City Council — August 12, 2026

Camarillo 2050 Teen Video and Community Photo Contest Awards

• The Council recognized Jacqueline Gutierrez and Glenda Sandberg as winners of the respective contests.
• Certificates were presented to the winners to acknowledge their contributions to the community visioning process.
• Winning entries were displayed for the public and Council members.

FoodShare Ventura County Presentation

• FoodShare reported distributing 1.1 million pounds of food in Camarillo, serving approximately 8,500 residents.
• The organization announced the construction of a new 85,000-square-foot facility in Oxnard, which is 91% funded.
• Council members inquired about the status of the Friday drive-through at Pleasant Valley Rec and Park.

Council Comments (Meetings and Events)

• Council members reported on attendance at various regional meetings, community events, and professional conferences.
• Specific activities included Airport Authority meetings, the Summer Concert Series, and the "Shots Fired" wellness presentation.
• Members promoted upcoming events such as the "Race for the Parks" and discussed recent interactions with state staff.

Review of Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for Our Camarillo 2050 General Plan Update

• Consultants presented Phase 1 results, including a draft vision and 15 guiding principles organized into four themes.
• Council members discussed the need for broader youth outreach, medical infrastructure planning, and alignment with annual city goals.
• The Council voted to find the document exempt from CEQA and accept the draft as the foundation for the next phase.

Adjournment in Memory of Saul Chooljian

• Council members shared memories of Saul Chooljian and his contributions to local institutions like the Boys & Girls Club.
• The meeting was formally adjourned in his memory following a motion by Council Member Kildee.

Closed Session

• The City Attorney reported that the Council would return to closed session for litigation and performance evaluation items.

• Meeting Date: August 12, 2026 Body: Camarillo City Council, Camarillo Sanitary District, and Successor Agency

1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

• The meeting was called to order. The roll was called, and all members were present. Council Member Santangelo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Closed Session Items (Initial)

• The City Attorney listed three items for closed session:
• Conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation (OPV Coalition v. Fox Canyon).
• Real property negotiations regarding property at 2222 Ventura Boulevard.
• Public employee performance evaluation (City Attorney).
• The Council recessed to closed session.

3. Reconvene and Pledge of Allegiance

• The Council reconvened. The roll was called, and all members were present. Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. Camarillo 2050 Teen Video and Community Photo Contest Awards

• The Council recognized the winners of the Camarillo 2050 Teen Video Contest and Community Photo Contest, which were part of the General Plan update process.
• Winners: Jacqueline Gutierrez (Teen Video Contest) and Glenda Sandberg (Community Photo Contest).
• Action: The winning entries were displayed. Certificates were presented to the winners. Council members offered remarks acknowledging the participants' contributions to the community visioning process.

5. Public Comment (Items Not on the Agenda)

• Six speakers addressed the Council regarding matters within its jurisdiction.
• Blanca O: Spoke on behalf of 805 UndocuFund regarding the "Glass House" raids, requesting acknowledgment of the impact on immigrant families and noting jurisdictional distinctions made by the Council.
• Sarah Matthews: Expressed concerns regarding the expansion of Flock camera services, citing privacy issues, data security leaks, and unauthorized access by outside agencies, urging the Council to review the contract.
• Lilia M.: Reported incidents of harassment, stalking, and physical assault by a neighbor claiming connections to law enforcement, requesting Council intervention and protection from retaliation.
• Melissa Hines: Spoke on behalf of 805 UndocuFund, referencing previous Council responses to requests for a moment of silence and urging the Council to pass a resolution supporting immigrants and terminate Flock camera contracts.
• Siddharth Mitra: Requested that the Council petition higher levels of government on behalf of citizens regarding federal law enforcement actions and clarified a previous comment regarding flower plots along Flynn Road.
• Spencer Ritchie: Commented on the Council's response to the "Glass House" raids, noting the Wikipedia entry for the event, and expressed concern over the Council's emphasis on jurisdictional boundaries.

6. Presentation: FoodShare Ventura County

• Monica White, President and CEO of FoodShare Ventura County, presented on the state of hunger in Ventura County and Camarillo.
• Key Statistics: FoodShare distributed 32 million pounds of food annually in Ventura County, serving 254,000 unduplicated clients. In Camarillo, 1.1 million pounds of food (approx. 955,000 meals) were distributed, serving approximately 8,500 people (12% of the city population).
• Programs: Discussed drive-through distributions, kitchen-free bags for the unhoused, farm worker boxes, and senior programs.
• Future Plans: Announced the construction of a new 85,000-square-foot food bank facility in Oxnard, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for September 11, 2026. The project is 91% funded.
• Q&A: Council members asked about the status of the Friday drive-through at Pleasant Valley Rec and Park. Ms. White stated she would verify the current status of that specific partner site.

7. Council Comments (Meetings and Events)

• Council members reported on meetings and events attended since the last meeting:
• Council Member Tremblay: Attended Airport Authority, Ventura County Transportation Commission, Utilities Committee, CASA conference (concluding his term as statewide president), and school crossing guard breakfast. Promoted the "Race for the Parks" event on October 3, 2026.
• Council Member Kildee: Attended Summer Concert Series, BRSD board meeting, FIFA viewing event, CJPIA annual meeting, National Night Out/Concert, and crossing guard breakfast.
• Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo: Attended crossing guard breakfast, met with Governor Newsom’s staff regarding wastewater treatment and supportive housing funding, attended WVCBA event, and Summer Concert Series.
• Council Member Santangelo: Attended Airport Authority, new business openings, Summer Concert Series, "Shots Fired" wellness presentation, WVCBA luncheon, and Pleasant Valley School Property Ad Hoc Committee.
• Mayor Tennyson: Attended Regional Defense Partnership Committee, chaired Ventura Council of Governments meeting, Stevens Grill grand opening, "Shots Fired" presentation, WVCBA event, and crossing guard breakfast.

8. Consent Calendar

• Motion: A motion was made and seconded to approve the Consent Calendar.
• Vote: Passed unanimously.

9. Item P: Review of Draft Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for Our Camarillo 2050 General Plan Update

• Presentation: Megan Ciccola (Planner) and Andrew Hill (Dayan Batia) presented the Phase 1 results of the General Plan update.
• Background: The current General Plan dates back to 1969. The update is a three-year, four-phase process.
• Engagement: Over 850 community members participated in workshops, surveys, pop-ups, and the GPAC (General Plan Advisory Committee).
• Draft Vision: Described Camarillo as a welcoming, close-knit community preserving small-town character while planning for future growth, housing, and infrastructure.
• Guiding Principles: 15 principles organized into four themes: Community and People, Nature in Place, Livability and Economic Vitality, and Mobility and Connections.
• Next Steps: Phase 2 will involve exploring land use and circulation alternatives.
• Q&A:
• Kildee: Noted the lack of mention regarding medical infrastructure; consultant responded that this will be addressed in later phases.
• Tremblay: Asked about future engagement opportunities; consultant described continued pop-ups, open houses, and digital surveys.
• Tennyson: Asked about youth outreach; consultant confirmed engagement with high schools and Girl Scouts.
• Kildee: Asked about the timeline; consultant confirmed 2.5–3 years is typical.
• Council Discussion:
• Tremblay: Requested language acknowledging the alignment between the long-range General Plan and annual Council goals/objectives. Also suggested adding language regarding community wellness/health initiatives (Healthy Camarillo).
• Martinez-Bravo: Noted a discrepancy between Council priorities (e.g., wastewater plant) and resident priorities. Suggested engaging the community on these infrastructure issues and emphasizing inclusivity for people with disabilities.
• Santangelo: Praised the turnout and findings. Suggested outreach to both public and private/faith-based high schools and youth groups.
• Kildee: Commended the comprehensive nature of the document and the focus on quality of life. Suggested reaching out to the "under 40" demographic.
• Tennyson: Emphasized the importance of engaging all high schools (public, private, faith-based) as they represent the future leadership of the city.
• Motion: A motion was made and seconded to find the vision and guiding principles exempt from CEQA, review and provide comments on the draft, and accept the draft as the foundation for the next phase.
• Vote: Passed unanimously.

10. Closed Session Report

• The City Attorney reported that the Council would return to closed session for the OPV litigation item and the performance evaluation item.

11. Adjournment in Memory of Saul Chooljian

• Motion: Council Member Kildee moved to adjourn the meeting in the memory of Saul Chooljian.
• Remarks: Council members shared memories of Saul Chooljian, highlighting his contributions to the Boys & Girls Club, Crestview Mutual Water Company, Ventura County Fair, and the establishment of Rancho Camarillo High School. They noted his role in bringing community members together and his generosity.
• Action: The meeting was adjourned in his memory.