Council briefs

* Editor's Note: 'Council briefs' is a new section of the Acorn that will detail newsworthy happenings at City Council meetings that don't otherwise end up in the paper.

February 12, 2007

+ More than 20 supporters were on hand to congratulate crossing guard Ray Orsini who received a plaque from the city for his 20 years of public service. Said Mayor Paul Miller, "I've been up here now for several years and we've never ever honored anyone for 20 years as a crossing guard." Orsini and his wife, Eleanor, have lived in Simi for 21 years and have seven children and 20 grandchildren. Orsini has spent nearly all of his tenure as a crossing guard at the busy intersection of Cochran Street and Justin Avenue.

+ The council introduced a new amendment to the municipal code aimed at regulating those who solicit drivers for handouts in the public right-of-way. The council vote on this matter at its next meeting, set for March 5.

+ After a public hearing without comment, the council agreed to extend its moratorium on selfstorage applications 10 months and 15 days. City staff told council it would return in 120 days with recommendations on potential changes to the municipal code that would address permitting the facilities. Councilmember Glen Becerra reminded the audience that Simi has more than a third the recommended amount of storage space for a city its size, according to the 2006 Self-Storage Almanac.

+ A public hearing was held to consider 14 changes to the municipal code dealing with housing standards and permit requirements. Highlights include a new rule requiring that all new batting cages be less than 10 feet tall and an increase in the amount of parking spaces the city will require for a residential-care facility. Changes dealing with private residences only affected those on lots less than 20,000 square feet.

+ Members of engine companies 41 and 46 were on hand as the council proclaimed the week of Feb. 12 "Muscular Dystrophy Association Firefighter Appreciation" Week. It was explained that firefighters in the U.S. raised $26 million last year for the fight against neuromuscular disease.

+ The players, coaches and parents of the Vikings Bantam Green football team were recognized by the council for winning this year's Gold Coast Football League Super Bowl in their division. This season, the group of kids ages 8 to 10 outscored their opponents 316-54.