Meeting Summary
Present: 2-Santangelo, 5-Martinez-Bravo, 3-Kildee, 4-Trembley, 1-Tennessen
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
Camarillo Citizen Patrol 50th Anniversary
- The City Council recognized the 50th anniversary of the Camarillo Citizen Patrol.
- Mayor Tennyson presented a Certificate of Recognition to patrol captain Rich Chesko.
- The program has accumulated over 188,500 documented volunteer hours over the past five decades.
- Council members and the Police Chief offered remarks thanking the volunteers for their service.
U.S. 101 Improvement Program
- The Ventura County Transportation Commission presented an overview of the U.S. 101 Improvement Project scope and alternatives.
- Three alternatives are under study, including a no-build baseline and HOV express bus lane configurations.
- Public circulation of the draft environmental document is scheduled for September 30, with construction programmed to begin in 2031.
- Council members discussed a significant funding gap, noting available funds cover less than 10% of the estimated project cost.
Council Comments
- Council members reported on their attendance at various committee meetings and community events since the last meeting.
- Activities included the Berry Street Housing Project ribbon-cutting and the Economic Development and Land Use Committee.
- Council member Martinez-Bravo announced a fundraiser for the Lisa Alonso Memorial Scholarship scheduled for September 23.
- Mayor Tennyson noted that regional committees are less active in the summer and highlighted tiny home furnishings on Berry Street.
CDBG Fiscal Year 2025-26 CalPERS
- Staff presented the Consolidated Annual Progress and Evaluation Report for Community Development Block Grant funds.
- The city met its expenditure goals, benefiting 258 residents through services for seniors, the homeless, and the disabled.
- Public speakers provided testimonials on how CDBG funds supported food assistance, shelter services, and home repairs.
- The council approved staff’s recommendations regarding the CDBG report.
Closed Session
- The City Attorney reported no reportable action from closed session.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Camarillo Citizen Patrol
- The City Council recognized the 50th anniversary of the Camarillo Citizen Patrol. Mayor Tennyson presented a Certificate of Recognition to Rich Chesko, the patrol captain, on behalf of the volunteers. Captain Chesko accepted the recognition, noting that the program has accumulated over 188,500 documented volunteer hours over the past five decades. Several council members and the Police Chief offered remarks thanking the volunteers for their service to public safety and the community. No formal motion or vote was taken on this item.
Agenda Item: General Public Comment
- Public comment was opened for items not on the agenda. Speakers addressed the following topics:
- Surveillance Technology: Multiple speakers expressed concerns regarding the city’s approval of a drone first responder program and the use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) via the FLOC contract. Speakers cited privacy concerns, the high cost of the drone program, and questions about the city’s oversight capabilities regarding the FLOC contract. One speaker requested that the council formally place an agenda item to discuss alternative vendors or the removal of ALPRs.
- Water Utility: A representative from California American Water informed the council that the utility had updated its emergency response plan, outlining procedures for protecting life, the environment, and water systems during emergencies.
- Other Comments: One speaker read an essay by Wendell Berry regarding the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, focusing on themes of economic decentralization and civil liberties.
Agenda Item: U.S. 101 Improvement Program Presentation
- Amanda Fagan, Director of Planning and Sustainability for the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), presented an overview of the U.S. 101 Improvement Project. Key points included:
- Project Scope: The project aims to improve traffic reliability and operations on U.S. 101 from Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks to State Route 33 in Ventura.
- Alternatives: Three alternatives are under further study: a no-build baseline, an HOV express bus lane with auxiliary lanes, and a similar HOV lane configuration with design variations to improve alignment and bottlenecks.
- Timeline and Funding: Public circulation of the draft environmental document is scheduled for September 30, with public hearings in November. The first phase of construction is programmed to begin in 2031. Council members discussed the significant funding gap, noting that available funds cover less than 10% of the estimated project cost, and highlighted the lack of a dedicated transportation sales tax in Ventura County compared to neighboring counties.
- Mitigation: The project includes a $243 million mitigation program for multimodal improvements, housing, and transit.
Agenda Item: Council Comments
- Council members reported on their activities since the last meeting:
- Santangelo: Attended the Economic Development and Land Use Committee, the Berry Street Housing Project ribbon-cutting, and the CPA Board of Directors meeting.
- Martinez-Bravo: Attended the Economic Development and Land Use Committee, the Berry Street Housing Project ribbon-cutting, and the Information Technology and Facilities Committee. She also announced a fundraiser for the Lisa Alonso Memorial Scholarship scheduled for September 23 at Cronies.
- Kildee: Attended the Berry Street Housing Project ribbon-cutting and an inter-regional sand board member district meeting.
- Tremblay: Attended meetings related to the Healthy Camarillo initiative, OPV large water users, and the Metrolink board.
- Tennyson: Attended the Information Technology and Facilities Committee. He noted that regional committees are less active in the summer and highlighted the furnishing of tiny homes on Berry Street by local faith-based organizations.
Agenda Item: Consent Calendar (Items E through N)
- The council considered the consent calendar. No public comments were received. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item: CDBG Fiscal Year 2025-26 CalPERS (Item O)
- Erin Lay from Veronica Tam & Associates presented the Consolidated Annual Progress and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for fiscal year 2025-26.
- Report Summary: The city met its expenditure and accomplishment goals, benefiting 258 residents through services for seniors, the homeless, and the disabled. The city continued to use CDBG CV funds allocated for COVID-19 impacts. Construction of temporary homes for the homeless was completed, with the first participants expected to move in by the end of the month.
- Public Hearing: The public hearing was opened. Speakers included representatives from St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Turning Point Foundation, Camarillo Healthcare District, and Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County. They provided testimonials and data on how CDBG funds were used to provide food assistance, rent assistance, shelter services, wellness programs, and home repairs for low-income residents.
- Council Discussion: Council members thanked the speakers for humanizing the data and emphasizing the impact of the funding on individual lives.
- Decision: A motion was made and seconded to approve staff’s recommendations regarding the CDBG report. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment
- The City Attorney reported no reportable action from closed session. The meeting was adjourned.