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City Council — October 14, 2026

City Council — October 14, 2026October 14, 2026

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BodyCity Council
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 October 14, 2026

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Meeting Summary

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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

Winter Weather Preparedness

  • Staff presented preparations for potential El Niño-related weather, noting that strong conditions do not guarantee above-average rainfall.
  • City measures include a virtual Emergency Operations Center, backup power for critical infrastructure, and drainage inspections.
  • Residents were encouraged to use the "Ready, Set, Go" framework and partner with neighbors for support.
  • Staff recommended the Council on Aging assist in spreading preparedness messages to vulnerable populations.

Groundwater Adjudication Litigation

  • Counsel provided an update on the OPV groundwater adjudication, noting the Phase One safe yield was set at 13,750 acre-feet per year.
  • Phase Two litigation is currently ongoing, with the City asserting appropriative, prescriptive, and desalter-related water rights.
  • The court has set a Phase Two trial deadline for April 2028, though the schedule may shift based on settlements or case splits.
  • The item was received and filed without a vote.

Recognition of Former Council Member

  • The Council recognized former Council Member and two-time Mayor Sandy Bush for her service from 1982 to 1989.
  • She was noted as the first woman to serve twice as Mayor of Camarillo.
  • Her advocacy for the renaming and renovation of Constitution Park was also highlighted.

Closed Session

  • The City Attorney reported that the Council discussed two existing litigation matters during the initial recess.
  • The Council recessed to closed session to discuss a real property negotiation regarding 222 Ventura Boulevard.

Full summary

Closed Session (Initial)

  • Discussion: The City Attorney identified three items for closed session: two existing litigation matters (OPV Coalition v. Fox Canyon and Real v. City of Camarillo) and one real property negotiation regarding the property at 222 Ventura Boulevard.
  • Action: The Council recessed to closed session.

Open Session Call to Order

  • Action: Roll call was taken, and all five Council members were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo.

General Public Comment

  • Discussion: Six members of the public spoke.
  • One speaker reported on recent ICE activity in the area, citing specific incidents and dates, and requested the Council take action.
  • One speaker discussed lease negotiations with Air 7 at the Camarillo Airport, arguing that the proposed lease would significantly increase jet operations and impact local residents, and urged the Council to review the proposal.
  • One speaker expressed concerns regarding the airport lease and ICE operations, referencing specific incidents and voter suppression concerns.
  • One speaker called for the city to become a sanctuary city and expressed opposition to ICE presence within city limits.
  • One speaker, a faculty member at Cal State Channel Islands, raised concerns about student safety regarding ICE presence near universities and requested the Council coordinate with local institutions.
  • One speaker, a volunteer with 805 UndocuFund, expressed disappointment regarding the City’s lack of cooperation with the Ventura County Community Fund and urged the Council to engage with local organizations.
  • Action: No motions were made or votes taken during this segment.

Staff and Intergovernmental Reports: Winter Weather Preparedness

  • Discussion: Assistant City Manager Carmen Nichols and Chief Eric Tennyson presented on the city’s preparations for potential El Niño-related weather events.
  • The presentation clarified that strong El Niño conditions do not guarantee above-average rainfall, citing historical data showing significant variability in annual rainfall totals (ranging from less than 3 inches to nearly 35 inches).
  • Staff outlined city preparations, including the development of a virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC), backup power capabilities for City Hall and traffic signals, and coordination with regional partners (Ventura County, Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, Caltrans, and National Weather Service).
  • Public Works efforts included inspecting and clearing drainage inlets, ditches, and channels.
  • Residents were encouraged to prepare using the "Ready, Set, Go" framework: preparing homes and family plans, staying informed via VC Alert and official sources, and knowing when to act on evacuation orders or road closures.
  • Council members asked questions regarding support for vulnerable populations, such as seniors and individuals with disabilities. Staff recommended that the Council on Aging assist in spreading preparedness messages to their members and that residents partner with neighbors for assistance.
  • Action: No motions were made or votes taken during this segment.

Council Comments: Meetings Attended

  • Discussion: Each Council member provided a report on meetings attended and events participated in since the last meeting.
  • Council Member Tremblay: Attended the League of California Cities conference, Metrolink board meetings, the Mike Morgan plaque unveiling, the Mobility 21 conference, a tour of the Phase One project in the Corporation Yard, a CTC staff meeting, a Ventura County Transportation Commission meeting, a Metrolink board special meeting, the Ventura County Educators Hall of Fame dinner, a Metrolink internal audit meeting, and the CASA Board of Directors meeting.
  • Council Member Kildee: Attended the CSUCI President’s Dinner, the Mike Morgan plaque unveiling, and a public safety and emergency preparedness meeting.
  • Council Member Santangelo: Attended a Camarillo Reads event, the Mike Morgan plaque unveiling, a CPA Board of Directors meeting, a lunch with the Director of Airports, a courtyard tour, the VCOG dinner, a Lions Club meeting, and a Healthy Camarillo stakeholder meeting.
  • Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo: Attended the California Cities Conference, the Sombra Lounge grand opening, the CSUCI President’s Dinner, a Cal Lutheran nonprofit sector report panel, the Mike Morgan plaque unveiling, the Central Coast Labor Council dinner, the VCOG annual dinner, a Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee meeting, and Senator Monique Limon’s Ti Con Limón event. She noted that the city secured $1 million in funding from Senator Limon for water pump backup generators.
  • Mayor Tennyson: Attended the Cal Cities Conference, the West Ventura County Business Alliance Military Appreciation Dinner, the Mike Morgan plaque unveiling, a Metropolitan Water District tour of the Colorado Aqueduct, the VCOG annual dinner, and a boat tour of the Santa Rosa Island Research Facility with Cal State Channel Islands.
  • Action: No motions were made or votes taken during this segment.

Consent Items

  • Discussion: The Clerk asked for public comment on consent items; none were received.
  • Motion: A motion was made to approve the consent items.
  • Second: The motion was seconded.
  • Vote: The motion passed unanimously.

Item O: Groundwater Adjudication Litigation Presentation

  • Discussion: Special Legal Counsel Ryan Bezzera presented an update on the Oxnard and Pleasant Valley (OPV) groundwater adjudication.
  • Background: The lawsuit, filed in June 2021, challenges a groundwater allocation ordinance and seeks to establish pumping rights. It involves all groundwater pumpers in the region.
  • Phase One (Safe Yield): Concluded last year. The court set the safe yield for the Pleasant Valley basin at 13,750 acre-feet per year. The City did not prevail in its argument against a deduction for seawater intrusion. An appeal was sought but denied by the appeals court at this stage; the City may appeal after a final judgment.
  • Phase Two (Water Rights): Currently ongoing. This phase involves litigating actual water rights based on the Phase One safe yield determinations. The City is asserting appropriative rights, prescriptive rights, and rights associated with its North Pleasant Valley groundwater desalter.
  • Complexity: The case is described as potentially the most complex in California due to the volume of supplemental water sources (State Water Project, Metropolitan Water District, United Water Conservation District, Cameo Water District) and "in lieu" recharge claims.
  • Timeline: The court has set a deadline for a Phase Two trial in April 2028. The schedule may change if the case is split by basin or if settlements are reached for some parties but not others.
  • Q&A: Council Member Kildee asked about the correlation between complexity and trial duration. Counsel confirmed that these cases typically take 10–15 years to resolve, citing examples from the Santa Maria and Templeton adjudications. Counsel advised that the City must continue operating under current Fox Canyon allocations while pursuing the best advantage in the litigation.
  • Action: The item was received and filed. No vote was taken.

Recognition

  • Discussion: The Council recognized former Council Member and two-time Mayor Sandy Bush, who served from 1982–1989. She was the first woman to serve twice as Mayor of Camarillo (1985 and 1988). She chaired the Constitution Park Committee in 1991 and advocated for the park’s renaming and renovation.
  • Action: The Council honored her memory.

Closed Session (Final)

  • Discussion: The City Attorney reported that the Council discussed the two existing litigation matters in the initial closed session. The Council recessed to closed session to discuss the real property negotiation.
  • Action: The Council recessed to closed session.