Simi Valley Seeks 2 for Advisory Panel

The Simi Valley City Council is looking for two residents to serve on a citizens committee that advises the Ventura County Transportation Commission.

Among other things, the advisory committee recommends how funds should be allocated for bicycle, highway, rail, bus and other transportation projects countywide.

The council, which is scheduled to choose a committee member and an alternate member at its Feb. 1 meeting, will accept applications only until Jan. 22. City officials said applicants must be residents of Simi Valley and should have knowledge of or interest in transportation planning.

The citizens advisory committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month--except July and August, when there are no meetings--at 1:30 p.m. in the Ventura County Government Center. The 41-member committee comprises two committee members and one alternate member from each city, five representatives from the unincorporated areas, and six representatives from either social service agencies or groups representing the physically or mentally challenged.

The advisory committee positions, which historically have not drawn large numbers of applicants in Simi Valley, are important because the advisory committee’s recommendations on transportation projects “carry some real weight” with the county transportation commission, said Mike Sedell, Simi Valley’s assistant city manager.