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City Council — February 10, 2026

City Council — February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

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BodyCity Council
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 February 10, 2026

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Meeting Summary

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  3. VerifiedReviewed and corrected by a person.

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, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.

At a glance

Proclamations and Presentations

  • The Mayor issued proclamations for Scouting anniversaries and Black History Month.
  • A presentation on human trafficking highlighted available resources and language needs.
  • Communications staff reported increased social media engagement and Channel 10 reactivation.

Budget Development Guidelines

  • Staff presented the schedule and guidelines for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget.
  • Council members suggested holding a public informational session before final adoption.
  • The guidelines and schedule were approved unanimously.

Animal Services Contract Extension

  • Staff requested a one-year contract extension with Ventura County Animal Services through 2027.
  • The agreement includes a 5% cost increase to address a $2 million operational funding gap.
  • The Council approved the service level request and contract extension unanimously.

Irrigation Modernization Agreement

  • Staff recommended authorizing a professional services agreement with Arroyo Irrigation up to $40,000.
  • This initial phase supports a larger $1 million project to modernize citywide irrigation controllers.
  • The authorization for the professional services agreement passed unanimously.

City Council Salary Increase

  • Staff presented Ordinance 26-991 proposing a salary increase from $600 to $950 per month.
  • The proposed increase is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
  • The Council approved the first reading of the ordinance unanimously.

City Manager Employment Amendment

  • Staff presented an amendment increasing the City Manager's annual compensation to $253,800.
  • The amendment also includes an increased auto allowance and modified work location language.
  • Resolution 26-4094 approving the employment agreement amendment passed unanimously.

City Manager Verbal Report

  • Updates were provided on Well 10 drilling progress and mitigation of noise and vibration concerns.
  • Staff reported on sewer infrastructure improvements, ERF grant implementation, and pothole repairs.
  • The Fire Department announced a timeline for weed abatement inspections starting April 1st.

Closed Session

  • The Council convened in closed session to address existing litigation matters.
  • No reportable action was taken during the closed session.

Full summary

Agenda Item 4: Approval of the Agenda

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

Agenda Item 5: Presentations

  • Proclamations (Items 5A, 5B, and 5C): The Mayor read proclamations honoring the 116th anniversary of Scouting, specifically recognizing Cub Scout Pack 3406 and Scouting America Troop 406 for their community service. Representatives from both groups received the proclamations. The Mayor also read a proclamation designating February 2026 as Black History Month. Following the reading, a Council member suggested exploring a future celebration for Juneteenth. No formal motions or votes were recorded for these proclamations.
  • Human Trafficking Awareness (Item 5D): Detective Jamal Obey of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office presented on the Human Trafficking Task Force, defining sex and labor trafficking and discussing victim demographics, indicators, and legal resources such as T-visas. Council members inquired about the distribution of awareness materials, the availability of Spanish-language resources, and strategies for educating parents and foster youth. Detective Obey confirmed the availability of pamphlets in English and Spanish and discussed challenges regarding school curriculum implementation.
  • Communications and Outreach (Item 5E): Angel Garcia, Senior Management Analyst, presented data showing significant increases in social media engagement and the reactivation of Channel 10. Council members discussed the metrics, raised questions regarding engagement with younger demographics, and noted the need to publicize updated content on Channel 10. The presenter confirmed plans to promote channel updates through newsletters.

Agenda Item 6: Public Comments

  • Sheriff Jim Freyhoff addressed the Council regarding immigration enforcement, stating that local law enforcement does not perform immigration enforcement or request documentation during 911 calls. He explained that communication with federal authorities occurs only for individuals in custody with serious criminal charges or federal warrants, and noted the availability of a transparency dashboard. Two additional speakers addressed the Council: Joseph Dobczynski Jr. of 805 UndocuFund provided statistics on ICE detentions and requested the establishment of an immigration stakeholders committee, while Estrella Torres of the BRITE Program outlined the BRITE Futures Initiative for youth leadership and civic engagement.

Agenda Item 7: City Council Reports

  • Council members provided updates on various activities, including attendance at a United Water Conservation District tour, the Fillmore Business Roundtable, and a medical device trade show. One member reported on the Point-in-Time homeless count, the status of the Ventura Regional Sanitation District landfill, and discussions regarding the potential closure of Santa Paula Hospital. Another member clarified that the Council has not taken a formal position on immigration or ICE issues and recommended that personal opinions on non-agendized items be expressed from the podium. Additional reports covered the Air Pollution Control Board meeting and the student civic tour.

Agenda Item 8: Consent Calendar

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

Agenda Item 9A: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Development Guidelines and Schedule

  • Staff presented the budget development guidelines and schedule. A Council member suggested holding an informational session for the public prior to final adoption. A motion was made and seconded to approve the guidelines and schedule. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 9B: Approval of 2026-2027 Service Level Request and One-Year Contract Extension with Ventura County Animal Services

  • Staff requested approval for a one-year contract extension with Ventura County Animal Services through June 30, 2027, noting a $2 million operational funding gap identified by the County. The amendment includes a 5% cost increase and a rate adjustment. Questions were raised regarding the participation of neighboring cities; staff clarified that Thousand Oaks contracts with Los Angeles County and Santa Paula manages services in-house. A motion was made and seconded to approve the extension and service level request. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 9C: Authorization of Professional Services Agreement with Arroyo Irrigation

  • Staff recommended authorizing a professional services agreement with Arroyo Irrigation, not to exceed $40,000, to assist in modernizing citywide irrigation controllers. The City Engineer estimated the full modernization project would cost approximately $1 million over four to five years, funded by the Capital Water Improvement Fund. A motion was made and seconded to authorize the agreement. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 9D: Adoption of Ordinance Number 26-991 Increasing City Council Salaries

  • Staff presented Ordinance 26-991 for the first reading, proposing an increase in City Council member salaries from $600 to $950 per month, effective January 1, 2027. A motion was made and seconded to approve the first reading of the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 9E: First Amendment to the 2025 City Manager Employment Agreement

  • Staff presented a resolution to approve the First Amendment to the City Manager's employment agreement, which includes an increase in the auto allowance, an increase in annual compensation to $253,800, and a modification to work location language. A motion was made and seconded to adopt Resolution 26-4094 approving the amendment. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 10: City Manager Verbal Report

  • Staff provided updates on several projects:
  • Well 10 Drilling: Drilling reached 353 feet below ground surface. Measures were taken to address light spillage and noise complaints, and the drill head was changed to address vibration concerns.
  • Sewer Infrastructure: Updates were provided on the Williams Homes offsite sewer improvement project, including road closures and funding sources.
  • ERF Grant Implementation: Case managers are assisting homeless individuals, and a right-of-entry agreement was signed with Fillmore Irrigation Company for encampment cleanup.
  • Other Updates: The Fire Department issued a timeline for weed abatement inspections beginning April 1st. The Business Roundtable will be held monthly. Public Works reported filling 488 potholes. City offices will be closed for upcoming holidays.

Agenda Item 11: Closed Session

  • The City Council convened in a closed session to address existing litigation. No reportable action was taken. The meeting was adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for February 24, 2026.