Board approves waiver of development fees for YMCA renovation; one trustee abstains

Trustees voted to approve a waiver of development fees for the Simi Valley Family YMCA renovation project after the board moved the item from consent to action.

Chris Turner, executive director of the Simi Valley Family YMCA, spoke during public comment to thank the board for the district’s partnership and said the fee waiver will support expanded after‑school programming and a water‑safety program that has reached third graders across the district. Trustees discussed the item briefly before taking a roll call vote.

The board’s recorded vote on the waiver was: four trustees in favor, one abstention. Trustee Pietrangelo announced an abstention, citing a conflict of interest because he currently teaches a class at the YMCA.

Board materials show the waiver was moved to action to allow full trustee consideration. District staff and the YMCA described the project as a capital expansion intended to increase community access to after‑school and recreational services; no dollar total for the waived fees was included in the discussion at the meeting.

The board’s action allows the YMCA renovation to proceed with the fee relief authorized by the district; the YMCA and district agreed to continue their partnership on youth programming.

The record of the vote and the abstention were read into the minutes during the meeting’s roll call.