City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Mr. City Attorney, are there any reports from close session? Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. Nothing to report out of close session. Thank Pledge of Allegiance. Miss Brook Grayson. She's a director with our park district. Will you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? [clears throat]

Put your hand over your heart. Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance 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. All. Thank you. Thank you, Brooke. Roll call, please. Council member Ayala, here. Council member Rhodess, here. Council member Litster, here. Mayor Prom Judge, here. Mayor Kavanagh, here. Are there any items for agenda review? There are none, 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. The motion passes unanimously. Thank you. If any member of the city council may have a conflict of interest or any reason why that member must abstain from consideration of any matter on this agenda, he or she should so declare at this time. Seeing none, we may move on. Madame Mayor and members of the city council, the first item on the agenda is item two, public statements, onapp appointments, special presentations, andformational reports. Madame Mayor, we do have 10 speaker cards.

Thank you. Go ahead. I will call three speakers at a time so that you know who you follow. Joseph Debrinsky, Pearla McTarren, and Carla Costillia. Uh most of my comments are on the special presentations and it's hard to comment on a special presentation when we haven't heard it yet. Is there any way that uh the agenda can be modified so that we can comment after the special presentations?

The opportunity for public statements on special presentations happens prior to the items so that if there are any comments that you have on any of those items, the council can take that into consideration should they wish to take any action on those items. So they have the opportunity to hear from the public prior to the item being presented or you can speak under item number four. Correct? I don't believe so. Is it four? Public statements. It is four, but the item that is in question is specifically under special presentations, which is why we have this section on the agenda, but I'll defer to the city attorney. Yeah, I I will say that if you're the if you're talking about a generalized topic, you can speak on item number four, even though item number two is specifically regarding the presentations, if that makes any sense.

I mean, it does, but the agenda specifically says we cannot comment on special presentations and general public comment. That's right. So, I'm not saying that you can speak on the presentation itself, but the topic is not you're not procluded from speaking on the generalized topic during agenda item number four. Okay. So, this is me hoping like I hate to ask these questions out loud, but it was just weird that to try to comment on a presentation that hasn't happened yet. But, uh, okay. Can I have a full three minutes? Is that cool? Yes, that'd be fine, sir.

All right. Thank you. Uh, hi, my name is Joseph Dubzinski Jr. I'm a resident of Camaro. Um I am speaking on uh the immigration presentation that is yet to come and on the uh police presentation that is yet to come. Uh one of the things we hope to hear about the immigration resources that happen in that presentation is the creation of an immigration stakeholders committee that is uh staffed and uh promoted by the city council and includes police departments and all affected uh parties that are out there. We'd also hope to hear uh that there's interest in legal aid and relief for immigrants uh that might be coming directly from the city. Um with regard to the police presentation, uh we'd like to know that that Semi Valley Police Department is going to have a proportionate response to any ICE activity uh that occurs within the city. Um and that it prioritizes public safety over officer safety. Uh we also want to make sure that flock cameras are uh consider reconsidered because of the dangers of the private information that's on there and with the latest legal uh rulings that are happening showing that that data is accessible via freedom of information act all of it not just the hot list or or what's currently on the transparency portal. Um we do want to see a lot more transparency in what's happening. We want the police department to hopefully talk about how the optics of any ICE collaboration, even friendly conversations, looks bad for the rest of the community. Um, we want to say see that uh the Seami Valley Police Department does not take ICE at their word, but ask clarifying questions, especially after they straight up lied to the Oxnard Police Department uh in November uh regarding Leo Martinez's uh uh uh AC accident being vehicularly assaulted by ICE. Um, and we want to know if the Semi Valley Police Department is going to enforce the mask ban starting on January 1st, uh, or if that's going to be, uh, ruled something

other than that. Um, so that's my aspirational public comment. Thank you. [applause] Pa um would like an interpretation. Did you find one or I can go ahead and support?

Yes. Maltaras. Fore! Foreign! Foreign! implement.

Um hello council. Uh my name is Pila Tan. Um and I would like to start with the question of what is the mo one of the most important human rights? That's the question we're talking about today. The human rights violations being committed during arrest carried out by ICE are numerous, including the excessive use of force by officers and the stereotypes used to target and mistreat individuals are extremely violent. This might seem to only concern the person being arrested. However, the high social and family impact and the widespread fear it generates can lead us to think that at some point any of us could be intercepted and subjected to violence. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the actions of ICE agents and to propose and implement protocols for their operations and detentions that adhere to human rights and respect the safety and dignity of individuals regardless of their origin. She did begin by um explaining that she is a lawyer for uh human rights and protections. Um and added on at the end that [snorts] we she is not demanding any um

any illegal activity or interception from our police department in regards to ICE activity. It just needs to be overlooked oversight over of how they are operating and the violent acts that they are inflicting on our communities. So her qu her last question is as a society and as a county what can we do to protect those most vulnerable in our community. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] [cheering] [applause]

All right. And then I'm Carla Costilla the next speaker. Good evening. Um I am a resident of Simi Valley and a community organizer here. As you've seen me before, I want to first begin by acknowledging the people power present today. Thank you to all the people who have supported our vulnerable communities. We did this. Our perseverance and unity gave us the strength to demand acknowledgement and action from this council for half a year and we are finally here. As you know, there are people in this city and in this nation that continue to spread misinformation regarding the ICE raids. These masked bounty hunters called ICE agents have used violence, intimidation, and abuse of power to terrorize our cities through racism and ignorance. I will remind you that Immigration and Customs Enforcements agency themselves report that nearly three in four, that's 73% of the people detained had no criminal conviction. Nearly half had no criminal conviction nor even any pending criminal charges. Only 8% had a violent or property criminal conviction. And only 5% had a violent criminal conviction. This is not about getting the worst of the worst. its ethnic cleansing. I would like to remind SVPD and this council of the incidents that have happened in our city. September 2025, as written by the Semi Valley Acorn, agents crashed into a residence during an operation to detain someone at a residential area on Deborah Street, putting residents lives at risk. August 2025, as reported by Fox 11, US citizen was detained outside of his semi valley place of work. You can look that up. December 4th, 2025, as described by the Semi Valley Acorn, ICE agents took into custody a person near Cochran Street and Caldwell Avenue, leaving their car behind. These are only three examples

and statistics show that show nothing more than who the real criminals are. Mass thugs hiding behind an administration and those in power who permit violations to continue without impunity. So council and SVPD, we demand that you take immediate concrete action to protect our immigrant communities from ICE overreach in Semi Valley. Specifically, reinstate SVPD community town halls. Meet consistently with local organizers and community advocates by creating a community oversight council. Mandate that all federal agents, including ICE, operating within Semi Valley, be unmasked and display proper identification. Establish an emergency immigration legal defense fund. Incorporate 501c3 resources in city buildings and online departments. And finally, Mayor Kavanaaugh, hold a public press conference declaring that you and the city of Semi Valley stand with immigrant communities and oppose I rates in our city. It's time to choose which side of history you're going to be on. Thank you. [applause] The next three speakers, Andre McConnell, Jamie Sanchez, and Hannah Ok Hannah Connor. Good evening, city council. I'm a child of immigrants. My mother immigrated from Ukraine during the Soviet Union and my father's family immigrated here before the Civil War. He is a deeply religious conservative man. I'm not religious, but the people who are against immigration claim to be. Okay, scriptur is pretty clear here. The Bible commands, "Love the foreigner as yourself." That's in Leviticus. And God says, "Love the

foreigner," giving them food and clothing in Deuteronomy. Jesus himself, the original radical says, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." In Matthew, this is a guy who these people say they want to be like. This is the same guy that they would demand to deport right now. [clears throat] Maggapolitics rejects immigrants, mocks compassion, and promotes fear of the stranger. The exact opposite of the teachings in the Bible. By the Bible's own standard, that isn't Christian. It's a political movement using religion while violating its core commands. With that said, I stand against ICE and I stand with my immigrant neighbors in this community. Thank you. [applause] [applause] Before I begin, I'd acknowledge that we are a land historically sorted by the Chumsh people. I keep this belief because respect is not a statement, it's a practice. Good evening. My name is Jamie Sanchez, a longtime resident of Seami Valley. [snorts] I have stood at this podium over the last few months for different reasons. During that time, immigrant families in this city have waited patiently and respectfully and with face faith for ICE related concerns to finally be taken seriously and placed on the agenda. That patience should not be mistaken for silence or compliance. It has been patient rooted in respect, respect for the process and respect for the belief that local leaderships leadership would finally listen. In that time, families have continued living with fear. Patients worry when sending their children to school. Workers hesitate before going to their jobs. Neighbors are unsettled by enforcement actions that feel sudden, unclear, and disconnected from the values the city

says it upholds. California is moving forward with new laws taking effect in 2026 that recognizes harm. Laws intended to protect access to schools and health care require transportation transparency and identification and enforcement enforcement and balance public safety with human dignity. So today as the city council addresses ICE related concerns, I ask the focus be on respect. Respect for the humanity of our neighbors, respect for the community that has waited patiently to be heard, and respect for the reality that fear does not create safety. I'd like to end with a brief statement on respect. As a mother, I've taught my children that respect isn't automatic. It's earned through how we treat others and the choices we make. If this council wants the respect of the people most impacted by these decisions, that respect is built through thoughtful, consistent actions that show care for the community. Thank you. [snorts] [applause] [applause] [clears throat] My name is Hannah Connor. I've been a resident of Seami Valley for nearly 30 years. I went to multiple schools in the city. I also did Girl Scouts here for 15 years. Seami Valley has a reputation. The cities around us call this place racist. Are they correct? Growing up, I didn't really see that reality because the people who are privileged generally don't see that. Now, anybody who opens their eyes can see it everywhere. You all as elected officials have a responsibility to this community. People are afraid and they're looking for safety and security and strength, which is on you to lead us. You can look down at us from your chairs or you can stand with us. You have an opportunity to do that. If you don't stand with us, you're

allowing for tyranny. The injustice that you ignore is the injustice that you accept. So what are you going to do? Our community is afraid because of ICE. ICE should not be allowed to roam free and attack our community members. We need more from our leaders and we need you to stand with us on this. [applause] The next three speakers, John Yeper, Jay, and Sarah Wiloski. Jay, ready? Thousand Oak City Council voted unanimously to donate $100,000 to the Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund. Oxnard City Council approved up to $600,000 in matching funds over three years to support an additional VC public defender to help with immigration raids and immediately join the ACLU Vasquez pdomo vnome lawsuit created to challenge unlawful immigration raids. Santa Paula city council unanimously voted to give $20,000 to PUDA popular, $10,000 to 805 undocu, $10,000 to food share, and $10,000 to community action of entura county. Costa Mesa City Council launched an immigrant legal defense fund and updated the city's know your rights resources. Carperia City Council provided urgent funding to immigrant support nonprofits, issued an official statement outlining their stance against ICE, and created a centralized web page of resources for residents. Santa Monica City Council coordinates with legal aid and immigrant rights organizations, facilitates access to social health and economic support for those affected by

ICE, advocates against indiscriminate unjustified ICE operations, and is joining litigations against racial profiling. Galita City Council adopted a resolution allocating $100,000 in funding to legal defense, mental health services, and basic needs to those impacted by ICE. Directed city staff to submit Freedom of Information Act requests to ICE for records in the city. directed city staff to track ACLU lawsuits and called on the region's congressional representatives to advocate on behalf of of their immigrants. Pico Rivera City Council unanimously established a legal assistance fund for residents who have been impacted by ICE. Culver City Council developed an emergency rental assistance program for those affected by ICE. Riverside City Council passed a resolution requiring ICE to identify themselves, set standards for the Riverside Police Department to operate from separately and to monitor ICE, affirmed data privacy protection for residents, and organized a public awareness campaign as well as setting aside $50,000 in a legal justice fund. Paramount City Council launched an immigrant humanitarian services program to support residents impacted by ICE, providing food and essential supply delivery, housing and utility assistance, and know your rights workshops. Santa Ana City Council created city-led emergency relief programs, help without borders, provided an additional $100,000 in funding to support residents impacted by ICE, and approved an agreement to provide immigration legal services to residents facing deportation. They also ensured the Santa Ana Police Department does not assist ICE. Pasadena City Council formally supported two pieces uh sorry, two pieces of state legislation supporting ICE transparency, and held a forum hearing from affected communities. Santa Barbara City Council allocated $500,000 in funding towards immigrant support services, filed a request for information from ICE, and publicly condemned ICE's aggressive, non-transparent tactics. Hillsboro City Council declared a state of emergency, voted unanimously to develop a grant program for small businesses, works with the Hillsboro School District to

identify ways to support students impacted by ICE, paused automated license plate readers, and added more know your rights information to their city. I'm sorry, Jay, your time is now up. Thank you. [applause]

I will just ask for a few moments of your attention. Anaheim City Council voted unanimously to join numerous other SoCal cities in a federal ACLU lawsuit, Vasquez Prado Vnome, challenging unlawful immigration raids. West Hollywood City Council proposed a plaque in remembrance of those disappeared by ICE. Monterey Park City Council publicly called for ICE transparency, expressed formal support for state legislation about ICE, directed the local police department not to participate with ICE, and provided immigration citizenship resources. And I'm going to ask for your attention while I read these. San Jose City Council voted unanimously for policies requiring visible identification of law enforcement. requires San Jose PD to inform the city manager when they respond to incidents involving ICE. Will establish protocols to look into ICE impersonators, works with the city attorney to develop public policy prohibiting federal immigration activity on all city- owned properties, and approved $1 million in funding to immigrant defense organizations. Long Beach City Council created the Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Program to financially support immigrant families. San Diego City Council unanimously approved the due process and safety ordinance prohibiting law enforcement from discriminatory actions and collaboration with ICE. They require ICE to have judicial warrants to access areas of city controlled property and require any entity re receiving city funds to follow the same standards and require multilingual know your rights education across all city and city funded sites. Chicago City Council created an online portal for residents to report violations of city law by ICE and demanded investigation into Chicago PD collaboration with ICE, including

handing over relevant body cam footage. Woodburn City Council unanimously declared a local state of emergency, temporarily suspended flock surveillance cameras, directed 30K towards migrating the impacts of mitigating the impacts of ice and requests emergency state assistance. An instant city council unanimously adopted a revol resolution prohibiting use of city property for ICE operations, sends a PD supervisor to respond to and identify ICE activity. uh partners with the state and local agencies to report law violations by ICE and officially calls on Congress to stop ICE from wearing face coverings. Boston City Council voted unanimously to back their mayor in a letter to the US Attorney General Pam Bondi about ICE. Portland City Council tasks tasks city officials with gathering information on how ICE is operating in and surveilling their city. requires the city to create a rapid response plan for immigration raids. Requires the city to create an information hub about ICE activity and emerging encourages separation between ICE and local PD.

Sorry, your time is up. Thank you. [applause] The next three speakers, Ashley Juan, Miguel Marini, Aldana

[clears throat]

Good evening, city council. To start, a word of thanks to Ayala for taking the first of what we assume will be many more steps towards a better future for all that call Semi Valley home and for your willingness to meet and listen to all of your constituents. It does not go unnoticed. and also to Mor Park City Council for actively taking notes. Unlike you, wanting to get the ball rolling, their volunteer work, and coming over to shake our hands and plan for the future with us. They know they need to step it up, and they aren't afraid to speak with us face to face. The upstanding council members of other cities have taken numerous and heroic steps to quell the terror and work towards a safer, unified city for all to call home. That said, I'd love to continue reading and listing them for you. Eugene City uh backed a Eugene police auditor to investigate local police ties to ICE activity. Durham City reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the city as a welcoming community for immigrants and passed a resolution declaring the city a fourth amendment workplace to protect city workers from potential ICE arrests. Salem, Oregon city declared a local state of emergency, publicly condemns the unconstitutional use of ICE, and calls on Oregon's members of Congress to enact legislation protecting immigrants and vulnerable communities. Providence City amended the city's community police relations act to clarify local police separation from ICE. Prohibits the use of city money, resources, or traffic parameters to assist ICE. Allows student IDs and other valid IDs as acceptable forms of identification. Established protected spaces within their cities and prohibits the city from sharing sensitive personal data with ICE without a signed judicial warrant. New York City Council filed and won a lawsuit against the mayor's ICE operation executive order. Alexandria City Council officially request to sher the sheriffs to stop all voluntary cooperation with ICE. Durango City Council unanimously voted to create a task force to support its immigrant community and host

community listening sessions. Elgen City approved a resolution prohibiting ICE from using city-owned property for their operations. directed the local PD supervisor to respond to, assess, and document incidents involving those claiming to be ICE. Requires the city manager review each incident and allows private property owners to request standardized city design signage for designating private areas as offlimits to ICE. Minneapolis city gives transparent updates on potential ICE activity, provides clear legal resources, holds a strict policy against city participation with ICE, and is working to strengthen the separation ordinance that limits coordination between the city's PD and ICE. Additionally, will you be enforcing the California mask ban? We'd like an answer as well. Thank you. [applause] Here it goes. [snorts] [snorts] Can you reset the time please?

I did.

I was resetting up the desk. Thank you. Uh good good evening. Thank you so much everyone for taking this item and discussing it in front of in front of everybody. I would greatly great really appreciate it. As you guys know me, my name is Juan Miguel. I'm a concerned resident here in Civ Valley and I just started coming here on 2018 when something happened that you guys were doing it behind doors something and until you were cut doing it illegally and you have to do it again. We're coming at the same issue and I'm glad that now it's been a little more transparent. Hopefully the outcome will be a little different than last time. And all what I I ask is that you will please consider something as simple as you can pass an ordinance to ask ICE to uncover their faces, identify themselves, and have a license placed on their vehicle. That's very simple to do. You can pass an ordinance and you can do it. You have the power to do it. If you care about democracy, if you care about our people here, you can do this. at the points one, two, three. Because what will it be for a republic without democracy? Would you like to have a republic that women wouldn't able to vote? Would you like to have a republic that there were slaves? Would you like to have a republic that only rich people can vote? I don't think so. You guys probably are not that rich. might have some money more than I do, but you probably are, you know, regular people that you care for this city as I as I care for this city. And if you can be on the side of the history, you can vote and ask what what we are requesting to do. I was going to make some other comments, but all these brave young men that are making all these eloquent comments that you guys can really listen to it. As you can see, there are many cities that have done many, many, many,

many things. This, as I said, I'm repeating myself. I'm sounding like a broken record, but it's something very, very simple. You guys can do it. And I will really appreciate it. If you guys don't do it, you guys going to see what's going to happen. I thank you so much for your time, and I would love to see you guys doing something for the community, for the safety of the community, and for the common good. Thank you. [applause] Hello, my name is Marlenni and I'm here on behalf of a local organization named Buenbes Besino. I've seen mass kidnapters come into the city I grew up in and cause fear, violence, and violate civil rights. When Besino translates to good neighbor and as such we have a couple ask for the city council whenino suggests the city council to express the tragic traumatic impacts immigration enforcement is causing to semi valley families, children and businesses. Semi valley residents want to hear that you all have empathy for the fear, stress and constant threat and danger many of us are living with. You should take concrete steps that go further than information presentations. Enact policies to provide tangible protection from the violence and the civil rights violations committed by immigration agents. Research model policies that have been enacted in other cities to accomplish those goals. When Besino is tracking these policies and is happy to work with you with the city staff to provide resources, identifying uh example policies that are in place in other cities that will make a real difference. Please take action on the suggestions now. The need is urgent. Thank you, [applause]

Rebecca Alberon and Teresa. And just briefly, I just want to say that, you know, I am happy to see some movement. Um, I'm sure they were tough conversations because knowing the history of this council, knowing the history of this city, um, I know for a fact there are council members uh, sitting on the dis today that are on the other side. Man, if they could put on that that ice vest on, I know that they would be doing that. Um, I'm looking at you at Mike. Um, Um, status migrator Fore! Foreign! Foreign! Foreex.

Uno. No. COCO. Um, and just b really briefly because I know I'm running out of time. You know, again, I think that there's some movement going forward and I just want to emphasize that there's people in this community standing here. Many people have been here for years. Um, people have reached out. They are scared and I think it is your responsibility and your duty to protect people in this community. Thank you. [applause] [applause] Hello. Um I'm here in support of ICE and I'm in uh support of their protection and they should do whatever if wearing masks is what they need. They should be honored that um ability to protect themselves and their family with people ousing them and doxing them. I'm also a mother of a border patrol officer that there are they have families. There's people that support them and so should our officials. We are a nation of laws. I am also a mother um a daughter first American citizen. My family is from Mexico. My family came in legally. They went through the proper channels. All we're doing here in support of is making sure people come here legally and not cut ahead of the line. That should be primary. We should support our officers, our ICE. The deportation sucks, but then if you come here illegally, that's a

possibility that happens. Um there's also in this this illegal um in invasion that happened, we lost over 300,000 children. Where are they? None of you can answer that. The the the um the foster care system has lost all track of them. What about them? Why are we supporting illegal migration? It if it happens, there's great people. I know the Mexican families that come here, they want a good life, but they cut the line. It just happens. And those people, they have to know, go back, come back the right way. Like I said, I am a mother of a border patrol officer and I am support of ICE and I support my military and my and the police officers that uphold the law, which you are required to do. Thank you. [applause] Madame Mayor, that was the last speaker for item two.

Can I just say thank you all for being respectful of both sides. I really appreciate that from everybody tonight. Thank you. Go ahead, Madame Mayor and members of the city council. The next item on the agenda is item 3A1, appointment of Mayor Prom, Vice Chair, President Prom. That's okay. Mayor Kavanaaugh and members of city council, each year in December, the city council considers the appointment of Mayor Prom and appoints a city council member other than the mayor to serve as mayor prom as well as vice chair and of the district authority and president prom of the library board of trustees. It is recommended that the city council board of directors and board of trustees consider the appointment to the mayor prom vice chair president prom positions. This concludes the presentation. [snorts]

Thank you council member roads. Thank you madame mayor. Uh I'd be happy to make a nomination. Um it has been a uh unwritten tradition of this council that um someone that is not up for election in that particular year uh become mayor prom. And I would like to nominate the only one of us who will not be up for election this year. Um Councilwoman Litster for mayor prom. Second.

We have a first and a second. Call for the vote. The motion passes unanimously. Thank you. [applause] Congratulations. Madame Mayor and members of the city council. Next on the agenda is item 3C1, presentation by interface children and family services regarding immigration and community resources. Good evening. I have a presentation powerpoint presentation.

I think she's getting it ready.

Great. Thank you. That way. I'll go ahead and get started. Good evening, council members and uh community members. Uh thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today [clears throat] about the immigrant resources um that 211 Ventura County has listed as part of the database that we keep uh record for for the county and for all of the community members here. Before I discuss those resources, I just want to take a moment to remind everyone uh that Simi Valley uh the city um the name of the city comes from the word Shamiji. The Chumash village that stood here for 11,000 years before European contact. The Chumash were the original inhabitants of what is now Ventura County. And many of our place names here in this county come from the Chumash, Port Weani, Satakoy, and many others. The point of that is to let you know that I believe every wave of newcomers here, Spanish, Mexican, Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and today's immigrants from Latin America, Asian, and around the world, and even African-Americans like myself who were whose ancestors were brought here as slaves.

We have contributed to building the Ventura County we all love today. Immigrants in Ventura County today uh contribute over $300 million in local taxes and work in many different uh industries. They're not just growing our food. They are working here caring for our children, working in construction, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and hospitality. Let me tell you about 211. 211 is a confidential free service. You can call us by just dialing 211 from your phone. You can text your zip code to 898211 or you can go online to 211ventura.org to search for resources yourself. You can call us and talk to us in any language. We have an interpretation service if we don't have a staff person who speaks the language uh needed and we can use that 24 hours a day free of charge. Um do you you're just going to drive it then?

Okay. Good. All right. Good. So this is a example here of our 21in1ventura.org web page where you can actually go through and look at all the different resources. We have over 3,000 resources available to the Ventura County community that you can uh look through and see the eligibility for that and understand the process for getting uh for getting enrolled in those programs. We've also created another uh resource specifically for immigration related and immigrant resources here in the county. You can find that at 211.com 211.com and you can click through. I included these next two slides for the council to review at a later date. Uh it's almost time for me to come here and or someone from my team to come here and talk to you about the calls for 2025. So I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to give you this data about the types of calls that we received in 2025. Uh we received and probably by the end of the month we'll have about 2,000 calls from the city of Seami Valley. It's the uh third largest number of calls from any of the cities in the in the county. Next, uh as as not a surprise to anyone, um housing being the number one need in this county in in this city. Um income support and assistance and then individual and family supports uh at number three. Next slide, please. You can continue on again one more time. All right. Again. All right. And then one more time. Thank you. So, this is an example of our 211now.com website where you can rece uh a about available uh resources for the immigrant community. They you will find here statewide resources, but also local uh resources. And I'm just going to highlight a few of those for you

tonight. Uh first of all uh we have legal assistance services that you can um uh uh uh any any uh immigrant uh family um needing uh legal assistance can access the rapid response network as well for immigration enforcement emergencies. It's run by the um 805 undocu. It's available 24/7 by texting uh the word alerta a l e r ta um to 80587088855. All of this information can be find found online at uh on our website VC Defensea uh it's a coalition of local organizations uh protecting and advocating for immigrants and refugees in Ventura County. Also, there's congressional assistance. Congresswoman Julia Brownley's office can help with checking immigr immigration status case uh case statuses and application statuses, uh detention facility location assistance, locating detained family members, and confirming deportation or removal orders. Her office does not provide direct legal representation though. You can find that under the legal representation uh section on the website. Also there are mental health resources from interface children and family services. My agency, we provide mental health trauma treatment for children up to the age of 21 years old who have medical and uh these services have been accessed um in 2025 extensively for the uh uh immigrant community um especially for families who have lost a um adult family member um and the children um have been left. The friends of fieldworkers is another um amazing organization here in Ventura County. Um uh they are providing several different programs including college

scholarships but also emergency response with financial assistance for families experience crisis experiencing crisis situations, newborn baby support for families who um are are new parents and are needing resources for themselves or their child. They also do know your rights trainings and they have an immigr uh uh immigration emergency fund um that you can find information about on our website as well. We're also doing a community needs assessment which you can find links for on our website. Um, and this is for um any um Ventura County residents to let us know how the immigration enforcement um uh the recent immigration enforcement has been impacting themselves, their family, their peers, their neighbors, their co-workers and uh this is a report that I have um been putting together and sending around to local stakeholders including uh including the city of Seami Valley statewide resources. We also have on our website, as you can see here, is this example, we have uh statewide resources that are able to help with counselor services, locating detained family members, legal legal advice and counseling. There's also the ICE on online detainee locator. You can uh visit that at locator.is.gov and search for someone who has uh been detained and in custody for at least 48 hours. You can also on our website find a link where you can um download and print off um the red cards which have uh know your rights information um available for immigrants um should they need to have something in their wallet that gives them um a wallet size um explanation about their constitutional rights during

immigration encounters. Also, there is the family preparedness planning um resources from the ILRC. The uh we have family preparedness plans. A family preparedness plan is a safety plan that immigrant um households can fill out ahead of time so that should someone be detained, they have uh documentation that shows their plan for child care, has their legal documents and emergency contacts. Also, the California co uh court self-help guide uh is is here and it has information about the legal forms and child care authorization. We also have information about all of the local and state um consulates uh locations throughout uh California. These are consulates uh con consulates for um Mexico, Philippines, China, India, Vietnam, and all of the other countries that the thousands of immigrants in Ventura County have originated from. There are several different uh other resources that you can find on 211 Ventura.org, or including food assistance, clothing and personal items, child care, school enrollment assistance, mental health and counseling, utility payment assistance, housing support and emergency shelter and healthcare. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the entire community. And I just want to emphasize that we're here for everyone regardless of immigration status. the immigrants of Ventura County are uh dear community members and I'm I'm glad that my organization and program is here to serve them. If anyone has questions, feel free to reach out to me um at any time and I'd

be glad to talk talk to you. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you. [applause] [applause] Madame Mayor and members of city council, next on the agenda is item 3C2, presentation by the Semi Valley Police Department on public safety, current practices and commitment to serving the community.

[clears throat] [clears throat]

Good evening, mayor, city council, and members of the community. Tonight's presentation is intended to provide clear information about how the Semi Valley Police Department approaches public safety in relation to immigration. My goal is to share our current practices, explain the laws that guide our work, and answer some of the questions we've received in the recent months from the public. This overview focuses on safety, transparency, and ensuring residents understand what our officers do and what they do not do related to immigration. The Seami Valley Police Department is committed to providing superior police services and protecting all community members regardless of immigration status. A safe community needs an effective police department. To be an effective police department, we need the trust and cooperation between residents and the officers sworn to protect them. We do not want immigration concerns to stop anyone from contacting the police, especially when seeking help as a victim or reporting crimes as a witness. To maintain public safety, comply with state law, and protect the rights of all community members, the police department follows the policies and procedures shown on the slide related to immigration enforcement. Semi Valley Police Department personnel adhere to all standards set forth under California Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act, which was uh passed in 2017. The core purpose of the California Values Act is to ensure effective

policing and to protect the safety, well-being, and constitutional rights of the people of California. The legislation strictly prohibits local law enforcement agencies from engaging or participating in immigration enforcement. It is important to note that semi valley police officers do not use ICE officials as interpreters and we do not arrest people based on immigration orders or other immigration holds. The California Values Act also governs how personal information can be shared for immigration enforcement. The CB Valley Police Department uses the Flock license plate reader system and Flock does not sell LPR data to third parties. In addition, the department's policies strictly prohibit sharing LPR or records management information with federal or out ofstate law enforcement agencies. For more information on the Flock license plate reader system, visit the website listed on the screen. In addition to data sharing rules, there are also clear guidelines for how the department is notified in regards uh and and responds when federal immigration authorities are in the city. ICE notifies the Semi Valley Police Department before conducting an enforcement and removal or operation in the city. The watch commander is informed of the general location and given a point of contact. ICE notifies the department again once the operation is finished. Semi Valley police officers do not take part in immigration enforcement activities. Officers may only respond to urgent officer safety situations and only with the approval of

a watch commander. Officers do not tow or impound vehicles on behalf of federal immigration authorities. If a vehicle is left behind, officers will try to locate someone who can safely take possession of it. If no responsible party can be found, the vehicle will remain secured at the scene as long as it does not create a safety hazard. If an officer is directed by the watch commander to respond to an ICE related call, the primary officer will complete an incident report documenting the facts of the call, including times, actions taken, and uh personnel involved. Additional reports may be completed if needed. At incidents involving federal immigration authorities, semi valley police officers do not conduct searches, detentions, or other actions on behalf of ICE. When responding to a scene where ICE is present, officers make every effort to keep an appropriate distance and operate independently. If officers need to interact with a member of the public, for example, during a safety related detention, they do so separately from ICE whenever possible. Excellent. Before closing, I want to share information on the state legislation explain why the department must take a careful approach in responding to it. Regarding the new legislation signed into law by Governor Nuome in September, there is a significant concern that elements of these new laws may conflict with the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution. The supremacy clause states that when federal and local laws conflict, federal laws take precedence. There is currently a lawsuit related to this issue and given the potential conflict and ongoing

litigation. Enforcement of these laws could put the city and our police officers at legal risk. As a result, we cannot take immediate action on this new legislation. We know that immigration enforcement has occurred in Seami Valley and that many people have shared concerns and questions. We appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate this complex area. As always, the city of Seami Valley and the Semi Valley Police Department remain committed to being accessible and responsive. That concludes my presentation and I'm available for city council if you have any questions.

Any questions? No. Thank you, Chief and Assistant Chief. Okay.

[applause]

Madame Mayor and members of the city council, next on the agenda is item four, public statements. Since there are no public hearings under agenda item five, agenda items four and six are combined and the city council will hear all public statements under this agenda item four. Agenda items four and six are 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. In accordance with the protocols that were adopted on October 6, 2025, if 20 or more speaker cards were re are received, each speaker time each speaker's time will automatically be reduced to two minutes each. We have received 27 speaker cards. Each speaker will have two minutes to speak. Persons addressing the city council are requested to state their community, their name, and community of residence for the record. Madame mayor, unless you have any comments, we can begin public statements.

No, please begin. Thank you.

I'm just going to reset. I will call three speakers at a time so you know who you follow. John Smith, Linda Bosley, and Wendy Meyer. Good evening. My name is John Smith. I'm here to speak on the ongoing homeless encampments in Seami Valley, specifically in the Royal Seami, and the need for consistent lawful cleanup and enforcement. The current situation in the Royal Seami is unsafe for residents, first responders, the unhoused themselves, and the environment. We're seeing trash accumulation, human waste, fire hazards, drug paraphernalia, and damage to public infrastructure, and sensitive habitat. These are not hypothetical concerns. They are real, visible, and ongoing. At previous meeting, residents were told that the city is limited in what they can do. However, we all know the existing law allows for enforcement, cleanup, and relocation when done properly. Other cities in California are conducting regular encampment cleanups while offering services and shelter options. CB Valley should be no different. [clears throat and cough] Right now, we're seeing uh what we are seeing feels reactive instead of proactive. Cleanups happen sporadically, encampments return, and the cycle continues. That approach isn't working for anyone. I urge the city council to commit to regular cleanup schedule. I'm being told it's January 8th. I would

like confirmation on that. I'd like to direct staff for you to direct staff to enforce the no camping and no dumping laws and report back publicly on measurable progress, not just intentions. Doing nothing or doing little helps no one. Taking lawful, consistent action helps residents, protects the environment, and ultimately helps those experiencing homelessness move towards safer, more stable solutions. I'm appreciative of your time, and I look forward to seeing some real progress. Thank you. [applause] Good evening. My name is Linda Bosley and I'm a resident of Villa Del Royo Mobile Home Park in Moore Park. Tonight I'm speaking on behalf of the residents, management, and owners of Villa Dela Royo as well as local business owners near the homeless encampment on West Los Angeles Avenue in the city of Seami Valley. Thank you, Mayor Kavanaaugh, and the council for the swift response to our concerns regarding the large encampment near our homes. The management team at Villa Deloyo received a call from Sergeant Johnson of CPD last week. He stated the following. The city has signed a contract with a vendor for the cleanup of the homeless encampment adjacent to 900 West Los Angeles Avenue. The scheduled date for the removal is January 8, 2026. The vendor stated it would take 4 days to complete the cleanup. We would like a confirmation of that cleanup date. This morning, the business owner adjacent to the homeless encampment observed a plume of smoke

coming from the tents closest to his property. At 8:40 a.m., he drove to the end of the driveway on his property, looked over the fence line, and clearly saw three campfires with individuals seated around the fires cooking. We are once again sharing this information with you to demonstrate the daily danger of open fires in the encampment to local business and to our homes and our lives. Thank you very much. [applause] Good evening, Mayor Kavanagh, city council members roads, uh, Judge Listister Ayala, manager Algabbrite, and attorney Ford. I'm Wendy May, a resident of Seami Valley, Semi Valley School District teacher and a volunteer for nonprofit Heartfulness Institute. Thank you for the opportunity to share a brief announcement. On December 21st, 2025, in recognition of United Nations World Meditation Day, Heartfulness is hosting a community event here in Semi Valley titled Inner Peace to Outer Peace, a community celebration of connection and unity. This gathering is rooted in a simple but powerful idea that peace in our community begins with peace within ourselves. What makes it this event special is the collaboration behind it. We are bringing together service organizations, interfaith groups, peace focused nonprofits and community members all with a shared intention of fostering unity, goodwill, and a sense of belonging. The organizations partnering with the Heartfulness Institute include International Cities of Peace as Seami Valley is designated, Rotary International, the Center for Spiritual Li, Kaneo Valley Unity of the Oaks, Seami Valley Seropimist, Kowanas Club of Seami Valley, Son uh Sonia K. Blake Gallery, Peacemakers Networks and the Bahigh community. The program includes a panel discussion, uplifting music, peace poetry recitation, and a guided

meditation. The event is neutral, inclusive community gathering, and we welcome everyone. On behalf of the Heartfulness Institute, we invite Mayor Kavanaaugh, the city council, and the whole community to join us. Your pres presence would reflect Semi Valley's continued commitment to peace, unity, and community well-being. The event is Sunday, December 21st from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Seami Public Library community room. Thank you for your time, your service, and for all you do for our city. We hope to see you on the 21st at the Seami Valley Public Library community room at 2. Thank you. [applause]

The next speakers, Lori Woodley Langanger, Anthony Een, and Alin Een. Good evening, um, mayor, council. I appreciate the opportunity to be here. I'm Lori Woodley Langondorf and I've been in this community for 55 of my 60 years. My parents bought their first house here before I was born in 1965. I raised two kids. All of us went to Valley View. One graduate from Seami and one from Santa. Both very successful people and both heartbroken by some of what's happened in our community. a few week in mid August um Mike Shaw who I had just met barely handed you all a book called seal muscle mastery I'm the author of that book I'm a 30-year school counselor 16 years of it was in school in KJO what I know is our community is broken and our people need to come together and they need to just be able to see and talk to one another in ways that I've spent 30 years of my career doing in the education system and in corporate America I'd like to say that Ventura County Office of Ed has done a really great job partnering with us, with me, my nonprofit, which is housed here in Semi Valley called All It Takes. And they have an opportunity on January 28th for families and community members and educators to come together for a workshop free of cost at the Ventura County Office of Ed. And I invite you, I invite our community. It's just a registration through Ventura County, not even through my organization. We need to do some work. And I'm really proud of the families that were here for Michael Robinson and the family the woman who came two weeks ago. I wasn't here, but I watched her talk about her daughter who went to school and was surrounded by people. Our kids need to learn to do this better. People want to be nice to each other. We've lost our way, but it's

not hard to get it back. Thank you for your time. And here's some flyers. [applause] My name is Anthony Een and I reside in Seami Valley. This is my 10th consecutive city council meeting I've attended. I believe I have been very consistent and have not wavered in my position that STR should be banned in the city. V various reasons have been stated to support that position. To my recollection, since November 2024, there have been only two comments given during public statements spoken at any city council meeting in support of STRs. One, a letter from a member of the Chamber of Commerce read by another member, and the other a comment from a person who thanked the council for replying to their email sent in support of them. I believe it is time for the council to reach out to a resource they have which to this point they have not decided to use that resource is the neighborhood councils seami valley municipal code title 2 chapter 3 article 3 2-32 purpose purpose states the purpose of the neighborhood council shall be to provide for public particip participation and involvement in city affairs and provide a mechanism for communication between the city council and the public. Staff's recommendation also includes receiving input from the neighborhood councils. The neighborhood council should first be asked for input to whether STR should even be allowed or not. After that, if they are presented with a proposed ordinance, they should be given a chance to provide comments on that prior to any final vote. The council certainly could have asked the first question within the last 13

months. The council in August could have also asked staff to prepare a draft of a possible ordinance to ban to see what that might look like as well as when to allow them. There has not been a vote to regulate or ban at this point. Both perspectives should be looked at with impartiality and with input from all available resources prior to any decision being made. Thank you. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Alen Een and I live in Seami Valley. After reviewing staff's latest report on STRs, I found problems with the proposed ordinance. First, it doesn't treat all homeowners equally. STRs will only be in residential zones where single family residences exist. Then, STRs are banned in zones where multifamily development is allowed, such as apartments, condos, town homes. Second, it gives neighborhoods with HOAs the option to ban. This means HOAs are empowered by the city council to self-govern STRs while the rest of the city is restricted by a city council imposed ordinance. According to citydata.com, in 2023, Seami Valley has 45,414 residences. Transparency HOA indicates there are 142 HOAs with at least 17,165 residences in Seami. This calculates to be six, excuse me, 38% of residents in Seami who live in HOAs that could not be affected with having STRs in their neighborhoods. A not so wise person claims we put power in the hands of those neighborhoods. Yes, 38% of Semi Valley residents will be given that choice, but the other 62% will not have a choice at all. Anyone living in a multifamily development will have no choice. They will be banned. The rest of us in Semi Valley are stuck with STRs and are not given a choice. council, you need to treat all the neighborhoods fairly and equally. Mandating that STRs will be allowed in one type of

neighborhood, banned in another, and then allowing another to be able to choose is not fair and equal treatment. Neighborhoods, Jason, your time is now up. Thank you. Okay. Do the right thing. Thank you. [applause]

The next three speakers, James McGillis, Michael Shaw, and William Court. Madame Mayor, uh, city council and staff, my name is James McGillis. I'm a resident here in Semi Valley. I come before you to warn the public about what lurks in the current staff report on short-term rentals. If you have a homeowners association or live in a condominium, you can turn off your TV or you can leave the chamber right now. Why? Because the draft ordinance will exempt you from ever having what we know is a hotel next door. Yes, it is true. Through mental and legal gymnastics, the SDR next door to me is about to become a hotel. Will it have staff, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, an evacuation plan, or even a code inspection? Of course not. Instead, it will have a good neighbor policy posted somewhere within the premises. If the current staff report prevails and you live and you the public live in an older nonha or any single family home, any single family home there could become an hotel overnight. I have one illegal STR next door to me. What is to prevent the other neighbor on the other side from turning into a hotel? In the staff report, there is no plain language to include the neighborhood councils. The neighborhood council should receive the following. A proposal to ban all STRs. A proposal to allow only on premises hosted STRs. Finally, a proposal to allow unhosted STRs in any neighborhood, HOA or not. Turns out that HOA rules supersede city ordinances. Really, no supremacy clause there. The overarching argument in favor of STRs is that the property owner should have the right to do whatever they want with a residential property. It's time for this council to support the property rights of all homeowners, not just those that are your campaign donors, HOA members, um, and corporate interests. This is a bad plan, and the council should shove it immediately.

Take the lead from neighboring Moore Park, and ban all short-term rentals. To see Valley residents Robert Ingram, Lindseay Norway, and Brenda Cooper, all of whom have written letters to the Acorn and support of SDRs, please come before the council and make your points in public. Be sure to bring 435 signatures on your petitions to support your cause. Thank you very much. [applause]

go up. [clears throat] Okay. Good evening all. Um, happy holidays to you all. Uh, I was intending to instead of being my typical come up here and yipe about how you guys aren't doing something. And I I hope you do understand when I say, you know, oh my do nothing city council. You're my do nothing city council. I mean, I I appreciate everything you guys do do. It's just how us crabby old guys kind of roll. But um I was going to give you all a chance instead of me talking about what hasn't taken place this last year that I've asked you to do. I'll give you each the opportunity. I I'll be sitting right over there during response to tell me what you think you've accomplished this last year. I' I'd love to hear. Um, but before I go sit down, uh, there was a couple things I did have to talk about that, uh, meet the last meeting. It broke my heart to hear that testimony. We're a loving town. We need to address the racism that's in our schools. We have to face up to it. Um I'm hoping next year, mayor, that we can uh have a committee, have meetings, everybody involved. I don't know, you guys are smarter than I am, but we need to do something about it because it's tearing this town apart. Um and likewise, I'll be real quick. Did you notice we heard about all the encampment and right here's Santa and it's Christmas and we're kicking all these people out and where are they going? I don't know. But we we haven't given any thought to that. Just let's get them out. But nobody wants to talk about what's going to happen to them

afterwards. Um it is Christmas. Try and keep that in mind. Merry Christmas all. I'll be right to listen to you. [applause] Good evening. My name is William Court. I'm from Semi Valley. I would like to talk about the wastewater treatment system. Okay. Semi valley's wastewater treatment system is a critical public service. But it's all but it is also one of the city's most energy intensive and costly operations. Rising electricity prices, increasing sludge hauling fees, and tightening environmental expectations make it essential that we look for proven ways to reduce reduce ongoing operating costs without risking compliance or reliability. The Biocleaner system offers a way to do exactly that by reducing the load placed on the treatment plant before costs are incurred. By accelerating the biological breakdown of organic material, the system lowers oxygen demand which directly reduces aerration energy uses, the single largest component of wastewater operating expenses. Less energy consumption means immediate and recurring savings for rate payers. At the same time, the bio cleaner reduces the amount of excess biological sludge produced. This leads to lower polymer usage, fewer dewatering cycles, and reduced wear on sludge handling equipment. Most importantly, it results in less sludge volume that must be hauled off site, which cuts trucking, fuel, labor, and disposal cost, expenses that continue to rise year after year. By reducing energy cost, minimizing sled generation, and lowering hauling and disposal requirements, the bio cleaner

system addresses the three largest drivers of wastewater opex in a single integrated approach. This is not about cutting service levels. It is about operating smarter, protecting rate payers, and improving long-term sustainability for the city of Semi Valley. Thank you. [applause]

The next three speakers, Janet Murphy, Joseph Dinski, and Josh uh Marquez.

Good evening, council and community. Like you and most in this room, I am an immigrant. We stand on unseated land unjustly taken by native tribes, often to referred to as first people. Not long ago in our American history, colonizers attempted to erase and destroy native people that lived on the land that lived and coexisted with the animals and plants. They had a deep understanding of the natural world, even navigating the stars. The colonizers shot, burned, tortured, and murdered these human beings simply because they were different. Nearly completing a genocide, they exiled the remaining native peoples into fragmented lands. [snorts] Thankfully, they could not and did not silence or kill the first peoples. It is critical that we listen and learn from those that live today, that are alive today, to tell their stories of our brutal history. There is still a lingering influence of this supremacy and domination. It seems that the mindset of the coloners persists among those who wish to inflict unnecessary unnecessary trauma on our immigrant communities. We know that ICE is not targeting the worst of the worst. Instead, they are profiling people, [snorts] particularly those with darker skin. They are arresting individuals at court hearings and appointments that are really trying to do the right thing. Each of you on this council were elected by the people to re represent all the residents of this fine city, not just those who share your beliefs. Please listen to the suggestions here tonight and do something. Do something. Please, please, I beg you, do something. You can hold

beliefs in one hand and another belief in and others beliefs in the other. And it's possible to create a system that is fair for all people. I'm sorry. Your time is now. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [applause]

Hi again. My name is Josephinski Jr. I'm a resident of Camaro. Um, I just wanted to bring the stats from this year, uh, for abductions that have happened since January. Uh, in the entire 805 area code, uh, there have been at least 1,154 people abducted and, uh, processed by ICE. Out of that, 684 are from Ventura County. And in Seami Valley, there's only been 19. But those 19 have included ramming a house, uh, harassing a US citizen that wasn't counted in our numbers, and brutalizing a pregnant woman after they pulled her out of the car. Um, all of those are breaking laws on on all any way, shape, or form. And so when police talk about upholding the law or deciding what counts or doesn't count with the supremacy clause, I I really wish that they would enforce the law equally uh with everybody and not have a special standard for ICE agents. Um and if we can't count on the council to do something and if we can't count on the police, then only the people can save the people. Um to that end, 805 Undocu Fund will be having a training in the new year on Wednesday, January 7th. Uh more details will be out on that. Uh it'll be for new volunteers or people who want to do rapid response and patrolling to do the work that the Seami Valley Police Department either can't or won't do. Um and if you see any ICE activity, please call the hotline uh for 805 undocument 8058708855. And I just want to on closing this with my two minutes here. It is really bad democratic policy to limit the time if more people show up. Thank you. [applause]

Good evening. I would like to just uh state that uh I want to be a witness and know it on record that our homeless situation even though it's gotten a little bit better and they know what's coming they're still moving in and they're still the hardliners that I've seen for the last 10 years are still running around. Example, a today coming to this meeting, there were two guys pushing a big old cart, grocery cart with stuff in it, and I almost hit the one because I was going around the turn. He was on a motor on a bicycle helping push the cart while the other guy was in the bike lane. Next, last week I saw the person that was borrowing a bicycle from one of our neighbors and then I tried to chase him down, but he eluded me and got away. So, there's still robbery going on. Now, I have a lot of respect for the Semi Valley Police Department, but I can tell you this. I come into CV Alley probably about 10 times a week and I have yet in the last month seen more than one policeman running up and down that street easy or LA Avenue, whatever you want to call it. Uh just driving there to see what's going on because these guys are bringing in stuff still. I don't know. I think we should ask Seami Valley Police Department to instead of doing maybe three shifts in Madera, maybe pull one of those and bring him into the to run around the streets there and see what's going on. That's all I'm asking. I thank you and I hope you all have a holiday weekend. And

when you see the [snorts] winds blowing, please say a prayer because it almost happened the other week. [applause] The next three speakers, Steve Thompson, Michelin Shanka, and Ashley. Hello, mayor and city council members. My name is Steve Thompson and I've had a short-term rental here in Semi Valley for the last four years. Over the last four or five weeks, I've communicated with more than 30 short-term rental hosts here in Semi Valley. Some of us had had meetings and I have a pretty good understanding of what's happening with short-term rental hosts standpoint. I did go to the website and saw the agenda for tonight and I read the staff report that you have. If the council does approve short-term rentals, I understand that there will be regulations that need to be put in place. It is my understanding that there has not been a real big problem with short-term rentals in Semi Valley. So, we understand that there's going to be the toot tax, the 10% tax. That's expected and we're happy to to have that. As far as the TMD tax, the 2% tourism, I'm happy to have that also as long as we get the same um opportunities as the hotels do. So, so if the hotels are listed in the uh semi valley tourism website like the hotels do, then we should have the same opportunity. is very important. Short-term rentals

includes semi uh single family homes, ADUs, and rooms for rent that are in the homes. Not just single family homes, there are numerous retirees and senior citizens who rent out ADUs and rooms. In many cases, this is the way they make ends meet and sometimes allows them to keep their homes. I understand there will be a need for permits, but permit fees should be reasonably priced because the retirees and senior citizens will be hurt by the high cost of of large um permit fees. Mr. Thompson, your time is now up. Thank you, [applause]

Michelin. Thank you very much for having me this evening. My name is Michelin Shanka. I'm a member of our community whose family has been here since 1968. No matter where I travel, I find that people who know that I'm from Seami Valley used to say to me, "Oh, I've heard that's one of the safest places in California." I don't hear that anymore. What I hear is, are you still having problems with people who are being abducted by ICE, who are not going to school in support of their children, learning English if they need to, having come from other areas, or wanting to improve their English? their children are not going to school for fear of what they're seeing in the news, what they're hearing from their friends, and of course their fear from their parents of what might happen to them, whether they are in the country for one reason or another. Um, I as a citizen come here also as an employee of Seami Valley School District. Um, I work for Seami Institute for Careers and Education and I think it's very important that our community knows that we do have an English as a second language resource. We have courses inperson and online and for those people whose families are not feeling comfortable enough to come to school, they do not have that opportunity to learn English through an online course. We do have registration happening um at this time. We do have our initial testing and registration happening uh January 6th through 9th of 2026. We have day and evening courses that are starting January 12th, culminating on May 28th, being held Monday through Thursday. And then in

addition to that, our distance learning taking place January 16th to May 29th, which is also Monday through Thursday. Our facility is located at 1880 Blackstock Avenue, Seami Valley, California 93065. And as a reminder, the school has been there for 90 years. It continues to offer opportunities in all

Sorry, your time is now up. Thank you. [applause] [applause] As we've entered some holidays and approached others, this is in some form or another a time of travel, family, love, laughter, and reflection. You may make words of thanks, say prayer, and make trips to your house of worship. You'll eat warm food, smile at your loved ones, and go to bed for the night. then you'll wake up in the morning and do it all over again the following year. How privileged we are to have any of those things as many of your people have none of them. [snorts] Some of you up there behind me in these seats all over our community forums and in our streets not only take for granted what they have, but cheer on the pain, sorrow, and terror that others are experiencing and have the audacity to preach empty words of God. It's despicable and it's sacriiggious. 1,154 minimum have been abducted in the Tri County region and 684 people minimum abducted in Ventura County. At least one man was picked up on Thanksgiving Day while you were all safe and comfortable at home. This is our reality. Hate runs rampant in this city. Do you see and hear the ignorance? It's mindblowing and statistics don't lie. They're not grabbing violent criminals. They're picking up the people that make your food. They draw your blood and they care for your children. And many of these people came here legally and are still being detained. They make money off of the misery of these good people, then say, "Oops, our bad." Or, "Surprise, we revoked your status." They're treated worse than criminals. They're denied food, water, and medical treatment. Many have become sick, and some have died. Is that who we are that we would do this to

people that came for a better life for their families? Criminals. A misdemeanor is the same charge you get for petty theft or basic vandalism. In the meantime, loved ones have no idea where they are. They've lost days to months or more of pay, and their families are struggling to survive. Some of them are children now tasked with being caretakers for even younger children, seniors in need of caretaking, and some of them never made it back home while you cheer it on and call them illegals. Make an immigration stakeholders committee. Has the Valley PD make a more appropriate response to ICE than they did today and fund legal aid and relief for the impacted? Look inside yourselves. Are you worthy of God's love this holiday? back their time. Thank you. [applause]

The next three speakers, Joel, Chris Chestnut, and Douglas Lipsky. Hello, my name's Joel and the reason I'm here is because we're going through a health crisis in Seami Valley, Ventura County. Uh there's a substance called that's being sold in every vape shop and gas station. It's known as um street heroin. It's very addicting. Uh people have died from taking it. There's no regulations or licensing for it. Um [snorts] LA County um public health um just last week banned the sale of it because they because six people died from it. So I just want everybody all the council members to uh do some research on cratrum and take some action because this stuff is not only addicting they say it's 10 times as addicting as morphine. So it's it's a public health crisis and people all over the city are being affected by it and and we can't have it go on. So, if there's anything you could do to have an emergency ban on, that would be great. It's K R A T O M. Um, I know they sell it all over the city at Wildside. They sell it at different vape stores. Every every vape store has it and they take their your money and they smile knowing that they're selling you something that people are having uh problems with or dying from. So anyway, God bless you. God bless ICE. God bless law

enforcement. And God bless the people who disagree with me. Happy holiday. Council, I'd like to thank you for briefly making immigration enforcement information resources available on the city website as well as these agenda items tonight. However, respectfully, that's just the first steps of what can and needs to be done. I suggest an ongoing immigration forum with local experts in related fields addressing these issues so our city can adapt and evolve to the ongoing situation as needed. And I ask again that you start implementing some of the policies other cities have already started doing to protect our immigrant neighbors. Now, I want to make something very clear. No one in this room would be complaining about ICE activity activity if they were actually going after the rapists, the murderers, the child kidnappers, human traffickers, vent dealers, or MS-13 cartel members that our current me administration promised. That's not the reality of the situation. What we are seeing is our good neighbors being racially profiled and swept up in these raids and having their basic constitutional rights stripped away from them. Every day people such as restaurant workers, gardeners, construction workers, day laborers, nannies, street vendors, etc. are the ones who they are targeting. According to trace reports.org, 73.6% of those detained by ICE have zero criminal convictions. This is an increase from the 70.5% of noncriminals I mentioned a couple months ago. The unjust overreach of this current administration could not be more clear. Now I believe in the Statue of Liberty as a lasting symbol for American values. And she says, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." I believe in those words and I believe in the words with liberty

and justice for all that we all just pledged our allegiance to. So I ask, do any of those words hold the same value to you? While large groups of our communities continue to live in fear, we demand you do more to protect them. Stand with your immigrant neighbors now. [applause] [snorts] Good evening, mayor. Gavian Council. You guys know me, Douglas C. Lipsky. I've been here a few times talking about our city and the freeways. I have not ever heard anybody but Ellen here. I would like to hear from somebody after today because tomorrow I am meeting the city manager. I hope to get some answers because it is taking months, years. I hope not many more because our freeway cannot take any more of this. Our city cannot take any more of this. This city was beautiful 60 years ago. Right now, it is not. I hope I hear from everybody.

[applause] The next three speakers, Sarah Nathan Ivansson and Robert Fox.

Good evening, Mayor Kavanaaugh and members of the city council. My name is Sarah Wesky and I am a volunteer with 805 and fund. I'd like to start by thanking council member Ayala for proposing the forum that we had this this evening and for his courage and leadership this year. Second, I would like to make some comments on the procedures for tonight. It is very difficult to make an informed comment before the presentation has even happened. I would like you guys to reconsider this policy and move comments to in between the presentation and city council comments. Finally, in the midst of this holiday season, I can't help but thinking of the families that won't get to spend time together, of the families who will spend this joyful season unable to leave their homes for fear that they will not return at the end of the day. the kids asking Santa not for toys but for safety. I ask you to do the same. Take a moment to think of the over 1,154 families across the Central Coast that have reached out to 805 and Dakifund for assistance because a loved one was abducted by ICE. Especially consider the 19 individuals abducted within Seami Valley. Take a moment to reflect on the privilege you hold sitting on the dis and what you can do to help our vulnerable neighbors. There is so much you can do for your constituents in need. Please consider doing everything you can and do not stop with this forum tonight. Thank you. [applause]

Hi, my name is Nathan Evansson. I'm a resident of Indian Hills. Um, I'm here I want to express my strong support for allowing um and responsibly regulating short-term rentals in our city. As both a resident who has a STR on my property and someone who values the vibrancy of our community, I believe STRs can be a positive force when managed with clear, fair guidelines. Short-term rentals contribute significantly to our local economy. They attract visitors who spend money at neighborhood restaurants, shops, and attractions, supporting small businesses and generating tax revenue that benefits public services. With every guest reservation, I immediately send the guests our digital guide book that highlights over 30 Seami Valley restaurants, grocery stores, nail salons, dry dry cleaners, laundromats. Many of our guests do not even use our uh awesome kitchen that we have in our pool house. They go out and enjoy restaurants two to three times a day and see me. Beyond the economic benefits, STRs can enhance our city's reputation as a welcoming destination. They offer travelers unique, authentic experiences in residential neighborhoods, fostering cultural exchange and showcasing the character of our community in ways traditional lodging cannot. We get visitors from all over the world and and the United States. I know many of the foreign visitors and from other states choose Seami Valley STRs for their location over the um um ones in Los Angeles, allowing them to do day trips but come back to a safe and quiet area. If if STRs are banned in Seami Valley, those guests who favor STRs won't choose a local hotel, but they'll go over the hill and get one in LA. Um, I urge you to consider a framework that allows STRs to drive under fair,

enforcable rules. I did send you all an email on December 2nd. Um, if you want, I put like 20 uh things that I believe that the city could do.

Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Robert. I've been a member of this society for 37 years. Born and raised here. Uh I can tell you that Semi Valley is very racist. And it's not just to people of color. When you're in high school and you go through and you shave your head or you dye or bleach your hair because it's what everybody else is doing and you get a Nazi salute, you kind of just assume that those are people you shouldn't be with. Now, [snorts] it does take a lot to come up here and speak to you guys. Everybody here, I I don't know about everybody else, but I don't do well speaking in front of people. I need time. I need things to work out. And they just don't. But you guys all stand there and you guys all salute that flag. And I have no problem with that. I was taught that way. But the last sentence is justice for all. And you guys don't do that. [snorts] You guys sit there and you look bored during these meetings. Aren't you guys supposed to be paying attention, not talking to somebody else? And I don't mean to call people out, but you guys did it while your other mayors and council members were talking, so you guys don't care when they're talking either. That's really shitty. And I'm sorry to say [ __ ] but that's really shitty to sit here and listen to that. Now, Mike Judge, I saw you multiple times.

Shake your head, roll your eyes when people out here are talking. Now, I don't care what side of anything you guys are on. Everybody that's at this podium deserves their attention. If you don't want to be here, step down. We don't want you here either if you don't want to listen. Your job is to listen. Sorry, Robert. Your time is up. Thank you. Respect. [applause] [cheering] [applause] The next three speakers, Ken Hurst, Guy Gloss, and Aaliyah Euing.

Good evening. My name is Ken Hurst. I live in Seami Valley. Thank you first of all for having a meeting with several of us from 805 on Docky Fund a couple weeks ago. We're looking forward to information about how and when those meetings can become recur a recurring meeting. I looked over the information on the uh city website for immigrant uh community. Uh thanks for putting it together. It was a good page. Please add 805 undocument to the resources page. Um 805 uh can help families of kidnap members of our community with uh uh financial and legal and other resources. Also, thank you for putting together the presentations having the presentations earlier tonight. Um, and also, um, Officer Purcell, I think, was the, uh, person, uh, at the last meeting who turned me on to the, uh, uh, city's, uh, uh, web page about, uh, the use of flock cameras. That helped quite a bit. I've shared that within our community. I hope that the Seami Valley Police Department will respond to ICE incidents. I paid attention during Chief Schwarz's uh presentation uh and I'd like to talk with him about that. Uh we have found, for example, that the incident reports that were filed by the Oxnard Police Department um were very important in countering the blatant lies put out by ICE about the incident with Leo Martinez. Also, many of the charges of uh people down in LA have been dropped due to untruthful reports by ICE agents. The eyes and narrative of the Semi Valley Police Department can help our community understand the truth if and when something goes sideways. And in closing, please consider joining

other Ventura County cities in supporting the legal defense fund to ensure due process for everybody. [applause]

Guy Guy Glass Aaliyah Euing over the [snorts] last few years, I've seen and experienced people getting arrested not for breaking the law, but for annoying police officers. The charges were dropped, of course, due to lack of evidence, and any lawsuits against the police department were paid out of our tax dollars. I've had officers in different departments on opposite sides of the country admit to me and other protesters that they were only interested in scaring people out of protesting. They knew they wouldn't charge them with a crime leader. They just wanted to keep the movement depressed. This is not new. Colonizers took their violent playbook straight from the medieval times. If you don't believe me, you can take a history class or read a book. Many of us here could give you recommendations. Governments rise and fall all the time. What gives a government power is the people. Whether it's by voluntary support or force. If white westerners ideology of colonial rape and violence were natural ways to live, they wouldn't have enslaved millions of people in the last 500 years to defend its existence. White historians will have you think that the people who thrived on this land first were savages, projection at its finest. The colonizers who came here in the 1400s saw the beautiful natural harmonious way people lived in sync with Earth and saw that communities had successful farming techniques, astronomical science far beyond the Europeans comprehension, various writing styles with books on history and religion dating back thousands and thousands of years before the age of Christianity. They had advanced aqueducts, scented soaps, perfumes, makeup, glorious temples to our creators, and in-depth knowledge on the best birthing practices. They performed brain surgery, again, thousands of years before Europeans knew of existence of brains. So, what we would like to know

tonight is whether or not you support ISIS's actions in Seami Valley. To everyone else listening tonight, I want to know how can you say in full confidence that you are fighting for what is right, for our earth, for our future. Do you still shop at McDonald's, Amazon, and Home Depot? Do you still support Zionist elected officials like Julia Brownley? These colonial systems only work with our support. You can learn how to remove your support at linkree/vc resources. Remember, we need you, [applause]

Richard Pini, and Andrew Brody. Good evening, city council, Mayor Kavanagh. Uh, thank you for having Chief Schwarz present Sammy Police Department's stance on cooperating or not cooperating and their limitations with ICE. It's a problem we won't be able to settle here. Uh the only way to settle is through legislation. And we we do have some hope. Uh gentleman by the name of Michael Coslo, who's running for Congress, has presented a a a potential bill to give legal um work visas to people in this situation. They have to comply. They have to uh not have broken any laws, non-violent offenders. But we need to create um a path to legal reform and educate a lot of people um in in our community. Um so I thank you for trying to clear the air. Uh the other thing I'd like to mention is the homeless situation we have on the other side of town. I understand the citizens of More Park are upset and they have um a right to be their homes are there. They're worried about fire. Um, but I know we're going to have at least an $80,000 bill on cleanup. I took a tour of this homeless encampment. And um, it's not just semi residents. It's residents through uh, homeless residents that throughout the county. Um, these people will be displaced. We will see them in more common areas and we will need to come up with some sort of solution. Um, I don't know what that is. We have to explore and get creative. And I know there's a lot of limitations, but I do want to tip my hat. They have some type

of um society there where they have elders. One of the elders took his unemployment check and bought dumpster containers. They filled three or four on their own. I think a creative solution would have been to see if we could have gotten more of them there and had them clean up their own mess and maybe use some of that money towards a temporary encampment. But those are all potential solutions. Thank you. [applause]

Good evening, mayor, city council. My name is Andrew Broaddy. I'm 65 years old. I've been living in Seami Valley since 1978. Almost 40 48 years here. My wife and her family almost 60 years. Been a realtor in town for almost 40 as well. I've heard the opposition to STRs. I'm here to speak in favor of them. A lot of the folks that have come to speak have made some rather um exaggerated statements, some without evidence. Some of these seem to be noisy residents from where the poltergeist house is, which just seem to be the term nimi. Not that there's anything wrong with short-term rentals, just not in my backyard. When I was six, six years old, my father passed away. My mom used short-term rentals to come visit myself and my brothers because they were affordable. That was a long time ago. The short-term rentals have been around hundreds of years with different names, but they do bring revenue into the city. And as much as the people opposing them would like everyone to think that they're either homeless or transient or gang members, some [snorts] of the city council has used them. And I don't view negatively the fact that you guys have used them. Um, as far as um Oh. going to have to come to another one. You cut me a minute short. Um, we'll come to another meeting. Thank you.

Thank you, [applause] [snorts] Madame Mayor. That was the last speaker. Next item on the agenda is item 4, a city council comments regarding public statements. Council member Ayala.

Thank you. Oh, thank you. First of all, uh, city manager, are you prepared to give a update on the encampment? I know some people ask for like dates and status updates. I am um I think that some of them may actually have more updated information than I do because um the last information that I received from our police department um is that the cleanup is scheduled for the week of January 5th to the 9th. Um and it's not anticipated that the cleanup will take all of those five days. It's expected to take probably one to two days. Um and but they are tenatively planning for Thursday and Friday, January 8th and 9th. So, uh, they just want to ensure that they have enough time blocked off to cover all of the needs for the encampment cleanup. Um, and I know that they've been, um, making the notifications and posting signs and, um, working with the residents out there to ensure that they're aware of the resources um, and housing assistance that might be available to them.

Thank you. And to just add on to that, I did go there on Thursday with um the officers that uh visit there a couple times a week and it was no surprise to anyone living there of the situation. So, they're fully aware of what's happening. The officers have been educating them as the city manager mentioned and so it seems that sorry everything will be on track for the cleanup. And the second thing I would say to all of those who spoke on the immigration um situation when I was when they were doing the presentation some people were nodding as saying uh okay this is exactly what we were looking for others were saying this isn't enough and others were saying probably even too much and so it's really hard to find that balance but what [clears throat] I would say is um anyone who wants to chat with me afterwards of course or in a meeting or a phone you can definitely do that. And those of you who have done that with me know that uh there's really no time limit. We typically go after longer than we had scheduled. And it it it really is a better way to dialogue because I know this is kind of frustrating where we can't respond directly to to everything that you're saying. So reach out to me if you'd like to chat more. And then to Mr. Shaw so that I'm not the subject of his acorn um article next weekend. the participation in our newly created film commission where we bring together all parts of the city from the school school district to the city city staff um park of wreck and park the park district to really bring the um the film industry to see which has shown millions of dollars in revenue just this year I think is something that um I'm proud of. Thank you.

Thank you. Uh, Mayor Prom Litster,

thank you. Um, I appreciate that. Um, although that's okay if it starts in January, too. Mike, um, and I apologize. I don't have as much voice as normal. Um, a lot of comments I'd like to make. I'd like to first start um, start by thanking Lori Woodley Langdorf for being here. Thank you. And and thank Michael Shaw for giving us your book. And I want you to know I did read it cover to cover. It was uh very insightful, very instructive, and I can certainly see what value that comes from participating in a workshop they're doing and and getting um buyin from many different parties in the our community and in instigating some of your wonderful ideas. So, thank you for um inviting us to your workshop. Much appreciated. Um and Wendy um thank you for inviting us on December 21st to inner peace to outer peace. Um appreciate you also that invitation. Um Michael Shaw I started to make a list of all the things that I think I've been involved and accomplished with and it is there's many many things we've done as a group some of the things we've done as individuals etc. Sometimes some of the things I'm most proud of is the one-on-one constituent solutions I've had and so and those are almost private. Um I'll be honest um because it doesn't don't need to. But I will tell you one of the things I'm excited about right now that's happening is you may remember on um that is actually happening as we speak that the road work is actually taking place. It was not it was not agendaized or it was not scheduled but basically on township the road in front of the Islamic center when they came and wanted it to increase basically it was discovered that there was quite a a stretch that was owned by the city but had never been developed and so right now we now have parking taking place so there are more safety for people

attending um baseball games the Islamic center and church etc etc so that happening right this minute It is something I'm kind kind of delighted that it's that we are getting that improvement in our community. Um I wanted to quickly Mr. William Court who talked about our bio cleaner system for um wastewater. I I was curious whether we are instigate using something of that nature. Maybe that's if you're still here maybe we could talk more and I'd love to follow up with our um waste management to find out if we are in in implementing some of what you're talking about. Um, thank you for those who've addressed both issues on STRs. It's I appreciate the appreciate um those who have with consistency showed up 10 times in a row and appreciate your passion and appreciate those also who are SDR um owners. I [clears throat] sorry I hit my mic. Alina, I I I I I do agree with you that all need to be treated equally in your comments and I I agree that there are some issues if we are going that route with an equality and so I wanted um I I absolutely heard you. Um obviously um well and also I want one last thing and then I'll get to to immigration. Um Jack who or Joel who talked about cratom sold in vape shops. Um that is very concerning and I would love um us to have us look into it immediately and see if maybe we can have a a temporary ban. Um

I can actually um address that. So I had asked the chief of police to look into that probably about a month ago. Um and we've we do already have some information on that. I can share that with the council. Um what we are finding though is that the issue here is not nearly as severe as it is in other communities. Um, but I'll forward that information to the council members. I'd like to find more because if it is as lethal as I mean if I can also just address your other question on the wastewater. Um, we did receive some information from the speaker on that and I'll touch base with the director of public works um to determine if that's something that we're already doing or if that is something that we would need to look into.

Thank Thank you. Um, so going addressing the conversation about immigration, I appreciated the the presentation that we had this evening. There were some things that I learned. For instance, I did not know that 211 um could take you directly to finding out where your loved ones are and and if if there's been some detention, etc. And so I was grateful to know that that was a resource. Um I will tell you that it is important that all humans are treated respectfully. Period. Period. Um and so that is what needs to happen. And um if there's something that I that we can do to make that happen then that I'm I'm all for it. I because I think sanctity of human life is important but so is obeying laws as well of course. And so I I appreciate the ideas that have been shared uh the conversation that we had and I think that there is more that can be done. So we'll we'll continue in that conversation. So I just wanted to again thank you for all of your comments this evening and I will stop talking with my voice for now. So thank you.

Thank you. All right. Um thank you. Somebody addressed the situation with the young girl from Sinaloa Middle School um last at the last meeting and I just wanted to let you know that um I reached out to Jake Finch. Uh she's the PIO for the school district and they reached out and um worked with the the parent on that one and so hopefully they got things taken care of for that young young lady. Um Mr. Shaw, we have a Fourth of July committee. That's something you wanted. So we did it, right? I have at least one thing on my list. All right. and the new bicycle plan is a little bit see two things. All right. Thank you. Um and and on the more serious note on on the immigration, yes, Mr. Hurst, I think we'll be happy to to meet with you again um and see where we can go from that. I can't say exactly what, but I'm open to discussion as well. I know the city manager is too. Um, and uh, we would like to support our community and I'm glad that we were able to do a presentation u from both uh, the interface on the 211 and also from the police department. I think explaining where the police what they can and cannot do is helpful for everybody in our community. Um, and again, I know the big thing has been we in in order to protect our community, people need to be comfortable coming and speaking to the police or reporting, you know, a problem. So, hopefully that is something that we can continue to work on and work together on that. So, those are my comments. So, thank you all for being here. We really appreciate it. We are listening. We really are. Um, government works slow. I will tell you that. You know that, right? Um, but we're we'll get there and we'll do what we can to help everyone in our community. So, thank you,

Madame Mayor and members of the city council. The next item on the agenda is item seven, the consent calendar. And there is one resolution for your consideration this evening. Consent item five, resolution number 2025-40, a resolution of the city council of the city of Simi Valley reaffirming the findings made in resolution number 2026- 2016-10 pursuant to government code sections 4217.10 through 4217.18 and approving a first amendment to the energy services contract with Optera Energy Services LLC. Council member Litster. Excuse me. Mayor Prom Litster. [laughter] It's all right. It is official tonight. So,

is it official tonight? Okay. Thank you. Um I will say that I I'm fine. I don't need any changes, but just a quick correction to item um two. I noticed that my name was in inadvertently left off of the Youth Council Advisory Committee. So, if it could be included in that list, I would appreciate that. And that was it. But other than that, I'm I'm willing to certainly move passage of all five items. We'll make that change. Thank you. Second. Thank you. Call for the vote.

It's not wanting to work now. Let's try it again. There we go. The motion passes unanimously. Madame Mayor and members of the city council, next on the agenda is item 8A. Adopt a a joint resolution approving the memorandum of agreement with the Service Employees International Union Local 721 and approve a supplemental budget request. The reading of the resolution is as follows. Resolution number 2025-39WD-302 a joint resolution of the city council of the city of semi valley and the board of directors of interur county waterworks district number 8 amending the memorandum of understand memorandum of agreement between the city of semi valley and the services employees international union local 721 and repealing resolution number 2023-16 and previous resolutions to the extent that they are in conflict here and assistant city manager Luis Garbe and senior human resources analyst Shannon Nash are here to present this item. We'll give them a second to get here from the office. And if I might just quickly add one more public comment because I sense that Mr. Dr. Douglas Lipsky is very unhappy that we didn't specifically address his concern. I want him to know that certainly I'm willing to talk with you further about what we can do for for cleanup. And I know

I I understand speaking about the cleanup of Seami Valley. This is wrong. Sorry, Mr. Lipsky. I'm sorry, Mr. Lipsky. You need to please be quiet. You're in a meeting. Have not spoken. Mr. Lipsky, please. You need to be quiet. I know officer. Thank you. Please, please be quiet. I'm going to have a meeting with the city manager tomorrow. Mr. Lipsky, would you like to step out or are you going to be quiet? Thank you. Thank you.

I believe senior management analyst Shannon Ash is here. and assistant city chief assistant city manager Luis Garbe.

Good evening, mayor, city council members. This item was initially introduced at the December 1st, 2025 city council meeting to itemize the change terms and conditions of employment for the general unit group represented by SEIU Local 721 over a three-year period inclusive of fiscal years 202526 through 2027 28. No additional public comment has been received and there are no additional changes to the proposed terms and conditions. The major changes include increases in meal allowance to $25, food allowance to $400, tuition reimbursement to $1,800 per fiscal year, and the standby pay flat daily rates to double to $48 for regular working days and $72 for holidays. and regular days off, respectively. A onetime payment of $1,000 for the paycheck of January 16, 2026. Three separate 3% salary range adjustments also applied to employeebased pay effective December 29th, July 13 of 2026, and July 12th of 2027. Salary range adjustments to market median made in four stages over a 39-month period. Increase in semiflex benefit for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 plan years to 246 per month with the opt- out amounts remaining static. Effective for March 2026 coverage, 100% of the premiums for dental and vision benefits will be covered by the city. We also incorporated uh side letters of

agreement that were previously agreed upon that relate to bilingual pay, uniforms, uh police dispatch, night differential pay, and a clarification on holiday pay. The total cost over the three years is estimated at approximately 5.91 million with approximately 26% of the year 1 cost funded by personnel savings. realized from vacancies. The year two and year three costs will be included in the those fiscal year's budget processes. Staff is requesting that the city council adopt joint resolution number 2025-39 and resolution number WWD-302 to approve the changes included in the staff report and to approve the appropriation of1,78,247 from the general fund fund balance for the remainder of the current fiscal year. This concludes staff's report and we're available for questions.

Thank you. Any questions of staff? Uh, Council Member Rhodess, I was just going to move the item. Um, I move to adopt joint resolution number 2025-39 and resolution number WWD-302 to approve the memorandum of agreement with the general with general unit employees represented by the service employees international union local 721 and approve the appropriation of1,78,247 from the general fund fund balance for fiscal year 202526. Second.

Thank you. Call for the vote. The motion passes unanimously. Madame Mayor and members of the city council, the next item on the agenda is item 9A, consideration of a draft ordinance to to regulate short-term rentals and collect transient occupancy collect transient occupy occupancy tax and request for direction and deputy environmental services director Sean Gibson and principal planner environmental services Naranga Sakara are here to present this item. Good evening, Mayor Kavanagh and members of the city council. Over the past year, the city council has received inquiries and public testimony on neighborhood impacts from short-term rentals or STRs for short. We we are returning tonight to seek preliminary input on a draft ordinance to allow STRs, including strong standards and restrictions to address the community concerns raised. Tonight's meeting is to gather feedback and the draft standard on the draft standards on whether to consider other specific standards or changes. If the city council chooses to pursue an SDR ordinance, it would not be adopted tonight, but rather with their direction, allow the draft as revised to be considered by the neighborhood councils planning commission via a public hearing. And finally, back to the city council where a final public hearing and potential adoption would take place. Principal planner Narin Kunisakera will continue with the presentation. Narin,

good evening. Over the last several years, home sharing platforms have expanded the prevalence of short-term rentals known as STRs. The city council was provided with options for STR regulations on November 18, 2024 and August 4th, 2025. Staff was directed to return to the council once a pending state law. Senate bill SB346 was approved to determine what a draft ordinance should cover. With the approval of SB346, SDR facilitators such as Airbnb and VRBO are required to share data with cities and counties. If the jurisdiction has adopted an ordinance to this effect to improve tax collection and reporting, a draft ordinance was included in the staff report to present choices for council pres consideration. Input from the council and residents concerned with STRs were taken into consideration and used to craft the proposed ordinance. The draft ordinance proposes changes to titles 3, 5, and 9. Title three would be amended to clarify existing definitions for transient lodging to include short-term rentals. Other changes would facilitate the collection of tourism marketing district TDM assessments and business taxes BTC's. Changes to title 5 would include permitting requirements to include performance standards for these permits. Changes to title 9 would include adding STRs to the land use table and updating definitions for STRs. STR operators would need to apply for and be granted a permit to operate. A cap on the number of permits issued per year can be implemented within the city. STRs would not be allowed in garages, ADUs, accessory structures, or

temporary structures. Permits would be valid for the calendar year and would need to be renewed every year. The approval of an application would require fulfilling a range of requirements including maintaining liability insurance, HOA approval if applicable, payment of permit fees, and provision of nuisance response plans. The applicant would need to adhere to reporting requirements to ensure the collection of tot revenues and performance standards to ensure the use does not become a nuisance to the public. These performance standards would require an approved nuisance response plan to be followed. A contact list of up to three people available 24/7 to respond to complaints would be mailed out to property owners within 200 ft of the STR. The operator has 30 minutes to respond and remedy the complaint. Otherwise, the complainant may escalate the issue to the city. The renters would need to adhere to the city's good neighbor guidelines, which would need to be posted in the STR. Other standards included may limit occupancy to two adults per bedroom unless a special request is made for an unusually large room. Vehicles would need to be parked in off- street spaces with the number limited to the spaces available for the STR. Noise monitors would need to be installed. Events and parties would be prohibited, and the site would need to be kept clean. The ordinance includes options for enforcing fines for violations of these standards. The fines proposed are in line with current state law as shown here. It should be noted that administrative citations would be an easier tool to penalize STR violations than the current enforcement practices available to staff. Outside vendors may also be required to enforce tot compliance. Staff is requesting council direction on

the final provisions for an SDR ordinance. This includes the items shown on the slide which cover whether to take the ordinance to neighborhood councils and the planning commission for community input, preparing a fee study for STR permits, [snorts] establishing STR specific fines, and utilizing consultant services or external vendors for STR monitoring and TOT collection. It should be noted that STR violations happen off often happen outside of normal working hours and on the weekend. Therefore, direction will be needed on whether the police department or code enforcement would handle these complaints and budget accordingly. The process of preparing and implementing an ordinance can take from 8 to 12 months. Implementing the ordinance will have costs associated with staff and city attorney time, outside consultants, and other factors. A budget request will be brought back with the ordinance. It is recommended that the council provide policy direction on the proposed ordinance, including the collection of toot, business taxes, TMD assessments, establishment of service fees and fines, authorization to use consulting services of tracking STRs and tax collection, and receiving input from the neighborhood councils and planning commission. Alternative actions may also be taken as determined by the council. This concludes staff's presentation and we are available for questions.

Council member Rhodess,

you let me go first. Okay. Um, thank you for the presentation. We've been uh looking forward to this and uh when we got the draft in our packets, I devoured it and I I think we have taken the first great leap towards getting a a responsible ordinance put together. So, thank you for that. Um um and some of us have already uh Sean, we met and um and discussed some of the things. Um, I want to ask some of those same questions out loud so that we we think about considering them so that neighborhood councils and um, STR advocates as well as uh, detractors can also be thinking about these. Um and the first one and and I think this is one of that's sort of at the crux of will these be okay is our mechanism for um uh adherence to policies our fine structure and that sort of thing. Um, I could not find in the ordinance itself where that fine structure was covered and I'm trying to figure out who determines the violation and what are the standards and and you mentioned uh and I saw in your report here the administrative funds. Can you tell me how that um works and how we might implement that for this ordinance? Yeah. So, I think those three questions. So, the I think the first one was where's the fine structure set up in the ordinance? So, there's two ways to do that. You could establish the fine structure in ordinance, but a more a different approach is to come back to city council with a resolution adopting the civil fines via resolution. So, it's a little easier to modify in the future. So, that's why that wasn't included in the or in the ordinance portion. It

could be a separate resolution to be adopted concurrently with the ordinance perhaps or when those are established. Y and when you explained that to me before I thought that was an excellent thing. I just wanted you to say it out loud for the group that there's there are different ways of making it happen. That one is um efficient for the city and easily adopt or uh changed as we go along. Um I have many other questions but I don't want to hog the deis so um I can I can defer for a while. Okay. Thank you. Um council member Ayella.

Thank you. just by definition. I'm wondering if we can expand the the the place that says just a single family home to include things like a condo and a town home and an ADU. We can expand it to um condos and town homes. With regard to ADUs, um what we call 662 66 383 ADUs, which are uh what used to be called stateex exempt ADUs, uh the state law requires those rental periods to be longer than 30 days. Those are usually ADUs that are 800 square ft or under. And JADUs, ADUs that are over 800 square feet are not covered by this code section. Um, and under state state law gives cities the option of allowing those as uh short-term rentals. However, our ordinance prohibits that. So, we would need to change our AD ordinance at the same time.

Yes. So, where do we go from here? So, I don't know like if we want to add town homes and condos, can how do we put that into the ordinance? So, um I'll respond to that. We're trying to take a list of all the proposed changes tonight and suggestions and keep track of who agrees to what. So that would be the first could be your first suggestion and then we could kind of summarize that at the end. Yeah. And then I would add the ADU to that as well. the ones that we're legally able to do. And I will also

well, Councilman Al, I would I would um suggest I was thinking about the same thing on multifamily condos, owner uh condos, not apartments. And um in this ordinance is already um a provision for with the permission of an HOA. I think that if we allowed them in multif family dwellings like condos and not apartments um that there will be an HOA in place and if they were to decide that they didn't want that in their condo complex then they could have that ability to say no. So we can allow it but then knowing that the HOA may say no. Correct.

Yeah. Understood. I I feel comfortable with that. um addition into the thing. As far as ADUs go, um that's a that's a tough needle to thread of of things, but the state mandated ADUs. Yeah, I don't want to try and battle the the state on those. Um where does a pool house council member Ayala does have the floor or unless he's ready to

Oh, no, I'm okay. It was discussion. Yeah, no problem. And and what about a pool house in regard to ADUs? Our pool houses generally don't have cooking facilities. Um, we can certainly expand uh STRs to pool houses. Currently, they're prohibited as written. So, we could consider that as an option if so desired. Yeah. Um if if they were a full living unit um then I would

it it would need to meet um building code for condition livable space. So that's really the crux of the matter has to meet the definition of what an ADU is if we're going to classify it as that. Yeah. I think the foundational principle right that you're getting at is it has to be a permitted a permitted habitable space. It needs to be conditioned. You can't, for example, you can't have a shed. Yeah. And have somebody, you know, stringing in that. All right.

So, for reference, there's, I would say, dozens of permitted guest houses in the city that are not ADUs. And, you know, maybe a fewer dozen pool houses. So, if you want to expand it to those types of permitted structures that the city acknowledges having building permits, that could be a suggestion.

Okay. And one more question and then I know we're going to do this cycle through um for the permit fees. Someone had mentioned one of the speakers about um it may be too expensive so forth. Could we do a tiered permit fee based upon what they are actually using the STR for? like if it's a ADU versus a single family home, something like that where it's various rates.

I think the um the goal of the the fee that we charge is what it costs the city to provide that service. So, there's a there's a factor there when when we present the fee study, which would also come back for a city council consideration. the city council may want to decide if they want to theoretically subsidize a fee to a lower tier, maybe like a hosted versus non-hosted or a bedroom versus the entire house. So there's those options are uh available at least from my standpoint. We'll check all the legal ramifications of that, but certainly I heard that comment earlier today.

Okay, I will come back around after the other council members get a chance to ask.

Thank you, Council Member Litster. So, um I would actually obviously that the discussion that I'm hearing right now is ways to to tweak this um potential ordinance. Um I know the question is that's placed is do we want the ordinance to start with um or or say no. And my sense is is is that there is um tremendous value in having an ordinance that is that protects our community. I I was it was interesting to me when in conversation with someone I actually went to see if I could rent something in areas that were outlawed such as Moore Park and Ohigh. And sure enough, I found that that I could go online and and so simply outlining something does not necessarily mean you won't have that in your community. And so I I just wanted to first start with that conversation. I do like the idea that we're going back and forth and tweaking our suggestions and then this list of suggestions then will go before neighborhood councils um and the um planning commission etc. I I think that that personally is a is a good way to invest to pursue this. Um I would I would actually like to go to to um something I had was concerned about but that Alin also referenced the fairness issue in terms of of who if we're going to have STRs who has that option and what I'm hearing is that we should extend it to condo and town home owners which I would concur with. When I read through and saw the referencing of the HOAs and um I I was actually surprised to see that page page 20 of our report suggested that maybe that there needed to be an HOA approval letter required. I

actually thought as I read that that was um overreach and that we that that um if the HOAs want to civily pursue a problem, they should do so from their side, but that we should not be deciding whether or not we're going to allow something because an HOA has maybe be opposed to it. I think we would in my mind I would strike that from our list that we would approve based on all of the merits and then if HOA has governance that says no you can't have it then HOA would need to take a action directly with their client

and I was going to say there that's that's that's right so there's two ways to do it um some entities actually require that you bring in a letter from the HOA because if the HOA says no then a city doesn't have to go through the resources essentially processing. But you're absolutely right. Another way to do it is to say the city is just going to approve across the board and then if the HOA has its own CCNRs um which preclude it, they can tell the member regardless of what the city has said, there are prohibitions in the CCNRs which you signed up to and therefore you're procluded from having um a short-term vacation rental in this uh this residence area.

And that [clears throat] would be my preference. Um and then if someone um then they can battle out with their HOA and say wait a minute I think we need to change our CCNRs because etc etc. But anyway that was any something I would like considered again for the equality issue. Um I had questions. I'll ask one more and then we'll go around because I do have a I think I wrote more questions and and discussion on this topic than I have on many just because they're in essence we're creating something brand new. I had a little bit of concern in terms of tax collecting collection. Um I understand um transit occupancy taxes, business licensing taxes, etc. I was a little concerned as I read what would be required if if we wanted to include them in our tourist what um what's the the term that

tourism marketing district the TMD um what the most we could collect is 2% but my recollection from when we went through that process informing the district etc is that basically each they each get a vote they have to be involved D in saying yay or nay that they would approve that being in that district and then once they get a vote they're part of that meeting that assembly that meets. I don't know how that would apply to to STR owners but I I I think that that seems almost Mr. Garay is going to address this. done a little bit of research on this report

and so I guess my initial gut is to say let's not touch that and just and and let the hotels get all the glory in terms of our marketing but then anyway go ahead and address that lace please not as tall as I thought I was okay um so yes there is a process that the um the tourism management district would need to go through we did reach out prior to bringing the item to make sure that that was something that they wanted to pursue and I did speak with Anthony

um his sentiment was we want to include the 2% and want them included as part of the process. So when the management district plan would have to be amended, yes, they would also have to have an opportunity to promote the the STRs alongside the hotel. Um their participation is based on a like a fractional percentage of what they contribute towards the toot. So the today the hotels that provide the most uh toot and uh the assessment towards have a larger weight than those that don't and that's how it's distributed. So yes, they would have a say uh likely and again I I can't speak for the visit see me but they would have to have some representation on the board to represent the the short-term rental.

Would they have to vote on whether or not they want to be included? For instance, when the district was set up, we needed a majority. And so of the hotels, um the first time around, four of the five said yes. And so we went forward with the district. The next time around, five years later, we got a consensus. All five said yes, and we'll do it for 10 years. So it was that kind of a process. Yes. Do we is there a similar process for S? I mean, would we contact all licensed STRs and say, "Okay, do you want to be included or not?" and then have to get a majority of them or are you saying that because they're representing such a small percentage it doesn't matter everything it matters

okay I mean but I'm sorry I'm saying

it is the the percentage of the weight of their vote again is directly um based on what they would potenti potentially contribute towards the total assessment. So, right now there's about a $200,000 a year that the hotels combine. Um, whatever we anticipate that the short-term rentals would contribute, that would be their share of the vote. So my guess is that as long as all five of the hotels continue to support, then even if they all voted against it, the percentage of their contribution would be low enough where they would still be included as part of the the management district.

Okay. And I Okay. Um I I'm hearing you. I'm not quite 100% understanding you, but I'm hearing you. Well, so help me help me help me explain this a little bit better. So, if if let's say um right now the hotels contribute the the $200,000 a year between the five. Let's say the total contribution for the assessment goes up to $25,000 or $210,000. They would all get a vote, but it's going to be a fraction. So, so you're saying if the STR contribution reigned in at $10,000 for instance, they would get whatever that is 5% whatever our percentage is. Okay. Um

because it's a self assessment. So again, those that are contributing towards the assessment are the ones that have a say in what's going to be done. And it's but the net and let me understand that the benefits though of being part of that uh district is that they are referenced every time we do the tourist. they do promotions. So they

other other agencies the other areas handle them differently. This isn't sure we aren't the first ones that would potentially do this. What'll happen is that they would have a presence like let's say on the website. So um there would be a separate tab that says hey if you're not interested in a hotel looking for a a short-term rental here's links to where you can find that information. Um the website was going to have their information and an opportunity to promote those uh short-term renters as well. Um, again, are they going to get full page ads and like publications? Again, the idea behind the the tourism management, the visit seami program is to promote Seami Valley as a whole and those uh and those hotels. So, again, it's a broader marketing approach to drive people here and then giving them options on where they would stay potentially.

I hear that. I guess I'm just feeling like STRs are important or could be, but not what will drive people. I don't know. for that small amount of 2%. I'm not sure that personally that I think that that is something that we need to pursue and go with because I'm not convinced. And and again, that's why we reached out ahead of time to make sure because are there other tourism districts who include STRs? Yes, there are. Okay. And again, it's just there's areas that they're more prominent like Palm Springs. I would expect they would be in where they again, it's

tourism driven communities more likely. And I'll also say u add one further thing is that the language of the boundary section in your tourism uh district uh code already says that it includes uh all lodging businesses and so Oh okay. As it stands that's there. It just doesn't specifically mention uh short-term rentals. Just want to clarify. Interesting. Okay.

Would it be up to the tourism group uh the TMD to decide whether to include short-term rentals? So what would hap yes so what would happen is uh concurrently as this moves forward they would move forward much like they came to you a few years ago two years ago uh and said hey we are modifying the management district plan uh to clarify that short-term rentals were going to be included and we'll also be assessed it would still come to you would have two different votes a public hearing that that same process would come forward uh and then they would have the the voting the opportunity for all everyone to revote on the district plan and then they would weigh out the the percentages of what the support is,

right? Because I don't think the financial aspect is going to make that much of a difference. No compared to what the hotels put in already. So I sit on that board. So So if the hotel said, "No, we really don't want the STRs mentioned, they have a high are included, they have a larger vote to have that if if the if the group as as a whole says, hey, we don't we don't want, you know, it's not worth it." Then that would be that would come from them though. So we could we could collect the toot on separately, right? worry about and that's one of the recommendations from staff regardless is toot separate we would still collect that and then the assessment district would be up on it seem all right thank you

okay so so I do have other questions but I'll let's keep cycling through when we come back okay council member roads do you have something yeah let's continue that conversation on collection um so I saw in the staff report that there was a a suggestion that we might need an outside consultant to monitor whether we're actually um collecting and people are actually um complying with this ordinance and paying in their their taxes. Um that's different than the outside vendor that we use to currently collect business taxes, right? That would be someone over and above that or it would be the same entity. Same vendor.

Could be the same. Staff staff's recommending the same vendor. Same vendor. Okay. Um, when we first got a report on this and the anticipated increased cost for collection, um, is that same increased cost for collection anticipated with just using the same vendor or, um, is there I I'm under the impression if we're collecting license fees, we're collecting license fees. Um, and I don't know that there's a huge additional cost to that, but collecting taxes might be a different beast.

So, um, [sighs] the recommended vendor is actually the least expensive of the vendors that staff looked at. And that is because we already have a contract. So, we would be able to modify our contract with them um instead of having to set up a new um reporting structure, which we would have to do with the other vendors. So, this would be the most cost-effective option um to go with the current vendor that we have because they wouldn't the setup to work with them would be minimal. And Sean, correct me if I'm missing anything.

Yeah, that there are certainly benefits to try to just amend the existing contract and use their existing function because they do collect a toot. So, they would just add on the additional service charges to collect short-term rental toot. Okay. Okay. So, there is more management to be done to collect those taxes because somebody has to do it either internally or externally. We got to keep track of it. So, um Okay, I get that. Same vendor. Um, [clears throat] did your um staff report anticipate um bad actors, people that are going to try and run short-term rentals without using a facilitator or that wouldn't um transmit the toot. I think the ordinance is neutral on that. It doesn't explicitly say bad actors, but there's

I I guess include bad actors in what way? in terms of costs or

Yeah, the the anticipation being um will we need um extra resource to find bad actors that are acting outside of the the compliance or do we anticipate that that's probably not going to be an issue because we have a permitting process and the rules are clear? Uh so this is actually addressed in the August 4th report. Uh when we did the estimated revenues and costs with an with an SDR ordinance, we um estimated the permit revenues based on 70 registered C STRs. Um and we assumed one extreme case of enforcement every two years. Uh that's an that's a case that includes the city attorney's work. um and one moderate case with multiple attempts to bring an owner into compliance with involvement from code enforcement staff only.

Okay. Um so we we put together an estimate for that. I it it's all included in table 4 um on page 36 of the staff report. Of the staff report. Yeah. So we we we assume the running of the SDR ordinance plus these bad actors in that that calculation.

Thank you for that. Um yeah, I would I would um emphasize now that we in this ordinance should not be doing anything to to write in additional resources necessary to pursue that until it becomes a problem and we find out about it. So and I didn't see it in there which is great. and we just handle this as any other uh code enforcement compliance.

I did want to point out um one thing just so everybody sort of understands and with the uh potential administrative or civil fines that you decide to do um in the ordinance as it's written it also includes kind of criminal penalties and so you do staff will I will say at some point have to pick and choose because you can't use one to sort of enforce the other. they are going to have to choose a path. And so, for instance, if you choose to go down the criminal path, you then can't also cite them administratively. Um, and there is no recouping, just so you know, even if there is a fine in criminal court um for any penalties because the crime itself uh under state law comes with its own penalty structure which can't be collected by the entity that's collected by the courts and state. Just to add on to that, the nuisance response plan does require 24/7 um contact from the SDR 247. So if there are complaints, somebody would need to pick up the phone uh for that. Uh and code enforcement generally only works during uh working hours and does not work evenings and weekends.

Does anybody else want to take that one? Because I had a question on that as well, but we can rotate and come back. Okay, Council Member Ayella,

I will bring that up as part of this next list. Um, I just want to add support to Council Member Litster's um, HOA idea so that we don't have to play the middleman between HOAs and and things that like you said, we just they approve it and if HOAs have an issue with it, they can deal with their own HOAs and we don't have to get involved in that. I think that's a good idea. The second thing I would add or ask about is I know that a a person and defined in here is can be a business such as an LLC and so I'm wondering if we can limit an LLC to just to one STR so that we don't have a business buying up multiple properties and renting them out just [clears throat] for their own.

They'll just file an LLC for each address. Yes, but you weren't supposed to say that out loud. Sorry. Yeah, I deal with it. There will be bad there will be no

there will be bad actors, but I think if we at least put it in the ordinance and and some people will see it and follow the rule. So, I think that would be something to add. The third one to council member roads. This may be what you have been thinking but if not you when you recycle around for the it was the nuisance response plan. Yes. I'm thinking um that right the way it's written today is it's if if I I have to me as the res the neighbor has to call the person correct and and say hello neighbor your renters are not behaving is that correct

that that is correct but our phone our phone still works here at the city too if they're afraid to

yeah I I just think that's probably the better way to do it. Like even today, sorry, [cough] if someone has if my neighbor has noise or whatever or party, I think people want to be remain anonymous in terms of who's reporting the incident. Otherwise, I think we have neighbor on neighbor problems, which is probably a bigger problem that we don't want to have. And so I think we may want to think about that the contact would be if you have you call code enforcement. Let's say they have the list of the three people they need to call and they call and say hey we we wouldn't say we received a complaint from Mayor Kavanaaugh. It would be we received a complaint and blah blah blah. Right? It'd be more anonymous. And I will say um that's a tricky thing to sort of write into an ordinance when you're dealing with this for a couple of reasons. Um the I'll just anonymity first. If a person gives their name and this is going to go administratively, for instance, under the P, you can't keep that name anonymous. So we'd have to have um specific identifiable likelihood of criminal prosecution in order to be able to keep some things anonymous. And even then, they probably will likely be able to get the name if it goes to an actual prosecution because they get to sort of defend themselves. Um the the second thing is um I I would agree if they don't give the name, the the appropriate way to probably do it is to have city staff go out. Um, but city staff a lot of times

because I I work with this in in multiple different settings, the neighbors probably are in the best position to see things and to notice them and to be witnesses in cases. And so by the time sometimes uh staff gets there, um the may not be witness [cough and clears throat] to what it is. And you see this especially if it happens over the weekend for instance, right? On a Monday morning when they come, there's not going to be any cars there. there's not going to be same people there, but the neighbors may have taken pictures which are not going to be admissible if they're not also going to be testifying. So, we could do that where we're having limitations, but it would also affect any later um attempt to prosecute the case depending on how we phrase it.

So, forget about the anonymous part thing. I would just think I would think that what we do propose is that if you have a complaint, you call code enforcement, not that it's your responsibility to call the owner of the property. Well, yeah. The counterpoint to that is some operators want to hear from their neighbors if their renters are being bad. So, you know, I think both options are, you know, yeah, if there's both options that works, too. But just allowing someone if they don't feel comfortable calling, they're that they can call. Yeah, I see giving them another option. But I concur that the nuisance response plan will have both options. So really I mean

the good actors will want to keep will want to crack down on their guests who are creating disruption. So all right we can keep moving round table. Can I stay on that topic for a second? Um council member Rhodess.

Thank you on the um on this plan. Um, if you own a home and you're going to stay there when your guest is there or you're going to um rent out a guest house, um, you may not have three 247 contacts to do that. And, uh, our ordinance calls that there must be three on the list. I might make a suggestion that if it's a single owner, single unit, uh, LLC or whatever, that we only require one, but suggest three because if the one doesn't respond, then we're going to get the call out and um, the fines will ensue. So, it'd be smart to have three, but putting three people on 247 notice might be ownorous for a homeowner. I think it's set up to three.

Yeah. Yeah. It's no more than a total of three persons. So, you can have one, you can have two, you can have one. Three. You just can't have four. I read it wrong. Okay, perfect. I like that.

Um, yeah. And I like the I like the idea of sending out the notice um uh with the radius around. Um, I know that that has the potential. And we should think about the other side of this. There might be some people who don't want short-term rentals in their neighborhood and just call incessantly regardless of there being a problem to harass the owners. Um and we need to anticipate what kind of recourse there is or or how are we going to deal with um nuisance callins and if there's a recourse for that. The city has existing policies to handle that matter.

Want to expand even a little bit? Well, I not really. And if you don't really want to expand because I don't deal with that on an everyday basis, but I've heard of situations where there's um situations like that and code enforcement has addressed it with the appropriate parties. Right. Okay, that's good. Yep. All right. Council member Litster.

Thank you. Um I'd like to actually there's several things I'd like to ask about and address. First of all, um the quarterly reporting as I understand the state law that the new state law basically um says that if we have an ordinance then then the platforms we can request data from them quarterly as far as usage or renting etc. if that's not accurate. However, if we look what we are asking of the renter or excuse me of the of the owner, um it's listed on page um let me see if I can get the right spot. Um uh page 23 says that we're going to be asking for monthly reports of usage. And I that seems a little ownorous for the for the for the owner. I think it ought to match what we um I think it ought to be a quarter relief report just as we are getting a quarterly report from um these the RBO or Airbnb. So I would I I just think that that would match in terms of requirements and and keeping track and that would also allow them to match up together if

Yeah. I um I did speak with our administrative services director um and the believe the toot data is collected quarterly so that could certainly be adjusted to just go along with a quarterly basis make it less

ownorous. That would be my recommendation then. Okay. Um thank you. Um another question I had is with regards to not notification. This kind of goes back to what um Rocky and um uh Joseph were just discussing as I read through this ordinance. It looks like there are two times that we are asking the owners or the potential owners to um to basically notify neighbors within 200 ft. First they have to notify at least based on this ordinance. First, they have to notify that they're they would like to have a a a short-term rental. So, that's the first re notification. And then they have to after if assuming they get approved, then they have to notify them with this good neighbor report. This is how you can register complaints, etc. Um I'm a little concerned that that is um that that might be asking quite a bit. First of all, they have to identify who those who's within 200 feet. the addresses etc have notified them. Um I guess my questions are more how does the how is the city involved with that and is there a way that those two notifications can be put in one mailing for instance?

We can combine them. Um you know it's really there's a there's a large menu of choices uh in terms of how we can modify this ordinance. It's just it's a sample ordinance that we put together in in terms of identifying properties. There's a couple of ways that an applicant can do that. There are companies that do mailing labels out there uh for a few hundred few hundred. They'll they'll do a certain mailing labels own and occupy own and occupants within a certain radius. Uh they can also do a bit more leg work and do it for cheaper with the uh venture county assessor's office. So there's there's there's options for them.

Okay. I don't know how we feel about it, but I think only having to notify one time and then give them the list of nuisance whatever information um just seems more efficient. I would be in concurrence with that. Um okay.

I think I think when we come back or if we come back with an ordinance, we'll clean up that language. The first notification is whether or not an STR should be allowed this residence. We could eliminate that and just have the director determine that. And then the nosing would go out after approval saying we got approved and here's our um what's it called? The nuisance response plan. Um this is being released. So when we start renting it out, this is how we got to abide.

Okay. Thank you for that. Um on page um 23 it states that gatherings of non- guests are prohibited. And we could look at the language there. And I absolutely concur. We don't want parties taking place. Period. And we don't want party houses. I I think that's very clear. At the same time, if someone wanted their family member to come over and have dinner with them and they're not a resident there, I don't want them to feel like they're breaking the law. Is there a way that we could put the verbiage in such a way that it says no partying but just leave it at that? I don't know.

Um, we can tie it directly to our noise ordinance. So, you could potentially have language like you cannot have a gathering where you know you're exceeding the noise ordinance because that that is anyway already in our code um and it's already uh something that we can enforce on. Of course, I don't want them getting close to that decibel level. I'm just [laughter] It's very subjective. I mean, unless somebody [clears throat] actually has a noise. I mean, I I could say no. And I like the idea of no amplification outside music. That too. Yeah. I mean, I would I would I would I would say that, but

And I was going to say you could um because I've thought about this too. You could add language that says no parties. The difficulty or not difficulty, what we would have to do then is to define what party is. Um and so you could define party using noise. You could define it using um certain types of gatherings, right? But all of that would probably have to be outlined um rather than site unless you just want to do what Narin suggested which is site to audiences that we already have because anything under subjectively could be considered a party and that would be uh the difficulty that staff would have trying to enforce it.

Got it. to to that end, if staff looked at um Palm Desert had an interesting um uh definition of parties and that sort of thing and and it expanded to say, "Hey, if you're having family gatherings up until this time and within the noise ordinance guidelines, then okay." Um and so I thought that was a pretty good writing. I don't know how legal it was or whether there are holes in it, but I thought that was a good example if we were looking for one. Yep. Because California doesn't designate a family member, so that could be controversial, too. Yeah. But if you agree

tie it into something that might be able to work, right? Okay. Yeah. Well, I'd like to absolutely. Are we still going around? Well, then next. Go ahead.

The Can we add just so it's clear that we also um are talking about hosted where the owner is living on site into the ordinance just so that people know we're talking about both. And then the let's see is there a way that the listings of the STRs can be online so people can see that the addresses. Yes to both. we can um add some clarifying languages language in the definition or within the ordinance about hosted hosted STRs and we can whenever a permit is issued we can have like a a section on our website dedicated to STRs I think Ventura City has something similar um and basically whenever a permit's issued we just add that address on there [snorts]

and then this is a a small one but important because you know in these things we kind of some people have to very explicitly told what they can and cannot do. Can we explicitly say no fireworks? Like meaning fireworks is a complete you lose your status like you're out. I just think it's that's a big problem. Is it already there? It's a state law. So it's already but maybe we can. Yes, I know. So maybe people are coming from out of California. So, can we add it to as a requirement in the neighbor in the pol the the the neighborhood uh the good neighbor policy?

I was going to say we can add it to the good neighbor policy. Yeah. All right. Those are my three for now. I started to say I don't have any other names. Council member Rhodess.

Yeah. [laughter] Um uh so just picking up on the on the good neighbor policy. Um, is there um a way of rec and I don't I just remember seeing this on when I've done a short-term rental that the good neighbor policy was part of the online agreement that I was saying I was reading it saying these are the policies of do we know if that's a standard for the facilitators to uh if we said you have to include this language uh at the facilitator ator level. So they're signing and agreeing when they make the rental agreement. Um or is that voluntary?

Um so as as someone who's used a lot of Airbnbs, I have certainly agreed to certain things like that. So I believe it's up to the the STR operator versus the facilitator to say these are the rules of the house and by renting this STR you're agreeing to it. So that's that's really that would be our requirement in our in our ordinance and that would be what the STR would need to put on their listing saying that by by renting him we agree to this.

So I would like that uh included in the ordinance that the good neighbor policy is part of the rental agreement with the uh on the facilitators site to the extent possible. There might be some sites that don't upload, I don't know, documents like that, but the major ones can. Um, the last one that I had was back on the on the noise thing. We talked to another city council um that uh dealt with this issue on noise and they had decibel readers in the required as part of the um rental. And it was my understanding that that decibel reader was tied to the city and so if it got to a certain noise level it pinged. And if in their ordinance, if the ping happened in conjunction with a neighbor complaint, then it became an actionable item. And the decibel thing that we're we have in our ordinance, I don't know where it goes and I don't know how it's actionable, especially if it doesn't record. So, we're just relying on the good word of the property owner of no, no, I didn't have any noise issues. So, yeah, that that is a good neighbor policy as far as the operator kind of wants to know if they're potentially hitting above the noise ordinance so we get that complaint so they could tell the person to shut it down. Um, we're still exploring if this decimal reader could somehow be physically linked to the city to a city system that that could be a phase two perhaps if it's not established yet if it really gets to that or um I know one ordinance I saw it

said must the owner must provide a report from the online app that says how many seed seed and noise violations upon request. That's one way to do it. Um, we do have to look at, you know, how reliable or enforceable that meter is because it may not be cali calibrated correctly or installed in an improper location. So, I don't know, not sure how that could be enforced. It's more of a con good neighbor thing, I guess, in summary. So, so we can certainly explore future options because that was a new thing that we ca became aware of. I think it's good for exploration. It's also a problem uh solving a problem that we don't currently have and so maybe waiting and getting that right might be the

mayor pro Tim Litster.

Thank Thank you. Just a couple more and then I think that's it for me. Um on page 19 it re it basically says that limits um two people per bedroom. Um and I understand the reason for that but a couple traveling with a baby or um I just take for them to be breaking the law because the baby's in the room with them. I I think the standard in tour uh in hotels is not to I mean obviously regular rooms sometimes have two beds in them and they you know anyway I guess my question is Darren do you want do you want to discuss having worked in the travel industry would you like to address that question?

Sure. um happened to have worked in a lot of industries. Um [laughter] it's it's usually two adults and a child up to 12 um that is in a room uh as a standard in a hotel. If you have two children over 12, then you generally required to take two rooms unless the triple room option is available. Um again, what we've heard is best practices are two two persons in a room, but we can change that to two adults and a child up to 12. Um and again we have a provision here where if it is an unusually large room or anything like that as part of the application you can ask for more occupancy like a hotel. Yeah. Like a hotel with two queen beds.

Yeah. And you have a big room with some bunk beds in there. You can, you know, and and a king-siz bed. You can have two adults and maybe three kids. I guess I would like some something written that allows for a family with kids to be in the same room or something. So, however, that's best to be modified a little bit, tweaked. Well, I know the hotels around Disneyland have childsized bunks in them, so you can have two kids and two parents. So, yeah. Um, next, Council Member Judge.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. I was really impressed with the ordinance as I read it in the draft. I liked it a lot. I'm not opposed to any of the conversation going on tonight. I think that it should all be added. I would suggest you look at Yucka Valley's ordinance on STRs because they were the ones that told us about the sound monitoring devices. So that would that would be all I request. Otherwise, great job. Thank you, Council Member Ayala. I I don't know if we have to explic explicitly point out that um if we want it to go to neighborhood council or planning commission or if it's just going to happen. So I just it's just going to go. Okay. I just want to include it as part of the motion.

Just as part of part of the motion great and then the I'll end with it looks like we have to decide right if we want to um put a maximum number of permits. Is that something we need to decide tonight? That'll be good to discuss. Page 16 does have a blank line there. I I say we take that whole line out until it becomes an issue. I don't what if we had how many do we think we have approximately now?

Uh when we spoke to a consultant in August they said uh we have about a 100 and what they said was usually in the experience when you implement a permitting system around 30% fall out. So we may potentially we calculated [clears throat] on 70 STRs right? So if if we did do a cap, could we couldn't we do it to like 150 or something? That's almost double. [snorts] I would be agreeable with that. You could also say if it if it we reach reach that maximum, it would need to come back to the council to exceed if if it does. I don't think we'll hit there.

I'm in the what's the problem we're trying to solve category. um and and 70 is not burdensome. 140 is probably not burdensome depending on spacing. So let's let's deal with the problems as they arise in terms of density um in a in a certain block radius or something or number of condos in a building. But a arbitrary number of cap when we don't know what the situation is. I don't

Yeah, I like I I like where you're going with that in terms of the density thing and we can neighbors can we can add that in or put a restriction in if it becomes an issue because we will know where they're at based upon when they're turning in the application and that would prevent a concentration that we could then control from a certain neighborhood. Well, it's also going to the neighborhood council, so we can pretty much ask them what their thoughts are, especially in this area. I think that might be even better. I

I did have a a question for council since we're talking about neighborhood council and I know staff had um wanted the direction, so I didn't want the night to go without sort of addressing it. When it actually goes there, I know that um there's going to be a draft ordinance. Is staff also going to be requesting consideration of the opposite like what the neighborhood's feelings are on SDVRs overall? Because I think that staff needs to know that too. So that you know it's both of the considerations.

That would be my understanding. Yes, we want to know we want to know whether the neighborhood councils are in favor against questions, concerns that they have. I think that's what you normally do when you present to the neighborhood councils, right? and then they bring it back to us with eyes's and nays.

Yeah. But I think it the city attorney's view is explicitly giving them options of saying are you not just what do you think of the ordinance but are do you think that the council should ban STRs or should it approve an ordinance with as they're doing it similar to what the motion was in our previous meeting. Is that what you're saying? So that the they can actually make a choice. Yes, that's what I assumed that we would be doing. Yes. Yeah. Go ahead.

Oh, no. That's that's perfect because I I don't I don't think that staff was clear as to whether we were just going to they were going to be taking an ordinance to them or whether it was going to be that you [clears throat] were going to get be getting feedback overall. Got it. Thank you. And could does that assume then that that's the same options for the planning commission? It it could be. Yes, the the planning commission is a little bit different though because what planning commission is considering is the zoning portion of it. That's the reason why it has to go to planning commission.

Just to be clear, um for the neighborhood council consideration, the city council wants to ensure that the neighborhood councils are providing feedback if STRs are supported or not supported. Um and if supported, then they're providing feedback on a potential ordinance. Is that correct? That would be my thoughts. Yes. Okay, Council Member Litster, Mayor Prom Litster, that's [laughter] keep forgetting.

It'll be easier when I sit somewhere else. It's fine. It's totally fine. Um, actually, I think this discussion is good. And I and I actually you just asked the last question I was going to um I just thought I would um share anecdotally. I thought it was interesting when I served at Little House on the Prairie this weekend. The gentleman I spoke with was sharing where he was staying and he talked about how he was at a at a short-term rental here in Semi Valley and how he was loving it and and and sto and so we were pressing him with questions because we knew this was coming before the dis and so and and someone from the chamber was there and she and I together were asking questions. Why do you choose an SDR? Did you consider did you consider a hotel? Why not? And and basically in his instance, he said, "You know, I travel with my wife. We like to have a kitchen. We like to stay for a few days and just make it feel like home." And then he was raving about this place he had found in Seami Valley that was off of Church Street. But it was just very interesting as he um and I think he was traveling here from Canada, but he was here for several days to attend this little little house on the prairie event. And and it was just very interesting. And I thought that that that he was he he was the one who volunteered before we and once he volunteered I thought okay I've got to ask some more questions but so I anyway I this is I think a very productive discussion. I think it's important if we go forward that we do have some regulations so that it is does not infringe upon the our neighborhoods and and the enjoyment thereof of everyone's property. So anyway I just wanted to throw that into this conversation. Any other comments, questions?

I'm still amazed that people would come to see me valley for the little house in the prairie thing, but I think that maybe is a different I had ladies from Wisconsin here. Absolutely. They came from Minnesota. They came from all over the country. I don't know how many semi valley residents attended, but there were some Yeah, they there are better yet. Well, the one the one lady said, "Well, it's 8 degrees where I live, so I'm happy to be here." But and and better yet, it was a three-day event. They came from Wisconsin for one day just to go through the event for not even a three-day pass. One day, and they were going home. That's how much they enjoyed it. So, you and me both.

All right. Do I have a motion? we do a motion with all of the stuff that we just

So, I would recommend that sta uh that the city council make a motion to um direct staff to incorporate um the amendments into the draft ordinance, go to the neighborhood councils and planning commission for feedback and return to the city council with um that information and additional direction. So moved. Do I have a second? Second.

Thank you. Call for the vote. The motion passes unanimously. Madame Mayor and members of the city council, next on the agenda is item 9B, adopt a resolution amending the compensation and other terms and conditions of the city manager's employment agreement. The reading of the resolution is as follows. Resolution number 2025-41, a resolution of city council of the city of Suni Valley amending the compensation and other terms and conditions of employment for the position of city manager and deputy human resources director Jennifer Gutierrez is here to present this item. Good evening, Mayor Kavanaaugh and members of the city council. On December 1st, 2025, the city council during close session discussed providing city manager Samantha Argabbrite a merit a merit salary increase based on the satisfactory annual performance evaluation she received on August 18, 2025. Therefore, it is recommended that the city council adopt a resolution to amend the compensation and other terms and conditions of the city manager's employment agreement to reflect the requested changes. And I am available for questions. Any questions from for staff? Any comments from the dis? You have a motion.

I'd be happy to make a motion, Madam Mayor. Um, I move to adopt resolution 2025-41 to amend the compensation and other terms and conditions of the city manager's employment agreement in accordance with government code section 54953 C3. And with the city manager's employment agreement, the city manager will receive a 5% merit salary increase retroactively effective to the city manager performance review date of July 1, 2025, which uh results in an annual base salary of $285,6002. All other prior benefit levels remain the same.

Do I have a second? I will second. Thank you. Call for the vote. The motion passes unanimously. Thank you,

madame mayor and members of the city council. Next on the agenda is item 9C, consideration of proposed revisions to the terms and conditions to the res resolution for confidential designated employees. Assistant city manager Lee Gbeay and senior human resources analyst Shannon Nash are presenting this item. Good evening, mayor and city council. Tonight, for your consideration are proposed revisions to the terms and conditions of the confidentially designated employees resolution. Lucy, perfect. Thank you. In 2021, the council determined that it would separate out positions that are uh directly involved with the city's negotiating team to remove any per uh any perception of selfdealing. Uh those seven positions included the city manager, assistant city manager, city attorney, administrative services director, uh deputy human services director, senior assistant city attorney, and the senior human resources analyst. Uh although currently our city attorney is a contracted out position, uh staff would recommend that we include them as a confidentially designated employee along with the senior assistant city attorney which is currently vacant as well just to keep everything consistent in case those positions ever change in the future. Uh the ter the terms proposed for the confidential designated positions are identical to what the city council approved in um on December 1st for the unrepresented management group. Uh the term would be for a period of two years starting January 1st, 2025 going through uh June 30th, 2027. The semiflex benefit, which is the city's cafeteria plan, uh for both plan years 26 and 27, uh would be 2406 for the management uh and 260 20 $2,600 for the executive

management group. And the opt out uh for those that don't participate and receive those benefits would remain the same. Year one would include a onetime payment of $1,000 effective the first uh pay period after final approval. There would also be a 3% of salary adjustment that would be applied to all employees in this category. In year two, u there would also be a 3% salary range increase. Uh and in addition to eliminating the bottom 5% of all salary ranges uh would be eliminated. The total two-year cost uh for these uh proposed changes would be $143,979. Approximately 26% of the year 1 costs would be covered through personnel savings uh realized from current vacancies. And then as part of the year two that discussion would be or the cost would be incorporated uh as part of the 2026 2027 budget. uh staff has identified funding uh available in the unrestricted fund balance uh to cover the remaining amount and prior to final approval from the council uh there would be a supplemental budget request included as well. So staff recommends that uh council uh consider the proposed revisions to the terms and conditions of the confidential designated employees resolution and then bring this matter back to the January 1st uh 20 or January 12th, 2025 city council meeting for final adoption uh to allow public to provide any input on the matter. Staff is available to answer uh any questions. Thank you.

Council member Judge, there's no questions. I'll make a motion. Just a really quick amendment. Um, it would be the January 12th, 2026 agenda that it would come back to. That's what it says. All right. It says 2026 in the report. Did it say 2025 up there? Oh, we didn't I didn't even catch it. [laughter]

We're good. All right. I move to I was going to say move staff's recommendation. I move to consider the proposed re uh revisions to the terms and conditions to the confidential designated employees resolution and place this matter on January 12th, 2026's council meeting for final determination and proposed resolution. Second. Second. Call for the vote.

The motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Madame Mayor and members of the city council, next on the agenda is is item 10A, city council member reports. Thank you very much. I had to write down to make sure I did it in the right order now. Okay. Council member Ayala.

Thank you. Wednesday, December 3rd, I attended the employee holiday lunch. Thank you for staff for putting that on. I just want to say, I know the line was long, but I think it was a good thing because it allowed people to not just go get their food and go back. I think it actually let people to have some time off even in waiting in line, which I think was okay. Thursday, de December 4th, I attended the regional defense partnership meeting. We learned that following the shutdown, all the operations on our bases have returned to to normal. All staffing levels have been returned to where they needed to be. Also, on December 4th, I attended the teacher of the month and presented the certificate from the city to Mrs. Humphrey's, kindergarten teacher at Vista. Also on December 4th, I attended the monthly meeting for the Hispanic Business Alliance. December 5th, community breakfast YMCA. Lots of couple of great inspirational speakers there. It was a very nice time. December 5th as well, the 13th annual of International Friendship Center Christmas Celebration. And um Mayor Kavanaaugh, I did deliver the holiday message you had sent. They were very grateful for you to to send that over. December 8th, the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance is putting together an energy action plan for the county. So, as part of my U committee assignment, [clears throat] I was working with them to talk about what we are doing here in the city. Everything from the cooling centers we have designated to the project we have with putting shelters over the bus stops to even things like our transit on demand where people can get to the cooling centers and that is all going to

be part of a sorry [clears throat] my good a larger uh Ventura County plan that they're putting together. December 9th I attended the city of Thousand Oaks city council reorganization. Uh, council member Rhodess and I presented a certificate to outgoing Mayor David Newman. December 10th, I visited the Kaiagus Municipal Water District along with Mayor [clears throat] Prom Litster. Um, not only did we have a tour, but we were also able to talk with them about the Delta Conveyance Project and the desalination projects. Both two important things that our um, the city is looking into and supporting. December 10th as well, Mayor Prom Judge and I met with the engineering association regarding their contract. And December 12th, I had a status meeting with city manager Argite. And that concludes my report.

Thank you, Council Member Rhodess.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, on Wednesday, December 3rd, I also attended the um lunch truck at city hall, which is great. and I got to share our experience with Councilwoman Crosswite from uh Santa Paula and uh she got to sit and meet some of our employees and then we commuted downtown to the uh Skagg uh executive administration committee and uh we had a meeting about what we were going to have a meeting about on Thursday. And on Thursday there were um two meetings. A joint policy or joint committee meeting of SKAG which all the different committees were together getting a presentation on the economy. Um and then we had um uh also our uh regional council meeting um setting forth agenda items for the next year. That afternoon I had the Clean Power Alliance board meeting. Um then traveled to DC. Um Monday, December 8th, I attended a webinar on SB77, which is changes to the California's open meeting law. Um on uh also that day I met um with uh Steelwave, our um new owners of the mall and we had some some discussions about possibilities of what they're looking at up there. On Tuesday, December 9th, I attended with Councilman Ayala the City of Thousand Oaks reorganization meeting. And um I think it was great having Seami Valley represented there. It showed the the unity that we are going to need when we uh ever have to battle Sacramento.

It'd be nice to have all of our cities um uh showing support for one another. on Thursday, December 11th. Um, I was very excited about this event. It was a ribbon cutting at the equestrian uh facility over off of Sequoia. Um, it's a facility that I brought my kids to prior to living in Seami Valley and um uh and one of the reasons we moved out here is because of uh horse facilities, equestrian facilities like that one. So, thank you to the parks department for prioritizing that and thank you to um the paint club that um uh paint horse club that um is uh being contracted to run and administer it. It's a great relationship between um a nonprofit and a a city entity, well, a park entity. Um and I think I can't wait to see how that thing is going to flourish. On Friday, December 12th, I attended the chamber breakfast. And today, there was something I can't even remember this morning. Hang on. Um Oh, that's what it was. Uh today, um Councilman Judge and I as well as city manager Argite and assistant city manager um Louise, we went to the Samaritan Center as the homeless ad hoc committee and um listened to a presentation on where they might see the uh the future of interim and per and permanent supportive housing. And so we we advanced the conversation today a little bit and that is the end of my report. Thank you, Council Member Judge.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. On uh Wednesday, December 3rd, I attended the SKAG EAC meeting downtown Los Angeles. On Thursday, December 4th, I attended the SCAG joint policy committee meeting also in downtown Los Angeles along with the regional council committee meeting. On Friday, December 5th, I attended the Boys and Girls Club breakfast at the Grand Vista Hotel. And I toured the facility. I went to Santa Clarita and toured the Valencia Five Points development. It was a very interesting development to tour. On uh Saturday on Monday, December 8th, I too attended with council member Rhodess a meeting with the owners of our new the new owners of our town center and discussed their plans at there. And then at 1:00, I headed over and got on the council of a council on aging meeting. On Tuesday, December 9th, I attended the AWA 31st annual corporate night holiday party in Camaro. It was very nice. On December 10th, uh myself and council Raala had a meeting with the engineers association. And then I attended the Adventist Semi Valley Health expansion and remodel of their urology clinic that evening. On Friday, December 12th, I want to say my son, happy birthday, Nicholas. And I attended the chamber breakfast that day. And on December 14th, I spent all day here at city hall for the annual police foundation touch a truck event. And it was an awesome event. One of the largest crowds we've had in a long time. That's the end of my report, but I do want to say as I'm shutting down, happy holidays to everybody here in Semi Valley. Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah. If you've driven around town and saw the lights, great. You've noticed that we have a lot more lights festival atmosphere going on in our town this year than the last couple of years. So, I suggest that if you have the time and the inclination to get out and drive around, look at all the lights. If you go on your Ring camera app, you will see uh designated houses in the area that are that are worth looking at. Everybody have a great Christmas and a

happy new year. Thank you, Mayor Per Litster.

Thank you. And I love that suggestion. I happened upon a house where I could turn on with my granddaughter where we could turn on the radio and watch the lights blink to the music. There's some of that going on as well. Very lots of celebration. I want to first of all thank you for your confidence in letting me be your mayor prom. Um I hope it's not just that I'm qualified. It's not just because I'm not the only one up for election. I'm just going on the record hoping that that's okay, too. Um so on December the 3, um yes, I I too enjoyed the employee holiday lunch. I don't think I I can't remember the last time I had a a double double. That was really yummy. That was great. Uh and great to visit with employees. uh Thursday, December the 4th, attended SKAG's joint policy committee meeting remotely. I will say that my takeaway, it was all about economics and what was happening in the various counties. Um and there's some but the the real takeaway is that they're hoping that the Olympics will be a shot in the arm. And so that was probably the central focus. I also um was attending the teacher of the month event where we honored Christina Humphre for her wonderful service at Vista Elementary. Congratulations to her. On Friday, December 5th, I attended the Boys and Girls Breakfast um and appreciate what they do in our community. Saturday, December 6th. Um, actually I attended semi community Christmas which is a great non-denominational event that was held that brought schools and performing groups from all over the area together and it was just a great celebration. On December 7th, I also attended the Strathers Christmas uh event that they have at the Strather Historical Park and um maybe played the harp a bit in their barn, but it that too was a great gathering in our community. Monday, December 8th, um I had the opportunity to meet with Greg Hall, who was uh CEO

of Steelwave and Glenn Baser where we discussed uh their desires to moving forward with the development there. Um, Tuesday, December 9th, attended the AWA's 31st annual corporate night holiday party, but it was good to connect with all of the water purveyors and it was a good event. Um, Wednesday, December 10th, I appreciated the tour that um, Council Member Ayel and I took of the Kaiagus Metropolitan Water District Headquarters. Um it's actually the first time that I have been inside the the um secure portion that I got to look and walk around Bard Lake and what a beautiful facility that is. I could see where that would just be a fun place if they allowed people. Anyway, they do do tours and I would encourage people if they want to see Bard Lake at three miles in circumference, 100 feet deep. It was just very interesting to to see that beautiful lake up close and to understand their needs. Um we also saw some of their um water cleaning process that doesn't normally happen. It was that was really lovely. Um and yes we talked about them um the delta conveyance project but specifically they shared with us that um that they are planning right now a regional dalter study. In the past these dissol desalination efforts have been city maybe semi valley maybe more park but there's a recognition that it needs to be a regional effort and so they of course want semi valley to be part of that and and there hopefully will come with some good information for us as we work on our water independence. Uh December the 11th also attended that equestrian center center ribbon cutting with council member roads. I confess I had never been there. Didn't know existed. What a In fact, I first drove the wrong direction assuming it was up First Street, but it was what a beautiful jewel we have in our community. And and that I couldn't wait

to tell family about this beautiful place that I didn't know existed that I will hopefully spend more time there. Um Friday, December 12th, as I mentioned previously, he'd volunteered at the Strathn's Little House on the Prairie event that went on for three days. It really was fun to see people from all over the nation come because they love Little House on the Prairie. Um, and even the people I was working with, they could spell the names of Anyway, just of everybody. I just was clear that people love it. In fact, I just have to share there was one woman I met who was there. This was her present to herself. She's a mother of five children plus two foster babies. And somehow she got them all taken care of so she could have a day at the Strath in her little house on the prairie. I it was just delightful. Uh Saturday, December 13th, I conducted harp extravaganza. I just have to mention it. We had 27 harps all in one location in Burbank um at the Huntington Hospital. And this isn't a time of celebration. I know that Hanukkah, we're in the middle of that started um I think last night was the first night of Hanukkah, but happy Hanukkah those and merry Christmas. Um merrywanza, whatever you celebrate. May this be a joyous time with family, friends, and loved ones. So, that concludes my report. Thank you.

Thank you. On um December 3rd, I also attended the employee holiday lunch. The In-N-Out truck was great. And yes, the line was long, but it moved fairly quickly and it gave us a good opportunity to socialize and get to meet and greet with other people. Um that same evening um at 5:30 I stopped by the Misfits Studio which is a Pilates uh new business in Wood Ranch. We a lot of us were scheduled to be there for their grand opening, but there was a change in our schedule, so we weren't able to make it. So the chamber called and said, "Hey, she's having a holiday party. Can you stop by?" And so I did. And what a great group of people. Um, Brenda Blair is the owner and I am now the mayor and the misfits. That's our new title. So, but um, great group of people. Um, I'm planning on attending some of their their sessions. So, that's good. One of our PD's officers wife is also a teacher there. Um, but great group of people. Friday, December 5th, I attended the Boys and Girls Club community breakfast. That's always a great event to see what our Boys and Girls Club is doing. um and for the ability to be able to donate to them for your year-end tax deductions. But it was a great great event. Had um I sat at a table with Jalab and uh they had us all spaced out so everyone got to meet and greet new people. So that was a great event. On December 10th, this isn't a city thing, but we attend I have some high school girlfriends. You know, we're all still alive, but we occasionally get together and we went to 10 of us went to dinner at El Capitan. So supporting our local businesses. So, that was a lot of fun. Um, on December 11th was my daughter's birthday and I'm going to say happy birthday and it was her 40th, so I'm only 35. Don't know how that happens, but so happy birthday to Anna and to Nicholas. Um, Friday, December

12th, I also had a meeting with Steel Wave, a lunch meeting to go over where they're at and what any answer any questions I might have had. Saturday, December 13th, I also worked the Little House on the Prairie. Um, council member Ayella and I got to do the opening at the tables and boy, we got it down pat. We were scanning and tagging and tipping and got to go. And then Isabella was a great help, too. So, it was it was a fun event. Like mentioned before, these people come from all over the world. And it's it's amazing. It's amazing. And Ma walked right by me, you know, and Dean Butler came up and talked to us for a minute. So, if you're really into it, I loved it, but I'm not that into it. But a lot of people are. People came dressed in colonial outfits that they made. It was very interesting, but it's fun to see people that excited about something in, you know, their own their own choices. Um, yesterday I also was able to visit the police foundation, touch a truck, took my two grandsons, had a great time. It was a great event. Thanks to the police foundation for that. Was able to bring some toys to donate. Uh, one of them was a a ukulele which my daughter said, "Donate it. Do not give it to the boys for Christmas." So, I said, "Okay." Um, I just as a last minute too, the Seami Town Center store association was also here this evening along with the manager and they just wanted to make they weren't able to stay to speak, but they wanted to wish everyone a happy holidays. So, keep them in mind when you do your shopping. Shop local. And then tomorrow night, if you have the ability, is a community manura lighting and sing along up at the mall. So I'm I'm scheduled to be there. I won't be singing, I promise. Um but I will be humming along with everybody. But that's always a good a fun event. In closing tonight, um I did want to uh say happy holidays. I'm sorry.

Future items.

Oh, future agenda items. I'm moving ahead of me myself. Sorry. Are there any future agenda items for tonight? No, thank you. See, I put my list away already, so I forgot about it. Um, in closing tonight, first off, I want to say our thoughts and prayers are with the Bondi Beach victims and their families. Such a sad event to have happened over this weekend, this past weekend, as well as the Brown University shooting. Um, was not a a good weekend for for for things like that. So, our thoughts and prayers are with all all the victims, the families, and anyone affected by that. We're also going to be adjourning in memory of Phyllis Ray Benton. She's one of our senior center volunteers. So, happy Hanukkah, merry Christmas, happy Quanza, and happy holidays to everyone. Thank you.