Meeting Summary
Present: 3-Mendez, 2-Garnica, 5-Villaseñor, 2-Rodriguez · Absent: 4-Broggie
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
Community Action of Ventura County Presentation
- The Executive Director outlined program expansions including new satellite offices and services for energy assistance and food distribution.
- Council members inquired about eligibility criteria and funding limits for the weatherization program.
- The presenter clarified that the program is income-based, free to households, and requires safety assessments.
Oxnard Mexican Consulate Presentation
- The Ambassador detailed consular services covering passport issuance, legal assistance, and support for detainees across three counties.
- Council members asked about accessibility challenges for residents in Fillmore and Piru lacking transportation.
- The Ambassador discussed using WhatsApp for scheduling and expressed a desire to expand outreach to agricultural workers.
Proclamations for Heritage, Health, and Biodiversity
- The Mayor read proclamations declaring May 2026 as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and American Stroke Awareness Month.
- A proclamation supporting Central Coast biodiversity was read, directing staff to identify funding for conservation efforts.
- Copies of the proclamations were presented to community representatives and a stroke survivor.
General Municipal Election Resolution
- Staff presented a resolution to call a general municipal election for November 3, 2026, with seats open in Districts 1, 3, and 4.
- The estimated cost for the election was stated as approximately $7,100 plus publication expenses.
- The Council unanimously adopted the resolution to proceed with the election.
Zoning Ordinance Amendment for ADUs
- Staff presented an ordinance update to align Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations with state laws regarding development standards and fees.
- Council members questioned the interaction between state law and local prohibitions in high fire hazard zones.
- The public hearing was closed with no attendees, and the Council unanimously approved the first reading of the ordinance.
Santa Clara Street Waterline Improvements
- The City Engineer presented plans to replace an aging cast iron waterline with an estimated construction cost of $430,000.
- The project scope includes reconnecting meters, hydrants, and valves over an approximate two-month timeline.
- The Council adopted the specifications and authorized staff to advertise the project for competitive bids.
Fillmore Recycling Plant Repairs
- Staff reported that critical repairs to deteriorated equipment at the recycling plant require an immediate fund transfer of $220,000.
- The request addresses high-priority maintenance issues after a previous authorization proved insufficient due to underestimated costs.
- The Council approved the transfer from the Sewer Reserve Fund to the Sewer Operating Fund to authorize the repairs.
Sports Field Lighting Project Phase Two
- Staff sought approval to award a contract to Techline Sports Lighting LLC for installing fixtures at the Two Rivers Park baseball fields.
- The total proposed cost is $556,486.88, funded from the unallocated Park Improvement Fund reserve.
- The Council unanimously approved the contract and the appropriation of funds.
FY 2026-27 Annual Budget and Cost Allocation
- Staff presented the Municipal Cost Allocation Plan and a preliminary budget with $12.2 million in projected General Fund revenue.
- Appropriations totaling $13.2 million were detailed, covering police, fire, administration, and capital projects like Well 10 construction.
- The Council unanimously adopted both the cost allocation plan and the annual budget resolutions.
Senior Nutrition Program Contract Amendments
- Staff requested contract extensions and increased not-to-exceed amounts for vendors Giordano's and Azul to reflect actual meal costs.
- Over 15,000 meals had been served as of April 2026, with a projection of 18,000 meals by year-end.
- The Council unanimously approved the first amendments to the food service contracts.
City Manager Verbal Report
- Updates were provided on upcoming community events, a joint school district meeting, and new remote participation rules under SB 707.
- The ERF grant report noted engagement with encampment residents and $475,000 allocated for the Fillmore Terrace housing project.
- Approximately 14% of the $1.5 million grant has been spent to date.
Closed Session
- No closed session was held during this meeting.
Full summary
Agenda Item 4: Approval of the Agenda
- A motion was made to approve the agenda and was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 5A: Presentation by Community Action of Ventura County
- Suzy Lopez-Garcia, Executive Director of Community Action of Ventura County, presented an update on the organization's mission, board structure, and program expansion, including new satellite offices in Simi Valley, Santa Paula, and a planned location for 2025. Programs discussed included Low Income Home Energy Assistance, home weatherization, unsheltered services, food distribution, and diaper distribution. Statistics were provided regarding utility and water assistance in Fillmore and Piru for 2025, along with a new county-contracted program for electrification and air quality monitoring. Council members inquired about eligibility, funding limits, and barriers to participation for the weatherization program. The presenter clarified that the program is income-based, free to households, and subject to safety assessments. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Agenda Item 5B: Presentation by the Oxnard Mexican Consulate
- Mexican Ambassador Ricardo Santana presented on services provided by the Oxnard Mexican Consulate, covering Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. Services outlined included passport and consular ID issuance, dual citizenship registration, legal assistance for immigration and civil/criminal matters, and support for detainees. The Ambassador emphasized free legal referrals and warned against unlicensed notaries. Council members asked about accessibility for residents in Fillmore and Piru lacking transportation. The Ambassador discussed transportation challenges, the use of WhatsApp for scheduling, and the desire to expand outreach to agricultural workers. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Agenda Item 5C: Proclamation of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- The Mayor read a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Fillmore, acknowledging the contributions and resilience of AAPI communities. A copy of the proclamation was presented to a representative. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Agenda Item 5D: Proclamation of American Stroke Awareness Month
- The Mayor read a proclamation declaring May 2026 as American Stroke Awareness Month, highlighting stroke prevention, the FAST acronym for recognizing warning signs, and the need for immediate medical attention. A copy of the proclamation was presented to a resident who had experienced a stroke. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Agenda Item 5E: Proclamation in Support of Biodiversity of California's Central Coast
- The Mayor read a proclamation supporting the biodiversity of California's Central Coast, recognizing the region as a global diversity hotspot and affirming the city's commitment to protecting native flora and fauna. The resolution directed staff to identify funding sources for conservation efforts. A copy of the proclamation was presented to a representative. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Agenda Item 6: Public Comments
- No members of the public appeared to speak on items not listed on the agenda.
Agenda Item 7: City Council Reports
- Council members provided reports on recent community events and meetings, including the opening of the Pothole Trail in Piru, the Rotary 5K/10K run, the sixth annual Health and Wellness Fair, Public Works Week events, and the Ventura Regional Sanitation District's fee adjustments for 2026-2027. Additional reports covered a scholarship night at Fillmore High School, youth sports achievements, and a community forum regarding the future of the Santa Paula hospital. No formal motions or votes were taken.
Agenda Item 8: Consent Calendar
- A motion was made to approve the consent calendar. A council member noted an abstention regarding Item 8E (Stormwater District Number 4, Riverwalk), and another noted an abstention regarding Item 8E (Stormwater District Number 3). The motion was seconded with the noted abstentions and passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 9A: Resolution 26-4115 Calling the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
- City staff presented Resolution 26-4115 to call for a general municipal election on November 3, 2026, with seats up for election in Districts 1, 3, and 4. District 1 was identified as a short-term seat due to a prior resignation and appointment. The estimated cost was stated as approximately $7,100 plus publication costs. A motion was made to adopt the resolution, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 9B: Public Hearing on Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-01 (Ordinance 26-995)
- Staff presented Ordinance 26-995 to update the Fillmore Municipal Code regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs (JADUs) to comply with state laws, specifically Senate Bill 543 and Assembly Bill 1154. The presentation covered changes to development standards, impact fee exemptions for units under 750 square feet, fire sprinkler requirements, and owner-occupancy rules. Staff noted that previous sewer capacity constraints in North Fillmore had been alleviated, though a citywide sewer master plan is in draft. State law was cited as prohibiting prohibitions on ADUs based on sewer capacity. Council members asked questions regarding the interaction between state law and local ordinances prohibiting ADUs in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones; staff clarified that the local prohibition remains in effect unless challenged or revised by the state. The public hearing was opened and immediately closed due to no attendees. A motion was made and seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 26-995 and to find an exemption from CEQA. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 9C: Santa Clara Street Waterline Improvements (Project Spec 25-08)
- The City Engineer presented plan specifications and a cost estimate for replacing an aging cast iron waterline on Santa Clara Street, originally installed circa 1955. The project involves replacing the public portion of the line from the Mountain View Apartments driveway to the end of the street, including reconnecting meters, hydrants, and valves. The estimated construction cost is $430,000, including an additive alternate for repaving. Staff noted the project would take approximately two months, with traffic control plans required. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the plan specifications and engineer's estimate and to authorize staff to advertise the project for competitive construction bids. The motion passed.
Agenda Item 9D: Authorization for Veolia to Proceed with Repairs to the Fillmore Recycling Plant
- Staff reported that the Fillmore Water Recycling Plant, operated by Veolia, requires repairs to 55 pieces of deteriorated equipment, with total estimated costs exceeding $1.9 million. The immediate request focused on repairing the core screen (CS-100) and addressing other high-priority maintenance issues. Staff explained that a previous authorization in July 2025 was insufficient due to underestimated costs and contract delays. Staff recommended transferring $220,000 from Sewer Reserve Fund 503 to Sewer Operating Fund 301 to authorize Veolia to proceed with critical repairs. A motion was made and seconded to transfer the funds and authorize the Public Works Director to approve repairs up to $220,000. The motion passed.
Agenda Item 9E: Award of Contracts for Phase Two of the Sports Field Lighting Project
- Staff sought approval to award a contract to Techline Sports Lighting LLC for Phase Two of the Two Rivers Park sports lighting project to install fixtures at the baseball fields. The project follows the completion of Phase One in November 2024 and utilizes the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program. The total proposed cost is $556,486.88, including a 5% contingency, to be funded from the unallocated Park Improvement Fund reserve. A motion was made and seconded to appropriate the funds and approve the contract. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 9F: Adoption of Resolution 26-4113 (Cost Allocation Plan) and Resolution 26-4114 (FY 2026-27 Annual Budget)
- Staff presented the Municipal Cost Allocation Plan developed by Willden Financial Services to allocate central service costs to operating departments. The presentation also covered the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27, highlighting revenue projections of approximately $12.2 million for the General Fund, with sales tax as the largest source. Appropriations totaling approximately $13.2 million were detailed, with significant allocations for police, fire, city administration, and transfers to special funds. The budget addresses deferred maintenance, insurance increases, and capital projects including Well 10 construction and reservoir painting. Staff noted negative balances in Recreation and Community Pool funds. Following discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve Resolution 26-4113 adopting the cost allocation plan and Resolution 26-4114 adopting the FY 2026-27 annual budget. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 9G: First Amendment to Senior Nutrition Program Food Services Contracts
- Staff requested approval for the first amendment to contracts with vendors Giordano's and Azul for the Senior Nutrition Program. The request included extending the contracts into Fiscal Year 2027 and increasing the not-to-exceed amounts to $127,000 for Azul and $55,000 for Giordano's to reflect actual costs. Staff reported that over 15,000 meals had been served as of April 2026, with a projection of 18,000 meals by year-end. A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract amendments. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 10: City Manager Verbal Report
- The City Manager provided updates on upcoming community events, including a bicycle safety rodeo and a "Ride for the Blue" gathering. A joint meeting with the school district was announced for June 23. Staff noted the implementation of State Legislation SB 707, effective July 1, allowing remote public participation in city meetings via Zoom. An update on the ERF grant reported that the Turning Point case management team has engaged five encampment residents and is working on cleanup efforts and potential motel housing arrangements. Approximately 14% of the $1.5 million grant has been spent, with $475,000 allocated to assist with construction costs for the Fillmore Terrace People's Self-Help Housing project. No motions were taken.
Adjournment and Memorial
- The City Clerk announced the conclusion of the meeting, noting that no closed session was held. A moment of remembrance was observed for Mr. Bill Dewey, a longtime resident and former mayor who passed away on May 9th. The meeting was formally adjourned in his honor. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. No motions were moved, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.