CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
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eptember 8, 2025
T
O: City Council
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ROM: Department of Environmental Services
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UBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A
COMMISSIONER TO THE AREA HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE
COUNTY OF VENTURA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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ubsequent to preparation of this staff report, staff received two emails regarding the Interview Committee’s nomination for appointment to the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners.
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_________________________________
Stratis Perros
Environmental Services Director
P
repared by: Kelly Duffy, Community Services Coordinator A
ttachments:
E
mail from Diane Miller
Email from Holly Harpham
SUPPLEMENTAL
AGENDA ITEM NO.
3A(1)
From:
To: Kelly Duffy
Subject: Re: Nomination of an applicant to serve on the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners
Date: Tuesday, September 02, 2025 2:21:28 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. If you suspect a phishing attempt please report it as phishing.
Learn how.
Mrs. Duffy,
I appreciate the opportunity given to me to apply for a volunteer job with area housing however I was under the impression that what you were looking for was experience to make Simi Valley a better community, it has been brought to my attention that the person chosen is a friend of a friend or a family member. I now understand that not everyone wants to do what best for the community in Simi Valley. Low low income is a shambles, that affects many of us. No one is trying to make it better that truly saddens me. I also received an invitation to another planning meeting that was canceled the very next day again.
As you said there were 11 applicants why interview
us, if you already had someone for the position. I suppose realistically covering your backs was important. No reply needed.
This is on everyone who participated in trying to make it look legitimate. Political handling. I will never apply for any volunteer position in Simi Valley again. Please pass this on to all who were involved.
Diane Miller
Sent using the mail.com mail app
On 8/25/25 at 11:07 AM, Kelly Duffy wrote:
From: "Kelly Duffy" <[email protected]>
Date: August 25, 2025
To: "
Cc:
Subject: Nomination of an applicant to serve on the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners Dear Diane C. Miller,
Thank you for applying to serve on Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners. We appreciate you taking the time to 2 apply and participating in the interview process. There were over 11 applications received for the one vacancy. Therefore, it was a difficult decision for the interview panel to nominate one individual as each applicant brought its own talents and qualifications into the process. You have not been nominated at this time, but are encouraged to apply for future opportunities to serve within the City of Simi Valley. The nominated applicant will be appointed, upon approval of the City Council, at the September 8, 2025 City Council Meeting.
Thank you for your participation.
Best regards,
Kelly Duffy
City of Simi Valley
Community Services Coordinator
805-583-6756
3 From:
To: Kelly Duffy
Subject: Re: Nomination of an applicant to serve on the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners
Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 8:25:37 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. If you suspect a phishing attempt please report it as phishing. Learn how.
Hi Kelly,
I heard that the person who was seated for the VHA was the same person who previously held the spot, for the last 3 years. It’s frustrating to learn that despite spending time researching the VHA and preparing for the interview, the 11 of us who interviewed never had a chance at actually being seated on the board. I understand one of the men from Ojai has held the spot for
close to a decade.
If there are no term limits for these spots and incumbents are given priority, I think it’s only fair tell the people applying for the position that the “open interview process” is perfunctory and they are unlikely to get the spot since an incumbent has already reapplied.
Im not sure, given all the information I learned about the process, I would have taken the time to do the research, prepare for interview, and drive down to city hall for in person interview if I knew the incumbent would be given preferential priority.
I’m not saying that I would have been appointed, but you said, “It’s competitive” and yet not one of the other 11 people were picked.
It’s too bad that new ideas and new blood are not valued and new people are not given the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful position. I think Neighborhood Council does a great job of encouraging new people and new ideas by making people wait before reapplying for another term.
Now that I understand how the process works, it makes me sad. I know you don’t make the rules but there should be a reevaluation of the rules which allow for multiple consecutive terms.
Thank you for listening to my thoughts on the matter,
Holly
On Mon, Aug 25, 2025 at 1:00
PM Holly Harpham < wrote:
Thank you, Kelly for letting me know. I will try again next year.
Kind regards,
Holly
On Mon, Aug 25, 2025 at 11:05
AM Kelly Duffy <[email protected]> wrote:
4 Dear Holly,
Thank you for applying to serve on Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura Board of Commissioners. We appreciate you taking the time to apply and participating in the interview process. There were over 11 applications received for the one vacancy. Therefore, it was a difficult decision for the interview panel to nominate one individual as each applicant brought its own talents and qualifications into the process. You have not been nominated at this time, but are encouraged to apply for future opportunities to serve within the City of Simi Valley. The nominated applicant will be appointed, upon approval of the City Council, at the September 8, 2025 City Council Meeting.
Thank you for your participation.
Best regards,
Kelly Duffy
City of Simi Valley
Community Services Coordinator
805-583-6756
5