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Tiny homes, union pay dispute, trees and homelessness headline Simi Valley public comments
Summary
Nine public speakers addressed items including a request for a tiny‑homes report date, an SEIU union representative’s complaint about bargaining and comp‑study disclosures, objections to short‑term rentals and tree removals, and concerns about homeless encampments and public safety.
During the public‑comment portion of the June 22 meeting nine speakers addressed the council on a range of topics.
Ben Davis of P’equ Tiny Homes urged the council to schedule a date for a staff report on tiny homes and asked the council to ‘calendar’ a firm hearing so the policy could move forward. "Soon has a way of becoming later," Davis said, asking the council to set a date so the door is not kept closed for people counting on the work.
Doug Robertson, president of SEIU in Simi Valley, said contract bargaining had stalled over whether 3% cost‑of‑living adjustments would be counted against the union’s negotiated increases and raised concerns about access to a corrected comp study. Robertson urged transparency and said executives had received notably larger increases than general‑unit employees.
Resident James McGillis criticized the newly legal short‑term‑rental rule and the planned removal of a Heritage Oak. He urged the council to consider water impacts of a proposed pond in the Las Canyons project and urged delay of action on the Urban Water Management Plan until the lake issue is resolved.
Other public speakers included Michael Shaw and Heather Moss, who urged compassion for residents while pressing for tree protections and independent arborist review; Todd Taylor, who urged stronger responses to homeless encampments after reports of unsanitary conditions and violent incidents; and Anthony Angelini, who described the Simi 250 community events and thanked the council for grant support. Jamie Sanchez urged council members to observe community volunteers and emphasized the human impact of family separation and immigration concerns.
Council members responded by thanking speakers, promising follow‑up where appropriate and reminding residents of channels for formal complaints or requests for staff briefings.
