CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
S
eptember 8, 2025
T
O: City Council
F
ROM: Department of Environmental Services
S
UBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A
COMMISSIONER TO THE AREA HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE
COUNTY OF VENTURA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RECOMMENDATION
I
t is recommended that the City Council adopt R esolution No. 2025-27 (page 3) appointing Joseph J. Piechowski to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners to fill an upcoming vacancy with a term commencing on October 1, 2025, and concluding on September 30, 2029.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
T
he Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (AHA) represents seven jurisdictions in Ventura County, including the City of Simi Valley. Each jurisdiction appoints two Commissioners, and all jurisdictions jointly appoint one resident Commissioner. The City-appointed Commissioners serve four-year terms, and the resident Commissioner serves a two- year term. Their duties include policy -making, protection of public funds, and general oversight responsibilities. Regular AHA Board meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. One of the City -appointed Commissioners’ terms expires on September 30, 2025.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
A rec
ruitment was initiated on July 1 , 2025, and concluded on July 31, 2025. Outreach efforts included a press release, cable television promotion, City Focus and Senior Center newsletters, and postings on the City’s website and social media channels, as well as an email notification. As a result of the recruitment, twelve (12) applications were received.
A
t the July 21, 2025, City Council Meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Judge and Council Member Joseph Ayala were selected by the City Council to serve as the Interview Committee. On August 21, 2025, the Interview Committee conducted 11 interviews, one applicant withdrew their application, and nominated Joseph J. Piechowski for appointment for a term commencing on October 1, 2025, and concluding September 30, 2029. This will be Mr. Piechowski’s second appointment. There are no term limits precluding Mr. Piechowski from serving another consecutive term.
AGENDA I
TEM NO.
3A(1)
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-27 appointing Joseph J. Piechowski to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commiss ioners to fill an upcoming vacancy for a term commencing on October 1, 2025 and ending September 30, 2029;
2. Provide staff with further direction.
The Interview Committee recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to adopt Resolution No. 2025-27 appointing Joseph J. Piechowski to the AHA Board of Commissioners for a term commencing on October 1, 2025, and concluding on September 30, 2029.
SUMMARY
The City Council appoints two Commissioners to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners. One of the City-appointed Commissioners’ terms expires on September 30, 2025. After a recruitment process and interviews of eligible applicants, the Interview Committee selected by the City Council has nominated Joseph J. Piechowski for appointment to the AHA Board of Commissioners to fill the upcoming vacancy.
____________________________________
Stratis Perros
Environmental Services Director
Prepared by: Kelly Duffy, Community Services Coordinator
INDEX Page
Resolution No. 2025-27 ................................................................................................... 3 Attachment A – Application ............................................................................................. 5
2 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-27
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF JOSEPH J.
PIECHOWSKI AS COMMISSIONER TO THE AREA
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF VENTURA
BOARD OF COMMI SSIONERS, TO FILL AN UPCOMING
VACANCY WITH THE TERM CONCLUDING SEPTEMBER
30, 2029
WHEREAS, the City of Simi Valley, with other local agencies, has created an Area Housing Authority through an agreement executed by the City on January 24, 1975; and
WHEREAS, one of the City -appointed Commissioner terms concludes on September 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Simi Valley desires to appoint a Commissioner to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners for a term commencing on October 1, 2025, and concluding on December 30, 2029, to represent the City of Simi Valley on the Board of Commissioners.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 34246, Joseph J. Pichowski is hereby appointed as Commissioner to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners, to fill an upcoming vacancy, for a term commencing on October 1, 2025, and concluding September 30, 2029.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 8
th day of September 2025.
3 Attest:
Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor of the City of Simi Valley, California
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Content:
Algeria R. Ford, City Attorney Samantha C. Argabrite, City Manager
Stratis Perros
Environmental Services Director
4 RES. NO. 2025-27
From: City of Simi Valley, CA
To: Kelly Duffy; Housing
Subject: *NEW SUBMISSION* Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners Application Date: Thursday, July 03, 2025 4:48:02 PM
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Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners Application Submission #: 4163655
IP Address:
Submission Date: 07/03/2025 4:47
Survey Time:
You have a new online form submission.
Note: all answers displaying "*****" are marked as sensitive and must be viewed after your login.
The City of Simi Valley is accepting applications for a Commissioner appointment to serve on the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners. Applicants will be interviewed by a committee of two City Council Members and will be recommended to the City Council for appointment in September 2025.
Applicants will be contacted for interviews with two City Council Members once a date has been set.
Applications will be accepted through July 31, 2025. The appointed Commissioner will serve a four-year term commencing on October 1, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2029. 1) Name
Joseph J. Piechowski
2) Home Address
Simi Valley, CA 93065
3) Personal Phone Number
4) Email Address
5) Employer
Self-employed
6) Job Title/Duties
I manage a sports blog focused on UCLA Athletics.
7) Work Phone Number
ATTACHMENT A
5 8) What do you know about the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura? I have served as one of Simi Valley's two AHACV Commissioners since being appointed to fill a partial-term vacancy beginning in April 2023.
13) Why do you think the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura is important? The AHACV provides much needed housing for low income residents of Ventura County. 9) What contributions do you think you can make to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura? While I have served as an AHACV commissioner for a little over two years, I feel that it's only in the past year that I started to hit my stride with an excellent understanding of the agency as there is a bit of a learning curve. I would welcome the opportunity to serve a full-term.
10) What do you see as your responsibilities if appointed as a Commissioner to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura?
The nuts and bolts of this position is really understanding the agency's financial reports. The AHACV is currently ranked as a "high-performing agency" by the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development, which is the highest possible. I would like to continue contributing to the agency's performance. 12) How much time are you willing to contribute to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura on a monthly basis (in hours)?
I am willing to contribute as many hours as needed.
11) Please list any community activities you are currently involved in. Attach additional pages, if necessary.
In addition to my service on the AHACV, I am the Ventura County Community College District Trustee representing Simi Valley and Moorpark. I have previously served on Neighborhood Council #4 including a term as Chair. I have also previously served as the Chair of Simi Valley's Special Event Support Review Committee. 11a) Additional attachment for community activities
14) Please add any additional information you would like considered. 15) Do you or any member of your household administer, manage, or receive any income, compensation, or funds from the Area Housing Authority, including contracts for services, rent, etc., as a matter of personal or business interaction?
No
Please select 'agree' affirming agreement with the following statements (Nos. 1-5):
Statement No. 1) I understand that if I am selected as a Commissioner of the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners, I will serve at the discretion of the Simi Valley City Council.
Agree
Statement No. 2) I understand that as a volunteer, I am not considered an employee of the City of Simi Valley and consequently not covered by workers’ compensation or other City of Simi Valley insurance policies.
Agree
Statement No. 3) I understand that eligible applicants may not be a participating landlord in the agency programs and must submit required conflict of interest filings.
Agree
Statement No. 4) I understand that I must demonstrate the ability to regularly attend meetings in person or virtually to maintain attendance with no more than three absences in a year.
Agree
Statement No. 5) I understand that if I am selected as a Commissioner of the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners, I will need to sign a Statement of Commitment as well as complete 6 an ethics training course.
Agree
By entering my name in the box below, I am digitally signing my application to serve as a Commissioner for the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura and certify that the foregoing information is true and correct.
Joseph J. Piechowski
Thank you for your interest in serving on the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners.
Thank you,
City of Simi Valley, CA
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