Meeting Summary
Present: 2-Santangelo, 5-Martinez-Bravo, 3-Kildee, 4-Trembley, 1-Tennessen
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
2026 Las Personas Community Academy Recognition
- The Vice Mayor presented recognition for the third graduating cohort of the academy.
- A class representative thanked staff for their support of the program.
- No formal motion or vote was taken during the presentation.
Camarillo Ranch Foundation Annual Report
- The Foundation President reported on 2025 activities and 2026 plans focusing on education.
- Financial data indicated community events remain the most profitable revenue stream.
- The President noted a need to recruit new board members and volunteers.
Staff Introduction
- City Manager Ramirez introduced Bradley Tolvert as the new Community Development Director.
- Tolvert expressed gratitude for the opportunity to join the team.
IPD 412 M1 Modification and Associated Projects
- Staff recommended approval for a modified project reducing industrial square footage by nearly 100,000.
- The proposal includes an auto dealership, R&D space, and a car wash on a 46.88-acre parcel.
- Applicants confirmed the project will utilize unionized labor and align with market conditions.
- The Council unanimously approved the IPD modification, conditional use permit, and tentative tract map.
Berry Street and Arneill Road Affordable Housing Projects
- Staff presented an update on two grant-funded projects serving the homeless population.
- The Arneill Road project is intended for longer-term stays while Berry Street serves short-term needs.
- The Council unanimously approved the release of the Notice Inviting Bids for the Arneill Road project.
Project Hope Housing Initiative
- Council discussion focused on the initiative as a necessary component of the homelessness strategy.
- The motion to approve the recommended items passed unanimously.
OPV Coalition vs. Fox Canyon GMA Update
- The City Attorney detailed the City's appeal regarding safe yield determination and basin classification.
- Camarillo argues for a higher safe yield of 17,100 acre-feet compared to the settlement's 13,750.
- Council members inquired about hydrological connections and financial implications of the litigation.
Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) Update
- The Sheriff's Office reported a policy breach where out-of-state agencies accessed data for one month.
- Vendor safeguards have been implemented to prevent unauthorized searches and block specific query types.
- Council members expressed dissatisfaction with the vendor lapse but supported continued use with strict evaluation.
Adjournment in Memory of Al Fox
- Council Member Ritchie requested the meeting be adjourned to honor Al Fox's contributions.
- The Council acknowledged his service to the Water Board, Leisure Village, and special districts.
Closed Session
- The City Attorney announced three items including one existing and two anticipated litigation matters.
- The Council recessed to discuss these confidential items before reconvening.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The March 11, 2026, meeting of the Camarillo City Council and Camarillo Sanitary District was called to order by Mayor Tennyson. The City Clerk conducted a roll call, confirming the presence of all council members.
Closed Session
- The City Attorney announced three items for closed session: one existing litigation matter (OPV Coalition v. Fox Canyon) and two anticipated litigation matters. The Council recessed to closed session and subsequently reconvened.
2026 Las Personas Community Academy Recognition
- The Vice Mayor presented a recognition for the third graduating cohort of the 2026 Las Personas Community Academy, a program educating residents on city operations. The Mayor acknowledged the participants' commitment, and a class representative thanked the staff. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
- Five members of the public provided comments. Joseph Dubczynski reported on ICE enforcement activities and requested the creation of an immigration stakeholders committee. Spencer Ritchie addressed the lack of closed captioning and transportation challenges regarding the "Dollar Ride" service. Sarah Wilczewski expressed frustration regarding ICE enforcement and thanked Council members for attending a recent meeting in Oxnard. Bev Dransfeldt thanked Mayor Tennyson and Council Member Tremblay for attending the Oxnard meeting and noted Moorpark is establishing a similar committee. Siddharth Mehrotra agreed with previous speakers regarding the need for further action on immigration issues.
Camarillo Ranch Foundation Annual Report
- Chris Valenzuela, President of the Camarillo Ranch Foundation, presented an annual report covering 2025 activities and 2026 plans. Key points included the Foundation's focus on education and community events, free school tours for third-grade students, and financial data indicating community events are the most profitable revenue stream. Valenzuela noted a need to recruit new board members and volunteers. Council members thanked the Foundation. Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo inquired about joining the board, and Valenzuela provided contact information. Council Member Kildee asked about the time commitment, which Valenzuela described as a minimum monthly meeting plus variable committee involvement. No motion or vote was taken.
Staff Introduction
- City Manager Ramirez introduced Bradley Tolvert as the new Community Development Director. Tolvert expressed gratitude for the opportunity to join the team. No motion or vote was taken.
Consent Agenda (Items E through J)
- The Council reviewed the consent agenda. No items were pulled for separate discussion, and no public comments were received.
- Motion: A motion was made to approve the consent agenda items.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The motion passed unanimously.
Council Comments
- Council members provided updates on their recent activities, including attendance at various boards, committees, and community events. Mayor Tennyson offered a birthday greeting to his wife. No motion or vote was taken.
IPD 412 M1 Modification and Associated Projects (Airport North Specific Plan)
- Senior Planner Paul McLaren presented a modification for IPD 412 M1 within the Airport North specific plan. The proposal involves a reduced project on a 46.88-acre vacant parcel, redistributing development into additional buildings while reducing industrial square footage by nearly 100,000 square feet. The project includes an auto dealership, industrial/research and development space, and a car wash. Staff recommended approval of the IPD modification, conditional use permit, and tentative tract map, noting the project remains consistent with the General Plan and requires no additional EIR.
- Applicants Dennis Hardgrave and Darren Embry confirmed the modifications align with market conditions and stated the project would be built using unionized labor with Altman's as the general contractor. Public comment was received from Michael Shanklin, Tom Leonard, Jose Garcia, and Andy Conley in support of the project, citing educational opportunities, tax revenue, and job creation. Jacob Anglund spoke in opposition, citing conflicts with the 2023 Sustainability Master Plan and arguing for regenerative land use. Council members expressed support for the project as "right-sizing" to meet market demands and attract high-quality jobs, while acknowledging the opposition regarding sustainability.
- Motion: A motion was made to support recommendations one through four regarding the IPD modification, conditional use permit, and tentative tract map.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The motion passed unanimously.
Berry Street and Arneill Road Affordable Housing Projects Update
- Staff member Fowler provided an update on two affordable housing projects intended to serve the homeless population. The Arneill Road Project, acquired in 2017 and entitled in 2023, received a $7.3 million ERF grant in 2024 and is intended for longer-term stays. The Berry Street Project, a six-unit project on a tax-default property purchased in May 2024, is funded by Community Development Block Grant funds and intended for short-term stays (6–8 months). Both projects work in tandem with Project HOPE. Staff recommended approving the release of the Notice Inviting Bids (NIB) and accompanying specifications for the Arneill Road project. No fiscal impact to the general fund is projected as both projects are grant-funded.
Project Hope Housing Initiative
- Council discussion focused on the Project Hope housing initiative, described as a necessary component of the city's homelessness strategy providing temporary housing.
- Motion: A motion was made to approve the recommended items.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The motion passed unanimously.
OPV Coalition vs. Fox Canyon GMA (Groundwater Adjudication Update)
- City Attorney Ryan Bezerra presented an update on the Oxnard-Pleasant Valley (OPV) groundwater adjudication lawsuit. The presentation detailed the lawsuit's origins, issues regarding safe yield determination, and the classification of native versus non-native water. The City of Camarillo is a defendant disagreeing with a settlement reached by other parties, which established a total safe yield of 13,750 acre-feet and classified the basin as overdrafted. The City's position, currently under appeal, argues for a higher safe yield of 17,100 acre-feet and contends the basin is not overdrafted. The presentation outlined the litigation timeline, including upcoming phases and potential settlement discussions. Council members asked questions regarding hydrological connections, financial implications, and the role of the City of Oxnard. Public comment was received regarding closed captioning and the Berry Street housing development, though the Mayor clarified the comment period was specific to the water adjudication briefing. No motion was made, and no vote was taken.
Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) Update
- Commander Tennyson of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office presented an update on the use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) leased from Flock Safety. The presentation addressed a proactive audit revealing that ALPR images were searchable by out-of-state and federal law enforcement agencies for one month in spring 2025, contrary to policy. Commander Tennyson explained that Flock Safety has implemented backend safeguards to prevent unauthorized access and block specific search types. The Sheriff's Office has instituted daily audits and stated it would suspend use if unauthorized searches are detected. The presentation highlighted the utility of ALPRs in solving crimes. Council members inquired about the breach timeframe, data types, and vendor evaluation criteria. Commander Tennyson confirmed the breach occurred between February 19 and March 19, 2025, and stated the agency is evaluating other vendors while maintaining Flock Safety as the current option. Public comments expressed concerns regarding privacy, surveillance scope, and compliance with SB 54. Council members expressed dissatisfaction with the vendor's lapse but commended the Sheriff's Office for the audit and transparency, supporting continued use of the technology with strict vendor evaluation. No motion was made, and no vote was taken.
Adjournment in Memory of Al Fox
- Council Member Ritchie requested to adjourn the meeting in memory of Al Fox, citing his contributions to the Camarillo Water Board, Leisure Village, and special districts. The meeting was adjourned in his memory.
Adjournment
- The Mayor adjourned the meeting.