Monthly News and Updates From the City of Simi Valley |
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Welcome to the August 2021 edition of City Focus, Simi Valley’s monthly e-newsletter designed to keep residents informed about the programs, events, and services offered by the City.
Not yet a subscriber? Sign up on our E-Notify system to receive the latest City of Simi Valley news directly to your email. You can also sign up to receive agendas for public meetings, including City Council and Planning Commission meetings, as soon as they are released.
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How to Prepare for Public Safety Power Shutoffs |
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Prepare In Advance For Public Safety Power Shutoff Events |
As we approach the windy season in Simi Valley, the likelihood of Southern California Edison (SCE) initiating a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event increases. PSPS events are when SCE shuts off electrical circuits in areas of Simi Valley due to windy and dry conditions to prevent wildfire.
The City of Simi Valley has set up a dedicated PSPS webpage to help residents prepare in advance for PSPS events. This webpage includes practical tips and links to resources, including reimbursements for select generators and backup batteries for medical equipment.
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July 26, 2021 City Council Meeting Recap |
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In case you missed the July 26, 2021, Simi Valley City Council meeting, here is a brief recap of two of the agenda items. This meeting marked the first time the City Council Chamber was open to the public since the closure of City Hall due to COVID-19 in March of 2020. You can watch the entire meeting using the video link above or on the City’s website, where you can also find the full meeting agenda and staff reports.
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Hotel Project at Cochran and Sycamore Moves Forward With City Council Approval |
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At the July 26 meeting, the City Council approved modifications to a previously approved four-story mission-style hotel project to be built at a vacant 1.64-acre site on Cochran Street, just west of Sycamore Drive. The hotel will have 98 guest rooms, a 400-square-foot meeting room, a business center, a breakfast area, and a fitness room. The property will also feature 79 parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, and a porte cochère (carriage porch) to accommodate rideshare vehicles waiting for passengers.
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City Council Approves Five-Year Strategic Plan For the
Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
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Also at the July 26 meeting, the City Council approved a Five-Year Strategic Plan for the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. The Strategic Plan will guide the operations of the Cultural Arts Center through 2025 and focuses on six strategic priorities: Quality of Life; Sustainability; Programming; Marketing, Outreach and Community Partnerships; Facility & Experience; and Arts Leadership and Advocacy. The goals of this plan include expanding the audience base of the Cultural Arts Center, increasing program offerings, and supporting the local arts community.
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The City Council meets on Monday evenings, typically twice or more per month, at 6:30 p.m. Meetings take place in the City Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. The public can now attend meetings in person. You can also watch the meetings on the following platforms:
Spectrum TV- Channel 10
AT&T Uverse- Channel 99
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City Council Meeting Agendas, Minutes, and Recordings:
You can view agendas, minutes, and recordings of past City Council meetings and upcoming meeting agendas as they are released here.
If you wish to receive City Council meeting agendas directly to your email, please sign up on e-notify.
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Public Statements:
Do you want to provide a public statement at a City Council meeting? Simply fill out a comment card, located at the front of City Council Chambers and the City Clerk will call your name when the agenda item is called. Public Statements are typically heard on Agenda Items 2, 4, and 5.
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County of Ventura Announces Fourth Round of Business Assistance Grants |
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Eligible Businesses Can Apply for $10,000 in Grant Funding |
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The County of Ventura has announced the opening of the application period for the fourth Business Assistance Grant Program and will accept applications beginning Thursday, August 19, at 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, September 2. During this period, eligible businesses and non-profit organizations that did not receive a grant in any of the County of Ventura’s previous COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Programs can apply for a $10,000 grant.
Application assistance in English and Spanish will be available by appointment at the Simi Valley Public Library during the application period. Library staff can answer questions and assist with uploading and scanning documents. Computers are also available at the Library at no cost. Please email citymgr@simivalley.org to schedule an appointment.
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Conserve Water and Save Money |
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Why Is My Water Bill So High?
The number one question received by most water companies between the months of July and October is "why has my water bill increased so dramatically?" The usual culprit? Using sprinklers to water a lawn or garden during the warmer, dryer months.
Traditional residential sprinkler systems can use up to 33 gallons of water per minute. Turning on your sprinklers just 20 minutes a day will use nearly 20,000 gallons of water in a month! Limiting the days and times you water your landscaping will help keep your water bill manageable until cooler weather returns.
To learn more about your household’s water usage and where you might be able to conserve water and save money, visit the Home Water Works page or click the button below to use the Home Water Works calculator.
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Reminder To Slow Down for Back-To-School! |
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The Speed Limit is 25 Miles Per Hour In School Zones When Children Are Present |
Students will be returning to school on campus this month which means there will be increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic in and around Simi Valley schools.
By adhering to the following traffic related safety tips, the number of collisions in and around school zones can be reduced:
- The speed limit is 25 MPH. Please SLOW DOWN prior to entering the school zone. This includes leaving the school zone.
- Motorists should be aware that children will be on the sidewalks and crossing streets before and after school in large numbers.
- Motorists need to be extra alert for young people riding bicycles and walking to and from our neighborhood schools.
- Parents/drivers are encouraged to allow ample time to drive their children to their schools and not to double park to let their young passengers out of their cars.
- Impeding the flow of traffic to wait to enter a school parking lot could result in a citation. Please keep traffic moving. Drive as far into the parking lots as possible.
- Drivers should avoid any activity that distracts them while driving, e.g.: adjusting the car radio/CD player, talking with passengers, talking on a cell-phone, texting, eating or drinking, etc.
- Parents are urged to talk with their children and discuss traffic safety and the traffic laws pertaining to the use of bicycles on the roadway, as well as the importance of crossing the roadway at marked intersections.
- Please ensure children wear appropriate head protection and other safety equipment while riding their bicycles and scooters to and from schools.
- Helmets are required for all bicycle riders under the age of 18. It’s the law.
- If all motorists and young people on the roadway obey all the traffic laws and practice common courtesy, most traffic accidents can be avoided.
We wish everyone a safe return to school!
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Share Your Input on the Natural Hazards Facing
Ventura County
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Help Shape the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Ventura County |
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services would like the input of Simi Valley residents in the development of a Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan provides information on the risks facing the County and develops strategies to minimize the impact of these risks.
The public is invited to learn more about the Hazard Mitigation Plan by visiting www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org. Residents are also encouraged to complete a brief survey about local community hazards.
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Simi Valley Public Library To Host Yellow Heart Memorial Remembering Those Lost to COVID-19
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Saturday, August 7, 2021
at 6:00 p.m.
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A Yellow Heart Memorial is being held in the Rose Garden at the Simi Valley Public Library. The event will feature hundreds of memorial hearts, each representing a person lost to COVID-19 as well as memorial portraits by artist Hannah Ernst, honoring children who have died due to the pandemic. Live music will be provided by local vocalist, Lynzee Fraye, and selected speakers will honor their loved ones with a few words. |
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Simi Valley Police Department will be hosting its fourth Police Community Forum via Zoom on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. |
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Learn About The SVPD's Use of Body-Worn Cameras |
The Simi Valley Police Department is hosting its quarterly Police Community Forum on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Zoom meeting will also be broadcast in Spanish. Chief David Livingstone and Commander Craig Dungan will be making a presentation on the Body Worn Camera program. At the conclusion of the presentation, community members will have the opportunity to submit questions related to the presentation to department staff.
The Simi Valley Police Department began hosting quarterly Police Community Forums in October 2020. These meetings allow the Police Department the opportunity to provide the community information on topics including recruitment, hiring, training, policies and procedures, legislative mandates, community policing and outreach programs, and Principled Policing. The ongoing forum series is aimed at listening to ideas and suggestions from community members, groups, and organizations. Register using the button below to attend!
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Simi Valley Transit to Resume Fare Collection
September 1, 2021
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Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event - September 18, 2021 |
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Do you have household hazardous waste that needs to be disposed of or recycled?
The City provides a household hazardous waste drop-off service for all residents. The service is safe and free to use, and is available by appointment for residential customers only (businesses are not eligible for this program). Residents may bring up to 15 gallons of liquid or 125 lbs. of solid material.
For information on accepted items and to make an appointment, please click on the button below or call (805) 583-6321.
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Save The Date: Wellness Expo 2021 |
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The Simi Valley Council On Aging will host the Annual Wellness Expo to be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., outdoors at the Simi Valley Senior Center.
If your organization works to support the health and wellness of seniors and you would like to exhibit at this event, please call Robert Martin at (805) 583-6364.
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Community Mental Health Virtual Forum Scheduled for Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. |
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Save the Date – Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 12:30 p.m.
Join the City of Simi Valley, Ventura County Behavioral Health, Adventist Health Simi Valley, the Free Clinic, Clinicas del Camino Real and more, to learn about mental health services available to the community. Look for a link to the forum in the upcoming September City Focus Newsletter.
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Mental Health Resources for Simi Valley Residents |
If you or someone you know needs support with their mental health, please visit the mental health resource page on the City’s website. Free and low-cost resources are available in Simi Valley and Ventura County and provide a wide range of therapy and treatment options. Not sure where to begin? Call 2-1-1 or text 898-211 with your Zip Code to get started. 211 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
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Looking to change jobs or advance in your career? Whether temporary, part-time, or full-time, the City of Simi Valley has a variety of job opportunities. Working for the City is a great way to serve your community while earning competitive pay and excellent benefits.
A list of current openings is below. Make sure to check the City’s CalOpps page for the most up-to-date postings.
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City Hall Hours and Services |
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Simi Valley City Hall remains open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch). Please note: Masks are still required inside City Hall if you are not fully vaccinated. City staff will be able to assist you with:
Waterworks District No. 8 water bills and sewer billing
Parking citation payments or Administrative Review process
Merchant permits and massage ordinance permits/registration
New and renewal dog licenses
Film or special event permits
Payments or payment arrangements for false alarm fees, wastewater discharge permit fees, damage recovery, or other general billing invoices.
More information on each of the above services is available at the Customer Services Division webpage. Here you will also find links to pay your utility bill online. Want to save a trip down to City Hall? Please call (805) 583-6736 and staff can assist you.
Planning and Building & Safety staff are also available at City Hall. It is highly recommended that you contact division staff prior to visiting City Hall.
Building and Safety: (805) 583-6723
(roofing, electrical permits)
Planning: (805) 583-6769
(accessory dwelling units [ADUs], home improvements, temporary use permits),
For the most complete information for both divisions, please visit the Environmental Services webpage.
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Address: 2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063, USA
Phone: (805) 583-6700
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