Meeting Summary
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
Immigration Services and Community Safety
- Speakers urged the creation of an Immigration Services Stakeholders Group to coordinate resources and build trust.
- Sheriff Fryhoff clarified that local law enforcement does not enforce federal immigration laws except in specific serious crime instances.
- The City Manager offered to continue informal coordination meetings with community members outside of formal Brown Act requirements.
Future Agenda Requests
- Council Member Barrett requested a feasibility study on permitting residents to raise farm animals through organizations like 4-H.
- Council Member Means requested a staff presentation on library operations and the upcoming five-year contract renewal.
- Council Member Delgado requested a report on strategies to attract more film production to Moorpark.
SCAG and Regional Planning Resources
- A presentation outlined SCAG's role in regional transportation planning, housing assessments, and available grant funding mechanisms.
- Staff confirmed previous successful grant acquisitions for the Downtown Specific Plan and Princeton Avenue Project.
- No formal motions were taken during the informational presentation on regional resources.
Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
- Discussion focused on concerns that large housing allocations could alter community character and the removal of housing number swapping.
- The presenter noted that while initial funding allocations face threats, committed funding is generally secure.
- The Council passed a motion to receive and file the presentation on RHNA and SCAG roles.
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
- Staff presented the fiscal year 2024-25 audit which received an unmodified opinion confirming conformity with GAAP.
- The auditor reported no material errors, irregularities, or significant internal control deficiencies.
- The Council passed a motion to accept the annual comprehensive financial report and audit.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Princeton Avenue Property Acquisition
- Staff recommended against purchasing the property due to its high appraised value relative to potential municipal uses.
- Discussion explored strategies to lower acquisition costs, including geotechnical studies or rezoning for lower density.
- The Council passed a motion to decline the purchase while directing staff to evaluate rezoning feasibility for future consideration.
Hitch Ranch Park Conceptual Plans
- Staff presented conceptual plans for two parks featuring amenities such as a splash pad, disc golf course, and performance venue.
- Council members suggested deferring final color selections to a marketing committee and considering graffiti-resistant coatings.
- The Council passed a motion to approve the conceptual plans and findings of consistency with the environmental impact report.
Artist Definition Ordinance
- Ordinance No. 532 was presented to update the municipal code definition of "artist" and determine CEQA exemption.
- The Council passed a motion to read the ordinance for the second time and adopt it as read.
Closed Session
- The Council adjourned to closed session to discuss property sales on Walnut Canyon Road and other confidential matters.
- Council Member Means recused themselves from the discussion regarding the Walnut Canyon Road property sale.
Full summary
Item 4: Proclamations and Accommodations
- No proclamations or accommodations were presented for this meeting.
Item 5: Public Comment
- Multiple speakers addressed the City Council regarding federal immigration enforcement activities (ICE) and their impact on the community. Speakers urged the Council to form an "Immigration Services Stakeholders Group" or similar community forum, citing examples from neighboring cities to build trust, share information, and coordinate resources. Concerns were raised regarding safety, civil liberties, and economic impacts. Two speakers read lists of names of individuals who died in ICE custody or due to ICE actions between January 2025 and January 2026, requesting a moment of silence. Contact information for local mutual aid organizations was provided.
- Sheriff Jim Fryhoff addressed the Council to clarify the role of local law enforcement, stating that California is a sanctuary state and local agencies do not enforce federal immigration laws except in specific instances involving serious or violent crimes or when requested for assistance. He noted that ICE had ceased notifying local agencies of activities as of mid-December and expressed concern regarding the erosion of community trust. He affirmed that local officers would respond to 911 calls regardless of immigration status.
- The City Manager summarized actions the City has taken regarding immigration, including workshops, website resources, and coordination with the Chamber of Commerce. The City Manager explained that the City does not receive direct federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds due to its size. The City Manager offered to continue coordinating informal meetings with community members, noting that such an administrative group would not be subject to Brown Act requirements.
Item 6: Reordering of Distance to Agenda / Additions to Agenda
- Council Member Barrett requested a future agenda item to discuss permitting options for residents to raise farm animals through organizations such as 4-H or FFA. The City Manager suggested addressing this initially as a "box item" to explore feasibility, which Council Member Barrett agreed to.
- Council Member Means requested a future staff presentation regarding City library operations, the upcoming five-year contract renewal, and goals for the new library era. This request was accepted for a future agenda item.
- Council Member Delgado requested a report on strategies to attract more film production to Moorpark. The City Manager agreed to have the Community Development and Economic Development teams prepare a report or box item memo on current efforts and potential future ideas.
Item 7: Announcements and Future Agenda Items
- Council members and the Mayor reported on meetings and events attended, including the Regional Defense Partnership board meeting, Chamber of Commerce events, the El Pollo Loco ribbon-cutting, the Economic Development Board meeting, and meetings with the Teen Council and Ventura County Civic Alliance.
- The Mayor announced two upcoming events: a Marketing Masterclass hosted by SCORE on January 22nd and a "Coffee or Ice Cream with the City Manager" event at California Bun on the same evening.
Item 8: Public Hearings
- No public hearings were conducted during this portion of the meeting.
Item 9: Presentation and Discussion (SCAG)
- Council Member Rocky Rhodes of Simi Valley, representing District 46 of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), presented on the organization's role and resources. The presentation covered SCAG's responsibility for the "ConnectSoCal" regional transportation plan and the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RENA), as well as funding mechanisms including the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ), and the Active Transportation Program (ATP). Opportunities for Moorpark to access SCAG resources, including technical assistance and grant funding for transportation, housing, and resilience projects, were highlighted.
- During the Q&A, Council Member Delgado asked about the feasibility of SCAG grants given administrative burdens. Mr. Rhodes explained that SCAG often performs preliminary planning work to reduce the burden on cities. The City Manager and staff confirmed that Moorpark has previously received SCAG grants, including a $250,000 grant for the Downtown Specific Plan and funding for the Princeton Avenue Project. No formal motions were made or voted upon during this presentation.
Item 9A: RHNA and SCAG Presentation
- A presentation was delivered regarding the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and the role of SCAG. Discussion focused on concerns that large future housing allocations could alter the character of Moorpark and surrounding communities. The presenter noted that the ability for cities to barter or swap housing numbers among jurisdictions, which existed in the previous cycle, has been removed, though efforts are underway to restore this mechanism. Questions were raised regarding federal recognition of the Chumash tribe for funding purposes and the stability of multi-year state funding. The presenter confirmed that while funding allocations can face threats during the initial budget cycle, committed funding is generally secure. The discussion also covered the state's algorithm for generating housing numbers and the argument that allocations should account for previously approved but unbuilt growth.
- A motion was made to receive and file the presentation. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 9B: Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit
- Staff presented the results of the fiscal year 2024-25 audit and annual comprehensive financial report. The audit was conducted by Rogers, Anderson, Mallody and Scott LLP (RAMS). The auditor reported an unmodified (clean) opinion, stating that the financial statements were fairly presented in all material respects and in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). No material errors, irregularities, or significant internal control deficiencies were identified.
- A motion was made to accept the report. The motion was seconded and passed via roll call vote.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Item 9C: Purchase of Princeton Avenue Property
- Staff presented a recommendation regarding the purchase of the Princeton Avenue property (APN 513-0-024-105 and -135) from the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency. The property was appraised at $1.98 million based on current zoning allowing for 29 residential units. Staff recommended against purchasing the property at this time due to the high appraised value relative to potential municipal uses such as a trailhead or park. Discussion centered on strategies to potentially lower the acquisition cost, including conducting a geotechnical study, obtaining existing soil reports, or rezoning the property to a lower density. It was noted that any disposition of Successor Agency land requires Oversight Board approval based on appraised value.
- A motion was made to accept the staff recommendation to decline the purchase, with an additional direction to staff to attempt to obtain existing soil reports and evaluate the feasibility and process of rezoning the property for future consideration. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 9D: Hitch Ranch Park Conceptual Plans
- Staff presented conceptual plans for Park A (passive) and Park B (active) for the Hitch Ranch development, including restroom buildings, a multi-purpose room, playground equipment, and a splash pad. Park A is located within a detention basin and includes walking trails, picnic areas, and a disc golf course. Park B includes a game lawn, performance venue, village green, splash pad, and playground. The developer is required to construct the parks upon reaching the 400th residential unit. The plans were reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission, which recommended approval.
- Discussion addressed park operating hours, with confirmation that the park would close at dusk unless special events occur, and that outdoor showers would be timer-controlled. Concerns were raised regarding graffiti on white restroom buildings and the color scheme of the playground equipment. Council members suggested deferring final color selections to a marketing ad hoc committee to align with city branding and considering graffiti-resistant coatings.
- A motion was made to approve the conceptual plans and make findings of consistency with the certified environmental impact report. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 10: Consent Agenda
- The consent agenda was considered. A motion was made to approve the items on the consent agenda. The motion was seconded and passed via roll call vote.
Item 11: Ordinance 532
- Ordinance No. 532 was presented to amend Section 17.50.020 of the Moorpark Municipal Code to update the definition of "artist" and make a determination of exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. A motion was made to read the ordinance for the second time and adopt it as read. The motion was seconded and passed via roll call vote.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Item 12: Closed Session
- Staff requested the City Council adjourn to closed session for items 12A, 12B, and 12C. A recusal statement was read for Council Member Means regarding Item 12A, which concerns the sale of properties on Walnut Canyon Road. The recusal was due to the proposing buyer being represented by a real estate firm with which the council member is affiliated. The council proceeded to adjourn to closed session.
Adjournment
- A motion was made to adjourn the meeting in memory of Sandra Lee Bryan. The motion was seconded and passed.