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City Council — April 8, 2026

City Council — April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

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BodyCity Council
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 April 8, 2026

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Meeting Summary

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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

Museum of Ventura County Presentation

  • The CEO presented the museum's history, current operations, and plans to expand the Camarillo research center.
  • Staff discussed potential partnerships and the need for assistance in identifying oral history participants.
  • No formal motions were taken regarding the presentation or future collaboration.

Interface 211 Community Services Report

  • Data showed 1,509 calls from residents in 2025, with housing needs representing the majority of requests.
  • The report highlighted specific programs addressing mental health, substance use, and community support.
  • Council members sought clarification on how housing seekers are connected to mental health resources.

Public Safety and Crime Statistics

  • The report noted a slight increase in calls for service while highlighting a significant drop in motor vehicle thefts.
  • Organized retail theft remains a primary concern at local shopping centers, with most suspects originating outside the city.
  • Officials approved a plan to transition two patrol vehicles to motorcycles to address rising traffic collisions.

Water Reclamation Plant Upgrades Program

  • Staff proposed hiring Jacobs as an owner's advisor to manage technical analysis and regulatory compliance for plant upgrades.
  • Council members discussed the necessity of the project to prevent infrastructure failure and ensure water resiliency.
  • The Council unanimously approved the selection of Jacobs for the $3.9 million Phase 1A scope of work.

Closed Session

  • The City Attorney reported that one item regarding groundwater management was discussed in closed session.
  • No reportable action was taken during the closed session.

Full summary

Call to Order and Administrative Matters

  • The Camarillo City Council and Camarillo Sanitary District meeting for April 8, 2026, was called to order by the Mayor. The City Clerk conducted a roll call, confirming the presence of all council members. The Council recessed to a closed session to discuss the OPV Coalition versus Fox Canyon groundwater management pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1). The meeting reconvened at 5:00 p.m. with all members present. Councilmember Tremblay led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Mayor inquired regarding agenda changes; none were reported.

Presentation: Museum of Ventura County

  • Elena Brokaw, CEO of the Museum of Ventura County, presented on the organization's history, mission, and operations. The presentation covered the museum's four sites in Ventura, one in Santa Paula, and an office suite in Camarillo. Key points included the collection of over 8,000 digitized files, free admission supported by sponsorships, and educational programs for Title I schools and Cal State Channel Islands students. Brokaw detailed the history of Camarillo, from Chumash villages to the Rancho Cayegas land grant, and noted the city's population growth following incorporation in 1964. She reported ongoing conversations with the Camarillo Ranch House Foundation regarding archives and requested assistance in identifying oral history participants. Council members inquired about potential partnerships with local organizations and the vision for the Camarillo office space, which Brokaw stated aims to expand the research center and collections from 4,000 to approximately 18,000 square feet. No motions were taken on this item.

Public Comment

  • Six members of the public addressed the Council. Topics included corrections to historical details regarding Rancho Cayegas, concerns regarding ICE enforcement actions in Ventura County, and advocacy for a mobile home rent stabilization ordinance with vacancy control. Speakers cited statistics on land lease increases, proposed graduated vacancy rate increases, and emphasized the need to protect fixed-income homeowners and ensure fair returns for homeowners versus park owners.

Staff and Intergovernmental Reports: Interface 211

  • Gerardo Gonzalez, Community Information Associate Director with Interface 211, presented data on services provided to Camarillo residents in 2025. The report indicated 1,509 calls from Camarillo residents, with top needs identified as housing (50% seeking affordable/subsidized housing, 20% seeking emergency housing), individual/family/community support, and mental health/substance use services. Specific programs mentioned included VITA, PSPS, and Ventura Versus Hate. Council members asked for clarification on the breakdown of housing-related calls and whether the service connects housing seekers with mental health support. No motions were taken on this item.

Public Safety and Crime Statistics Report

  • The Camarillo Police Department presented a report on crime statistics for 2024 and 2025, noting the transition to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). The report highlighted a slight increase in calls for service to 14,500, which remains below the six-year average. Crimes against persons showed an increase in assaults, primarily driven by domestic violence and child abuse secondary arrests, as well as resisting arrest. Homicides remained at one, and consensual sex offenses decreased. Crimes against property were largely static, with a significant decrease in motor vehicle thefts attributed to targeted enforcement. Organized retail theft (ORT) remained a primary concern at the Camarillo Premium Outlets and Town Center, with 177 of 370 shoplifts classified as ORT; the majority of ORT and cargo theft suspects originated from outside the city. Crimes against society showed an increase in drug and weapon-related arrests. The report noted a significant decrease in emergency response times due to the addition of cover vehicles. Traffic collisions have increased for four consecutive years, prompting a plan to transition two patrol vehicles to motorcycles. The department also reported on an enforcement campaign regarding e-bike safety. Council members commended the department's performance and inquired about suspect demographics. The Mayor confirmed that the transition to motorcycles would result in cost savings. No motions were taken on this item.

Consent Calendar (Items E through G)

  • The Council reviewed items on the consent calendar. Following public comment and discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar items. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member Reports

  • Council members provided updates on meetings attended, including the Policy Committee, VRSD, Clean Power Alliance, and the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee. The Mayor reported on business visits to local high-tech companies. The Mayor inquired about the expiration date of the emergency ordinance regarding rent stabilization; staff indicated the ordinance expires around April 20 or 21 and that the item is being prepared for the next council meeting.

Camarillo Sanitary District Water Reclamation Plant Upgrades Program and Manager Services (Item H)

  • Staff presented a proposal to award an agreement for professional owner's advisor services for the Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) upgrades project. The WRP, constructed nearly 70 years ago, requires significant upgrades to meet current and future demands. The proposal recommends hiring Jacobs as the owner's advisor to provide technical expertise, project management, and regulatory compliance support. The scope of work focuses on Phase 1A, involving a one-water affordability and technical analysis to determine the recommended upgrade program and procurement method, expected to take approximately 20 months. Council members questioned the necessity of the project, the risks of inaction, and the distinction between an owner's advisor and an owner's representative. Staff explained that the comprehensive scope is designed to minimize risk and that inaction would pose risks of infrastructure failure and regulatory non-compliance. Public comment was provided by two speakers, one of whom questioned the cost of the contract for Phase 1A.

Discussion and Motion on Water Reclamation Project (Owner's Advisor Selection)

  • Council members and the Mayor discussed the selection of an owner's advisor for the water reclamation plant upgrade project. The discussion focused on the decision to hire an owner's advisor (Jacobs) rather than a traditional design-bid-build approach to allow for early involvement in assessing water resiliency and evaluating procurement methods. Officials noted that prior studies estimated costs in the $200 million range. The selection of Jacobs was supported as a firm that would owe a duty solely to the city. The $3.9 million cost for Phase 1A was described as a necessary investment to reduce risk and obtain accurate cost estimates. Officials confirmed that workshops would be held publicly to share findings. A motion was made to approve the selection of Jacobs as the owner's advisor for the water reclamation project. The motion was seconded. Following a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Closed Session Report

  • The City Attorney reported that one item was discussed in closed session, but no reportable action was taken.

Adjournment

  • The meeting was adjourned.