Meeting Summary
Present: 2-Santangelo, 5-Martinez-Bravo, 3-Kildee, 1-Tennessen · Absent: 4-Trembley
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
Career Online High School Graduation Recognition
- Five students graduated from the Career Online High School program with certificates in various fields.
- Three graduates were present to receive recognition while two were absent.
- Council members exchanged remarks regarding the program's benefits without taking a formal vote.
Library Activity Updates
- The Director of Library Services provided an update on National Library Week and the Teen Civic Engagement Club.
- The club has engaged with city departments and plans future sessions on internships and vision planning.
- Council members encouraged volunteerism but took no formal action on the update.
Economic Report
- Chandler Asset Management presented a quarterly update covering national and local economic indicators.
- The city's investment portfolio was reported as safe, liquid, and showing recent gains.
- Council members thanked the presenter without making a formal motion or vote.
Council Communications
- Council members shared updates on their recent committee attendance and community event participation.
- The Mayor addressed concerns regarding Automatic License Plate Readers by explaining their audit process and utility.
- No formal motion or vote was taken on these communications.
Draft Fiscal Year 2026-27 CDBG Program Annual Action Plan
- Staff presented a draft plan allocating funds for social services, housing rehabilitation, and affordable housing acquisition.
- The plan reflects a confirmed 0.2% funding increase from HUD and includes a contingency appendix.
- The Council unanimously approved the item without public comment or questions.
Adoption of the Camarillo Old Town Strategic Plan
- Staff presented an aspirational framework outlining four strategic goals for historic district revitalization.
- Public comment included one concern about AI usage and strong support from business representatives.
- The Council unanimously adopted the plan as an aspirational framework and found it exempt under CEQA.
Mobile Home Land Rent Stabilization Ordinance
- Staff presented a revised ordinance increasing the vacancy control limit from 6% to 8% for re-rentals.
- Public comment featured strong support from residents and opposition from property management groups regarding operational costs.
- The Council unanimously adopted the staff recommendations as a compromise measure.
Closed Session
- The City Attorney reported that four items were discussed during the earlier closed session.
- No reportable action was taken on any of the discussed items.
Full summary
Meeting Call, Closed Session, and Administrative Matters
- The Camarillo City Council, Sanitary District, and Library Board meeting was called to order on April 22, 2026. The City Attorney announced three items for closed session: existing litigation regarding the OPV Coalition versus Fox Canyon Groundwater Management, a real property matter concerning 2222 Ventura Boulevard, and an anticipated litigation matter. The meeting recessed to closed session and reconvened with all council members present. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, a motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda with no changes. The motion passed unanimously.
Career Online High School Graduation Recognition
- The Director of Library Services presented on the Career Online High School program, noting that five students had graduated with certificates in various fields. Three graduates were present to receive recognition, while two were absent. Remarks were exchanged regarding the program's benefits. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
- Five members of the public provided comments on items not on the agenda. Topics included concerns regarding city cooperation with ICE and the use of Flock cameras; a request for tree trimming at Camarillo Mobile Parks, Space 13; proposals to create or reinstate a Youth Advisory Committee; and a request for support of a Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO). The Mayor directed staff to investigate the tree trimming request and noted that the RSO was a scheduled agenda item to be addressed later.
Library Activity Updates
- The Director of Library Services provided an update on National Library Week and the Teen Civic Engagement Club, which was established in October. The club has met with city departments and practiced public speaking, with plans for vision planning and information sessions on city internships. Council members and the Mayor discussed the program and encouraged volunteerism. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Economic Report
- The Finance Director introduced a quarterly economic update presented by Chandler Asset Management. The presentation covered national and local economic indicators, including GDP growth, inflation, interest rates, oil prices, labor market data, and housing trends. The presenter noted that the city's investment portfolio remains safe and liquid with recent gains. Council members thanked the presenter. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Council Communications
- Council members provided updates on their recent activities, including attendance at various committees, community events, and meetings regarding public safety, economic development, and housing. The Mayor addressed concerns regarding Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs), explaining the audit process and their utility in solving crimes. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Consent Agenda
- The consent agenda was presented. There were no public comments or council questions. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Draft Fiscal Year 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Annual Action Plan
- Staff presented the draft action plan outlining the use of CDBG funds for social services, including food and emergency rental assistance, and housing programs such as residential rehabilitation and affordable housing acquisition. The plan was based on estimated allocations, which were confirmed by HUD as a 0.2% increase over the previous year. A contingency plan was included as an appendix. There were no public comments or council questions. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed unanimously.
Adoption of the Camarillo Old Town Strategic Plan
- Staff presented the Camarillo Old Town Strategic Plan as an aspirational framework to guide future decision-making regarding the revitalization of the historic district. The plan outlined four strategic goals: strengthening public spaces and district maintenance; increasing economic energy and storefront activation; building a clear identity and destination experience; and organizing for catalytic readiness regarding long-term opportunity sites. Staff noted the plan does not automatically appropriate funds but serves to sequence priorities. The recommendation was to find the item exempt under CEQA, receive the plan, and adopt it as an aspirational framework.
- During public comment, one speaker expressed concern regarding the potential use of artificial intelligence in the plan's development. Other speakers, including a business owner and a Chamber of Commerce representative, voiced strong support, citing the plan's comprehensive nature and alignment with economic development goals. Council members discussed the plan's comprehensive nature, the value of stakeholder input, and its alignment with recent projects. One council member suggested incorporating historical photography to illustrate progress. A motion was made to adopt the plan as an aspirational framework, find it exempt under CEQA, and direct staff to return for future implementation actions. The motion was seconded. The item passed unanimously.
Mobile Home Land Rent Stabilization Ordinance
- Staff presented a revised Mobile Home Land Rent Stabilization Ordinance, noting the history of the issue and the expiration of a previous urgency ordinance. The presentation detailed revisions increasing the vacancy control limit from 6% to 8% upon the re-rental of an existing mobile home to a new tenant. The ordinance does not apply to new coaches moved into the park, which may go to market rate, and includes language regarding initial anniversary dates to standardize rent increase timing. Staff recommended the ordinance, noting the 8% vacancy control was a compromise based on comparisons with the City of Thousand Oaks and local rent conditions.
- Public comment was extensive. Residents and advocacy groups urged the council to pass the ordinance, emphasizing the vulnerability of seniors on fixed incomes, the risk of homelessness, and the need to protect homeowner equity. Representatives from property management companies and the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association opposed the ordinance or requested significant amendments, arguing that existing leases provide stability and that the formula does not account for rising operational costs. They requested full vacancy decontrol and an increase in the annual rent increase cap.
- Council discussion focused on the final recommendations. The Vice Mayor highlighted the ordinance as a preventive measure to protect residents from excessive rent spikes, noting the 8% cap on re-rentals and market rates for new homes. Council members expressed support for the ordinance as a reasonable compromise addressing the concerns of both park owners and renters, crediting the ad hoc committee and staff for revisions. A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendations. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session Report
- The City Attorney provided a report regarding the closed session held earlier in the day. It was reported that four items were discussed, but no reportable action was taken on any of them.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.