MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VENTURA COUNTY WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 8
SIMI VALLEY LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Simi Valley, California March 31, 2025
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:45 p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Ayala, Rhodes, Litster, Mayor Pro Tern Judge, and Mayor Cavanaugh
Remote: None
Absent: . None
a. PUBLIC STATEMENTS: Having no public statements, the City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:46 p.m.
b. CLOSED SESSION:
(1) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2):
Significant exposure to Litigation
Number of Matters: One (1)
Facts and circumstances exist that might result in litigation against the local agency but which the local agency believes are not yet known to a potential plaintiff or plaintiffs (Government Code section 54956.9 (e)(1)) 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 March 31, 2025, at 5:45 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Lee Kennedy
ROLL CALL: Present:
Remote:
Absent:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala,
Litster, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President
Judge, and Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
None
None
Rhodes,
Pro Tern
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
\/'J'WD - 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, \NINO, 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 March 31, 2025
1. AGENDA REVIEW: City Manager Samantha Argabrite stated that Agenda item 3C will have Saanvi Daga presenting, Kirthik Vishnubhotla was unable to attend. Agenda item SA has supplemental material clarifying the Affordable Housing Agreement. 1A. ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee· Ayala moved that all resolutions and ordinances presented tonight be read in title only and all further reading be waived.
Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes seconded the motion. (CC/WWD/LB) ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees· Ayala, Rhodes, Litster, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cav~naugh
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.
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 a Proclamation declaring the week of April 6 through April 12. 2025, as Library Week (CC)
Deputy Community Services Director Anna Medina read, and Mayor Cavanaugh presented a Proclamation declaring the week of April 6 through April 12, 2025, as Library Week to Library Foundation President Cindy Slack, Interim Library Director Stephanie Erbe, Literacy Coordinator Jimena Jaramillo, Marketing Coordinator Zoey Gabay, and Adult Services Librarian Lisa Givan.
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
3. APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
Minutes 3 March 31, 2025
3A. APPOINTMENTS:
(.1) Appointment of Council Member Joseph Ayala to serve on the Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees and adoption of a resolution (Garibay) (LB) ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge moved to adopt Resolution No. 2025-05, appointing Council Member Ayala to the Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees for a term ending June 30, 2025. Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Litster, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
None
None
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 (Garibay) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved that Council Member Rhodes serve on the selection committee to interview and nominate prospective Simi Valley Arts Commissioners for the upcoming vacancies. Council Member/Director/Trustee Litster seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Litster, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
None
None
None
(3) Appointment of Simi Valley Council On Aging Executive Board Member (Garibay) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved to approve, and the Mayor appoint, Candace Garcia-Skar to the Council On Aging Executive Board to serve a term commencing April 1, 2025, and concluding on January 31, 2026. Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion.
Minutes
38. 3C.
4 March 31, 2025
ROLL CALL:
A YES: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Litster, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: None
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
(1) Informational presentation by Saanvi Daga and Kirthik Vishnubhotla (CC) Youth Council Member Saanvi Daga provided an informational report on behalf of the Youth Council.
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, invited City Council to the Simi Valley Round Up Country Music Festival. He spoke regarding the Bike Advocacy Clinic and asked City Council for their opinion on becoming a Charter City.
2. John Lapper, Simi Valley, CA, commented on Cesar Chavez Day, International Transgender Day of Visibility, social media posts, safety requirements regarding the disposal of fire debris material, and he spoke in support of a mixed-use development at the Simi Town Center Mall. ·
3. Coral Eisenbruch, Simi Valley, CA, commented on International Transgender Day of Visibility and Cesar Chavez Day.
4. Cindy Slack, President of the Simi Valley Library Foundation, Simi Valley, CA, commented on the Foundation's vision for the Library and asked for the City Council's continued support and partnership.
5. Jacqueline, Simi Valley, CA, commented on her concerns regarding the increasing number of airplane flight schools at the Van Nuys Airport and the effect it is having on Simi Valley.
The following submitted a speaker card in support of the Simi Valley Library renovation, but did not wish to speak:
1. Karey Muller (no address given) Simi Valley Library Foundation Minutes
4A.
5 March 31, 2025
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Council Member Litster thanked the speakers who recognized Cesar Chavez Day and International Transgender Day of Visibility. She shared her support of a renovatiof} of the Simi Valley Library, and she requested information from the City Manager regarding the issue raised about flight patterns over Simi Valley from airplane flight schools.
Council Member Ayala stated that residents may take a tour of the Waste Management Facility regarding any concerns they may have. He shared his support of a renovation of the Simi Valley Library and thanked the speakers who recognized Cesar Chavez Day and International Transgender Day of Visibility.
Mayor Cavanaugh shared that she spoke with two members of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors regarding the safety requirements for the disposal of fire debris.
She thanked the speakers who recognized Cesar Chavez Day and International Transgender Day of Visibility and spoke in support of the Simi Valley Library Foundation and Friends of the Library. She stated that the City Council will investigate the issue raised about flight patterns over Simi Valley coming from flight schools.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
5A. A public hearing to consider a Planned Development Permit (PD-S-2023-001 O}.
Tentative Map (TT-2023-0003}, and an Affordable Housing Agreement (AHA- 2023-0005} to construct a 26-unit three-story multi-family residential condominium townhome development with three affordable units, located at 4868 Cochran Street; a determination that the proiect is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, and adoption of two resolutions (Perras) (CC)
Resolution No. 2025-06 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY APPROVING A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT (PD-S-2023- 0010) AND TENTATIVE MAP (TT-2023-0003) TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 26-UNIT, THREE-STORY MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM
TOWNHOME DEVELOPMENT WITH THREE AFFORDABLE UNITS, LOCATED AT 4868 COCHRAN STREET; AND A DETERMINATION THE PROJECT. IS
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT
Resolution No. 2025-07 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SIMI VALLEY APPROVING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AGREEMENT (AHA- 2023-0005) WITH CITY VENTURES HOME~UILDING, LLC FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF 26 TOWNHOMES INCLUDING THREE (3) ONE-BEDROOM
UNITS TO BE RESERVED FOR MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS LOCATED AT 4868 COCHRAN ~TREET
Minutes
6. 7.
6 March· 31, 2025
Mayor Cavanaugh opened the public portion of the hearing at 7:47 p.m.
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Eric Miller, Applicant, City Ventures, spoke in support of the project.
2. Coral Eisenbruch, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in support of the project.
3. - Candace Skor (no address given) asked City Council how the number of affordable units is determined in the project.
The following submitted a speaker card but did not wish to speak:
1. Robert & Arissbeth (no address given)
Mayor Cavanaugh closed the public portion of the hearing at 7:52 p.m.
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes .moved to adopt Resolution No. 2025-06 approving Planned Development Permit No. PD-S-2023-0010 and Tentative Map No. TT-2023-0003; and a determination that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA; and adopt Resolution No. 2025-07 approving Affordable Housing Agreement No. AHA-2023-0005. Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Litster, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
None
None
None
CONTINUED PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Council Member Litster pulled Consent Item 3 for discussion. (1) Approval of minutes for the City Council meetings of September 9 and 23, October 7 and 21. and November 4, 2024 (Blanco) (CC)
ACTION: Approved minutes.
Minutes 7 March 31, 2025
(2) Approval of Monthly Investment Report for month ended February 28. 2025 (Johnson) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request.
(3) Approval and adoption of the 2025 Legislative Platform (Argabrite) (CC/WWD/LB)
ACTION: Approved request.
(4) Award contract to Peterson-Chase General Engineering Construction. Inc., for the construction of Madera Road Bridge Rehabilitation. 0.3 miles south of Highway 118. Federal Aid Project No. BHLS-5405(077). CP60000011.
Specification No. SV 25-04 (Fuchiwaki) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to Peterson-Chase General Engineering Construction, Inc.
(5) Award of professional services contracts for on-call real property services. RFQ No. PW 24-11 (Fuchiwaki) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to Hamner Jewel & Associates and Epic Land Solutions, Inc.
(6) Award contract for construction of the Citywide Pavement Delineation Project.
CP60000052. Specification No. SV 25-18 (Fuchiwaki) (CC) ACTION: Awarded contract to Sterndahl Enterprises, LLC. (7) Award agreement for the purchase of miscellaneous Waterworks Fittings, Specification No. SV 24-27R (Fuchiwaki) (CC/WWD)
ACTION: Awarded contract to Famcon Pipe & Supply, Inc.
(8) Award contract and approval of a Supplemental Budget Request for construction of the Alamo Street and Tapo Street Traffic Signal Modification, CP60000054, Specification No. SV 25-12 (Fuchiwaki) (CC) ACTION: Awarded contract to Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC. (9) Authorize issuance of purchase orders to TACenergy, LLC {dba TACenergy) for the purchase of unleaded and diesel fuel for City vehicles through Sourcewell Cooperative Contract #121522-TAC (Shorts/Fuchiwaki) (CC) ACTION: Approved Cooperative Agreement.
Minutes
8. 9.
10. 10A.
8 March 31, 2025
ACTION: · Council Member/Director/Trustee Litster moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, and 4 through 9. Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Litster, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
None
None
None
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved to approve Consent Calendar Item 3 as amended, Section I. Item 6C remove "and don't limit investments to social and environmental mandated interests," Item 8A and 88 add sidewalk vendors, Section Ill. Item 50 add", support a state disaster relief fund, arid", Section IV. Item 1 D remove "This would support transportation funding by all system users rather than a gasoline tax, which is a declining revenue source." Add Item 1 E "Support transportation funding by all system users rather than a gasoline tax, which is a declining revenue source.", section IV. Item 2: Change electric vehicle (EV) to zero emissions. Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Litster, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Judge, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
None
None
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
REPORTS:
City Council/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Ayala reported that he attended a tour of the Simi Valley Library, conducted Community Projects Grant Review Committee interviews, attended the Bunting Ceremony at Fire Station 45 that honored Engineer Tommy Minadeo, and attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Breakfast. He stated he attended the Youth Impact Forum, toured the Senior Center, attended the Youth Council meeting, toured the Waste Management Landfill and Recycling Center, and attended a Simi Valley Police Department Swearing-in Ceremony.
Minutes 9 March 31, 2025
Council Member Rhodes reported that he attended the Bunting Ceremony at Fire Station 45, which honored Engineer Tommy Minadeo. He also attended a Santa Susana Field Lab (SSFL) Clean Up Workshop (ZOOM) and a meeting at City Hall to discuss the progress at Runkle Canyon. Additionally, he attended the Youth Impact Forum. He had a telephone call with the developer of Runkle Canyon. He stated he attended the Adventist Health Physician Network Primary Care Ribbon Cutting, the League of California Cities dinner event, a meeting in Sacramento to advocate for SB 64, and attended the Soroptimist International of Simi Valley 10th Anniversary event.
Council Member Rhodes reported he attended the Simi Valley Elks Lodge First Responders of the Year Awards Dinner, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs ZOOM call, the League of California Cities Policy Committee of Revenue and Taxation meeting, the Simi Valley Police Department Swearing-in Ceremony, and attended Supervisor Janice Parvin's Town Hall.
Council Member Litster reported she conducted Community Projects Grant Review Committee interviews, attended the Bunting Ceremony at Fire Station 45 that honored Engineer Tommy Minadeo, the Simi Valley Veterans Foundation meeting, and is presently attending the Simi Valley Police Academy Training. She stated she attended the Youth Impact Forum, the League of California Cities dinner event, Enso Verde Grand Opening, Santa Susana Field Lab Public Scoping meeting, and the Simi Valley Education Teacher ofthe Month Award presentation. Council Member Litster attended the Simi Valley Elks Lodge First Responders of the Year Awards Dinner, presented a certificate to Dream House Studios, attended the VFW Post 10049 Gala Fund raiser Dinner, and attended the Ragtime performance at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.
She attended the Simi Valley. Police Department Swearing-in Ceremony, the League · of California Cities Environmental Committee meeting, and attended the Soroptimist International Quarter Mania fundraiser.
Mayor Pro Tern Judge reported he attended the Bunting Ceremony at Fire Station 45 honoring Engineer Tommy Minadeo, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast, the Soroptimist International of Simi Valley 10th Anniversary event, and hosted the ·simi Valley Elks Lodge First Responders of the Year Awards Dinner. He stated he attended the Ventura County Transportation Commission Finance Committee meeting, the League of California Cities Public Safety Policy Committee meeting, and the Boy Scouts of America Court of Honor Ceremony. .
Mayor Cavanaugh reported she met with former Planning Commissioner John Castleberry, attended the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) ·meeting, the Simi Valley Elks Lodge First Responders of the Year Awards Dinner, and met with City directors. She reported she attended the Simi Valley Police (?apartment Swearing-in Ceremony and the Celebration of Life held for Tommy Minadeo.
Minutes 10 March 31 , 2025
1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items: None
ADJOURNMENT : Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh adjourned the meeting at 8:47 p.m. to the meeting of April 7, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. There being no objections , the motion carried through acclamation .
D~~~~e Cizyof
Simi Valley , California , Chair of the
Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8,
and President of the Simi Valley Library
Board of Trustees
lanco CMC, City Clerk/District Secretary/
Board Secretary