City Council — January 27, 2026

Appointment to Cultural and Arts and Recreation Commission

• Staff recommended Casey Clark to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term ending January 31, 2029.
• Council members reviewed the valid application and interview committee recommendation prior to voting.
• The Council approved the appointment to the commission unanimously.

Fillmore Terrace Permanent Supportive Housing Project

• Staff requested a $500,000 loan from the Redevelopment Agency Housing Set-Aside Fund for a 50-unit project.
• Public speakers supported the recommendation noting the project serves low-income households and farm workers.
• The Council appropriated the funds and authorized the Assistant City Manager to enter into the agreement.

Adoption of Fire Inspection Report Resolution

• Staff recommended adopting Resolution 26-4092 to acknowledge receipt of the annual fire inspection report.
• Council Member Rogge moved to adopt the resolution while congratulating the Firefighter of the Year.
• The motion passed unanimously to comply with Senate Bill 1205 requirements.

City Council Compensation Discussion

• Staff presented data comparing Fillmore’s compensation and benefits packages with peer cities.
• Council members discussed budget implications regarding increasing the stipend versus adding CalPERS benefits.
• The Council passed a motion to increase the stipend to $950.

Urban Water Management Plan Update

• Staff recommended authorizing a professional services agreement to update the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan.
• The project cost is capped at $53,630 and funded by the 2025-2026 Capital Water Improvement Fund.
• The Council authorized the agreement with Michael K. Nunley and Associates unanimously.

Fourth Amendment to Landscape Maintenance Agreement

• Staff recommended approval of the Fourth Amendment to extend the agreement with Venco Western.
• The amendment extends the contract term through June 30, 2027, and includes a 3.3% CPI rate increase.
• The Council approved the amendment unanimously noting compliance with union notification laws.

City Manager Verbal Report

• Water well drilling operations are delayed until February 6th due to rock discovery at depth.
• Outreach continues at the homeless encampment, with population estimates between 15 and 20 individuals.
• Public works staff filled 46 potholes on C Street using new equipment.

Closed Session

• The Council held a closed session for a public employee performance evaluation of the City Manager.
• No reportable action was taken during the closed session.

• Meeting Date: January 27, 2026 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Fillmore City Council

Call to Order and Roll Call

• The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call indicated the presence of Mayor Mendez, Mayor Pro Tem Garnica, and Council Members Rogge, Villaseñor, and Rodriguez.

Item 4: Approval of the Agenda

• A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. The motion passed.

Item 5: Public Comments

• Several members of the public addressed the Council.
• Ron Murcord, representing 805 UndocuFund, requested support for volunteer training regarding immigrant issues and documenting enforcement activities. He noted training sessions scheduled for February.
• Beatriz Hernandez raised safety concerns regarding fast-moving electric bikes, specifically near Highway 126 and the McDonald’s entrance.
• Yvonne Becerra, Supervisor at the Fillmore Library, provided updates on library programs, including fiber arts, gardening series, and scan/fax capabilities.
• Joseph Dobczynski Jr., an organizer for 805 UndocuFund, provided statistics regarding immigration enforcement arrests in the region. He urged the Council to consider creating an immigrant stakeholders committee and to support the community.

Item 6: City Council and Committee Reports

• Council Member Rogge reported on the Ventura Regional Sanitation District offering mutual aid to the Ojai Valley Sanitation District due to staffing shortages. She also noted attendance at meetings regarding the Santa Paula Hospital relocation. Council Member Rogge made comments regarding recent immigration enforcement actions in other jurisdictions and urged the defense of constitutional rights.
• Council Member Garnica expressed support for the previous comments regarding constitutional rights. He mentioned attendance at the United Water Conservation District and Groundwater Sustainability Basin meetings.
• Council Member Villaseñor reported attending a new mayor and council conference in Sacramento.
• Mayor Mendez reported attending the Economic Development Collaborative Meeting, which focused on the film industry in Ventura County.

Item 7: Consent Calendar

• A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar. The motion passed.

Item 8: New Business

8A: Appointment to the Cultural and Arts and Recreation Commission

• Staff presented a vacancy on the Commission due to the resignation of a current member. Staff recommended Mr. Casey Clark to fill the unexpired term ending January 31, 2029, based on a valid application and interview committee recommendation. A motion was made and seconded to approve the appointment. The motion passed unanimously.

8B: Fillmore Terrace Permanent Supportive Housing Project

• Staff presented a request for the City to appropriate $500,000 from the Redevelopment Agency Housing Set-Aside Fund as a loan to People’s Self-Help Housing Corporation for a 50-unit project. The loan is intended to assist the project in competing for low-income housing tax credits. Public speakers Gabrielle Vignone (House Farm Workers) and Daisy Miguel (People Self-Help Housing) supported the recommendation, noting the project serves low-income households, homeless individuals, and farm workers. Council members inquired about veteran eligibility, residency requirements, staffing, and financing steps. A motion was made and seconded to appropriate the funds and authorize the Assistant City Manager to enter into the agreement. The motion passed unanimously.

8C: Adoption of Resolution Regarding Fire Inspection Report (SB 1205)

• Staff recommended adopting Resolution 26-4092 to acknowledge receipt of the annual fire inspection report required by Senate Bill 1205. Council Member Rogge congratulated the Firefighter of the Year. Council Member Rogge moved to adopt the resolution. Council Member Garnica seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

City Council Compensation Discussion

• Staff presented data comparing Fillmore’s compensation and benefits with other cities. Most comparison cities offer CalPERS retirement benefits, which Fillmore does not currently provide. Staff noted that adding CalPERS would require contract amendments and could impact staff negotiations. Council members discussed increasing the stipend versus adding benefits and the budget implications. Council Member Garnica moved to increase the stipend to $950. Council Member Villaseñor seconded. The motion passed.

8E: Urban Water Management Plan Update

• Staff recommended authorizing a professional services agreement with Michael K. Nunley and Associates to update the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and associated shortage contingency plan. The cost is not to exceed $53,630, funded by the 2025-2026 Capital Water Improvement Fund. A motion was made and seconded to authorize the agreement. The motion passed.

8F: Fourth Amendment to Landscape Maintenance Agreement

• Staff recommended approval of the Fourth Amendment to the agreement with Venco Western for citywide landscape maintenance. The amendment extends the contract term through June 30, 2027, and includes a 3.3% CPI rate increase. Staff noted compliance with Assembly Bill 339 regarding union notification. A motion was made and seconded to approve the amendment. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 9: City Manager Verbal Report

• Well Drilling: The City Manager reported delays in the water well drilling operation due to the discovery of boulder-sized rock at a depth of 60 feet. The conductor pipe has been placed. The 24-hour drilling operation is now projected to start February 6th and end February 20th. A second period of noisy operation is projected for March 14th through March 23rd. Potential cost increases are being monitored within contingency amounts.
• Homeless Encampment: Staff reported ongoing outreach to individuals at the encampment. Current estimates place the population between 15 and 20 individuals. A point-in-time homeless count is scheduled.
• Street Maintenance: Public works staff reported filling 46 potholes on C Street using new equipment.
• Business Roundtable: The next business roundtable is scheduled for February 2nd.

Item 10: Closed Session

• The Council moved into closed session for a public employee performance evaluation of the City Manager. No reportable action was taken.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for February 10th.