[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6634168,"mediaKeyId","3396525-dc8ea906b0e9f39781f50a55b073d345","parentId",3396525,"title","Army Corps, Waste Management outline fire‑debris handling at Simi Valley Landfill; air monitoring, truck traffic discussed","audioSeconds",3023,"startMs",1733000,"endMs",4756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3396525-dc8ea906b0e9f39781f50a55b073d345&start=1733&end=4756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3396525-dc8ea906b0e9f39781f50a55b073d345/thumbnail_1733000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6634168/Simi-Valley/Ventura-County/California/Army-Corps-Waste-Management-outline-firedebris-handling-at-Simi-Valley-Landfill-air-monitoring-truck-traffic-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634168-bb364b0ecb4c5b6b3fe8177ea011cc9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770914255&Signature=YP5y6nE~BszyoDk4F2ECzCdO7YK~o~itxhWFHpUgmepAho55~34T15BQj5R2dP7gWtcG-0C5u7TZ36B0XbnEcwuvjjiPZpzLiF26duiPxeaANrJ7-TT3gAWYoYJai-C-LsnGdxrV4RsrnVKMSxoXARTG0jpBDbcrd5vlG8gzApuRKaszY33V1OGxJqfA-lhjNCA67RJBVwnphkf1PPkfoRFJdv8zCsrxzuDkBUMwvAvPJZ~8golwEeem6HVS2NOEmOvmYJY8rY7dKXL3A4-2ajgcQVqOi~ulXUaxqpCz6X~qXZwDB~ZRK~RvGrVJa8iODuOIfWijwiX3aFlTk2jZSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Simi Valley","date","2025-05-20T06:32:34.913Z","article","The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Waste Management briefed the Simi Valley City Council on efforts to collect, screen and dispose of fire ash and debris from the January fires, and on safeguards used to limit airborne dust and other public‑health risks.

The briefing, led by Colonel Eric R. Swenson of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Nicole Stetson, district manager for the Simi Valley Landfill, described a staged cleanup: the EPA-led removal of household hazardous materials, asbestos testing and removal where found, and the wet transport of remaining ash and debris to lined landfills including Simi Valley, Sunshine Canyon and Calabasas.

Why it matters: Residents and council members raised concerns about air quality, heavy truck traffic and the long‑term effects of placing large volumes of fire debris in a local landfill. City officials sought details on monitoring, material screening, landfill capacity and how long the truck traffic would continue.

What presenters said: The Corps said EPA crews remove propane tanks, lithium‑ion batteries, paints and other household hazardous materials before structural ash is loaded for transport. “We are using what we call the wet method. So, everything is kept wet, so there is no fugitive dust that escapes into the air,” Stetson said as she described the detarping and inspection procedures at landfill scales.

Colonel Swenson described asbestos screening at each parcel’s foundation and said certified asbestos consultants and laboratories analyze chip tests; any asbestos identified is removed by licensed crews and sent to permitted asbestos facilities. He said recyclable materials such as concrete and metal are separated and diverted where safe to do so.

On monitoring and safety: Council members pressed for specifics about air monitoring and testing frequency. Swenson said crews use personal monitors in ash footprints, perimeter monitors near neighborhoods and “sensitive site” monitors at locations such as reoccupied schools and senior centers; the Corps said it has maintained readings “well below” action thresholds during operations. Waste Management said the landfill has a dust control plan approved by Ventura County and the Air Pollution Control District, deploys water trucks and sweepers, and detarping and truck‑inspection steps are carried out before material is dumped.

Capacity and impacts: Waste Management estimated the fire debris would consume roughly one year of the Simi Valley Landfill’s remaining capacity and said the company has not exceeded permitted daily intake limits. Company staff described a separate, designated disposal area and added that they had hired additional employees and built temporary site infrastructure to manage volumes and minimize on‑site queuing.

Questions from council: Council members asked whether tests have found heavy metals or persistent contaminants. Presenters said state and local agencies regulate accepted landfills and that modern lined landfills and groundwater monitoring wells are designed to detect any leachate; they described quarterly and semiannual groundwater sampling programs and said remediation plans would be implemented if monitoring found problems.

Truck traffic and timeline: Council members asked how long heavy truck traffic would continue. The Corps said operations were ahead of schedule and projected a substantial decline in hauling by mid‑summer, with most primary debris removal complete months before the contract deadline.

Community concerns and next steps: Several council members asked for continued transparency and for independent air monitoring; presenters said they would continue to coordinate with county and state regulators and to provide data. Council members urged staff to keep the community apprised of monitoring results and traffic mitigation measures.

Ending: The council thanked the Corps and Waste Management for the presentation and the time spent answering detailed questions from residents and elected officials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Waste Management briefed the Simi Valley City Council on how fire ash and debris from recent wildfires are being handled, screened and transported to lined landfills, outlining wet‑handling methods, asbestos testing and truck routing to limit dust and other risks.","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},6634153,"Simi Valley Youth Council reports 300+ attendees at Teen Wellness Night; pushes crisis hotline numbers onto student IDs",301,1325000,1626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3396525-dc8ea906b0e9f39781f50a55b073d345&start=1325&end=1626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3396525-dc8ea906b0e9f39781f50a55b073d345/thumbnail_1325000.jpg","/articles/6634153/Simi-Valley/Ventura-County/California/Simi-Valley-Youth-Council-reports-300-attendees-at-Teen-Wellness-Night-pushes-crisis-hotline-numbers-onto-student-IDs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634153-ad073cc1659574f15e28e08cbf1608eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770914255&Signature=M7suUBxhF6rngIpS2aszl1PY2DFY7mCmemMieo9tmGZVD8pZynwqQLAemIMtFfXgUDYsPo1mcP3CarAAlSFDeGJKfQegsN83XDK2ZYtaXed31WI8r9B1h5bZfl6RCw~fneoIRHcndoh~O6UdsNMn0~ZH-ehxP9DYTzDSgwBpOWaqtqXEUIgx0u2nqR5m60Ri2CvNKjJwf6HdACR-NuqdUuag4fmjXq1TaQUYy8lLLCSKlGvYNpdagJQqm7P3ujIJuo4gFxREeucVau4Mg9FWrbhdiM29k6~yoPlvstuSxrHw~apcORhS-XCHIH8KzK4jA9ulAjsiMMcSF1ClUxq7qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Youth Council member James Lequing told the Simi Valley City Council the Youth Council’s Teen Wellness Night on May 19 drew more than 300 attendees and focused on mental and emotional health resources for teens.

What happened: Lequing said the event featured more than 40 booths from local organizations including Ventura County Behavioral Health, the YMCA, the Simi Valley Unified School District and university partners, plus activities such as sound bath and meditation, a rock‑painting booth and a step challenge. The Youth Council collected pet toys for Ventura County animal services and promoted an “Unplugged Day” initiative encouraging students to reduce screen time.

Follow up: Lequing told the council the Youth Council will review and verify teen crisis hotline numbers to be printed on the backs of Simi Valley Unified School District student ID cards for the next school year so students have vetted contact information readily available. He also announced a youth‑run escape room fundraiser on June 19–20 at Bearwood Teen Center and urged the community to follow the Youth Council on social media for event updates.

Council response: Council members praised the Youth Council’s leadership and said the event showed meaningful youth engagement, noting that many booth tables were staffed by middle and high school students.

Ending: The council thanked Lequing for the report and invited further updates as the Youth Council finalizes the crisis‑hotline roll‑out and upcoming events.","Youth Council member James Lequing told the council the May 19 Teen Wellness Night drew more than 300 people and included mental‑health resources and activities. The Youth Council also said it will work with the school district to print verified crisis hotline numbers on student ID cards for the coming school year.",{"_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},6634158,"City awards $150,000 in Waste Management‑funded community grants to local nonprofits",13483,925000,14408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3396525-dc8ea906b0e9f39781f50a55b073d345&start=925&end=14408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3396525-dc8ea906b0e9f39781f50a55b073d345/thumbnail_925000.jpg","/articles/6634158/Simi-Valley/Ventura-County/California/City-awards-150000-in-Waste-Managementfunded-community-grants-to-local-nonprofits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634158-43e88ec8b810de6632a4263444627320/orig.mp4?Expires=1770914255&Signature=DiAh5yqsq1QVZVUfkW5u1yv84IPQkUU7Je22i1AW2jJ20HLRtcy~sBkl3HQD2eDIqf1KFQzBTXNqk-vdA-i6yyd-pmKEwNrIu8Zy76L9GXGKw1E64UfCWROBDOO0Gep~BLBSe3PBTvVRbzfzrUKtJHSDvSQLcI1h8EtPQepetINleqGTqJSaFxXBXNXguqgugDygpA5FzMkg0x34M7BYy4Ruu3xbiEu2LrT0PhXu9E1qrBMKeBSBVXzRXxGwzje0nlLsgUzWFu3yhm~FbQY5-1IR2UWz-XigHrFBHnYpSP3gnYEvFEUBTErjZsu6oKUlAjPPvIZy4z2z8o7m3xq3Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Simi Valley City Council approved $150,000 in community project grant funding for fiscal year 2025–26, distributing money provided annually under a memorandum of understanding with Waste Management.

Background: The Waste Management MOU provides $150,000 annually for community projects. The city’s Community Projects Grant Review Committee reviewed 23 eligible nonprofit applications that requested a combined total exceeding $590,000 and met twice in April and May to evaluate requests and hear presentations.

Committee recommendation and council action: The review committee recommended funding 10 organizations. City staff presented the committee’s ranked recommendations and the council voted to award $150,000 to the recommended agencies and to authorize the city manager to finalize scopes and contracts.

Recipients and focus areas: The organizations recommended for full funding included the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, the Samaritan Center, Cancer Support Community, Many Mansions, Body Brain Train, Gigi’s Playhouse, Shepherd of the Valley, Sarah’s House, the Simi Valley Library Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club. The funds will support a range of services including health care access, food security, supportive housing maintenance, teen programming and library teen‑center improvements.

Why it matters: Committee members said demand far exceeded the available funds; staff and committee sought to maximize the number of organizations receiving meaningful awards and to prioritize projects that aid vulnerable residents or boost access to services.

Next steps: The council authorized the city manager to execute contracts and match final scopes to awarded funding. Staff said they will work with recipients on scopes of work and deliverables and will seek additional funding partnerships where possible.","Following review by a volunteer committee, the City Council approved $150,000 in Community Projects Grant funding supplied under a Waste Management memorandum of understanding. Ten nonprofits were recommended for funding covering youth services, food security, homelessness supports, and other programs.",{"_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},6634163,"Developer granted prescreening to pursue general‑plan amendment for Simi Valley Town Center; council OKs formal application process",6132,6463000,12595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3396525-dc8ea906b0e9f39781f50a55b073d345&start=6463&end=12595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3396525-dc8ea906b0e9f39781f50a55b073d345/thumbnail_6463000.jpg","/articles/6634163/Simi-Valley/Ventura-County/California/Developer-granted-prescreening-to-pursue-generalplan-amendment-for-Simi-Valley-Town-Center-council-OKs-formal-application-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634163-2a50e3dd907d232e22589fa7466a5aad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770914255&Signature=fcuE-Vii5NYXcxCPvbyZbZxuI4xiNt7CopQgNKcjEepvKU-TJKXqxUYoanE45~GtS-xMeqnzClIPcybg~dMdoPyfbAPOybnueRRJztZMKADm~Sz526ecNvo5I5PAPoYaAnHxzaAl62wQ~MeNN3EBztxH5XtsH5G3Q~qBffJthZUlqMa71Wp3mZH9NMD6y-ipdSPlDPkUYvdU91BvOS-SqsrxUr-FrXMSeFBoXXBL4Ogi9-8OmFPaGt9~Of5t5rR-EOzK-2ToZaaAbll4iP4TUwQ5FBSPYn2v7rtu5y0oBbqxM5UvlbhXygD4OmoYtQXlqMdXXaZuNP6W2z0I~RYlOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Simi Valley City Council authorized a developer to move forward with a formal application to change parts of the Simi Valley Town Center’s mall district from commercial zoning to high‑ and very‑high‑density residential, after a prescreening presentation and public hearing.

Principal planner Narayan (Naren) Gunasekera told the council the prescreening request would not itself approve any project but would allow the applicant one year to file a formal general‑plan amendment. The applicant, Steel Wave LLC, presented a concept that would remove roughly 312,000 square feet of existing mall space and add between about 291 and 375 residential units under the applicant’s proposal; staff matrices show a broader regulatory range that could permit significantly more units under state density bonus rules.

Why it matters: The proposal would permanently convert portions of a major regional commercial district to residential uses, reducing retail square footage while aiming to reinvigorate the remaining retail through a mixed‑use plan. Council members and residents focused on potential loss of sales tax base, the relationship between housing and retail viability, and how to preserve local control over unit counts and site design.

What the applicant said: Greg Hall, managing director at Steel Wave, said the proposal aimed to “right‑size” the center and reinvest in retail that fronts the site while placing housing in underperforming parking and anchor areas. “Nothing is happening at this site tonight with any vote,” Hall told the council, saying the prescreening was intended to solicit feedback and shape a formal application.

Staff and council concerns: Staff noted the change would require general‑plan land‑use amendments and could conflict with the Town Center Specific Plan’s objectives unless redevelopment produced a genuine mixed‑use environment and sufficient retail to support new residents. Council members pressed the developer on unit type (for‑sale townhomes versus rental apartments), sequencing (ensuring retail improvements proceed with housing), parking, view corridors and steps to limit state density bonus outcomes they did not intend.

Development agreement and local control: Several council members said a development agreement would be the city’s primary tool to lock in a unit cap, phasing, design standards and commitments to preserve and improve retail frontage. The developer agreed to discuss a development agreement and to return with an economic study and more detailed plans.

Public comment: Merchants, community groups and residents gave mixed feedback; some supported redevelopment to reverse long‑running retail decline, while others urged limiting residential conversions and preserving the town center as a regional commercial hub.

Council action: The council voted to authorize GPPS‑2025‑0001 for formal processing as a general‑plan amendment and directed staff and the applicant to incorporate the council’s feedback into any formal application. The motion passed with Council member Litzler voting no.

Next steps: If the developer files a formal application within one year, the council will receive a full project package that could include a general‑plan amendment, specific entitlements and, if negotiated, a development agreement; the council retains the right to deny any formal application.","Steel Wave LLC and city staff presented a concept to convert parts of Simi Valley Town Center’s mall district from commercial to high‑ and very‑high‑density residential. The council authorized the developer to move forward with a formal general‑plan amendment application after public comment and council direction; Council member Litzler voted no.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Army Corps, Waste Management outline fire‑debris handling at Simi Valley Landfill; air monitoring, truck traffic discussed

Simi Valley Youth Council reports 300+ attendees at Teen Wellness Night; pushes crisis hotline numbers onto student IDs

City awards $150,000 in Waste Management‑funded community grants to local nonprofits

Developer granted prescreening to pursue general‑plan amendment for Simi Valley Town Center; council OKs formal application process