MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VENTURA COUNTY WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 8
Simi Valley, California April 15, 2024
a.
b.
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:30 p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes, and Mayor Thomas
Remote: None
Absent: Council Member Judge
PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
1. Justin Link, spoke regarding the Simi Valley Engineers Association's difficult efforts to promote a productive and stable work. environment for engineering classification in the Public Works and Environmental Services Departments, citing that Simi Valley has the lowest compensation for engineering positions than five of the City's largest neighboring agencies/cities making it difficult to attract new talented engineers and retain them. He stated that they are asking for salaries in the engineer's classification, at a minimum be brought up to the 5Qth percentile of the four largest agencies in Ventura County.
2. Rob Herr spoke regarding the significant loss of skilled personnel to other organizations due to better pay and compensation packages for less demanding roles. He encouraged Council that a more competitive stance ~e adopted in order to attract top talent and preserve knowledge and expertise.
The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:39 p.rri. · CLOSED SESSION:
(1-) Conference with Labor Negotiator (CC)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6(a):
City's Designated Representative: Samantha Argabrite, Assistant City Manager
Employee Organization: Simi Valley Engineer's Association 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 Firiancing 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 (2) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9{d){1):
Name of Case: Southland Watch v. City of Simi Valley, et al.
Case No.: VCSC Case No. 56-2022-00573
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. (OPEN SESSION)
April 15, 2024
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS: City Attorney Ford stated there was no reportable action as a result o~ the Closed Session meeting held on April 15, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEG.IANCE: Led by Karen Hoyle
,,
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Rhodes and Mayor/Chair Thomas
Remote: None
Absent: Council Member/Director Judge
1. AGENDA REVIEW: None
1A. ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice Chair 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) ROLL CALL:.
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
_C9:uncil Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro : 'TemNice-Chair Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
Council Member/Director Judge
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.
1D.
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 an honorary resolution to the 2024 City Volunteer of the Year Minutes
2. 3.
3 April 15, 2024
(CC)
Acting Management Assistant Candace Gray read and Mayor Thomas presented Peter Stong with an honorary resolution. · : ·
(2) Presentation of an honorary resolution to the 2024 Community Volunteer of the Year (CC)
Acting Management Assistant Candace Gray read and Mayor Thomas presented Marie Bennett with an honorary resolution.
(3) Presentation of a proclamation declaring the week of April 14 through April 20, 2024, as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (CC)
Communications Manager Erin Cooper read and Mayor Thomas presented the proclamation declaring the week of April 14 through April 20, 2024, as Public Safety Telecommunicators week to Dispatcher Trainee Holden Mehr. (4) Presentation of a proclamation declaring the month ofApril.2024 as Fair Housing Month (CC)
Senior Management Analyst Cynthia McCullough read the proclamation declaring April 2024 as Fair Housing Month.
(5) Presentation of a proclamation recognizing the observance of Arbor Day and declaring the week of April 15 through April 21. 2024, as Simi Valley Arbor Week (CC)
Associate Planner Zarui Chaparyan read and Mayor Thomas presented the proclamation recognizing the observance of Arbor Day and declaring the week of April 15 through April 21, 2024, as Simi Valley Arbor Week to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Representative Darrick Carlson. (6) Presentation of a proclamation declaring the week of April 7 through April 13, 2024. as Library Week (CC)
, I~~ ••• ~ •
. .
Deputy Community Services Director Anna Medina read and Mayor Thomas presented the proclamation declaring the week of April 7 through April 13, 2024, as Library Week to Assistant Library Director Stephanie Erbe and Mobile Library Coordinator Mia Lopez.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
Minutes
4 April 15, 2024
3A. APPOINTMENTS: .. . ... ··~·' .
(1) Appointments.to the Community Proiects Grant Review Committee (Perros) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member/Director Cavanaugh moved to approve, and the Mayor appoint, David Mosso, Sam Cohen, Tony Hudacs, David Hechter, Jeanie Mortensen, Ethan Bhat and Spencer Ross to the Community Projects Grant Review Committee with terms commencing upon appointment and concluding when the City Council awards the FY 2024-25 CPG funding. Mayor Pro TemNice Chair Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
A~SENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
Council Member/Director Judge
None
(2) Selection of .one City Council member to serve on a selection committee with · a · continuing Arts Commissioner to interview and nominate prospective Simi Valley Arts Commissioners (Swan) (CC)
ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice Chair Rhodes moved to select Council Member Litster to serve on a selection committee with a continuing Arts Commissioner to interview and nominate prospective Simi Valley Arts Commissioners for the upcoming vacancies. Council Member/Director Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor
TemNice-Chair/President Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
· Council Member/Director Judge
. None . ~ .,.. ' ..
Pro
(3) Selection of City Council members to interview and nominate prospective Neighborhood Council Executive Board members (Perros) (CC) ACTION: Council Member/Director Cavanaugh moved to select Council Member Cavanaugh and Mayor Thomas to conduct interviews and nominate prospective Neighborhood Council Executive Board Members for Neighborhood Councils 1 and 2, and Council Member Litster and Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes for Neighborhood Council 3 and 4. Mayor Pro TemNice Chair Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
Minutes
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
5 April 15, 2024
Council' Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh, · Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair/President Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair/ Thomas None
Council Member/Director Judge
None
(4) Selection of City Council members to conduct Simi Valley Cultural Art Center Foundation Board interviews (Swan) (CC)
ACTION: Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes moved to select Mayor Thomas and Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes to interview and nominate five prospective Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation Board members with a term commencing July 1, 2024, with one term concluding on June 30, 2026, and four terms concluding on June 30, 2028.
Council Member/Director Litster seconded the motion. ; .. : . . -:• ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
Council Member/Director Judge
None
38. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
3C.
4. (1) Presentation by Interface Children & Family Services on the 211 Department and services (CC)
Executive Director Erik Sternad gave the City Coun(?il a · presentation on Interface Children and Family Service's 211 Department and ~ervices. '_·.; -..
(2) Presentation by Linda Narciso, Audit Partner with Vasguez & Company LLP, regarding the annual audits completed for Fiscal Year 2022-23 (CC) Linda Narciso Audit Partner with Vasquez & Company, LLP gave the City Council a presentation regarding the annual audits completed for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, • t; ~ .
Minutes
4A.
6 April 15, 2024
APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Brad Washburn, Simi Valley, CA, spoke on a number of concerns he has observed along the Arroyo regarding the unhoused population under the bridges at Madera, 1st Street, and Los Angeles Ave. at 3rd Street. He volunteered his services to assist ir:t a cl_eanup eff~rt and asked City Council to walk the area.
2. Edgardo G. -~iva$, .Simi Valley, CA, spoke about an ongoing dispute he has with his apa~ment C(?.lJlplex and the City.
3. Anthony Angelini, Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, Simi Valley, CA, thanked Mayor Thomas and Assistant City Manager Linda Swan for their support and guidance during his transition to Tourism Director. He spoke in support of renewing a Tourism Marketing District, commented that it has the support of all six hotels, and he spoke about the success of The Little House on the Prairie event.
4. Kathi Van Etten, President, Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, Simi Valley, CA, thanked City Council for the Special Event Grant, spoke about the success of The Little House on the Prairie event and noted the City had visitors from six continents.
5. Katrina Maldonado, Autism Society of Ventura County, Newbury Park, CA, thanked City Counc~I. for the Fair Housing Month Proclamation, and she spoke about the '. needs of the ... c;ornmunity who has developmental disabilities. . ~: .
CITY COUNCfOBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC· STATEMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes thanked Katrina Maldonado for speaking about the housing needs of the community who has developmental disabilities. He acknowledged the issue Mr. Washburn raised regarding the unhoused population along the Arroyo. He commented he has walked the Arroyo and informed that the City just completed the Point-in-Time count so the City knows the scope of the problem, he shared City Council is working on it. Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes thanked Anthony Angelini and Kathi Van Etten from the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce for speaking about the Little House on the Prairie event.
Council Member Litster thanked Kathi Van Etten from the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce for the Little House on the Prairie event and commented it was outstanding. She thanked Katrina Maldonado for speaking about the housing needs of the corrimunify who has developmental disabilities, and she thanked Mr. Washburn for his c.omments '.! regarding the unhoused population along the Arroyo and acknowledged the .odor he spoke of.
Council Member Cavanaugh addressed Mr. Washburn and stated that the Arroyo Simi Minutes
5. 6.
6A.
7. 7 April 15, 2024
is managed by the Rancho Simi Park and Recreation District and the County with a joint effort that includes the City and the Simi Valley Police Department working together to clean the area. She addressed Katrina Maldonado and expressed it was good to hear from the Autism Society at the City Council meeting, and she stated her support for Mr. Angelini and the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee.
Mayor Thomas spoke about the issue raised by Mr. Washburn and expressed that Council's initial efforts were to keep the problem from being permanent. Current efforts are to keep the area clean and discussions are ongoing. He commented that the Little House on the Prairie Festival was an amazing event and that he met people from all over the world that attended the festival. Mayor Thomas commented his support of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
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 Litster pulled Consent Item 6 for discussicin. (1) Acceptance of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report {ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2022-23 (Johnson) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request.
(2) Approval of Forfeited Assets Inter-Fund transfer request (Johnson) (CC) ACTION: Approved request.
(3) Approval of third contract amendment{s) for the repair/maintenance for collection/distribution systems, and purchase of water meters for the City of Sim ValleyNentura County Waterworks District No. 8 (Fuchiwaki) (CC/WWD) \.· ..
ACTION: Award contract to Innocenti Construction, Inc. and Neptune Technology Group, Inc. · ·
(4) Award of professional services contracts on-call pavement engineering and material testing services, RFQ No. PW 24-01 (Fuchiwaki) (CC) Minutes
8 April 15, 2024
ACTION: Awarded contract to Twining, Inc., Geocon West, Inc., and RMA Group.
(5) Award of professional services contracts on-call engineering survey services, RFQ No. PW 24-04 (Fuchiwaki) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to Coast Surveying, Inc., Huitt-Zollars, Inc., and PSOMAS.
(6) Authorization to waive the informal competitive bidding process pursuant to the Simi Valley Municipal Code, authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Sunset Vans for the purchase of a mobile library vehicle and customization process, and authorize the appropriation of $127,500 provided by the Estate of Lynne C. Eigler, to fund vehicle acquisition (Swan) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to Sunset Vans.
(7) Award of Contract for the construction of the Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Replacement Proiect, CP60000030, Specification No. SV 24-07 and authorize a budget transfer (Fuchiwaki) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to FS Contractors, Inc.
(8) Approval of the first amendment to the contract between the City of Simi Valley and Falcon Fuels. Inc. to purchase unleaded and diesel fuel for City vehicles through the Couhty of Ventura Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (Shorts) (CC)
ACTION:. Awarded 1stAmendmentto Falcon Fuels, Inc.
(9) Adoption of a resolution approving Program Supplement No. A479 to implement Citywide Pavement Delineation Proiect No. CRASL-5405 (102) (Fuchiwaki) (CC)
Resolution No. 2024-08 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE City OF SIMI VALLEY DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO RENEW THE SIMI
VALLEY TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT (SVTMD) AND FIXING THE TIME
AND PLACE OF A PUBLIC MEETING AND A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON
AND GIVING NOTICE THEREOF
ACTION: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-08.
ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Rhodes moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 5 and 7 through 9. Council Member/Director Cav~naugh seconded Minutes
8. SA.
the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
9 April 15, 2024
Council Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh,·. Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
Council Member/Director Judge
None
ACTION: Council Member/Director Litster moved to approve Consent Calendar Item
6. Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
Council Member/Director Judge
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Second reading of Ordinance No. 1355 for City-initiated Municipal Code text amendment {Z-S-2023-0005). to amend portions of Title 9 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code to establish development standards and modify design guidelines for residential accessory structures; and a determination that the amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Perras) (CC)
Ordinance No. 1355 -AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY FOR CITY-INITIATED MUNICIPAL CODE TEXT AMENDMENT (Z-S- 2023-0005), TO AMEND PORTIONS OF TITLE 9 OF THE SIMI VALLEY MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ESTABLISH DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND MODIFY DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY STRUCTURES; AND A
DETERMINATION THAT THE AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Rhodes moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1355.
Council Member/Director Cavanaugh seconded the motion:
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Minutes
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
I
10 TemNice-Chair Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
· Council Member/Director Judge
·/·.~~~e
April 15, 2024
88. Receipt<of petitions from Simi Valley Lodging businesses requesting to renew a Tourism Marketing District, consideration of adoption of a resolution of intention to renew ·a Tourism Marketing District. and fixing the time and place for a public hearing to establish the formation of a new district (Swan) (CC) ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Rhodes moved to accept the signed petitions from Simi Valley lodging businesses and adopt Resolution No. 2024-08 declaring the City's intent to renew the Simi Valley Tourism Marketing District and fixing the time and place for a public hearing to consider the District's reformation. Council Member/Director Cavanaugh seconded the motion:
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh,
· ,r~·mNice-Chair Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
.. None
·~.1:;Council Member/Director Judge
None
Mayor Pro
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9A. Accept the sub-grant award from the Board of State and Community Corrections {BSCC) and the County of Ventura Sheriff's Department for the Organized Retail Theft {ORT) Prevention Grant. ratify the execution of the sub-grant agreement. approve the request to hire one (1) full-time. limited-term police officer, funded through reimbursement of salary, benefits, and ORT related overtime, authorize the City Manager or designee to sign all the necessary documents and approval of a Supplemental Budget Request for Funds 287 and 100 (Shorts) (CC} ACTION: Council Member/Director Litster moved to authorize the Police Department accept the sub-grant awards of $975,000 from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) for the Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention Grant Fund; ratify the exec~tiolJ_of the sub-grant agreement; approve the request to hire one (1) full-tim~, limited-term police officer funded through the reimbursement of salary, benefits, and relate :overtime; authorize the City Manager or designee to sign all the necessary documents; and approval of a supplemental budget request of $975,000 for Funds 287 and 100. Council Member/Director Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors Litster, Cavanaugh, Mayor Pro Minutes
10. 10A.
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REPORTS:
11 April 15, 2024
TemNice-Chair Pro Tern Rhodes, and Mayor/Chair Thomas
None
Council Member/Director Judge
None
City Council/Board Memberrrrustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Litster reported she attended the State of the City presentation and she thanked Mayor Thomas and all staff members that worked on it. She stated she attended the Little House on the Prairie 50th Reunion Festival Grand Qpening and shared that the Simi Valley Community Orchestra performed at the event and they will be forming a 501 (c)(3). Council Member Litster reported -she attended ttie Simi Valley Police Department Swearing-in Ceremony, the Simi Valley Arts Commission meeting, she spoke at the Women in Networking luncheon, and she attended the Arroyo Simi Greenway Ribbon Cutting. She stated she attended the grand opening of Dollar Rent a Car, the Simi Valley Elks Lodge Installation event, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council Energy and Environment Committee meeting. Council Member Litster reported she attended the Congresswoman Brownley Check Presentation, she was a speaker on Housing and Homelessness Crisis at Sinaloa Middle School, and she attended the Pass In Review at Royal High School.
Council Member Cavanaugh reported she attended the State of the City and she thanked Mayor Thomas and Assistant City Manager Satnantha Arg_abrite for their work on the presentation. She stated she · attended·· 1he Economic· Development Collaborative (EDC) meeting, she thanked the Rotary ·q_1ul:{of Sim·i Valley "for lighting the Cross at Mt. McCoy, she attended the EDC Executive Board meeting, and she attended and participated in the 4 day Rotary Youth Leadership Camp.
Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes reported he attended the Adventist Health Simi Valley Farmers Market Grand Opening, he was interviewed by a CSUN Graduate student about works in the City, he attended the State of the City presentation, the League of California Cities Policy Committee meeting, and he attended the Little House on the Prairie 50th Reunion Festival Grand Opening. He stated he participated in the PADS Program as an overnight monitor, he attended the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center performance of Parade, the Simi Valley Police Department Swearing-in Ceremony, the Simi Valley Arts Commission meeting, and he participated in the Mt. McCoy Cross Lighting. Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes stated he attended the Arroyo Simi Greenway Ribbon Cutting, the Simi Valley Elks Lodge lnstallat,ion event, a ·meeting with the Planning Department and the management compar:,Y, for Runkle_ Canyon, and he ,·.
Minutes
12 April 15, 2024
attended the SCAG Community Economic and Human Development Committee meeting and noted he was elected Vice Chair of that committee. He attended the SCAG Regional Council meeting, the Clean Power Alliance meeting, the Simi Valley Rotary Club Paul Harris Award night and shared that City employee Executive Assistant Sue Klepper and City Manager Brian Gabler received awards. Lastly, he attended the 1 QQth Birthday Celebration for Simi Valley resident Mary Moffett.
Mayor Thomas reported he participated in the Community Project Grant Review Committee interviews, he attended and presented the State of the City, he attended the Little House on the Prairie - Behind the Scenes media event, and the Little House on the Prairie 5Q1h Reunion Festival. He stated he attended a tour of the Santa Susana Field Lab (SSFL) with the Department of Energy, he had a meeting with Boeing, he attended the Congresswoman Brownley Check Presentation, visited the Simi Valley Slice House Pizza on their opening day, and he attended the Boys and Girls Club of Moorpark and Simi Valley Dinner Gala.
1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items: None
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair Thomas adjourned the meeting at 9:36 p.m. in memory of Brett Taylor, Karen Zillman, Michael John Sorensen and Gail Gibson, to the special meeting of April 22, 2024 at 10:00 . a.m. There being no objections, the motion carried through acclamation.
~ - -Fred D. Thomas , Mayor of the City of Simi
Valley, California, Chair of the Ventura
County Waterworks District No. 8
istrict Secretary