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City Council — January 13, 2026

City Council — January 13, 2026January 13, 2026

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BodyCity Council
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 January 13, 2026

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Meeting Summary

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Present: 3-Mendez, 2-Garnica, 4-Broggie, 5-Villaseñor, 2-Rodriguez

This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.

At a glance

Presentations

  • Interface Children and Family Services outlined 2-1-1 information services and local need data.
  • Staff described programs including Enhanced Care Management and immigration support resources.
  • Council members inquired about service scope and specific program details.
  • No formal action was taken during this informational segment.

Council Reports

  • Members reported on regional meetings regarding transportation, sanitation, and groundwater basins.
  • Updates were shared on upcoming homeless counts, e-bike legislation, and community events.
  • Council Member Rodriguez suggested implementing Spanish interpretation for future meetings.
  • Several members encouraged public engagement through official channels and volunteering.

Audit Services Contract

  • Staff recommended awarding a contract to Clifton Larson Allen LLP for auditing services.
  • Selection was justified based on continuity and technology fit rather than lowest bid.
  • Appropriations were approved from Water, Sewer, and General Fund reserves.
  • The motion to authorize the contract passed unanimously.

City Council Salaries

  • Staff presented data on potential salary increases within state legal limits.
  • Council members discussed balancing recruitment needs with benefit costs.
  • The council directed staff to research a $300 stipend increase and gather comparison data.
  • No final salary decision was made at this meeting.

City Manager Verbal Report

  • Case managers initiated homeless services while encampment cleanup awaits legal agreements.
  • Arundo removal work proceeded in the north area but faces delays in Sunken Village.
  • Park renovations are underway with anticipated reopenings scheduled for February 1.
  • Well 10 drilling began but remains two months behind the project schedule.

Closed Session

  • The council discussed potential and ongoing litigation matters.
  • A personnel performance evaluation was also reviewed.
  • No reportable action was taken during the closed session.

Full summary

Agenda Item 3: Roll Call

  • The meeting proceeded with a roll call. Mayor Mendez, Mayor Pro Tem Garnica, Council Member Brogy, Council Member Villasenor, and Council Member Rodriguez were recorded as present. A quorum was established.

Agenda Item 4: Approval of the Agenda

  • A motion was made to approve the agenda. A second was provided. All members in favor were recorded. The motion passed.

Agenda Item 5: Presentations

  • Interface Children and Family Services presented information regarding the 2-1-1 information and referral line. A representative outlined the organization's services, including the 2-1-1 line which serves 36 California counties and operates 24 hours a day. Data from 2025 indicated top needs for Fillmore residents included housing insecurity, income support, and legal/consumer/public safety services, with a noted rise in requests for immigration-related information. Programs discussed included Enhanced Care Management (ECM) for Medi-Cal recipients, assistance during public safety power shutoffs, and Ventura vs. Hate services. Council members asked questions regarding the scope of service and the ECM program. No formal action was taken.

Agenda Item 6: Public Comments

  • Four members of the public provided comments:
  • George Ioffre: Requested attention to the deteriorating condition of Fine Street, specifically the section past 4th Street, and suggested it be prioritized for repaving.
  • Gabe Candelario: Representing One Step A La Vez, described the organization's juvenile justice programs, evening reporting center services, mentoring, and the Youth Advisory Council (YACC).
  • Hector Magana: Representing One Step A La Vez, detailed the Teen Center operations and a recent grant-funded computer skills program that provided laptops to 40 participants. He invited the council to tour the facility.
  • Pedro Chavez: As Executive Director of One Step A La Vez, highlighted food pantry statistics, partnerships with the police department, and requested that the city promote food distributions on social media.

Agenda Item 7: City Council Reports

  • Mayor Mendez: Reported on attendance at the Ventura County Council of Governments (VCOG) meeting and the Air Pollution Control Board meeting. Offered to share VCOG presentation materials with the council.
  • Council Member Brogy: Reported on the Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting. Discussed upcoming informal meetings regarding a potential Santa Paula hospital site and housing policy discussions with Senate Pro Tem Limon. Noted the upcoming January 28 Homeless Point-in-Time Count and encouraged volunteer participation. Reminded the public to use official code enforcement channels via Greenleaf and suggested creating a matrix for local food distribution locations.
  • Council Member Villasenor: Reported on the Ventura County Transportation Commission meeting regarding the Santa Paula branch line bike trail. Mentioned an upcoming meeting on e-bike legislation and noted local concerns regarding e-bike safety. Announced a rescheduling of his "Porch Talk" event.
  • Council Member Rodriguez: Suggested implementing Spanish interpretation for future council meetings. Announced a planned District 1 meet-and-greet for late February or early March.
  • Council Member Garnica: Reported that the Fillmore-Piru Groundwater Basin meeting was canceled and rescheduled for the following month.

Agenda Item 8: Consent Calendar

  • A motion was made to approve the consent calendar. A second was provided. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 9: New Business

  • Item 9A: Audit Services Contract. Finance Director Debra Cavaletto presented a recommendation to award a three-year contract with an option for two additional years to Clifton Larson Allen LLP for auditing and financial statement preparation services. Staff recommended allocating additional appropriations from Water, Sewer, and General Fund Operating Reserves. Council Member Garnica asked for clarification on the selection process, as the firm was not the lowest bid. Staff explained the selection was based on continuity, experience, and technology fit for the city's current needs. A motion was made to approve the appropriations and contract and authorize the City Manager to execute it. A second was provided. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Item 9B: City Council Salaries. Staff presented a discussion on increasing the City Council salary from $600 per month. Staff noted state law allows for salaries up to $950 plus potential COLAs for cities of Fillmore's size. The council discussed comparison data from similar cities, with some offering health benefits and others maintaining lower stipends. Council members expressed interest in increasing the stipend to reflect service time and aid recruitment, though costs for potential benefits were noted as high. Council Member Brogy moved to research a stipend increase of $300 (bringing the total to $900) and gather updated comparison data on total compensation from similar cities. Council Member Villasenor seconded the motion. The council agreed to the direction to research the increase.

Agenda Item 10: City Manager Verbal Report

  • Homeless Encampment: Assistant City Manager Manuel Menjarez reported that Turning Point case managers began services on January 5 at the Fillmore Medical Clinic. A larger encampment cleanup is pending a right-of-entry agreement. Council Member Garnica requested a financial progress report on the $1.5 million grant.
  • Arundo Removal: Police Chief Girola reported on a CAL FIRE grant for vegetation management. Work in the north area was completed. Work in the Sunken Village area is delayed pending Army Corps of Engineers flood level identification.
  • Public Works: Public Works Director Joe Belomo reported on pothole repairs and park closures due to weather. Renovations at Shields and Dolores Stay Parks are underway, with parks anticipated to reopen February 1. Regarding Well 10, permits were received and mobilization began. Drilling is scheduled for late January and early March. The project schedule is currently two months behind.

Agenda Item 11: Closed Session

  • The council met in closed session to discuss four items: potential litigation, ongoing litigation, and a personnel performance evaluation. No reportable action was taken.

Adjournment

  • The meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2026.