CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
S
eptember 15, 2025
T
O: City Council
F
ROM: Department of Environmental Services
S
UBJECT: A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE FY 2025-2029 REGIONAL CONSOLIDATED PLAN TO
INCORPORATE THE PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL
FOR SIMI VALLEY TO THE STRAT EGIC PLAN AND MAKE A
DETERMINATION THAT THE AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
I
t is recommended that the City Council:
1. A
pprove a Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025- 2029 Regional Consolidated Plan to incorporate the Promote Economic Development Goal for S imi Valley to the Strategic Plan;
2. A
uthorize the submission of the Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025- 2029 Regional Consolidated Plan (Exhibit 1, page 6) to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and
3. D
etermine that the Substantial Amendment is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
T
he United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the City of Simi Valley (City) to prepare an annual Action Plan that describes the intended use of f ederal and other funding resources on community needs outlined in the City’s adopted FY 2025-2029 Regional Consolidated Plan (See 24 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Title 24: Housing and Urban Development Section 91.15(b)(1); See also 24 CFR
91.220(c)). The Regional Consolidated Plan is carried out through a nnual Action Plans, which provide a concise summary of activities and the specific f ederal and non-f ederal resources that will be used each year to address the priority needs and specific goals identified in the Regional Consolidated Plan. The City must submit the annual Action Plan to HUD no later than May 15 of each year during the five- year period. The City adopted the FY 2025-26 Action Plan on May 5, 2025.
T
he Consolidated Plan is developed to assist states and local jurisdictions in assessing their community development needs and market conditions, and then make data-driven, place-based investment decisions. The consolidated planning process i s the framework for a community -wide assessment to identify housing and community development priorities that focus and line up funding from the Community Planned Development (CPD) AGENDA ITEM NO.
5A
formula block grant programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program. The Consolidated Plan is carried out through annual Action Plans, which give a detailed summary of the actions, activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be utilized yearly to address the priority needs and specific goals identified by the Consolidated Plan.
FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
As stipulated in 24 CFR Part 91, HUD has established that grantees must amend approved Consolidated Plans in order to: make a change in allocation priorities; conduct a new activity using funds carried out under the Action Plan; or change the purpose, scope, location, or beneficiary of an activity. The City is amending the Consolidated Plan to incorporate the Promote Economic Development Goal.
This Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025-2029 Regional Consolidated Plan is required because the City will incorporate the Promote Economic Development G oal for Simi Valley to the Strategic Plan that is included in the Regional Consolidated Plan. The added goal will rectify an omission from the Regional Consolidated Plan recently approved by the City Council on May 5, 2025. This added goal is a result of increased local need and approval to support microenterprise assistance for low - and moderate-income daycare providers and their low-moderate-income clientele as established in the current FY 2025- 26 Action Plan.
In accordance with the City’s Citizen Participation Plan, a Substantial Amendment to a Consolidated Plan is required when a “substantial change” is proposed, which includes reallocation of funds, relocation of a project, or a change in revenue or expenditure greater than 20 percent.
To comply with 24 CFR § 91.105, the City provided a 30-day public comment period as part of the HUD public participation process. Additionally, this public hearing provides opportunities for public comment in consideration of this Substantial Amendment.
California Environmental Quality Act Review
Staff has reviewed the S ubstantial Amendment to the FY 2025- 2029 Regional Consolidated Plan and has determined that the proposed addition of the goal that will enable funding microenterprise programs is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Substantial Amendment ( incorporating the Promote Economic Development Goal for Simi Valley to the Strategic Plan that is included in the Regional Consolidated Plan) is exempt from CEQA pursuant to 24 CFR 58.34 (a)(9) , technical assistance and t raining. This exemption applies in that the new goal will allow for the funding of for -profit microenterprise business that consists of providing technical assistance to low- moderate-income small day care business owners in the community .
This was the direction that the City Council provided at the May 5, 2025, Council meeting.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Approve a Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025-2029 Regional Consolidated Plan to incorporate the Promote Economic Development G oal for Simi Valley to 2 the Strategic Plan that is included in the Regional Consolidated Plan; authorize the submission of a Substantial Amendment to the FY 20 25-2029 Regional Consolidated Plan to HUD; and make a determination that the Substantial Amendment is exempt from CEQA;
2. Do not approve the Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025 -2029 Regional Consolidated Plan;
3. Provide further direction to staff.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL MOTION
I move to review and approve a Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025- 2029 Regional Consolidated Plan to incorporate the Promote Economic Development G oal for Simi Valley to the Strategic Plan included in the Regional Consolidated Plan; authorize the submission of a Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025-2 029 Regional Consolidated Plan to HUD; and determine that the Substantial Amendment is exempt from CEQA.
SUMMARY
It is recommended that the City Council approve th e Substantial Amendment to incorporate the Promote Economic Development G oal for Simi Valley to the Strategic Plan that is included in the Regional Consolidated Plan and make a determination that the Substantial Amendment is exempt from CEQA.
____________________________________
Stratis Perros
Environmental Services Director
Prepared by: Julia Ramirez, Administrative Officer
INDEX Page
Public Hearing Procedure………………………………………………….......................... .4 Exhibit 1 – Draft Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025- 2029 Regional Consolidated Plan ............................................................................................................. 6
3 PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE
HEARING DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
1. CITY CLERK: This is the time and place set for a public hearing to consider a Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025 -2029 Regional
Consolidated Plan and to authorize its submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development and make a determination that the Amendment is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
2. MAYOR: Before we begin, are there any ex parte communications to report?
3. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER: (Report)
4. MAYOR: Staff may begin with the oral report on this matter.
5. STAFF: (Report)
6. MAYOR: Any questions of staff from City Council Members? (Questions of staff and staff response)
7. MAYOR: At this time, I would like to open the hearing for anyone in the City Council Chambers wishing to be heard on this matter?
8. AUDIENCE: Public Testimony and Comments.
9. MAYOR: Does Staff desire to respond to any comments or issues raised?
10. STAFF: (Response to comments and additional City Council questions)
11. MAYOR: The hearing is now closed.
12. MAYOR: Any further comments or questions from City Council Members?
13. MAYOR: I will now entertain a motion.
4 14. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER: City Council Actions (by motion of any Council Member):
Approve or modify a Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025- 2029 Regional Consolidated Plan and authorize or not
authorize its submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and make a determination that the Amendment is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act.
(requires a second and a vote).
*Any action to refer the matter back to staff or to continue the matter requires a second and a vote.
15. ANY COUNCIL
MEMBER : Second
16. MAYOR: (Call for vote)
17. MAYOR: Proceed to the next item.
5 _______________________________________
DRAFT
SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT
TO THE FY 2025-2029
REGIONAL CONSOLIDATED PLAN
Public Review Period August 15 – September 15, 2025
City of Simi Valley
Department of Environmental Services
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
EXHIBIT 1
6 INTRODUCTION
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the City of Simi Valley (City) to prepare an annual Action Plan [24 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Title 24: Housing and Urban Development Section 91.15(b)(1)] that describes the intended use of federal and other funding resources on community needs outlined in the City’s adopted FY 2 025-2029 Regional Consolidated Pl an [24 CFR 91.220(c)]. The Regional Consolidated Plan is carried out through annual Action Plans, which provide a concise summary of activities and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used each year to address the priority needs and specific goals identified in the Regional Consolidated Plan. The City must submit the annual Action Plan to HUD no later than May 15 of each year during the five-year period. The City adopted the FY 2025-26 Action Plan on May 5, 2025.
The Consolidated Plan is desig ned to help states and local ju risdictions to assess their community development needs and market c onditions and make data-driven, place- based investment decisions. The consolidated planning process serves as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community development priorities that align and focus funding from the Community Planned Development (CPD) formula block grant programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program. The Consoli dated Plan is carried out through Annual Action Plans, which provide a concise summary of the actions, activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used each year to addre ss the priority needs and specific goals identified by the Consolidated Plan.
24 CFR Part 91, HUD has established that grantees must amend approved Consolidated Plans in order to: make a change in its alloca tion priorities; conduct a new activity using funds carried out under the Action Plan; or change the purpose, scope, location, or beneficiary of an activity. The City is amending the Consolidated Plan to incorporate the Promote Economic Development goal.
PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE REGIONAL CONSOLIDATED PLAN
This Substantial Amendment to the FY 2025-2029 Regional Consolidated Plan is necessary because the City will incorporate the Promote Economic Development goal for Simi Valley to the Strategic Plan included in the Regional Consolidated Plan. The added goal will rectify an omission from the Regional Consolidated Pl an approved by the City Council on May 5, 2025. This added goal is a result of increased local need and approval to support microenterprise assistance for low- and moderate-income daycare providers and their low-moderate-income clientele.
7 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Per the City’s Citizen Participation Plan, a Substantial Amendment to a Consolidated Plan is required when a “substantial change” is proposed, which includes:
Reallocation of funds;
Relocation of a project; or
Change in revenue or expendit ure greater than 20 percent.
In accordance with 24 CFR § 91.105, the Cit y is providing notice of a 30-day public comment period as part of the HUD public parti cipation process. Additionally, a public hearing will be held to pr ovide opportunities for public comment in consideration of this Substantial Amendment.
ANALYSIS
This proposal qualifies as a Substantial Amendment becaus e it meets the following criteria:
Funding of a new activity not previous ly described in the Consolidated Plan; A significant change to proposed beneficiaries or persons served; and Increases expenditure amount by greater than 20 percent.
Change to the FY 2025-2029 Regional Conso lidated Plan is primarily a result of incorporating the Promote Economic Development Goal for Simi Valley to the Strategic Plan included in the Consolidated Plan.
SUMMARY
This Substantial Amendment proposes to modify the FY 2025-2029 Regional Consolidated Plan. It is recommended that t he City Council approve this Substantial Amendment as an avenue to incorporate the Pr omote Economic Development Goal for Simi Valley to the Strategic Plan included in the Consolidated Plan.
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