City Council - Regular Meeting

[music]

Good evening. We'd like to call this meeting to order.

Mr. City Attorney, are there any reports from close session? Thank you, Madam Mayor. Nothing to report out of close session today. Thank you. Next is the pledge of allegiance. Nasleene, would you like to lead us in the pledge of allegiance? You already did it this morning. 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. [laughter] Thank you very much. She is our youth council president. Um, roll call, please. Council member Ayala here. Council member Rhodess here. Council member Judge

here. Mayor Pro Tim Litster here. Mayor Kavanagh here. Are there any items for agenda review? No, Madame Mayor. 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. Council member RHS. 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 can move on. Madame clerk, madame mayor and members of the city council, the first item on the agenda is item two, public statements on appointments, special presentations, andformational reports. Uh we don't have any speaker cards for this item this evening. Madame Mayor and members of the city council, next on the agenda is item 3A1, selection of two city council members to conduct community projects grant review committee interviews. And deputy environmental services director Cynthia McCulla is here to present this item. Good evening, Mayor Kavanaaugh and members of the city council. The city council established the community projects grant program for the dispersement of funds received from waste management for programs and projects in the community. The funding requests from local nonprofit organizations are reviewed by a review committee before consideration by the city council. The review committee consists of one representative from each one of the four neighborhood councils, one representative from the council on aging, one representative from the youth council, and one community member at large. The community at large member is interviewed and nominated by two city council members for appointment. The recruitment for this position opened on February 2nd and closed on February 16th to allow staff sufficient time to assess any potential conflicts of interest, which removes the need for an alternate. A total of nine applications were received. To accommodate the program's timeline and ensure the timely distribution of funds to the recipient organizations, it is recommended that

interviews be scheduled between March 2nd and March 16th. All the nominees for the review committee are tenatively scheduled to be presented to the city council for appointment at the April 6th meeting. Therefore, it is recommended that the city council appoint two city council members to conduct interviews and nominate a prospective community at large member to the community projects grant review committee. This concludes the report and staff is available for questions. Thank you, Miss McCulla. Are there any questions of staff?

Would anyone like to volunteer? I looked at the list and I didn't see any conflicts of interest that I had and I know all of us are involved in a lot of things. So I don't know if anybody else does but I'm I'm willing to serve on it because I have no conflicts and I'm available during those dates. Okay. I have no problem serving either. Council member Judge also. Sure. Okay. So I happy to recommend Excuse me. I'd be happy to move both of those council members to serve. In fact, I was reminiscing. I believe that was the very first uh the two of us did that uh a year ago. That was the first interaction that I had with you in this capacity. And anyway, so it very appropriate to have the two of you be I'd be happy to nominate Council Member Rocky Rhodess and Council Member Michael Judge to fill that role.

Second. Thank you. Call for the vote.

The motion passes unanimously. Before we move on from this item, I just want to notify the council that Miss McCulla was recently promoted to deputy director of environmental services and we didn't do that before she started her presentation. So, I just wanted to make sure that we were all able to congratulate her. Congratulations, Cynthia. We're so proud of you. Very good. Thank you. And she keeps me in line at VCAST, so it's a good thing. [laughter] Thank you,

Madame Mayor and members of the city council. Next on the agenda is item 3B1,formational presentation by youth council member Nandiha Krishna. Good evening, Mayor Kavanaaugh and distinguished members of the city council. My name is Nadha Krishna Morty and I'm a senior at Seami Valley High School. I would like to begin by thanking you for your continued support of the Seami Valley Youth Council. It is because of your investment in us that I can share the progress of our hardworking members and the initiatives we've pursued to support our community's youth. In the month of February, the Youth Council was involved in four successful events, beginning with the Ventura County Office of Education Civic Tours field trip on February 4th. Youth council members visited different places across Ventura County, including Cal Lutheran University to speak with local leaders, including our own mayor Kavanaaugh, the mayor of Thousand Oaks, and the mayor of Filillmore. Students learned about different civic engagement opportunities and heard stories of how their very own city officials got to the positions they are in today. On February 6th, youth council chair Jasine Kangura and I presented to Leadership Semi Valley at the Seami Valley Public Library. We share the impact of some of our initiatives like our rock painting night which raised hundreds of dollars for suicide prevention, our annual community talent show which is youth council's biggest fundraiser and allows us to highlight th the diversity of semi valley's talent and our youth impact forum which I discussed later in the presentation. On February 20th, youth council hosted the betting on our future webinar as a chapter of the Friday night live program. This webinar focused on the risks of youth gambling and the harmful addiction that youth gambling can create in adulthood. The teen wellness committee led the presentation but by

providing a brief overview of youth council's current initiatives and how the youth in the community can get involved. We were honored to have Michael Laauo, the director of programs for NICOS Chinese Health Coalition speak to 48 attendees. Mic Mr. Dr. Laauo has conducted programs and spoken at conferences focused on problem gambling prevention and addiction trainings. With his extensive experience, he led a brainstorming session on the reasons people spend money. He discussed common misconceptions about spending and gambling and guided the audience through scenarios to identify the differences between the two. He helped us identify the traps of youth gambling on social media, video games, and sports betting apps, equipping us with the tools to lead a gambling-free life. Earlier today, we held our second annual youth impact forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Our theme was voices for impact, addressing youth safety in our community. We hosted over 20 dignitaries and 84 students from Seami Valley High Schools and Middle Schools, Westlake High School, and Oak Park High School. The goal of this event was to give students the necessary skills to develop an initiative to take back to their schools. The key the keynote speakers included More Park Colleg's Black Student Union who spoke about their club's advocacy efforts to maintain youth safety across the campus. Frankie Cohen from GG's Play Playhouse who spoke about the current programs including Gigi's fit and GG's literacy which helped individuals with Down syndrome on their fitness journeys and in speech and reading development. And Dr. Angelica Chavez, principal from Oxnard Union District, who provided safety information for our LGBTQ community. In the breakout sessions, students worked with Ventura County's bright youth to create PSAs to engage to educate their community about the importance of safety and joined Seami Valley Police Department Detective Kellen King to learn about the different aspects of youth safety, what is currently being done to promote youth

safety and opportunities for youth involvement. and assistant city manager Heather Sumagayes and Santa Susanna High School ASB President Gracie Kim taught students how to conduct school surveys and make effective public comments at city council and schoolboard meetings. The forum ended with students and dignitaries collaborating on action plans to improve safety. To ensure this work continues, the youth council is scheduling following follow-up meetings to help these students implement their action plans and go beyond what they learned today. The youth council is currently partnering with the seami film festival to launch the first seami youth film festival. Partnering with the rancho seami recreation and park district to create meditation stations in our local parks and partnering with Hollow Hills Elementary to host a leadership workshop for their fourth and fifth graders. Please mark your calendars for two major upcoming events. On March 20th, in part in partnership with Santa Susanna High School's international club, we are hosting our third annual roots and rhythm multicultural night at Santa Susanna High School. We are still looking for for cultural boots and performances. So if anyone is interested, please contact multicultural_ight on Instagram. [laughter] Next on April 11th, we will be hosting our 8th annual community talent show. Now, at this time, I would like everyone I would like to ask everyone to follow the Seami Valley Youth Council on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at Seami Valley Youth Council, as well as on Tik Tok at SVYC2929. The next Youth Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. here at City Hall in the community room. Once again, I would like to thank Mayor Kavanaaugh and the city council for inviting me to skip speak tonight. Thank you again for empowering us to make a difference. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you. That was a wonderful presentation. Thank you. And Council Member Rhodess. Thank you, Madam Mayor. First question. What time did you get up this morning? Okay. This morning I actually got up at 6:30. So like not not not too late. And you have been going nonstop the entire day because I saw you earlier at the uh youth forum. And

thank you. I really appreciate it. It's uh uh it was a a completely impressive thing this morning that I got to attend and watch the pieces that I got to watch. And one of the things that I would share with the people at the table was uh whenever youth council comes to present, it is a master class on how reports are supposed to be made to council. And uh anyone else looking and you need to make a report, watch this video. Um you guys do a great job all the time and thank you for serving our community. um talking with the Westlake students, they were like, "This is so cool. You guys do this over here." And well done. Thank you. Thank you, CH. Mayor Prom Litster.

I'm actually trying to put some dates in my that I'm not on my phone. You made me make me tired just listening to you. No, it and I think it it's true that the youth council do such wonderful things. And yes, I really wanted to just comment what a great gathering it was today. just the the variety in topics and the purposefulness of what was planned that there's an outcome. It wasn't just sitting and being entertained. It was everyone let's get together and do something. It was really impressive. So, well done. Thank you so much. [snorts] Well done, Council Member Ayala.

Thanks. The um it was a great event today and I was with the freshmen and they were so smart. They had such great ideas that it was they were not you were not talking to a freshman. You were talking to these adults with great ideas. And the best part about today was that we did not hear Mr. Fowler speak. And I say that my favorite part,

right? And I say that because he does such a great job of allowing them to lead the entire program from the transitions of what we're going to do next to bringing the group back together to leading the activities to setting the goal for the next event. And I think that's really why the group helps is being successful is because you allow that space. So um I say that jokingly, but at the same time it's a great learning experience for them. And I think you would agree how much that helps you, right? if by by being a leader there.

Yeah, I definitely agree. I think without youth council, I wouldn't be at the place I am today, especially with my confidence level and my speaking level and just leadership in general. I think Youth Council really transformed my commitment to the community. Very good. Well, keep up the good work. Thanks. And we really appreciate everything you and Nasling do. So, keep it up and uh we look forward to hearing from you guys again. Thank you very much.

Thank you. [applause] Madame Mayor and members of the city council, next on [clears throat] 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 items 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 the car was submitted to speak for this public statements item four for a period of no more than three minutes each. Persons addressing the city council are requested to state their name and community residence for their record. Madame mayor, unless you have any comments, we can begin public statements.

Please proceed.

Thank you. I will call three three names at a time so you know who you follow. Ken Davis, Alin Escrow, I mean I'm sorry, Alin Een, and Anthony Een. Good evening, mayor, council members, and city officials. My name is Ben Davis in district 4, president of Pila Tiny Homes here in Seami Valley. Thank you for your time tonight. I'm here because I was born and raised in Seami Valley and we're facing a housing crisis that many families can no longer ignore. [snorts] The cost of living has risen dramatically. The median home price in our region is well over $800,000. Construction costs for a traditional foundation built ADU often range between $250 to $500,000 and can take over two years to complete. For retirees who want to downsize but stay close to their children. For young adults who cannot afford to leave home and for homeowners trying to offset rising mortgage costs, there's a gap in our housing options. Movable tiny homes fills that gap. These homes are built like traditional houses framed with 2x4 2x6 construction, built with standard residential siding, double pane windows, full kitchens, full bathrooms, and permanent sleeping areas. They meet and exceed the governing body standards and are inspected by independent third party agencies for compliance. A valid concern which arises is that allowing movable tiny homes as dwellings would allow for any RVs to be used as a dwelling. Now, this is where we need a clearly written ordinance. We don't want RVs. An ordinance can clearly prohibit features typical of RVs such as slideouts, pop outs, rooftop mechanical equipment, and fiberglass siding while requiring residential grade insulation,

traditional siding materials, concealed undercarriages, and proper utility connections. We can clearly define what qualifies and guarantee that standard RVs are not allowed. This isn't theoretical. 22 municipalities across California have already adopted movable tiny home ordinances. Cities like St. Louis, Abyspo, and San Diego have successfully implemented them as ADUs. These jurisdictions have demonstrated that movable tiny homes can help meet Rena requirements, expand housing supply, and preserve neighborhood character. They increase housing density gently without large apartment complexes or major infrastructure strain. Seam Valley has an opportunity to lead to provide flexible housing solutions without compromising safety or aesthetics. I invite each of you and anyone interested to come to our shop on Easy Street and see how these homes are built. We are ready to partner with you to craft an ordinance that that protects our community while expanding opportunity to help seniors age in place, allow adult children to stay near family, and give homeowners practical solutions. Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you. [applause]

Good evening. My name is Elen Een and I'm a resident of Seami Valley. Now is the time for city council members to create an ordinance to ban short-term rentals. No one wants to live next door to an STR or motel. City council received signed petitions with over 430 names of residents who want a total ban. Also, all four neighborhood councils voted overwhelmingly that STRs are not wanted or needed. Two of the neighborhood councils even made motions to ban all STRs. A very strong statement that the city council should not ignore. Neighborhood council's decision decisions should be seriously considered. STRs are not compatible with the existing city zoning code, which was crafted to have residential zones separate from business areas. An STR is not just using a room in a residential house as a home office for a business. The homes that become STRs are the business. They become neighborhood motel for transit guests. This is not why neighborhood homes were built. Residents do not want their property values to decrease by living next to or near an STR. 60% of all buyers see STRs as a negative. 31% of buyers would pay more for a home in a city that bans STRs altogether. STRs impact the supply of affordable housing. They take away availability from possible full-time residents who want to live, contribute, and support a neighborhood community. The safety and character of residential neighborhoods is being compromised by the constant number of transients staying at STRs. Visitors should support

the motel and hotels here. I think there are always rooms available and see is planning to build another hotel in the near future. The most important reason to ban all short-term rentals is because the majority of residents want a ban. And all of you on the city council should listen and represent the people who have put their faith and their trust in you to do what is right. No one wants an STR next door to them. Please consider an ordinance to ban our search and rentals. Thank you. [applause]

My name is Anthony Een. I'm an advocate for a ban of short-term rentals in Semi Valley. Council members have claimed that bans on short-term rentals don't work. The council's statement supporting that claim is that there are listings on facilitator websites in cities where they are banned. There is data which supports that legalizing and regulating does not stop violators. As well, the city of Los Angeles has had an ordinance regulating STRs that took effect in July of 2019. It is stated in a August 28th, 2025 LA Times article that despite that ordinance, the Los Angeles Housing Department estimates that 7,500 homes are currently operating illegal in the city. The city of San Francisco has had an ordinance to regulate STRs since October of 2014. There are as many as 9,000 properties listed on ARBNB in San Francisco. Only about 1,281 hosts are registered with the city office of short-term rentals. That indicates at least 82% of of hosts are operating illegally. The city of Sacramento has had an ordinance to regulate STRs since 2016. As of July 2025, there were 2165 listings available in Sacramento from ARBNB alone. Out of those 2165 listings, 40% of listings have short-term rental licenses. That would mean that 60% or around 1300 homes listed are not licensed. More recently, the smaller city of Delmare has had an ordinance to regulate STR since 2024. Data indicates that there could be 21 unregistered STRs identified through online listings in this small city of 3880 people. Even smaller cities face

the same problems. The case can be made based on this data that legalization and regulation does not work. Criminals will always attempt to find ways to circumvent and violate laws. It comes down to the enforcement of laws. Seami Valley is currently not enforcing existing municipal zoning code. An ordinance of any kind will require enforcement to be successful. There is no reason for semi seami valley residents to believe an ordinance to ban will not work and one to regulate will. It's time to open up your minds and look at a possible ordinance to ban as well as the one you are attempting to force on the people of Seami Valley without proper consideration of both. Thank you.

The next three speakers, James McGillis, Dale Steinick, and Ken Hurst. Mayor Kavanaaugh, members of the city council and staff. I'm James McGillis, an 18-year resident here in Seami Valley. For less than eight hours last Thursday, Airbnb included Ventura County in their $750 new host bonus program associated with the FIFA Cup 2026 events at Sofi Stadium. Expected revenue for each FIF FIFA Cup STR is $5,000 and that is for only eight matches. Although the threatened onslaught of new short-term rentals this summer in Seami Valley has abated, the Olympics are coming. The Olympics are coming. If history is prelude to the future, Airbnb will end their ilk will offer even greater bonuses to new hosts in 2028, including Semi Valley. The LA 2028 Olympics will feature two main venues in the Seova Basin, only 18 miles from Semi Valley. They will host BMX freestyle racing, skateboarding, and archery. In 2028, if STRs are legal in Semi Valley, making 10 or $20,000 in a single summer is a temptation for any rental property owner. the anticipation of an antip an Olympics windfall where will curtail long-term rentals in Seami Valley. Why tie up a property longterm when you can make a fortune in a single summer? Like inflation, once a property goes up on Airbnb, it never comes down. With that, the city's long-term rental pool will shrink drastically. Speaking of pools, I was thinking about our watershed at the coast. Port Wine is struggling with STR zones upstream. Both Camaro and Moore Park have banned STR. Seami Valley at the top of the Aoyo Seami watershed stands exposed. If we legalize, there will be a tsunami of dark money flooding over Rocky Peak. The resulting torrent of new STRs will envelop quaint Little Seami Valley and turn it into the clone

of the dreaded San Fernando Valley. Like something out of an old movie, city staffers move slowly forward with a new code package for the planning commission to deny. Regardless of outcome there, the city council will not see a final vote until May or possibly June. That puts us squarely in the middle of primary season. Council member Litster will not be up for election at that time. Council member Rhodess is running for both city council and state assembly if I understand it correctly. Mayor Proam Judge is challenging Mayor Kavanaaugh for her current seat. Council member Ayella is running for election to his currently appointed seat. With the spectre of legalization and regula and regulation, STRs will be the defining issue in the June 2nd primaries. Those who stand with the people and vote to deny the code changes and to ban STRs will see an easy path to victory. Those who stand with dark money interests and the legalization of short-term rentals will face rejection at the polls. Thank you. [applause] Hello, my name is Dale Steinneck. I live here in Seami Valley and I want to help promote filming here in the city. I am trying to restart my business called Ultimate Locations. It's a film location business. I have a BA degree in PR and marketing and wrote this book, My House, a Great Location, which you can find in the Seami Valley Library. I can't do this on my own. It'd be great if I could get a private or semi-private meeting with the council's film committee to explain what I actually do. I have a business I have business cards available to anyone present who is interested in talking to me. Thank you very much.

[applause] Miss Nick, if you'll leave it a card. I meant to call you earlier and I lost your card. So trouble then. I know, but we'll get you situated. Thank you. [clears throat]

Good evening. My name is Ken Hurst and I live in Seami Valley. First of all, the latest uh abduction numbers for ICE uh unchanged since I last talked to you. 33 people from Seami Valley. Uh there have been more people taken out of uh Ventura County. We're up to 850, but for Seami, we're unchanged at 33. Today, I would like to talk a bit about the flock cameras around town. These are automated license plate readers. There is a significant concern with these flock cameras about privacy. I plan to talk about flock cameras over several meetings as there is a lot to cover. I recently requested information about the locations of flock cameras in semi valley from the city government to get some idea and to get some of the license plate data. The reply was to refer to me to the semi valley police department transparency portal. On the one hand, I was glad that the request for license plate data was effectively denied. On the other hand, the transparency portal is not maintained and has not been and has been downgraded in the last few months. The transparency portal states that there are 26 flock cameras in seami. We are doing our own count and know of 34 and we're not done counting. The portal does not provide a map or other location information for the flock cameras. I have understood that semi valley restricts the use of their flock data. However, there are 320 other entities listed as having access to CI data. 320 seems like a lot to me. How do we know that this data is not being misused by, for example, someone helping Texas track a woman getting an abortion or helping ICE? There is an audit feature where one can download a CSV file of the individual requests. I have accessed it three times since November of 25. At la at first, a user code was indicated included, making it possible to see how many times a given user had

accessed the data, though it was not possible to know who that user was. Since January, the user ID field has just three stars. The system seems to be accessed about 500 plus times per month month pretty consistently. There is a column where the reason for the access is supposed to be indicated. When I as accessed it on November 30th, all accesses had some sort of reason, though a few were briefed to the point of being unclear. for example, just the letter P or the word patrol. But most clearly made some effort. On January 28th, 39 had a blank reason field. On February 23rd, 43% sorry, it was it was 39%. On February 23, 43% had a blank re reason field. Please bring back the user ID field. Re restate to officers that they need to make some effort to fill out the reason field. Update the number of cameras and please provide a map of the camera locations.

Your time is up, Mr. Hurst. Thank you.

The next three speakers, Rob her, Eliza Nichols, and Jacqueline Terrosian. [snorts and clears throat] Good evening, esteemed mayor and distinguished members of the city council. My name is Rob Herur and I have lived in Semi Valley since 1979. I serve you and those in our water district service area as an assistant engineer. I've worked for the city and district for 28 years. Keeping in line with the city council goal to ensure competitive compensation, I'd like to share the numbers that were originally shared with council uh by Justin Link two weeks ago and point out that the 6% that we are asking for is actually comparable to the 3% that management and SEIU recently received when they signed their contracts. Management at 3% is about $9,114 per employee per year. SEIU at 3% is $8,9812 per employee per year. And SVA's request of 6% is $9,067 per employee per year. These are all within $116 of each other. In addition, we are not asking for an increase in semi flex or any one-time bonus as other units are getting. These numbers highlight the importance of having a class and comp study implemented by the city. There are positions in all units that need to be adjusted not on a flat percentage basis over the entire unit, but adjusted for fair and comp competitive compensation. I urge the city council to authorize and direct the negotiating team to complete the contract. I'm grateful to have worked

for the past 28 years in the city and district that I'm a resident of, and I'm striving to make the city and district a place to work. Thank you for your time.

Hi, Elisa Nichols. Don't worry, I'm not here to yell at anyone today. Um, first of all, I really wanted to thank you guys for making this ordinance so fast and actually taking seriously that these ebikes really need to be regulated. However, I wanted to address a couple of things in here. Um, it does say that you're not going to change any ordinance, but it says that you guys are going to allow riding at a speed no greater than 15 miles an hour on the sidewalk. That is illegal already. M2s are not allowed on the sidewalk. So that's making the streets more dangerous, not safer. When I also went through this, you guys are recommending for the kids and whoever gets a ticket to do the CHP safety course, which is not regulated. There's no way to prove that they actually took the course. They just click through pages. So there's still problems in here that are not going to keep everybody safe. While I appreciate that this was done, and I can't force you guys to use our program, this is still not covering full safety. It's not covering what they should be wearing. It's not covering where they should be riding. As someone who is really passionate about M2s, all the M2s are in our course, mopeds, scooters, all of it. They already have a classification. So, I'm not really understanding why we're making new laws when we just need to enforce the ones that we already have for M2s. That's what we need to be doing. So, I'm very hopeful that if you do change it, please don't allow them to ride on the sidewalks at all. It's already against the law and they should not be able to ride on the sidewalks. Thank you.

Good evening, Madame Mayor, esteemed council members. My name is Jaclyn and since October 2024, my husband m my son and I have been residents of Sime Valley. In advance, I appreciate your time listening to your constituents. I have made statements about residential overflights from this podium before, but I would like to raise my concerns once again about the invasive, disturbing and nonstop presence of flight training or recre recre recreational planes in the area. Although in my previous statements I approached the issue from a person personal perspective. Today I would like to bring it up from a broader perspective. Flight schools have grown exponentially out of Vanise Whiteman Camaro and Santa Monica airports. For us as a community, it is important to understand that real magnitude of the danger caused by flight training schools on our communities, especially our kids, elderly, and other vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. Lead pollution. I recently came across a podcast where subject experts discussed lead pollution in areas that are constantly sprayed with lead from prop planes. They articulated and expressed boldly about how authorities and regulatory bodies try to create the impression that a complainer like me is alone and that the lead pollution is minimal. However, we all know this is a widespread issue and I am not alone for sure. It is known that unled fuel is largely available for those prop planes but their owners and operators refuse to replace the leaded fuel because of cost associated with engine improvements and so on. I would like to reemphasize the

danger and the chronic bio cumulative impact of lead poison on children's and all other groups health. It can cause cancer, lower IQ, create learning disabilities and attention problems, but also memory problems include including reduced cognitive functions. This information are collected by the way from OSHA go. There is noise pollution which uh constant high level of noise frequently exceeding the decibel that is suitable for the human body can uh because of the overhead presence can cause health problems as well. And then there is also the risk of flight incident which happened on May 3rd in Simei Valley and I don't know what happened to that guy and February 15 in Camaro and by the way those planes and their flight school do not have insurance coverage for people and property on ground. Thank you.

Thank you. Which I have done some research about. Thank you. Thank you Madame Mayor. We have no other speakers. Next on the agenda is um item 4A, council council member comments regarding public statements. Thank you, Council Member Rhodess.

Oh, well, thank you. It was in from the last queue, but I actually Thank you. Um first, Ben, great to see you this weekend. Um uh Ben was showing off the uh models of Piccolo Homes up at the fairgrounds in Ventura. There was a sort of a home show thing up there. Um, we were up there for a different reason, but it was a great great to stumble on you and see you there. And I like your product. It is complicated having wheels versus foundation and um and if if something can be crafted that is reasonable and acceptable, then we should be working on that. So, thank you for bringing that to our attention. It's that it's an inbetweener and um it's certainly not an RV and we have ordinance for those. But thank you for being here. Um Mr. McGillis, um I I I was listening to your comments and all I could think about is if you were trying to sell the idea of getting a short-term rental, you did an outstanding job of how much money you could make at the Olympics. I'm I'm not sure where you were going with that, but um uh it was it was an interesting uh twist on on your point of view. Um Dale, thank you for coming and and filming is is a huge part of our revenue um uh increase and business increase development that we want to be doing. And so if you have skills that we can capitalize on, we'd be foolish not to engage. So, I think that we've already got a a connection going. So, thank you. Um, uh, the the ordinance for uh, ebikes, where's our ordinance for ebikes? We are going to have a a I think a healthy discussion and uh, we'll get some future direction

on that, but I took notes on on your input. So, thank you for that. And that's the end of my comments. Thank you. Thank you, uh, Mayor Prom Litster.

Thank you. Um, [clears throat] just quickly in order of conversation, although I appreciate the breadth of discussion this evening, there's always so many things presented to us. So, thank you for your for your comments. Um, Mr. Davis of Piccolatini Homes, your homes are absolutely beautiful and I believe that they belong as if we're going to have ADUs, which the state has required, I believe that they belong in in Semi Valley. And so the discussion of how to make them compliant, etc., and to make that legal, I I think we need to I know we're going to have a report and we'll further the discussion. Um, and maybe they just need to be on a permanent concrete foundation once they're rolled in, but that's all discussions to be had. Um, Eens, always appreciate your passion. You are consistent. All the neighborhood councils, you're here every time. Thank you for for showing us that you are certainly care. I too um actually, Mr. Mcicholas, I was I was fascinated to know that BMX skateboarding and archery are in the I had no I didn't know that they were here in the San Fran Valley and knowing that we have the skateboard hall of fame here in Seami Valley. Anyway, I was excited for that bit of knowledge as well. So, thank you again for all of your comments. Dell, good to see you here. Um, I know that you have much to offer um the film scene here in Semi Valley. Look forward to the conversations. Ken, thank you for for your regular attendance um and your concern about privacy and specifically flock cameras. Um you I I don't know that I anyway, thank you for that education. I um and I in your discussion about reasoning for use of flock cameras being uploaded um there should be consistency. So I would love to learn more about that. But thank you for bringing that to our attention. Um Rob, we care about the engineers. We you are it's a discussion we have um have had and continue to have and we want to be sure that we are treating all of our employees fairly and I know that we will

get to the end zone soon. Um Alisa, thank you for being here and thank you for um your passion and we understand where the where you come from from a loving heart and having loss and so thank you for your consistent desire to help Seami Valley and and better our e bike regulation discussion. So appreciate you being here tonight. Um that might be um Jacqueline our over our our wonderful flight. I I I don't think we are as um we've had discussions before about what is allowed and obviously it's regulated by the uh FAA, but I but your being here and bringing it to our attention reminds us we need to be mindful that rules are being obeyed and your concern about increasing um uh potential fallout of of fuel etc is is very concerning. So I will continue to look at that. But thank you for your comments. Um I think that's it for tonight. But again, thank you for the variety and all of your many passions. So appreciate it.

Thank you, Council Member Ayella. Thank you. First to this the city manager um questions. Do you just projected dates for both the tiny homes and STRs? So STRs is going to planning commission in March and then it takes about six weeks for it to come back to the city council. So I would anticipate April or early May for STRs. And then the tiny homes memo um is on my desk and I'm working on that to get that to you as soon as possible.

Very good. Thank you. All right. So to to Ben, I think the the big the challenge you have, which you addressed, right, is that there's a difference between an RV and a tiny home. And I think that's where you just have to continue to focus on that piece because I think that's going to make the big distinction. So, uh, you did a good job of explaining that and what the difference might be. Um, Eens McInness, we we know what's coming up soon for Miss is it Steinick? If I'm going to pass the card over if you can give it to the city clerk, please. I'm on the the film commission committee as part of my assignment here. So, they're going to pass you my card there. If you can get a hold of me, we can work on maybe even you looping you into that group. Okay. And uh Mr. Hurst uh the police chief had given us a presentation on the flock cameras and the the fact that nothing is shared outside of the agency. And um if you still have questions about that, he's in the back of the room. But at some point if he is saying these are the rules, this is what we're not doing, you're going to have to accept that we're not doing what some other jurisdictions may be doing. Right? So I'm sure he's providing the accurate information and is not holding anything from us. So at some point it we have to say Cammy is maybe doing better than what other jurisdictions are and we're not doing something else. But I do understand all those other um items like Mayor Prom mentioned like uh making sure we document better and all of that stuff to keep it up to date. Um Miss Nichols, thank you for uh wanting to be part of the solution. We know that the education part of the ebikes is going to be a big

part of the making the ordinance successful. And for the flight training, it's it's a tough one, right? because number you had come multiple times and said they don't respond back and [snorts] you had sent us emails with this and I've tried to reach out to you on behalf of of you a couple times they don't respond back either and so it is one of those that we're kind of kind of stuck there and every time I see the plane as I'm in the backyard with the dog right I'm thinking this is exactly what she's talking about so thanks for continuing to to to fight that and hopefully um something might um come to we might have a resolution to sometime soon. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Judge.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, not really too much else to add by council member colleagues who've covered all your comments adequately. I want to just say thank you for coming out and sharing your comments and time with us tonight. Thank you.

Thank you, Ben. I would love to come out and see your tiny homes. I missed them at the street fair as I had to leave and I'm really excited. I'll get in touch with you. I'd love to come and take a tour. I might need one for me. So, um, Eans and McGillis, thank you for being here and and being so passionate about the STRRS. You know where I stand. So, we we'll go from there. Um, Dale, thank you for coming here tonight and re reacquainting. That's perfect. We'll get you involved in that. Mr. Hershey and I have ongoing conversations, so we'll work on that. Um, engineers, yes, Rob, we are we're working on it. I know it's been a tough tough road, but we'll get there. we will find an end happy end for everybody. Miss Nichols, thank you for coming out for the ebikes. This is going to be a good conversation. And then Jacqueline, yes, just like Council Member Ayella said, I'm outside with my grandkids in the pool and I hear the the the planes and I'm like, there are more than there used to be. You know, I never really thought about it. So, but really appreciate everybody coming out and uh taking your time to speak to us and express your ideas. And I want to say a welcome to leadership class of 2026 sitting back there. So, thank you for being here also. All right, that's all for us. Um, madame clerk, madame mayor and members of the city council, next on the agenda is item seven, the consent calendar. And there are no resolutions for your consideration this evening. Any comments or questions on the consent calendar?

I'd like to move the consent calendar. Second. Call for the vote. I smile because we all wait to see if somebody's going to pull something. The motion passes unanimously.

Thank you, Madame Mayor and members of the city council. The next item on the agenda is item 9A, introduction and first reading of ordinance number 1367 amending Sim Valley Municipal Code section 4-3.22 bicycles on sidewalks and side paths. The reading of the resolution is as follows. An ordinance of the city council of the city of Semi Valley amending section 4-3.22 22 of chapter 3 of the title of title four of the semi valvel municipal code bicycles on sidewalks and side paths and commander Darren Mueller and Sergeant Joshua McKelister are here to present this item. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, council. Let me apologize upfront. Uh we are not going to be able to bring the same level of enthusiasm that youth council brought to their but Sergeant Mallister will do his best. Um this will be the if this PowerPoint looks familiar, um I believe you saw the presentation last December of 2024. Um since then AB 875 has uh come into legislation. So that will be the major change and Josh Mallister.

So basically the presentation that we're going to provide talks about the definition. We'll go by through the slideshow pretty quick then highlight the new items that have come into come into play since then. So basically definition of an electric bike um is bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and electric motor of less than 750 watts. Uh all ebikes manufactured after 2017 are required to have a permanently affixed label contain the classification number, top speed, and motor wattage which basically helps with anyone to try to identify what type of bicycle it is. So we're quickly the definitions of the bicycles. So class one, there's three classes of ebikes that are recognized. Class one is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches speed of 20 mph. Class two is equipped with a motor that may be exclusively used to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 mph. So basically the difference is the rider doesn't have to be pedaling, can just use a throttle assist to get up to the 20 mph. Class 3 bicycle is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour. And the bike has to be equipped with a speedometer. [snorts] So some differences between class 3 bikes and class one and two. With a class 3, the operator must be 16 years of age or older. Must wear a helmet regardless of age. So anyone obviously under 18 has to wear a helmet all time for any bicycle. Uh, class 3 ebikes, all riders have to wear a helmet. A passenger must wear a helmet regardless of age. Also, is illegal to tamper with or modify any electric bicycle to change their speed capability unless the classification label is also changed. So, just highlighting some current ebike laws. Riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet by law and all riders are required to wear a helmet on class 3 ebikes. Bicycle lighting equipment is required by law when

operating an ebike during darkness to assist with remaining visible to motorists and other vulnerable roadway users. An ebike shall have a red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with built-in reflector on the rear visible for 500 ft to the rear during all hours, not just the nighttime, but has to be during all hours of the day. [snorts] A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicap on highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle. So basically the rules of the road. If you're riding a bicycle or ebike, you have to follow the rules of the road. Bicycle operated on a roadway or the shoulder of a highway shall be operated in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic, which should be pretty much all the bicycles uh moving in the same direction shall rise as close as practical to the right-h hand curb or edge of the roadway. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving the same direction. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars. Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than normal speed of traffic shall ride it within the bicycle lane. Uh operating an ebike with headphone earbuds in both ears is prohibited. So, that's basically covering the legal ebikes. Uh, another big concern and I think some issues that we've been seeing throughout the city have to do with um what are now classified as offhighway electric motorcycles or emotos. During the first presentation that I gave, this was not a classification yet. It was something that was still in the works, but since that time, legislation has been passed. So basically, California Vehicle Code 436.1 defines offhighway electric motorcycle or e-oto as an offhighway motorcycle that meets the following requirements.

Designed by manufacturer for operation primarily off the highway, powered by an electric motor for which a motor number is not required. Has handlebars for steering control. Has a straddle seat, two wheels, and is not equipped with pedals from the manufacturer. So during all the discussion how to regulate these devices that we kept seeing uh California Assembly Bill 875 also came into play. Basically what it did is it gave law enforcement the ability to tow vehicles or tow these types of uh e motorcycles or someone riding out of class on a class 3 electric bicycle. So it's California Assembly Bill 875. Basically under this section, a peace officer may remove one of these vehicles under the following circumstances. Person is operating a vehicle with fewer than four wheels that does not meet the definition of an ebike and is both of the following. Powered by electric motor capable of exclusively propelling the vehicle in excess of 20 m per hour on a highway. Being operated by an operator who is not licensed operate the vehicle. And also we can tow one of these ve tow one of these devices if a person is operating a vehicle that has a class 3 electric bicycle and they're in violation of the subdivision A of 21213 which is basically they're under 16 years of age. They're not wearing a helmet or they're doing other things that are make it not safe to ride it. It also gave cities and the ability to adopt a regulation, ordinance or resolution posing charges equal administrative cost relating to the removal, seizure and storage cost of these vehicles. Uh it dictates that an agency shall release a seized vehicle to the owner violator of their agent after a minimum of 48 hours. If these conditions are met, one, the owner violator authorized agents request is made during normal business hours and two, the applicable removal, seizure and storage costs have been paid. It also allows an agency as a condition of release require the owner, violator or the parent or legal guardian of the owner or violator to deliver proof that the violator has completed an electric

bicycle safety and training program or a related local bicycle safety course. So just going over quick numbers of bicycle ebicycle collisions in our city. So from January 1 of 2021 through December 31st of last year, we had a total of 141 collisions, six of them being fatal. Out of those 141 collisions, 131 of them involved injuries with a total of people of 135 that were injured. Majority of these collisions, the rider of the bicycle or electronic device have been found at fault just because they're not following the rules of the road or the other laws that are put in place to try to help protect them. So, some proposed changes we made to the municipal code that we want to uh and additions basically add the term ebicycle to each code that references bicycle. We want to add some definitions under operation of bicycles and other conveyances on sidewalks and side paths that deal with definitions operating conveyance in unsafe manner. The new municipal code that we that's proposed will have all this information in there. examples of operating conveyance in an unsafe manner, tampering with manufacturer serial number or label, do some regulations by signage. Obviously, we want to try to do some more enforcement uh education and then uh some exemptions on what's allowed and what's not. Some of the education efforts that we're we have been doing and that we are working on, the traffic bureau participated in numerous community events to discuss bicycle e bicycle safety and operation of illegal emotos. Uh, we've done things like coffee with a cop, tacos with traffic, touch a truck, national night out, street fairs. The traffic division always tries to have a booth or a table or something set up to discuss these problems and other traffic concerns. And we do our best to get the information. We have pamphlets that go over the rules, tell you what the definitions are of an ebike and kind of what you can and can't ride. The traffic bureau has also hosted several bicycle safety events where members of the

community were encouraged to come speak about bicycle safety and bring a bicycle or use a bicycle that we provided on a little designated course to kind of help people learn the rules of the road and how to ride a bicycle safety safely. [snorts] The traffic bureau's utilized and continue to utilize numerous different social media platforms to discuss bicycle ebicycle safety issues and to remind the public of the danger of e-ostors and other electronic devices. We've also met with the park district and the uni unified school district to discuss a way to bring a safety program or some kind of safety education to students so that we can get this message out there and try to you know make this as safe as possible because unfortunately our kids are the ones that are getting hurt on these things and it's we don't want to see we want to try to prevent as much of that as we can. Some upcoming education events that we're looking to uh be part of is the obviously we do the Chamber of Commerce Street Fair twice a year. We participate National Night Out. We have OTS funded our office of traffic safety grant that we get every year help fund some community education events that we put on. We have seen Valley Police Department funded community collaboration events and we're in the process of hopefully creating a Seam Valley Police Department educational video to be put on our website. We also have multiple flyers, multiple pamphlets that we take to every event that we can hand out or request. And some of these are even available just for people that walk in the lobby of the police station. Enforcement efforts uh as we've received grants like I stated from the California Office of Traffic Safety, which has funded numerous bicycle safety enforcement details throughout the city. There's actual bicycle sa bicycle pedestrian safety month that we participate. Put extra patrols out to do enforcement and education with riders of bicycles and ebikes on safety and also target drivers of vehicles that may be creating unsafe conditions for our bicyclists. From July 12th, 202 through September 20th, 2025, the traffic bureau initiated 12 different bicycle, ebicycle, e motorcycle enforcement details throughout the city. These

resulted in approximately 82 traffic stops, 33 citations, and 19 warnings of both bicycles, ebikes, and vehicles. We had special enforcement efforts at the town center. Uh also as a result of numerous complaints of illegal e motorcycles up there causing problems. As the overall safety of our community remains a priority for our agency, all SVP officers continue to enforce any violations observed throughout their respective shifts every day. That's the conclusion of presentation. At this time, myself and Commander Mu will be available for any questions that you guys may have. And excuse me, before you ask a question. I have questions. I have a question. You have a question. What's your question?

Elisa Nichols is actually correct. Um under the um education portion of that for the CHB, the vulnerable road users, that's the online course. Um it is very rudimentary, if you will. Um I know that because I took it on Friday night and I passed it on the first try. Um 875 assembly bill 875 allows not unlike um for your um traffic school if you are any any business can provide that training. So we aren't tied to I just want to make it clear we aren't tied to having the CHP vulnerable users.

Thank you. One of the questions I had um was the AB75 875. I had seen another law enforcement agency speaking about it that now we are allowed to impound these bikes and we weren't able to before. Is that correct? The bill allows it kind of special uh specifies e- motorcycles. We were taking them before. We have impounded those types of devices before. Uh those were all the illegal e motorcycles that we were doing. Never a class 3 ebike. 875 allows us to impound a class 3 ebike if the rider is out of compliance and shouldn't be operating it. Okay. So, we could do the the motorcycles before, but now you can do the E3. Mine's a E2, so I'm fine. Yes, you can't. Okay, good. You can't impound me.

Um, [clears throat] when if we do seize is does a tow is it towed or does the department do it? Do we call a tow truck and they have to pay fees? the traffic bureau stance. What we have been doing in the past is obviously education is number one for us. Uh anytime we stop anyone on a e- motorcycle or riding out of class, we do our best to educate first. When education efforts don't work and we continue to stop the same people, we then move to enforcement. After enforcement, first time is usually just a citation. After that, if we're still having issues, we may impound. And we've done both. We've had our PSOS bring their trucks and we've brought it to the station and held it. Uh but we've also called tow trucks and had them take them to the toward and impound them in the toward.

Okay. So depending on the situation, the level of everything and and how important it is that the parent recognized they're doing something wrong for their kids. Yes. [laughter] Okay. There's actually cities that have actually started charging parents with child endangerment and those cases are being filed in court for allowing their kids to continue to ride these devices. Okay, good to know. Thank you. Um I'll let somebody else ask a question. Uh, Mayor Prom Litster,

thank you. Um, I have a question. In our staff report, we have a proposed ordinance, um, etc. My my I guess my question is, is this um, it wasn't clear to me if this is all completely new or is there is there like a redline version? Is this additional wording we're adding currently to what's already existing or is this completely new ordinance? Maybe that's a question for that to the city attorney. I'm sorry. The city attorney wanted to comment. Yeah, I wanted to comment before before I started talking. Sorry. And he reminded me too. I I apologize. No worries. [snorts] The only thing that I wanted to sort of point out

I apologize. um the staff sort of went through which sections are going to be modified and sort of this but as part of that modification one of the sections that's added is definitions and the intent was for the definitions to match the definitions in the vehicle code and there's some uh typographical error in two of them. So I just wanted to point that out. there just needs to be a comma in the definition of class one and then in the definition of class three there needs to be an additional uh sort of sentence that's added at the end to match uh vehicle code section 312.5 and so I think we just as part of any discussions that you're going to have I would only ask that the recommendation incorporate the definition from the vehicle code

good excellent I noticed that the class three did not make sense was not nearly as articulate as what was just shared with us. Um, okay. So, okay. So, if I understand what we're what we might be voting on then is the this body which is just some which is our changes in essence to our code. It's not this is additional language. This is additional language. Um, and so why is there not a number added? For instance, um, there was several blanks. um was um it was not assigned a I was just curious why it wasn't assigned a number. Yeah. Ordinance. Well, in in in the body, let me go to the body, but I'm sorry.

136, but in um Yeah. Yeah. It says ordinance number. So, it is 136. If you look at the draft, it just didn't have an ordinance number. Oh, I see on section one there. Section one. And then even in the B. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's at it's at the top. And so when we bring that back, we'll make sure that that's all incorporated. Okay. And so this is all additional language then. Correct. Correct. So if you look at um the municipal code and it starts off with uh title 4, chapter 3, you have a whole bicycle section, right?

And it outlines um essentially what your code is now. And so the modification that's being made now is to chapter uh 4.322 which contains some information but it's really just a paragraph right now. Got it. So instead of being a paragraph now you have um these outlined enumerated sections that are going to replace um that one paragraph.

Got it. Okay. Thank you. That I I appreciate understanding that. Um I I would love to speak to what Sergeant McCallister [snorts] or Commander Muller I you were you were dis um no Sergeant Commander Müller you were discussing the the education portion I'm sorry um I know that in the recommendation is the um what is being allowed um I I what is what the language in there suggests that we use the state is it highway patrol electric bicycle safety of course. And so I guess my questions were going to be who offers how does it how does it work? What's the cost? How's the information designated? Can we use other programs that might be more intensive? Should that all be written into the code to make all that happen or the ordinance?

Well, AB uh 946 is the vulnerable uh road users. It's free. It's online. Um but she is absolutely right. It it's click click click. Got it. But it is free and at the end of it you uh get your certificate and then you bring it to uh whatever local jurisdiction that gave you the citation and then your citation is removed. So we would have the response if we wanted Okay. So that's I appreciate understanding that. So we as a body could decide if we wanted something a little more robust. City attorney's checking on it right now. I would suggest that we there is a violation of that kind of nature that the person be put through a full eight hour traffic school like any other traffic violator.

Yeah. And I can tell you looking at the vehicle code that section which discusses it, it doesn't seem to specify. It just says that the city can require uh proof that they've completed an electric bicycle safety and training program. And it just says as described in section 894. So, unless section 894 has some limitations on it, and I I I don't know right now. It seems like we have the ability to essentially choose what program we're going to um impose.

Okay. Interesting. Okay. Well, let's come back to that. Let me ask one more question. I'll let you get to others, I'm sure. Um section F of enforcement disc references administrative fines. Um, and I just was curious, do we have an administrative fee schedule set already for

So, I'll jump in again. Um, your generalized code sets forth what the penalties will be for violation of any provision in your municipal code in general. And so what this does is cite to that generalized section and say that any of those things that are there are essentially what you would be able to do which mind you is different from uh the new assembly bill which talks about the implementation of reimburseable fees. Right? So that section that talks about what you can get is only if there are actual fees associated with the impounding of the bicycle later on. Um, if you choose to do something like that, and I know that I believe that the city right now is doing a fee study, so you probably want to wait till then to do it and then not adopt it as an ordinance because it permits you to do it as a resolution, which is a little bit easier to modify later on. So, if I may interject on that, so currently with the ebikes and e motorcycles that we have seized and impounded, uh we do charge the normal vehicle release fee for them to come get a release from the police department and then they're able to either get the device from us or go to the toward and pay whatever tow fees or the tow companies charge. So, we do currently charge the same vehicle release fee of someone that had their car towed by the police department.

Interesting. Okay. Um I'll let you come back. I'm sure others have questions or discussion. Okay. Thank you, Council Member Ayala.

Thank you. Um, the ordinance aligns with the California Vehicle Code, which I think is the goal, right? So, there's no everything gets aligned. And the CHP course, what's nice is that I'm not saying it's the best one, but it aligns perfectly with what is in the ordinance. So if you took that one, it's everything is the same. What I would um ask is to two one addition if we could consider doing uh there's references to the helmet and specifically to the vehicle code of the that everyone needs to to wear a helmet. But that specific vehicle code also indicates the two specific certifications that those helmets have to have one or the other. And I would like that to become part of the ordinance which is the either the CPSC or ASM consumer product safety commission American Society for Testing and Materials. Those are the two helmet certifications that are outlined in the vehicle code specifically required for bicycles and ebikes. And I think uh the helmets are really important and we should have that documented in the ordinance as an addition. Um the second thing is because we want to align it with the um the vehicle code like you you guys have done already. I do want to take Miss Nichols um comment into consideration and hopefully not put you on the spot, but you know whenever someone says that we will. She said the the vehicle code states that you can't ride them on sidewalks. And I questioned that because I'm like well maybe she's right. And then I looked it up and it said sidewalk riding is governed entirely by local law in California. So do is it in the vehicle code that we cannot be on the sidewalk or truly is it

up to us to decide if we want to have bikes on the ebikes on the sidewalk?

So currently riding a bicycle on a roadway you have to do follow the same rules of the road. Our municipal code currently states that any bicycle with wheels less than 20 inches in diameter or le or more than 20 inches in diameter cannot be on a sidewalk. So you're going to have ebicycles that have wheels that are more than 20 inches in diameter. So if we're following our own municipal code, then they're not allowed on the sidewalk. However, you're also going to have ebikes that go 20 28 miles an hour and that are heavier than a normal bike, they're going to have wheels less than 20 inches in diameter. So, that's going to cause an issue, too, because imagine one of those devices hitting a pedestrian on a sidewalk. It's not it's going to hurt. Um, they're heavy and they go away fast. Uh, so that's that is something that could be looked at, but per the vehicle code right now, yes, it does state that municipalities have the right to dictate that, which we already have in our municipal code.

Council member Payala, before you continue, I wanted to answer the question, another question that both of you had. The training that's described in 894 is specifically only the CHP1, but 875 um where it modified the vehicle code does give the local entity, which is you all, the ability to um sort of demand a different local bicycle uh course. So, it does give you the ability to to not have to rely on just CHP.

Okay. Um great. That's The last comment I would make is that at the youth council or the youth summit today, they had to choose a safety concern and the table I was at just on the fly chose ebikes and so they had to put together an action plan. This is for Santa Susanna High School and they said they were going to create a PSA and a newsletter and all of these things. So, as you were working through the education program, you might want to maybe leverage what they're doing because they're already creating the PSA, for example, and then you don't have to create your own video. They they actually have it done. So, just keep that in mind, too, that there's um there's some we might be able to leverage what the students are already doing as part of their project. Okay. Thanks,

Council Member Rhodess. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um I had similar questions to my other council members. I did have a definition thing and I just I I feel um well ignorant on this. What is the difference between a sidewalk and a side path? Uh I would have to look up to get you the actual physical definition of good me we're going to say sidewalk. Sidewalk is basically I think an improved concrete and a side path could just be like a dirt path. That's my understanding. But the official definition and I believe our MUN code actually even puts it down even more narrow to Portland cement. Yes. Oh, really? Yes.

Portland cement. Okay. So, um I was uh also thinking about the courses and I was going to suggest some verbiage that said um that uh CHP1 or uh one designated by code enforcement or sim so they could actually continuously adopt new programs or additional programs and say you may choose much like when you go to traffic school, you can choose the comedy traffic school or the online traffic school. Um, but that would give a uh thing and if the uh one course is insufficient, give you full authority to not use a course if it's if it's too lax in its um education and not serving the purpose that's intended. Um, and so I don't know how we would write that in, but um that would be an idea suggestion. the um what what is our current uh problem to solve on bicycles or ebikes more than 20 in riding on sidewalks? How often does this happen that all the time?

All the time. They're they're on sidewalks all the time. All right. And then um is there I'm trying to picture my kids riding bikes to school and that sort of thing. Um, and I've always told them to follow the rules of the road and get there and not ride on the sidewalks.

Um, is there an advantage of keeping the uh, ordinance that says under 20 in they can continue to ride on the sidewalks. Is that a safety hazard or a safety help uh, in terms of getting kids safely from one place to another? Well, I I think if we define like a regular non-motorized bicycle, non-electric bicycle, I don't see an issue with that at all. U but obviously the caveat to that is they have even on the sidewalk, they have to ride the same direction as traffic. Y they have to still yield and do all that stuff that a car would do normally. Um but

so so banning all bicycles on the sidewalk, that's an overreach. We don't need that's not a problem we're trying to solve. Yeah, I think we're more looking at the electric bicycle ebike problem and the issues of the speed of those and the weight of those devices. Yeah. So, if if we made the suggestion that anything that was a motorized vehicle being on a sidewalk is no go because the the potential of the increased uh damage from being heavy and fast. Um would that be a reasonable thing? Would that cause more problems or or make clarity in solving problems?

I think it's reasonable is is we just have to define make sure it's clear definition between electric bicycle and a bicycle which I think we do in the definitions that we're adding. And I would add one other thing to to keep in mind that um disabled people um if they're riding certain vehicles may fall under it. And so we want to be careful about that. I I thought that was called out pretty clearly in the definitions. Yeah. And it said it was excluded. Yeah. Yeah. But would this also include the scooters because I don't you don't want them in the street or the little if they're electric skateboards with the handles. They're electric. So electric electric scooters you're required to have a learner's permit or a license to even ride one of those. Okay.

And it's not supposed to be on sidewalks at all per the vehicle code. Okay. That's not what happens, but good to know. Are you done or more questions? Yeah. So, I would just uh uh suggest to the group that um uh to make clarity for uh enforcement that anything that is uh an ebike that's not otherwise excluded not be ridden on the sidewalks.

See, I I have a little problem with that. I like the way this is written only maybe because again, I'm not riding a b an ebike. I'm riding a regular bicycle, but there's a section I ride all the time that I go on the sidewalk because I it feels so exposed and dangerous that the route that I go and whether I was on an ebike or a regular bicycle, I'm sure I'd have that same feeling. So, I don't know that we should be so heavy-handed. I I just I think it depends on the street and the area. I think we should be careful. I like the fact that we are limiting this based on its ped pedibility or whatever you want to call it. So, I I just that's my initial Could it be residential versus non-residential or is that too broad?

I'm trying to make it easier, right? Um and uh and someone going, "Oh, I didn't know my wheels were over 20 in um or I didn't know this was residential versus something else." What maybe what I'm Well, my question is what I'm hearing is even though the code says it's a 20-inch thing, that isn't carefully looked at so much as it is the class of bicycle would determine whether it's on the on sidewalk or not. Is that is that I think that's what council member Rhodess is suggesting. It would be the classification that but he's suggesting no ebikes at all on the sidewalk and I and they come and I don't know I I go back to what I originally said.

It it's outside of I don't ride an ebike and um I no longer have children riding bikes one. So I would defer if you are a bike rider and need to use the sidewalk in places then place that I really well restricting that then causes potentially more harm by making them ride in the street when it would be safer to ride on the sidewalk. [clears throat] I I think that could be an issue at some point. So

leave it the way I I agree because I don't want to ride my bike in the middle of some of the streets. I would also point out that when they're talking about wheel size, you think of your average mountain bike has 26 in wheels. Some of them are 28s. 10 speeds 26 in wheels. The bikes that have 20 in or under are going to be like your your motocross dirt bike type of thing. The smaller bikes and those that law was designed because yes, you're going to allow your child to ride their bicycle with their training wheels on the sidewalk while you walk alongside them or do whatever. That's why that was given that exemption with the different size wheels. But um I don't think there should be any exemption for the electric bikes on the sidewalks because they are a danger to the pedestrians on the sidewalk.

What would the I was about to hear from what are the officers what would you say about the sidewalks here? Here come the chief. Um the the wheels that are 21 in in diameter or smaller that's a little kid's bike. So just to give you some context on that. It's like a BMX style. 20 inch is like a BMX style bike. So, do you think that the ordinance the the policy you have right now with the wheel sizes within the code is sufficient for now and that we shouldn't have to make an adjustment?

Um, I do. And then I'm also aware things may change real soon because uh Assembly Bill 1942 is being considered and the state is looking at requiring class 2 and class 3 bikes actually have to be registered. and there's some other things coming down the pipe. So, what I would say is um what we need to do is that's the whole purpose for the conversation here is refine it as much as we can,

but I believe there's going to be some more flow of ebike legislation coming through within the year. Um that is probably going to cause us to revise our ordinance. So what we don't want to do is if the state's already regulating uh practice and what can be done by the vehicle code, the city can't write something that supplants that. Right? So the the challenge is making sure that we have a good mesh so that we're we're filling the gaps for our local concerns beyond what the vehicle code states. Thank you, Chief. Any other questions? Okay, thank you.

I think I Sergeant and Commander, do you have any idea where we're going with this? [laughter] I can say I wrote three things down. Okay, thank you. Seems like the council asked for in addition to the regular um the current amen uh ordinance as it exists. So, council member Ayala um suggested uh helmet certifications and you said that there were two there are two that are actually already part of the code and you did you want those somewhere specific

just so there's lines in the ordinance that say specifically say you must wear a helmet per the vehicle code just the addition of certified within you know that actually state what those two certifications are. Got it. So I I do see one potential danger in that. If we write it into the ordinance and those certifying bodies change, we have to come back and change the ordinance. And if you're deferring to the vehicle code, it still defers to the vehicle code. I understand you wanting clarity. I think we put that in the educational material of this is what a certified helmet is, [snorts] but uh it becomes redundant and then possibly something we have to to revisit.

I think that's fair. I think that but just keep that in mind for the education part right because the helmets are the most important thing for these kids right so okay so are you okay with that when you did it okay and then the second thing that I have was um the training portion it sounded like you wanted to have the ability to do um [clears throat] the eitheror um and it seems like I said as I read through that uh modification it gives you the ability to do [snorts] the either or

the language that they had in the slides was actually better than the staff report because it wasn't as defined. And that way, just as council member Rhodess was saying, we're not tied to we we won't have to come back and change it if the policy changes. So, it probably would be good then to if you look at um F3 specifically says uh proof of completion of the California Highway Patrols electric bicycle safety course. And it sounds to me like because you want the um the ability to do the either or you probably want the language to match what the vehicle code says there which was up in this. Yeah, they already have the language. Yep.

And so I just want to take one step back too when when y'all do the essentially the if you decide to adopt this you to make it easy just say adopt it with the um clarifications and recommendations that we're discussing rather than going back to Rome. Um and then the last one that [clears throat] that I had was the um modification of the definitions of class one and class three to essentially absolutely what the uh vehicle code says. So those are those are the only ones I had. I think that pretty much sums up the discussion that was here. Thank you. That's why we have a city attorney. Any other questions, concerns? Uh coun or mayor prom lit sir.

I just this is I just I want to understand obviously there are lots of different infractions that occur. everything from driving unsafe to a headlight that's not on to not wearing a helmet or whatever. I guess I I just want to understand the consequences or actions that are um that are taken if for different things like for instance if let's say they're not wearing a helmet um do you do you say here's your fix you know next time I have a helmet or do you say go take a course or I mean well I'm just trying to understand how it's implemented is there a fix it ticket if the light's not working and they have to come back and show that it's working to you or

yeah everything we do and I'll let the uh traffic bureau commander and sergeant answer that is officer discretion. I know a lot of times they call the parent to the scene because at at the end of the day what we're not trying to do is we're not trying to penalize people with fines and fees. We're really trying to get at voluntary compliance. And so we're we're trying to lay in on the education. They were talking about warnings. When we give warnings, by the way, they're documented. They're in our system. We know that we've given them warnings. And then progressively if we're not getting compliance, there's some other tools that we have and we talked about towing and and other things. But um I would tell you besides the fines um if someone is cited, you know, paying fees to get u um like an e an ebike or an e motorcycle out of uh out of uh storage is is pretty expensive and very very punitive. So, I want to make sure um uh that we're being careful and we're just trying to get compliance first. Uh I will tell you the nature of people that's not going to work for everyone, but I do think it will work for a substantial amount of our population.

Uh I got a one quick question real quick. Sure. Council member Judge, since um I might not be reading the state ordinance correctly, but are we allowed to tell somebody to go take a class or does that come down if they fight a ticket has to be put on them by the judge or commissioner? Like usually when you get a ticket, you'll go and plead not guilty or guilty or whatever and they Yeah. It goes through like any other ticket. And obviously if the ticket is dismissed, you know, u then we don't have the right to uh compel them to do anything. Sure. But then if if it's upheld then do we assign the class or does the commissioner do that the judge? Well, if we're putting it in our ordinance and we're we're enjoining it to our ordinance if we're using the ordinance. Okay.

Uh um obviously what we're putting in our municipal code we can use. Okay. If it's a you know you know if it's going to be vehicle code obviously the judge has the discretion to do whatever they want to do. If if I can interject, I think that's as a condition of release of the vehicle. We we have them do the course. It has nothing to do with them paying the citation. When they come to get the vehicle from us after the minimum of 48 hours, we can require as part of the release that they show proof of a course completion.

Thank you for the clarification. Any other questions, concerns? If not, I will I'm open for a motion. I'll move the city of council introduce and approve the first reading of ordinance number 1367 um with the corrections we made amending section 4-3-22 of chapter 3 title 4 of the semi valley municipal code to modernize regulations governing bicycles electric bicycles scooters and similar conveyance operating on sidewalks and side paths I'll second it thank you call for the vote The motion passes unanimously.

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

Thank you. Let's see. February 10th, I the we hosted the Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Leadership Council here at the city. I want to thank the city manager for allowing them to use the community room and making some schedule changes to allow that to happen. It's great because that leadership council is from all big brothers, big sisters from all different cities in our county. So they go from one city to the next and this allowed them to be here in in Semi Valley. I was able to attend and do a Q&A with them around um leadership and things like that which was great. On [snorts] February 12th I attended the Metro Customer Appreciation Day bright and early in the morning. We had representatives from the Camrio City Council, Thousand Oak City Council, us as well. Mayor Prom Litster was there with me. Thanks to Raising Canes and Lucky Doug Lucky Dog Coffee for sponsoring the event. Also that day, I attended the police award lunchon. So, congratulations to all of this year's recipients. And then also attended the teacher of the month um who was Miss Heather Height, TK teacher at Sant Santa Susanna Elementary School. So, congratulations to her. And then also that day, the neighborhood council number three meeting I was attended as well. February 13th, I attended the chamber breakfast and made the announcement about our community volunteer of the year nomination process, which by the way, you have this last week to turn in any nomination um forms for that. I also had a touch base with our city manager Samantha Argarbrite. February 19th, I attended the VCREA, Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance Committee meeting, which I'm the representative for. Want wanted to let

people know that uh there's new funding for um rebates for water heaters and your air conditioning and heating, $750. And so if you're interested, 3C ren 3 the letter C- ren is the website to get those rebates. That evening I attended the Seroptimus live your dream um event. It was really inspirational to hear those uh the stories and the scholarships that that uh group was able to give away. On the 20th I attended the youth gambling webinar. The youth spoke about that today. It was really great. Um they're so engaged in a one-hour presentation. There were 800 comments in the chat going back and forth. So these the youth are very very engaged in these programs. On the 21st I attended the the event for the for the need foundation. As you remember Ally came and spoke to us and invited us to the rocket launch in the park. And [snorts] um just so everyone's aware for the need foundation is an organization that really um supports underprivileged kids and partners them with mentors. And this was an event that paired the mentors with the mentees in a team building um competition kind of thing. And these rockets are not small rockets. These were rockets that when they went up into the air, you could not see them until a parachute that was attached brought them down. So it was really great to actually be there. They use real gunpowder to make these things actually fly. So it was pretty amazing. I then went to the grand opening of Port Chelinos. uh our new um bakery and and and and and little grocery mart. Um it was really great. And then that night attended the Marty Gro for the Ed Foundation um fundraiser. So I want to thank everyone who

attended. All of that money goes towards scholarships and grants specific to our teachers. On the 22nd, I attended the opening day for the girls softball. and we watched all of them march in and then my daughter had played on our opening day. They lost but she did she did fine. Then on the 23rd which is today I attended the youth impact forum. Again we talked about that when the youth did their presentation. And then on a personal note in about 4 hours will be one year since I've been on the city council. February 24th 2025. And so it seems so much longer.

So much longer. And so it does and so but in a good way. But I just want to take the time to to really thank the staff who who's here and all of you up here for being my teammates and my mentors uh throughout this process. And I respect all of the work that you do, all of the hard work, the time you put in behind the scenes from the staff perspective and just all of the ideas and feedback that all of you have given me um has really helped me to grow in into this position. So thank you for that. It's been a great year. And that's the end of my report. Thank you. We've enjoyed having you, Council Member Rhodess.

I just celebrated my 15th year anniversary on the day I Well, at least it feels that way. [snorts] Um on um Tuesday, I'm sorry. Uh Tuesday, February 12th, I um attended the uh Semi Valley Police Department and Police Foundation recognition awards uh lunchon and congratulations to all of the um officers and and staff that got those awards. Every time that you hear about the success stories of the people, I'm learning more about our internal operations and how we get things done. So proud of our um PD. On Friday, February 13th, I also attended the chamber breakfast. Uh I had a um a phone call with uh Ted Bicki, CEO of the Clean Power Alliance. Um, on Wednesday, February 18th, uh, Mayor Prom Listster and I attended the Seami Valley Arts Commission meeting, which since she's the chair, I will leave, uh, stuff for you to talk about. Um, Thursday, February 19th, um, I went to Cal Lutheran to attend California's housing crisis uh, seminar and um, and I was shocked at the um, conclusions drawn by data that was there and um, I have a completely different view of solutions for housing than were brought forth at the seminar. Um on uh also on the same day I attended the SRO Optimus Live Your Dream Awards which is every year an absolutely um beautiful tearjerkering

um celebration of success and overcoming of obstacles and I I couldn't be more proud of our community members that that bring this forward and find the recipients and change lives in in a very beautiful way. Um, Saturday, February 21st, I attended attended the uh Ed Foundation Marty GR fundraising event at Wood Ranch, which is a fun time to dress up in a tuxedo and, um, and lose [snorts] to Mike at poker. But um Sunday, February 22nd, I also with uh several of us attended the um uh Semi Semi Valley girls softball opening day and done this for three years in a row and if you haven't gone, it's it's it's a hoot. So the teams parade in and it's common. You're supposed to throw candy. I decided this year you could tell the age group by the throw of the candy. The four-year-olds threw it straight to the ground like they were planting seeds. The five-year-olds threw it towards the crowd, but the wind blew it back in their face. By the time we got to the 12-year-olds, they were winging Skittles and hitting people three rows back. So, um, congratulations to all the girls. What a great opening day. Lot of wind, but um, they made through. Um, and last today um, I attended the youth impact forum up at the the Reagan Library. And that ends my report. Thank you, Council Member Rhodess. Council Me Council Member Judge.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. On Wednesday, February 11th, I attended the police foundation meeting in the morning. On Thursday, February 12th, I attended the Semi Valley Police Department and the Semi Valley Police Foundation's recognition award lunchon. Like everybody else who's up here said, I'm very happy that I'm very congratulatory to all the recipients of those awards. On Friday, February 13th, I attended chamber breakfast and uh talked a little bit about me. And Saturday, February 14th, I want to just wish hope everybody had a happy Valentine's Day and nobody forgot your significant other. On uh Monday, February 16th, hope everybody had a happy President's Day. And if you are so inclined to hope Tuesday, February 17th, you celebrated Marty Gro. And if you started Lent, good luck. on February 18th. Didn't do nothing on February 18th. On uh Thursday, February 19th, I went to the Sophimist Live Your Dream Awards. Again, always very impressed by that by that organization and the help they give to people. And like everybody has set up here so far, the stories are inspiring. On Saturday, February 21st, I too attended the opening of Portugalos over in uh on the Madera Center at Madaran Royal. I'm looking forward to good things from them. The sandwich is great. They have a nice little grocery in there, so go check it out. Uh that evening, Saturday, February 21st, I attended to the Marty GR celebration for the Education Foundation. Had a great time. And yes, I did win over Rocky, but I came in second overall. And I don't lose that often to rock. I mean, I don't win that often with Rocky. On February 22nd, I too attended the grand opening of the girls softball. And I love that parade every year. I think I've only missed one. And uh it's always fun to watch. The wind was was whipping, too. It was uh it was interesting. Um but at least it wasn't raining. Um and today I did attend the uh the luncheon for the um youth summit and u had a interesting conversation at the table. I happen to be joined by Dr. P uh former principal

of Sunni Valley High School. So we had a pretty good table. That's the end of my report. Thank you council member Mayor Pro for Tim Litz. Sir,

thank you. I think I know that we've attended a lot of similar things. I'll um try to make it brief when I hit hit those. Um uh just actually last the February 9th Monday appreciated the presentation of the BMX track project update. That was that was very good to attend and to get be updated. Thursday, February 12th. Yes, I attended the Metro Links customer appreciation day. And actually I thought you gave a very interesting description of it out there in the cold people wondering what we were doing approaching them with our little trinkets saying so glad you ride the train. And I did. So I gave I the gentleman stepped off. I said, "Can I?" And he ended up being the head of Metro Link. And anyway, it was it was a Yeah, it was a fun conversation. But I will say that I appreciated, as you mentioned, the owner, the people that they're supporting and Lucky Dogs owners. I learned more about that lovely business in our community and didn't realize that one of their um goals is to employ the those that are intellectually challenged or disabled. And I I appreciate their that wonderful um business plan. Anyway, but it was great to to be out there bright and early. Also attended the wonderful Semi Valley Police Department and and Sydney Valley Police Foundation lunchon where we recognized great recipients. Very deserving. Um on and also attended the Symi Valley Foundation Teacher of the Month. Congratulations to Heather Height. Um but that evening um was the Love and Laughs Comedy Night Foundation fundraiser. I know Mayor Kavanaaugh was there in full force. I thought I just didn't know if I could make it or not. So, I didn't buy my ticket, but I showed up a little late and wrote my check intending just to give him my check saying, "You're doing great things and leave." As I sat there in the back and heard some of the fun comedy, it was so funny. I Anyway, I I moved out of the foyer and back and stayed the entire time. It was was really well done. And I will say I hope it raised lots of funds for the library foundation. Appreciate their efforts in trying to beautify our library. Friday

the uh February 13th attended the chamber breakfast. Um Saturday, February 14th, happy Valentine's Day. Hope everyone had lots of people to love and appreciate. That evening I attended the Sweetheart Veterans Dinner fundraiser that was held at the Veterans Museum at um at the Semi Town Center. And it was delightful to have the newlywed game between a couples that have been married over 50 years and and see who knew each other very well and knew their favorite colors and other things. What I discovered is sometimes if you've been married a really long time, you may forget things about each other. Actually, the younger couple of 20 years was the winning couple. So, but it was fun and hope and I I I lovely to re to raise funds for that beautiful museum and hopefully we can find a good permanent place for that as things progress up there. on Monday, February the 16th. Um, happy President's Day. Tuesday, February 17th, um, attended actually in the morning attended AWA's um, board meeting where they do updates about all things water in our region. One of the the presentation was specifically was about the groundwater production of the Oxnard plane and their levels, etc. It was interesting. It was all about the Oxford plane, but they did reference a bit of what's going on up here. And so clearly we need to anyway more needs to be discussed about what we should be doing with our water table, etc. Um, Chinese New Year, I was on that day. It was fun to attend the youth council and meeting and have a sweet one of the members to pass out things to commemorate that new year. And that was that evening, I also attended neighborhood council number four's meeting. Um, and they took a tour of the senior center. Lots of great questions were asked Wednesday, February 18th. Yes, I attended the Seami Valley Arts Commission meeting and chaired that. Um, I was not until you said I was going to

give updates. Now I've got to give some serious updates as opposed to a few things that came out of that meeting. Yes, there was a budget update to see where they stand in their budget cycle. What we learned is that because um there was staff shortages, funds were expended from their budget that may not otherwise. But now that they're fully staffed, looking forward to getting um being more fiscally um solve um within budget there. But some great things happening there. Huge variety of wonderful programming. One of the things I want to call everyone's attention to is the art exhibit. Is it opening this week? I just don't have the date. I Okay, it's it's a legacy in color. It's in celebration of Black History Month, but it goes spans from February to March. And they had some of the art was up there. beautiful artwork and um all done by black artists in our community. Just some beautiful work. So whether you're going to performance or not, stop into the cultural arts center and see that beautiful art exhibit that's going on. So and I believe it's this week. I'm sorry I don't have the date. Is Anna here? Anyway, she could tell us when the opening Oh, wow. Okay, look it up. It should be this week. Um, also that evening I attended the Boys and Girls Club youth of the year celebration and it was my pleasure to recognize and give certificates to the two youth that were selected as youth of the year for this um, Semi Valley um, Boys and Girls Club. It was amazing because basically it wasn't just two kids handling certificates. No, it was about eight or nine youth who gave their speeches of why they should be considered for the youth of the year. And so each of the different um local whether they be at the different schools etc have selected their their recipient and they gave these beautiful speeches of of all the good things they're doing and it it elevated my um my impression of what the Boys and Girls Club are doing because

they were so eloquent. But I'd like to congratulate Allison Gams who was the younger group and then Jonathan Messias who is a um a student over at um Valley View Middle School and he will be going on to the regional competition. So congratulations to those two outstanding youth and the others that were featured just really outstanding. Thursday, February 19th um attend had a uh VCOG administrative committee meeting. um they will be having a new group selected as of the next month. Um also had a be bi-weekly meeting with um city manager. Appreciate that. And that evening also attended this optimist live your dreams awards. I think we were all there. It was truly a night to celebrate women and what they can do um and their dreams for education and in overcoming struggles. It was really beautiful. On um my apologies for missing the um I understand I was supposed to bring the certificate. So I'm publicly apologizing. Uh Saturday I was um I was actually had flown to Boyisey where I attended a funeral of a cousin and neglected to make sure it was covered. So I apologize to all of you for making you look bad and it was my fault. Um but anyway, um thank you for all being there. Again, today was the youth impact forum. It was so fun to sit um to at my tables. I chatted with youth. I had attended some of the little sessions. I asked what some of their favorite sessions were. And actually, it was some that it was one of them said it was a session that was um talked about um youth tra uh trafficking, etc., and was done by our our our dict Kellen King. And anyway, that was that was their they thought they learned so much. They had no idea. there were all these issues with youth. So I anyway it was educational, it was empowering, it was giving act, as I mentioned early

opportunities to go forward and make a difference. So bravo and thank you Ryan for all of your efforts there. And that concludes my report.

Thank you very much, Mayor Prom. My schedule was Thursday, February 12th. I also attended the the um police foundation's annual awards lunchon. It's always a great time and it's always means a lot to recognize the wonderful men and women of our department uh as well as a civilian I think was also recognized this year. So that was very nice. That same evening I attended the love and laughs comedy night. I laughed from the first words out of the first comedian to the last words out of the third comedian. They were fantastic. It was pretty PG so which made it kind of nice also but they were three distinctly different styles of comedians and so it was really really great so happy I enjoy um I was able to go and to support our library foundation that was always a positive. Um Thursday February 20 February 17th I met the uh youth council over at the senior center and just did a brief introduction and little 10-minute spiel for them. They are so much better at presenting. They're they're just awesome. They're intimidating. So, um Thursday, February 19th, I had a VCAST Ventura County Animal Services Commission meeting. I retired as the chair and uh Renee Delgado from Warp Park is the new chair. She was my vice president. And um I want to remind people that our animal services is absolutely fantastic. We have a 97% live release rate on dogs. Now, that is just outstanding. That that's fantastic. The average is only 89.2 because of our cat population. We lose a lot of cats due to humane youth e youth in Asia when they k when we have a kitten season because they'll receive a lot of kittens in that are just not capable of surviving. So that brings that down a little bit. But they took in 8,27 animals in 2025. So the annual report is on the website if you ever want to get look at it. It's

very interesting to see how many animals have come in. And he there's a breakdown of whether dogs, cats, and then uh other animals, but it tells you how many euthanasia we do because that seems to be the biggest thing about animal services. They think, "Oh, they're taking them to the shelter. They're going to euthanize them." Um BCAST, we ended the humane euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals in 2012. So 14 years we have not euthanized euthanized um healthy animals there. We've done 37 for behavior in a full year but then 993 for medical reasons because but sometimes by time the animals get to the shelter it's it's there's not a whole lot that can be done. So the humane euthania is nice but we're extremely proud of that 97%. Our director's been there about a year and a half now. Estavan Rodriguez he is doing a fantastic job. can't can't compliment him more. Um, I also attended the Sopimus 20 uh 2026 live your dream awards. Again, that's always very inspirational. They give out grants to women who are trying to better themselves in mostly most of the time with schooling. And these are women that are single moms or have, you know, have multiple jobs, but they're people that they're women that are just really trying to better their lives and they and they do. And so, it's a great thing. It's very heartwarming to watch that. Um, Saturday, February 20 first. Yes, we all most of us attended the Porchelenos. Did I say that right? Portalos. Porchelino's Italian market in Delhi. So, it was Paul, Rochelle, and Michelle were there as the owners along with their kids. So, we took pictures. But what a wonderful little small place. Food is absolutely fantastic. They have a nice outdoor patio. And he even told us he told the city manager and I he's looking to expand into the open space next to him and have a bigger bakery type area because he's been selling out on his breads every day by four o'clock

they're out. So they're doing a great job and we really want to support them. They're family-owned uh local business and so hopefully everyone will get to enjoy their wonderful food. I also attended the Marty GR fundraising event that night at at Wood Ranch Golf Course and um Cindy Jacobs. Yes, I did my donation online today because our card the cards weren't working that night. So, I did do my donation. Ryan also. Okay. Um February 22nd, I attended also the Seami Valley Girls softball opening. I've gone to that for years and years and years and my daughter used to play in it, too. That was the windiest event I've ever been to. We were just being blown across the place. But those girls get out there in their tutus and their um fairy wings and and they just parade around and and they're just adorable. They're they always have a great time. And I did want to mention the goats won the banner uh award award. So it's it was it was very intricate and I think I think my friend Gina Kella's on I think that's her team. So uh they did a great job. And then that afternoon, I had the honor of attending an Eagle Court of Honor um for Xavier Sven, and it was held at the Elks Lodge. My six-year-old grandson just became a Cub Scout. So, I took him and he got his full uniform on and he was just so impressed to be there and and he really enjoyed the ceremony. Being six, I was wasn't quite sure, but he was like and then he go, "Grandma, what about this?" I said, "I don't know. You have to ask one of the boys." You know, he kept asking me questions. So, but it was really great. And congratulations to Xavier. He see I had never met him before, but they can how they describe him as a combustible ball of energy constantly or something like that. So, and they they were sharing some funny stories about him. Oh, he's he's a kid I would want to hang out with. He seems like a a lot of fun. And then this morning, I also attended the youth impact forum. I did a welcoming speech and then I stayed to watch um the first speaker which was Miss Giana. She

is the president of the Black Student Union at Morpark College and she's just a wonderful young lady and I'm gonna publicly apologize to Ryan. So, I get to the the Reagan Library and I'm in the complete wrong place and I'm trying to find out where I'm supposed to go and everyone's looking and I finally get there and we get situated. Then I get out out to my car and I look at my emails. He had given me details, instructions in the emails on where I needed to be and at what time. So, I I apologize to him personally, so I'm apologizing to you publicly. I should have known better.

We told Doc um uh Detective Kellen to put out a I don't doubt that. Well, you see, I I was walked in by my sister who's a security guard. So, she did help me find out where I was supposed to go. But, um great event as always. Uh thank you for everything you do, Ryan, with with our youth council and thank to them for the great event that they put on. So, that's it for me. Item 10B. Do we have any um items for future agenda? No. Okay. Thank you. So, tonight we are going to be adjourning in memory of some a few people, Steve Frank, Tam Tammy Hogan, and Thomas Steven Ml, as well as a good friend of mine. I'm g try and read this without tearing up. So tonight we're also closing in memory of Kevin Mcwigan, a good friend of mine and of so many others. Kevin was a loving son, brother, uncle, friend, and coach. He was selfless in helping others, whether it was helping out with Rotary events, putting up signs for elections, or coaching and teaching our kids how to play baseball. And it wasn't just the game he taught. He also showed them how to be strong young men, to respect their parents and others, and how important important good sportsmanship is. He survived by his parents, Mike and Becky. And Mike was on our planning commission for I think 20 years here in Seami Valley. Um, and they've owned m multiple businesses here. His sister Aaron and her husband, Jason, and the niece and nephew who were were his world, Kylie and Cole. So, rest in peace, Kevin. Until we all meet again on the fields in heaven, we're journed.