Countless committees offer chances for citizens to chime in
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

For Simi residents wanting to be more active in the community, now is the best time to start looking at the different ways citizens can get involved in local government.

The city of Simi Valley has more than 20 different advisory boards, commissions and committees that help the City Council make major decisions concerning issues spanning new developments, monitoring gangs and identifying the needs of the local youth or senior population.

Mayor Paul Miller said the committees give people the opportunity to give input to their elected officials, who make decisions based on what they think their community needs the most.

"I think it's very important for people to get involved," Miller said. "It's one of the nice things about this city- the fact that a lot of people volunteer their time to get involved. It makes this city a special place."

Many of the terms on the city's most active committees, such as the neighborhood councils, the Community Gang Task Force, the Council on Aging and the Simi Valley Youth Council, have recently expired or are set to expire later this year. City officials continuously encourage citizens to submit applications as vacancies arise.

Miller said the commitment required for any given committee is different, depending on the task and how often the group meets.

"Each one is charged with a different task, and they review issues regarding their specific subject matter," the mayor said. "The most active ones depend on how much energy and ambition the committee has in wanting to tackle different issues."

Anne Morrow, city clerk, said vacancy notices are posted for at least 20 days at city hall and at the community library whenever applications are being accepted. Some of the committees may also start recruitment efforts for positions that are close to expiration.

Citizens who already have an idea of what committee they'd like to serve on should contact the city and ask to be connected to the committee's designated staff representative.

Some of the committees likely to begin recruiting in the next few months include:

•The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Advisory Committee, which has the responsibility of ensuring public input to the city in regard to paratransit services for the disabled. Members of this committee must be Simi Valley residents, and preference is given to members of the disabled community or non-disabled people working with the disabled. For more information, contact Chuck Perkins of the Department of Community Services at (805) 583-6483.

•The Community Gang Task Force, which is responsible for reviewing the status of street gangs and recommending strategies for addressing gang problems and at-risk youth. For more information, contact Mike King of the Simi Valley Police Department at (805) 583-6252.

•The Council on Aging executive board, whose mission is to identify the needs of senior citizens and to promote programs that provide seniors with maximum independence, safety and quality of life. For more information, contact Mark Oyler of the Department of Community Services at (805) 583-6758.

•The Neighborhood Council executive boards, which each represent one portion of the city and advise the City Council on community concerns that affect their areas. Issues discussed include planning and development projects, public safety, traffic issues, community services and disaster preparedness. For more information, contact Sommer Barwick of the Department of Community Services at (805) 583-6874.

•The Simi Valley Arts Commission, which reviews and approves operating procedures for management and promotion of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. For more information, contact Mark Oyler at (805) 583-6758.

•The Simi Valley Youth Council, which is an advisory body to the City Council that is responsible for communicating the needs, ideas and desires of the community's young people. Members on this committee must be residents of Simi Valley between the ages of 13 and 19. For more information, contact Samantha Argabrite of the Department of Community Services at (805) 583-6766.

A full listing of Simi Valley's boards, commissions and committees is available at City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road, or by calling (805) 583-6700.