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
Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
- The Council presented a proclamation declaring September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
- The Moorpark High School AVID program accepted the presentation for their upcoming Sabor Latino festival.
- Proceeds from the festival support student scholarships and college visits.
Introduction of New Police Deputy
- The Council introduced Sergeant Katie Torres, who is joining the Moorpark Police Station as an administrative sergeant.
- Sergeant Torres has nearly 15 years of service and previously collaborated with a Council member on a human trafficking task force.
School Safety Public Comment
- A member of the public requested the city engage with the school district to discuss adding another School Resource Officer.
- The commenter noted that the current SRO receives significantly more calls than regular patrol officers.
- The goal of the request is to enhance school safety and protect local enrollment and property values.
Agenda Reordering
- The Council discussed potential reordering and additions to the agenda.
- No items were pulled from the consent calendar during this discussion.
Council Announcements and Reports
- Council members reported on recent attendance at various community, regional, and professional meetings.
- The Council announced upcoming community events, including Skate Night and a final season concert.
Appointment of City Attorney
- Staff recommended appointing Best Best & Krieger LLP and Isra Shah as the new city attorney effective October 1.
- The new agreement includes increased attendance at Planning Commission meetings and a retainer of approximately $20,800 per month.
- The Council approved the appointment, the services agreement, and a $100,000 budget amendment to cover the cost difference.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Revised City Council Policies
- Staff presented policy revisions including updates to the Teen Council section and a new small business recognition program.
- Council members requested broadening the small business definition to remove the strict limit of 10 or fewer employees.
- Staff agreed to amend the policy to use language capturing the spirit of a small business rather than a specific headcount.
Ad Hoc Committees for Development Agreements
- The Council established five ad hoc committees to negotiate development agreements for specific local projects.
- Members were appointed to committees for Lapeyre, Vistas at Moorpark, Pacific Arroyo, North Ranch, and Hitch Ranch.
- Specific Council members recused themselves from projects where they resided near the property.
Investment Policy Review
- Staff recommended reducing the maximum allocation for money market funds from 25% to 20% for fiscal year 2026-27.
- The recommendation is based on the city’s current liquidity position and adequate cash flow management.
- The Council approved the staff recommendation to adjust the investment policy.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Closed Session
- There were no requests for a closed session.
Full summary
Agenda Item 4A: Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month
- The Council presented a proclamation declaring September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. The proclamation was presented to the Moorpark High School AVID program, which is hosting the annual Sabor Latino Music and Entertainment Festival on September 25. Blake Jenkins, the MHS AVID coordinator, spoke on behalf of the program, detailing the festival’s activities, including dance, music, food vendors, and children’s activities. He noted that proceeds from the event support scholarships and college visits for students. The Council accepted the presentation.
Agenda Item 4B: Introduction of New Police Deputy
- The Council introduced Sergeant Katie Torres, who is joining the Moorpark Police Station as an administrative sergeant from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Torres, who has nearly 15 years of service, spoke briefly about her commitment to public safety and community relationships. A Council member noted their previous professional collaboration with Sergeant Torres on a human trafficking task force.
Agenda Item 5: Public Comment
- One member of the public, Sarah McMullen, addressed the Council regarding school safety. She thanked the city for sharing the cost of the Moorpark Unified School District (MUSD) School Resource Officer (SRO) but noted that the SRO receives four times as many calls as regular patrol officers. She requested that the city engage in conversations with the school district, teachers, and public safety officials to discuss adding another SRO to the district to enhance school safety and protect enrollment and property values.
Agenda Item 6: Reordering of Agenda
- The Council discussed reordering and additions to the agenda. No items were pulled from the consent calendar.
Agenda Item 7: Announcements and Reports
- Council members reported on recent activities and meetings:
- Council Member Barrett: Attended the City of Moorpark employee briefing luncheon, the Clean Power Alliance board meeting, the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce board meeting, and the Marketing Ad Hoc meeting.
- Council Member Castro: Spoke at the Koneho Simi Moorpark Real Estate Association Leadership Academy, attended the employee briefing, visited the Greenpoint library in Brooklyn for comparison with the new Moorpark library, attended the Moorpark Young Professionals Group meeting, an immigration stakeholders meeting, a Ventura County Animal Services Commission meeting (noting nearly 800 free spay/neuter services provided), and a meeting with the organization Changemakers.
- Council Member Delgado: Attended the FoodShare new facility groundbreaking, the Future of the Region conference at VCOE, and a TPW meeting with the Mayor.
- Council Member Means: Reported no items of note.
- Mayor Ingram: Attended a VCOG meeting regarding e-bikes, a VCTC meeting, a TPW meeting, and a meeting with Moorpark Moms for Progressive Values regarding flock cameras. Additionally, the Mayor reported attending a tour of the USC Wallace Annenberg building to observe library science and interactive displays.
- The Council also announced upcoming community events: Skate Night at Royal Vista Community Park on September 18, sports classes at the Royal Vista Recreation Center, and a final concert of the season featuring the band Country Nation on September 26.
Agenda Item 8: Consent Calendar
- The Council moved to approve the consent calendar. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed.
Agenda Item 10A: Appointment of City Attorney
- Staff presented the results of a competitive selection process for city attorney services, recommending the appointment of Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) and Isra Shah as the new city attorney, effective October 1. Staff explained that the current firm, Richard Watson Gershon (RWG), has served for 14 years, and the new agreement includes a 60- to 90-day transition period. The new agreement includes increased attendance at Planning Commission meetings, on-site hours, and participation in day-to-day staff reviews. The proposed retainer is approximately $20,800 per month ($249,000 annually). Staff requested a $100,000 general fund budget amendment to cover the difference between the new retainer and the current budget allocation. Council Member Delgado recused herself from this item due to a conflict of interest regarding her employer.
- The Council discussed the selection process and the terms of the new agreement. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation, including the appointment of BBK, the approval of the services agreement, the appointment of Isra Shah, and the budget amendment. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item 10B: Revised City Council Policies
- Staff presented revisions to City Council policies, including updates to the Teen Council section (moving it to the City Manager’s Office), clarifications on tickets and passes disclosure, provisions for remote participation in commission and board appointments, a process for proclamations and certificates, and a new small business recognition program.
- During discussion, Council members raised concerns about the small business recognition criteria, specifically the limit of "10 or fewer employees." They suggested broadening the definition to include factors such as ownership structure, number of locations, and overall scale of operations to allow for flexibility and to recognize businesses that may slightly exceed the 10-employee threshold. Staff agreed to amend the policy to remove the specific employee count limit and instead use language that captures the spirit of a small business, with the selection to be made by the City Manager in consultation with the Mayor.
- A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation with the amendment to the small business recognition criteria. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed.
Agenda Item 10C: Ad Hoc Committees for Development Agreements
- Staff requested the establishment of five ad hoc committees to negotiate development agreements or amendments for the following projects: Lapeyre, Vistas at Moorpark, Pacific Arroyo, North Ranch, and Hitch Ranch. Each committee is to consist of two Council members and city staff. Staff noted that the North Ranch and Hitch Ranch projects are interdependent.
- The Council appointed members to each committee:
- Lapeyre Project: Mayor Ingram recused herself due to her residence being near the property. Council Members Delgado and Barrett were appointed.
- Vistas at Moorpark Project: Council Member Castro recused herself due to her residence being near the property. Mayor Ingram and Council Member Barrett were appointed.
- Pacific Arroyo Project: Council Member Delgado and Mayor Ingram were appointed.
- North Ranch Project: Council Members Barrett and Means were appointed.
- Hitch Ranch Project: Council Member Means and Council Member Barrett were appointed.
- Each appointment was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote.
Agenda Item 10D: Investment Policy Review
- Staff presented the annual review of the City’s investment policy for fiscal year 2026-27. Staff recommended reducing the maximum allocation for money market funds from 25% to 20%. This change is based on the city’s current liquidity position, which has decreased from approximately $48 million in December 2024 to $36.8 million in June 2026, and the expectation that liquidity needs can be met without the higher allocation. Staff noted that the city maintains adequate liquidity through the money market account, VC Pool, and LEIF, and uses a maturity ladder to manage cash flow.
- The Council discussed the recommendation, noting the importance of safety and liquidity. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item 12: Closed Session
- There were no requests for a closed session.
Agenda Item 13: Adjournment
- A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.