interviews, he attended a Metrolink ZOOM call, the VCOG annual dinner at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, and he participated and attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Street Fair. He reported he attended the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VC'TC) Santa Paula Branch Line meeting via ZOOM, the State of the Region Report· Release event, the SCAG Executive Committee meeting, and he attended the SCAG .. Regional Council and Transportation Committee meetings.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he attended the State of the County-Ventura County Celebrating 50 Years event, the Simi Valley Police Foundation Trap Shoot, the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Production of The.Addams Family, and he attended the Mangia Mangia Italian Food and Wine Festival in Moorpark sponsored by the nonprofit', For the Need Foundation.
Mayor Thomas reported he spoke at Sinaloa Middle School on the topic of drug abuse, he attended the VCOG annual dinner at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, he was a speaker at Hollow Hills Elementary School for their Citizenship Awards Day, and he participated and attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Street Fair. He reported he attended the State of the County - Ventura County Celebrating 50 Years event, h~ was a speaker for the Simi Valley Leadership Class, he attended the Mangia Mangia Italian Food and Wine Festival in Moorpark sponsored by the nonprofit, For the Need Foundation.
1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items:
Mayor Pro Tern Judge requested the City Council review the criteria for applicants requesting Community Projects Grant funds. City Manager Gabler stated he would bring this item to City Council.
Mayor Pro Tern ·Judge requested a review of incentivizing infrastructure in regards to the electrification of vehicles. City Manager Gabler stated staff would look into it.
Council Member Litster requested a presentation from Caltrans regarding the beautification happening around the City. City Manager Gabler stated Caltrans or City staff would provide a presentation.
Minutes
7 November 6, 2023
Council Member Rhodes requested a report from Southern California Edison regarding the status of Public Safety Power Shut-Offs. City Manager Gabler stated Southern California Edison would bring a presentation to City Council.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m., to the meeting of November 13, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. There being no objections , the motion carried through acclamation.
A
as, Mayor of the City of Simi
Valley , California ,