City Council — June 24, 2026

Oversized Vehicle Parking Restriction Amendment

• Staff proposed extending parking restrictions to all hours and streets to address safety concerns.
• The ordinance standardizes recreational vehicle definitions and increases violation fines to $100.
• Enforcement will be conducted proactively through Project HOPE and reactively by patrol officers.
• The Council unanimously approved the ordinance as recommended by staff.

City Council Compensation Ordinance

• The Council approved a 3% salary increase effective January 1, 2027, to maintain competitive compensation.
• Staff was directed to study a Consumer Price Index-based formula for future compensation adjustments.
• The ordinance includes language allowing individual members to waive the salary increase.
• The measure passed unanimously with the intent to review vehicle allowances in the future.

City Manager Employment Agreement Amendment

• Staff presented a sixth amendment proposing a 7% salary increase for City Manager Ramirez.
• Council members defended the increase citing strong financial performance and successful projects.
• Public opposition regarding other city expenditures was noted but did not alter the decision.
• The amendment was approved unanimously, resulting in total annual compensation of $213,460.

Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Adoption

• The Council adopted a balanced budget with $167.5 million in expenditures and $159.2 million in revenues.
• Key allocations include a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for employees and $28.3 million for transportation projects.
• The budget remains significantly below the Gann Limit appropriation threshold.
• All budget actions passed unanimously, including the separate trolley budget resolution.

Urban Water Management and Shortage Contingency Plans

• Staff presented plans confirming water supplies meet current and future demand projections.
• The Contingency Plan recommends maintaining Stage One restrictions limiting residential irrigation to four days weekly.
• The Council approved amending the Municipal Code to reference the Contingency Plan document directly.
• Both plans and the associated code amendments were approved unanimously.

Delinquent Utility Balances on Property Tax Roll

• Staff proposed placing delinquent sewer service charges on the Ventura County secured property tax roll.
• Notices were mailed to 56 customers, with 15 accounts remaining outstanding at the time of the report.
• The resolution to proceed with the tax roll placement was approved unanimously.

Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program

• Staff presented a five-year program covering 87 projects with a total estimated cost of $438 million.
• Highlights include transportation infrastructure, water system upgrades, and the Ardell Road affordable housing project.
• Council members discussed project prioritization and funding availability during the review.
• The program was approved unanimously with confirmation of conformity to the General Plan.

Closed Session

• The City Attorney reported on existing litigation involving the OPV Coalition and anticipated legal matters.
• No reportable actions were taken during the closed session portion of the meeting.
• The Council recessed to closed session and subsequently reconvened for the remainder of the agenda.

• Meeting Date: June 24, 2026 Body: Camarillo City Council, Camarillo Sanitary District, Camarillo Library Board, and Successor Agency

Closed Session

• The meeting began with a roll call and a report from the City Attorney regarding two closed session items: a conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation (OPV Coalition v. Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency) and a discussion regarding anticipated litigation. The Council recessed to closed session and subsequently reconvened.

General Public Comments

• Four members of the public provided comments. Topics included upcoming state requirements for Zoom accessibility and subtitles, concerns regarding ICE enforcement activities and the use of Flock Safety cameras, a complaint regarding noise and safety issues at a specific residence (85 Crestview Avenue), and general concerns about mass surveillance and vehicle ownership regulations.

Council Staff and Intergovernmental Reports

• Library Report: The Camarillo Public Library reported receiving up to $3,500 in reimbursement for USA 250 Semi-Quincentennial programming. Upcoming events include a colonial music performance on July 5 and a "Meet the Presidents" program on July 22.
• Council Member Reports: Council members reported on attendance at various committee meetings (Public Safety, Economic Development, Investment, etc.) and community events, including the Camarillo Ranch Foundation's "Throwback Thursday."

Consent Agenda

• The Consent Agenda was discussed. A motion was made and seconded to approve the items. The roll call vote resulted in a unanimous approval.
• Outcome: Passed.

Item T: Oversized Vehicle Parking Restriction Amendment

• Staff presented a proposal to amend Municipal Code Section 11.20.220 regarding oversized vehicle parking. The proposal seeks to extend parking restrictions to all hours and all city streets to address safety and visibility concerns, standardize definitions for recreational vehicles, streamline the permit process, and increase the violation fine from $35 to $100. Enforcement would be conducted proactively through Project HOPE and reactively by patrol officers.
• Discussion: Council Member Kildee inquired about enforcement mechanisms. Staff clarified that enforcement would involve outreach and addressing safety hazards.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the ordinance as recommended by staff.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

Item U: City Council Compensation Ordinance

• The City Attorney presented an ordinance to adjust City Council compensation, authorized under Government Code Section 36516. Current monthly salary is $1,620.56. Options include a 5% increase or an increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) not exceeding 10%.
• Discussion: Council members discussed the importance of maintaining competitive compensation to ensure diverse representation and covering costs such as childcare. Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo proposed adding language allowing members to waive the increase. Council Member Tremblay suggested a bifurcated approach: a 3% increase for 2027, followed by a study to implement a CPI-based increase for 2028. The City Attorney confirmed that a 3% increase for 2027 could be approved now, with a separate action taken in 2027 for 2028. Mayor Tennyson noted his intent to decline the increase personally and suggested reviewing the vehicle allowance in the future.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the ordinance with a 3% increase effective January 1, 2027, and to direct staff to study a CPI-based formula for future years. The motion also included language allowing members to waive the increase via the Human Resources Director.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

Item V: Sixth Amendment to City Manager Employment Agreement

• The City Attorney presented a sixth amendment to the employment agreement for City Manager Ramirez, proposing a 7% salary increase. The increase would result in a total annual compensation of $213,460 in benefits and salary.
• Discussion: Public comment was received from Spencer Ritchie, who opposed the increase citing lawsuits and spending on Flock Safety cameras. Council members defended the increase, citing the City Manager's performance, the city's strong financial position, balanced budgets, and successful infrastructure and economic development projects.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the sixth amendment.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

Item W: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Adoption

• The Finance Director presented the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The total budgeted expenditures are $167.5 million, with revenues totaling $159.2 million. The budget is balanced. Key components included:
• General Fund: Revenues of $59.5 million; expenditures of $62.2 million.
• GASB 54 Commitments: Recommended commitments of $95.3 million for reserves, economic development, disaster recovery, and other specific purposes.
• Water and Sanitary Funds: Budgets presented for utility operations.
• Capital Improvement Program (CIP): $28.3 million allocated for transportation projects.
• Gann Limit: The appropriation limit is $155.8 million; the budget is $89.5 million below this limit.
• Compensation: A 4% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all city employees effective July 1, 2026.
• Action 1-4 (Sanitary District and City Council): A motion was made and seconded to approve recommended actions 1 through 4.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.
• Action 5 (Trolley Budget): Council Member Kildee recused himself due to a conflict of interest. A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution adopting the 2026-2027 trolley budget.
• Outcome: Passed 4 to 1 (Council Member Kildee absent/recused).

Item X: 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan

• The Water Resources Manager presented the Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and the Water Shortage Contingency Plan. The UWMP concludes that water supplies meet current and future demands. The Contingency Plan recommends remaining at Stage One (residential irrigation limited to four days a week). The proposal includes amending the Municipal Code to reference the Contingency Plan document rather than detailing stages within the code.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the plans and the associated Municipal Code amendments.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

Item Y: Delinquent Utility Balances on Property Tax Roll

• The Finance Director presented a resolution to place delinquent sewer service charges on the Ventura County secured property tax roll. Notices were mailed to 56 customers; as of the report date, 15 accounts remained outstanding.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

Item Z: Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP)

• Staff presented the updated five-year CIP, covering 87 projects with a total estimated cost of $438 million over six years. Highlights included:
• Transportation: Pleasant Valley Road bike lanes, Las Posas/Ventura Boulevard bridge replacement, and the Camarillo train station under-crossing.
• Water: Charter Oak pump stations, Well D treatment, and a standby well for the desalter.
• Sanitary: Water Reclamation Plant upgrades and sewer force main improvements.
• Housing: The Ardell Road affordable housing project (9 units), breaking ground the following week.
• Buildings and Grounds: Corporation Yard renovation and City Hall modernization.
• IT: Enterprise asset management system and data governance initiatives.
• Discussion: Council members discussed project prioritization, funding availability, and the timeline for the Ardell Road project. Council Member Kildee commended staff on the completion of Dizdar Park.
• Action: A motion was made and seconded to approve the CIP and confirm conformity with the General Plan.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously.

Adjournment

• The City Attorney reported no reportable action from the closed session. The meeting was adjourned.