NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS CALLED PERFECT FORUMS FOR RESIDENTS.

Byline: Ann-Marie Sanchez Daily News Staff Writer

It wasn't that long ago that Carl Knoll was riding his Green Machine Big Wheel, playing in the open fields where walnut trees once stood and skidding up to his front lawn on his chrome, diamond-back dirt bike.

Open land, new tract homes and lots of friendly neighbors were just expected in the quiet community of Simi Valley that Knoll grew up in.

Now, as a 26-year-old family man and leader of his local neighborhood council, he wants to keep it that kind of community for his 7-year-old son, Christopher, and pregnant wife, Cristina.

``I'm starting to raise my family now, and for me it was important to find out how the city was run and find out how I could make it better,'' said Knoll, who has served on the council for more than a year. ``It's the perfect citizens' forum.''

Becoming a member of his neighborhood council was as simple as jaunting to City Hall and filling out the paperwork. He became the group's youngest member. He is encouraging other young residents to sign up while the city is searching for applicants for several neighborhood councils.

City officials are seeking more than a dozen applicants to fill vacancies left by members that couldn't attend meetings, retired or moved away. Each council can have a maximum of 13 board members to represent four quadrants of the city that stretches across 32 miles.

``It's more of a city now, but I got involved to keep it a bedroom community,'' Knoll said. ``I hear that from other members of the neighborhood council, too. They want to keep that special family-values, community-oriented feeling here.''

Whether on traffic, public safety or other factors in the quality of life in Simi Valley, the councils offer a neighborhood voice to government.

Knoll, a marketing representative, said the recent controversy over keeping an adult entertainment business from opening in the community was one example of how the group works for its residents.

``I didn't want it in my city, and that was the general consensus among us,'' Knoll said. ``It made me feel good that I actually was able to do something and wasn't one of those passive citizens who read about it in the newspapers.''

Board members attend monthly meetings to review local property development, traffic concerns and issues on public health and the environment. They also sponsor community volunteer events, such as Emergency Preparedness Expo programs.

The candidates who have filed for council vacancies range from homemakers and retired professionals to teachers and business owners. Neighborhood councils in the past have launched residents into seats on the city Planning Commission and City Council and into the Mayor's Office.

``This is the starting ground or training ground for many political careers,'' said Mark Oyler, coordinator of the city's neighborhood councils.

Oyler said the interim recruitment will mean selected board members will serve less than the traditional two-year term starting Nov. 1 through June 30, 1998.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants for neighborhood councils must be at least 18 years old and live in the city. New members are appointed by the City Council. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., Sept. 30. For information, call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: (Color) Carl Knoll, who grew up in Simi Valley, leads his neighborhood council in the city. Behind him, his son Christopher, 7, rides his bike outside their home.

Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News

Box: (Color) HOW TO APPLY (See text)