Meeting Summary
Present: 1-Perello, 6-Perez, 4-Rodríguez, 2-Teran
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At a glance
EMS Corps Graduation Recognition
- The Council recognized Rita Chavez as a graduate of the Oxnard EMS Corps program.
- Staff outlined program eligibility, funding sources, and recruitment plans for the fourth cohort.
- No formal motions were made or voted upon during this recognition segment.
Resolution Commending Andrea Torres
- A resolution was presented to honor Andrea Torres for over 43 years of service in Public Works.
- The Council unanimously adopted the motion to commend her contributions to waste management.
Cultural and Community Services Workshop
- Staff presented an overview of department functions, highlighting programs like the Arts Academy and Library of Things.
- Council members inquired about funding streams, employee counts, and specific policy updates for the library.
- The Council received and filed the update report without taking formal action.
Resolution Protecting California Coast and Public Lands
- The City Attorney presented a resolution opposing new oil and gas leases on public lands and offshore.
- Council discussion weighed the resolution's role as public input against its symbolic nature.
- The Council adopted the resolution following public comment and a motion to close debate.
Appointments to Citizen Advisory Groups
- The City Clerk recommended three individuals for appointments to the Community Relations, Cultural Arts, and Senior Services Commissions.
- The Council unanimously approved the motion to appoint Alejandro Moises Castro, Jennifer Andrea Alvarez, and Lupe Servin-Reyes.
Monthly Financial Report Clarification
- Council Member Starr requested clarification on a reported $15 million increase in employment costs.
- Staff identified a clerical error where October data was mislabeled as November, causing the discrepancy.
- The item was received and filed with an agreement to provide an updated report with correct comparative data.
BUILD Grant Application for US 101 Interchange
- The Council considered a recommendation to submit a $12 million grant application for the US 101 and Del Norte Boulevard interchange.
- Staff explained the funding is intended for document phases to make the project shovel-ready for future construction.
- The motion to approve the grant application submission passed unanimously.
Landscape Maintenance District 43A Proceedings
- Staff proposed appropriating $40,000 to initiate proceedings for a Greenbelt Lighting Overlay district.
- Public comments expressed opposition due to high costs and concerns about passing fees to renters.
- The Council voted to postpone the item indefinitely to allow for further public engagement.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance
- The regular meeting of the Oxnard City Council and Oxnard Housing Authority was called to order. Roll call was conducted, and the agenda was confirmed as posted. The City Clerk announced compensation for Housing Board Commissioners, noting one commissioner had declined payment. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by moments of silence in memory of William "Bill" Terry and Commander Scott Aaron.
Agenda Item: EMS Corps Graduation Recognition
- The Council recognized Rita Chavez, a graduate of the Oxnard EMS Corps, who addressed the council regarding her experience. Staff provided details on the program's structure, eligibility (ages 17.5 to 26), stipend, and funding sources, including the California Employment Development Department and the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Program. Information regarding recruitment for the fourth cohort was shared. No formal motions were made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Resolution Commending Andrea Torres
- A resolution was presented to commend Andrea Torres for over 43 years of service to the City of Oxnard, detailing her career in the Public Works Department and contributions to waste management. A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item: Public Comments on Matters Not on the Agenda
- Public comment was opened for items not appearing on the agenda. Three speakers addressed the council regarding ICE actions in the Lemonwood neighborhood, procedural concerns regarding public participation rules and PEG fund expenditures, and the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. No action was taken on these comments.
Agenda Item: City Manager Report
- The City Manager submitted a report. No discussion or action was taken.
Agenda Item: Council Member Reports
- Council members provided brief reports on their activities, including attendance at various meetings regarding workforce development, the Malhart Stiles Ranch Project, neighborhood councils, and the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Requests were made for reports on the implementation of Assembly Bill 253 and clarification on PEG fund expenditures. No formal motions were made or voted upon.
Agenda Item D1: Cultural and Community Services Workshop
- The City Council received a presentation from the Cultural and Community Services (CCS) Department regarding its functions, priorities, challenges, and future needs. The presentation covered the Cultural Arts, Library, and Recreation divisions, highlighting programs such as the Arts Academy, "Many Murals," the "Library of Things," and the City Corps youth development program. Staff discussed challenges including funding limitations, aging facilities, and the need for technology upgrades.
- Council members inquired about funding streams, ESL classes at the Southwinds youth center, the "Library of Things" program, credit card donations for the Friends of the Library, Library Board appointments, and enforcement of portable toilet requirements for soccer organizations. Staff confirmed the library is building policies for tool donations, working on enabling credit card donations, and that Library Board appointments are in process. Staff also confirmed that soccer organizations are responsible for providing their own restroom facilities. Clarification was provided regarding the acronym "NAGPRA" (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) and the status of the Carnegie Art Collection update. Council members requested clarification on attendance metrics and total employee counts; staff agreed to provide a breakdown of key programs and noted approximately 87 permanent employees and 350 to 450 temporary laborers. Discussions also covered regional collaboration with the Ventura County library system.
- No formal motions were moved, seconded, or voted upon. The Council received and filed the update report.
Agenda Item I-1: Adoption of a Resolution Protecting the California Coast and Public Lands from Oil and Gas Drilling and Exploration
- The City Attorney Department presented a resolution opposing new leases for oil and gas activities on public lands and off the coast of California. Council members discussed the resolution's alignment with state climate goals and public health concerns. Public comments were heard from six speakers; supporters urged adoption to protect the environment and local economies, while opponents argued the resolution was symbolic with little practical impact on federal decisions. Council discussion focused on the resolution's role as public input to federal agencies versus focusing on local bans on oil-related products.
- A motion to close debate was made and seconded, and passed. The main motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded. The resolution passed.
Agenda Item I-2: Appointments to Citizen Advisory Groups (CAGs)
- The City Clerk Department presented recommendations for three appointments: Alejandro Moises Castro to the Community Relations Commission, Jennifer Andrea Alvarez to the Cultural Arts Commission, and Lupe Servin-Reyes to the Senior Services Commission. Public comments were received supporting the nominees. A motion to appoint the three individuals was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item: Consent Agenda
- The Council reviewed the consent agenda. Council Member Starr requested to pull Item L3 (Monthly Report and Accounting of Receipts, Disbursements, and Fund Balances) and Item L5 (Investment Report) for separate discussion. The remaining consent agenda items were approved by motion, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Agenda Item L3: Monthly Report and Accounting of Receipts, Disbursements, and Fund Balances
- Council Member Starr requested a discussion regarding a reported $15 million increase in employment costs compared to the previous fiscal year, requesting future reports include financial analysis explaining variances. Staff explained the budgeted amount had increased for the current fiscal year. The City Manager identified a clerical error in the report where the column labeled "November 2024" contained data from October 2024, causing the discrepancy. Staff agreed to provide an updated report with correct comparative data. The City Attorney noted state law requires the report but does not mandate the depth of analysis. The item was received and filed.
Agenda Item N1: Public Works Department – Grant Application for 2026 BUILD Grant Program
- The Council considered a recommendation to approve and authorize the submission of a grant application for the U.S. Department of Transportation's BUILD Grant Program. The application seeks $12 million in grant funding with a $3 million local match for the US 101 and Del Norte Boulevard interchange project, intended for document phases rather than immediate construction. Staff explained the estimate is based on previous projects and that costs could vary, with reimbursement and match requirements adjusting proportionally. Staff noted this phase is necessary to make the project "shovel-ready" for future construction grants. Maintenance responsibilities were discussed, with Caltrans typically responsible for the bridge structure and the city for local street improvements.
- No public speakers appeared. A motion to approve the recommendation was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item N2: Public Works Department – Initiation of Proceedings for Landscape Maintenance District 43A (Greenbelt Lighting Overlay)
- The Council considered a recommendation to appropriate $40,000 from the General Fund Reserve to initiate proceedings to establish Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) 43A, a Greenbelt Lighting Overlay. This includes preparing an engineer's report and conducting a Proposition 218 property owner mail ballot. Staff explained the process involves a majority protest vote. Council members questioned the clarity of community support and the accuracy of staff assertions regarding resident desire. Public comments were received from residents expressing opposition due to high costs, administrative fees, and concerns about passing costs to renters.
- Council Member Starr proposed an alternative approach of vacating ownership of the walking path and lighting to adjacent apartment buildings. Council Member Rodriguez opposed this, characterizing it as a gift of public property. Staff noted a vacation process typically occurs only after a failed ballot measure and warned of potential access issues.
- A motion was made to postpone the item to a future date to allow staff to conduct another public meeting. The motion was seconded. Following discussion regarding the feasibility of additional meetings, project timelines, and rising material costs, a motion was made to postpone the item indefinitely. The motion was seconded. The motion to postpone indefinitely passed with a vote of three to two.
Agenda Item: Adjournment
- The Chair acknowledged the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. With no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 9:48 p.m.