City of Simi Valley
Staff Report
May 11, 2026
To: City Council
From: Department of Environmental Services
Stratis Perros, Environmental Services Director
Subject: Receive and file update on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community Projects Grant performance reports for the third quarter activities
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the Community Projects Grant performance reports for the activities during the third quarter of FY 2025-26 (Attachments A through G).
Background
On May 9, 2011, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Waste Management related to the expansion of the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. The MOU provides $150,000 in annual funding for community projects and programs at the City Council's discretion.
For FY 2025-26, the City Council awarded a combined total of $150,000 to ten non-profit organizations. The awards have an expenditure period that began on July 1, 2025, and concludes on June 30, 2026. Recipients are required to submit quarterly performance reports (reports) identifying progress on the approved scopes of work and maintain the records for ten years. Additionally, pursuant to City Council direction on November 20, 2017, any unexpended funds at the conclusion of the expenditure period shall be returned to the City for allocation during the next award cycle.
Discussion
Staff reviewed the reports covering activities from January 2026 to March 2026 from seven grant recipients . The Simi Valley Library Foundation expended all funds and completed their project, and the remaining six organizations’ reports are responsive in detailing the accomplishments of their respective scopes of work to date. The Free Clinic of Simi Valley, the Samaritan Center – Simi Valley, and Sarah’s House completed their projects and submitted final reports in prior quarters.
Agenda Item No.
Consent (3)
Recipient Award
Amount
Expenditures To Date Unspent
Balance
Estimated
Completion
Date Q1 Q2 Q3
Body Brain Train $18,277 $5,777 $3,304 $4,649 $4,547
Boys & Girls Club of
Moorpark & Simi Valley $16,419 $3,505 $6,853 $4,832 $1,229 Cancer Support
Community $15,000 $7,623 $2,437 $2,786 $2,154
Free Clinic of Simi
Valley $13,950 $13,950 – – $0 Completed
GiGi's Playhouse - Simi
Valley $15,000 $0 $2,216 $2,037 $10,747
Many Mansions $12,300 $417 $2,350 $5,489 $4,044
Sarah's House $17,000 $2,000 $15,000 – $0 Completed
Shepherd of the Valley
Lutheran Church $15,000 $4,213 $4,194 $2,803 $3,790
Simi Valley Library
Foundation $15,000 $0 $3,182 $11,818 $0 Completed
The Samaritan Center -
Simi Valley $12,054 $12,054 – – $0 Completed
Financial Impact
There are no additional financial impacts.
City Council Priority
This item supports the Thriving Community City Council’s Pillar of Excellence.
Suggested Motion
I move to receive and file the Community Projects Grant performance reports for the activities during the third quarter of FY 2025-26.
Summary
On May 9, 2011, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Waste Management related to the expansion of the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. The MOU provides $150,000 in annual funding for community projects and programs at the City Council's discretion. It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the Community Projects Grant performance reports for the activities during the third quarter of FY 2025-26.
Prepared by: Cynthia McCullough, Deputy Environmental Services Director
2 Attachments
Attachment A – Body Brain Train
Community Projects Grant Third Quarter Report
Attachment B – Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark & Simi Valley Community Projects Grant Third Quarter Report
Attachment C – Cancer Support Community
Community Projects Grant Third Quarter Report
Attachment D – GiGi’s Playhouse – Simi Valley
Community Projects Grant Third Quarter Report
Attachment E – Many Mansions
Community Projects Grant Third Quarter Report
Attachment F – Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
Community Projects Grant Third Quarter Report
Attachment G – Simi Valley Library Foundation
Community Projects Grant Third Quarter Report
3 Remaining
$4,547
Brief Explanation of Project Status (including # served to date) Amount
$99
$3,050
$1,200
$300
Total $4,649
12 On-Site Paid Hours to Trainer at $25 per hour
We added more classes this quarter, once a week, two paid trainers per class that are off site. We finished one sound-healing certification so there is no longer an ongoing payment for that. We are still using our Jungshin Certification Subscription. We served about 200 seniors this quarter.
Breakdown of 2025-26 Community Projects Grant Expenditures for the Current Quarter Description
Ongoing Certification Subscription for Jungshin (3 months) 61 Off-Site Paid Hours to Trainers at $50 per hour
40 On-Site Paid Hours to Trainers at $30 per hour
$18,277 $5,777 $3,304 $4,649
Select ( √ ) the applicable reporting quarter for this report.
Community Projects Grant
FY 2025-26
Total Award 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Project Funds Expended
Email Address: [email protected]: (805) 864-3039Contact Person: Nikki Lian Organization Name: Body Brain Train
Address: 2955 Cochran Street Unit A-1 Simi Valley, CA Estimated Completion Date: June 30, 2026 1st Quarter
Due October 10, 2025
2nd Quarter
Due January 10, 2026
3rd Quarter
Due April 10, 2026
4th Quarter
Due July 10, 2026 Final Report
Attachment A
4 Remaining
$1,229
Brief Explanation of Project Status (including # served to date) Amount
$3,658
$543
$299
$332
Total $4,832
Incentives
In the third quarter, members continued to receive math enrichment four days a week. They also participated in additional STEM-focused enrichment activities that introduced key scientific and engineering concepts. This quarter, they explored principles of force and air pressure through rocket-building activities, designed protective carriers for an egg drop engineering challenge. They learned about plant growth through hand-on gardening, and they also developed technology skills through creative coding activities.
Additionally, Financial Literacy was another focus this quarter for our older members. As part of our workforce development programming, they learned about budgeting, goal-setting, and making responsible financial decisions. They also participated in a college exploration field trip to California Lutheran University.
They learned about the opportunities available through a college experience and some of the career preparation programs available at the university. Year-to-date, we have served eighty-nine members through this grant.
Breakdown of 2025-26 Community Projects Grant Expenditures for the Current Quarter Description
Staffing
Curriculum/Program Supplies
Travel/Field Trips
$16,419 $3,505 $6,853 $4,832
Select ( √ ) the applicable reporting quarter for this report.
Community Projects Grant
FY 2025-26
Total Award 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Project Funds Expended
Email Address: [email protected]: (805) 527-4437Contact Person: Scott Mosher Organization Name: Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark & Simi Valley Address: 2850 Lemon Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93063 Estimated Completion Date: 06/30/26 1st Quarter
Due October 10, 2025
2nd Quarter
Due January 10, 2026
3rd Quarter
Due April 10, 2026
4th Quarter
Due July 10, 2026 Final Report
Attachment B
5 Remaining
$2,154
Brief Explanation of Project Status (including # served to date) Amount
$1,296
$750
$732
Facilitator mileage $8
Total $2,786
1st Quarter
Due October 10, 2025
2nd Quarter
Due January 10, 2026
3rd Quarter
Due April 10, 2026
4th Quarter
Due July 10, 2026 Final Report
Select ( √ ) the applicable reporting quarter for this report.
Community Projects Grant
FY 2025-26
Total Award 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Project Funds Expended
Email Address: [email protected]: 805.379.4777Contact Person: Monica Murrietta Organization Name: Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara Address: 4195 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. #107, WLV 91362 Estimated Completion Date: June 30, 2026 $15,000 $7,623 $2,437 $2,786
The support group funded by this grant is serving 8-12 residents on a weekly basis. It has welcomed some new participants this year! This group was started in February, 2025 and has continued.
Our weekly "All Cancers" Support Group is facilitated by our licensed clinician. This quarter's grant expenses were used for our group facilitator's salary for this Simi Valley group only, the space rental, facilitator mileage and some supportive staff time.Breakdown of 2025-26 Community Projects Grant Expenditures for the Current Quarter Description
Weekly facilitator
Supportive staff
Space rental - Rancho Simi Rec & Park District
Attachment C
6 Remaining
$10,747
Brief Explanation of Project Status (including # served to date) 1st Quarter
Due October 10, 2025
2nd Quarter
Due January 10, 2026
3rd Quarter
Due April 10, 2026
4th Quarter
Due July 10, 2026 Final Report
Select ( √ ) the applicable reporting quarter for this report.
Community Projects Grant
FY 2025-26
Total Award 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Project Funds Expended
Email Address: [email protected]: 805-426-4444Contact Person: Frankie Cohen Organization Name: GiGi's Playhouse - Simi Valley
Address: 1263 Simi Town Center Way, H3 Estimated Completion Date: 06/30/2026 $15,000 $0 $2,216 $2,037
During the third quarter of the grant period, GiGi's Playhouse Simi Valley launched and is actively operating GiGi's Kitchen as a structured culinary program serving individuals with Down syndrome across three age tracks: children, teens, and adults. Program sessions are held twice weekly for two adult cohorts and monthly for the kids, teen, and additional adult cohort. Grant funds this quarter were used to purchase fresh groceries as needed, paper and printing supplies for participant workbooks and facilitator guides, kitchen equipment, and volunteer training and onboarding.
Looking ahead to the fourth and final quarter, GiGi's Playhouse Simi Valley will continue purchasing fresh groceries and program supplies to complete our spring 2026 session, while also directing funds toward the marketing and community outreach activities outlined in our approved scope of work. This includes print materials, social media marketing, and advertising to build awareness and grow enrollment for future program sessions. In addition, we will be building out our pantry staples as outlined in the scope of work, including shelf-stable ingredients and cooking essentials, to reduce our reliance on purchasing all fresh groceries each session and create a more cost-effective and sustainable program long term. Our goal is to ensure GiGi's Kitchen finishes the grant period fully resourced and well-promoted, and continues to serve the Down syndrome community in Simi Valley as a sustainable, long-term program.
Attachment D
7 Amount
$959
$339
$375
$365
Total $2,037
Kitchen Equipment
Breakdown of 2025-26 Community Projects Grant Expenditures for the Current Quarter Description
Fresh groceries for program sessions
Office Supplies for Kitchen Program: Participant workbooks and resources Volunteer Training and Onboarding
8 Remaining
$4,044
Brief Explanation of Project Status (including # served to date) Amount
$5,489
Total $5,489
1st Quarter
Due October 10, 2025
2nd Quarter
Due January 10, 2026
3rd Quarter
Due April 10, 2026
4th Quarter
Due July 10, 2026 Final Report
Select ( √ ) the applicable reporting quarter for this report.
Community Projects Grant
FY 2025-26
Total Award 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Project Funds Expended
Email Address: [email protected]: (805) 732-3064Contact Person: Natalie Helton Organization Name: Many Mansions
Address: 1259 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, CA Estimated Completion Date: June 2026 $12,300 $417 $2,350 $5,489
The team has made significant progress installing the new HVAC units this reporting term. Between January and March, a total of 10 units were replaced, bringing the cumulative total to 15 HVAC systems installed since the start of the grant cycle. To date, 18 residents have been served by this grant. The maintenance team is currently preparing for the next phase of installations, with the project anticipated to conclude early in the fourth quarter.
Residents have expressed strong satisfaction with the results, and several are eagerly awaiting their new units (see attached photos). For many in these communities, even minor disruptions can cause major challenges to daily living. One resident, who experiences mental health challenges, was initially reluctant to have his unit replaced despite the limited functionality of the current system. Case Managers and staff worked with the individual, explaining the benefits of the new HVAC and providing support during the installation process. Following the installation, the resident was delighted with the outcome and stopped by the office several times to thank staff for their hard work and support.
Breakdown of 2025-26 Community Projects Grant Expenditures for the Current Quarter Description
10 HVAC units
Attachment E
9 10
Remaining
$3,790
Brief Explanation of Project Status (including # served to date) Amount
$150
$518
$514
$1,078
$506
$37
Total $2,803
1st Quarter
Due October 10, 2025
2nd Quarter
Due January 10, 2026
3rd Quarter
Due April 10, 2026
4th Quarter
Due July 10, 2026 Final Report
Select ( √ ) the applicable reporting quarter for this report.
Community Projects Grant
FY 2025-26
Total Award 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Project Funds Expended
Email Address: [email protected]: (805) 587-7711Contact Person: Traci Connett Organization Name: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Address: 4191 Cochran St. Simi Valley, CA 93063 Estimated Completion Date: June 30, 2026 $15,000 $4,213 $4,194 $2,803
Food
Wheel replacement for carts
From January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026 we served 3,276 families and fed 10,427 people. Stillwaters Pantry provided 93, 843 meals.
In January, we also started receiving Starbucks food donations. Every Thursday they deliver approximately 600 to 800 pounds of Starbucks food (no coffee).
Breakdown of 2025-26 Community Projects Grant Expenditures for the Current Quarter Description
Fuel
Supplies (trash bags, storage bags, gloves, etc)
Trash
Misc (cleaning, rental of box truck to p/u food, storage carts) Attachment F
11 Remaining
$0
Brief Explanation of Project Status (including # served to date) 1st Quarter
Due October 10, 2025
2nd Quarter
Due January 10, 2026
3rd Quarter
Due April 10, 2026
4th Quarter
Due July 10, 2026 Final Report
Select ( √ ) the applicable reporting quarter for this report.
Community Projects Grant
FY 2025-26
Total Award 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Project Funds Expended
Email Address: [email protected]: (805) 207-9206Contact Person: Cindy Slack Organization Name: Simi Valley Library Foundation
Address: 2969 Tapo Canyon Rd. Simi Valley, CA 93063 Estimated Completion Date: June 30, 2026 $15,000 $0 $3,182 $11,818
During the third quarter reporting period, the carpet was installed in the Library's Teen Center. All of the furniture was ordered, and most pieces were delivered.
The following items were ordered:
- Three media tables with charging capabilities and one sofa with charging capabilities ($3947.52); - Media Production/Content Creation items including two microphones, headphones, podcast mixer, microphone stand, and a sound isolation shield ($1595.17); - Two beanbag chairs ($647.30);
- A gaming station ($5479.69); and
- Shipping charges ($148.32).
The sofa and both beanbag chairs were delivered and placed in the Teen Center during this reporting period. All of the Media Production/Content Creation items were delivered and placed at the Circulation Desk and are available upon request to prevent any items from being stolen or damaged. The gaming station was delivered and will be placed in the Teen Center once the gaming system and monitors are received.
Since the furniture was placed in the Teen Center at the beginning of March, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people utilizing the space, especially teenagers. During the third quarter of the grant period, approximately 950 people have used the Teen Center as a study space and a place to hang out, as well as for meetings. For the first three quarters of the grant period, approximately 1930 people have used the Teen Center.
Attachment G
12 Amount
$3,948
$1,595
$647
$5,480
$148
Total $11,818
Gaming station
Shipping charges
Breakdown of 2025-26 Community Projects Grant Expenditures for the Current Quarter Description
3 media tables with charging capabilities and 1 sofa with charging capabilities Media Production/Content Creation items (2 microphones, headphones, podcast mixer, microphone stand, sound isolation shield)
2 beanbag chairs
13