City Council — January 13, 2026

Appointments to Boards and Committees

• Staff presented the proposed list of appointments for the current year.
• Council members requested adjustments to committee assignments including the Affordable Housing Subcommittee.
• The motion to approve the appointments with changes passed unanimously.

Economic Development Update

• Staff reported on new business openings, project pipelines, and sales tax receipts.
• Council members inquired about tools for industrial recruitment and the business licensing process.
• No vote was taken as the item served as an informational update.

Confidential Designated Employees Resolution

• Staff presented a resolution approving revised terms and conditions of employment.
• The proposal included salary adjustments, benefit changes, and a budget appropriation.
• Resolution 2026-03 was adopted unanimously by the Council.

Special Events Grant Recipients

• Staff presented recommendations from the Special Events Support Review Committee regarding 15 applicants.
• Two council members recused themselves from consideration due to conflicts of interest.
• The Council approved the grants as recommended and authorized the City Manager to execute contracts.

Closed Session

• The City Attorney reported no items from closed session.
• No further action was required regarding closed session business.

Meeting Summary

Opening Proceedings

• The meeting was called to order. The City Attorney reported no items from closed session. Roll call was taken. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. During the agenda review, it was noted that one supplemental report existed for Item 3A1. A motion was made and seconded to read all resolutions and ordinances in title only and waive further reading; this motion passed unanimously. No council members declared conflicts of interest.

Item 2: Public Statements on Appointments, Special Presentations, and Informational Reports

• No speakers appeared for this item.

Item 3A1: Appointment of City Council Board Members on Boards, Commissions, and Committees

• Staff presented the proposed list of appointments for the current year. Council Member Ayala requested changes to committee assignments, specifically regarding the Affordable Housing Subcommittee and the Council on Aging seat. Discussion occurred regarding swapping assignments with Council Member Judge and Mayor Pro Tem Litzter. A motion was made to approve the appointments with changes, including supplemental date adjustments for the Regional Defense Partnership. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 3C.1: Economic Development Update

• Staff presented an update on economic development activities, including new business openings, project pipelines, film activity, sales tax receipts, unemployment rates, and vacancy rates for industrial and retail spaces. Staff noted Simi Valley maintains a lower unemployment rate than regional averages but faces higher industrial and retail vacancy rates compared to neighboring counties. Staff indicated efforts to market vacant spaces and host a broker roundtable. Council Member Litzter inquired about specific tools for industrial recruitment and the business licensing process. Staff responded regarding ongoing conversations with brokers and the third-party vendor handling license issuance. No vote was taken on this informational item.

Item 4: Public Statements

• Public statements were heard on all items other than public hearings, appointments, and informational reports. Due to a high number of speakers, time was limited to two minutes per speaker. Topics addressed included:
• Requests for increased transparency regarding council elections and public service.
• Opposition to proposed municipal code changes regarding residential short-term rentals.
• Support for homeless encampment cleanup efforts and concerns regarding service availability.
• Concerns regarding immigration enforcement activities and requests for memorial adjournments.
• Updates on Library Foundation fundraising events and facility renovations.
• Testimony from the Simi Valley Engineers Association (SVEA) regarding contract negotiations and compensation competitiveness.
• Updates on the Simi Valley Town Center development and requests for a council subcommittee to oversee progress.
• Concerns regarding e-bike safety programs and police department involvement.
• Notices for various community events, including a Veterans Foundation fundraiser, a Martin Luther King Day vigil, and a Kiwanis Club music festival.

Item 4A: City Council Comments Regarding Public Statements

• Council members provided responses to the public comments. Council Member Ayala addressed concerns regarding e-bike safety programs, stating a desire to partner on education and clarifying the status of police involvement. Council Member Rhodes commented on public speaking protocols and expressed appreciation for grant recommendations. Mayor Pro Tem Litzter acknowledged the engineers' contributions and noted funding limitations for grant requests. Mayor Cavanaugh thanked the community for their participation.

Item 7: Consent Calendar

• The item included Resolution 2026-01 (City Council meeting schedule for 2026) and Joint Resolution 2026-02/WWD-303 (amending terms of employment for management-designated employees). Council Member Litzter noted a hope to review contracting methods in the future. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 8A: Resolution 2026-03 (Confidential Designated Employees)

• Staff presented a resolution approving revised terms and conditions of employment for confidential designated employees, including salary adjustments, benefit changes, and a budget appropriation. A motion was made by Council Member Rhodes and seconded by Council Member Judge to adopt Resolution 2026-03. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 9A: 2026 City Support of Special Events Grant Recipients

• Staff presented recommendations from the Special Events Support Review Committee regarding 15 applicants. Council Member Ayala and Mayor Pro Tem Litzter recused themselves from consideration and voting due to conflicts of interest. A motion was made by Council Member Judge and seconded to award the grants as recommended and authorize the City Manager to execute contracts. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 10A: Council Member Reports

• Council members and the Mayor provided reports on activities attended between December 2025 and January 2026. Activities included youth council meetings, holiday events (Menorah lightings, Metrolink train), Regional Defense Partnership meetings, Park District mobile van unveilings, Chamber of Commerce meetings, VCTC and VCOG meetings, funerals, and various community ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

Item 10B: Future Agenda Items

• No future agenda items were requested.

Adjournment

• A request was made to adjourn the meeting in memory of individuals associated with immigration enforcement activities and specific local community members. The meeting was adjourned.