MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VENTURA COUNTY WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 8
SIMI VALLEY PUBLIC FACILITIES FINANCING AUTHORITY
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE SIMI VALLEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SIMI VALLEY LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Simi Valley, California January 27, 2025
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:15 p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Rhodes, Litster, Judge, and Mayor Pro Tem Cavanaugh
Remote: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS: Having no public statements, the City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:16 p.m.
b. CLOSED SESSION:
(1) 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 56-2022-00573170
Name of Case: City of Rancho Palos Verdes, et al. v. Rob Bonta, et al Case No.:CA Court of Appeal, 2nd Dist. Case No. B332315 Name of Case: Rosenthal v. City of Simi Valley, et al
Case No.: VCSC 2024CUPP023804
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 January 27 at 5:15 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Cavanaugh read a statement on behalf of the City Council of the City of Simi Valley regarding the passing of Mayor Fred D. Thomas.
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 PFA - Public Financing Authority
WWD - Waterworks District No. 8 SA - Successor Agency
IDA - Industrial Development Authority LB - Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees PFFA - Simi Valley Public Facilities Financing Authority Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the CC, WWD, 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 January 27, 2025
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mark Luker
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litster, Judge, and Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/President Pro Tem
Cavanaugh
Remote: None
Absent: None
AGENDA REVIEW: None
1A. ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved that all resolutions and ordinances presented tonight be read in title only and all further reading be waived.
Member/Director/Trustee Litter seconded motion.
(CC/WWD/PFFA/SA/LB)
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litster, Judge, and Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/President Pro Tem Cavanaugh •
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
1B. 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
1D. CERTIFICATES/HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS: None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
3A. APPOINTMENTS:
Appointments of Simi Valley Council On Aging Executive Board members (Argabrite) (CC)
Minutes 3 January 27, 2025
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Judge moved to approve, and the Mayor Pro Tem appoint, Gloria Bowman, Janice Del Santo, Madhulika Garg, and Bette King, 1o Serve terms coconcing alone i a concluding on a a i
Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litster, Judge, and Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/President Pro Tem Cavanaugh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
3B. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: None
30. 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. Michael Shaw, Simi Valley, CA, expressed condolences on the passing of Mayor Fred Thomas and stated he will be missed.
2. Michael Radka, Simi Valley, CA, expressed his condolences on the passing of Mayor Fred Thomas. He commented on public safety issues that are present during Public Safety Power Shut-Offs and made several suggestions for City Council to consider.
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4. Ivana Christmann, Simi Valley, CA, expressed condolences on the passing of Mayor Fred Thomas and stated he will be missed. She invited City Council to attend the Rotary Club of Simi Valley Sock Drive that is being held February 1, to benefit the Samaritan Center.
5. Mark Luker (no address given) spoke in opposition to several Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District policies and procedures.
6. John Lapper, Simi Valley, CA, expressed his condolences on the passing of Mayor Public Safety Power Shut-Offs.
Minutes 4 January 27, 2025
7. Robert Clarizio, Simi Valley, CA, expressed his condolences on the passing of Mayor Fred Thomas and in support of a special election to fill the mayoral vacancy.
8. Jackson Lipps, Owner Cork & Batter, Simi Valley, CA, expressed his condolences on the passing of Mayor Fred Thomas. He expressed his appreciation to the City Council and stated he looks forward to being a part of the community.
9. Jill Abele, Simi Valley, CA, expressed her condolences on the passing of Mayor Fred Thomas, and spoke in support of appointment of a current City Council Member to fill the mayoral vacancy. She announced the Boys and Girls Club Auction Gala will be
10. Edgardo Rivas Fratti, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about a lack of response from the Simi Valley Police Department regarding complaints he has made. 4A. CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
about the paning rayor fred alms and state thate business of the ty goak on and the speakers concerns will be addressed.
Council Member Litter thanked the speakers who came to the meeting to speak about the passing of Mayor Fred Thomas. She asked the City Manager to comment about the issue raised by Mr. Fromm regarding a public hearing, and she thanked the Rotary Club of Simi Valley for the Sock Drive. Council Member Litster read aloud a tribute letter she wrote about Mayor Fred Thomas.
City Manager Samantha Argabrite addressed the issue raised by Mr. Fromm and stated that Staff was not aware that the staff report was not available to the public.
She advised that an email was sent to the City Council related to the possible request for an appeal, and that the last day to appeal is February 3.
Council Member Judge thanked everyone who came to the meeting and spoke kindly about Mayor Fred Thomas. He addressed Mark Luker's concern and commented he will have another conversation with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.
Council Member Judge spoke about fire safety and stated the Fire Department does a great job on vacant areas that require weed abatement. He advised citizens to call the City if they see trees not being taken care of and Code Enforcement will take a look.
Mayor Cavanaugh thanked everyone who came to the meeting to express condolences on the passing of Mayor Fred Thomas, and noted that in attendance were former council members, planning commissioners, the CEO of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, community businesses owners, and Waste Management.
Minutes 5 January 27, 2025
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONTINUED PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
7. CONSENT CALENDAR:
(1) Approval of Monthly Investment Report for month ending December 31, 2024 (Johnson) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request.
Acceptance of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2023-04 (Johnson)(CC/WWD/SPFFA/SA/LB)
ACTION: Approved request.
(3) Award of professional services contract with Gilson Daub, LLP for workers' compensation legal services (Gutierres)(CC)
ACTION: Approved contract with Gilson Daub, LLP.
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Litster moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litter, Judge, and Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/President Pro Tem Cavanaugh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9A. Discussion regarding mayoral vacancy, consideration of mayoral appointment, and evaluation of next steps (Argabrite) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Judge moved to appoint Dee Dee Cavanaugh as Mayor, and to fill the vacancy in District 1 by appointment accepting the amended candidate criteria from 2018 amending residency to District 1 and the cover letter to be optional. Council Member/Director/Trustee Litster seconded the motion.
Minutes 6 January 27, 2025
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Rhodes, Litster, Judge, and Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/President Pro Tem Cavanaugh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10. REPORTS:
10A. City Counci/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Rhodes reported he had been ill some of this period. He reported briefly attending the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee ZOOM call, attended the League of California Cities Revenue and Taxation Policy Committee meeting in Sacramento and stated he had the opportunity to meet with some state senators regarding a proposition. Council Member Rhodes stated he had a call with the CEO of the Clean Power Alliance.
Council Member Litster reported she attended the Council On Aging meeting, met with Community College Representative Joe Piechowski, attended the training for the Homeless Point in Time Count, and the Simi Valley Police Department Swearing-in Ceremony. She reported attending the Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) Administrative Committee meeting, the Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of Realtors Awards & Installation Luncheon, the AWA Water Issues Committee meeting, and she participated in the Homeless Point in Time Count. Council Member Litter attended the grand opening of FirstLight Home Care of Simi Valley, the joint retirement party for Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD) Board Members Elaine Freeman and Kate O'Brien, and the League of California Cities Environmental Committee meeting in Sacramento.
Council Member Judge reported he attended a C-Level meeting at Freedom Designs, a company that makes custom wheelchairs for young children that is located on Madera Road. He attended a Simi Valley Police Department Swearing-in Ceremony, the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) meeting, and the Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of Realtors Awards & Installation Luncheon.
Mayor Cavanaugh reported attending the EDC meeting, she was invited by RSRPD to their meeting to lead the flag salute in honor of Mayor Fred Thomas, and attended an event at Sinaloa Middle School that showcased a partnership with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for a Leadership and Communication Program. She attended the joint retirement party for RSRPD Board Members Elaine Freeman and Kate O'Brien, the Ventura County City Selection Committee meeting, and attended the Simi Valley Police Department Foundation Baker to Vegas Run fundraiser.
Minutes 7 January 27, 2025
10B. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items: None
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. in memory of Fred D. Thomas, to the meeting of February 10, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. There being no objections, the motion carried through acclamation.
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Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor of the City of
Simi Valley, California, Chair of the
Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8,
Simi Valley Public Facilities Financing
Authority, Simi Valley Public Financing
Authority, and President of the Simi Valley
Library Board of Trustees
ucy Blanco CMC, City Clerk/District Secretary/Authority /Agency Secretary/Board Secretary