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, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Proclamation of Black History Month
- Police Chief Shorts presented a proclamation declaring February 2026 as Black History Month.
- The proclamation recognized African American contributions and the year's theme of labor movements.
- Officer Jay King accepted the proclamation on behalf of the police department.
Moorpark College Update
- President Dr. Julia Sokunu reported a 4% enrollment increase and high transfer rates to CSU and UC.
- New initiatives include a bachelor's degree in cyber defense and a temporary amphitheater stage.
- Council members inquired about internship mechanics, student housing, and online class percentages.
Ventura LAFCO Presentation
- Executive Officer Akai Luoma explained the commission's authority over boundary changes and annexations.
- The presentation outlined the six-step annexation process and funding sources.
- Council members asked about annexing unincorporated islands and charter status changes.
Manhole Servicing
- Staff confirmed the bid for refurbishing 26 manholes includes replacing covers.
- A previous odor concern on First Street will be addressed by sealing the manhole and installing a carbon filter.
- The council unanimously approved the item after it was pulled from the consent agenda for questions.
Simi Valley Library Board Resolution
- Resolution PL-38 revised administrative policies and adopted a new privacy policy compliant with state and federal laws.
- The new policy requires parents to present valid ID and a minor's credentials to access borrowing records.
- Council members discussed potential barriers for parents before unanimously adopting the resolution.
Abandoned Shopping Carts
- A council member proposed revisiting policies regarding abandoned shopping carts.
- Discussion referenced SB 755, which empowers cities to retrieve carts and charge retailers up to $100 each.
- The council accepted the issue for the future agenda by consensus following a motion.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call
- The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Link. A roll call confirmed the presence of Council Members Ayala, Rhoads, and Judge, Mayor Pro Tem Lidster, and Mayor Cavanaugh. No items were requested for agenda review.
Agenda Item: Procedural Motion
- A motion was made and seconded to read all resolutions and ordinances in title only, waiving further reading. The motion passed unanimously. No conflicts of interest were declared.
Agenda Item 1D1: Proclamation of Black History Month
- Police Chief Shorts presented a proclamation declaring February 2026 as Black History Month in the City of Simi Valley. The proclamation recognized the historical origins of the observance, the contributions of African Americans, and the year's theme regarding labor movements and equality. Officer Jay King accepted the proclamation on behalf of the police department. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this item.
Agenda Item 2: Public Statements on Appointments, Special Presentations, and Informational Reports
- No speakers were scheduled or present for this agenda item.
Agenda Item 3C1: Update on Moorpark College
- Dr. Julia Sokunu, President of Moorpark College, presented an update on the college's status, highlighting a 4% enrollment increase, a student population of 14,267 (23% from Simi Valley), and high transfer rates to CSU (89%) and UC (80%) institutions. The presentation noted the college's status as an Aspen finalist, internship programs where 80% of biotech interns secure full-time employment, and new initiatives including a bachelor's degree in cyber defense network operations and a temporary amphitheater stage. During the Q&A, Council members and the City Manager inquired about internship mechanics, student housing plans, curriculum adaptation, the new cybersecurity program, recruitment efforts, student placement in local biotech firms, and the percentage of online classes. Dr. Sokunu provided details on online job platforms, future public-private housing partnerships, advisory committees, employment at Takeda and Amgen, and class delivery formats (48% online, 43% on-ground, remainder hybrid). No formal motion or vote was recorded for this item.
Agenda Item 3C2: Presentation by Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
- Akai Luoma, Executive Officer of Ventura LAFCO, provided an overview of the commission's role as an independent quasi-legislative agency with authority over boundary changes, sphere of influence determinations, and special district formations. The presentation outlined the six-step annexation process. During the Q&A, Council members inquired about requirements for annexing unincorporated "islands" within city boundaries, LAFCO's authority over charter status changes, funding sources, and meeting frequency. Mr. Luoma explained that a local policy conditions approval of annexations over 40 acres on the subsequent submission of applications to annex islands, a process that removes protest rights. He also clarified that LAFCO has no authority over charter status changes, funding is split between the county, cities, and special districts, and the commission holds 10 scheduled meetings annually. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this item.
Agenda Item 4: Public Statements
- The City Clerk combined Agenda Items 4 and 6 for public statements. Speakers addressed the following topics:
- Ventura County Leadership Academy: Patty Braga announced the 2026 Journey to Leadership Award Honorees and invited the council to an award luncheon.
- Simi Valley Public Library Foundation: Pat Lewis discussed fundraising for library renovations and promoted an upcoming comedy event.
- Business Dispute: Li Sun described a dispute regarding the sale of his acupuncture business, alleging non-payment and permit transfer issues, and requested police assistance.
- Short-Term Rentals (STRs): Aline Eason and James McGillis addressed the STR issue, noting that neighborhood councils voted to deny a proposed draft ordinance regulating STRs, with some recommending an outright ban. They urged the City Council to create an ordinance banning STRs and questioned the process used to present the draft ordinance.
- Additional Public Comment: A resident questioned the transparency of recent council actions regarding STRs, including camera angles and the sequence of staff drafting ordinances without prior City Council review, urging the council to draft a ban ordinance for comparison. Three representatives from the Simi Valley Engineers Association (SVEA) spoke regarding contract negotiations, noting the association has been without a contract for 791 days. They presented cost comparisons, criticized the city's counter-proposal regarding contract term length and salary adjustments, and argued that cost increases could be incorporated into fee studies. Multiple speakers reported on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Simi Valley, citing specific numbers of reported abductions and urging the council to take steps to protect residents. A speaker discussed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) concepts. A resident spoke in recognition of Teen Dating Relationship Violence Awareness Month, requesting a public review of how teen dating violence is handled in local schools. Other speakers addressed the need to resolve the engineers' contract, the presence of armed federal officers, and the impact of public statements by council members.
- Council Response: Council members acknowledged the comments. One member noted that while schools are not under city purview, staff would be consulted to coordinate a response regarding teen dating violence. Another member provided a website resource for teen dating violence awareness. The Mayor thanked the speakers. No formal motions were made, seconded, or voted upon during the public statements portion.
Agenda Item: Consent Agenda Motion
- A motion was made and seconded to move to the consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 2: Manhole Servicing (Consent Agenda Item)
- Prior to the vote, the item was pulled from the consent agenda for questions. A council member inquired if the bid for refurbishing 26 manholes included replacing covers; staff confirmed it did. Another council member noted that a previous concern regarding an odor from a manhole on First Street would be addressed by sealing the manhole and installing a carbon filter. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 9A: Simi Valley Library Board of Trustees Resolution
- Staff presented Resolution PL-38 to revise administrative policies and procedures for the Simi Valley Public Library and to adopt a new privacy policy. Revisions included clarifications on auto-renewals, handling of damaged materials, waiving charges for returned lost items, and updated language to comply with California state law (AB 1825) and Federal Communications Commission regulations regarding SMS/text messaging. Council members asked questions regarding the use of collection agencies, the Inland Library Network, and material transit frequency. Significant discussion focused on the new privacy policy regarding minors, which requires a parent or legal guardian to present valid identification and the minor's library card or account credentials to access borrowing records. Staff explained that the requirement ensures current access and prevents legal issues, noting the library no longer stores driver's license information. Council members expressed concern that the additional requirement might create barriers for parents, though staff reiterated that state law prohibits restricting access to materials based on age. A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution PL-38. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 10A: City Council Member Reports
- Council members provided reports on activities since the last meeting. Topics included participation in the Point-in-Time homeless count, attendance at the Film Simi Valley subcommittee (noting approval of the Reagan Library as a filming location), a celebration of life for Stephanie Tolson, 4th of July subcommittee planning, Youth Council meeting preparations, updates on homeless encampments and regional defense partnership meetings regarding wildfire retardant support, the Ronald Reagan 115th birthday celebration, SCAG meetings regarding brownfields funding and Metrolink service restoration, Sespe Creek Bridge construction, Santa Susanna Field Lab cleanup, the Samaritan Center Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, housing committee meetings, and a tour of the Pickle & Play facility. No formal motion or vote was recorded for this item.
Item 10B: Reports and Future Agenda Items
- The City Clerk provided a report detailing recent activities and meetings attended between January 29 and February 6, including the Simi Valley Chamber Tourism meeting, a pre-Grammy party, meetings with community groups and schools, a County Board of Education civic engagement event, meetings with the Samaritan Center and Supervisor Parvin, a site council meeting at Knowles Elementary, participation in the Simi Valley Leadership Class, and a meeting with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District regarding motocross plans.
Future Agenda Item: Abandoned Shopping Carts
- A member raised an issue regarding abandoned shopping carts, noting that existing policies should be revisited. The discussion referenced the passage of SB 753 in 2025, which empowers cities to immediately retrieve abandoned carts and charge retailers up to $100 per cart. The City Clerk noted that a previous report resulted in the removal of carts within 24 hours. Another member mentioned that Councilmember Ayala has been regularly returning carts. A motion was made and seconded to add the issue of abandoned shopping carts to the future agenda. The item was accepted for the future agenda by consensus following the motion and second. No formal vote was recorded.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned in memory of Kathy Irvin and Oxnard Police Department Commander Scott Aaron.