City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order, please.

Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. Are there any reports from close session? Uh, thank you, Madame Mayor. Nothing to report out of close session. Thank you. Roll call, please. Council member Ayala here. Council member Rhodess here. Council member Judge here. Mayor Prom Litster here. Mayor Kavanaaugh here.

Mr. Shaw, would you like to lead us in the pledge of allegiance tonight, please? Thank you. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Are there any items for agenda review? Yes, Madame Mayor. We do have one supplemental on item 3A1. Thank you. I move that all resolutions and ordinances presented tonight be read in title only and all further reading be waved. Second. Call for the vote.

The motion passes unanimously. Thank you. If any member of the city council may have a conflict of interest or any reason why that member must abstain from consideration of any matter on this agenda, he or she should so declare at this time. Seeing none, we may move on. Thank you, Madame Mayor and members of city council. The first item on the agenda is item two, public statements on appointments, special presentations, andformational reports. And we have no speakers for this item this evening. Madame Mayor and members of city council, the next item on the agenda is item 3A1, appointment of representation of city council board members on boards, commissions, and committees and consideration of recommended changes. [clears throat] Mayor Kavanagh and members of the city council. Each year in January, the city council reviews city council representation on local and regional boards, commissions, and committees. The complete list of appointments as proposed is shown as attachment a to a supplemental staff report. The committees with one asterk historically the appointee has been the mayor and two asterisk has been the mayor prom. It is recommended that the city council consider the proposed appointments to local and regional boards, commissions and committees. Make any changes you so desire and and move to fill these positions. Department heads are available to answer any questions you may have specific to any of the boards, commissions, or committees. This concludes the presentation. Are there any questions from council? Mr. Council member Ayella.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Is this where we request any changes to appointments? Yes.

Okay, great. So, I have a couple of things because I don't my calendar is not busy enough, but um to start off, uh city manager, I forgot to make a small little update for you just so that the paperwork's correct. So, regional defense partnership has eliminated the 21st century. So, it's just RDP and the meetings are the second Thursday, not the Tuesday. And so my first when looking at the committee assignments, it's to uh a request from either council member judge or roads if either one of you um would be willing to give up your assignment to the affordable housing subcommittee.

Sure. Either. Yeah, I think I would like to sit on that subcommittee for this time around. If one of you would be willing to give up that seat. Which one? [laughter]

Okay. And then the second one is to again council member Judge or Mayor Prom Litster the uh Council on Aging seat. Yeah, I'm pretty much on the Council on Aging, so I'm going to stay there. And I absolutely love love that assignment. However, I know that you have a mother that's very involved right now, and you have a real desire. I would be willing to allow a one-year hiatus with the promise I can have it back in a year. Is are we able to negotiate that way? Well, it's being recorded [laughter]

and and I am the alternate. My Mike Mike Mike is is the principal, but so I as the alternate am willing to take a one-year hiatus and we'll have this conversation again next January. Very good. All right, that's it for me. Thank you. Thank you. Do I have a motion to move with changes? I'll move changes to the uh order of committees and to approve all the other sitting committees. Correct. And does that include the supplemental with the date changes? Yes, the changes. Then I would second.

Thank you. Call for the vote. The motion passes unanimously. Madame Mayor and members of the city council, the next item on the agenda is item 3C1, economic development update, and assistant to the city manager Angel Sierra and assistant city manager Luis Gerbay are here to present this item. F5.

Perfect. Good evening, mayor and uh city council. Tonight we'll have uh we'll be providing our economic development update for the quarter which includes highlights of new business openings, new projects that are in the development pipeline, uh film activity, uh and very and so much more. Uh to kick us off, um we'd like to hand it over to Angel. Uh he's our small business liaison. also works very closely on managing helping manage the city's economic development efforts.

Good evening, Mayor Kavanagh and members of the council. Um, I'd like to give you some highlights of some of the business activity that we've uh experienced uh uh recently. Uh, Semi Valley continues to see investment into the community with several new businesses opening recently. Both Urbane Cafe and Chipotle opened their second location in the city, expanding their presence in town and adding to the food choices at El Paso Shopping Center across the street. Kids Dental Pels and Orthodontics began operations offering pediatric dental and orthodontic services. and action drug rehab and mental health added important behavioral health resources to the community. Lastly, Mathnasium, a math focused tutoring site, opened, offering additional resources for local students. Looking ahead, we're excited about several new businesses proposing to open in Seami Valley. Semi Valley Brewing Company is targeting a first quarter opening um optimistic about March. Uh well, California Fish Grill is making progress on interior improvements. Actually, no, they just recent are going to be opening sometime this week. Uh so that's one more restaurant being added to the El Paso shopping center. Portalinos is also advancing towards an early 2026 opening. Additional food and beverage projects moving through the approval process include Raising Canes, Popeye's, and Artisan Uprising Wines. Beyond food and beverage, city staff is working with proposals for a pet boarding business, pickle and plays, indoor pickle ball facility, and the bunker clubhouse, which is which will bring a simulated golf experience to Semi Valley. On the industrial side, O'Bryant Electric is in the process of relocating from Chadzsworth to the west end of Seami Valley, bringing approximately 35 to 50 new jobs to the community. Together, these projects

reflect ongoing business activity and investment into the community. Looking at business activity citywide, Seami Valley had 5,780 active locally based businesses in 2024, decreasing slightly to 5,714 in 2025. This modest decline of approximately 1% represents the overall stability of Semi Valley's business base. Uh based on available quarter 3 data, regional o unemployment rates continued to improve with California declining from 6.1% in July to 5.6% in September and both Los Angeles and Ventura counties showing steady progress. Semi Valley continued to outperform the region, maintaining the lowest unemployment rate and improving from 5.2% in July to 4.6% in September. While unemployment trends remain positive locally, broader regional indicators point to ongoing challenges in in job growth. According to the SCAG 2025 Southern California economic update, new job formation has largely been absent from California, the SCAG region, and Ventura County in 2025. The current pace of job creation was projected to add only 163 jobs to total uh to total employment in the calendar year. In response, city staff remains focused on attracting additional industrial and other employment generating uses to further strengthen local job opportunities and long-term economic resilience. So, understanding that job creation is a very important one of the key priorities for the city council, uh, we continue to focus the staff on trying to fill some of the vacant spaces that are currently available. And there's been quite a bit of movement over the past few months.

When we look at the inter industrial vacancy rates across the region, Semi Valley stands out with the 10.2% rate, well above Ventura County's 4.7 and Los Angeles County's 5.6%. These differences reflect both local market dynamics and broader regional trends in industrial real estate. The elevated vacancy rate in Semi Valley may be influenced by several factors, including the delivery of new industrial buildings that have outpaced absorption, tenant turnover, and limited demand for certain types of warehouse and manufacturing space. Recent departures of manufacturing firms combined with unleashed industrial space from recent development projects have also contributed to the higher vacancy. So to help fill some of the vacancies, um the city continues to focus on reaching out to uh business owners and executives primarily in the greater uh greater Los Angeles area. This past fall, the city of Seami Valley was included in the annual best cities to live, work, and play edition of the Los Angeles Business Journal. Um, the writeup focuses a little bit smaller font there, but if you were to see it, the uh the write up focuses on Semi Valley being one of the safest cities in California. the fact that our we do have a quite a bit very businessfriendly climate and that the city's very committed um under the one of the council's goals and priorities uh to grow film and media production here uh in town for the April through June reporting period. Seami Valley generated strong sales tax revenues with receipts increasing 6.4% over the same quarter last year. The largest contributor to sales tax revenue was the general consumer goods sector which includes retailers such as general merchandise

store special retail retails and electronic sellers. In the retail market, Seami Valley's quarter 3 retail vacancy rate of 8.9% is notice noticeably higher than both Ventura County at 5.8% and Los Angeles County at 5.7%. A significant portion of this vacancy, about 250,000 square feet, is concentrated at the Semi Valley Town Center, accounting for roughly 42% of the city's total vacant retail inventory. If the town cent's available space were excluded, Seami Valley's retail vacancy rate would drop to approximately 5.1%. Placing it much more in line with Ventura County and Los Angeles County. Vacancy rates may be further influenced by specific local conditions such as tenant term turnover, shifts in consumer preferences towards e-commerce or mismatches between existing space and current retailer needs. National trends do show that the average retail lease size has fallen to a historic low in 2025 with retailers opting for smaller spaces to adjust to changing consumer behaviors and to reduce overall uh overhead costs. This trend likely contributes to the dynamics in Seami Valley as demi demand shifts towards smaller more flexible spaces and larger legacy retail locations remaining vacant longer. So to help continue the downward trend of vacancies in terms of retail, the city's overhauling, completely overhauling our marketing materials and updated a lot of our outdated psychoraphic and demographic information that we'll be using at the ICS dealmaking conference in May. Now, this is the largest commercial real estate event in the year. Uh, and it's going to be a great opportunity for us to connect

with retailers and brokers to share some of these potential opportunities that are available here in Semi Valley, including those at the Semi Valley Town Center. Moving on to some filming activity. Um, in 2025, Semi Valley has hosted close to 300 filming days across a wide range of production types, generating an estimated economic impact exceeding 5 and a quarter million through local spending on hotels, food services, fuel, rentals, and support services. Currently, a major production is actually filming in the Wood Ranch area, involving approximately two weeks of preparation and filming and bringing more than 450 cast and crew members to the city, adding a significant economic b benefit for local businesses and service providers. To build on this momentum, the city has established a new ad hoc committee to evaluate filming processes and identify efficiencies and opportunities for growth. City staff also continues to participate in roundt discussions with the chamber's film semi valley group to strengthen partnerships and further enhance semi valley's appeal as a filming destination. As a result of this continued filming activity, I know that the mayor has been invited to present at an upcoming economic development collaborative roundt meeting to share information about the city's experience with filming. This concludes staff report and we're available for questions. Are there any questions from council for staff? Council mayor prom litster. Thank you for the presentation. Much appreciated. I'm a little concerned of course that we have all this beautiful new industrial building and yet your your your stats statistics gave us at a

a vacancy rate I think of 10 something%. Um what and then you mentioned in in the in the in terms of the businesses coming in there was Michael's electric it seemed like the only industrial are there any specific um tools or or activities that are targeted towards potential industrial customers that we are engaged in.

So we didn't mention it as part of the report. We try not to put the cart in front of the horse, but we we've had a lot of positive conversations with businesses that are exploring different industrial sites now in the city. So, we continue to have the conversation. Uh we're reaching out and building better relationships with the industrial brokers specifically to make sure that they understand that the city is here to help um and that we're available and staff is willing to help streamline the uh help them walk them through the process to make sure that the the businesses feel confident in um in investing and moving their business here to to Seami Valley. So we continue to do that. We've talked about hosting a broker roundt discussion with some of these brokers. So again, as as opposed to just continuing having these one-on- ones, we can get everybody in the group. We can have represent uh present presentations from different city staff that'll help walk them through the hey, this is step one, step two, step three. Uh here's the bu our building official. Here's Ted. Meet him. He'll walk you through the process. Here's our planning manager. So that again, not only do they understand the process better and have some confidence in terms of how business friendly we are, but they actually get a chance to meet the people that are going to be signing off and making decisions, which is huge, especially um as we get a lot of our industrial businesses out of the LA area. It'll take them three weeks just to get a hold of somebody on the phone. No offense to any city of LA workers, but yes.

Got it. Great. One other somewhat related question. Um you gave the statistics on the number of business licenses. I believe in 2024 you said it was 5780 and 25 it was 5,714 so within 70 or 80. I guess maybe because as a small business owner I just went to renew my business license. Um I guess what I my question is is do we who monitors that in our within our city and my my experience was that I wasn't able to put my credit card in to pay for it. So, how maybe this is not the time or place to discuss that, but I just want to be sure that when a business goes to get licensed, it is it's an easy process. Is that handled directly through you or is it handled through um

accounting or [laughter] so the city partners with a company called HDL? And I'm aware of that and the address. Yes. But although it's made out to the city of Semi Valley, I was glad to see that. Um and and working closely with our administrative services department to work through those issues. We have from time to time had calls from businesses that have questions and of course we've helped walk them through that process as well. Um so yeah, I mean we're involved um and we're here to help from the city side of health, but a lot of the issuance of the license themselves and the renewers are handled online through through HDL. Uh we never want to turn away money. So if we need to

Well, maybe we speak offline about the process just just because I Yeah, I want to be sure we really do have every business that wants to be here accounted for. One thing I would say um mayor promster is that um while the city is able to accept credit card payment for a variety of the services that we provide um we do pass along the fee to our customers. Um so if that is something that that we look into there would likely be an associated fee for the credit card processing.

Well the website suggested it was an option but then it didn't work. So maybe that was that was that's time to Yeah. Thank you. Any other questions of staff? No. All right. Thank you very much for a great presentation. I look forward to you ICSC. Madame Mayor and members of the city council, next on the agenda is item four, public statements. Since there are no public hearings under agenda item five, agenda items four and six are combined and the city council will hear all public statements under this agenda item four. Agenda item four and six are the times allotted for public statements on all items other than public hearings, appointments, andformational reports. Speakers will be called on in the order in which a card was submitted to speak for this public statement item four. In accordance with the protocols that were adopted on October 6, 2025, if 20 or more speaker cards are received, each speaker's time will automatically be reduced to two minutes each. We have we have received 20 speaker cards. Each speaker will have two minutes to speak. Persons addressing the city council are requested to state their name and community residents for the record. Madame mayor, unless you have any comments, we can begin public statements. Let's move forward. Thank you. I will call three speakers at a time so you will know who you follow. The first three speakers, Michael Shaw, James McGillis, and Linda Bosley,

guys. Okay, go ahead. Start. Uh, happy new year everybody. I'm glad to see everybody. I wish you all a healthy and happy new year. Um, the last I spoke, I I was all excited and I asked you all questions about what we thought we got accomplished last year. Um, and I got some responses. Some I didn't, but I apologize if it made anybody feel uncomfortable because I I that's not my intent to put somebody on the spot. Um, I was excited to talk about what we thought of last year. So, I'm likewise excited about this year because, believe it or not, we got 10 months. 10 months and we got elections. 10 months and the only forum we have of us to get to know you guys is three minutes at a time now two minutes uh every two weeks. Um not very productive. So I'd like to see us put our heads together and see if we can come up with another forum to where I and I plan for the next you know 10 months to show up and ask you questions. Why do you want to run? How do you view your public service? You all know me. you know that I'm all about public service. I'm about transparency, accountability, and we can talk about that and and as we move our way to to our next election, um everybody will have a better sense of who we're voting for and who we're talking about because right now all these people, they don't know you and I want them to know you. Um, uh, last but not least, uh, this STRS. I've reviewed it. You guys kick this can down the

road. This has got more holes in it than Swiss cheese. And I'm telling you, this dog won't hunt. So, thanks for listening.

Mayor Kavanaaugh, city council, and staff. I'm James McGillis, 18-year resident of Semi Valley. This is our final alert regarding short-term rentals in Semi Valley. Neighborhood Council number one met on January 8th to consider the project. On page seven of the online materials, the neighborhood council's feedback is sought on proposed changes to the semi valley municipal code. Title 9 modifications include adjustments to allow uses permit requirements and and definitions to include STRs, specifically whether STRs should be allowed within the city. Title 5 modifications deal with the permit process if approval if approved by the neighborhood councils, the planning commission, and the city council. The changes to Title 9 and Title 5 would legalize residential short-term rentals throughout the city. If passed, any private home, town home, condominium, or mobile home could become a legal hotel within the city. An individual that might own one of those is an LLC, a private person, any legal entity that can own property. Your only opportunity to tell the city council that you do not want hotels next door to you is to attend your neighborhood council and vote no on proposed changes to the municipal code. Um whether citizens or not, as long as you're a legal resident of Semi Valley, you can attend a neighborhood council. Identify your council online. NC1 met here January 8th. Thank you, Mayor Kavanagh, for being here. NC2 meets January 13th, 7 p.m. in the library. NC3 January 15th city hall community room NC4 January 20th 7 pm in the city in the semi valley public library. Please join us at neighborhood council and voice your opinion on this important subject. It's time we the people tell our city council to ban all residential short-term reents. Remember you must attend, sign in, and stay for the vote. There are three remaining neighborhood councils. I will be there with you supporting

democracy throughout our city. Thank you.

Good evening. My name is Linda Bosley. I'm a resident of More Park. Tonight I am speaking on behalf of a coalition made up of the residents, management, and owners of Philadelphia Royo Mobile Home Park and local business owners near the homeless encampment on West Los Angeles Avenue. Our coalition is grateful that the city took the necessary steps to clean up the homeless encampment in tandem with Ventura County coming out ahead of the cleanup to offer housing and other services to the individuals. We would also like to recognize the positive relationship fostered by Sergeant Johnson with our park manager, specifically his continuing efforts to keep us updated on the cleanup status and plans for enforcement of the no trespassing ordinance on the property after cleanup is completed. As of 5:15 today, the cleanup crew stated they will be back tomorrow and will be able to finish the project tomorrow. On a personal note, I went out on January 8th to observe the cleanup process. There was approximately 15 to 20 people from the encampment on the sidewalk with their belongings. I thought the county would take this opportunity to offer housing to those people, but that did not happen. When I expressed this opinion to a few people, I was surprised at their reaction. They stated the homeless were already given a chance to get help and they refused it. It reminded me of a story that carried me through many difficult situations as a public school teacher over my 34-year career. One day, a young man is walking along the beach and sees an old man picking up one starfish after another and tossing each gently into the ocean. Why are you throwing those starfish into the ocean? He asks. Because the sun is up and the tide is out, and if I don't throw them further in, they will die. But don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along? You can't possibly save them all.

The old man listened carefully and calmly and then bent down and picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea. I'm sorry your time is up. That is a wonderful story and I hope the city and county continues their efforts with the homeless. Thank you. Thank you. [applause]

The next three speakers, Carla Castillia, Aaliyah Ewing, and Jennifer Frank. All right. Well, since the time got cut down, I'll get right to the point. City council, you may think that you've done enough by finally putting ICE activity on the uh the agenda and having SVPD presentation. Sorry to break it to you, but that's not enough. It doesn't even begin to scratch the surface and making valley a safe city for everyone. 2 days after that meeting on December 17th, a woman was kidnapped on the corner of Aringer and LA Avenue in broad daylight. 2 days after our meeting where you did not really comment. After everything you heard that day, your response was, "Please tell us what to do. We are open to suggestions." We gave you almost a 9 minute long list of what neighboring cities and others in the country have done. I guess you need it in writing. With the rest of my time, I want to honor and say the names of those lost to ICE brutality and violence. And I hope that you, Mayor Kavanaaugh, adjourn the meeting in memory of them because no one should die at the hands of the state. In nice custody, Henry Rysgen Sowit Gazah De Jane Maxim Sherniaak Brian Garson Rayo Nong Yok Newan Aberaldo [snorts] Aaneda Degado Johnny No, Isidro Perez Cha Feng Lorenzo Antonio Vatrice Vargas Santos Venega Reyes Ismaela Yalorebe Norangus Manuentes Miguel Anel Garcia Medina, Jose Castro Ria, Gabrielle Garcia Ables, Francisco Gaspar, Andres, Jean Wilson,

Brutus, Fuad, Sahed Abdul, Kadir, Neno, Stanf, Ganchett, Juan, Alexis, Tino, Martinez, Jesus, Molina, Vea, Mary, Angie, Blaze, [snorts] Tan, Tien, Schwan, Fan, Oscar, Rascond, Dwarte, Juan Bingshi, Lao, Cru, Silva, Hassan, Ali, Mozal, Kai and Wong Pete Sumala Montejo Fate Holly. May them rest in power. [applause] Shiraz Fetali, Delvin, Francisco Rodriguez, Luis Beltran, Hime Alanes, Garcia, Alanise. He was um a father actually murdered in Ventura County. So if you haven't heard his story yet, definitely look it up. Sio Viegas, Carlos Roberta Mononttoya Valdez, Anna Victoria, Keith Porter, who was just recently murdered in um Northridge. Uh Renee Good, who we all obviously heard on the news because she's white. Jocelyn Rojo Carasia and

[snorts]

Nenko Stavan Ganches, may they rest in power. Uh, do I have a timer? Awesome. Well, I'll use the next two minutes to talk about what I was hoping to talk about. Thank you so much. Um, may they rest in power to the everybody who we just mentioned before. Um, as Carla mentioned before, nobody should die at the hands of state violence. Unfortunately, many people do continue to die at the hands of state violence because we have elected officials who are uninterested in partaking in actions that would actually support their constituents that they some of who were not elected to that position in the first place to be able to make those decisions. But regardless, you have the opportunity, you have the power and therefore the privilege and responsibility to actually participate in actions that support us. We have asked you before to create a um committee to focus specifically on immigration issues that fell on deaf ears. Um ears that were unwilling to listen to their constituents intentionally because you don't want to be held accountable for your actions um or your decisions. We know that it's because you guys are considering running for office again. It's a lot easier to win a seat when you're an incumbent. We know that. You guys have been here for a long time. I've been talking to you guys since I was a minor. Um, and so with my remaining minute, I'm going to encourage the audience to consider running for office. There's a training that will teach you how to run for office, how to fundra for office January 24th. Um, it's on Zoom, so you know, on a weekend, should be pretty accessible. Um, there will be former candidates, those who have been elected and those who have not. Um, candidates of color who are willing to walk you through the entire process. There will be former campaign managers and community organizers in the space um to provide people with the information that they may need. Uh so if you feel like, you know, oh my god, why would I run for office? Like I'm so underqualified. Look at the people in front of you. Are any of them qualified? M. So, if you think you're

underqualified to run for office, I guarantee you you're not because you can get elected to office with absolutely no policies in your campaign and with zero experience having done it before. So, you know, why can't it be you? Please consider running. Thank you so much. [applause]

[clears throat]

Good evening. My name is Jennifer Frank and I'm here to speak about the Seami Valley Library Foundation. Our mission is to raise money for the renovation and revitalization of our library. First, I would like to invite each of you as well as everyone here and those listening at home to attend the Library Foundation's Love and Laughs Comedy Night. It will be on Thursday night, February the 12th at 6:30 p.m. at our lovely Seami Valley Cultural Arts Center. We will have a dessert reception with food from right here in Semi Valley, followed by a comedy show featuring local talent. All of the money raised from Love and Laughs will go towards refreshing and upgrading the library's community room. This is the most utilized space in our library, and if you've been in there recently, you know it is in a desperate need of some help. New carpeting and a fresh coat of paint will go a long way to making the room more comfortable and inviting. We also plan to buy modern furniture, an interactive presentation board, and a mobile podium with Bluetooth connectivity to benefit everyone who uses the community room. Love and Laughs is right around Valentine's Day, so this would be a fun evening to spend with your sweetheart, and it's for a great cause. Also, in regards to Love and Laughs, last month the library foundation participated in the special events grant process. We are so appreciative to the committee for recommending that Love and Laughs receive $1,214 in funding to support this event. I strongly urge you to approve this funding tonight. It will help us offset the costs so that more money can go towards upgrading the community room. And very quickly, I just wanted to share um the progress that's been made made on the updates to the teen center in the library. Today, the carpet was installed. Yay, finally. And next, the furniture will be ordered and then placed in the space for our teens to use it. Um thank you all so much for your time and attention and I hope you will

approve the funding allotted by the special events grant committee and I look forward to seeing all of you at Love and Last next month. Thank you. [applause]

The next three speakers, Nikki Lean, Ken Hurst, and William Court. Good evening, mayor and city council. My name is Nikki Leanne, and I'm here on behalf of Body Brain Train, a Seami Valley based nonprofit dedicated to bringing fitness, movement, and cognitive wellness to our senior and Parkinson's communities. I want to sincerely thank the mayor, city council, and city staff for your support of Body Brain Train. We know how competitive the events grant process is, and we truly are honored to be among the nonprofits selected. This events grant helps sponsor our annual Punchathon fundraiser, which in turn allows us to sustain our programs for much of the year. That support directly impacts our ability to offer accessible, inclusive classes that help older adults stay strong, independent, and socially connected. And for many, these classes are not just exercise, they're a lifeline. We are deeply grateful for the city of Seami Valley's continued investment in community wellness, aging with dignity, and quality of life for all residents. Thank you for believing in our mission, that movement makes miracles, and for supporting the work we do. Thank you for your time, and I hope to see you May 9th at our fourth annual Punchathon. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] Good evening. My [clears throat] name is Ken Hurst. I'm a resident of Semi Valley. You heard the names of 37 people who have been uh died either in detention or directly at the hands of ICE recently. Uh since the start of October, ICE has been involved in 13 shootings.

Eight people have been wounded and three people have died as a result. most recent death was a woman who was shot and killed, Renee Good, who was a legal observer, a mother, a US citizen, and a concerned community member. Then they prevented a bystander physician from attending to her. Time may tell if it was murder. It certainly looks that way. Will the council consider having a moment of silence and adjourning tonight's meeting in honor of those killed by ICE? I think that would be appropriate. Thank you. [applause]

Good evening, Madame Mayor and the members of the council. My name is William Court. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'd like to briefly highlight an opportunity to reduce one of the city's largest wastewater operating costs, sludge handling, by up to 50% without expanding facilities or disrupting plant operations. Sledge handling is a major expense of wastewater utilities. It typically represents 30 to 50% of total operating costs driven by sledge volume, polymer use, hauling and disposal fees. This cost continues to rise each year due to fuel, labor, and regulatory pressure. The key to reducing this cost is not at the disposal end, but upstream before sludge ever leaves the plant. The approach we're are proposing focuses on reducing the amount of sludge generated and improving how well it dewaters using the city's existing infrastructure by enhancing biological stabilization earlier in the process. Less excess sledge is produced. Polymer demand drops significantly and the sledge that remains requires fewer truckloads to haul and dispose. Facilities using this approach consistently achieve 30 to 60% reduction in sludge production, sludge volume, 40 to 70% reduction in polymer use, and overall up to 50% reduction in sludge related operating costs. To put this in simple terms, if the city is spending $1 million annually on sludge handling, a 50% reduction represents approximately $500,000 in recurring annual savings. This solution requires no major construction, integrates into current

operations, and typically delivers a payback in under one year while also reducing. Mr. Court, I'm sorry, your time is now up. Thank you. Thank you. [applause]

The next three speakers, Cindy Slack, Glenn Bera, and Justin Link. Happy New Year, Madame Mayor, members of the city council. My name is Cindy Slack and on behalf of our team at the Semi Valley Library Foundation, I want to thank you all for your continued support of programs that truly strengthen our city. We are incredibly proud to see the enhancements beginning today on the teen center, which you heard already. This project represents more than improvements to the building. It is an investment in our young people, their safety, their growth, and their future. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has shown interest in making this important project possible. Looking ahead, our focus will be refreshing the ever popular community room, bringing some light and life to it. We are also excited to invite you and the entire community to join us for our Love and Laughs event on Thursday, February 12th at the Seami Valley Cultural Arts Center. The tickets are $60 and there are under a hundred seats left. Um we are raising money. Um it's an evening of promises, sweets, and laughter. So we thank you again for your continuous efforts and support of the Seami Valley Library Foundation. [applause] Good evening, Mayor Kavanaaugh and council members. My name is Glenn Bisera. Uh, tonight I wanted to give you a quick update on the progress we have made at the Sun City Valley Town Center. We closed escrow 15 months ago and have done extensive community outreach to share our thoughts on the future of the town center while at the same time

hearing directly from the community on their wants and concerns for this site. We take [snorts] this feedback very seriously and incorporated many of the ideas into the plan. We have completed an economic study which is under review by your staff. We've completed a branding study, engaged a signage designer and fabricator as well as extensive architectural design. And today we kicked off phase two of our civil work in our architectural design. Um we are working diligently to attract new tenants and retain existing ones. Uh but we keep hearing that the lack of progress on our plan and the site makes the site less desirable for new food and beverage and retail. Uh that's one of the reasons that we lost exporting goods. At the same po at this point, we are waiting on city staff to provide us with a draft development agreement. We would uh that would outline a plan to move forward benefiting both the city and the center. We've been waiting since October for this language and as you know delays stifles progress and advancement for our community. We have also agreed to carve off a portion of the site for a future entertainment and cultural center that the city desires. We hope that these efforts and in fact that these efforts and the fact that we're investing tens of millions of dollars shows our commitment to improving this center. We don't want to be the fourth failed owner of this site with and with your participation and partnership we can bring great things to Seami Valley.

[snorts] Um, we also would love for you to consider creating a subcommittee of two council members to oversee the progress on this site. That would allow you to both hold us as the developers accountable and the city staff accountable. Um, I'm sorry, Mr. Ber, your time is up.

That's all I have to say. So, thank you for your time tonight. [applause] Good evening, Mayor Kavanagh, Mayor Prom Litster, Council Member Judge, Council Member Rhodess, Council Member Ayella. My name is Justin Link, public works principal engineer traffic and president of the Seami Valley Engineers Association. We are 763 days without a contract. And rather than negotiate in good faith, management has directed their attorney to file a frivolous, unfair labor practice charge against the SVEA, which we intend to vigorously refute claim by claim. This is surely a waste of staff time and a waste of taxpayer dollars. The facts remain total compensation for engineers of the city of Seami Valley is well below market. SV SVEA's proposal was reasonable and our proposal is within the city's means. We firmly believe that after the facting fi factf findf finding process is concluded these facts will be confirmed. What the sva has proposed is not monumental. It is a rounding error in the city's total budget. Even so, it will go a great distance toward retaining and recruiting engineers. Engineers who ensure traffic signals operate, street lights stay lit, drinkable water flows from the tap, waste water is conveyed and treated, and development is processed and constructed. This would be a win for both the cities, excuse me, the citizens of the city of Semi Valley and members of the SVEA, many of whom are residents of Semi Valley and are seated in the first two rows here. I encourage all of you to put citizens first and support your engineers. Thank you. [applause]

The next three speakers, Eddie Yamamoto, Rob her, and Anthony Gell. Good evening, Mayor Kavanagh and council members. I am Eddie Yamoto, vice president of Semi Valley Engineers Association. I've been employed at the city for 19 years, currently the principal engineer for building and safety. I'm also a proud resident of Semi Valley who has resided here for 30 years where I raised my two sons, both of whom attended Seaman Valley Unified Schools, participated in various activities and sports organizations throughout our city, and eventually graduated from Seaman Valley High School. So I do have a vested interest in our city. Prior to coming to the city of Seami Valley, I was a structural engineer at the city of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety where I was supervising the plan check section for major structures which which included high-rise buildings and other complex structures. This was just at the outset of the high-rise construction boom in 2006. Back then I was able to consider taking a significant reduction in title to come to the city of semi valley as an associate engineer because that's how competitive the salary and benefits package was. At the time city of semi valley had one of the higher total compensation package for engineers within the surrounding jurisdictions whereas now we are one of the lowest. If I was faced with making the same decision I was faced with 19 years ago, which was take the opportunity to work in the same city that I lived in, I would not have even considered applying for it because of the substantial difference in compensation. All throughout our negotiations, we've been asking to get us back to average compared to the surrounding jurisdictions so that we have at least a fair chance of attracting talent and retaining the talent that we currently have. We have been a training ground where neighboring jurisdictions have been poaching our talent for years and now is the time to reverse this trend so that we can start attracting retaining talent so the citizens of our city have the utmost confidence in a competent engineering

staff that keeps our essential infrastructures and built environment safe by protecting life and property. Thank you for the time. [applause]

[clears throat]

Good evening, esteemed mayor and distinguished members of the city council. My name is Rob her and I serve you and those in our water district service area as an assistant engineer. I moved to Seami Valley in 1979 and [clears throat] raised my family here. With nearly 27 years of dedicated service to the city and district, I've weathered numerous challenges, including furls and deferred cost of living adjustments, all of with the optimism for a future improvement. We've experienced significant loss of skilled personnel to other organizations, as Eddie said, primarily due to more lucrative compensation packages for less demanding roles. more than 50% of those that left positions of less responsibility and all left for higher pay. Since I last spoke to you before in closed session in March of 2024, we have continued to lose staff. Since then, two people were hired and left from the water engineering department alone. This high turnover creates higher workload and staff [clears throat] efforts to train new employees, which takes a lot of time. Our presentation for findings for comprehensive class and compensation study underscored a concerning reality that we are under by 18 to 22%. It's worth noting that many of us, myself included, operate within enterprise funds, meaning our salaries are sustained by revenue generated for the city and district rather than draw drawing from the general fund. As a citizen, I'm concerned that these fees have increased steadily, yet employee compensation has not. I'm grateful to work in the city that I'm a resident of. I'm striving to make the city and district a great place to work, and I hope you will help. Thank you for your time. [applause] Good evening. My name is Anthony Gallo.

I am a senior engineer in the traffic division. I've been employed here at the city of Semi Valley for seven years and I've lived in the city all 44 of my years. Um, in my time here in those seven years, we have lost two entry level engineers each after about 6 months of employment. We lost those two engineers to adjacent agencies that offered better pay. It's clear to us that the the engineers use the city of Semi Valley as a stepping stone to gain some work experience and transition that into a better compensation elsewhere. And that's just uh one one example of how the wages that the engineers here at the city earn aren't competitive enough to retain the engineers for the city of Semi Valley. Thank you. [applause] The next three speakers, Ryan Valencia, Gina Trunkali, and Donna Smith.

Good evening, everyone. Uh, well, I told myself a resolution this year would be to thank staff more. And so, I want to open with I want to thank the city of Semi Valley's Anne Sorenson with permitting. I handed her a case with a medically vulnerable senior and within a day she was already on top of it working with Edison. So, you know what? That's my resolution this year. Uh I'm actually here uh on behalf of the Seam Valley uh Veterans Foundation's Board as we are so so so excited uh to be considered for our first ever grant from the city. And so just wanted to say thank you for the consideration of that grant. Um, the Veterans Foundation really started because of a collaboration between our federal, state, local partners with our veteran service organizations. We started as the Senior Valley Veteran Services Task Force. So, we just knew that we wanted to create down the line a one-stop shop for our veteran services, support our veterans more, and our service organizations that maybe need a 501c3 to support what their efforts are just because donations are handled differently. Uh and so uh eventually down the line we realized the nonprofit needed to come about. Uh and so our nonprofit is blossoming and we're very very excited to host our first fundraiser. And so uh this special events grant will help us make that a reality as we host a World War II uh style uh event uh with music and with food uh for our veterans here in Semi Valley. So I just want to say thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for the consideration and uh good night. Thank you. Thank you, Lieutenant. [applause] I'll push the Okay. Well, hello that. Good evening, Bear Kavanagh, city council, and staff. I am here to share with you tonight about an upcoming event that the Seami Valley City of Peace, International City of Peace, um, committee is putting

together. It is a peace vigil in celebration of Martin Luther King Day on January 19th at 6 p.m. Uh St. Francis of Aisi Church is being very gracious and um hosting us. This will be an evening of music and meditation and um just remembering Martin Luther King and his vision of peace and I think that's really important for us especially at this time. You know, the mission of the peace committee is to connect and empower our community by promoting peace, tolerance, and dignity. And our vision is a community united by empathy and understanding where peace prevails and everyone can share in an improved quality of life. So, this event is just bringing the community together. It's not political. It's not religious. It's just sharing with the community a time to come together, be together, and just take a breath and think how can we share kindness with one another. So, I hope that um we can see you there. Um that's 6 p.m. at St. Francis of a CC Church on Monday, Martin Luther King Day. It's free um open to the community and um anyways hope to see you there and in the last minutes I'm also with the Semi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation and I just really want to thank you for your continued support of the Hispanic Heritage Festival and the uh special events um grant. Uh so thank you [applause] Am I good?

Good evening, Mayor Kavanaaugh and and council members. My name is Donna Smith and I'm on I'm here on behalf of the Kuanas Club of Seami Valley. Um I want to thank you for your cons continued support of our club and our efforts to to fund raise for the the citizens of of Seami Valley. Um, our event, our largest fundraising event roundup, is coming April 18th and um, it's this the city's largest uh, music festival, one-day music festival. And it's country music all day, fun for the family, and it's just um an enjoyable time for for everybody in the community. and and we would just like to thank you um for our consideration of um uh as being a recipient of the special events grant as proposed in December. I know it was a very difficult um um process with 15 well-qualified well welldeserving worthwhile organizations seeking a piece of of the funding. and um our club is appreciative for any amount that that we're awarded and I thank you for your consideration. Have a good night. [applause] The last three speakers, Eliza Nichols, Jamie Sanchez, and Juan Miguel. Hi,

Alisa Nichols. Alisa,

good evening, mayor and council members. My name is Alisa Nichols, president of the nonprofit It needs to end and the creator of the youth safety program focused on ebike and road safety. I'm here tonight to address my concern not about my program, about the process, transparency, and public safety. Recently, I was informed that council member Joe Ayala lodged a complaint against my ebike safety class, and as a result, the police department was not allowed to be involved. In 2025, the city of Seami Valley was given $175,000 for the ebike incentive grant. This money was supposed to be used to encourage citizens to take safety courses and receive a significant discount while purchasing ebikes to encourage safety. I'm unable to find any record of vouchers given to members of our city. But even more concerningly, I can't find records of any applicants or even a way to apply for the voucher. And now your city councilman pulled PD involvement from safety classes and does not want to endorse them, which violates so very very very many things about that grant agreement. We are currently doing them in middle schools throughout the county. We just became a live option for any teacher of LA USD. Ventura County Sheriff's and CHP have planned events with us coming up. So why doesn't C Valley get an opportunity? It's important to me that you understand why I'm doing the things that I'm doing and why I am doing this safety class. If I can open this. This is a photo of my brother. Okay. riding with no helmet and crashed at 30 miles an hour. This is why I'm doing this class. Not for political gain, for your safety, for the society of the children in this town. I want to know why Steam Valley doesn't want this here.

Why on earth is this not important to you guys when someone just lost their leg?

I'm sorry, Miss Nichols. Your time is now up. Thank you. [applause] I want to begin by acknowledging that we are on land historically sorted by the Chumash people. I keep this brief because respect is not statement, it's a practice. Good evening, council members. My name is Jamie Sanchez. I came here tonight with a few questions regarding the special presentation made last year. I was a little confused because some of the speakers went before seeing it and I wanted to know what was going on. Um, so that was a question. Why isn't it that we can't speak after? Uh, why was there no discussion when the police chief stated that it was okay that these federal agents can continue covering their faces? Why were there absolutely no questions from this council? And most importantly, what's next? January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Poverty Awareness Month. And yet, people are still begging to feel safe. I've spoken here every month since last August. And in that time, I've learned a lot, and I've met a lot of great people who have been fighting this fight for a lot longer than I have. I'm here as a mother who worries every day about the world her children grow up in. I'm here as a veteran who has taught was taught that leadership means accountability. And I'm here as a survivor of many traumas who knows what it feels like when power goes unchecked and voices are dismissed. For most of my life, I was taught to keep fear out of my voice, to stay polite and not ask questions. But staying quiet has never kept anyone safe. And I ask myself, what am I teaching my daughter and my son if I don't set the example of speaking up? I am a United States citizen. And I wake up in fear. Fear for my kids and for this younger generation. This is not about politics. This is about people. This is about trust. So

I'm asking you directly. Please explain decisions instead of hiding behind process. And please tell this community what you are going to do next. I will continue to speak. I will continue to show show up. And I will continue to ask questions because that is my right. Thank you. [applause and cheering] Good evening, council members. Uh, I wasn't planning on talking today, but given what some people are talking about it, I decided to talk. Although I talked to some my my friends what I'm about to talk. Uh, on the week prior to Christmas Day, there were two police cars by my house. I went and approached one and they say hi and then I asked if there's something I can help and then they told me the reason they were there and then they asked me they hear some kind of screaming and I said no I've been out for 20 minutes I didn't hear anything they stopped and they got out of the car they went walking a few passes besides my the ahead of my house and then I saw another car down below and then it occurred to me that we came on the last meeting here requesting that how the police was going to respond for a kidnapping and they haven't said anything and I see two cars responding around 6 700 p.m. for a screaming and I talked to one of the my neighbors who made the phone call and told the people that the name of the street and they happened to come to the wrong street and I go they send resources for screaming which probably there was something serious

probably nothing happened and and and they are unable to send somebody when there is some kidnapping and I go there is something wrong with this picture. I've been profiled many times. I told a city council member that I've been stopped several times just because my car doesn't look nice and luxurious and they find nothing. I've been told another council member to set up a meeting with the chief police and it hasn't happened. And what is it going to take for you guys to listen and take some action and make a use resource a a good use of the resources? This is just now up. Thank you, Mr. Miguel. Thank you so much.

Thank you. [applause] Madame Mayor, that was the last speaker. Next on the agenda is item 4 A, city council comments regarding public statements. Thank you, Council Member Ayella. Okay, now I think I have to go first. So, Miss Nichols, I think that you're confusing me. That would be Joe Ayala. And so, excuse me. We don't have any comments from the I think there right now.

Hold on one second. We have the police chief in the back and if if anything was filed with the police then they would know who filed it and so I think it's important that you follow up with him because on the contrary we are actually working on an ebike ordinance and I would love to partner with you on that education educational aspect of it. Personally for me, I have already reached out to the school board to see how we can partner with them on the education part. Just last week when we were at the park district, I talked with them about the ordinance coming out and how we can partner with them on the educational aspects since they control a lot of the um the non- city parts of the Aoyo. And so for me, the education part is the most important part because for me, if there's an ordinance, but it's not being communicated to the kids who actually are going to be affected by the ordinance, then it doesn't work. So, um, so I I I know that you're going to hold that it was me, but in reality, that's why the responses you saw per were ones of surprise because it was nothing that we would ever do. It's something that especially with me, it's something that I proactively have worked on. It's something that I proactively have put an education plan in. So again, if you want to be part of the solution and help us with the education part, I would be more than happy to work with you on that. And again, if anything's filed with the police, there would be identification of who who did that. And you would find it definitely was not was not me. [clears throat] The um the second thing I would say is I want to thank the the speakers who came up to acknowledge the 37 names because for me regardless of the circumstances it always comes down to the human aspect of it and so I just you know regardless of the circumstances um thank you for

saying the names out loud and then for the engineering group um I would can't say much about it because now we're in a process of people going back and forth with the with with the legal process. Um, but again, I hope that you recognize that we do appreciate the work that you do and I'm hoping that everything comes to a conclusion shortly and one that everyone can agree on so that we can continue to go forward. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Rhodess.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um uh on the engineering just to say ditto um your work is appreciated and you are um an essential part of our city and um and the process continues and um I I wanted to make a comment Mr. Shaw. Um uh we where you you come uh each week and you share and um um almost every week you ask for something that is not um doable or appropriate from the deis. Asking questions of us to respond to from the deis is something not on the agenda. So we're not supposed to. And in this case you're asking us to do electioneering. How are you going to get to know us if not up here in these two minutes? Wrong venue. This is to get work done. Any of us running for office will have website and functions and please come to all the functions that you want to. Um and if a politician isn't having those, then perhaps they're not working hard enough. And so, um I would encourage you to invite yourself to to those functions and that's where you'll get the information. Um uh Miss Bosley um the um the fact that you came and and offered a thanks. Um sometimes in the work that we do, we get the um complaint part and then when we actually get through to the solution part, we never hear the thank you and we appreciate it. And is there more work to be done? Yes. And is it uh is homelessness a problem that needs to be dealt with? Yes. And when you move and camp from remove it from one place, do they have to go somewhere else? Yes. And if you offer services and you don't take it, you can't force them. So it is a complex

problem. I appreciate the thanks and and it's an ongoing one. Um and uh to all those that came and giving thanks and appreciation to um the committee that did the work on making recommendations for the grant money. Um it is hard work for them and so you're appreciated coming and thanking them. Uh and then we'll see what happens tonight. But that's the end of my comments. Thank you. Any other speakers or any other comments from council? Mayor Pro Tim Litzer,

I don't know that I have anything original to add to what has just been stated by my two counterparts. Um, thank you. The breadth of what was discussed this evening, clearly there are many issues in our community that we all need to be actively engaged and working on. Um, I did want to thank um, uh, Justin, Eddie, Rob, and Anthony individually for your work. U we recognize full well that your work and the others um keep the city running and and moving and growing and beautiful and just what you do is critical and so I just want to say thank you. We are anxious to to resolve the the um the discussion because we'd like you to feel we'd like you to feel valued and and and that we're going forward with this. So thank you for being here tonight. Um, yes. That what my I've decided with regards to the grant funds. Thank you for all of you that that spoke to a later agenda item. In my mind, there's wolofy not enough money to go around in that pot. And so, if we could do anything, it would be may wave a magic wand and find more funds to help some of these great great activities and events that are taking place in our community. So, thank you all for being involved. Um, uh, Linda, yes, thank you for giving us the update and and being actively observant in that arena and being a good neighbor and desiring best for everyone there. So, thank you for coming and and sharing and I had a conversation with someone about it yesterday and so I was thank you for help educating me that there's one more day involved in this process. It is, as council member um, Rocky Road stated ongoing. It's not a a one-time solution, but it is ongoing. So, thank you um and thank you for sharing those who have um sharing the names as well. And I wish there was an easy solution to some of these difficult things occurring. Um but thank you for speaking to them everyone

who's come forward to today. Um one final um I will share I did want to um speak to uh Mr. Court, William Court, who spoke about biological stabilization and um you're

well I see Mr. Fujiwalki right there. But are you you talking to him? I just want to make sure that because I appreciate his passion and and if we if it's something we can utilize that would be great. So much to comment on but I better stop now. But thank you again everyone here for your participation. Wait, what do I want to say one more thing? ebikes, thank you for being here and for your work in our in our community. I I there has to be a misunderstanding because we um we will and we need to find out when I'd love to chat with you personally more about what what you do and how we can uh utilize your services because clearly ebikes in our community have become a joy for many and a problem for many and a and a potential huge problem. and I'm so sorry for your brother and and what you shared and thank you for your passion for what you're doing. So, thank you.

Thank you. Um I don't really want to reiterate what has already been set up here other than it is very heartwarming to have our community come out and be able to speak to us. Again, tonight you covered all kinds of uh different areas and thoughts and things we can work on, things we can't. Our engineers, we do respect you and hopefully we'll be able to get that worked out soon. everyone else. And my favorite line was, "Miss Sanchez is yours. You have the right to speak." And so I think that's what I will end my comments when. Everyone has the right to speak. So thank you, madame mayor and members of the city council. Next on the agenda is item seven, the consent calendar. And there are two resolutions for your consideration this evening. Consent item five, resolution number 2026-01, amended resolution of the city council of the city of Semi Valley, establishing the city council meeting schedule for the calendar year of 2020 2026 and replacing resolution number 2025-36. and consent item six, joint resolution number 2026-02WD-303, a joint resolution of the city council of the city of Simi Valley and the board of directors of inter county waterworks district number eight amending terms and conditions of employment for management designated employees. Thank you, Mar. Let's hear this from now. When Well, actually, I would be happy to I just turn it off and then push put it back on so that you would know it was for now.

Thank you. Actually, I um had some questions about some items, but they were addressed in advance. Um and so I'm willing to motion passage of all of them. Second. I will say [laughter] that one of the items, item number four, I'm hoping in the future we can find ways um to change some of our the way we award contracts. Um [clears throat] so, but that's a legal discussion for later.

All right. Thank you. So, I have a motion and a second. Call for the vote. Thank you. The motion passes unanimously. Madame mayor and members of the city council, next on the agenda is item 8A, adopt a resolution approving proposed revisions to the terms and conditions of employment for confidential designated employees and approve a supplemental budget request. The reading of the resolution is as follows. Resolution number 2026-03, a resolution of the city council of the city of Sei Valley establishing terms and conditions of employment for confidential designated employees and repealing previous resolutions to the extent that they are in conflict here with senior management senior human resources analyst Shannon Nash is here to present this item.

Good evening. Shannon is not feeling well, so I'm pinch hitting today. Thanks, Lucy. Appreciate it. Didn't know we're that close. Remember what I city manager Luis Scaray. [laughter]

All good. Good evening, Mayor Kavanagh, city council members. Tonight for your consideration is the adoption of a resolution approving proposed revisions and terms to the employment for confidential designated employees and to approve a supplemental budget request. Um we initially presented this information to council at the December 15th council city c. Nothing has changed uh since that point. Uh just a quick recap uh there is seven positions that are included as part of the uh confidential designated employees which are listed there. And the terms for the proposed resolution include a two-year resolution that includes increases to the semiflex benefit which we mentioned before is the city's um health benefit package that we offer. Uh for the management group it' be 2406. Uh and for the executive management group, it would be 2,600 and there would be no changes to the opt out option for uh either group. Uh as I mentioned, it is a two-year deal uh which includes a 3% salary increase in both years. That is the the same percentage increase that was previously approved by the council uh for the SEIU group and then also for the unrepresented management group as part of that. In addition, there would be a onetime payment of $1,000. Uh, and the elimination of of the bottom 5% of the salary range is again identical to what was previously adopted for the management group. The two-year cost is approximately $143,000. 26% of that cost for year one uh will be you will be using savings realized from current vacancies to offset the account. Part of the council's action tonight would include a supplemental budget request out of the general fund fund reserve uh which we've verified there is enough funds to cover that cost. So staff recommends the adoption of resolution number 20 26-03 to approve the proposed revisions to the

terms and conditions of employment for confidential designated employees and to also approve the appropriation of $39,649 from the general fund fund balance uh for this current fiscal year. Uh the cost for year two would be included as part of the budgeting process uh when that time comes. [snorts] Staff is available and happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Are there any questions from council? Seeing none, I'd be happy to move the item. Thank you. I'm going to I'm going to need some water um because I have to read it all out, right? Mhm. Yeah. Okay.

I know. I move to adopt resolution 20263 to approve the revisions to the terms and conditions of the employment for confidential designated employees and approve the appropriation of $39,649 from the general fund balance for fiscal year 202526. In accordance with government code section 54953 C3, a summary of these benefits for the various positions identified below is reported as follows. for the position positions of city manager, city attorney, assistant city manager, administrative services director, deputy human resources director, senior assistant city attorney and senior human resources analyst. Revisions to pay ranges and compensation unless specified under individual contracts are as follows. Effective November 17th, 2025, the CI flex benefit will increase for city manager, city attorneys, assistant city manager, and administrative services director to $2,600 per month. The CI flex benefit will increase for the deputy human resources director, senior assistant city manager, uh, city attorney, and senior human resources analyst to $2,46 per month. Effective January 12th, 2026, a 3% salary increase that includes adjustments to pay ranges will be implemented. effective in the January 30th, 2026 paycheck. A one-time lumpsum payment of $1,000 will be included as long as incumbents are employed with the city district for the entire period beginning January 12th, 2026 through January 20 January 25th, 2026. Effective June 29th, 2026, a 3% salary increase that includes adjustments to pay ranges will be implemented. Following the 3% adjustment to the pay ranges, the bottom 5% of pay ranges will be eliminated. All other prior benefit levels remain the same.

Second. Call for the vote.

The motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Madame Mayor and members of city council. Next on the agenda is item 9A, approval of the 2026 city support 2026 city support of special events grant recipients and authorization for the city manager to execute grant contracts. Senior management analyst Heidi Dinardo is here to present this item.

I get the fun stuff. I'm going to change it. Don't worry. Don't you worry. Okay.

Before we begin, I do need to make one correction, and that is to attachment B in the minutes. There is a typo that's been brought to my attention from a public speaker number 10, Mr. Von Nopen. His first name is actually Art, not AE. as it states there. So, if the record could reflect that, I would appreciate it. So, good evening, Mayor Kavanaaugh, members of Actually, before I'm sorry, before you do, I was just asking manager, if I am a member or on the a board of any of these agencies, I have to recuse myself. Is that correct? Um, that is correct.

And I am currently on the um Semi Valley Veterans Foundation board. And so, um I'm not officially anymore. So that's what I suspected but I think I am still. So because of that and I have such good questions to ask completely separate from that but understanding that knowing that you guys are all wonderful I think I have to walk out of the room. Mayor Prom is recusing herself from this item due to a conflict of interest and or perceived conflict. I'm a member of one of these groups uh Rotary Club of Ci Sunrise. Same.

Do we have enough voting members with the rest of the three of you? Anyone else have to recuse yourself? We're good over here. Enjoy the break. We are all deserving. Just to be very clear. I won't tell you how I was going to vote.

Well, I'll say good evening, Mayor Kavanagh, some of the members of city council. Tonight, I'll provide a brief history of the city's support for special events and present recommendations for funding for the 2026 calendar year. In 2014, the city council adopted administrative policy A31 for city supported special events and associated grant program budgeting $25,000 annually from the general fund. City council awards these funds to organizations that meet specific qualifications such as being recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit and who have agreed to provide a report to the city describing how the proceeds from the event were distributed. The special event support review committee is appointed annually by the city council comprised of one representative from each of the neighborhood councils and one representative from council on aging. The committee's role is to review the applications and allocate $25,000 based on community benefits and local impact. Two public meetings are held and each applicant has the opportunity to present the to the committee when before the final recommendations are made. Since the PREP program's inception, the city has averaged eight funding requests per year. This year, due to the increased outreach to prior special event applicants using social media and a press release, the city received 16 applications seeking $67,000 in special event support. The committee received direction the administrative policy and all applications during the public meeting held on December 3rd, 2025. The second public meeting was held on December 10th, 2025. After hearing public statements, listening to presentations, and asking detailed questions of the applicants, the committee had the difficult task of allocating $25,000 in grant funds. The committee was

directed to incorporate preferences based on the direction of city council to fund events where proceeds are used locally within semi valley and to fund events with greater community public benefits over events with lesser community and public benefits. The committee is recommending city council consider funding to the following rather than go through each one of those. Um I will just mention that the committee did use a ranking system. So, instead of being in alphabetical order, and it looks like the screen is a little bit cut off there on the left for you in the audience there, but these 15 applicants are seeking funding. It notes uh their applicant name, the proposed special event, the requested amount of support they're asking for, and the committee's recommendation. It should be noted that although 16 applications were received, one applicant did withdraw their application during the presentations and that was Spirit Life Church of Jesus Christ. So staff is seeking direction on how to proceed with the committee's recommendations and I'm available if you have any questions.

Are there any questions of of staff? Yes, I'd like to go over anything with Seami Sunrise and the veterans. No, I'm just kidding. [laughter] I don't know. Body brain train maybe too. So, sorry, Nikki.

I will say I would like to say because it was a very kind gesture um from Spirit Life Church when he heard all these presentations. They were actually laughs to speak and do their presentation. And the pastor said, "I absolutely would like to withdraw any your request for funding because he would really like to support in particular bodyb brain train, but he said every one of these are just so pivotal to the community and really wanted any benefit to go to them, not towards their church at this time." That is so good. Pastor Bishop is just a very, very kind, very nice, very nice and kind man. So, thank you. All right, the audience is waiting. The majority of them are here for this item.

I move to adopt the recommendation of the special event support review committee to award 2026 city support of special events grants as outlined and authorized the city manager to execute grant contracts with the recipients. Second. Call for the vote. The motion passes unanimously with council member The motion passes with council members Joseph Ayella and mayor prom Ela Listister recusing themselves due to conflict. Thank you.

Thank you madam clerk. We wait a second while we get them. Oh, here they come. You can let them settle. All the recipients are smiling, so it went well. And and we should thank the committee once again. Yes. Um if if they're in the room or listening, thank you to the committee that uh went through and did all the screening work on these. It's a tough job and you did great work. Thank you all,

Madame Mayor, members of city council. Next on the agenda is uh item 10A, council member reports. Council member Ayala, you are up first.

Thank you. On Tuesday, December 16th, I attended the youth council meeting and it was my turn to provide a city update. They were most excited about raising canes. They were very excited about that. On December 16th, also I attended the community manura tree uh lighting. I should candle lighting at the town center with Rabbi Rosner. It was great because we got to help the kids light all of the candles, which I think was the highlight of the evening for me. December 18th, I attended the regional defense partnership board of directors meeting. We selected a new executive director, Terry Clark, as Jean Fiser is retiring after 25 years. So, his retirement um event will be next month, December 21st. I attended the Metroink annual holiday train. I didn't get to go on the train, but I was able to uh see people off as they as they went on their event. I also uh participated in the Shepherd of the Valley U Christmas gift giveaway for those who are less fortunate and then attended the Manora lighting at the Reagan Library. On December 29th, I attended the ribbon cutting of Party City, which as you all know is now in Staples. So, Staples is becoming a one-stop shop. They have not just Party City, but uh Amazon and UPS and Passport Services. So, they are now the place to go. On January 7th, I attended the mobile recreation vehicle unveiling for the park district. Uh this is a great um new van. They are available typically Tuesday and Thursday at different parks in the city from 1:30 to 3:30. So if you're interested in taking your kids to

be part of this uh popup event, you can go to the park district website and it tells you the different parks that they will be at throughout the month. On January 8th, I attended the RDP membership meeting. We set the agenda for the year, specifically dates for our visits to our local bases. And on January 9th, happy 86th birthday to my mom. And then the ribbon cutting for Piccolola Tiny Homes. And that's the end of my report. Thank you, Council Member Rhodess.

Thank you. My report will be considerably shorter. On Tuesday, December 16th, I went to the Building Industry Association's uh Southern California Regional Housing Conference in Irvine and um and saw how they were handling some housing development stuff down there. Um I left the state for vacation to North Carolina, South Carolina, and New Hampshire um on Wednesday, January 7th. Um, Council Member Judge and I attended a Kayagus Municipal Water District tour and discussed water resiliency programs up there and um had really constructive conversations. On Saturday, January 10th, though not an official duty, um I attended May Culverson's uh funeral. She touched many in Seami Valley and um and I thought that the service was outstanding for her. Uh and then today um uh we met at the chamber with a development group interested in building a hotel here in town. And that's the end of my report.

Thank you. C um council member judge.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. My report is al um also will be short as of Tuesday, December 16th. I left the state to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with my family in Alabama. Uh hope everybody had a great holiday season and a happy new year to everybody here. Happy new year to the entire city and all my colleagues here on the dis. Uh the I did attend the Kagas walkthrough on January 7th with council member roads. I've never been to that before. I mean Bard Reservoir. I've been all over the other state all over the state looking at water projects. That's the first time I ever got to go to Bard and I was amazed how beautiful it is back there especially with the hills being as green as they are right now. It was a very nice tour and very informative. On January or Friday the 9th, I attended VCTC in Camaro. It was a very long meeting for my last meeting as chair. Not too much concerning Semi Valley directly, but we were talking a lot about the Kayagus uh not the Kaius, I'm sorry, the um Sesby Creek Bridge, which we're having trouble getting fixed because of the storm. So, that's still under still one of our primary goals is to get that thing finished. And uh later that day, I had meetings with uh some representatives from Collab and the Farm Bureau. Uh today, I attended the Council on Aging and I met with some folks up at up at the Chamber of Commerce along with council member Rhodess about a hotel project here in town. That's the end of my report.

Thank you, Council Member Mayor Projam Militster.

Thank you. Um December 16th, I too appreciated attending the community manura lighting Hanukkah uh celebr celebration sing along at Semitown Center and I agreed. It was lighting multiple manoras with children and their families that came forward. That really was the highlight. That was lovely. Also [clears throat] that week, Saturday, December 20th, I participated as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. I would encourage my fellow council members to next season take advantage of that fun of saying out there with bells. They have two. In this case, I had two bells, two tones. You'd be surprised what songs you can come up with. Two bells. But it is it was a fun time to interact and and what a great co I so appreciate the Salvation Army in our community, their um their food food pantry that's on LA Avenue and what they do for our for our residents. So that was December 20th. Um I too um had a a joyous uh Christmas time with family in Idaho and Utah, but came back uh for the first of the year. Um, I will say one of the first things that I really enjoy that I was involved with and attended was on Sunday, January the 4th, attended the fundraiser for Meals on Wheels put together by Betty King and the Council on Aging. That was the Legends of Soul Con Soul um, uh, concert. It featured Freddy Pool, the three degrees, Hazel Payne, Patrice, Chocolate Banks. I will tell you that place was rocking. You'd be surprised what music can happen here in Semi Valley. What was really fun is I had five guests with me and I had a high school senior on one side and a 5-year-old on the other side. I was a little concerned. I will tell you that 5-year-old was so engrossed the entire time. He has been playing drums the entire week on anything he can hit. And I will also say that the senior loved the music. I was kind of embarrassed that I could sing along to everything and she didn't know any of them. I except for maybe RPCT. But anyway, it

was it was very fun. But I I really wanted to bring it up because as a special thank you to Betty King and Josephine, those that work so hard to raise funds for our Meals on Wheels program and the artists that volunt that ded. It was really a lovely lovely afternoon. Um, on Wednesday, January 7th, I too attended the mobile rap celebration of what the park district is doing. What a great fun activity to bring to our parks. On January 8th, Thursday, had a meeting with the mayor um to discuss some uh issues here in the office with our coun with our city manager. Appreciated her time. Later that evening, I attended uh afternoon I attended VCOG's um council board meeting in Camaro and our the guest uh presenter was Dr. Rick Mlullen who is the do um I guess his official title is he's um

yeah community colleges

chancellor head honcho whatever yes chancellor but anyway a few things I wanted to share that I thought were were in that I learned my takeaway more park college of course which is right next to us leads the state in in junior college transfers into four-year universities I thought that that was very commendable which is Great. Um, the entire district of three colleges services approximately 45,000 students annually, which is great. I also learned and I thought it was interesting, the question was allowed about um helping students who have remedial needs and I AB75 and AB705 basically makes it no longer can the colleges actually assess like math and English levels when students come in, which I thought was interesting. But so instead what they do now is that they have all sorts of wraparound services to integrate with tutoring etc within classes so that there is immediate success and not failure. And so I that was I didn't quite understand that that was no longer the way it was done. But but but the value of course in having all the tutoring available is that quickly skills are gained. Um the other thing I learned is that Ventura College received a $62 million grant to go towards building onampus housing. Of course, all three of the colleges could use onampus housing. So, my challenge is is if they have something shovel ready, when that grants open up again, who knows, maybe other schools can take advantage of that as well. But it was very informative and I appreciated the presentation. Um that was on Thursday, January 8th. On um Friday the 9th, I also attended Piccolola Tiny Homes ribbon cutting, a wonderful company in our own semi valley who is trying to make um ADUs that are beautiful quality but that can be moved in on wheels. Um so that's a whole conversation for another time. Also that morning I attended the chamber breakfast. The reason I want to mention this is that at

my table I spoke with one of the owners of Pick and Play and today we had the presentation about economic development. I didn't realize I have driven by, you know, the old theaters on LA Avenue. Every week or so, I drove I drive by and look inside to see the dirt and see where the seats are, what's going on. I should have walked in and and maybe asked questions, but basically pick and play is is going to yes, it's going to be pickle ball, but it's also going to be pickle ball meets Sky Zone because it's going to have trampoline parks and um and which I was delighted as well as a three-story indoor play structure for children. So, it's going to be a lovely recreational place for all ages that I think is going to be fabulous. And so I know that they have plans in right now um that are being reviewed and and so anyway just excited that that is coming to our community and I think and he's he's pledged to keep it still that vibe that old the theater vibe with the colors and the youth so it still will kind of feel like the theaters but we'll see how it all works out but delighted that they are going to be coming that that's being developed. um Saturday January 10th also s attended May Culbertson's celebration of life. It was a lovely event. What I wanted to reference is I think everyone it was filled everyone has enjoyed her cooking, her catering or her friendship. In fact, I will have to say that probably one of the best state of the city catered events was done was was the one she did. I mean just it was anyway she was beloved in the city as well. Um to uh today I did attend the council on aging.

[snorts] I'm a bit sad that I won't be there for the next year, Mr. Ayala, but it will um I will say that today they select they were voting on new members of the council. It is a vibrant, wonderful council and great things. And also today they um they honored their outgoing chair um as I have. Why am I going blank on his name? Mike, help me out. Bill, thank you. Bill Oliver and special awards he received which we'll be talking about later. But Bill has just done a masterful job as chair of that group. And anyway, so that concludes my report. Lots of great things happening in our city.

Thank you, Mayor Prom. My report also starts on Tuesday, December 16th, attending the Manora Lighting up at the uh Sei Town Center Mall and the singalong. We actually did sing along. It was a lot of fun. The music has a really good beat and uh we had held hands and and everyone sang along and it was really a a nice opportunity to interact and to meet other people and to help the children light the monoras. So I enjoyed that tremendously. Um Thursday December 18th I had my meeting with our my weekly meeting with our city manager and Sunday December 21st I did get to go on the holiday train. My daughter had purchased tickets and this was our second year and it was such a a good thing with when you have little little kids, it's just amazing. And my six-year-old grandson doesn't listen to this, but he has a crush on Elsa. So, every time Elsa walks by, he blushes and and then he gets upset and tries to hide under the table. So, [laughter] so that was that was an event, but it was fun. They do Metroink does a great job on that. and uh council member Ayala and I had the opportunity to meet the CEO Darren Kettle who used to be VCTC's headperson correct Mike? Yes. So it was very nice. He he made a point of saying I still have a relationship with Ventura County. I still live here you know and it's important to me. So it was very nice to to meet him and such. Um that same evening I went to the manura lighting up at the Ronald Reagan Library. That was very very nice. That was the first time they had a manura lighting inside because of the weather and such. And they explained that um President Reagan was the first president to ever have a manura lighting in the White House.

So that was that was some history I wasn't aware of. So that was nice to hear. Um then the holiday season, of course, we all had that. And where am I going? Sorry, we had a long time in between these. Okay. Then on Wednesday, January 7th, I did have our economic development collaborative executive board meeting. And then I also was able to go by Rancho Simi Re and see the mobile um mobile van that they now have. And I would just like to congratulate council member Ayala and his daughter Isabella. They tied at the Tetris game. So it was very it was very good. Um, Thursday, January 8th, at the invitation of some of the Neighborhood One Council members, I showed up at the Neighborhood One Council. I sat in the back, tried to be unobtrusive until somebody called me out. Um, but it was very good to listen to it, but I'm glad I went because the second presentation was VCAS, which is Ventura County Animal Services, and I'm the chair of that commission. So, it was very, very um, nice to be able to see Estavan Rodri Rodriguez and give his presentation. and he does a great presentation and explain all the good work that VCAST does. So, we are still we are not officially they don't call us a no-kill but we qualify as a no-kill because our live release rate is so high and that's due to the volunteers and the staff that work really hard at the animal shelter. They also have reading. If you have little kids that like to read to pets, they do that every once in a while where you go and read a book for like 25 minutes to the dogs. So, it's pretty fun. the kids enjoy it. Um, Friday I ju Friday I just had a meeting uh on Zoom with EDC in preparation for our meeting coming up this week. So that is the end of my comments and calendar. So Madame Clerk,

Madame Mayor, the la the next item on the agenda is 10B of future agenda items. Are there any future agenda items to request? No. All right. Seeing none, um, see, we have a request from members of our community to adjourn in memory of the individuals who have lost their lives across the country in association with immigration enforcement related activities, as well as the people I have on my list. Um, we're in journeying in memory of Bett's last court, cultural arts from our cultural arts center, Craig Basil, 991, the ranch radio, and Joanne Randelle, who is our own Sophie Clipper's mother-in-law. So, and with that, I will congratulate the Clippers on the newest baby in their family. So, we've added one more citizen to Seami Valley. So, congratulations and thank you all. We're adjourned.