[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6582941,"mediaKeyId","3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5","parentId",3076554,"title","Votes at a glance: Simi Valley City Council actions April 22, 2025","audioSeconds",6638,"startMs",644000,"endMs",7282000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5&start=644&end=7282","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5/thumbnail_644000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582941/Simi-Valley/Ventura-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Simi-Valley-City-Council-actions-April-22-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582941-0459f3c949c5bd9c1c67da5b9b045589/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132208&Signature=FDOejOTf-KNG1oXdCUA0ShQaPad5Tg7EQgGXP4jXhD8U7ioy4avTlYDnOmWje-ZNG938L2JT27k2gy-xKwMd-1h4hBci0hP7hhePf85eq-x89HurYqDrEhHO-vFM7CsnnfYCAjTKSXAaq47duDb~vxTvF4bq96Y-DapYW2SkYgNadEZhsPLIiEVTeEusKeNX4Cf8fP9h91bg13ttjnzWvv8IGaG4PrsuDB2PdOUWTIYtJoBsCD6kX7t0pMkXpbum-hWk9nlZpUUbrtpLanXLaDpiHHBb96dSG6Ge4B7ZEZpQY7GSDDkTINyFqd7aZpY9JckGoiHe~uf5B7nzuo4G3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Simi Valley","date","2025-04-22T03:48:54.347Z","article","At its April 22 meeting the Simi Valley City Council took the following formal actions (all votes recorded as unanimous):

- Resolution No. 2025-09 (Agenda Item 5A): Authorized the City of Simi Valley to join the California Statewide Communities Development Authority and participate in the Statewide Community Infrastructure Program (SCIP). Outcome: approved.

- AB 2561 Annual Position Vacancy Report (Agenda Item 5B): Council received and filed the city's annual vacancy report, as required by Assembly Bill 2561. Staff will conduct a citywide salary survey for FY 2025-26. Outcome: received and filed.

- Selection of interviewers for Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation Board (Agenda Item 3A1): Council selected Councilmembers Elaine Litzler and Rocky Rhodes to conduct interviews and nominate three applicants to fill three upcoming foundation-board vacancies effective July 1, 2025 (one term ending 06/30/2026; two terms ending 06/30/2028). Outcome: approved.

- Legislative Platform (Agenda Item 9A): Council approved the 2025 legislative platform as amended to include support for legislation on sober living and recovery homes that aligns with local efforts to ensure community and neighborhood safety and effective treatment options; Councilmember Rocky Rhodes authorized to represent the city at Sacramento hearings. Outcome: approved.

- Consent Calendar and procedural motions: The council adopted procedural motions presented at the start of the meeting (e.g., reading resolutions/ordinances by title only) and approved the consent calendar. Outcome: approved.

These actions were recorded in the official meeting minutes and require follow-up steps as noted in staff reports for program implementation, project-level review, and budget-year planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of formal council actions taken during the April 22 meeting, including resolutions, appointments and receipt of the AB 2561 vacancy report; all motions passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Simi Valley, Ventura County, California","taxId",3724,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582946,"Council adds sober-living language to 2025 legislative platform; Rhodes to advocate in Sacramento",720,6602000,7322000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5&start=6602&end=7322","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5/thumbnail_6602000.jpg","/articles/6582946/Simi-Valley/Ventura-County/California/Council-adds-sober-living-language-to-2025-legislative-platform-Rhodes-to-advocate-in-Sacramento","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582946-d63411c358a454efef1d808ad308a655/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132208&Signature=M0V-YB1tS3-gf5qL-7AGKHuvvbsW6faZZ6nS94aAOGGl2cPy7Evm6J~t7Is0kA7sKkFH2FiTqn8~Zjks17fNmcTVqAIlrmoz3R3RByqkLMxjpvlYxsk-hUxzW-hU64drMoBNyFc-P4BiUKzjwMoRYHvuxBq~3tPXboYmdGbNNxcCe553t2nUzBQ8p~tOTX9SZkE3oBJYwYvxmDFJ5~EnmSQZgAopdXvRIgtQKTjF5gub9p5qygxg70zJTovIXyt86h6cqIH4M74BFhiRVJjKKJWrl0tGf1V8jew4JBC1mbzt56ujA75jg6RugPiEjhtwWB8wdJMhyHTcaSo2qmc-cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Simi Valley City Council unanimously approved an updated 2025 legislative platform Tuesday that adds a line supporting legislation \"for sober living and recovery homes that aligns with local efforts to ensure community and neighborhood safety and effective treatment options.\"

Deputy City Manager Suma Gai Sai explained the council previously reviewed the two-year legislative platform and that Councilmember Rocky Rhodes requested the additional language to enable the city to advocate for reforms that would give local governments more visibility and regulatory tools regarding sober-living facilities. Staff told the council Simi Valley currently houses about 10 sober-living facilities over which the city has limited oversight and that regulation and certification are managed primarily at the state level and by the Ventura County Fire Protection District.

Rhodes, who is serving on a statewide sober-living task force of elected officials, said the bills under consideration generally aim to increase local visibility and align licensing, certification and local oversight so cities can better balance treatment access and neighborhood protections. Heather Simagase and Suma Gai Sai told the council that four bills from the task-force package (AB 424, AB 425, AB 492 and SB 329) were scheduled for hearings this week in Sacramento and that the city delegation planned to engage at the League of California Cities' City Leaders Summit.

Councilmember Elaine Litzler suggested placing the language under the platform\u0000section that addresses housing rather than under homelessness, and councilmembers agreed to reflect neighborhood-level impacts by inserting \"and neighborhood\" into the adopted language. With that amendment, the council approved the revised legislative platform and authorized Rhodes to represent Simi Valley's position in Sacramento events this week.","Simi Valley amended its 2025 legislative platform to include support for legislation on sober living and recovery homes that aligns with local efforts; councilmember Rocky Rhodes volunteered to speak on the city's position while attending League of California Cities events in Sacramento.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582951,"City reports 11.7% vacancy rate; unions urge pay boosts to stem turnover",1556,5052000,6608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5&start=5052&end=6608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5/thumbnail_5052000.jpg","/articles/6582951/Simi-Valley/Ventura-County/California/City-reports-117-vacancy-rate-unions-urge-pay-boosts-to-stem-turnover","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582951-dcb9fa5ae18d4504d9b53edd14ee7ff2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132208&Signature=AYGQ2jvQnsVax9Ussq7p8i3dLSCylOo6o2Iz01dEZaMoIEIVOdaFRnpBxepYJL5sTy7b6i8hx5hTYKebjnktPa45LSOktKbLo9FfVZxhzYRjUp9oU7tu7y8b7VD0RWWXVhCt~aZuVV~xJdDLPLQwCbQ984mI~FVww8CIjSQzl7RVEX7OsCT~j9upebo2HMfPNqnFdY0MeM6pZJe1gvgk5x1u74lONk1UowDPrhUe6j0h0HUkUnG0MpmzAm8R81sMqdPyUlzQqOU-U1R0pf24lggBi~O-Uqux0vbwgifa1t2CDemkIMYZi-fnM3Q7H2-yPGDijzICDNSv-LbFF-RcKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City human-resources staff presented the annual position vacancy report required by Assembly Bill 2561 and told the council the city had 532 budgeted full-time positions and a citywide vacancy rate of 11.7% as of Dec. 31, 2024. Staff said no bargaining unit met the 20% threshold that would trigger additional disclosure requirements under AB 2561 and recommended continuing recruitment and retention efforts, including a proposed citywide salary survey for fiscal-year 2025-26.

Senior Human Resources Analyst Jamie Cross and Deputy Human Resources Director Jennifer Gutierrez summarized turnover factors: excluding retirements, 34 employees voluntarily separated in 2024, and 38% of separations cited higher salary or better opportunity. Staff recommended emphasizing city benefits, alternative work schedules, updated job descriptions and streamlined recruitment processes to improve retention.

Representatives of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 721) said pay gaps are acute for specific classifications. SEIU regional director Carson Acosta and chapter leaders provided a chart showing lengthy time-to-hire for positions such as Office Assistant II (about 324 days on average) and maintenance worker classifications, and they compared Simi Valley starting wages unfavorably to neighboring cities. Chapter president Vivian DeLuca, an administrative technician in the police department, said low pay leads to turnover, greater workload for remaining staff and higher training costs.

SEIU members described public-safety dispatch staffing shortfalls: Communications supervisor Brooke Dunbar said the dispatch center has 13 staff of an allotted 17 but only nine fully trained dispatchers; she said recent departures mean trained staff work 44-to-68-hour weeks, with mandates that can reach 16-hour days and six consecutive days. Dunbar said the center has seen incoming calls increase substantially and that staffing shortages are causing burnout and operational strain.

The Police Management Association (PMA) and Police Officers Association (POA) described critical staffing shortages. Patrol Bureau Commander Brian Samples said the department is authorized for 124 officers but has about 105 functioning officers; he reported six officers out on long-term injury, and six currently in background checks with other agencies. Samples said the department plans to reduce some summer deployments beginning May 19 because of staff shortages; he quantified anticipated lost coverage as roughly 720 investigative hours and 720 traffic-enforcement hours, and he said the entire special enforcement team (four officers and a supervisor) would be pulled from proactive duties for the summer, eliminating approximately 3,600 proactive investigative hours.

Council asked about next steps. Staff said the city will propose a citywide salary survey for the FY 2025-26 budget cycle and continue emphasizing benefits and recruitment improvements. Following presentations, the council voted unanimously to receive and file the vacancy report per AB 2561.","Staff reported a citywide vacancy rate of 11.7% as of Dec. 31, 2024; labor representatives from SEIU and police associations told the council pay and retention problems are driving departures and harming services, with police leaders warning of service reductions this summer.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582953,"211 Ventura reports 2,100 local calls in 2024 and offers disaster, housing and ride assistance",755,1815000,2570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5&start=1815&end=2570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5/thumbnail_1815000.jpg","/articles/6582953/Simi-Valley/Ventura-County/California/211-Ventura-reports-2100-local-calls-in-2024-and-offers-disaster-housing-and-ride-assistance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582953-69c1c48021a6668289e7ab303d73c6e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132208&Signature=BAWVjKBzbmaa7Ovz2OUXvVmMMgNggqmmrzGitamGNcHy6nWERMpSfTG-cc~WIhIU1JyGN5Q7OCIOTkIQU3l6Jet5jikzWOJjrFh1HTcFR2ryRCS~5SDoVExthPKO2VmVec-KtSmXXiTihaBHmF-PcFvdFVld4s9pHCmVV~SBkC3cR8LIK1dHDNMUpxOwUtdyr6dYE-JZFo-unK5ZZyhuhgmqujbFlr-ehjpb8OGliHMj6B9YhAIS9hokArm9~ToYaUBMzUgWLUrHR2CFaTbnl0mYFopVoz6xXy2fXWXuhddNMXokmfE5jmJjrM-OWxv7ukrR0shEAzq2Ed~lmfBxsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interface Children & Family Services Executive Director Eric Sturnad told the Simi Valley City Council on Tuesday that Ventura County's 211 information-and-referral system handled roughly 58,000 unique residents' contacts in 2024 and that the 211 website had more than 100,000 searches. He said the program curates more than 2,000 health and human services entries and connects callers to resources by phone, text and web.

Sturnad said 2,100 calls came from Simi Valley residents in 2024 and that housing was by far the leading reason people contacted 211. \"Housing is always the number one reason why people are calling 211,\" he said, and noted calls also seek help for income support, transportation and food. Sturnad added that starting in February 2005 211 in California has expanded and that Interface now operates 211 for about a third of the state's counties, allowing surge capacity during local disasters.

The presentation described several specialized 211 programs: a tobacco-cessation project funded by the state; assistance programs for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) that help residents with medical equipment or elderly mobility needs; a hate-crime reporting project called Ventura versus Hate; and a 211 rides program that helps callers arrange transportation to jobs or appointments when they lack access to vehicles or public transit.

Council members asked specific operational questions. Rocky Rhodes asked whether the homeless-call statistic represented unique callers; Sturnad replied that the figure refers to contacts during an episode and not a one-to-one unique-person count and recommended using multiple data sets for comparison. Councilmember Elaine Litzler and Mayor Fred Kavanaugh asked how 211 identifies callers' locations; Sturnad explained that calls routed by cell-tower location arrive at the correct county 211 center and that staff still confirm ZIP code to narrow resources.

Sturnad said 211 is available three ways: dial the three-digit number, text ZIP to 898211, or visit 211Ventura.org, which includes interactive dashboards and city-level data policymakers can use to see trends and needs. \"When we think about disasters ... 211 is very much on the trigger to be able to respond to disasters that happen,\" he said, citing recent mountain-fire response work and long-term assistance for displaced households.

Councilmembers thanked Interface for the service and asked staff to promote the resource in Simi Valley outreach.","Interface Children & Family Services updated the council on the countywide 211 information-and-referral system: 58,000 unique Ventura County residents contacted 211 in 2024 and 2,100 calls came from Simi Valley; housing remains the leading inquiry category.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582957,"Simi Valley council approves joining statewide SCIP financing program",1128,3980000,5108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5&start=3980&end=5108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076554-1a9dc36fafda6504011fdb99b97cdbe5/thumbnail_3980000.jpg","/articles/6582957/Simi-Valley/Ventura-County/California/Simi-Valley-council-approves-joining-statewide-SCIP-financing-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582957-4ec0d7c505020dd81ac54d1c8a5aca64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771132208&Signature=BLDUabCC0vLpD83AXSjOzqllExmsUwbVjvBv0tjB1eOKSvD1U6U0r7m5DDOy~axq8NeRSgcjZzB6qq5ug26jxA8c4u36P17TXW05OXC-k83dq8MSXtAjMsS4Qszf0wL8FG93PPHasEr5FMp76RTz4xLfexNWLRIqdo7Jx7sjXJpTHENKv4KRne6tw7GcAMiONPMWSQxksJtg8h8ZkD-09napzuU9mDlwBD7HPlz3cjgBqZQHKo~wHJNQzT7GGlen3yu7EazEzwNjyr4-fns~eoAw1o2dyrUG8os7-v8ht4u8bGYalk0FIlyxJKv5T6XNEysbS8oIwKoDPUp3uajy2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Simi Valley City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt Resolution No. 2025-09 authorizing the city to join the California Statewide Communities Development Authority and allow property owners access to the Statewide Community Infrastructure Program (SCIP). The resolution permits CSCDA to accept applications and, if requested by property owners, form assessment or community facilities districts to finance public infrastructure related to development.

City staff told the council the action does not obligate the city to fund projects or to assume liability; CSCDA would administer district formation, bond issuance and ongoing administration if a property owner chooses to use SCIP. \"Participation in SCIP is entirely voluntary,\" staff said during the public hearing, and any specific project would still need to go through the city's review and approval processes.

The council heard questions from members about other financing options and consumer protections. CSCDA managing director James Hamill said SCIP provides pooled assessment and community facilities district financing intended to lower costs for smaller projects that otherwise could not afford the up-front costs of large bond financings. He described the program as a way for smaller-scale residential developers to access long-term, tax-exempt capital by placing an assessment or special tax obligation on benefited property parcels.

Councilmember Elaine Litzler asked whether there were disadvantages for the city; staff replied the city retains review authority and is protected from liability because the agency (CSCDA) issues and administers the bonds. Litzler also asked about homeowner transparency; Mr. Hamill said disclosure documents and title reports must show any assessment or special tax, and CSCDA requires developers to highlight the obligation to homebuyers as a condition of participation.

Councilmembers also discussed how assessments appear on property tax bills and whether the program could compress the city's future tax-rate flexibility. Staff said typical local practice keeps tax rates below maximum thresholds so that there is room for other future assessments.

No members of the public spoke on the item. Following the hearing, a motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously.

The resolution allows property owners within Simi Valley to apply to CSCDA for SCIP financing; no specific projects were before the council. Any prospective uses would return to city staff for project-level review and approvals.","The City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution allowing property owners in Simi Valley to access the California Statewide Communities Development Authority\u0000\u0000(SCIP) financing program; staff said participation is voluntary and imposes no city liability.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Simi Valley City Council actions April 22, 2025

Council adds sober-living language to 2025 legislative platform; Rhodes to advocate in Sacramento

City reports 11.7% vacancy rate; unions urge pay boosts to stem turnover

211 Ventura reports 2,100 local calls in 2024 and offers disaster, housing and ride assistance

Simi Valley council approves joining statewide SCIP financing program