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 PFA – Public Financing Authority
WWD – Waterworks District No. 8 SA – Successor Agency
IDA – Industrial Development Authority LB – Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees PFFA – Simi Valley Public Facilities Financing Authority 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.
Agenda Item No.
Consent (1)
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 September 21, 2026
CALLED TO ORDER: 6:00 p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro Tem Litster, and Mayor Cavanaugh
Remote: None
Absent: None
a. PUBLIC STATEMENTS: Having no public statements, the City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 6:00 p.m.
b. CLOSED SESSION:
(1) Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation: (CC) Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1)
Number of Matters: Two (2)
• Hillary Buckland vs. City of Simi Valley: Workers Compensation ADJ18451762, Claim #605523
• John Adamczyk vs. City of Simi Valley: Workers Compensation ADJ18656086, Claim #605532, ADJ18656087, Claim #605493, ADJ18656091, Claim #605431
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 September 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Justin Link
Minutes September 21, 2026
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/President Pro Tem
Litster, and Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
Remote: None
Absent: None
1. AGENDA REVIEW: City Manager Argabrite noted a supplemental report for Consent Item 10
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: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/President Pro Tem Litster, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
1B. 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:
MOTION: Move that the City Council meeting tonight may extend beyond the midnight deadline to conclude the agenda (Section 2-1.106 SVMC). 1C. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT: None
1D. CERTIFICATES/HONORARY RESOLUTIONS/PROCLAMATIONS:
(1) Presentation of Employee of the Month to Justin Link (CC) Interim Public Works Director Jay Spurgin read, and Mayor Cavanaugh presented Employee of the Month to Justin Link.
(2) Presentation of a Proclamation declaring the Month of September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month (CC)
2 Minutes September 21, 2026
Community Services Coordinator Ryan Fowler read, and Mayor Cavanaugh presented a Proclamation declaring the Month of September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month. Youth Council members Khushi Patel, Elizabeth Rakowski, Ryan Peter, Rylan Downey, Sarina Khangura, Diya Bonthu, Brayden Barkley, Saydee Ro and Rigoberto Vargas, Director of Ventura County Public Health accepted the proclamation.
(3) Presentation of a Proclamation declaring September 15 to October 15, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month (CC)
Assistant to the City Manager, Angel Sierra read, and Mayor Cavanaugh presented a Proclamation declaring September 15 to October 15, 2026, as Hispanic Heritage Month. Gina Truncale and Anarosa Estevez from the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation accepted the proclamation.
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON APPOINTMENTS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. James McGillis, Simi Valley, CA, spoke about the appointment of a City Council Member to the Ambassadors Council for brackish groundwater desalting and recommended postponement of appointment until after elections.
3. APPOINTMENTS/SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
3A. APPOINTMENTS:
(1) Appointment of a City Council Member to the Ambassadors Council for the Study to Optimize Brackish Groundwater Desalting in the Upper Calleguas Creek Watershed (Spurgin) (CC)
ACTION: Council Member Judge moved to authorize the Mayor to appoint Mayor ProTem Litster to the Ambassadors Council for the Study to Optimize Brackish Groundwater Desalting in the Upper Calleguas Creek Watershed. Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/President Pro Tem Litster, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
3 Minutes September 21, 2026
3B. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
(1) Informational presentation by Youth Council member Elizabeth Rakowski (CC)
Youth Council Member Elizabeth Rakowski provided an informational report on behalf of the Youth Council.
(2) Informational presentation regarding State of the City (CC) City Manager Samantha Argabrite provided an informational presentation on the State of the City.
3C. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
(1) Presentation by Food Share of Ventura County (CC)
Monica White, President and CEO of Food Share of Ventura County, provided a presentation highlighting the organization’s mission, programs, and services.
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS:
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
1. Ben Davis, Piccola Tiny Homes, spoke regarding the housing crisis and commented on the benefits of tiny homes as a housing option.
2. Michael Shaw, no address given, clarified a statement concerning Chivo Canyon and addressed concerns regarding racism in the community.
3. James McGillis, Simi Valley, CA, spoke regarding the removal and destruction of trees associated with recent developments in the community.
4. Dale Steinek, no address given, spoke regarding her film location business.
5. Anthony Eason, Simi Valley, CA, expressed concerns regarding the lack of public discussion regarding the Ventura County Grand Jury fireworks report.
6. Barbra Williamson, Simi Valley, CA, expressed concerns with the City’s monitoring of the MOU between Waste Management and the City of Simi Valley.
7. Cindy Slack, Simi Valley Library Foundation, spoke regarding the renovations completed at the library and expressed concerns regarding the proposed transit center project.
4 Minutes September 21, 2026
8. Greg Pavis, Simi Valley, CA, expressed concerns associated with aircraft noise and flight activity over the community.
9. Jacqueline, Simi Valley, CA, expressed safety concerns regarding aircrafts flying at low altitudes over the City of Simi Valley.
10.Frank Tomlinson, no address given, spoke regarding the distribution of military banners.
11.Jamie Sanchez, no address given, spoke regarding Immigration and Custom Enforcement activities in the community and concerns regarding racism. She also expressed safety concerns involving roadways in the community. 4A. CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS:
Council Member Rhodes acknowledged comments regarding sidewalk repairs, water desalting, the Waste Management MOU, the Simi Valley Library and the proposed transit center. He acknowledged the airplane concerns and suggested the City consider sending a letter regarding the matter.
Mayor Pro Tem Litster addressed comments regarding tiny homes, the Waste Management MOU, the Simi Valley Library, the proposed transit center and military banner distribution. She also thanked a community member for addressing street repair issues.
Council Member Ayala stated that the tiny homes and military banners matters would be brought forward at upcoming meetings. He addressed airplane concerns, thanked residents for raising street repair issues, and encouraged continued community engagement.
Mayor Cavanaugh commented on the Waste Management MOU and potential annexation of the landfill and stated that she would look for support in making this a future discussion item.
City Manager Argabrite stated that a memorandum regarding the Waste Management MOU would be provided to the City Council and stated that the military banner distribution and Tiny Homes item would be brought to an upcoming City Council meeting.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
6. CONTINUED PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ALL ITEMS OTHER THAN PUBLIC HEARINGS, APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATIONAL REPORTS: None
5 Minutes September 21, 2026
6A. CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER/SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMENTS REGARDING PUBLIC STATEMENTS: None
7. CONSENT CALENDAR:
(1) Approval of minutes for the Special City Council meetings of November 12, 2025, and May 26, 2026, and Regular meetings of August 10 and 24, 2026 (Blanco) (CC/WWD/PFFA/SA/LB)
ACTION: Approved request.
(2) Approval of the Draft Fiscal Year 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (Perros) (CC)
ACTION: Approved request.
(3) Approval of a budget appropriation in the amount of $5,572,561 from the Retirement Investment Fund, to be used for an additional discretionary payment toward the City’s CalPERS unfunded accrued liability (Johnson) (CC) ACTION: Approved request.
(4) Approve a $50,000 Supplemental Budget Request and authorize the District Manager to execute a Change Order in the amount of $277,572 for the Waterline Replacement Project at Various Locations in the Santa Susana Knolls, CP76300033, CP76300036, CP76300037, Specification No. SV 24-16 (Spurgin) (WWD)
ACTION: Approved Supplemental Budget Request.
(5) Approve a supplemental budget request to adjust the Streets and Roads Fund (Fund 600) and Major Street Rehabilitation Program Expenditure Budget (CP60000018) for a reimbursement grant from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (Spurgin) (CC)
ACTION: Approved Supplemental Budget Request.
(6) Authorization of a purchase order to Siemens Industry, Inc. in the amount of $496,911.86 for electric vehicle supply equipment and related services for electric vans charging infrastructure utilizing Sourcewell Cooperative Contract No. 021825-SIE (Spurgin) (CC)
ACTION: Approved purchase order to Siemens Industry, Inc. 6 Minutes September 21, 2026
(7) Amendment to the CalPERS Contract to include Pension Reform (Gutierres) (CC)
ACTION: Approved Amendment.
(8) Award a contract to Insituform Technologies, LLC, in the amount of $1,249,226 for the construction of the Sewer Rehabilitation Project of Two Sites: Arroyo Simi and Easy Street, CP70200064, Specification No. SV 26-01 (Spurgin) (CC) ACTION: Awarded contract to Insituform Technologies, LLC (9) Award contract to GP Architecture, Inc. for design services for the Public Service Center Shed Facility Roof Replacement Project, CP65500019, in the amount of $88,300, and approval of a supplemental budget request in the amount of $28,300 (Spurgin) (CC)
ACTION: Awarded contract to GP Architecture Inc.
(10) Adoption of a resolution amending the Simi Valley Youth Employment Service Advisory Board Bylaws (Garibay) (CC)
Resolution No. 2026-46 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE SIMI VALLEY
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ADVISORY BOARD BYLAWS
ACTION: Adopted Resolution No. 2026-46.
ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/President Pro Tem Litster moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 10. Council Member Judge seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/President Pro Tem Litster, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. CONTINUED BUSINESS: None
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9A. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report (Sumagaysay) (LB) ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/President Pro Tem Litster moved to receive and file the Simi Valley Public Library Annual Report FY 2025-26. Council Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes seconded the motion.
7 Minutes September 21, 2026
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/President Pro Tem Litster, and
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9B. Adopt a resolution approving the mutual aid agreement between the City of Simi Valley and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Shorts) (CC) Resolution No. 2026-47 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SIMI VALLEY TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MUTUAL AID
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY AND THE AMERICAN
SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (ASPCA) ACTION: Member/Director/Trustee Rhodes moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026-47 approving the mutual aid agreement between the City of Simi Valley and the ASPCA to provide a framework for cooperation and coordination during emergency incidents and disasters involving animals; and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement.
Council Member Judge seconded the motion
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Council Members/Directors/Trustees Ayala, Rhodes, Judge, and Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh
NAYS: Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/President Pro Tem Litster, ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10. REPORTS:
10A. City Council/Board Member/Trustees/Special District Member Reports:
Council Member Ayala reported attending: Economic Development Policy meeting, VICA Annual Local Officeholders luncheon, P.W. Gillibrand Co. Inc. Nutrition Program Donation event, meeting with City Manager Argabrite, Simi Valley Public Library Teen Lounge Re-Opening, Neighborhood Council #3 interviews, School Resource Office meeting, Volunteer Appreciation dinner event, Regional Defense Partnership meeting, St. Rose of Lima Blue Mass and Breakfast event, Simi Valley Police Foundation Golf tournament, State of the City event, Simi Valley Film Festival orchestra concert, Soroptimist Little Black Dress event, Body Brain Train fundraiser, and Internation Day of Peace concert.
8 Minutes September 21, 2026
Council Member Rhodes reported attending: Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs meeting, VICA Annual Local Officeholders luncheon, Arena Ad Hoc Committee meeting with City staff, P.W. Gillibrand Co. Inc. Nutrition Program Donation event, Clean Power Alliance Board meeting, Simi Valley Police Foundation Golf tournament, CEHD Briefing meeting, EAC SCAG meeting, CEHD SCAG meeting, SCAG Regional meeting, RHNA Subcommittee meeting, Arena Ad Hoc Committee meeting, North Canyon Ranch Project meeting, State of the City event, Simi Valley Film Festival event, Simi Valley Arts Commission meeting and Clean Power Alliance Board retreat.
Council Member Judge reported attending: Simi Valley Police Foundation Golf tournament, Simi Valley Public Library Teen Lounge Re-Opening ceremony, SCAG Executive meeting, SCAG Regional meeting, SCAG Transportation Committee meeting, Smoking Gun Bar Staff Re-Opening, School Resource Officer Discussion meeting, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner event, SVPD 9/11 25th Anniversary ceremony, Ronald Reagan 9/11 25th Anniversary event, Ventura County Transportation Committee meeting, St. Rose of Lima Blue Mass and Breakfast event, Ventura County Civil Alliance meeting, Council on Aging meeting, National Day of Prayer event, State of the City event, Soroptimist Little Black Dress event and North Canyon Ranch Project meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Litster reported attending: Simi Valley Town Center Merchant meeting, Arena Ad Hoc Committee meeting, SCE Government Advisory meeting, meeting with Assistant City Manager, P.W. Gillibrand Co. Inc. Nutrition Program Donation event, Public Works Director interviews, SCAG Energy Environment meeting, National Day of Prayer event, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner event, Simi Valley Ed Foundation Teacher of the Month event, Ventura Council of Government meeting, SVPD 9/11 25th Anniversary ceremony, St. Rose of Lima Blue Mass and Breakfast event, Arena Ad Hoc Committee Discussion meeting, State of the City event and Simi Valley Film Festival event.
Mayor Cavanaugh reported attending: VICA Annual Local Officeholders luncheon, Hindu Festival event, Citizens Academy meeting, Public Works Director interviews, Girls Scout Bronze Award meeting, Simi Valley Police Foundation Golf tournament, Auditor meeting, EDC Executive meeting, Neighborhood Council #3 interviews, Volunteer Appreciation Dinner event, State of the City rehearsal, Simi Valley Film Festival opening, St. Rose of Lima Blue Mass and Breakfast event, State of the City event, Soroptimist Little Black Dress event, Body Brain Train fundraiser, Simi Valley Film Festival orchestra concert, International Day of Peace event and Eagle Scout Court of Honor event.
9 Minutes September 21, 2026
10B. City Council/Board Member/Special District Member Requests for Future City Council Agenda Items:
Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh proposed forming an Ad Hoc Committee to review the MOU with Waste Management, identify opportunities to strengthen the agreement, and explore potential annexation options to improve transparency for the community.
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/President Pro Tem Litster seconded the motion.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor/Chair/President Cavanaugh adjourned the meeting at 10:40 p.m., in memory Andrew Robinson, Betty Ortiz, Juan “El Pato” Huerta and Shari Pack to the meeting of September 28, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. There being no objections, the motion carried through acclamation.
_________________________________
Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor of the 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 Blanco CMC, City Clerk/District Secretary/
Authority/Agency Secretary/Board Secretary
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