Meeting Summary
Present: 1-Ayala, 4-Rhodes, 2-Judge, 3-Litster, Cavanaugh
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Volunteer and Committee Recognition
- Bill Oliver received the 2025 Wayne Templeton Volunteer of the Year Award for his Meals on Wheels service.
- Certificates of Appreciation were presented to outgoing Council on Aging Executive Board members.
- Five Special Events Support Review Committee members were recognized for their grant funding work.
Council on Aging Executive Board Appointments
- Six nominees were presented to fill vacancies on the Executive Board.
- The Council unanimously approved the appointments for one partial term and five two-year terms.
Youth Council Update
- Member Saria Ravikumar reported on recent financial literacy and wellness initiatives.
- The update included details on upcoming events like the Youth Impact Forum and gambling awareness efforts.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) Strategy
- Staff presented a report on supporting residents impacted by utility power shutoffs.
- The Council directed staff to implement seminars, assist with applications, and lobby utility regulators.
- Discussions focused on leveraging battery backup rebates and aiding vulnerable populations.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Meeting Summary: City Council of Simi Valley
Item 1D1: Presentation of Honorary Resolution (Wayne Templeton Volunteer of the Year Award)
- Discussion: Office Specialist Candice Gray presented the 2025 Wayne Templeton Volunteer of the Year Award to Bill Oliver. The presentation highlighted Oliver's nine years of service delivering meals through the Meals on Wheels program and his leadership roles on the Council on Aging, including chairing the Arts & Crafts Fair and the Stars & Stripes Ice Cream Social.
- Action: The Council recognized Bill Oliver for his contributions. No formal motion or vote was required for this presentation.
Item 1D2: Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation (Outgoing Council on Aging Executive Board Members)
- Discussion: Community Services Manager Kimberly Post presented certificates to three outgoing members: Bill Oliver, Al Brown, and Jean Cecil. Their service included board leadership, event planning, fundraising, and advocacy at the regional level.
- Action: The Council recognized the three individuals. No formal motion or vote was required for this presentation.
Item 1D3: Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation (Special Events Support Review Committee Members)
- Discussion: Senior Management Analyst Heidi DiNardo recognized five committee members (Gail Sutton, Bobby Calderon, George Bowman, Laura Hurd, Serena Kham, and Gloria Bowman) for reviewing special event applications and making grant funding recommendations.
- Action: The Council recognized the committee members. No formal motion or vote was required for this presentation.
Item 2: Public Statements on Appointments, Special Presentations, and Information Reports
- Discussion: No public speakers were scheduled for this specific agenda item.
Item 3A1: Appointment of Simi Valley Council on Aging Executive Board Members
- Discussion: Community Services Manager Kimberly Post presented six nominees (Debra Lane, Nancy Garcia, David Lewis, Mark Luker, Jamuna Ramnath, and Candice Skor) to fill vacancies on the Executive Board. The appointments included one partial term and five two-year terms.
- Motion: A motion was made to appoint the six nominees.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The motion passed unanimously.
Item 3B1: Informational Presentation by Youth Council Member Saria Ravikumar
- Discussion: Youth Council member Saria Ravikumar provided an update on recent activities, including a financial literacy workshop, a Teen Wellness Study Night, participation in the Metrolink Holiday Express, and an annual holiday party. The report also covered current initiatives regarding underage gambling awareness and upcoming events, including the Youth Impact Forum.
- Action: Council members provided comments and asked questions regarding the events. No formal motion or vote was required.
Item 4: Public Statements
- Discussion: The Council heard public statements on various topics:
- Short-Term Rentals (STRs): Multiple speakers urged a citywide ban on STRs, citing concerns over neighborhood safety, housing availability, and unfair competition with hotels. Others questioned the timeline for the Planning Commission review and requested adjustments to public comment time limits based on agenda length.
- Homeless Encampments: Speakers thanked the Council and staff for the recent cleanup of an encampment near Villa de la Royale, emphasizing the need for consistent enforcement and continued service provision.
- Engineers' Contract: Representatives from the Simi Valley Engineers Association addressed the ongoing contract negotiations, noting 777 days without a contract and expressing concerns over retention and recruitment of engineering staff.
- ICE Activity and Public Safety: Several speakers expressed concern regarding ICE raids in the area, citing safety risks and requesting the Council enforce California law SB 627 and condemn federal actions.
- Other Topics: Speakers addressed commercial building design standards, the accounting of funds from a 2010 Waste Management contract, and thanked the grant committee for funding the "Rocket Day" event for the For The Need Foundation.
- Council Response: Council members and the Mayor responded to the statements, addressing the STR ordinance timeline, the homeless encampment cleanup strategy, the engineers' contract negotiations, and the need for proactive funding for encampment management.
Item 7: Consent Calendar
- Discussion: The Consent Calendar was presented with no resolutions for consideration.
- Motion: A motion was made to approve the Consent Calendar.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The motion passed unanimously.
Item 9A: Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) Outreach and Education
- Discussion: Deputy City Manager Heather Sumagaisay presented a report on supporting residents impacted by PSPS events. The presentation covered recent outage impacts, existing utility programs (SCE and CPUC), costs of backup power, and peer city strategies. Staff recommended enhancing outreach, education, and targeted assistance for vulnerable populations.
- Council Discussion: Council members discussed the difficulty vulnerable residents face in navigating application processes, the need for hands-on workshops, and the potential for leveraging Clean Power Alliance battery backup rebates. There was also discussion on increasing lobbying efforts with SCE and the CPUC to reduce the frequency of shutoffs.
- Motion: A motion was made to direct staff to implement special seminars, assist with application completion, investigate Clean Power Alliance resources, and continue lobbying efforts.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The motion passed unanimously.
Item 10A: City Council Member Reports
- Discussion: Council members Ayala, Rhoads, Judge, and Mayor Pro Tem Litzter, along with Mayor Cavanaugh, provided reports on their recent activities. Topics included attendance at ribbon cuttings (California Fish Grill, Cranial Technologies, YMCA), community service events (MLK Day of Service, Peace Vigil), legislative advocacy in Sacramento, meetings with realtors and community organizations, and participation in the homeless count training.
- Action: No formal motion or vote was required.
Item 10B: Council Member Requests for Future Items
- Discussion: No requests were submitted for future agenda items.
- Action: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Stephanie Tolson.