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 February 9, 2026
a.
b.
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:30 p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro Tern Litster, and Mayor Cavanaugh
Remote: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS: Having no public statements, the City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:32 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION:
(1) Conference with Legal Counsel -Anticipated Litigation: (CC) Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9{d){2):
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.
(2) Conference with Real Property Negotiator: (CC)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8:
Number of Matters: One (1)
Property APN: 612-0-240-045; 612-0-240-065; 612-0-240-155; 612-0-240-175 Agency Negotiator: Luis Garibay, Assistant City Manager Negotiating Parties: SV TC PROPERTY LLC
Under Negotiation: Instruction to the negotiator regarding price and terms
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
VVWD - 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, VVWD, 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 February 9, 2026
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. (OPEN SESSION)
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS: Assistant City Attorney Gutierrez stated there was no reportable action as a result of the Closed Session meeting held on January 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Justin Link
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern
Litster, and Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
Remote: None
Absent: None
1. AGENDA REVIEW:
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/PFFA/SA/LB)
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
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 month of February as Black History Month (CC)
Police Chief Shorts read, and Mayor Cavanaugh presented a Proclamation declaring February as Black History Month, and Office Jay King accepted the Proclamation.
Minutes 3 February 9, 2026
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
3. APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
3A. APPOINTMENTS: None
38. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
3C. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
(1) Update on Moorpark College by President Dr. Julius Sokenu (CC}
Moorpark College President Dr. Julius Sokenu provided the City Council with a presentation on activities happening at Moorpark College. (2) Presentation by Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission {LAFCo) (CC}
Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) Executive Officer Kai Luoma gave a presentation introducing LAFCo and providing an overview of the City Annexation Process.
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Patty Braga, Executive Director of the Ventura County Leadership Academy, announced this year's honorees and invited the community. Speaking on behalf of the Public Library Foundation, she also promoted the "Love & Laughs" Comedy Night at the Cultural Arts Center, provided updates on library room renovations, and commented on the facility's aging structure.
2. Pat Lewis, no address given, spoke about a fundraiser to support the Simi Valley Library Foundation.
3. Li Sun, Simi Valley resident, addressed concerns regarding the sale of his business, pending litigation in Ventura County Court, and permit-related matters.
4. Alynne Eason, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in opposition to short-term rentals. l
5. James McGillis, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in opposition to short-term rentals. Mr.
McGillis also commented on a Council member's candidacy for State Assembly.
Minutes
4A.
4 February 9, 2026
6. Anthony Eason, Simi Valley, CA, spoke in opposition to short term rentals. Mr.
Eason addressed prior remarks made by Council Member Rhodes. ·
7. Justin Link, Simi Valley Principal Traffic Engineer, spoke about engineer contract negotiations.
8. Eddie Yamamoto, Simi Valley, CA, Principal Engineer of Building and Safety, spoke in support of competitive compensation and asked for progress in engineer contract negotiations.
9. Robert Herr, no address given, spoke in support of competitive compensation and asked for progress in the engineer contract negotiations.
10. Ken Hurst, no address given, spoke about his concerns and opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
11. Kevin Williams, no address given, spoke in support of the engineer compensation contract and encouraged the Council to be more proactive.
12. Ashley, no address given, spoke about her concerns and opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
13. Jamie Sanchez, no address given, addressed Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and inquired about school support resources for students who may be affected by teen dating violence.
The following submitted a speaker card but did not wish to speak:
1. Lauren Gallardo (no address given)
2. Claudio Morello, Simi Valley
CITY COUNCIUBOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Council Member Rhodes thanked speakers from the Ventura County Leadership Academy and the library for their updates. He acknowledged and thanked Jamie Sanchez for sharing her story and topic, explained that the school is not within the City's purview, and stated that he would coordinate with staff to provide an answer to her question.
Council Member Ayala expressed support for the Love and Laugh event and asked City Manager Samantha Argabrite about the timeline for the Short-Term Rentals ordinance. He thanked Ms. Sanchez for bringing attention to teen dating violence and mentioned the website loveisrespect.org as a helpful resource for teens experiencing dating violence.
Minutes
5. 6.
7. 5 February 9, 2026
City Manager Samantha Argabrite responded to Councilmember Ayala's question, stating that the Short-Term Rental ordinance is expected to be presented to the Planning Commission in March and expected to come before the City Council in May.
Mayor Cavanaugh stated that she will be attending the Love and Laugh event, thanked the Eason's and Mr. McGillis for attending, and said the City will be working on the issues they raised. She addressed the engineers and noted that the Council understands the importance of finalizing a contract, and expressed appreciation to everyone who participated in public comments.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONTINUED PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS. APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
(1) Approval of minutes for the City Council meeting of August 4. 2025 (Blanco) (CC/WWD/PFFA/SA/LB)
ACTION: Approved request.
(2) Award a contract to Vortex Services. LLC dba Sancen Technologies for the construction of the Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation Project CP70200044, Specification No. SV 25-35 (Fuchiwaki) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to Vortex Services, LLC, dba Sancen Technologies.
(3) Authorization to waive the bidding process pursuant to the Simi Valley Municipal Code and award a contract to D&H Water Systems for the replacement of the hypochlorite generation system at the Tapo Canyon Water Treatment Plant. CP76300061 (Fuchiwaki) (WWD)
ACTION: Awarded contract to D and H Water Systems.
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Judge moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 3. Council Member/Directorrrrustee Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directorsrrrustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
None
None
None
Minutes 6 February 9, 2026
8. CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9A. Adoption of a resolution of the Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees revising the City of Simi Valley Administrative Policies and Procedures for the Simi Valley Public Library and adoption of an additional policy related to the governance of the Simi Valley Public Library Garibay) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member Judge moved to approve and adopt that the Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees adopt Resolution No. PL-38 revising the City of Simi Valley's Administrative Policies and Procedures for the Simi Valley Public Library and adopting the proposed Privacy Policy. Council Member Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
10. REPORTS:
Council Members Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro Tern Litster, and Mayor Cavanaugh
None
None
None
1 OA. City Council/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Ayala reported attending the Homeless Point-in-Time Count, the Film Simi Valley Subcommittee meeting, and the Erringer Family Dental Group 30th anniversary event. He attended Stephanie Tolson's Celebration of Life, the Fourth of July Subcommittee meeting, the Youth Council meeting, met with Commander Frates for an update on a homeless encampment, and was invited to speak at the Santa Susana High School National Honor Society Leadership Symposium. He attended the Regional Defense Partnership (RDP) meeting, the Hispanic Business Alliance, the Samaritan Center Volunteer Dinner, and the Council on Aging meeting.
Council Member Rhodes provided the SCAG Regional Council District update to the Thousand Oaks City Council, participated in the Homeless Point-in-Time Count, presented a green energy project at Hummingbird Nest Ranch, and attended Stephanie Tolson's Celebration of Life. He met with Commander Frates for a homeless encampment update, provided a short briefing with the Community Economic Human Development Committee, attended the SCAG Executive Administration Committee meeting, the SCAG CHED Regional Council meeting, the Clean Power Alliance meeting, the Samaritan Center Volunteer Dinner, and Ronald Reagan's 115th Birthday Celebration.
Minutes 7 February 9, 2026
Council Member Judge reported attending the SCAG Administration Committee meeting, the SCAG Regional Council Transportation Committees meetings, the Ventura County Transportation Committee (VCTC) meeting, and the Council on Aging meeting.
Council Member Litster reported attending the Homeless Point-in-Time Count, the Santa Susana Field Lab Cleanup Presentation, the Film Simi Valley meeting, and Stephanie Tolson's Celebration of Life. She met with Commander Frates to receive an update on the Homeless Encampment. She attended the Samaritan Center Housing Committee meeting, met with Pickle N Play owner, attended SCAG Regional Council and Policy Committee meeting and attended Samaritan Center Volunteer Dinner.
Mayor Cavanaugh reported attending the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Tourism meeting, a Pre-Grammy celebration with Supervisor Parvin, and a meeting with Ken Hurst and a community group. She attended Stephanie Tolson's Celebration of Life event, met with Crestview Elementary via ZOOM, attended a Student Civic Engagement event, and a Samaritan Center Housing Committee meeting. She also met with City Manager Argabrite and Supervisor Parvin, visited Knolls Elementary, spoke with Simi Valley Leadership Class, and attended a meeting with Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.
1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items:
Mayor Pro Tern Litster requested an item to discuss abandoned shopping carts.
Council Member Rhodes seconded the motion.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m. in memory of Kathy Ervin (former owner of Penny Pinchers) and Oxnard Police Commander Scott Aaron to the meeting of February 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. There being no objections, the motion carried through acclamation.
Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor he City of
Simi Valley, California , Chair of the
Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8,
and President of the Simi Valley Library
Board of Trustees
, ecretary/
Authority/Agen cy Secre ary oar etary