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 July 27, 2026
a.
b.
CALLED TO ORDER: 5:30 p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Ayala, Rhodes, Judge and Mayor Cavanaugh.
Mayor Pro Tern Litster arrived at 5:48p.m.
Remote: None
Absent: None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS: Having no public statements, the City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:30 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.
(2) Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation: (CC) Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d){1}:
Number of Matters: Two (2)
• Name of Case: Roy Walker v City of Simi Valley (Workers' Compensation) Claims 603743; 604393; 604488; 604539 (ADJ8427322); 604634; 605408 (ADJ 15970647); 605438 (ADJ 15507770)
• Name of Case: Lisa lavello v City of Simi Valley (Workers' Compensation) Claims 605524 (ADJ18487119); 605364 (ADJ16216577); 605372 (ADJ15112725); 605482 (ADJ19420220)
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
WWD - Wateiworks 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, WWD, 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 July 27, 2026
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. (OPEN SESSION)
CLOSED SESSION REPORTS: City Attorney Ford stated there was no reportable action as a result of the Closed Session meeting held on June 22, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Gregory Seymour
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: None
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 20-Year Service Award and July Employee of the Month to Gregory Seymour (CC)
Community Services Manager Kimberley Post read, and Mayor Cavanaugh presented a 20-Year Service Award and July Employee of the Month to Gregory Seymour.
Minutes
2. 3.
4. 3 July 27, 2026
(2) Certificate of Recognition to Carol Barona w/Kids N' Things for 50 years of dedicated service and congratulations upon her retirement (CC) Sr. Management Analyst Heidi DiNardo read a commendation recognizing Carol Barona of Kids N' Things for 50 years of dedicated service and congratulated her on her retirement. Mayor Pro Tern Litster informed the City Council that Ms.
Barona was unable to attend and expressed appreciation for her invaluable service. Council Member Judge also expressed appreciation for Ms. Barona's dedication and many years of service.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
Agenda Item No. 2 is the time allotted for public statements on Appointments, Special Presentations, and Informational Reports only. Public statements on all other items on the agenda, except Public Hearings, take place during Agenda Item No. 4 and Agenda Item No. 6, exclusively.
APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS.
APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Richard Douglas, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about a traffic safety issue affecting the community.
2. Ben Davis, Piccola Tiny Homes, thanked the City Council for the memo released regarding tiny homes.
a. Christine Irwin, Simi Valley, CA, expressed concerns regarding neighborhood conditions.
3. Deb Dickerson, Simi Valley, expressed concerns regarding data centers.
4. Dale Steinek, no address given, spoke about her filming location business.
5. Doreen Stoutland, Woodland's resident, urged the City Council to complete the development and to consider the developer's request.
6. Ivana Christmann, Woodland's resident, spoke regarding the Runkle Canyon development and urged the City Council and the developer to complete the project.
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, 4A.
4 July 27, 2026
7. Royce Caldwell, a Woodlands resident, expressed concerns regarding delays by the developer and urged the Council not to grant additional extensions.
8. Ronnie Helge, no address given, complained about City employee responsiveness and discussed hazards on walking paths in the community.
9. Frank Tomlinson, Vets and Valor, spoke regarding potential banner distribution event and discussed the challenges faced by veterans in the community.
10.Jamie Sanchez, no address given, expressed appreciation for veterans and discussed the importance of veteran representation by the City.
11. Seth Putnam, no address given, spoke about the growing coyote problem and dangers it poses to the community.
12. Travis Foster, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about the growing coyote problem and the dangers it poses to the community.
The following submitted a speaker card but did not wish to speak:
1. Carol Thomaiser, no address given, wrote in opposition to 9A, no use of City property for housing study.
CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Council Member Rhodes responded to the Woodlands speakers and said the City Council will discuss the issue later in the meeting. He apologized to the speaker for not following up on her concerns sooner. He also acknowledged the growing coyote problem in the community.
City Manager Argabrite addressed the speaker's traffic safety concern, stating that staff will conduct a traffic assessment once school begins. She also shared information available on the City's website about coyotes and ways residents can avoid attracting coyotes into their neighborhoods.
Mayor Pro Tern Litster thanked the public for sharing their concerns. She appreciated the suggestion regarding a veterans' event and acknowledged comments concerning the film industry, clean-up efforts in the arroyo, and data centers.
Council Member Judge thanked the public for their comments regarding veterans and suggested holding a veterans' event in the future. He also addressed the growing coyote problem and offered a suggestion. He concluded by thanking the public for participating.
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5. 6.
7. 5 July 27, 2026
Council Member Ayala acknowledged the speaker's traffic safety concern and said the study would be addressed once school starts.
Mayor Cavanaugh stated that she would like to see a veterans' event and thanked the members of the public for their service. She also noted that the Woodlands issue would be discussed later in the meeting.
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 meetings of May 11 and June 8, 2026 (Blanco) (CC/WWD/PFFA/SA/LB)
ACTION: Approved request.
(2) Approval of Monthly Investment Report for the month ended June 30, 2026 (Johnson) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request.
(3) Adoption of a resolution to accept $184,384.16 from the FY 2026-27 State of California Highway Patrol {CHP) Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program and authorize the City Manager or designee to sign all grant-related documents (Shorts) (CC)
ACTION: Adopted Resolution 2026-36.
(4) Rejection of all bids for the FY 2026-27 Annual Major Streets Rehabilitation Program: Alamo Street (Erringer Road to Gage Avenue), CP60000018, Specification No. SV 26-25 (Spurgin) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request.
(5) Ratification of actions taken by the City Manager/District Manager or her designee on certain items during the City Council/Board of Directors' extended break (Spurgin) (CC/WWD)
ACTION: Approved request.
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8. BA.
6 July _27, 2026
(6) Authorization for the City Manager to execute agreements with the Ventura County Probation Agency for continued participation in the Post Release Offender Supervision program (Shorts) (CC)
ACTION: Approved agreements.
(7) Approve an amendment to the License Agreement with the Southeast Ventura County YMCA for the use of 1.22 Acres of City-Owned Property {APN: 633-0- 170-105) (Garibay) (CC)
ACTION: Approved amendments with Southeast Ventura County YMCA. (8) Award a contract to Crosstown Electrical & Data, Inc. to construct the Retroreflective Backplate Proiect {HSIP Cycle 12). CP60000055, Specification No. SV 26-05 (Spurgin) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to Crosstown Electrical & Data, Inc.
Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster commended staff for the good work on Consent Item 8 and thanked those who worked on the Retroreflective Backplate Project for significantly reducing the project expense. Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes also commended staff for the work on Consent Item 2, specifically the changes made to the investment report to reflect annual changes that helped keep taxes low.
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 8. Council Member Judge seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro Tern Litster, and Mayor Cavanaugh
None
None
None
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
Second reading of Ordinance No. 1368 updating Municipal Code Chapter 5. Title 4, the updated Emergency Operations Plan (Shorts) (CC)
Ordinance No. 1368 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 5 OF TITLE 4 OF THE SIMI VALLEY
MUNICIPAL CODE, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
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8B.
7 July 27, 2026
ACTION: Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1368 without modifications. Council Member Judge seconded the motion.
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
Second reading of Ordinance No. 1372 amending portions of Title 9 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code to update regulations in the Simi Valley Municipal Code governing density bonus and incentives provisions. and a determination that the amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Perras) (CC) Ordinance No. 1372 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY FOR CITY-INITIATED MUNICIPAL CODE TEXT AMENDMENT (Z-S- 2026-0002) TO AMEND PORTIONS OF TITLE 9 OF THE SIMI VALLEY MUNICIPAL
CODE TO UPDATE REGULATIONS IN THE SIMI VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE
GOVERNING DENSITY BONUS AND INCENTIVES PROVISIONS, AND A
DETERMINATION THAT THE AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
ACTION: Council Member Judge moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1372. Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes seconded the motion.
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
BC. Second reading of Ordinance No. 1373 to consider Simi Valley Municipal Code amendments {Z-S-2026-0001) to update regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units; a determination that these amendments are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Perras) (CC)
Ordinance No. 1373 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY FOR SIMI VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS (Z-S-2026- 0001) TO UPDATE REGULATIONS FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS; AND A
DETERMINATION THAT THESE AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Minutes 8 July 27, 2026
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1373 without modifications. Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster seconded the motion.
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
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9A. Review of City-owned properties for potential inclusion in the Samaritan Center's Transitional Housing Feasibility Study (Argabrite) (CC) ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved to include the following City-owned properties in the Samaritan Center's Transitional Housing Project Feasibility Study. Properties are listed in the staff report 1,2,4 and 5. Council Member/Director/Trustee Ayala seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, and Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster
None
None
98. Consideration of the Permitted Delay Notice submitted by Runkle Canyon, LLC for the Runkle Canyon/Woodlands Project, which declares a Force Majeure Delay under Section 29(b) of the Fifth Amendment to Development Agreement DA-04-01 and requests a day-for-day extension of all Hard Milestones, and a recommendation that the City Council deny the request (Garibay) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved to deny the request of Runkle Canyon, LLC for a Permitted Delay and a day-for-day extension of the Hard Milestones under Section 29(b) of the Fifth Amendment to Development Agreement DA-04-01, and to affirm the City's written objection to the asserted Force Majeure Delay. Council Member Judge seconded the motion.
Minutes
9C.
10. 10A.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
9 July 27, 2026
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, ·Judge, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
None
None
None
Discussion and possible action to establish an Arena Ad Hoc Committee (Garibay) (CC
ACTION: Council Member Judge moved to establish an Arena Ad Hoc Committee and that Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster and Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes be appointed to serve on the committee. Council Member/Director/Trustee Ayala seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REPORTS:
Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
None
None
None
City Council/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Ayala reported attending: City Manager meeting, City employee's retirement celebrations, Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA), Wildfire Safety event, Simi Vibe Grand Opening, 3rd Annual Informational Fire workshop, Tunnel to Towers Foundation event, Pastor Dr. William M. Gray memorial, 4th of July Celebration events, The Veteran Mentor Project's training, City Manager meeting, School Resource Officer (SRO) working group meeting, Oakmont Ribbon Cutting event, Schatzi's Bakery Ribbon Cutting event, Navy Veteran Celebration and Lost Canyons Update meeting.
Council Member Rhodes reported attending: Chamber Legislative Affairs meeting, City employee's retirement celebrations, Simi Vibe Grand Opening, Clean Power Alliance meeting, Arts Commission retreat, Community Economic Human Development (CEHD) briefing meeting, Executive Administration Committee (EAC) SCAG meeting, Tunnel to Towers Foundation event, CEHD meeting, SCAG Regional Council meeting, 4th of July Celebration events, Fire Prevention and Mitigation meeting, Conversation with Deputy Prime Minister of Poland event, SVPD Swearing in ceremony, Judie Sedell Memorial Grant Recipient of the Year event, Runkle Canyon presentation, Jewel Time Grand Re-Opening, Legislative Affairs meeting, Cal Minutes 10 July 27, 2026
Cities meeting, Bridal Path HOA meeting, Oakmont Ribbon Cutting, Lucky Dog Cafe Ribbon Cutting, Clean Power Alliance CEO meeting, Schatzi's Bakery Ribbon Cutting and Lost Canyons Update meeting.
Council Member Judge reported attending: 4th of July celebration events and Tunnel to Towers Foundation event.
Mayor Pro Tern Litster reported attending: Chamber Legislative meeting, City employee's retirement celebrations, meeting with lceoplex ownership, Arts Commission retreat, Tunnel to Towers Foundation event, Pastor Dr. William M. Gray memorial, AWA Board meeting, 4th of July Celebration events, meeting with SEIU president, VCOG Committee meeting, Boys and Girls Club- Panda Cares Center of Hope Grand Opening, Bunker Club House Grand Opening, Conversation with Deputy Prime Minister of Poland event, SVPD Swearing-In ceremony, AWA Waterwise breakfast event, Judie Sedell Memorial Grant Recipient of the Year event and Jewel Time Grand Opening.
Mayor Cavanaugh reported attending: Simi Vibe Grand Opening, meeting with lceoplex ownership, Tunnel to Towers Foundation event, 4th of July Celebration events, Bunker Club House Grand Opening, Stars and Stripes Social event, Conversation with Deputy Prime Minister of Poland event, Judie Sedell Memorial Grant Recipient of the Year event, Valley 200 Reception event, Navy Veteran celebration, and Lost Canyons update meeting.
1 OB. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items:
Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster recognized Patricia Havens for her longstanding service as the City Historian and requested that the City formally honor Ms. Havens for her contributions to preserving and promoting Simi Valley's history and cultural heritage. She further requested that, consistent with the City's established protocol, the City Council consider and appoint another qualified individual to serve as the next City Historian. Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh seconded the motion.
Council Member/Director/Trustee Ayala recommended distributing the Armed Forces banner as a ceremonial activity, potentially twice a year, during a City Council meeting.
Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster seconded the motion.
Council Member/Director/Trustee Ayala requested that an ordinance be drafted for consideration to establish a framework to legalize tiny homes on wheels within the City. Mayor Pro TemNice Chair/President Pro Tern Litster seconded the motion.
Minutes 11 July 27, 2026
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m.in memory of Patricia Havens , Simi Valley Historian, and Virginia Shields to the meeting of July 27, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
There being no objections, the motion carried through
acclamation .
ee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor o 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
Lucy- lance CMC, City Clerk/Distri t Secretary/
Authority/Agency Secretary/Boar:,. Secretary