Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Library Board Appointments
- The Council considered four candidates to fill two three-year vacancies on the Library Board of Trustees.
- One applicant presented remotely after the Council waived the in-person presentation policy.
- Kristen Blunt and German Chatzky were nominated and appointed to the board.
Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District 26-01
- The Council held a public hearing to approve the levy of assessments for the Venda Gardens Apartments project.
- Staff clarified that the city would reduce maintenance levels rather than cover costs if assessments proved insufficient.
- The resolution approving the Engineer's Report and the maximum annual levy of $418.25 per unit passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
High Street Entertainment Zone Ordinance
- The Council introduced an ordinance establishing a two-year pilot program for alcohol sales in designated public areas.
- An amendment was adopted to make unique license-specific identification markings on containers optional.
- The ordinance was declared introduced for first reading and scheduled for second reading on July 1, 2026.
Mid-Cycle Budget Amendments
- Staff presented adjustments totaling a $6.7 million expenditure increase and a $395,481 revenue increase for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
- The net expenditure increase is primarily driven by landscape and broadcasting contracts, partially offset by reduced processing fees.
- The Council approved the resolution authorizing the amendments, which maintain a balanced budget with a projected surplus.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
General Municipal Election Resolution
- The Council adopted resolutions calling for the November 3, 2026, general election for Mayor and District 1 and 3 Council Members.
- The resolutions request consolidation with the Ventura County statewide general election and authorize the County Clerk to provide services.
- The estimated cost of $40,400 is already included in the adopted budget.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
City Council Rules of Procedure Revision
- The Council adopted a resolution to comply with Senate Bill 707 by allowing remote public comment via two-way audio.
- A compromise was reached to permit audio-only participation while allowing speakers to submit visual materials in advance.
- The new rules also reorder the agenda to consider consent calendar items before public hearings.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Closed Session
- The Council recessed to discuss items 12A, 12B, and 12C in closed session.
- The closed session was recessed, and the meeting was subsequently adjourned.
Full summary
Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The regular meeting of the Moorpark City Council for June 17, 2026, was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Barrett. Roll call confirmed the presence of all council members and the Mayor. No proclamations or commendations were presented. The Mayor requested to move Item 9A (Library Board appointments) to the top of the agenda, preceding public hearings; the request was granted. Council members and the Mayor provided reports on various meetings and events attended between June 4 and June 16, 2026. The Mayor issued announcements regarding fireworks enforcement, the AmeriCorps Fellowship, summer programs, and upcoming concerts and events. A discussion regarding the role of the Library Board concluded with an agreement to place the topic on a future agenda for discussion.
Public Comment
- Two speakers addressed the council. Cameron Gill provided an update on the Ventura County Transportation Commission's Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee, raising concerns regarding cost-sharing and funding sustainability for a proposed paratransit and microtransit pilot program. Thomas Farley advocated for the establishment of a committee to encourage solar panel installation and electric vehicle adoption, citing potential savings and environmental benefits.
Library Board Appointments (Item 9A)
- The Council considered appointments to fill two vacancies on the Library Board of Trustees for three-year terms ending June 30, 2029. Council Member Means recused himself due to a relationship with one of the applicants. The City Clerk reported four candidates remained after one withdrawal. The Council waived the in-person presentation policy to allow one applicant to present remotely. Presentations were given by Kristen Blunt, Jessica Ansari, German Chatzky, and Kaya Turrell-Blem. Following deliberation, the Mayor nominated Kristen Blunt and German Chatzky.
- Motion: To appoint Kristen Blunt.
- Second: Motion was seconded.
- Vote: Passed.
- Motion: To appoint German Chatzky.
- Second: Motion was seconded.
- Vote: Passed.
Public Hearing – Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District 26-01 (Venda Gardens) (Item 8A)
- The Council held a public hearing to consider a resolution approving the Engineer's Report and ordering the levy of assessments for Fiscal Year 26-27 for the Venda Gardens Apartments project. The proposed maximum annual levy is $418.25 per multifamily unit. No public testimony was received. Staff clarified that the city would not be obligated to pay additional costs if expenses exceeded expectations but would need to reduce maintenance levels if the assessment proved insufficient.
- Motion: To approve the resolution.
- Second: Motion was seconded.
- Vote: Passed.
High Street Entertainment Zone Ordinance (Items 8B and 9A)
- The Council held a public hearing and subsequent discussion regarding an ordinance establishing a High Street Entertainment Zone pursuant to California Senate Bill 969. Council Members Castro and Delgado recused themselves due to potential conflicts of interest. Staff presented a proposal for a two-year pilot program allowing the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in approved containers within designated public rights-of-way on High Street during pre-planned special events. Key details included boundaries from Moorpark Avenue to Spring Road, a limit of six days per year between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., and an event-based model using Temporary Use Permits (TUP) to shift operational logistics and security costs to event organizers. Safety requirements included container identification to trace beverages to specific licensees and coordination with law enforcement.
- During the public hearing, Morgan Kent, representing the High Street Arts Center, expressed support for the concept but raised concerns regarding the financial burden on nonprofits. The Mayor discussed the need for cost-sharing between service groups and businesses.
- In subsequent discussion, the Council addressed container requirements and medical presence. Staff clarified that while state law requires non-glass, non-metal containers, the proposed ordinance included additional requirements for unique identification markings. The Mayor expressed concern that these additional requirements were overly burdensome. Staff and the City Attorney discussed modifying the language to make identification markings optional. Regarding medical presence, staff clarified that on-site EMS standby is based on Ventura County policy for events exceeding 2,500 attendees and is part of the event permitting process rather than the ordinance itself.
- Action: The Council opened the public hearing, received testimony, and closed the hearing.
- Motion: To introduce Ordinance No. 533 for first reading, with an amendment to delete the sentence requiring unique license-specific identification markings on containers.
- Second: Motion was seconded.
- Decision: The ordinance was declared introduced for first reading and placed on the agenda for second reading and adoption on July 1, 2026.
- Vote: Passed.
Mid-Cycle Amendments to Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget (Item 9B)
- Staff presented final proposed mid-cycle adjustments to the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, detailing a total revenue increase of $395,481 and a total expenditure adjustment of $6,738,127. The net increase in expenditures was attributed primarily to a landscape maintenance contract and an increased broadcasting contract, partially offset by reduced credit card processing fees. The adjustments maintain a balanced budget with an estimated general fund surplus of $397,818. Discussion included comments on the city's cash flow status and the need for continued budget fine-tuning.
- Motion: To approve the resolution authorizing the mid-cycle budget amendments.
- Second: Motion was seconded.
- Vote: Passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
General Municipal Election Resolution (Item 9C)
- Staff presented two resolutions regarding the general municipal election scheduled for November 3, 2026, for Mayor and Council Members for Districts 1 and 3. The resolutions call for the election, request consolidation with the Ventura County statewide general election, and authorize the County Clerk to provide election services. The estimated cost of $40,400 is included in the adopted budget. No discussion or public comment was recorded.
- Motion: To adopt both resolutions.
- Second: Motion was seconded.
- Vote: Passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Revision of City Council Rules of Procedure (SB 707 Compliance) (Item 9D)
- Staff presented a resolution to revise the City Council rules of procedure to comply with Senate Bill 707, which requires legislative bodies to provide for remote public comment via two-way audio or audiovisual connection starting July 1, 2026. The proposal included adopting a hybrid meeting format using Zoom for audio-only remote participation and establishing a policy for handling service disruptions. The resolution also proposed reordering the agenda to consider consent calendar items before public hearings and presentation items. Discussion centered on whether to allow video participation, with concerns raised regarding potential disruptions and "Zoom bombing." A compromise was proposed to allow audio-only remote participation but permit speakers to submit visual materials in advance.
- Motion: To adopt the resolution revising the rules of procedure, incorporating the compromise to allow audio-only remote participation with the option to submit visual materials in advance, but excluding live video.
- Second: Motion was seconded.
- Vote: Passed.
Consent Agenda
- The Consent Agenda was considered.
- Motion: To approve the items on the Consent Agenda.
- Second: Motion was seconded.
- Vote: Passed.
Closed Session and Adjournment
- The Council recessed to closed session to discuss items 12A, 12B, and 12C. Following the closed session, the Mayor moved to recess the closed session. The motion was seconded and passed. The meeting was adjourned.