COUNCILS ACTIVE IN CIVIC LIFE; NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE VOICE IN GOVERNMENT.

Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer

Participation is what Simi Valley founders had in mind when Neighborhood Councils were incorporated into the City Charter in 1970.

Nearly 30 years later, the grass-roots groups continue to provide a vital link between residents and City Hall, according to Mike Spencer, coordinator of the city's four Neighborhood Councils.

``It's unique. No other city (in Ventura County) has the councils. It showed a lot of foresight on the city founders' part,'' he said.

Spencer, 39, was named coordinator in October after about nine years in the city's Community Services Department. His main role is to help organize and publicize the council meetings and other public events, and record actions taken.

He is also the liaison between the 13 volunteers who serve on each of the four councils and the city staff, who provide technical support.

``It's rewarding to be involved with citizens who have an active interest in becoming a participant in civic government. And to be able to listen and respond to the voice of the citizens,'' he said.

One of the challenges of working with volunteer boards whose rosters change regularly is providing education so that monthly meetings run effectively.

On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the community room at City Hall, a special presentation on parliamentary procedure and the state's Brown Act will be offered by Camarillo resident and professional parliamentarian Jerry Olsen. The public is welcome.

Olsen, a retired Moorpark College teacher, said he enjoys working with Neighborhood Councils because they're an example of the purest - and simplest - form of governance.

``This goes back to the town hall meeting concept, where everybody has a chance to have their say. That's the way democracy should be,'' he said.

Spencer said that while learning proper procedures may seem ``dry on the outside,'' he has witnessed how simple rules can help a contentious meeting run smoothly.

``One of the rewarding things is you can see people learn how to accept the views of others,'' he said.

That is particularly important when the Neighborhood Councils consider development issues, which can spark heated debates.

City Councilwoman Barbara Williamson said that when she was a member of the Planning Commission, she often would review the opinions of Neighborhood Council members before voting.

``They're the voices that come back to us to let us know how the residents feel about issues,'' she said. ``It's a tool or vehicle to get to the city and express how you feel about the issues in your neighborhood.''

For some, the councils are the beginning of a career in city politics. Williamson was chairwoman of Neighborhood Council No. 2 in the early 1970s.

``Once they get involved and see how it brings them into city government, it can get in their blood,'' she said. ``It opens the door.''

William Harris, newly elected chairman of Neighborhood Council No. 4, said his 18 months on the council have been ``personally rewarding.''

``It can get pretty exciting, especially when you have a volatile issue at hand,'' he said. ``I think our opinions are taken very seriously. It gives (city officials) a chance to see things in a microcosm that typically wouldn't come out at a City Council or planning meeting.''

He also believes quality of life in Simi Valley would be harmed if the councils didn't exist.

``All you have to do is go 20 miles east and see what happens when you don't have the councils,'' he said. ``Landfills and car wrecking lots near residential communities.''