Meeting Summary
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
Pride Month Proclamation
- Representatives from the LAWIC Foundation and Camarillo Pride presented a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month.
- The presenter noted the recent Pride Festival attracted 1,500 to 1,700 attendees and outlined plans for a PFLAG organization and an October event.
- Council members acknowledged the presentation and the growth of the community event.
Council and Staff Reports
- Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo reported on community events, a smoke alarm partnership, and cited statistics regarding mental health challenges among LGBTQ+ youth.
- Council members Tremblay, Kildee, and Santangelo reported on their attendance at various commissions, boards, and community events.
- Mayor Tennyson announced the retirement of a 25-year City Clerk employee and noted the establishment of a museum research center in Camarillo.
Arneill Road Housing Project CUP 400 Award Construction Contract
- Staff presented the award of the construction contract to SBS Corporation, which submitted the lowest bid of approximately $5.94 million.
- A bid protest from Riviera Construction Group was received and subsequently rejected by staff.
- The funding plan utilizes ERF grant funds and approximately $1.14 million from the continuum of care reserve for the base contract and contingency.
- Staff confirmed that while grant funds cover initial operations, the reserve may be utilized for ongoing operations if other funding is not identified.
FY 25-26 Strategic Plan Progress and FY 26-27 Goals
- Staff presented an update on the current strategic plan and proposed draft changes for the upcoming fiscal year goals.
- The city is evaluating a funding request from the Pleasant Valley Historical Society for infrastructure improvements at 720 Los Postos Road.
- Several goals were updated to modernize objectives, reinforce environmental sustainability, and eliminate redundancies.
- A new objective was added to explore intergovernmental partnerships supporting youth and family well-being, and a Principal Development Concierge position is being recruited.
Closed Session
- The council recessed from open session to address items listed on the agenda in closed session.
Full summary
Call to Order and Flag Salute
- The regular meeting of the Camarillo City Council and CSD was called to order. All council members were present. Mr. Kildee led the flag salute. No changes to the agenda were reported.
Presentation: Pride Month Proclamation
- Representatives from the LAWIC Foundation and the Camarillo Pride organization were invited to the stage. Michelle Burns, Director of the LAWIC Foundation, presented a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month in the City of Camarillo. She stated that the organization was founded in February 2025 to support the LGBTQ+ community and noted that the annual Camarillo Pride Festival, held the previous Saturday, attracted between 1,500 and 1,700 attendees. She outlined future plans, including the establishment of a PFLAG organization and an additional event in October. Council members provided brief comments acknowledging the presentation and the growth of the event.
Public Comment
- Three members of the public addressed the council: 1. One speaker expressed respect for the LGBTQ+ community but questioned why the city was giving publicity to Pride Month rather than celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. 2. A second speaker cited religious texts to argue against the celebration of "pride," urging the city to seek humility and turn from what they described as sin. 3. A third speaker provided statistics regarding ICE detentions in the region and expressed appreciation for the city’s declaration of Pride Month, while also criticizing the city’s lack of action regarding ICE enforcement.
Council and Staff Reports
- Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo: Reported attending high school graduations, a grant distribution breakfast, and the Pride Festival. She detailed a partnership with the Oxnard Fire Department and other agencies to install smoke alarms in unincorporated Ventura County. She cited national statistics regarding mental health challenges and suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth, stating that community acceptance serves as a protective factor.
- Council Member Tremblay: Reported attending the Ventura County Transportation Commission, a museum reception, the Pride Festival, a volunteer event at Casa Pacifica, a call with Metrolink auditors, and a meeting regarding the "Healthy Camarillo" community health initiative.
- Council Member Kildee: Reported attending VRSD committee and board meetings and the Pride Festival.
- Council Member Santangelo: Reported attending the Policy Committee and the CPA Board of Directors. She noted she missed the Pride Festival due to work commitments. She referenced her background in nursing and psychiatric care to affirm the reality of the health disparities mentioned by the Vice Mayor.
- Mayor Tennyson: Announced the retirement of Carrie Wheel, a 25-year employee of the City Clerk’s office, and noted that a city tile plaque was presented to her. She reported attending the Regional Defense Partnership meeting and the Museum of Ventura County exhibit. She also noted that the Museum has established a research and archive center in Camarillo.
Consent Calendar
- No public comments were received. A motion was made and seconded. The item passed unanimously.
Item R-1: Arneill Road Housing Project CUP 400 Award Construction Contract
- James Fowler, Housing Manager, presented the award of the construction contract. He reported that after a competitive bidding process, SBS Corporation submitted the lowest bid of approximately $5.94 million. A bid protest from Riviera Construction Group was received and subsequently rejected by staff. The funding plan includes approximately $5.69 million in ERF grant funding, $248,000 from the continuum of care reserve for the base contract, and $891,000 from the continuum of care reserve for a 15% construction contingency. This totals approximately $1.14 million requested from the continuum of care reserve, which currently holds $3.8 million. Staff indicated that ERF grant funds would cover operations for the first three to four months, with potential future reliance on the continuum of care reserve or state grants for ongoing operations.
- Council Member Tremblay asked about ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) funding, specifically whether the city would continue to draw down from the continuum of care reserve. Staff confirmed that while grant funds cover initial operations, the reserve could be utilized if other funding is not identified. Council Member Kildee asked about other funding mechanisms; staff stated they are looking at state-level grants to avoid additional general fund expenditures.
- A motion was made and seconded. The item passed unanimously.
Item S: FY 25-26 Strategic Plan Progress and FY 26-27 Goals
- Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager, presented an update on the FY 2025-26 strategic plan through the third quarter and discussed draft changes for FY 2026-27 goals.
- Pleasant Valley Historical Society: Staff reported on a request for city funding to cover a $727,000 gap in the $2.1 million cost for infrastructure improvements at 720 Los Postos Road. The city has identified $250,000 in current-year funds, and staff and the City Attorney are evaluating the request for consistency with state laws.
- Goal 4 (Land Use and Community Development): An existing objective was replaced with a modernized version following the adoption of the Old Town Strategic Plan.
- Goal 5 (Technology and City Facilities): Objective 8 was added to reinforce environmental sustainability expectations.
- Goal 6 (Natural Resource Infrastructure Management): Objective 5 was added to reinforce environmental sustainability expectations.
- Goal 7 (Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship): Objectives were added to address duplication with other goals.
- Goal 8 (Economic Development): The city is recruiting for a "Principal Development Concierge" position under the Community Development Director. The position aims to improve customer service and streamline permitting. Staff indicated an offer is expected to be made at the end of the current week, with onboarding planned for the second week of July. The application process for business taxes is currently online.
- Goal 9 (Community Relations): A redundant objective was eliminated.
- Goal 10 (Intergovernmental Relations): A new objective was added to explore partnerships with PVRPD, Oxnard Union High School District, and Pleasant Valley School District to support youth and family well-being, per a previous request by the Vice Mayor.
- Goal 11 (Employee Relations): Several objectives were revised, and three new action strategies were proposed, reflecting work by the Human Resources Department.
- No public comments were received. A motion was made and seconded. The item passed unanimously.
Recess and Closed Session
- The council recessed from open session and returned to closed session to address items listed on the agenda.