MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Simi Valley, California
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. (OPEN SESSION)
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Luis Garibay
September 23, 2024
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Litster, Cavanaugh, Judge, Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes and Mayor Thomas
Remote: None
Absent: None
1. AGENDA REVIEW: None
1A. ACTION: Mayor Pro Tern 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: Council Members Litster, Cavanaugh, Judge, Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes, and Mayor 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, \NWD, IDA, PFFA, PFA, SA, and/or LB after distributic;m 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 23, 2024
CERTIFICATES/HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
(1) Presentation of a Proclamation declaring September 15 - October 15, 2024, as Hispanic Heritage Month (CC)
Assistant to the City Manager Angel Sierra read and Mayor Thomas presented a Proclamation declaring September 15, 2024 - October 15, 2024, as Hispanic Heritage Month to Cultural Arts Center Foundation President Gina Truncale, and Cultural Arts Center Foundation Board Members Anarosa Estevez and Salwa Scarpone.
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
3. APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
None
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS, AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
The following submitted a speaker card aAd spoke:
1. Michael Shaw, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about sidewalk trip and fall hazards he has observed and asked City Council to address the issue.
2. Joel Harriott, Waste Management, Simi Valley, CA, commented that Waste Management will be distributing food wast~ pails at the October 26th Simi Valley Street Fair.
3. Mark Luker, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about the pedestrian safety concerns he has observed with electric bicycles driving on the sidewalks.
4. Jeanie Mortensen, Council On Aging, Simi Valley, CA, read aloud a statement of concern regarding cuts in service levels to the Meals on Wheels Program.
5. Pete Stong, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about his concerns for the future of the Senior Nutrition Program and suggested ways to improve it.
6. John Lapper, Simi Valley, CA, commented on the need for road repairs, inquired about the status of the motorcycles ordered for the Simi Valley Police Department, and discussed inflammatory social media posts.
7. Arrie Voth, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in support of funding to subsidize the Senior Nutrition Program.
Minutes
4A.
3 September 23, 2024
8. Carol Martin, Simi Valley Senior Center Volunteer Coordinator, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in support of funding to subsidize the Senior Nutrition Program.
9. Ed Mazeika (no address provided) spoke in support of funding to subsidize the Senior Nutrition Program, sharing his observations as a Meals on Wheels driver.
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes commented on the concern about electric bikes on sidewalks and asked the Police Department to advise the City Council on how they are addressing this issue. He thanked Mr. Lapperfor his correspondence and spoke about the City's street maintenance schedule. Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes asked the City Attorney to comment about the role the City has in monitoring social media activity.
The City Attorney stated the City is responsible for official City Websites. Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes addressed the concerns raised by several speakers regarding the Meals on Wheels Program.
Council Member Litster acknowledged that there are sidewalks that need repair and recommended that the public inform the City if they are aware of any hazards. She also thanked the representative from Waste Management for the information on the organics waste pails. Council Member Litster spoke about the use of electric bikes on sidewalks and asked the Chief of Police to address the issue. Chief Shorts stated that there is a vehicle code that covers electric bikes. The Police Department is using social media to educate the public on what is allowed, and officers are conducting enforcement. Council Member Litster thanked Mr. Lapper for his comments, and she addressed the concerns raised by several speakers regarding the Meals on Wheels Program.
Council Member Judge thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and speaking.
He advised the public that if they see any sidewalk or road problem in the City, they should contact the Public Works Department through the City website, and it will be fixed. He addressed the concerns raised by several speakers regarding the Meals on Wheels Program.
Mayor Thomas spoke about sidewalk repairs and the need for the public to report a problem, and he asked Police Chief Shorts for a status on the motorcycle purchase.
Chief Shorts stated that due to a supply chain issue, the motorcycles are currently located in Long Beach waiting on equipment for the essential radar system. Mayor Thomas addressed the concerns raised by several speakers regarding the Meals on Wheels Program and stated that the Council will work hard to find a solution.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
Minutes
6. 7.
4 September 23, 2024
CONTINUED PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS. APPOINTMENTS. AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR:
Council Member Litster pulled Consent Items 1 and 4 for discussion. '
(1) Approval of minutes for the City Council meeting of June 24. 2024 (Blanco) (CC)
ACTION: Approved minutes.
(2) Approval of Monthly Investment Report for the month ended August 31. 2024 (Johnson) (CC)
ACTION: Approved Request.
(3) Authorization for GSE Construction Company. Inc. to substitute subcontractors for the Digester Mixer and Secondary Clarifier Removal and Installation Proiect.
CP70200055 & CP70200056. Specification. No. SV 24-28 (Fuchiwaki) (CC) ACTION: Approved Request.
(4) Approval of funding to subsidize the Senior Nutrition Program for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and approval of a Supplemental Budget Request in Fund 122 with an interfund transfer to Fund 100 (Argabrite) (CC)
ACTION: Approved Supplemental Budget Request.
(5) Authorization to purchase Ford Police Utiiity Interceptors from Folsom Lake Ford through the State of California Department of General Services Cooperative Agreement. Authorize the City Manager (or designee) to execute related purchasing documents (Shorts) (CC)
ACTION: Approved Cooperative Agreement with Folsom Lake Ford.
ACTION: Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 2, 3, and 5. Council Member Cavanaugh seconded.the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members Litster, Cavanaugh, Judge, Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes, and Mayor Thomas
None
None
None
Minutes
8. 9.
10. 10A.
5 September 23, 2024
ACTION: Council Member Litster moved to approve Consent Calendar Item 1. Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members Litster, Cavanaugh, Judge, Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes, and Mayor Thomas
None
None
None
ACTION: Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes moved to approve Consent Calendar Item 4.
Council Member Litster seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members Litster, Cavanaugh, Judge, Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes, and Mayor Thomas
None
None
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
REPORTS:
City Council/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Litster reported attending the Southern California Edison Government Advisory Panel meeting (virtual), the Moorpark College Foundation Evening with Mike Madrid, the Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) Broadband Subcommittee meeting, and the Simi Valley Arts Commission meeting. She also reported attending another VCOG meeting (virtual), the Simi Valley Education Foundation's Teacher of the Month presentation, the Soroptimist Simi Valley Little Black Dress event, and commented on the Youth Council's Rock Painting event.
Council Member Litster stated she attended the International Day of Peace event at Rancho Tapo Community Park and the Apricot Festival at Stratheam Historical Park.
Council Member Cavanaugh reported that she was out of town for a few days on business, but attended the Soroptimist Simi Valley Little Black Dress event, commented on the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center's Hispanic Festival, and spoke at the Brown Bag Lunch event at Simi Valley Royal High School.
Council Member Judge reported that he attended the VCOG meeting, the Mobility 21 Summit, and the Simi Valley Senior Center Bingo Bonanza.
Minutes 6 September 23, 2024
Mayor Pro Tern Rhodes reported that he attended an event at the Simi Valley Boys and Girls Club, the Bridle Path HOA meeting, and the Arts Commission meeting (virtual). He also reported being away on business in China, Mayor Thomas reported that he had a meeting with the City Auditor (Vasquez & Co., LLP), was invited to a Los Angeles Business Journal event where he was honored as one of the most influential people in the region, and attended the Soroptimist Simi Valley Little Black Dress event. He also shared that he was interviewed by a local church on the topic of politics and religion.
1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items:
Council Member Litster requested information on a traffic light outage and repair time at Los Angeles Avenue and Erringer Road. City Manager Argabrite stated that the current delay is due to Metrolink timing its lights to coincide with the City's traffic lights.
She shared that the City's equipment is aging and Public Works is addressing the issue.
ADJOURNMENT : Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m. in memory of Barney Kort, to the meeting of October 7, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
There being no objections, the motion carried through
acclamation .
'"'--:en P\C\.t.'t O~ Fred D. Thomas , Mayor
Valley, California