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City Council — April 22, 2026

City Council — April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

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BodyCity Council
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 April 22, 2026

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Meeting Summary

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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 — verify against the official recording and the transcript.

At a glance

Career Online High School Recognition

  • Five graduates of the Career Online High School program were recognized by the Library Director.
  • Three attendees received certificates in person while two were acknowledged in absentia.
  • Council members and graduates exchanged remarks regarding the program's benefits.

Economic Report

  • Chandler Asset Management presented a quarterly update projecting 2.1% to 2.2% GDP growth.
  • The report highlighted risks from Middle East conflicts and steady Federal Reserve interest rates.
  • Local data showed Ventura County unemployment at 4.7% with modest household income growth.
  • The City's investment portfolio was confirmed as safe, liquid, and performing as expected.

CDBG Annual Action Plan

  • Staff presented the Draft Fiscal Year 2026-27 plan for social services and housing rehabilitation.
  • The plan was revised to reflect a 0.2% increase in the HUD allocation.
  • The Council unanimously approved the Annual Action Plan.

Camarillo Old Town Strategic Plan

  • Staff presented an aspirational framework focusing on public space, economic energy, and district identity.
  • Public comment included support for business partnerships and concerns regarding AI usage in the plan.
  • Council members praised the comprehensive public process used to develop the document.
  • The Council unanimously adopted the strategic plan.

Mobile Home Land Rent Stabilization Ordinance

  • Staff presented a revised ordinance increasing the vacancy control cap from 6% to 8% for existing units.
  • Residents urged passage to protect seniors and prevent displacement, while owners cited rising operational costs.
  • Council members supported the 8% cap as a compromise balancing resident protection and owner viability.
  • The Council unanimously adopted the ordinance with the specified vacancy control measures.

Closed Session

  • The Council discussed existing litigation, a real property matter, and anticipated litigation.
  • The City Attorney reported that no reportable action was taken during the session.

Full summary

Meeting of the Camarillo City Council, Sanitary District, and Library Board

  • Date: April 22, 2026

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

  • The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tennyson. A roll call was taken, confirming the presence of Council Members Santangelo, Kildee, and Tremblay, Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo, and Mayor Tennyson. Council Member Tremblay was initially noted as absent but arrived shortly after the meeting began.

2. Closed Session

  • The Council recessed to closed session to discuss three items: existing litigation regarding the OPV Coalition versus Fox Canyon Groundwater Management; a real property matter concerning 2222 Ventura Boulevard; and an anticipated litigation matter. Upon reconvening, the City Attorney reported that no reportable action was taken during the closed session.

3. Pledge of Allegiance

  • Council Member Santangelo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. Approval of Agenda

  • The agenda was approved without changes.

5. Career Online High School Graduates Recognition

  • Mandy, Director of Library Services, presented five graduates of the Career Online High School program. Three graduates (Elias Acuna, Lori Lank, and Cynthia Noriega) were present to receive recognition, while two others (Hi-Fai Shang and Christina Lopez) were acknowledged in absentia. The graduates and Council members exchanged remarks regarding the benefits of the program. No formal motion or vote was taken on this item.

6. Public Comment (Non-Agendized Items)

  • Five speakers addressed the Council on items not on the agenda:
  • Spencer Ritchie: Expressed concerns regarding the City's cooperation with ICE, the treatment of individuals in custody, and the use of Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras.
  • Diane Winthrop: Requested tree trimming at Camarillo Mobile Parks, Space 13, due to branches hitting her home. The Mayor directed staff to investigate.
  • Evan Traffikin: Represented the Teen Civic Engagement Club and proposed the formation of a Youth Advisory Committee to engage teens in civic life.
  • Addie Fox: Also representing the Teen Civic Engagement Club, advocated for reinstating a Youth Advisory Committee, citing past successes such as the skate park project.
  • Sunny Bignami: Requested support for a Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO). The Mayor noted this item was scheduled for later on the agenda.

7. Library Activity Updates

  • Mandy provided an update on National Library Week activities, the Career Online High School graduates, and the Teen Civic Engagement Club. She detailed the club's goals, including learning about local government and practicing public speaking. The Mayor and Vice Mayor were noted as guest readers for story time. No formal motion or vote was taken.

8. Economic Report (Chandler Asset Management)

  • Jason Schmidt of Chandler Asset Management presented a quarterly economic update. Key points included:
  • GDP growth projections of 2.1% for 2025 and 2.2% for 2026.
  • Risks associated with Middle East conflicts driving up oil prices and potential inflation.
  • Federal Reserve interest rates held steady at 3.5% to 3.75%.
  • Local data indicating Ventura County unemployment at 4.7% and median household income growth of approximately 0.5%.
  • The City's investment portfolio was reported as safe, liquid, and performing as expected.
  • No formal motion or vote was taken.

9. Council Communications

  • Council members reported on recent meetings and events:
  • Mayor Tennyson: Attended National Crime Victims Week, honoring the identification of a "Jane Doe" victim after 45 years, and presented recognition certificates to centenarian Ruth and Phyllis.
  • Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo: Attended library story time, public safety meetings, business alliance meetings, a traffic concerns meeting at Camarillo High School, and the Fair Housing Forum.
  • Council Member Santangelo: Attended the Boys and Girls Club gala, Policy Committee, and Investment and Finance Committee meetings.
  • Council Member Tremblay: Attended the Boys and Girls Club dinner, California Association of Sanitation Agencies meetings, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Authority meetings.
  • Council Member Kildee: Attended the Finance Committee and an economic state presentation by the Taxpayers Association.
  • Mayor Tennyson (Additional Comment): Addressed concerns regarding ALPRs, clarifying that data audits were initiated by Police Commander Eric Tennyson and that ALPRs are a useful tool for solving crimes on public roadways.

10. Consent Agenda

  • The Consent Agenda was presented.
  • Motion: Moved by Council Member Santangelo.
  • Second: Seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo.
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.

11. Item T: Draft Fiscal Year 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan

  • Erin Lay of Veronica Tammen Associates presented the plan, which outlines the use of CDBG funds for social services, housing rehabilitation, and affordable housing acquisition. The plan was revised to reflect a 0.2% increase in HUD allocation.
  • Motion: Moved by Mayor Tennyson.
  • Second: Seconded by Council Member Santangelo.
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.

12. Item U: Adoption of the Camarillo Old Town Strategic Plan

  • George Winkler, Economic and Business Development Manager, presented the plan as an aspirational framework to strengthen Old Town through four strategic goals: public space maintenance, economic energy, district identity, and catalytic readiness.
  • Public Comment:
  • Spencer Ritchie: Expressed concern that AI was used in the plan's creation and questioned the lack of human critical thinking.
  • Jeff Walker: Supported the plan as a business owner, highlighting the need for public-private partnerships and support for the nighttime economy.
  • Andy Conley: Represented the Chamber of Commerce, expressing strong support for the plan's economic vitality goals.
  • Council Discussion: Council members praised the plan's comprehensiveness and the public process used to develop it. Council Member Kildee suggested including historical "before and after" photos in future updates.
  • Motion: Moved by Mayor Tennyson.
  • Second: Seconded by Council Member Santangelo.
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.

13. Item V: Mobile Home Land Rent Stabilization Ordinance

  • James Fowler, Manager of Housing, presented the revised ordinance. Key revisions included increasing the vacancy control cap from 6% to 8% upon re-rental of an existing mobile home, while allowing market rates for new mobile homes moved into the park.
  • Public Comment: 17 speakers addressed the Council.
  • Residents (Suzette Marroquín, Jordan Blake, Craig Walker, Diana Bradley, Lynn Coram, Sunny Bignami, Blanca O., Devo Brown, David Gilbertson): Urged the Council to pass the ordinance to protect seniors on fixed incomes, preserve homeowner equity, and prevent displacement. They cited high rents compared to surrounding communities and the difficulty of relocating mobile homes.
  • Park Owners/Management (Laura Rivera, Melina Miramonte, Chris Hill, Mike Cirillo, Ariel Bedell, Gloria Provert): Opposed the ordinance or requested modifications. They argued that existing long-term leases already provide stability, that the ordinance would interfere with these agreements, and that the proposed caps do not account for rising operational costs (insurance, utilities, labor). They advocated for full vacancy decontrol and higher caps (8% or more) to ensure park viability.
  • Council Discussion:
  • Council Member Santangelo: Emphasized the importance of vacancy control to prevent loss of equity for homeowners selling their units. Supported the 8% compromise.
  • Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo: Framed the ordinance as a preventive measure for community well-being, noting Camarillo's outlier status regarding rents. Supported the 8% cap as a balance between resident protection and owner fairness.
  • Council Member Kildee: Supported the ordinance as a reasonable compromise that addresses both renter and owner concerns.
  • Council Member Tremblay: Praised the Ad Hoc Committee and staff for threading the needle on a compromise approach.
  • Mayor Tennyson: Noted the difficulty of achieving a perfect ordinance but viewed the 8% compromise as a successful outcome.
  • Motion: Moved by Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo to adopt the ordinance (Items 1 and 2 of the staff recommendation).
  • Second: Seconded by Council Member Santangelo.
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.

14. Adjournment

  • The City Attorney confirmed no reportable action was taken in closed session. The meeting was adjourned.