BodyCity Council
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 January 20, 2026

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0:01 – 0:023 turns

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:32

Good evening. I want to call a meeting to order for the Oxnard City Council for Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. Madam Clerk may we have the roll call and posting of the agenda please?

Roll call — called by Home Depot
Show transcript
Council Member Peralo. Here. Council Woman Perez. Here. Council Woman Rodriguez. Present. Councilman Starr. Here Mayor Pro Tem Teran. Here
CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction1:52

And the agenda for this meeting was posted in the kiosk at City Hall, the Oxnard Public Library, the city administrative offices and on the city's website on Thursday, January 8th. Thank you

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:03

Thank you, Madam Clerk. And those who are watching, you'll see that the mayor is not here tonight and Councilwoman Basuah won't be joining us as well. Who you have here is who you have here. We're going to have a good time. All right.

Agenda Discussionitems moved / continued / pulled — click to expand
ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:17

Our first item on the agenda this evening is an appointment item at 5 p.m., D1, Cultural and Community Services Departments. Subject, Cultural and Community Services Workshop. Recommendation that the City Council receive and file an update report from the Cultural and Community Services Department concerning information related to functions, priorities, challenges and anticipated future needs. We have Mr. Terrell Harrison, Cultural and Community Services Director.

CommentChristina BaylorProposed · by introduction2:42

Good evening Mayor Pro Tem, City Council I am really happy and excited to be here tonight not only to present the good hard work of our department But I'm excited because my mother told me at least I would be able to say something tonight. So she's excited that I'm actually making a presentation tonight There has been a change in our Presentation we consulted with the City Attorney's Office and there you'll see there is a slide 28a and a slide 28b We have copies for the public here, and then we also Have given you all copies So again, my name is Terrell Harrison. I'm the Cultural and Community Services Director and we will move forward with our department slides. Okay so yeah great So I want to bring your attention. That is our mission, that is our vision but I also want everybody to pay close attention to our values.

Our values are respect for our customers, compassion for our customers, collaboration with our partners. We celebrate diversity within the city of Oxnard And we also deliver services with integrity. And one of the things that I've said in the past, I know Councilman Perrella remembers this is that the community trusts us with their two most valuable assets. That is their children and that is their parents are seniors.

Moving forward you'll see Our cultural and community services has three different divisions. The Cultural Arts Division, which contains our arts academy and our art in the chambers. I don't want to... I want to go ahead and point your attention to the art that we do have in our chambers. And I know I apologize Julie if I know you're going to bring attention to it but those three were just hung today And I think they look very nice for Black History Month, also for next month in February.

We have our library and we have our gardening program, our book club, our homework assistance as well as many other programs and a recreation youth sports senior services and our after school programs. Here you will see some of our programs and services. And they are social, educational, and cultural programs to meet the needs of our community and our partnership. And this is where we're really excited because we could not do a lot of the things that and a lot of the programs actually that we have in our community without our partnerships We do have our friends of the library that actually they raise money, they operate a gift shop and they do many other things for us.

We have our partnership with the USDA, the Department of Agriculture which we they provide lunches for our summer lunch program. We have our friends of field workers that non-profit that we have a partnership with where we supply backpacks to kids as well as help with our Santa's workshops. For our seniors programs, we have Gray Law and they provide legal services for our seniors and a USA Boxing which actually provides officials in the structure so that we can do boxing in our community.

So the next person I would like to introduce is our Assistant Director Renee Rickstraw

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 1Proposed7:00

Good evening, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members. Renee Raikstra, Assistant Director. So here we have council priorities and CCS's mission aligns closely with council priorities particularly in advancing quality of life for our residents The department's focus on providing inclusive, cultural, recreational library and arts programs that promote wellness, lifelong learning, diversity, civic pride directly supports the City Council's emphasis on youth in senior services.

While also expanding access to arts and cultural opportunities, and strengthening community engagement. Programs that directly align with this priority that you may have attended recently too. The Haunted Library at the South Oxnard Branch Library. South Oxnard Center Block Party which was hosted twice this year. the Oxnard Arts Academy and Senior in Motion for our baby boomers who are still working.

Collectively, this alignment demonstrates that the department's mission is a key vehicle for achieving the council's broader goals of community well-being, inclusivity and a vibrant and connected Oxnard. Another priority where CCS mission also aligns is organizational effectiveness by investing to advance and support the team, ensuring we are equipped to meet the community needs.

There's a few positions noted on this slide, and these were acquired over the last five years to support restored and a few new programs such as kicking off the reinvention efforts at the library. Career technical education which you see some students behind us today. A bridging program. Seniors in motion and programming supporting the arts and special populations Diving a bit deeper into organizational effectiveness and investment into staff, as I like to see it is through training and development.

CCS's priority is to invest in staff training and professional development by recognizing that high quality equitable community services rely on skilled and knowledgeable workforce. The department is committed to providing the community with a team who is well trained in customer service, program delivery, safety and cultural responsive programs. Investing in ongoing staff training and professional development strengthens service consistency, improves operational efficiency and enhances the department's ability to adapt to the evolving community needs.

These professional development opportunities cover topics around safety and security, de-escalation, creating positive teams, mental health Cultural responsiveness. These topics, just to name a few support the team to effectively implement the city's vision while ensuring residents receive high quality accessible services to meet their needs while continuing to also uplift the quality of life of our community.

Now we'll dive a bit deeper into each division within CCS starting with our Cultural Arts Division Manager, Julia Estrada.

CommentJulia Estrada I'mProposedself-stated11:27

Good evening Mayor Pro Tem, members of City Council. Again my name is Julia Estrada I'm the Cultural Arts Programs Manager and I get the awesome opportunity to share with you what we have done over the last five years in the cultural arts programs. The primary thing that we establish is a motto for our division and it is art is for everyone. We believe that art is essential for the human experience and that it has the power of creativity and culture to delight and move us that helps us make sense of the world This is a quick snapshot of the impact that the cultural arts programs have made in the city. Our educational programs include our Arts Academies, art incorporated into our after school programs, art is incorporated in our special populations art classes.

We also have our Seniors In Motion which also does painting

0:12 – 0:262 turns

CommentJulia Estrada I'mProposedself-stated12:17

in the garden to help with senior wellness. Our recreation art includes our drop-in programs like our mini murals program, our youth centers, our senior centers And our special events include our Dia de los Muertos altar, those who visit and contribute photos to our altar every year. As well as us incorporating art into our festivals and our floats which many aspects of our floats are handmade by our staff.

Our Many Murals program is kind of our star it began in 2020, in the height of the pandemic, in a way to bring the community together in a safe space. It was so well received that we received a general fund allocation to keep it going and we have made a commitment of two events a year. So far since that date, we have installed over 140 murals throughout Oxnard even expanding into South Oxnard recently The biggest takeaway for this program is we've created basically a large coloring book for the community, so that way everyone from our preschoolers to our seniors can participate regardless of their skills and abilities.

Our Dia de los Muertos altar was also introduced in the last five years it started in 2021 and it is held on the traditional dates of the holiday every year from November 1st through November 3rd And we hold it right on the steps of the Carnegie, so it's a very large installment. And our art team does an awesome job of hand-making all the elements keeping everything as culturally traditional as we possibly can while still making it exciting for our community.

We have over 1,000 visitors annually who go out whether they're dropping off photos watching their live ceremonial performances every year or just taking a moment to remember those they've lost. We've also started the Oxnard Arts Academy with two different components. We have a visual arts component as well as a music component. Our visual arts program is located in two library branches, various after school programs, as well as an art studio at our South Winds Youth Center.

Our music program is held at the Colonial Recreation Center and they offer instruction in piano, guitar, ukulele, violin, cello. They've started brass instruments and by request of the students they have started a mariachi ensemble recently. Art in Public Places is also a portion of our division. You see on this building, we have two large public art installations that have gone up. We also manage the existing public art and making sure that it is up to quality. We are currently undergoing a restoration of our colonial mural We also have the art here in council chambers. And so this month, on the heels of Martin Luther King Day we have our Martin Luther King mural that was painted by youth participants at our 2024 community weekend as well as prominent figures Angela Davis, Medgar Evers and Nelson Mandela featured on the opposite wall.

The Cultural Arts Division faces challenges in funding, facilities and compliance requirements. But despite these challenges the division has continued to provide arts programs and has served the community with a very strong impact. For example, before the budget reduction in 2019, the Cultural Arts Division solely composed of the Performing Arts Center and the Carnegie Art Museum. Since then we still have responsibilities over those facilities but we've expanded into arts programs directly focused on providing art to all ages and all abilities.

Despite these challenges, we have continued to excel and continue to grow within our means, but with that growth has brought on its own set of needs. As our division has grown faster than our resources there are needs surrounding funding. Well, we have what we need to sustain our offerings. We have limited operational funding for the cultural arts programs beyond fiscal year 26. There is a lack of a dedicated arts facility and there remains ongoing concerns as the demand for additional programs grow.

Investment in digital art programs is needed, as well as art and cultural spaces in our underserved areas. With that growth will then come needs for additional staff investment. We are so committed as always to continue to grow as much as we can and serve those demands that continue to grow within our department. We thank you for your continued support of our cultural arts programs, next I would like to turn it over to Kathleen Ashmore for our library services.

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated17:17

Good evening, my name is Kathleen Ashmore. I am the library manager for the Oxnard Public Library. The Oxnard Library provides a wide range of resources and services to the community. It houses the collection which has books, audiobooks, DVD's We do programming for all ages, we have a library of things. In addition, we offer library outreach services throughout the community, space for social gatherings, meeting rooms, study rooms for public use.

And in an effort to uplift these services to the current needs of our community, in the middle of a library reinvention for the last several years, in an effort to revitalize each of the library locations and bring the library out into the community. One of the vital projects currently underway for the library reinvention is the Library Network Refresh. The library's currently working with a consultant group to conduct a comprehensive assessment and design for the library network infrastructure for today, and also moving forward into the future.

The assessment phase has just recently been completed and the design phase should conclude at the end of May, in May. And from there IT and library staff will work together to begin bidding out projects and really starting to work on uplifting that part of the library. This shows a snapshot of our last year. Another effort in the library's reinvention has been to restore key staffing positions, to make it possible to provide these programs and expand what we offer.

These restored positions have allowed us to do additional programming and outreach opportunities, and we look forward to what we're able to do in the upcoming year. In 2025, we offered over 1,000 programs and we had over 22,000 participants. The other thing we've done, we've been working on is improving our collection which we circulated over 218,000 items and that's a 10% increase over the last year. So we've been working very hard to make our collection relevant.

The library partners with over 30 organizations. Some of these organizations partner with us inside the libraries, and some of these organizations we go out into the community and partner with them there. Some partnerships... One such collaboration, we work with the Oxnard Special Populations, we work with the group homes, with our cultural arts and our OSP programs here within the CCS to provide weekly programming called Shilts, Color and Craft as well as a twice monthly program called Puzzles in Play for that specific community.

We also provide lunch at the library during the summer we also work with Oxnard adult schools to provide ESL classes among many many other things Other partnerships we have focus on outreach, bringing the library into the communities. Some examples of that is we have done Library Love Storytimes and we have been to many school visits. We also do storytime outreach at the Autism Learning Center.

One important element of library services is our early childhood programming and story times. We provided 276 Story times for some of our youngest patrons and their families. We are serving 3,700 programmings. These programs are especially important because they support early childhood development such as social and emotional learning. And it also builds a strong foundation for literacy and for lifelong learning.

STEM and art programs are also something that we provide regularly. We are a site for the Art Academy at both our main and our south branches. We have STEM programs and art crafting programs for all ages, and we also have like...we had a program, a tiny art exhibit where the adults were able to come in and show off their own artistic talents and display them at the library which Just uplifts them as well as the whole community.

Okay, 2025 we saw 50 book programs. This can be anything from a book club, author talks. We also have a group for aspiring writers. We had 50 programs. We had 750 participants. We've even had programs with the Open mic night where people can come out and share their work. Gardening programs are also something that is very important to our staff and our patrons. We have an active seed library, we have a teen garden that teach our students about native plants and sustainable gardening. We bring in master gardener talks and we are in the process of creating a community-based native garden to allow for our residents to come in learn more about native garden and expand that concept from the teen garden.

We provide, we have homework assistance Monday through Thursday at both our main and our south branch. They're there every day with volunteers to help students with their homework. Part of the network refresh will include ensuring that that homework center has continued and improved technological assistance for the students. In 2025, we also restored the literacy librarian position which we're very excited about. We were able to start rebuilding that literacy program over the course of the last year. We've successfully launched that program and are currently recruiting new and additional tutors to meet the growing demand driven by that program success. And then addition to those tutoring services conversation clubs for ESL learners, as well as the class I mentioned earlier.

Something we're continually looking to provide skills for is sustainability within that program Within that program piece, we offer mending programs, sewing and mending fiber arts programs as well as our gardening programming series. We also have a library of things that can be circulated such as induction stoves, C3 rain kits, park passes and hiking packs.

And we are always looking at how we can improve and help with workforce development. We recently had the Workforce Development Fair in partnership with the Ventura County Workforce Development Board. We've also had resume building programs, we've had college admission programs, we provide computer literacy appointments for anybody who needs help increasing any of those skills.

Our current challenges in the library surround technology, accessibility and policies. So the library technology is severely outdated and even with the current status of the Library Network Project it will take time and funding to be able to bring everything up to par and to a standard that we want to see at the library and for our community The library also needs upgrades and updating to ensure accessibility to the Oxnard community. This can include everything from our elevators, getting our elevators updated and modernized space design to ensure that the space is easy to use for all of our patrons as well as welcoming and functional for the work we want to do within that space.

And it can also include work outreach services, making sure we have the ability to reach those people who don't have transportation to our locations. Making sure that they're not left out without library services. So those are some of our challenges for accessibility and then lastly policy updates, many of our policy updates are as old as the building which was built in 92 for reference and so reactivating the library board getting that up and running so that we can update those policies and have them supporting the work we're doing moving forward

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0:26 – 0:374 turns

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role26:50

Kathleen, if I may real quickly. Even though the library was constructed in 1992, I'll still catch my grandparents sometimes calling it the new library so...

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated27:01

It's all a matter of perspective right? Some of the needs that we see moving forward is really centered around funding manpower and just time Um, updating the library, the space design that's going to take funding and the time to be able to put forward some really large projects. And then the policy update you know getting the library board activated and then putting those policies written and approved and just in force.

We're really excited about what the future holds for Oxnard and for the libraries, and we've made some really great steps with the reinvention. Next I'm going to introduce Pam and Jesse, and they're going to talk about the Recreation Division.

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ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role28:00

Before we have Jesse and Pam come up. Council Member Perlow had a question about if we can ask questions now about the library or if we want to take the presentation first? What's the pleasure of the council here, I... Okay are you fine with that Council Member? I would agree with that as well. Okay all right so we're gonna go ahead and continue with the presentation then we'll call I think each division head up for our respective questions. So make sure you make note of that Council Member.

CommentJesse TapiaProposedself-stated28:35

Good evening mayor, pro tem, council members. My name is Jesse Tapia one of the community services managers so I'll start off with some of our programs. The next page starts off with a snapshot of our programming. Our youth engagement is any contact that we had with youth 18 and under which will go over some of those programs. And then our senior meals include home-delivered meals, congregate meals that are received by seniors and our special event engagement include also any special events. Some of these are cultural community services events that recreation lead.

So overall the Recreation Division program focuses on youth development, family engagement, senior services, sports and neighborhood based recreation This slide is the slide that was added from the previous packet. So I wanted to focus on a couple of programs, our Special Populations Program. It's a program that offers recreation and social activities designed to encourage participation, build confidence and foster social interactions in a supportive environment. Some of our key programs or offerings in those activities include our monthly fun club, Marty at the Park, our art classes And some of our special events. Our special events include Down Syndrome Prom, Autorun, Parent Appreciation and Color Run, Annual Down Syndrome Walk, Halloween Dance, Santa's Workshop with Oxnard Pal and our Oxnard Christmas Parade.

So these are some of the events that our OSP participants participate as well as Challenger Sports that are offered in various sports Another program that we want to touch on is our summer programming, so our Camp Serendipity. It's an eight-week summer day camp offered from 730 a.m. to 6 p.m., to help families during the summer when schools are not in session. So they have weekly themes as well as field trips that they participate throughout the summer.

And lastly our Mobile Activity Center which has two main sessions, a spring and a summer. In the springtime whether it's a two week or one week depending on the school vacations. We go to ten different, ten events so either two parks or one in the morning and one in the afternoon or two weeks. And then in the summer is an eight-week mobile activity center that goes to a park every week. One in the morning, one in the afternoon On Fridays they also have our city core train, our jolly jumps. In the last few years we've actually partnered that with our movies at the park in the evenings and then you'll see the mobile activity center participate also in some special events. They'll be at the block parties that we had as well as our community outreach events to provide activities while people are in their work sessions or the event that we have Next we'll talk about our City Corps program.

Our City Corps program just celebrated 30 years in existence, started in 1995. So this is a youth development program with the goal to give youth real experience, job training skills. Many of our participants in this program have leveraged the skills that they've gotten into permanent positions whether it's here in the city or in the county or any other industries so it's a program that you'll see around and a lot of our special events they perform a lot of logistical I'm The program starts, we have two youth fifth grade classes. One in Rio Lindo and one at Haycox that is our junior city core program That's an introduction to this program then transitions to a student trainee model Which is ages 12 to 17 before the opportunity to become a leader trainee at the age of 18 So it's one of the programs that develops a pathway for programs like I said internally or externally Our youth centers and our Oxnard PAL program, so our youth centers we have five youth centers across the city.

So we have our main Oxnard PAL on K Street. We have our Colonia Rec Center. We have our Durley Park Center, Southwinds Park Center and South Oxnards Center. So five youth centers that we have providing a safe place for participants to come after school homework help activities throughout the year In addition to that, we have our Youth Directors Council that offers mentoring and youth leadership and volunteer opportunities for kids 12-18. So they'll have many opportunities to participate in programming and conferences and workshops to develop their skills in leadership as well as exposure to programs across the city.

Some of these are partners with our partners that you see, you saw in our partner side with National PAL, California PAL. These are some grants that help us facilitate these opportunities for our kids. At Oxnard PAL and Colonial we have our sports so I'll talk a little bit about our youth sports program in the next slide but we also offer boxing basketball, volleyball, flag football through our youth centers.

And in the summer we have our community cinema as I mentioned our summer lunch program that's another partnership are back to school night resource affairs turkey distributions and Santa's workshop with toys and the past couple of years we've had our international pal boxing tournament last year we had over 900 boxers participate in this in this tournament with countries represented across across the world And then some of our numbers for special events. We have a little under 5,000 participants across our special events.

Our youth sports programming we have our sports camps in the summer most of our teams are comprised from partnerships with schools in various districts as well as our youth centers at Colonia and our PAL this last fall I highlight this last fall was our first year that we offered an all-girls flag football division was the first in the city and I believe in the county as well. So this is a great, an exciting time for our youth now that they have flag football and as a CIF in high school so a lot of the junior high teams participated in the league this past season. So look forward to including those moving forward and that those numbers growing.

Our adult softball we have we offer that year-round spring summer and fall season And our main sports are flag football, volleyball. Basketball is our biggest one. We currently have over 140 teams in our season right now that's in progress and then we finish off with slow pitch softball and soccer for the junior highs and boys volleyball. Our Meet Up Clean Up program, so for the last nine years. So this started nine years ago it's a beautification program for our parks to help maintain city parks and public spaces clean. It also provides an environment for kids in community to come together and promote civic pride and engagement A lot of the interactions that happen is not just the work that happens in the, in the projects. But it's also the interaction between the individuals, the families and the community.

It takes ownership of a park, of an area so it's really nice to see them even going back after a couple of events and seeing them upkeep that. So we schedule those throughout the year through our city core program and some of them have, we will partner with environmental resource to have little bigger cleanups. A huge effort that the media cleanup program has evolved and continue to grow. We try to go to different parks in different areas that we see need that support.

And lastly, for me our recreation classes as we said earlier it we like to serve we say that we serve from toddlers and young kids all the way to seniors and our recreation classes reflect that so we have as early has preschool age classes that are offered. We call them preschool classes and then we also have some different activities like Lego engineering, baking classes. We also have some art classes, some oil painting and then we have our yoga in Espanol who just and then a couple of our senior programmings through our Sims program that happened at South Oxnard Center as well.

So these recreation classes we always look forward to see what the community needs are see how we can improve and add some classes through our programming Now I'm going to have Pam Morrison continue the rest.

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0:37 – 0:431 turns

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 2Proposed37:36

Each year, I truly appreciate the opportunity to share the incredible programs serving our students, families and seniors throughout the city of Oxnard. For more than 20 years The city has partnered with Oxnard School District through what many of you know as the Oxnard Scholars Afterschool Program. A unique and powerful aspect of this program is that many of our current employees, ages 18 through 26 were once scholar students themselves.

Today they give back by providing academic support and enrichment activities during the school year as well as spring and summer breaks. In 2023, we expanded our commitment to youth development by beginning a partnership with the Oxnard Union High School District through their Apprenticeship Program READY which stands for Relevant Employment Apprenticeships Designed for Youth.

We currently have 12 high school students from various Oxnard high schools employed at Scholars Program sites across the city These students are gaining real world job experience learning with our staff in supporting younger students in our community. At this time, I'd like to recognize our after school program analyst Nancy Gonzalez along with the student she supports from the Ready Program. If you could please stand.

Nancy guides all of these students through the full hiring process. And you know, at times that can be daunting from applications and interviews to live scans and onboarding both for the city and for the after school program as she ensures that they are prepared for success. I'd also like to acknowledge our partners from Oxnard High School District. Christina Baylor, please stand.

Thank you. who is the career development specialist and she supports all of these students through all the process with us. We are now getting ready to start the second cohort meeting with the parents and them applying for this program in February, so we look forward to having more of the students from the high schools join us. In addition to scholars, the city's Cultural and Community Services Department City Corps and the Wainimi School District ACES program known as SHINE which stands for Students Having Innovative and Novel Enrichment Experiences have built a strong partnership for over 15 years.

Our staff currently serves 10 Wainimi school district sites. SHINE goes beyond providing a safe and after-school environment by offering high quality enrichment experiences. During spring break last year, the students participated in a dynamic ninja adventure course that promoted goal setting, perseverance and physical fitness. Academically the students were strengthened in their math with problem solving skills through hands on learning with ST Math Shine also expanded enrichment by offering swimming lessons, reinforcing water safety, wellness and lifelong skills.

And it was really enjoyed by all those who participated in that. Another vital area of our work is senior services. This program supports older adults by addressing key issues such as food insecurity, transportation, health and wellness, housing and social isolation. These services are made possible through strong partnerships with organizations such as Dignity Health at St. John's, BC AAA, AmeriCorps and Gold Coast Transit As the baby boomer generation ages, we are experiencing the silver tsunami.

Services are delivered through our four senior centers, Palm Vista, South Oxnard, Colonia and Wilson and we have expanded programming to include evening and late afternoon activities for seniors who are still working or seeking additional social engagement. The activities include Tai Chi and yoga, pool tournaments and cultural activities such as Loteria. These programs help seniors remain active healthy and connected to their community.

As far as the challenges serving seniors of course most important is our food insecurities As we look ahead, our division is working hard at making sure that we are meeting their needs. The senior population requires us sometimes to adapt programs along with addressing the insecurity and secure sustainable funding to maintain service quality. I'm going to now turn it back over to Jesse

0:43 – 0:525 turns

CommentJesse TapiaProposedself-stated43:49

To continue the conversation about challenges. So some of our recreation facilities, challenges that we have are some of the aging facilities that we have, accessibility to sports fields or access to swimming pools and a senior center as well as the changing community needs. We have the UCLA study with pathway programming creating connecting programs, the current immigration situations that we have as well as growing populations are some of the challenges that we have. And the needs in those same areas, the infrastructure investing in infrastructure recreation facilities and funding for community needs so providing multi-generational programming and maintaining free and low cost activities for families.

And then for seniors funding for senior nutrition program and positioning recreation as a whole as a frontline mental health and wellness support. So bringing it back to Terrell

CommentChristina BaylorProposed · by introduction44:51

Thank you, Jesse. So now we're going to go over some of the larger departmental events. Keep in mind that every departmental event that we have, every single division actually has a role to play in it whether it be arts, the library or recreation. Maybe you've heard of this one. Some of you had the opportunity to do a little tasting in this one It is our insect festival. It attracts about 5,000 people and I do have to credit our city manager with the creation of that.

We in recreation, I would say didn't think it would work but it has been overwhelmingly a success. Who would want to touch and taste bugs right? A bunch of kids. The other event and that we just had not too long ago was our 18th annual tamale festival Pointing out to that, we had 75 vendors and estimated 17,000 attendees. I would say that was the biggest one that we've actually ever had.

Moving forward, it's our floats. I have at home some Super 8 film of our float and our events Our float is about 50 years old and we do have some elements still left of that, which would be our reindeer because we have an upgraded float thanks to ARPA. But one thing that we've done most recently is expand the float so now we have a spring float with the spring bunny.

Everybody's been familiar the last three or four years actually maybe five now with our Halloween float in Jack Skellington And then of course our Santa Claus float. Moving forward I do want to bring attention, these are our block parties but I really want to bring attention to our third annual HOND library that is not a mistake 1300 participants we've actually Moving forward, a lot of you have actually participated in this as participants as well as chaperones. And I want to let you all know you're more than welcome to be a chaperone this year.

Something that I think all council members should do. We take 1,600 children to grad night. Actually it's May 22nd this year and it is something that our kids look forward to. It's kind of like the graduation or coming-of-age when they get to go to this event and then they're off to high school The last thing that I want to go ahead and bring up to you is something new.

Sterling, who we have the contract with at the Performing Arts Center, they're offering three free concerts and we're partnering with them. We're actually offering artisan booths and vendors at these concerts to give our artists an opportunity to sell their wares. And before we get into that, what I wanted to do is we do have our managers from our library as well as recreation here. If they could stand up because they do the wonderful work.

And then before we get into questions, we do have a 45 second video that we want to go ahead and show you so Diego, if you can do your work. So thank you very much for your attention. If there's any questions, we'd be more than happy to answer them.

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ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role50:34

Great. Thank you very much Mr. Harrison. So I think what we'll do here is, um, you know, we'll start here on the far left. I know Council Member Perrello had questions but I'll start just in an orderly fashion and we'll go uh to my right so uh Councilwoman Pettis if we want to start with it. Do you have any questions for any of our team members here?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed50:53

Sure, just a couple comments. First really wanted to thank the CCS team I know I have the honor to work on an individual level with many of them and I love that oftentimes your team is solutions oriented if there's a need in the community whether it's an alleyway that needs cleanup City Corps right there to kind Get out the word and get folks out there to volunteer, whether it's the meetup cleanups that have happened. I know sometimes they're once a year depending on your district or throughout the entire city but really appreciate the level of commitment to get out in addition to that do bulky item events, the murals that have come up. The mural that came up in Southwinds and I know there's another one coming up at the South Oxnard Library.

There's just so many different opportunities that you all are a part of in terms of the smoke detectors and all the initiatives that you all highlighted, so really just appreciate the work. I know there was a mention of demand and need for continued funding, and just curious wanting to be mindful of what those funding streams are. Just from my knowledge There was a little bit of a highlight around ESL classes and just curious if there is an opportunity. Having talked to many community members out in the Southwinds area, there's a big interest in getting ESL classes at the youth center in that area and just wanted to kind of plant the seed and hope to see something like that come to that area and if there's a possibility to do that.

Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role52:32

Councillor Perlon?

0:52 – 1:0215 turns

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed52:35

Thank you very much, all of you for your presentation. I just have some specific questions. Great presentation. I really appreciated the special population information that was available. Some questions that I didn't hear. I understand that there's a possibility we're going to have some sort of chess training and you can take note or answer them as we go along.

The other one is on slide, and I'll use the slides because I made my notations on slide 15 There's an abbreviation of NAGPRA. Can we get somebody to explain what that is and how that impacts our city? On slide 16, there was a discussion about funding. I know from personal experience the Friends of the Library were looking to generate X amount of dollars and they just almost reached their quota but suggestions have been given out by members of the public that there are It may not be everybody puts in $5, but there are members of this community.

Some that live here some that work here they're willing to make larger donations and in the process of making larger donations I think our city should have something where they have some sort of a contact. We have a nonprofit with the Friends of the Library. The question that was given to me to ask and I appreciate everything that I got from library. They wanted to know if they could do it with a credit card And apparently we don't have that process. I'd like to, you know, hope we can get that because there is an opportunity to get six figures maybe seven figure donations. I don't want to lose that opportunity again. It came about because at the end of the year people find out in their business they may have made more than they expected and they're looking for a write off in the form of a donation.

You have opportunities here to make write offs and accept things if you don't get it's going to go somewhere else. And appreciate the friends, I did have an opportunity to go to the lunch of the Friends of the Library. That is something that I hope every council member and I mean it council members everyone if you get a chance to do that. Compliment to the library Miss Atmore I hope your wrist heals or whatever's wrong but if you could give us a little bit about the tool program. I thought I was bringing some hot news to you about you know I saw on our National Public Radio there was a library that loans out tools To my surprise, you were ahead of the game and you already do that. I hope you can add that to the list if we get a response on that.

On slide 25, the library board. Is that something that the positions have been filled or they're not filled? Or how are we going about trying to get people to be on the library board? What are the criteria that you're looking for? It's not just a position, I understand, to look good and show up for pictures. It's a position where your hope to add something to the board A little information on that would be appreciated.

City of Oxnard may be a garbage truck, a firetruck, a police car or a track hoe. And you get an opportunity to go inside and there's a qualified operator and he lets you work the handles. You spark something in a kid's mind. He can do that. And those jobs ladies and gentlemen will allow you to get a house in Oxnard. Those are tremendously good paying jobs. Also along with that line when we delivered 735 sandbags were they full or empty?

And just something that I continually get the questions, and I see it myself. And I know you do a tremendous job. We have the issue with some soccer organizations and the overflow into parks and stuff but one specific area that I always see it Once in a while on Sunday, there will be a portable toilet that's dropped off in the median at Southwest Community Park. My understanding is the people that get the use of those parks are supposed to supply those toilets and I want to see a little more enforcement. If they're going to use our parks, they provide their toilets. Those are my comments and I appreciate the presentation. Hopefully you can answer some of the questions.

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CommentChristina BaylorProposed · by introduction56:54

Thank you, Councilman Perrello. I'm going to actually answer a couple of those questions then I'm gonna call up Kathleen and then we have a list of your questions so we'll bring up the appropriate staff people. I do have some non-profit experience so I could lend some assistance to the Friends of the Library on how to get credit cards so I can help out with that also you're absolutely correct when it when it comes to soccer, those groups have to bring out their own bathroom facilities. So we do have monitors that are actually working.

We can actually pull some of the monitors and have them go ahead and check into that and remind our soccer organizations that they're responsible when using that area, that they do bring their own bathroom facilities So let me go ahead and call up Kathleen so she can talk to you a little bit about the library questions you have, and then we'll bring up the appropriate staff members.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed57:59

Thank you very much but just for the staff, we've had members that live in Seaview and Sea Air neighborhood complain about the bathroom thing. So that's why I brought it up.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role58:08

Okay Miss Ashmore?

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated58:16

Yes. Okay, starting with the first one I have is Friends of the Library. We are actually working on updating that webpage and we do have a PayPal account but as Terrell said we will be working on that Library of things, we do have a library of things. So what that is and it is a trend nationwide where The way I look at libraries is libraries are access to information, right? So that may come in books and in the modern day that doesn't necessarily come in the form of books. It's also about accessibility so if you have somebody who is let's say they're doing a home renovation project and they need a tool for one project One of the things that a lot of libraries are doing is they're providing what we call a library of things. So instead of having to go to Home Depot and you buy $100 tool, and you buy $100 tool, and you buy $100 tool that you're going to use one time, you can come to the library, check out that hundred dollar tool, use it, and then basically bring it back pass it forward.

That's what a library thing is. That's what the induction kit is, the C3 REN kit. We are slowly building that program. It is something that we feel like would be very beneficial to the city of Oxnard and the residents. Does that answer your questions on that?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed59:47

Okay. People can donate tools. Say a craftsman retires, he doesn't have family to pass it, he can donate them to the library

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated59:58

He can, yes. We are still in the process of building policies and safety measures and all those to encompass that program but yes, that is the goal. Yeah. And then the board status I have been working with Lulee and the city manager's office mayor on that. And Lulee said she had a update on that.

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction1:00:26

Mayor Pro Tem and council members. Regarding the library board, we did some outreach and then we got a few applications and then the mayor did some additional outreach and the mayor's in the process of doing those appointments and we hope to bring this back to Council by for the February 17th City Council meeting.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:00:46

Thank you Madam Clerk.

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction1:00:47

You're welcome. Okay.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:00:49

Go

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated1:00:50

ahead. Are there any other questions I missed? Okay.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:00:57

Thank you. Councilwoman Rodriguez? Excuse me, I apologize.

UnidentifiedCity ClerkProposed · by role1:01:03

There's one more. I will field the question about slide 15. Apologies for the mysterious acronym. NAGPRA is NAGPRA. That doesn't mean anything either. It stands for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act And we're actually going to be bringing a fresh update about these issues with regard to the Carnegie Art Collection and NAGPRA, to committee most likely at the end of February. So that's what...and again apologies for the acronym, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Thank you. Can you share just a little bit with us why that happened?

No. There'll be an update at the committee.

CommentJesse TapiaProposedself-stated1:01:57

Councilman Perrello, I can answer your question about the chess training. So we have been looking at establishing a Chess with youth to teach critical thinking and in our after-school program So we're still in the process of establishing that that training with our staff and incorporating that into our program so we're in the process of finalizing those details to start that chess training program

1:02 – 1:1729 turns

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:02:22

Okay was that all your questions councilmember okay now councilwoman

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction1:02:26

Sure, thank you very much. I really appreciate the comprehensive report on all areas. I think some of my questions revolve more around the different numbers that were shared. Sometimes there's duplicated numbers and then there's unduplicated numbers so I think for me it would be helpful to know even though this is unduplicated use of how many times people attended like just an average of how many folks we're serving on a regular basis. So it could be weekly, monthly, daily if we're tracking that already that would be helpful just to see the impact. I think y'all are doing an amazing job So it's not about digging into the numbers. It's really about being, I think I'm looking at slide 10. So cultural arts snapshot educational programs there is unduplicated 7,765 which is great and then recreational and special events are duplicated so it's the same people coming back potentially.

It would be helpful for me to see just you know is that a team of 10-15 youth playing basketball 20 times versus Folks coming through. That was page 10, slide 10 on the PowerPoint presentation and that's just one example so I think that would be helpful. I think there is a section on the library use. Here give me a second, I don't know what slide it is. How are we tracking how many folks are coming to the library? Is it when they go through the detectors, is that like a count of people coming in and out because not all folks would necessarily check things out or Slide 18. Oh, thank you

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated1:03:55

very much. Thank you for the question. So we count that in several different ways. We do have a door count so anybody who comes in the building. We also count the number of people at each of our programs and we count our circulation. Those are the biggest three. We also count the number of people who use our computers So the door count though, that's sort of the most basic one where we're not asking you know. We don't know if they're in the program just using the space computers so that's kind of the main big one.

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction1:04:35

Okay I was just wondering because like I know I'm a frequent flyer at the library. I don't always go check in or borrow a room or you know use specific things. I just use the space potentially. Thank you for that and you had mentioned Restoring key staffing positions, but I'm not sure I saw that laid out in the report. Did I miss it?

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated1:04:55

No, I don't know that I laid it out so we have We have restored two supervisor positions so when I started we had no supervisors So we restored those two positions and we restored the literacy librarian position. We restored a Security monitor for South Oxnard. We have security at the main library. We did not have anything at south And so we restored a monitor position at the south location and one additional librarian at the South Oxnard location that focuses on adult and intergenerational services for that community.

And then the two supervisor positions, we have one that focuses on our internal services, our collection development security building things like that. Helps me with that. The other position is going to do outreach services. So that supervisor going back to ESL at Southwinds potentially things like that. We will be focusing a lot of outreach now that we have that outreach position filled.

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction1:06:07

Okay, thank you very much. I think my last question or comment was for the meetup cleanup group so thank you very much great job in the meetup clean up i recently saw a video of promoting for the south winds one yay i would just encourage folks to have like the updated information where we share brochures i know that i went to one of the meet-up cleanups and it wasn't updated uh so i think i flagged that if that has been updated then i'm excited about that

CommentChristina BaylorProposed · by introduction1:06:31

yes council member rodriguez i did hear about that We did make sure that updated actually what the staff person did was grab the old information. So we apologize for that but yeah, but it's very important because we rely on people to know What is going on and that's how they come to these these style of events. So thank you

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction1:06:53

so I appreciate the video kudos for that But um, I think if you flagged it for us council members, I would love to attend meetup cleanups in my District not to say that I won't go to others i'm happy to support You know the entire city of oxnard All parks need cleaning but uh, I think that would be very helpful If you put it in our radar That way we also push it out especially when I have my office hours It's helpful to to have this coming down the pipe. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:07:15

Thank you Thank you, Councilwoman. I'll just point out that Campus Park is right on the border of Districts 2 and 4 and they are always looking for a lot of volunteers for that one. So Council Member Starr?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:07:28

Thank you Mr. Harrison. I've always been very impressed with you. And one thing that I'd like to just make mention... I mentioned this in the past is that one thing that impresses me is how we're working with the school districts. It's not just that we're providing a service to them They're actually finding enough value in what we're providing that they're willing to pay us for that.

And I'm always impressed when it's one thing to say, yeah people like this but it's another thing for people to actually pay for something because then you know the reality of does it really have value in the marketplace and obviously it does. I don't know if it was mentioned in their report, but how many employees do you have under this department overall?

CommentChristina BaylorProposed · by introduction1:08:17

It's a lot. So I will get the permanent count number, but I do know temporary labor we do range between about 350 and about 450 temporary labor folks and I believe our permanent number right now is Yeah, about 87 I believe it is right now. Keep in mind we don't have all of our positions full.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:08:47

Well you provide a lot of services for such a small headcount. I do have some questions. I want to thank Councilmember Rodriguez for asking the question about the duplicated number of questions because I had that question myself. It's just another dimension looking at it and There's probably no way we can actually get this information because I'd be really curious to know how many people actually use the service as opposed to how many times it was used. Because I don't know whether I'm serving, you know, 100 people a hundred times each or if I'm 10,000 people one time right? Right. But I have recognized that there's probably it's probably very challenging to even accumulate something like that.

CommentChristina BaylorProposed · by introduction1:09:29

Yes sir it is but what we can do and we can go back and we can send it out to council Especially some of our key programs such as after school youth centers, we can break down those numbers and we can give you those. So what we're trying to do with our numbers is indicating that they are duplicate be as transparent as we can, but we're trying to pile a lot into the information with the numbers. So for some of our key programs, we can get that information and then send it out to council.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:10:03

One thing I'd like to ask about you know what one thing that I really liked was that you have a very Dynamic presentation was audio video slides really professional. Is that something that you guys did yourselves or did you it was another department in the city that helps with that. How's that how does that work.

CommentChristina BaylorProposed · by introduction1:10:23

So we've done it ourselves and that's the great thing about employing young people. They really they really know what they're doing as a matter of fact we've had some of our staff actually go on and do this professionally. They're working for entertainment companies and things like that, but yes this was all done internally.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:10:44

Well I definitely want to recognize them for it because they did a stellar job on that. direct the first one to Ms. Estrada. When I'm looking at slide 15, I notice of course you mentioned the Performing Arts Center in the Carnegie Museum was what we were doing in 2019 but since then we've added arts academy, mini murals, recreational arts, World Art Day and art gala and I think those are all great so I guess what I want to understand is the Carnegie Museum component of it do we...I know it's kind Not accessible right now.

Where would you rank that versus the other programs? Would you say that the more recent programs bring more value to the community than the Carnegie Museum does? I suspect that's the case, but I wanted to ask

CommentJulia Estrada I'mProposedself-stated1:11:34

you. Thank you, Councilman Starr, Julia Strada, Cultural Arts Program Manager. I don't know if I can truly quantify that. They're completely different service models where We haven't had them operating at the same time to really understand that kind of tracking. I do believe that each type of programming and each type of service does treat a specific clientele.

I will say that the enhancement over the last five years has exponentially grown the visual art in city and you can see it more now, that is not to devalue anything that was done by prior staff but it's definitely more out there. I think that the team, the department as a whole has really worked to try to keep it alive after those closures But unfortunately, I don't have a way of quantifying which one has a better value as they haven't been operating simultaneously.

But they do have their own place and...

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:12:41

Right. That is a challenge where we have, of course, unlimited wants in this world and we have limited resources to try and fulfill those wants. And it could be the case that Expanding upon the programs that you're currently doing might be creating more value for the community than, let's say, reopening the Carnegie does. I don't know. Different people have strong opinions about it one way or another but the reality in this life is that you kind of have to pick and choose right?

CommentJulia Estrada I'mProposedself-stated1:13:10

Yeah, we do our best. Currently with the resources that we have to expand our into all areas of Oxnard and try to get as many people to use that side of their brain to help with overall. There's so many benefits in actually doing art. As far as with our senior population, retaining the motor skills and cognitive skills to use in developing those. So I will say the current mission is definitely to try to reach as many people as possible where they are to help kind of eliminate those barriers of not being able to travel across town to get to it. So that is our current model and that is what we are striving to sustain moving forward.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:13:54

Thank you. And I have a question for Ms. Ashmore as well. Thank you for all the work you're doing, I remember I had questions awhile back that had to do with what our policies were when it came to I have a question about the Ventura County library system. I'm wondering, how does our library interact or collaborate with them? And then let's start off with that.

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CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated1:14:50

So the director and myself have had several conversations about that specifically because Ventura County and Oxnard service populations overlap quite a bit. There is a really good relationship there that we are working to build out, and there's a lot of willingness and desire to be able to really see where that partnership goes. Does that answer your question? I

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:15:22

think so. One question I'd like to ask is If you were to compare our system versus theirs, would you say that theirs are more up-to-date as far as technology and that sort of thing? And then we're kind of behind the curve. Or are they behind us? Evaluation.

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated1:15:42

That is a very good question and it can be a hard one to answer because the one thing I've learned in my career is every library's very, very

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 2Proposed1:15:52

different

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated1:15:54

from their funding structure to their staffing structure to what they prioritize. Technology, we are behind the curve. We know this. We're working on that, building that up. So there's a lot of opportunity. The way I see it is we have a lot of opportunity there to create what we want. Ventura County doesn't have that particular challenge. They have different challenges That one is definitely the one in the forefront of our project list for sure

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:16:31

All right, well thank you those are my questions

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:16:36

Thank You

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:16:36

councilmember

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:16:39

Okay so I just have a couple quick questions and some of them were asked by my colleagues So thank you all very much First, a comment for Mr. Harrison and your team for slide five which was the slide that had culture community services then all of your partners in this work I just appreciate that being visually represented because while it may have been a very busy slide it was intentionally done so because It's a great example of public, private and community-based organization partnerships. This is the type of work that siloed work doesn't really lend itself to being great high quality work. Everybody has a stake in this when it comes to serving our community so thank you all very much for the partner work that you do.

Looking at our library I just have one question that's outstanding and if Miss Ashmore would like to jump back up for this? Everybody's getting their steps in for this item? You had mentioned around the early childhood programs that are available, and that was on slide 20. And I'm just curious is that our library staff providing those or do we have a partnership with other organizations such as First Five or how do we implement that?

1:17 – 1:2913 turns

CommentKathleen AshmoreProposedself-stated1:17:58

That is, thank you for the question. That's a good one. We do it in a combination thereof. So we have our staff plan, a lot of them. We have three children's librarians and I think we have story time every day of the week, almost every day of the week? Every day of the week. We do those ourselves, and we also do those in partnership with First Five. We also do them in partnership with Family Place.

And then we have sporadic performers and different people who come in and also supplement those as well.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:18:42

OK, thank you. And it's timely. I know Ms. Raikstraw may recall this that just, I think last week The County Office of Education has their Early Childhood Programs Division, and they had reached out around having messaging in our catalog. And I know that they provide professional development training for those who are looking to go into the field and work in early childhood education.

And perhaps there's some overlap there as well, because if we have staff or partners who provide these services who look to go into that professionally, there may be some stepping stones there and even some practicum hours they can get in doing that work. So just connected dots on that. And Mr. City Manager, do you have something?

UnidentifiedCity ClerkProposed · by role1:19:33

Yeah, if you're done with the questions I just want to make one highlight. Just with that one question

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:19:39

I'm done. If you have something additional. And before I move on to my next question, Councilwoman reminded me she had one more point.

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction1:19:47

I forgot one more point to share. I know many of the services are free but I believe not all are free so I think that would be helpful in the future reports just to let us know which services are free to the community open at large and which folks or families would have to pay for their kids to be involved. I think like the serendipity program I believe there's a cost to it and there may be a sliding scale or not but that would be helpful like moving forward for anybody who's watching this. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:20:14

Thank you very much.

CommentChristina BaylorProposed · by introduction1:20:15

Thank you and if I can, can I elaborate a little bit on that question? I think you're correct we do need to emphasize that in it a lot of times that comes within our classes but the other thing is a lot of our youth sports programs that do cost money are either through our PAL program which covers the cost of uniforms in our youth centers that do the same, as well as through our after school program. So those costs, the families do not pay directly but again there are some programs that it costs money and we can't make that clarification.

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction1:20:50

Thank you. That's wonderful and I think just to like both get the word out and also just a showcase like what is available at large. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:21:00

Excuse me, one last point on the library and just a comment is I noticed one of the challenges was on accessibility and accessibility in the realm of folks having a barrier of transportation physically getting to our branches. And I just want to throw out there as well similar my previous point that I had imagined dialogue is already open with Gold Coast Transit or even the Ventura County Transportation Commission and what programming they already have in place offer for seniors or folks with mobility challenges in getting to public facilities.

And not to give them more work, but I know Councilwoman Rodriguez sits on Gold Coast Transit Board and the mayor sits as a commissioner on the VCTC. And so I'm sure if there's overlapping goals there and what we have and what they're offering, we can certainly connect those dots. My last points here, and then that's all for me on this To Council Member Perrello's point, I did see sandbags being delivered to one of my neighbors who was a senior. And that was just great to see that they rolled up in the city core truck with the trailer in the back and they unloaded it and I was very pleased to see that and I appreciate that being put together and I appreciate our fire departments for hosting the sand and the sandbags as well.

For slide 32, it was mentioned by Mr. Tapia about The mentorship that happens with some of our existing staff and our high school students who are looking to get some job experience. And there's just some incredibly rich research around mentorship and the benefits of it, especially in communities like Oxnard. And so I just commend all of you for having that foresight to look at that and implement something like that because it truly goes a long way, especially for young people who are exploring what types of work they would like to do if they have even an inkling of going into the realm of education or public service. This is a great first taste for them to do that. So thank you for that.

And then on slide 35 for our senior services, I'll just say as I've said many times that when it comes to our aging population there's again a wealth of research around the importance of social connection and of remaining physically active in their later years. And I just thank you all for providing that and multiple diverse opportunities for them. And I think there's another connection there in our transportation if that's a barrier how we can ensure that we're meeting that for folks as well.

And my last point here is regarding a conversation that Councillor Stroud just brought up regarding the value around Carnegie versus other programs. And I appreciate that we will be having the Carnegie as a comprehensive update coming later in February. Something that occurred to me in that discussion was Looking at the value of those, I made a note that a hammer is only as valuable as the amount of nails that are around that need to be driven.

When it comes to social programs, the diversity of tools and approaches are the better way to address the types of challenges that pose especially the diversity of needs and challenges that communities like Oxnard have. These are different programs or different missions, and they have their own place and purpose in how they approach that. And when we have deeper conversations about the Carnegie and what that looks like, I appreciate the folks from the Carnegie who've had candid conversations with me, and I've told them my thoughts on what the Carnegie may look like with their input in 2026 and beyond. So those are my comments. Mr. City Manager, I think you had something else?

UnidentifiedCity ClerkProposed · by role1:24:49

Yes, let me try to be brief. So you all see the extraordinary amount of work produced by a small yet mighty department. So first I want to acknowledge Mr. Harrison's leadership. When you look at the range of those programs, it's just imagine herding cats. It is so wide, the range And to reemphasize something he stated, which is this department provides not only positive but much needed services to a lot of the youth of our community and the trust that their families and their parents and their guardians place in us cannot be underestimated.

in terms of the value of that for them as individual families and for us as a community. Now having said that, I would like to highlight one program out of the hundreds and no it's not the Insect Festival. I want to highlight The Arts Academy. It is something that we started recently and there have been growing pains But here's why I am so proud of this effort.

It is premised upon an international program called El Sistema, comes from Venezuela. They're probably their most famous graduate, Gustavo Dudamel who for quite some time has been the musical director of the LA Phil. This year I understand he's transitioning to New York so that's a great gain for the East Coast and a great loss for the West Coast but here's why this program matters so much because it's already been researched in evidence Any young person who has the opportunity to learn music, they always do better in all other areas academically at school.

For whatever happens it unlocks something in the brain and this program is serious. This is not just hey come hang out we'll have a jam session and have fun. The kids learned how to read music. They learned how to play individually they progress as they grow and their interest changes, and as their hands get larger. And they play ensemble which is key. So we wanted to provide this again not just for fun because we know through the evidence that it really helps them with all the other things they do at school.

And there's also evidence because nationally over several decades this country has divested so much from It's so important that we provide this in our programs. I don't believe this will happen soon, but someday a community of this size and this population really deserves to have a full-fledged public school arts program like many other great cities in this country have had for many years. And that is the dream. Thank you.

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ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:28:29

Thank you, Misty City Manager. I'll just close this... Oh actually we're gonna see do we have any public comments Madam Clerk for this item?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction1:28:40

Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members, we do not have any public speakers in person or virtually for this item. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:28:45

Thank you very much. In closing this item? Oh We did have a public card submitted okay All right they're gonna make their way up to the podium thank you

1:29 – 1:3411 turns

CommentKaren AguilarProposedself-stated1:29:11

Hello, my name is Karen Aguilar. I am very grateful for the service of my tutor at the Osnard Public Library's Literacy Program. At first, I was very nervous and lacked guidance My tutor was very kind and professional. She gave me the confidence I need to prepare for my citizenship exam. With my tutor's help, I was able to pass that exam and become an American citizen.

I hope this service continue in our community. Thank

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 5Proposed1:30:00

you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:30:07

Thank you very much. We do have the public comment card here and we typically won't do applause for public comments, but that was certainly one that struck everybody's heart here so thank you for sharing that. OK are there any additional comments? Madam

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction1:30:21

Clerk. Vice Mayor Pro Tem that concludes our speakers on the appointment item. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:30:29

Thank you very much. So now I'll close the item by just thanking all of the staff. of you in this room, but you all do very important work. And I always say, I don't pick favorites, but I really like culture and community services. But it really from a, even from a numbers standpoint the research does show when we invest in prevention work, preventative work, upstream We save between $7 to $13 later in downstream efforts. Those are things like health care costs, or the juvenile justice system, or our mental health system, or whatever metric you would like to use, even fall prevention for seniors. Anything you look at when we invest in our ability to prevent and instill resiliency in our communities We spend less later on in cleaning up the issues that come from not doing that.

So when we under invest, we see unfortunate outcomes. So thank you all very much, much appreciated. Okay. All right so at 631 are gonna go ahead and call to order the regular meeting So this is a calling to order the Oxnard City Council and Oxnard Housing Authority for Tuesday January 20th, 2026. Madam Clerk may we have the roll call and posting of the agenda please?

Roll call — called by Home Depot
Show transcript
Council Member Commissioner Peralo. Here. Councilwoman Commissioner Perez. Here. Councilwoman Commissioner Rodriguez. Present. Councilman Commissioner Starr. Here Mayor Pro Tem Vice Chair Theran. Here
CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction1:32:20

The agenda for this meeting was posted at the kiosk at City Hall, the Oxnard Public Library, the city administrative offices and on the city's website on Thursday January 8th. I also have an announcement pursuant to Government Code Section 54952.3 each member of the Housing Board of Commissioners present will receive $50 pay for convening this meeting with the exception of Commissioner Starr who has declined to receive compensation. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:32:48

Thank You Madam Clerk We're now going to move to the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be conducted tonight by Rita Chavez from the EMS Corps. And thank you to Councilor Perrello for recommending an EMS Corps participant for this. Before we proceed Ms. Chavez, Councilor Perrello would like to request a moment of silence after our Pledge of Allegiance. Did you want to say something about that council member?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed1:33:16

This community lost a gentleman, William Bill Terry recently, very recently. And he's one of the old guard. We're losing the old guard, the people that have been around for decades and Mr. Terry in my opinion is not just a loss to this community, it's a loss to mankind. I never knew Bill Terry to ask for anything for himself. He was there as a witness, he was there as an advocate He was there as a worker, and he was mostly there as a giver.

That man gave probably from the day he was born till the day passed. And it's a tremendous loss. I hope that our condolences go out to his wife and his family. It's a loss. I can still see Bill sitting in the front row always attending, always being involved. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:34:10

Thank you, Council Member. So Ms. Chavez after the Pledge of Allegiance we'll take a moment of silence and then we'll turn it over

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response1:34:16

to you. Mayor Patel if I may one other person I think that we should recognize is Commander Scott Aaron who died he's member of our police force died at a training down in Orange County I think it was so I'd like to have a moment to recognize him as well

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:34:34

Thank you, Councilor Broussard. So after the Pledge of Allegiance we will recognize a moment of silence for Mr. Terry and Commander Aaron and then we will turn it over to Ms. Chavez so everybody after the pledge please remain standing for a moment of silence go ahead.

1:34 – 1:403 turns

CommentRita ChavezProposedself-stated1:34:56

I pledge allegiance to the flag in the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:35:26

Thank you everybody.

CommentRita ChavezProposedself-stated1:35:33

Okay, you have the floor. Thank you. Good evening Mayor Pro Tem Turand, City Council members, EMS Corps leadership and members of the community. My name is Rita Chavez and I'm deeply honored to stand here before you tonight as a graduate of Oxnard EMS Corps. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story and to recognize this incredible program and the people who made it possible.

To understand what EMS Corps means to me, I need to share a bit about who I was before this program. I was raised primarily by my grandmother while my mother served in the military. My mom was only 21 years old and preparing to go to war when she was faced and forced with the decision of whether or not to have me. She chose to keep me, a life-altering decision that reshaped her entire future.

When she returned home we struggled to connect and for a long time I didn't understand her sacrifices but now at 22 years old myself I look back with deep gratitude and say thank you for her strength, her service, and for giving me the opportunity to live Despite that sacrifice, life was not easy. At a very young age I was harmed by people I should have been able to trust and later betrayed by those I believed to be friends. For a long time I believed survival meant silence if I didn't speak about it if I pretended they never happened then I could keep moving forward But silence created deep struggles and unhealthy ways of coping. The choices I made led me further into abuse, pain, and eventually hurting myself.

Without searching for guidance or support, I often felt lost, invisible, and just really alone. My teenage years were tough, full of challenges that shook my sense of faith and made me question myself. But even in all that, I started learning something important—how to be resilient, how to keep going, and how to rely on my own strength. By 18, I was no longer living at home and ended up living in my car until I turned 21.

Those years taught me how to adapt, persevere and find hope in the little things. I may have felt alone but I also discovered independence, inner strength and a belief that things could get better. And they did eventually. A medical surgery ended up bringing me home, but instead of feeling grounded I struggled again with my future and self-worth. Then one day I was sent a link to the EMS Corps by none other than my mom.

I didn't know what to expect but taking that chance changed my life. For the first time, I experienced real structure, belief and support. The MS Corps didn't teach me emergency medical skills. It taught me that I mattered, that I could trust others and that I had purpose. The instructors here became more than teachers. They became my support system. Melissa was my anchor. She was the one I could turn to when old feelings of doubt and loneliness resurfaced. On the hardest days, she was an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and a source of steady encouragement. She constantly reminded me that I wasn't alone and that I could overcome the challenges I carried. Her support taught me to believe in myself even when I didn't know how.

Alejandro showed me the strongest example of what leadership can be. Firm, consistent and compassionate he challenged me pushed me to grow and modeled strength in a way I will carry with me for the rest of my life And Lupe was the heart of this program. She took the time to hear our stories, understand us and remind each of us that we mattered. Her kindness and patience made us feel seen and supported in ways many of us had never experienced.

My classmates my peers and my friends together we face challenges grew stronger and learn not just technical skills but how to support each other and rely on one another. EMS core is more than just a classroom it's a family and its lessons will stay with us far beyond this room This program is vital for the students who come after us. It builds not only skilled professionals but resilient individuals who are prepared to serve their communities with character, compassion and commitment. I am proud to be one story among the many that EMS course continues to shape.

Today with my certification, I choose to continue building my career in the medical field. My goal is to help others who feel lost or alone, to provide the support I once longed for and to serve my community with integrity and purpose. EMS Corps gave me the foundation, the tools and the belief in myself to take this next step and I'm committed to making a difference.

Tonight as EMS Corps is recognized, I want to thank everyone who made this program possible. The leadership, the instructors, the staff and my fellow graduates. You didn't just train us for careers you changed our lives. To the instructors and staff thank you for believing in me when I struggled to believe in myself. To my classmates thank you for walking this journey with me and to EMS Corps thank you for giving me an opportunity and a future I once could only dream of.

I am proud to be a graduate, proud to carry this training forward and proud to be part of the legacy EMS course continues to build. Thank you

1:40 – 1:4713 turns

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:40:37

Thank you so much, Rita for being willing to be here and not only open our meeting but share your personal journey with us. And I hope that you are as proud of yourself as it seems like everybody in this room is of you. So thank you so much. Would you like to introduce the folks who came with you? I see we have EMS chief here as well.

CommentRita ChavezProposedself-stated1:40:54

Yes, we have Chief Villa, Savannah Gaskell and my instructor Melissa Cornyn.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:41:00

OK, can we give them a round of applause also? Noting also that last year, Savannah was at the podium sharing her story.

CommentRita ChavezProposedself-stated1:41:11

So big footsteps here.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:41:15

Absolutely. So we have a certificate here for you if you'd like to come up here with your guests and we'll take a quick picture. And Councillor Aprello

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed1:41:22

may I say something first? I want to thank Mayor Pro Tem for helping to get this tonight for you to be here. I want to thank our fire chief. I want to thank our fire chief for bringing this program to our city I want to share with you that over the period of time I've been in the council, you go to a lot of things that there's an expectation. You need to have an elected official there. He's got to look good. He has got to be there. He has got to show that he's got pride in the city.

I went to the recent EMS graduation and Mayor Pro Tem also showed up. When I heard Chief Villa speak, and I think this would be good if somebody did film that. If this went out to the citizens of Oxnard. And he talked and he talked about his family. And he talked about. I think there was 19 graduates. I think 19 graduates and they were all sitting there and he's at the podium and he is looking right at him and he says the best thing that I can tell you.

Is it if it was my family? that needed help, I'd be grateful if any one of you. And I gotta tell you from being somewhere where your family is laying on the ground and they need help and there's an EMS person emergency trying to take care of them and you can't do a damn thing except hope his words were the most important word I've heard come out of a city official since I've been in Oxnard I took it very personally. I want to thank you, Chief.

But what he said was very important not just to me but to the residents in Oxnard. They see the people in uniform around here. They say various things. Oh, you know, the guy never has sweat rings under his armpits. I don't see him working. I see doughnuts. I see they're having a good time. Ladies and gentlemen when something goes wrong in your life And you see everything laying on the ground possibly going away. You pray to God somebody like you and your 18 other classmates in the previous are there.

Thank you very much for

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed1:43:40

what you did, and I really appreciate it. And thank you Chief. Thank you Councilmember. OK come on up.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:44:20

Okay, so we have a certificate achievement here for Rita Chavez for graduating from the EMS core program and you heard all the great stuff about it. And in just And then I'm going to invite Chief Hamilton or Chief Vee if you'd like to tell a little bit about the program just briefly so folks who are interested can find out about the next cohorts. So let's go ahead and do this.

CommentRita ChavezProposedself-stated1:45:09

Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:45:11

You're very welcome. I'll turn it over to our folks here if they'd like to share a few

CommentChristina BaylorProposed · by introduction1:45:17

words.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 7Proposed1:45:23

Before I talk a little bit more about the EMS program, I just wanted to recognize the people that are up here. Jaime Vier, we couldn't have got this program off the ground without Jaime. And then Melissa, who's in the trenches with these young adults every day and providing the guidance and leadership that helps them get to where they are. And then Savannah, who you recognise from our first cohort that just graduated.

And it doesn't... Not without irony that today is the day that cohort number three actually went through their HR orientation this afternoon. So we have our third cohort just starting The program is open to young adults between the age of 17 and a half and 26. There you go, some of the details. There is an application that can be found online. I'll have to pass down the microphone to tell you where that is but it is a five month program where these young adults will get paid a stipend and learn and ultimately become EMTs by the end of the programme.

Who's got the website?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 8Proposed1:46:34

Yeah, so OxnardEMSCorps.org is the website to sign up. There's also a QR code on there. We are currently recruiting for the fourth cohort already. So those recruitment periods tend to end about three months ahead of the next class. So we do expect this one to end. about May, roughly when we should start doing interviews. Just for context and what I would encourage people to do is get an application sooner rather than later. We already have 620 applicants in the hopper right now for 22 spots essentially.

So if you want to be part of the program absolutely get that application in and there's a link there to ask questions so that would be the only other thing OxnardEMSCorp.org One more time, OxnardEMSCorp

not transcribed≈8s of audible speech the AI couldn’t make out▸ listen

1:47 – 1:534 turns

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 7Proposed1:47:39

One last thing I just wanted to add is the program, it's actually generously funded by the California Employment Development Department and another grant program known as COI or the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Program. So that's what's funding all of these graduates to get through the program.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:48:03

Thank you very much. Can we give them our appreciation one more time? Item. All right, next on our agenda is our ceremonial items so I'll invite my colleagues here to stay positioned and stay ready We have a very important ceremonial item right here. Subject, presentation of a resolution commending Andrea Torres for over 43 years of exemplary service to the City of Oxnard and this is a resolution so we have an action attached to it. Recommendation that the city council adopt a resolution commending Andrea Torres for over 43 years of exemplary service.

So can we have Andrea Torres come forward please? And as she makes her way up here we have a resolution, an official one here that we're going to adopt in just a moment. So and go ahead and say hi to these folks too. Resolution of the City Council of the city of Oxnard commending Andrea Torres for 43 years of exemplary service to the city of Oxnard Whereas Andrea Torres has devoted over 43 years of exemplary service to the City of Oxnard, demonstrating unwavering commitment to public service and operational excellence. And commencing her distinguished career with the City of Oxnard on June 9th 1982 as a student trainee in the Public Works Department Environmental Resources Division. She is subsequently employed as a temporary office clerk and two months later appointed to a full-time office clerk position where she played a critical role in the city's transition from residential hand-pickup services to automated slip container collection.

And whereas Andrea was instrumental in supporting the municipal bonding process and the successful opening of the Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Center, and contributed significantly to the installation and implementation of the Solid Waste Management Program work order system which generates more than 100,000 customer service requests annually And whereas Andrea has promoted to Compliance Specialist within the Public Works Department, Environmental Resources Division.

Where she has collaborated closely with code compliance staff to address illegal dumping throughout the community and whereas Andrea played a key role in the implementation of the automated three cart collection system I remember when we changed over to that from the two carts that were split in the middle all right Personally conducting manual inventory of residential and commercial containers and ensuring accurate data entry into the solid waste system for long term electronic record keeping.

And whereas Andrea was promoted to environmental resources supervisor, assuming responsibility for commercial collections and continuing to demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication And whereas she was honored as Employee of the Year on two separate occasions in recognition of her outstanding performance and contributions to the Public Works Department, Environmental Resource Division. Anne was appointed Interim Chief of Collections a role she fulfilled with distinction until the position was permanently filled while actively participating in satellite city hall events, neighborhood council meetings and neighborhood cleanup efforts.

And there's a lot of Annes here! And throughout her career, Andrea supported numerous city-sponsored events including the Earth Day Festival, Strawberry Festival and Coastal Cleanups. And maintained strong working relationships with the Dallas Cowboys Training Camp and the New Orleans Saints training camp. And whereas Andrea Torres exemplifies commitment to public service and will be truly missed by her colleagues and customers for her dedication positive and uplifting spirit. Therefore, the City Council of the City of Oxnard does hereby commend, recognize and extend its gratitude to you Andrea Torres for over 43 years of exemplary service to City of Oxnard extends best wishes for a fun and fulfilling retirement and well-earned retirement with family and friends.

Congratulations to you! So she's a few words, she says thank you. I offered so we're gonna do a quick photo and then we'll have to do a motion in a second to adopt the

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed1:52:40

resolution.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:52:44

Absolutely would you like to invite folks up here? We have Mr. Yanez on his way up it's up to you oh that's okay well we'll find a way to fit we're inviting family up so come on up family you you're out here You only get to do this once every 43 years.

1:53 – 2:0012 turns

CommentMolly McCoyProposedself-stated1:53:22

You all are

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 9Proposed1:53:24

proud of her, right?

not transcribed≈18s of audible speech the AI couldn’t make out▸ listen
UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 1Proposed1:53:47

Mommy,

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed1:53:48

what are you doing?

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:54:26

Okay, we have to actually make it official. So before... Yes! We have a motion by Council Member Peralo and a second by Council Woman Rodriguez. Madam Clerk may we get the vote on this resolution?

Roll-call vote Passed 4–0 Moved by Bert E. Perello motion by Council Member Peralo and a second by Council Woman Rodriguez. Madam Clerk may we get the vote on this resolution? · 1 under review
Show transcript
Council Member Peralo? Yes. Council Woman Perez? Yes Council Woman Rodriguez? Yes Councilman Starr? Yes Mayor Pro Tempteron? Yes
CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction1:54:46

And this motion carries 5-0 thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:54:48

Now it's official officials. Congratulations Mr. Yanez

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 9Proposed1:54:57

Thank you Mayor Pro Tem. Good evening City Council members, Andrea's family. I was a privilege to get to know Andrea for the last five six years working for environmental resources. I've been around doing municipal government for 31 years and you don't come around people that have a heart dedication loyalty They don't come around too often. And then to work 43 years, Andrea.

So that is just amazing. I will miss going to her. I'd knock on her door. Andrea! What happened 30 years ago? She knew. We did this back in this day. That didn't work. Well we won't do it again. We're gonna make the same mistake twice but she was a wealth of knowledge. She had so much institutional knowledge And she just really cared about the customers, this community.

And like I said it was a privilege to know her, to work beside her and I don't know it's going to be tough to fill her shoes. It really is and I'm proud of you. I'm so glad that you took this step and can enjoy your family yes. And the whole group of the people she oversaw and commercial drivers, all the positions she held. We had a couple little get-togethers in the office but obviously we got work to do but somehow we found time and the people that just showed up to just show the respect for her, the love for her it was really overwhelming I was glad to be a part of it. And I'm so excited for your next chapter. I just hope you come see us every once in awhile Born and raised in Oxnard, graduated from Oxnard High and spent your life and career here.

It's just amazing and this community is grateful to have you.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 10Proposed1:57:00

Thank you. I do want to say thank you, of course, to my family, my extended family, my grandkids, my nieces, my son. But to my work family, I miss you. It was hard. It was a hard decision but I couldn't have done it by myself. My neighbor's sitting back there. I want to thank you guys for putting up with me, for helping me, making me better. Brian, thank you. Yeah, we had several conversations. He would call me in and then said come here see me after the meeting and they need to ask me what was that face for?

So we had a discussion But thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you council I appreciate everything it's been great but now it's time to enjoy

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:58:08

Thank you again and wishing you the best in retirement. Madam Clerk, do we have any speakers for this item?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction1:58:25

Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members, we do not have any public speakers for the ceremonial item in person or virtually. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role1:58:31

Okay thank you I'll invite my colleagues to take their seats Okay. Looking at our agenda, we are moving on now to public comments for items not on the agenda. Anyone who wishes to speak, we have speaker cards up here with the clerk. Or if you are on Zoom, you could push star 9 to raise your hand. Person may address the legislative body only on matters not appearing on the agenda and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. Speaker requests shall be submitted and set forth on the first page of this agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes.

After 30 minutes, if all speakers have not had the opportunity to speak, the remaining speakers will be given an opportunity to speak prior to the adjournment of this meeting. The legislative body cannot enter into a detailed discussion or take action on any items presented during public comments at this time. Such items may only be referred to the city manager for administrative action or scheduled on a subsequent agenda for discussion. Persons wishing to speak on public hearing items should do so at the time of that hearing, at the time of that agenda item.

And again, anyone wishing to speak for items on the agenda can submit a card with the clerk or raise your hand on Zoom using star nine. We have a couple of speakers here. So we are going to start with Carla Alejandra followed by Eric Andrist.

2:00 – 2:1715 turns

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 11Proposed2:00:29

On Tuesday, January 13th ICE forcibly took a kid from the Lemonwood neighborhood. This is a reprehensible action that further evidences the violence, the violent brutality of ICE and the fear they continue to purposely spread in our communities. ICE needs to leave Oxnard immediately and needs to cease to exist at a national level. And using this platform to state those three sentences I have done more than any of you sitting up there I have certainly done more than Gabriela Basua, the District 5 Council Member of which the Lemonwood neighborhood is a part of.

Basua, the same council member who in November made a deal with the devil Genon to supposedly ensure that South Oxnard receives resources. The same council member who two years ago didn't want to hear anything about Oxnard signing a ceasefire resolution in support of Palestine because she wanted to focus on Oxnard. Yet it took almost a decade for a restroom to be installed in one of the parks in her district, the same city council member that actually isn't here right now.

She has probably done more for the City of Port Wanimi since she's been the Housing Authority and Facilities Maintenance Director over there than she probably has done for Oxnard. But honestly, the smoke isn't just for her. None of you sitting up there are actually any better even though you pretend to be It took you all a year to pass one item that may help people, the matching funds for a Ventura County public defender. What's the update on that? How long is it actually going to take to happen?

Ten years if Basuah is in charge of it right? Oxnard continues to get terrorized. People continue to get taken as political leaders for this city, either you're in the streets patrolling for your districts or you're facilitating the opening of the city's wallet to funnel money directly to the people impacted. Anything less than that is short of doing nothing at all and honestly before coming to this meeting I saw yesterday that some of you were at the MLK event And y'all let Fryhoff speak, really? Fryhof. Fryhof. Sheriff Fryhof who has been instrumental in allowing ICE to terrorize this community and y'all just up there with your big smiles and the photo ops you have Angela Davis's portrait hanging in these chambers are you not ashamed do you not know who these people are have you never heard him speak Like you parade and hide behind these symbols to actually pretend that you're doing something when you're doing nothing.

MLK would have been disgusted with you. Angela Davis certainly would have never set foot in this chamber to speak to you, and if she would've, OPD would have probably gunned her down.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:03:31

Thank you very much. Our next speaker is Mr. Eric Andrus, to be followed by Greg Runyon.

CommentEverybody's likeProposedself-stated2:03:41

Everybody's like, oh my God. What is he going to say? Eric Andrews from the Henry Levy House I want to make two points tonight for the record first I need to correct the city attorney's office for the records specifically Stephen Fisher and Kenneth Roselle regarding public participation rules after my Brown Act rights were violated under the city's own published agenda procedures a If you look at the bottom of the first page of tonight's agenda, just above the ADA disclaimer it states, you may participate in the meeting in the following ways and lists three methods. Attending in person, signing up to speak remotely or submitting written comments by email.

That language is unambiguous. Email and video submissions are independent methods of participation. It is not conditioned on physical presence or live phone participation. At a prior meeting, I submitted a pre-recorded comment in advance consistent with that language that Luli Lopez decided not to play and it was rejected solely because I was not present in person or on the phone.

That requirement appears nowhere in the agenda. It was imposed after the fact. I am noting for the record that the city enforced a rule that does not exist in its own instructions. Either the agenda is misleading or it has been selectively reinterpreted either way when written rules do not match practice, the public record is compromised. Public participation rules are not optional members of the public rely on the agenda as written And Kenneth Rosell didn't stop there. For the record, he recently publicly mocked me by selectively omitting key facts from an apology that I submitted then labeled my recollection as revisionist.

Selective quotation that removes material context is not a good faith representation. He has engaged in similar conduct regarding his ongoing vendetta against our duly elected treasurer Phil Molina Including efforts to thwart court orders requiring reinstatement of his duties. When a city official edits facts to change the narrative, it raises legitimate questions about the reliability of their interpretations of facts policy and law and because of that I plan to file a California Bar Association complaint against Kenneth Rozelle Secondly, I want to flag an issue. I will be watching closely. I would like a member of this council to ask city attorney Stephen Fisher on the record for a clear explanation of what expenditures are permitted and prohibited under California peg fee law and how compliance is insured Public explanations of peg usage create an official record and accountability.

The video the city attorney's office refused to play concerned possible peg fee misappropriation. Refusing to play it over a technicality heightens the concern. I am not making further allegations, at least not tonight. Accuracy matters both in public participation procedures and financial explanations. Burt Porello loves to regurgitate facts and evidence matter. That quote ta- Oh, am I done?

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:06:45

Yes, your

CommentEverybody's likeProposedself-stated2:06:45

time's expired

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:06:46

Mr. Andrus. Thank you very much. If there are any additional speakers who wish to submit a card they're down here by the clerk and if you are online you can hit star nine to raise your hand at this time it looks that our last in-person speaker will be Mr. Greg Runyon.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 12Proposed2:07:04

Good evening Mayor and Council Members I was at the MLK celebration And I want to be careful, because I really wanted to get up here and talk a little bit about how alarming it was to see our constitutionally protected rights to protest infringe upon a constitutionally protected right of people to have religious services. And I think it's important for all of us to begin to start, to learn. You know Dr. King obviously I'm old but I'm not that old and never met the guy he died in 1968 at the in Memphis Tennessee was assassinated many of you know the I have a dream speech it was in 1963 and its famous right? The dream was that He had a dream where one day all men were seen as equal, regardless of the color of your skin, regardless of your gender.

But the night before he died, he preached at a church in Memphis and he preached a sermon that was 13 minutes long. And basically what it did, it talked about how he was ready to go, that he had lived his life and that he didn't have anything left. Then when he was done you would've thought that he almost had a heart attack But what he preached upon was the idea that your life is a sacrifice.

But that it's lived in the idea that you do things, that if you resist, you resist in a way that is honorable. That if you protest, you do it honorably. He believed not in direct confrontation but in non-violent and I heard some of you at Encouraging a resistance that sounded very much like push the envelope. That's not Dr. King, that's not what he said. He said push the envelope when it comes to how we treat one another.

If someone treats you bad, treat them better. If someone looks down on you, lift them up. We're not going to help anyone if we get in a society that says I don't like you, I'm gonna take you out and speech matters The words we use matter. Young people, oh it's just words. Oh it ain't. It ain't and we need to learn that you know what? I believe with all my heart love is more powerful than hate but right now what we're teaching people is hate.

Someone hates you, hate them back more. Dr. King said if someone hates you love them and I'll leave you with

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:10:00

that thank you Thank you very much. Madam Clerk, do we have any additional speakers?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction2:10:06

Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members that concludes our speakers in person and virtually for items not on the agenda thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:10:13

Thank you very much.

The next item on the agenda is Item H Report of City Manager Executive Director Secretary Mr. City Manager do you have a report for us?

UnidentifiedCity ClerkProposed · by role2:10:24

Passed thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:10:27

Thank you very much

Next item on the agenda is Item I, City Council Housing Authority Successor Agency Financing Authority. Business Committee reports that this time a member of the legislative body may make a brief announcement or make a brief report on his or her activities. Further members of the legislative body may request to schedule consideration of whether to place an item on a future agenda. The legislative body cannot enter into detailed discussion or take action on any item presented during this report.

The members' report shall not exceed three minutes unless additional time is granted by the presiding officers. We started with Councilwoman Betz last time, I'm going to start on my right with Councilmember Starr and then we'll work our way left if that's all right? So we'll start first with Councillor Starr.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response2:11:14

Thank you, I am not used to being first. Several things. I attended a Ventura Council Governments meeting Earlier this month, we saw a presentation from Dr. Rick McLennan who's the Chancellor for Ventura County Community College District. There is a lot that this district does and I was particularly impressed with how they're working with the Navy in trying to create workforce jobs by doing so. So hats off to him.

I had a meeting with representatives of the proposed housing development that's going to be just north of the Dulsall High School. That thing is called the Malhart Stiles Ranch Project. I'm told that we should expect that a draft EIR will be made available for public review in the next 30-60 days, so those who are interested will certainly have an opportunity to review it.

Also attended an East Village Neighborhood Council meeting and upcoming is meetings with the Rio Lindo Neighborhood Council, which will be this Thursday night and Saturday morning there'll be a meeting of the La Colonia Neighborhood Council meeting. I do want to take a moment to acknowledge a couple people from City Hall that did really well recently. One of them who's not here is Brenda Lopez. I've had several incidents where Some folks were very distressed about their housing situation.

I mentioned one of them at the last meeting, but since then there's been two more incidents and she is really on top of things and I really appreciate that when somebody is going through a crisis situation that she steps up to the plate She responds quickly, and that's something that I really appreciate. She takes her job very seriously. The other person I want to recognize—and I think he is here in the audience right now—is Assistant Police Chief Rocky Marquez.

And we had a couple of instances where one lady that was very concerned about fireworks and wasn't sure that we were doing enough. And I think he was able to provide a lot of information as far as, well here's what we are trying to do. And of course it's a big problem and it's hard to combat all the lawlessness that happens in this city by folks that decide to set fireworks. But he gave a really good explanation of what we're doing and is trying to work with her to find out Well, where are the problems that she's seeing so that we can kind of monitor them.

In addition I had a gentleman who is in a trailer park situation who had a criminal encounter that he was not real satisfied with the report that came out from the police station on that and I'm very happy to say that Assistant Police Chief Rocky Marquez is immediately trying to address that. So thank you very much for just being so speedy and on top of it, I think you were even responding when the city was actually closed. So just hats off to you.

A couple things, I would like to see a better understanding of how Assembly Bill 253 impacts us. So Assembly Bill 253 is the California Residential Private Permit Review Act And looking at the legislative council's digest, I'll read some of what was written here. Which is it says until January 1st 2036 the bill would upon application for residential building permit being deemed complete as provided require the city to provide the applicant with an estimated time frame in which the city or county will determine if the complete application is compliant with permit standards The bill would authorize an applicant to retain a private professional provider, as defined, to perform the plan check if the estimated time frame exceeds 30 business days or the city has not determined that completeness application is compliant within 30 days of the applicant being deemed complete the bill require an applicant who retains a private professional provider to notify the city of their intent to retain the private professional provider within a prescribed time frame.

This is going to be it's I understand the sentiment behind it what the state was trying to do try and speed up the process and allow outside plan checkers if necessary to step in when we're overburdened so it was passed as an emergency Statute so it went into effect immediately back in October I would like to see a report as far as what is the Community Development Department doing to implement this?

In a way that works best for those who are trying to get their projects through. I Would also Let's see, and I guess we have one member of the public here was inquiring about the spending of PEG funds I'm not sure what the limitations are or if we've misspent something, and I'm sure it wouldn't have been intentional. But in any event, if there has been any sort of misspending maybe we should understand that and correct that to make sure that money's coming out the right buckets because there's certain restrictions on how monies can be spent. So I hope that staff can come back with a report Thank you councilmember.

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2:17 – 2:337 turns

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction2:17:17

Thank you, I appreciate that clarification in terms of the PEG fee law and the PEG funding. So if that would be an update then I'd also like to hear about that and if there wasn't any misspending then I'd also like that clarification. I just wanted to share my Gold Coast Transit District meeting got cancelled this month for January so our next one will be on the 4th of February. I will be resuming my office hours the first Saturday of every month at the library and I did attend the MLK celebration. And I thought it was a great event, similar to last year. It doesn't cease to amaze when community comes together. So I thought it was a very powerful event, 40th anniversary and just want to thank all the people behind the scenes making that happen because I did take the 730 AM shuttle and everybody was all set and ready to go so thank you very much.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:18:06

Thank you very much. Council Member Perlow?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed2:18:08

Thank you. Thank you to the public speakers. I did have the opportunity to go to the Martin Luther King event at the park. I appreciate the fact that there were a lot of people there, I will tell you in my opinion it was a smaller crowd than I expected. I don't know the rationale but Mr. King fought for a lot of things. Dr. King, Reverend King fought for a lot of things for people of all colors, all economic backgrounds.

In the current state of events I hope that we all remember that and nonviolence was a big part of his preaching. Attended the VRSD board meeting recently it came to the attention of the board and they had to act on it that the new general manager had forgotten to indicate that he was on two boards and he possibly could be perceived as working for some other entities It was clarified, brought to our attention. We acted on it, approved one of them and did not approve the second. The Clean Power Alliance met Clean Power Alliance's fees for their power were lower than expected. Beneficent of the residents of Oxnard Neighborhood council meetings coming up, Blackstock South tomorrow night 6.15, South Oxnard Center.

The South Bank neighborhood meeting coming up Thursday night 6.30 at the Rio Del Norte School. The Rio Lindo neighborhood meeting coming up Thursday 22nd at 7 o'clock. It sounds like that's going to be a very hot meeting. The La Colonia neighborhood council meeting coming up at 9 o'clock Saturday at the Community Day Soul Community Garden And the Wilson neighborhood meeting coming up at the DOMA offices and the election meeting Monday, the 26th at 6 o'clock.

If you get a chance to go to these meetings they're open to the public. One other meeting coming up is Kapalua six o'clock at the Kapalua school. Kapalua is a neighborhood council getting up and running. They got some good people involved, some support for that neighborhood to be greatly appreciated not just by the residents of that neighborhood by this council member and I'm sure the rest of the council members up here.

With respect to the claims that were made in Mr. Perrello, that's me Bert Perrello facts and evidence matter facts and evidence matter And when there's not facts and evidence, that's also very significant. Those are my comments, Mayor.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:20:58

Thank you Council Member.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed2:21:01

Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I too wanted to thank all of the MLK committee who continuously goes above and beyond to ensure that that event is successful. I know we have a lot of work to do still as a society at a human consciousness level. I'd like to say that there's just more work to do. Although MLK fought for a lot of different issues, we still are facing many civil rights Many people are having their rights violated.

In terms of some of the Neighborhood Council meetings, as Council Member Perala shared, Blackstock will be having their meeting tomorrow at 6. Unfortunately I've shared with them that I will not be there. I will be joining Mayor Pro Tem for the first Voices of Oxnard Youth meeting. I know Redwood Neighborhood Council also Um, has several meetings as well. I have been unable to attend those meetings because they typically fall on the same night as City Council.

I've also had the opportunity to participate in Blackstock Junior High's community school site meeting. This was a really good opportunity to both bridge what's happening at the family level, parents, community overall and really providing feedback on some of what the community needs are I was excited to learn more about their Community Closet Program and some of the partnerships that they'll be expanding to bring more resources to the community. As I shared in my last report earlier this month, is that I'm committed to meeting with all of our school representatives, principals, administrators, all the school sites that fall within my district.

I've had the opportunity to attend Blackstock so far, looking forward to attending Sunkist at the beginning of February and also had the chance to meet the principal of Haycox Elementary. to really bridge the work during the last Southwinds Neighborhood Council meeting on Thursday. So more to come on that, I'm hoping to share some updates at that Southwinds meeting we got a lot of input about one of the events that we're going to be holding in February there's going to be some improvements that are coming to Southwinds Park Really to gather feedback from the community and so really excited to finalize the timeframe for that. And once the notification is out, I'm happy to share that so that we can get some community engagement on what folks would like to see in that area.

As a part of some of the discussions that I've had with school representatives, there's been a need for looking at the process for crossing guards. And so really wanted to thank our corporal and our sergeant in our department who met with me this morning to talk about what the process is and really connecting with our school administrators to see what If that possibility is there.

Next week, I will also be joining the county point in time event here in Oxnard to really support our homelessness population and then just wanted to report that Coastal Keepers is also going to be holding their World Wetlands Beach Cleanup coming up soon at the end of Perkins Road so that is my report and back to you Mayor Pro Tem.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:24:37

Thank You Councilwoman I just have a couple quick updates here. As Councilwoman Perez mentioned, we have started our meetings with the Voices of Oxnard Youth Group and appreciate the young people who applied for it and we had our orientation just a week before last and looking forward to our first meeting session with them this week. And we'll start getting down to work to see what Issues rise as priorities for them and how we'd like to tackle them, as well as some other things that I hope that the community will see come from that group here in the next couple of months.

I attended with Councillor Perello the Airport Authority meeting last or week before last as well. And I just wanted to take an opportunity to thank or to congratulate Ms. Barbara Filkins who was appointed as the public member for the Oxnard Airport Authority or reappointed But I also wanted to take opportunity to thank all of those who applied, especially Mr. Doug Tauber who is also a neighborhood council chair within the city of Oxnard and really had a number of people who really sent in comments and came out to speak on his behalf. And I was happy to hear that there may be another opportunity that he will be looking at with county supervisor Vianney Lopez even though he wasn't appointed to the authority as a public member at this time.

I also attended the East Village Neighborhood Council meeting and coincidentally, I see that we have the neighborhood council chair here for that community in the back there. And I just want to give congratulations for her election and that actually deserves a Some praise for a number of reasons, because typically in neighborhood council you'll have a chair who will be there and everybody thinks they're doing a great job and nobody wants to do it or wants to step up. And so that person stays in that role.

Or you sometimes have people who hang on to that role with every ounce that they have. And I've seen both happen in neighborhood councils over the years. But this is a great example of a chair who had a vice chair and they worked well together, the vice chair was able to be given a number of projects that she was able to carry out especially National Night Out which was done excellently within that neighborhood and when he was ready to step away from the chair role Succession plan was there. She was the she was voted in unanimously by her neighbors and just congratulations I think that's a great way and a great model for neighborhood councils, and how they should be working so Great job to miss Alexis Schmidt who is there in the back?

And I also attended a carriage Square Neighborhood Council. Thank you to mr.. Howlett and his team and I see Morgan is here as well Mr.. Kessler We had a, there was a great turnout for them and they looked at their playground that is moving into the next phase of being replaced. Councilor Perrella already mentioned the South Bank meeting January 22nd at well not at 639 p.m., at 630 p. m. That's a typo on my part here and I appreciated joining my colleagues for the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Walk as well it was a Always a poignant event and always a reminder of the work that was done to allow many of us in this room here tonight, to be able to have opportunities that others prior to us did not have.

And it's incumbent on us to continue the work that needs to happen to ensure those who come after us are still afforded these types of opportunities to be leaders in their community or even to have rights that were not afforded to people in the past like voting or sitting with certain people or in certain areas. So just throwing that out there for folks. I'll also be participating the point in time count next week and last two items here, River Park fountain update. I appreciate Mr Miller giving me a quick update on that it looks like things are going to start moving rounding third base as he said in his response to me and we're hoping that by the end of this calendar month we should see That fountain operational and ready to go.

And I'll echo what my colleagues have said up here, I would like to request maybe an appointment item on our PEG funds and how they've been spent in the past whether it be recent or some of the milestone things that they've supported And there have been other members of the community who have inquired about that, so I think it's probably going to be a worthwhile appointment item to give a historical perspective on where we are now and what we're looking forward to with those funds. Okay?

All right. Thank you all. We also have here an item through the City Attorney Department, and this is Item I-1, Adoption of a Resolution Protecting the California Coast and Public Lands from Oil and Gas Drilling and Exploration. Recommendation that the City Council adopt a resolution opposing new leases for oil and gas activities in public lands and off the coast of California.

And I'll turn it over to Councilwoman Perez if you'd like to give us a brief introduction for this, and then if Mr.. Fischer would like to add anything to that or excuse me? I think we have Mr. Rozelle here for that is that correct okay go ahead Councilwoman.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed2:29:59

Perfect. First, I wanted to just share with the Council and the public the timeliness of this item. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is going to be making—is opening up their or they've actually had their period for submitting comments but it closes January 23rd 2026 and just a little bit of historical background The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently released a draft proposed program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which includes six leases off the coast of California.

This proposed program echoes similar attempts to expand offshore oil and gas drilling during the previous administration, and this is something that has been rebuked by many local government bodies including Ventura County. A resolution was issued in Ojai City Council in 2017 and here within the city of Oxnard in 2019. Just some kind of overview high points, similarly in December 2025 the Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to pass a resolution opposing new offshore The state of California has also prohibited new fracking activities, implemented a safety setback and is committed to phasing out oil and gas drilling onshore in California. Offshore no later than 2045 due to the high risk of damage and disruption to the environment climate and public health.

Just some kind of overarching comments here, California is already headed into the direction of a green transition and the state has been clear that continued expansion of fossil fuel extractions comes with real risks. Risks that I think we could all agree on in terms of climate, the impacts on public health, our environment Being that my district is one of the most impacted by environmental hazards, we know that fossil fuel pollution is linked to higher rates of asthma, heart disease and other health issues especially for communities closest to drilling in industrial sites. As I mentioned, we've already moved into that direction as the state and there's already a commitment to phasing out you know, gas drilling by 2045 as mentioned. And so opening new public lands and offshore areas to drilling moves us into the opposite direction.

It keeps us dependent on fossil fuels and undermines our progress towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy. This is also a moment for transition for workers in communities The good news is that green energy pathways, we know offer higher paying safer and more stable jobs. But we need to continue to uplift you know skills training which is already happening in our community to ensure both our younger and older workers are prepared to transition and I know we have We have such great partners in the community already doing that work. And so this resolution is really, you know, to join our county and to join our partners in the state of California to oppose any efforts of new leases for oil and gas activities off the coast of California.

2:33 – 2:3912 turns

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:33:34

Okay, thank you Councilwoman. Mr. Rizzo are there any opening remarks you'd like before we go So no, Councilwoman Perez has laid out the reasons she is proposing that this resolution be adopted by the City Council. Thank you very much. Okay so do we have questions for our staff here which would be Mr. Rozelle and we'll start with Councillor Perrello and then we'll go around here.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed2:34:01

I don't have a question of staff other than the one point. We don't listen to Channel Islands National Park as off the coast. I don't know if that needs to be added or not, but that's the only question that I would have. Other than that, I'd like to weigh in on this subject. That is not necessary. The language

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed2:34:17

is broad enough to include offshore.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed2:34:20

Thank you very much Mr Rizzo. The reason I support this, some of you may know it, grew up in agriculture. When I was younger in the 60s, 70s and early 80s, Oxnard used to be known not as the big salad bowl of California which was Salinas but it was known as a salad bowl and they grew very tender lettuce in the springtime Greenleaf, bibb and zirconium. Not iceberg, not romaine but they grew much more tender lettuce.

When the smog and the inversion layers would hit LA and push it out to the ocean and the winds would shift in the spring one shift of the wind would send the smog into the Oxnard Plains and turn all the tips of those lettuce plants black and people would disc up the crop. Eventually they don't grow that here anymore But along with that came eventually we have smog equipment on cars, we have fuel mixture blends different.

But the thing that I know that I experienced and I'm hoping some of you are old enough to experience it going to a Dodger Stadium baseball game and not seeing the mountains used to be a red cloud kind of pinkish cloud little angel air. And also having a friend that liked to go to Santa Anita For opening day of the horse race, we'd always laugh. You could actually see the mountains in the snow on top because the smog hadn't hit now.

I don't want to go back to the way it was with everything that's going on in the world right now. I don't think we need to open up the coast with the accidents that have happened. I don't see a reason to take more chances.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed2:36:02

That's why I'm supporting this. Thank you council member Councilwoman

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:36:06

questions for Mr Rizzo.

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction2:36:08

I Don't currently have any questions. Thank

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:36:10

you.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response2:36:12

I don't have any questions, I'd just like to hear from the public. Okay and any questions Councilwoman?

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:36:17

Okay I don't have any questions either so with that we will go ahead and take public comments those who wish to make a public comment we have cards up here with the clerk if you are online you can push star 9 to raise your hand we currently have six comments card submitted our first speaker will be is it Alex Mantegna Followed by Abra Stewart. My apologies if I didn't get your last name right

CommentAlex MentononaProposedself-stated2:36:49

there. It's okay, that's my entire life. So it's Mantenone. That's a Chamorro last name from Guam. Yeah, so my name is Alex Mentonona. I'm a policy advocate with CAUSE and I'm out here to come out in support of this. So last time we were here it turned into a very late night, so I'm hoping it doesn't go that way as well again tonight. I just want to point out like the connection that we're seeing with current events, right? So we're seeing resource expansion wars and a lot of rhetoric and saber rattling.

type of rhetoric and this type of expansionist, imperialistic whatever you know word we actually want to throw at it. It's just greed and the same type of actions and thought processes that is leading to trying to go after our coast so in this time You know, fascism in this time of imperialism and this time of civil rights being eroded. And it being fueled by the dark money of oil.

It's our time to step up as leaders in the community, as public offices, just everywhere. The moments are bigger than any individual person and so we need to be taking every small action, every big action and rising up against this. Now there's a lot of discontentment in the public and you know, there's always going to be decisions that we disagree with and inactions or actions that we disagree with. And I just want to point out that these types of things help.

These types of things help build our trust. These types of things will bring us together in saying this is our line. This are the things that we do not want to cross and it's the We need to protect because, you know I'm glad Burt Porello he brought up the comment of how Oxnard was early in the 50s and 60s. I've been reading this book it's called Growing Up in Lacanonia as this quote by Cesar Chavez about how when he was growing up here Oxnard was this very cold and damp city had a lot of fog and there was a lot of cold days that that's what he remembered mostly And earlier this week and last week I was walking outside my apartment, and I noticed flowers blooming on the trees.

And I was like oh what a lovely day, what a lovely day. And then I thought about it, I'm like it's January. Like this is not normal. This is something that future generations are going to have to deal with because The planet is heating up very quickly, and the quicker we do a just transition and green transition is the way we deal with this. So again, thank you for this resolution. Thank you for your leadership. We appreciate it.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:39:54

Thank you for your comment. Our next speaker is Abra Stewart to be followed by Molly McCoy.

2:40 – 2:453 turns

CommentAbra StewartProposedself-stated2:40:04

Good evening Honorable Council Members, my name is Abra Stewart. I am a former resident of Oxnard and I'm the program manager at Climate First Replacing Oil & Gas or CFROG. CFROG is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to a just transition away from fossil fuels to protect our health economy and climate And I'm here tonight to urge you to adopt the proposed resolution opposing the attempts by the federal government to expand offshore drilling and drilling on our public lands.

And I just want to share, growing up in Ventura County, I spent most of my time swimming in the ocean or hiking in the Sespe and Los Padres Forests and enjoying all of the beauty that our wonderful county has to offer. But I was also a sophomore in high school when the Refugio oil spill hit in 2015, I was on the surf team so that kind of ruined our season. And I was a freshman in college when the Thomas fire came and I had to call my parents at two in the morning to wake them up and tell them that they needed to evacuate our home And just last November, our team at Seaborg was fielding calls from community members in Ojai who saw hundreds of gallons of oil spilling into the Cesar Creek and into our county's watershed from an oil spill that happened.

And I think that everyone who lives in Ventura County has stories like this. You know we all know the impacts of local environmental degradation and have lived with the consequences and many of us take our time to You know, try to fight these issues but these efforts are not without challenges or setbacks. You know the last time the federal government tried to expand drilling off of our coastlines the City of Oxnard stood up and said no and while it might seem a little repetitive we need to stand up tonight and say again no we are not letting this happen in our community These proposed expansion, you know on our outer continental shelf as well as on our public lands includes over 800,000 acres across the central coast and valleys and then six leases off the coast of California.

Like I said we've already dealt with a really devastating impact of oil spills whether it's happening up north in Santa Barbara County Oil doesn't know county lines. It'll come to us wherever we are, and we saw that last time and we will see that again but we're also looking at this drilling on public lands there's threats to you know poor air quality increased seismic irregular seismic activity due to proposed hydraulic fracturing Groundwater contamination, which is particularly relevant for us here with how much we rely on our agriculture and there's just so much at stake. And I think you all know this and you know that we don't need more drilling. We know that we don't need this pollution. What we do need is to stand up to what the federal government is trying to do here in California And we might be one small town in a large state, but Oxnard has the opportunity to demonstrate continued leadership.

And I'd really love to see that continued under this council with the vote to adopt resolution. Thank you so much.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:43:07

Thank you. Our next speaker is Molly McCoy followed by Melissa.

CommentMolly McCoyProposedself-stated2:43:18

Good evening, Council. My name is Molly McCoy. I'm an alumni from Ventura County Community College District and I'm here to speak on this item and strongly support you all to adopt this resolution in opposition to increased oil and gas drilling on public lands in the outer incontinental shelf. Aside from the adverse public health impacts and the just no need to extend our reliance on fossil fuel infrastructure as the peak of oil and gas return on investment is quickly looming, and as Ventura County is the fastest warming county in the lower 48 We really don't need extra drilling, but I really want to point out the two other devastating impacts. Number one, oil offshore drilling can siphon the marine space and resources needed for offshore wind development which as Council Member Perez pointed out we really need a just transition to uplift our communities and put in more economic value and bring generations into the climate crisis and make sure that we have employment opportunities With the refugio oil spill, Ventura County has already suffered enough.

We lost over 140,000 recreational days as April was saying with her surf team. We lost almost $3.9 billion in that. As well as economic damages to local businesses, fisheries. The cleanup was $257 million, 100 million of which us taxpayers paid for Over 1500 acres of shoreline habitat were impacted, costing $5.5 million. 2,000 acres of fish habitat, 6.1 million. 550 plus birds, 2.2 million and over 200 mammals, 2 .3 million. This devastation to our Our next speaker is Melissa followed by Eric Bershinger.

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2:45 – 2:529 turns

CommentMelissa MunozProposedself-stated2:45:46

Good evening, Mayor and Councilmembers. My name is Melissa Munoz. I am a community member of Oxnard. I'm here to express my strong support for the resolution under agenda item i1, strongly opposing expanded federal oil and gas drilling on public lands and off the California coast. This issue matters deeply to me because our community is already living with the impacts of climate change and poor air quality. Ventura County is warming faster than any other county in the continental United States and expanding drilling will only accelerate those trends. We're also a region that knows the consequences of fossil fuel development, All too well, from devastating wildfires to the lingering effects of the past oil spills along our coastline.

Some of the proposed federal drilling parcels are near schools on the Central Coast. Children breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults which means that they absorb more pollution. Opening land near schools to drilling puts our youth at disproportionate risk and that is simply unacceptable. We also cannot ignore the threat of offshore drilling We've seen the recent oil spills and in 2015, as previously mentioned, the refugio spill which devastated marine life, local fisheries and coastal recreation.

Oxnard has a long history of environmental leadership. Passing this resolution continues that legacy and sends a clear message that our community will not stand by while federal agencies attempt to open more than 850,000 acres of public land and multiple offshore areas to new drilling. The federal government has caused enough pain to our communities. Let's not allow them to bring on more in this matter.

I strongly urge the council to adopt this resolution tonight to protect the health, safety and future of Oxnard residents. Thank you for your time and your continued commitment.

CommentEric BershingerProposedself-stated2:47:42

Good evening Council, my name is Eric Bershinger. I'm a Ventura County resident and I strongly support the adoption of this resolution in opposition to the federal government's proposal to increase drilling on and off the coast of California. I'd like to highlight that Oxnard in particular is no stranger to taking on the federal government when it comes to fossil fuel projects. Like back in 2006, when the Bush administration attempted to build an offshore liquefied natural gas terminal near our coast. It would have been the single largest source of pollution in the county.

Or in 2014 when Energy proposed yet another gas station plant nearby. Both times, the people of Oxnard with the help of the City Council and people like Carmen Ramirez fought back and won. This time is no different. The federal government is attempting to sacrifice our health Our health and local economy, so billionaire oil executives can pad their pockets even further.

Offshore drilling has a long history of doing serious harm to coastal communities. It took some communities on the Gulf Coast over a decade to recover from the Deepwater Horizon spill. Many of them still are not the same. We don't even need to go all the way to the Gulf for examples. How about the Santa Barbara spill in 1969 or Goleta in 2015 or Huntington Beach in 2021?

And by the way, these spills were not surprises. They're not accidents. Oil companies actually calculate spills into the cost of doing business. They're not accidents, they're features and they're inevitable. Local economies put on hold thousands of animals and marine life killed and communities left behind while big oil runs off with billions in profit. I urge you to please vote yes on this resolution. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:49:25

Thank

CommentEric BershingerProposedself-stated2:49:25

you very

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:49:26

much. If there are any folks who wish to speak, you can submit a card with the clerk up here. Or if you're online, you can hit star 9 to raise your hand. Otherwise our last in-person speaker will be Cesar.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 5Proposed2:49:39

Hello. Hi council members, staff. My name is Cesar. I'm an Oxnard resident and an Oxnard College student, and a job fellow with Seabrook. And I'm here today to express my strong support for the proposed resolution in opposition to new oil and gas drilling both offshore in Ventura County waters and in the Los Padres National Forests. I actually spoke in the Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting where they were considering it, and finally passed a similar resolution. And I thought that it was a big success but the federal government is trying to push this project that puts all natural and recreational spaces at risk.

Expanding oil and gas drilling can create conflicts with existing land uses such as farming, ranching, outdoor recreation And it also creates more pollution like methane, particulate matter and more risk of leaks and spills that poison or spaces that people love to walk, hike or just enjoy. This proposal also threatens wildlife habitat for 13 federally endangered species including the California condor In the Los Padres National Forest, drilling will disturb land that is sacred to the Chumash people. Land that holds deep cultural, spiritual and historical meaning.

Regarding open-air waters for drilling, which is one of the main attractions in Ventura County's tourism industry, $2 billion in 2024, and a single spill could devastate that. I know that we have mentioned many times about the Santa Barbara oil spill—and we won't get tired of it—which harmed wildlife, beaches, and local businesses, which also taxpayers carried much of that burden.

Families who depend on fishing, including my own, will also be directly affected. It is important to be honest that drilling here in Ventura County will not lower the gas prices or make our county energy independent. I urge you to oppose any new offshore or inland drilling projects. Our community deserves clean air, clean water and untouched and touch nature.

And for the future to protect our environment, our economy and our culture heritage. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:52:27

Yeah. Thank you very much. Madam Clerk do we have any additional speakers on this item?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction2:52:35

Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members that concludes our speakers both in person and virtually for this item thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:52:42

Thank you very much. Councillors do we have any comments on this item? You guys want to start? Sure.

2:52 – 2:5913 turns

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response2:52:55

I'm just not clear what this accomplishes. I doubt that the federal government cares about any resolution that we adopt, so while I see this as aspirational, I don't see why it's in any way practical and I can't imagine a world without Oil. I look around me, I see plastics, the clothes I'm wearing, the gas stove I use at home, the fuel I put in my car. You would not want the nightmare scenario where if you could snap your fingers and all oil and gas just disappear tomorrow, believe me, you'd be really, really unhappy.

Lives would be lost. keep people's homes, it would be a disaster. Now we have no say over the control of federal lands. We have no say over the federal government waters which started I think at three miles out and goes out as much as I think 200 miles? Anything we do here today has zero impact on that. Now if you want something practical Where you can do something is some control over the, at least when it comes to offshore.

All the onshore infrastructure, the pipelines, the terminals, I sincerely doubt that California's going to approve any of these so I suspect that even if the federal government does leasing of new oil leases, I think most of these projects are gonna be dead on arrival anyway Because I don't think California will ever approve the infrastructure to make it possible to have UL come on shore.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed2:55:03

Is that the end of your comment?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response2:55:04

I think so. I just had one more thought in there, but probably not worth

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed2:55:09

mentioning. I'm hoping somebody- Councilor Perrello do you have a comment? Yeah, I have a comment. Do you want to make a motion?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed2:55:17

I'd like to make the motion. I'll second

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed2:55:19

it.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed2:55:19

Thank you and just to kind of go into discussion there.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:55:23

Before we, if I can interrupt for just a moment here. Of course. I did receive a notice here that just as we ended the public comment period, we did have somebody raise their hand. Okay. I'm going to go ahead and just allow because this is the additional person so Madam Clerk can we go ahead and take the speaker?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction2:55:43

Yes. Caller ending in 1622, if you can press star 6 to unmute and you have three minutes starting

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 13Proposed2:55:50

now. I apologize by the way it just took a little while right there but I apologize I did click in late I'm not going to speak to every development that they would, the feds would want to do. I just look at this as ideological and paintbrushes every kind of development maybe there might be worthwhile for instance on public land not i think it'd be less support for off the coast of course when things are being done a lot my understanding is that things are being done a lot more clean being done more clean with oil and gas, and the Energy Department just a few years ago mentioned that we are stated that we're going to be dependent on whatever your ideology or whatever report you're looking at.

We're going to be dependent on oil and gas, on fossil fuels 75%-80%, until like 20, at least till 2050, 2.0, 5.0. And wind and solar and things like that just aren't stable enough As Texas saw a few years ago for our energy, it's a benefit to development up here in the state. So we are not dependent on other countries. The last Trump administration they had the, we were a net exporter of energy which is great and also helps the gas prices when there's more development as you've seen already It's Climate is a problem. Climate change is a problem. It is human, partially human cause but it's not apocalyptic like a lot of people nothing you guys say in this but it's not apocalyptic like a lot of experts say it is a problem but with good government and private sector action uh it can be helped and I just point out too when the Blessed be her name, her memory, Councilman and Supervisor Ramirez.

She brought up a proposal like this to X out oil and gas coming up. Remember we had a lot of those workers come to the meeting and her proposition lost because it was imbalanced I think it was too much too that to that side and not protecting workers. And you know the thing of the consumer, consumers energy as well so thank you especially taking this my late star nine appreciate it.

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ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:58:51

Thank you very

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 13Proposed2:58:51

much.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role2:58:53

To my council colleagues I know I said that was going to be the last speaker without objection we do have one more i would like to err on allowing the public to participate but without objection we'll take the last Thank you. I can hear me. Yes.

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not transcribed≈8s of audible speech the AI couldn’t make out▸ listen

2:59 – 3:075 turns

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 14Proposed2:59:30

And I really appreciate a lot of the concerns about the environment. I'm one that shares in that, but I'm also one that puts gas in my car and I heat my house. And most of what we have in this modern world is produced by petroleum products. And I don't think we can not balance out our immediate needs. This economy in California is extremely dependent on the petroleum industry.

And we only produce about 25% of our oil that we need for all of the various products and to gas our cars and trucks, and 75% comes from Alaska and foreign sources. So we can't sustain our economy as it is today. And I'm all for alternative energy. I think it's wonderful. I think that's definitely the way we need to go But I think we also have to balance it out. We've got to have a balanced approach that understands the need that we have for balanced energy sources And petroleum is one of those that's critical to our modern living. And I think that this is a nice kind of ceremonial gesture.

I agree with Councilman Starr, that I think it really has very little influence on the people that pull the levers of power. Now, our governor Gavin Newsom who's a Democrat actually worked with the petroleum industry because right now they're at a critical threshold for their refineries in terms of the current production for keeping those refineries going so those refineries that make our gas refine our gas it's not just for California It's for our neighbor states, and we export petroleum. And we need those refineries running. We need to continue to at least have oil production to meet that critical low threshold to maintain our oil refineries. So I think it's good to look at both sides of the equation and look at the fuller picture.

The environment is extremely important, and I consider myself a very environmentally conscious person but we live in a modern world unless we're going to start living like the Amish And going back to horse and buggy, while we develop these alternate sources like Oxnard's now considering a storage bank, battery storage bank. Okay that's terrific! That stabilizes the grid that does a lot of things but they're looking at the battery storage what about the solar panels?

You know why aren't we investing in solar panels... Mr. Bartello your time is up. Okay thank you

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:02:30

Okay, thank you to all the speakers. Okay I believe we had a first by a motion by Councilman Perez and did you second that Councillor Perello? Yes. And then we had discussion correct?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed3:02:41

Yes, I wanted to address a couple of concerns that have come up. I want to just highlight to the public and for those on the dais that a transition to green energy is not a new concept This is a concept that has been researched, scaled in other places as models for us to look into. There's partnerships as I mentioned, as one of the speakers mentioned there's a big concern around workers and there are many roundtable discussions that exist that seek input to provide feedback on what that transition to green jobs looks like, whether it's skills development training.

Again this isn't a new concept these are conversations that happen across partnerships so when we want to look at what the impact and influence is on this resolution it really holds firm on the need to continue providing input. We as elected officials are elected to represent and to provide input To work with our partners, whether that be at the state or federal level to share opinions to share concerns and to discuss how our neighborhoods and communities are impacted by. decisions that oftentimes fall out of our government and rely heavily on having those working relationships with our representatives. This will provide a tangible result tonight, it allows us to ensure that we provide that public input by the January 23rd deadline and this will also be sent over to the various offices whether it be the Bureau Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Land Management, Senator Padilla, SHIFT, Representatives Brownlee and other relevant elected officials who serve these specific spaces.

And so just wanted to really highlight some high-level issues that have been raised tonight but I think many community leaders and experts, people that are in the field have long stated the need to move towards green energy. And we're going to be mandated to do so just by the state that we live in and really the environmental needs and data around that.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed3:05:08

Thank you Councilwoman. Councillor Perlow? Yes

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed3:05:13

I drove a car to work To council meeting tonight, and I'm going to drive it home that took gasoline. But I know that when I'm getting my fuel fuels cheaper now than it was several months ago. And I know that when people exaggerate that we're cutting our you know they didn't say it but this is what they're saying in my mind were cutting our nose off despite our face by doing this.

When we have the amount of petroleum that this country is producing that we are shipping it overseas The people that have spoken against this, I don't know where they're getting the numbers. I really wonder where they're getting the numbers. I've said in the past facts and evidence matter and when we can produce gasoline including the gasoline sales tax and everything and it's less now than it was and the impact that this could have on us nation is a big deal because who cleans up the coast if there's a spill?

And someone much wiser than me told me, when our nation... I beg your pardon. When the leadership of this nation stole the largest reserves of oil in the world by going into Venezuela, what are we doing opening up the coast to California? I mean, I'd like to hopefully get the only one that's up here that address the issues. Mr.. Starr. I hope you'll engage in that question Because I don't see the need for this I Sat through the meetings where these other items the LNG coast I wasn't on the council as a member of the public but There have been a lot of situations that they've tried to dump on the Oxnard Coast.

This is not focused on the Oxnard Coast, but it's focused on the coast that you and I both live on and would impact those when we're dead and buried would be here if this type of thing is not attempted to be prevented. This is an attempt to prevent taking advantage of people in the future. Including those right now, so I use plastic. Let's see when did I last use the plastic? I stirred this cup with a plastic spoon But I don't think that if we don't approve this I'll never be able to get a plastic spoon

3:07 – 3:1317 turns

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed3:07:40

Thank You customer councilman Roger yes,

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction3:07:42

I Have no additional comments on I appreciate all the speakers who are here I think that this as a council is us just taking a stand on our I

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:07:57

can imagine a future where maybe fusion might be so well-developed that we'd have clean energy almost limitless, and that could reduce other sources. But until it happens doesn't really mean much to me. I think that this is just symbolic with being attempted. If you wanted to say, hey we shouldn't have oil leases so close to the coast. Okay I can understand that but if it's 50 miles out or 100 miles out, I don't see how that would impact us. I think trying to ban oil leases on public lands is given how much public land the federal government owns.

I just don't see that ever happening. I think they're going to continue to do that And if we're really sincere about this idea of transitioning, consider a different resolution. Let's consider banning our use, the city's use of any oil-related product. Let us ban the use of gasoline for our vehicles. Let's ban the use of fuel that operates the wastewater treatment plant. Let's ban anything with plastic that we use here." If you're really, really sincere and you want to go that far, do that because at least that's something we can control. I think it'd be a horrible decision but at least it's something within our scope that we could do.

I cannot support this. resolution as currently stated. And I appreciate all of you for, I think what you want is intended to be a good thing for all of us. I don't fault you for having a position different from mine but I just don't see how this is going to create anything of value when it's all said and done. Thank you.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed3:10:13

Mayor Pro Tem? Yes, briefly. Go ahead. Mr. Starr, I do hope that the future involves nuclear and fusion but I would suggest if you feel strongly make a motion to get it on the agenda see if we can do something. See if we can make a suggestion to the higher powers.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:10:27

I'm sorry. Suggest what? That we influence nuclear fusion?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed3:10:32

Well, I mean... What do you mean? You spoke of it first. I would hope that you could possibly make an emotion or a suggestion or try to get it onto committee.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:10:39

We're not... Let's let Council Member Perlow finish his comment. Are you done? Okay, one last. I can

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:10:45

respond to that. We don't have any control over the development of nuclear fusion. We have no control over this. This is a technological problem. Scientists are working on it and eventually maybe they'll solve it or maybe they won't. You know, I think there's been some very promising breakthroughs but I don't see how any of this is within the scope of what we do as a city Are passing resolutions to make some folks feel good about doing something when it doesn't actually do anything?

I don't see how that creates value. I think it's just, you know, placating people.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed3:11:27

Okay, thank you. It struck me with your soundbite... Excuse me, Mayor Pro Tem. It struck me with your soundbite that we do away with gasoline. We do away... The most conservative guy, I think on the council side for me is you And I don't think you'd go for the extra expense of those equipments. But you can say soundbites that may go good with your supporters, but make a motion Mr. Starr, get it on a committee. If you feel strongly that that's a better idea than what this young lady, this councilwoman suggested, I suggest they say the old country put up or shut

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:12:01

up. Okay. I'm going to go ahead and stop the back and forth on that. I appreciate both of your perspectives on that. Mr. City Manager, before I make some comments did you have anything additional?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:12:13

Mayor Pretend, did you want a motion to close debate? Is that what you want to do at this time?

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:12:18

Well before we formally do that let's...

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:12:20

Because because the chair can't just dictate that the conversation is over. A chair doesn't have that

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:12:25

power. Well I am currently speaking so... That's fine. I'll come back in a second if you've got something additional. I'm just saying closing off debate is not a decision you would delay.

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction3:12:31

Can I call the

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:12:32

previous question? We have a motion to call a question. Okay we have a second by Councilwoman Perez Madam Clerk, we get a vote on the call to question.

Roll-call vote 2–0 motion to call a question. Okay we have a second by Councilwoman Perez Madam Clerk, we get a vote on the call to question. Councilwoman Pere · 2 under review
Show transcript
Councilwoman Perez? Yes. Councilwoman Rodriguez? Aye. Councilmember Starr? Abstain. Council Member Perala? Yes Mayor Pro Tempteran? Yes. And this carries 4-0 with council member Starr abstaining.

Okay well we have formally ended debate So with that then, prior to going into this, prior to going in the roll call as the presiding officer I would just like to thank this for being brought forward and for the perspectives on this. To thank the speakers. In just a sentence or two or less this feels to me like saying it's not gonna do anything why do it? People could say my candidate didn't win why should I vote?

So, excuse me. A couple of sentences. Thank you. Can we have the vote, Madam

Roll-call vote 2–1 · 2 under review
Show transcript
Clerk? Councilwoman Rodriguez? Aye. Councilmember Starr? No. Councilmember Parallo? Yes. Councilwoman Perez? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Teran? Yes

3:14 – 3:1912 turns

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:14:01

And this motion carries four to one. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:14:05

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Okay. So we next have item I-2, City Clerk Department. Appointments of members to serve on the city's citizen advisory groups, the CAGs. Recommendation that the Mayor Pro Tempore with the approval of the City Council make the following appointments. One, to Community Relations Commission Alejandro Moises Castro at large. Two, to Cultural Arts Commission Jennifer Andrea Alvarez at large and three, to Senior Services Commission Lupe Servin-Reyes District 4. This item did not originate in committee Do we have any questions or comments on this from council members? Councilor Starr.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:14:46

So Mayor Pro Tem, just for the record though it's the mayor that would normally make a motion in this case to appoint and we would then approve that In his absence, it's the belief of the City Attorney's Office that you're able to act in that stead. So we're going forward with that today based on this.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 15Proposed3:15:10

Mayor Pro Tem, that is what state law states. Thank you Mr. Fisher.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:15:14

Thank you Council Member Starr. Madam Clerk do we have any public comments on this item?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:15:20

Mayor Pro Tem and council members, yes we have two virtual speakers. We'll take the first caller ending in 1622 please press star six to unmute and you have three minutes starting now.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 13Proposed3:15:41

Hi Larry Barberine I just read this today on the agenda I want to tell, I believe that was that's Councilman Rodriguez's nomination for Lupe Reyes on the Senior Services Commission. I want to, I'm commending her for that if I'm correct in that detail. I know Lupe from, I used to go to church with her in Santa Paula, Santa Paula Vineyard back in the day before it went defunct and Just as a character reference, I can say that she's fantastic and blessed and pleased to see her name nominated for that. And for the son of a 94-year old and a 91-year old, thank the Lord, including one in Councilwoman Perez's district, my dad, and my mom is in Councilman Perro's district I appreciate you, Councilman Rodriguez nominating her and I expect you to do well.

We'll watch how she does like any person who's appointed or elected but looks like a good one there and I appreciate it and God bless all these people on the CAGs and their work and tonight I say especially Lupe there thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:17:07

Thank you very much and we have an additional speaker Madam Clerk

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:17:11

Yes, Mayor Pro Tem, so caller ending in 2591 please press star six to unmute and you have three minutes starting now.

CommentMayor Pro TemProposedself-stated3:17:21

Good evening. Good evening Madam Clerk can you hear me?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:17:25

Yes, please continue.

CommentMayor Pro TemProposedself-stated3:17:27

Hi good evening everybody I'm Mayor Pro Tem and City Council and guest my name is Adam Lopez former Commissioner for the city of Oxnard and the Community Relations Commission I just want to take a minute to number one, commend everybody who is going to be assigned to a CAG. I think it's something great specifically especially for my nephew Alejandro Castro who has been selected to serve on the Community Relations Commission. I'm very proud he's following in my steps. I served on that commission since 2016 and went on all the way to 2023 and I think it's very admirable commendable that we have young Individuals having the passion and desire to serve our beautiful city.

I think we need to embrace that, we need to welcome that. And for all of you in the dais, please, please a reminder these young folks are watching all of your attitudes, your personalities, your characters, your behavior. And I just say that with all due respect, we got to be an influence to these young individuals coming up I served for many years. I was appointed by Mayor Flynn, I was then appointed by Council Member Oscar Madrigal. I've served and worked under Chief Scott Whitney now under Chief Benitez. I served as chair so I know what it takes and I did it because I love our city and all of you sitting there in the dais know my heart where it's at with the community what I do. I do it all because I really want to make a difference and I commend all of you or being appointed and I wish you luck, congratulations.

And whatever it is that you all need we're all here to help you and guide you. And one day soon I may be back in another CAG and maybe in City Council one day but anyways have a good evening and congratulations to everybody.

3:19 – 3:2525 turns

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:19:12

Thank you very much Madam Clerk do we have any other speakers in person or online?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:19:18

Mayor Pro Tem and council members that actually concludes our speakers in person and virtually for this item. Thank you

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:19:25

Okay, if there are no additional speakers we have any comments from council members

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction3:19:31

I Will just say a few remarks. I am making a nomination for Lupe Reyes She's a retired educator from OU HSD who has given a lifetime of service In different capacities within the school district, and I'm just excited that she'd be willing to serve so I look forward to that, especially right now with a lot of changes happening with agencies, Ventura County and supports that we would have for our elderly folks.

I do think we need strong advocates who are going to go up to bat. Thanks.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:20:01

Thank you very much. A legendary educator at that. Absolutely. Thank you. If there are no other comments on as the mayor pro tem and presiding over this meeting As was mentioned by the city attorney, I'm going to go ahead and move that we appoint these three individuals 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. That is my motion.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:20:29

I second it.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:20:30

It was seconded by Council Member Starr. If there are no comments Madam Clerk may we have the vote?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:20:37

Aye. Councilman Starr?

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:20:39

Yes.

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:20:40

Councilmember Peralta? Yes. Councilwoman Bettas? Yes, Mayor Pro Temperon? Yes and this motion carries five to zero thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:20:49

Thank you very much and congratulations and thank you to our newest CAG members okay

next item on the agenda is a review of the information consent agenda members of the legislative body will consider whether to remove information consent agenda items for discussion later during the meeting Do any council members have any consent items they wish to discuss prior to that? I did speak with staff earlier today who have items on the consent agenda. They let me know that they had not had any outreach prior with any questions ahead of time, so after hearing that do we have any requests to pull items from the consent agenda?

Yes. Council Member Starr?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:21:29

L4.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:21:31

L4 okay. Any additional? Okay, so we have L4 which is ratification of authorization to be the sub-recipient of the EDD Employment and Training Pathways Program.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:21:43

I'm sorry, I meant to say L3. I apologize for that.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:21:46

Okay, L3 not a problem. Which is the monthly report and accounting for all receipts disbursements and fund balances So with that, Madam Clerk, we have items one, two, four, five, six, seven, eight. And I believe we have receive and file for... Is that the one you pulled, Council Member?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:22:10

Yes. Okay. Plus L5, I think as well, right?

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:22:16

The investment report, okay. So hearing that do we have a motion to approve the balance of those items that need action?

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction3:22:27

So moved. I'll second.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:22:29

We have a motion by Councilwoman Rodriguez and a second by Councilman Perez. May we have the vote on those items? Before you take the vote, I think you have to go through the public comment phase. Excuse me, thank you. Do we have any comments, Madam

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:22:40

Clerk? Mayor Pro Tem and council members, we do not have any public speakers for the information and consent agenda. Some of these items do include the housing authority so this will be a joint vote roll call if that's okay.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:22:57

Yes, without objection we can do that. And prior to that I just want to make one quick announcement. We have had a request to pull item L3 if anyone would like to make a comment about L3 now is the time to do so. Okay Madam Clerk let's go ahead and move forward with the

Roll-call vote Passed 4–0 · 1 under review
Show transcript
vote. Thank you Councilmember Commissioner Peralta Councilwoman Commissioner Bettis? Yes. Councilwoman Commissioner Rodriguez? Aye. Councilman Commissioner Starr? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Vice Chair Theron? Yes
CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:23:34

and this motion carries five to zero, thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:23:37

Thank you very much okay so let's circle back to item L3 monthly report and accounting of all receipts disbursements and fund balances let me bring up the agenda item real quickly here Recommendation the City Council receive and file this report and accounting of all receipts, disbursements, and fund balances for the month of November 2025. This item did not originate in committee. We have Mr. Javier Chacoyen-Lazaro and Council Member Starr. I'll turn it over to you.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:24:10

Thank you. I'd like to draw my colleagues' attention to PDF page 90 where it says general fund dash revenues expenditure by category If you can just let me know when you're at that page. OK, everybody? So here's the sort of thing that I look at and kind of draws my attention. And I'm saying, I can't possibly explain it. So what we have here is we have a comparison of the five months through November 2025 compared with November of 2024 in same five months.

Scroll down to where just under expenditures, the very first line says employment. And notice there that in the current year during five months we've spent $60 million for employment costs. But one year ago, we spent only $45 million. So you have a $15 million swing to the upside and this is one of the reasons why I'm pushing for financial analysis. At least to me, this is a glaring obvious question that if someone were to ask me why did we spend $15 million more so far this year versus last year? I'd have to say, I have no clue. There's nothing in the report that tells me why So mostly I'm just bringing this up to say we need financial analysis to review these variances because otherwise, we're kind of left in the dark.

3:25 – 3:3211 turns

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:25:46

Thank you Council Member. Mr. Chagall-Lazaro, do you have any additional statements from that?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 16Proposed3:25:54

Good evening Mayor Patel and City Council members. Without previous notice, I will come back to the council and explain the difference.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:26:02

Thank you very much.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:26:04

Anything additional, Council Member? Yeah so my point is ideally what should happen is that the analysis is done ahead of the time before the reports actually arrive to us and if there are any strange variances that are worthy of explanation it should be in the report itself and that way we're not just in the dark. We're not in the dark, the public's not in the dark. So that's all I have to say thank you.

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UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 17Proposed3:26:34

You can see the third column on the line item that Councilmember Starr is referring to, that we're at about 39.1% of our budget and we're about 41% through the year. So basically what has happened is that our budgeted amount went up for the year so those questions and your questions about employment and employment costs were in the budget process So if that 39% was a 29%, or a 59%, and it was askew from the fact that we are 41.7% through the fiscal year, I would be a little more alarmed.

But I think Council Member Starr knows the answer. The answer is that there were some more employment expenses budgeted for FY 25-26 than they were for FY 24-25. But we will bring that analysis back and we can even get it to you, to the council before the next meeting so you have that information.

CommentEverybody's likeProposedself-stated3:27:44

Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:27:47

And Council Member, I appreciate you bringing this up and then Mr. Sonstagard having a brief discussion on it. The reason I check in with staff ahead of this is, this could have been probably a discussion that we got an answer on tonight or at least some additional information that would have helped what was brought here. But now having had that presented to our CFO at this point and then a brief response by Mr. Sonstegaard, Thank you for the downdressing. My point is this, I mean sure you can look at this and say yeah we're 40% of budget for the year that's not what

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ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:28:49

How are we spending this year versus last year? Why are we up by a third? I think that's a lot more than whatever the pay increases that we approved. So, I just believe that we shouldn't have to ask for an advance. This is something that is just the natural expectation of any management team should be to be able to look at the numbers and understand them. And if it's not obvious on its face then there needs to be details provided in the report. That is just a normal requirement of other entities, and it's what my expectation is.

And maybe other folks on the Council have a different expectation. But that's my expectation. I don't want us to have to divine what possible questions we're having so they can answer them in advance. No, just do simple Financial analysis look at the obvious variances just report on them

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UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 15Proposed3:29:53

So just as a reminder mayor pro tem and the council section 41004 of the government code Requires a written report and accounting of all receipts disbursements and fund balances period so that's the guidance that the legislature gave us back in oh whenever area of statehood that this statute originated from. So there's not a lot of guidance statutorily on this, we didn't get a terrible amount of guidance from the court either on what to bring to the council on this so I think it is a matter of preferences of individual council members and there is no solid requirement for the depth of analysis required. And I don't know if the request is for a mini ACFR every month, but that may be beyond the capacity of the Finance Department to provide if they are doing other things that the Finance Department is expected to do for the city.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:31:06

Thank you Mr. Fisher. Mr. Chagoo and

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 16Proposed3:31:07

Lazaro. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. I think I may have figured out what the issue is. I appreciate the concern from Council Member Starr and as the City Attorney's mentioned in this report goes well beyond the requirements of the California Government Code If you look in page 89, the overall expenditures for the general fund are $72.7 million versus in page 90 is $53.9.

I think what happens here is that like happened in a previous report The link of the report to the previous month was not properly updated. That's why we see that significant variance on the between when we compare last year November versus this year November, so the column that Council Member Starr was referring to is still looking back at the month of October 24th.

That's why we see such a big difference between the actuals for November 26, sorry for November 25 and and the November 24th. So that's an oversight, and I take the full responsibility for that oversight, and we'll definitely will be able to provide an updated report with the actual that represents the same dollar value that is in Previature 89 for November 24th

3:32 – 3:4821 turns

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:32:36

So just so I'm clear, because I wasn't completely. Are you saying that the column that says November 2024 has October 2024 numbers? Is that what it is?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 16Proposed3:32:46

That's my guess because in the previous page, the total expenditures are 72.7. All

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:32:54

right. Good to know. And regarding the comment about what the statute requires, sure, the statute has minimum requirements for this type of report But we as council members, we get reports all the time that are not even required by statute because they provide us with information that we're seeking. And this is the type of information that I am seeking at least as a council member and people can either support that or not support that but I guess to tell you what the standard is for how I like to look at things.

Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:33:29

Thank you very much and thank you again Mr. Chekhovian-Lasato.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed3:33:36

Mayor Pro Tem, I served on this council under two previous mayors. The current mayor is not up to their snuff yet but I do find in the past and I'm directing this to Councilman Starr that we had some very good comments from our city attorney from our finest director but I do appreciate the comments of Mayor Pro Tem made if you have a question the simple common courtesy Give it to the staff member.

Waiting in the weeds to, in my opinion, try to ambush somebody? That doesn't serve the council. It puts them in a hell of a spot. It puts them in a spot where somebody could say they don't know what they're doing but when we put them in that spot, we seldom have the integrity to say they don' know what they're doing but you put these questions out there and you ask good questions.

I do not challenge you for asking the question I do challenge you for not giving them a heads up and making the evening, although this is an extremely early evening, go along much more smoothly. And as your councilwoman sitting next to you, she might attest it'll make for a smoother meeting. That's the only suggestion in the comment that I have but I appreciate the comments that were made by staff and by you and Mayor Pro Tem.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:34:56

Thank you very much. This is a receiving file item, so we're going to move forward. Madam Clerk, we've already completed our requirements for the housing authority items. Is that correct?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:35:06

That is correct Mayor Pro Tem.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:35:08

Okay thank you very much. Our

next item on the agenda is Item N1 Public Works Department subject grant application for the 2026 U.S. Department of Transportation Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Build Grant Program Recommendation is the City Council approve and authorize the one submission of a grant application for the Better Utilizing Investments in Leveraged Development for $12 million with a $3 million or 20% match requirement from the Traffic Circulation Development Impact Fee Fund 350, sub fund 8040.

For a total amount of $15 million if awarded staff will return to the City Council to recommend recognizing And appropriating the grant and 20% match requirement. Two, city manager or designee to execute the grant agreements. Three, CFO or designee to submit financial reports, grant claims and the use of grant funds. And four, public works director or designee to submit non-financial reports. This item did not originate in committee as it is for a capital improvement project specifically listed in the city's Capital Improvement Program budget which was previously approved by the City Council. Our contact is Mr. Wolf And I see we have Mr. Kessler here as well. I'll turn it over to you, Mr. Wolfe for any introductory comments you'd like to

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:36:29

make. Good evening Mayor Pro Tem, Council Members Michael Wolfe, Director of Public Works. The one thing that I would add to what's not in the staff report is the importance of our interchanges that we interact with on a day-to-day basis just from our traffic circulation standpoint so we always make it a point when we have opportunities to go after grant funding For the multiple phases that we typically have to do for interchanges with Caltrans This is a good opportunity for us to get those funds to move forward those kinds of projects.

Thank you very

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:37:00

much. Do any council members have questions of staff at this time? Sure, Mr.. Starr, excuse me Council Member Starr.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:37:09

Thank you So this is for the US 101 and Del Norte Boulevard interchange My question is this $15 million estimate, how solid do you think that number is? And the follow-up question would be what happens if we are significantly under or over budget when it's all said and done. How does the money work at that point?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:37:35

So the first part of your question, I want to make sure everybody's clear about what we're seeking here. And it's really just the document phases. This has nothing to do with actual construction and so Caltrans has a multiple phase process for these types of improvements and what we have is a pretty decent estimate or example from the Rice 5th Great separation project, we just went through plans and specs for that.

So our estimate is that an estimate and this before the upgrades to some existing documents there's a lot of you know I just say a couple documents everybody thinks 15 million dollars is kind of a wild statement there. There's significant amount of work in a significant amount Technical reports and field analysis that has to go into those documents. And a lot of professional engineering, architectural planners and the like go into this development of these documents.

It takes multiple years for the production of these documents, so it is an estimate based on what we know today again based on a couple examples which is Rice-Fifth. We also can also seek input from different agencies like VCTC, Caltrans about what it's costing for these kinds of documents going forward. Second part of your question is what happens if you underestimate or overestimate So the easier part of that is if we ask for $12 million of grant funds and $3 million to match, because there's a 20% match.

If it costs us less than that then we get less in reimbursement from the grant and then we would have less for our match. That's the easy part. The more difficult part is the other side of that. Sometimes we're able to go after additional grant monies, especially if we start seeing the different phases come in a little higher than we estimated or higher than what the grant is. We can go after additional funding and that could be through VCTC or Caltrans. The other opportunity it's for us to add more match money.

Typically some of these larger grant opportunities like BUILD don't usually have extra capacity But we may go after other, other grants that provide similar types of fundings for similar types of activities and projects. I'm not sure if Councilmember Starr you were on council at the time when we brought back to council some additional funding that we got for Rice Fifth, and there's just other sort of buckets and pockets of money out there that sometimes So if for example, if it was 16 million instead of 15 million we'd still have the 12 million coming in. We would just have to match with 4 million instead of 3 is that right?

Correct, or we can go after other grant monies. Or go after

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ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:40:47

the grants.

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:40:47

Correct, which may also have a match as well.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:40:49

Okay and since this is just the first phase of I don't know how many phases it'll take to actually get to the point where this is built do you have any sort of... I guess you're trying to predict the future here right? Any sense on whether the other money is going to be available to ultimately build this thing Or are we just going to be kind of like, we paid for a bunch of plans and thank you very much. Have a nice day and we're left with just nothing but a report?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:41:25

So yeah I don't have a crystal ball but it's a legitimate question because this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of cost. I will also say that it's actually going to be technically three phases of the Caltrans process. So it'll be as listed in here, we'll get the project report, the PA and ED which is the project approvals and environmental documents, which was sort of a second phase. And the third phase is actually the plan specs and estimates. So with this if we get this, we'll actually get through three phases of Caltrans process. The part of the question that is How do we get the other funding.

Typically, these kinds of grant opportunities are for shovel ready projects and so We think this is pretty competitive, even though it's not a shovel-ready process. So the idea here is to try to get these documents to a position such that we can then go after additional grant monies for shovel-ready projects. We got close to $90 million for Rice 5th through TSEP, which is the Transportation Corridor Enhancement Program and other transit oriented logistics oriented grant funding. And so because those, cause we were ready to actually deliver that project, we were able to go after those funds.

Uh, and so I believe just seeing how this process has worked for the two decades that I've been doing this, um, is we got, we need to get projects to a phase, to a phase such as they're ready for construction and then go after those big grants, go after the multiple million dollars of grants that come through the feds or the state. Um, and so Sometimes the projects have to get sort of, you have to dust them off just a little bit.

But the alternative that is a little more difficult like if we're not even ready and there's a huge federal infrastructure program that comes out and we're still stuck in the project report phase, we'll never be able to go after those monies because we're not shovel ready so there's a fine line there of getting stuff ready hoping that and knowing not hoping, knowing that there's a cyclical process for some of those grants that come out.

So it really is just making sure we're ready to go after those grants and then we also have our own development impact fees that we can typically utilize for a portion of that construction as well then you can actually do it depending on how we set up the documents in this phase we can do the construction over phases so we have smaller projects where maybe The north side of the interchange and then the south side separately from that. So I've done it in other agencies where I've gone after, you know, sort of different quadrants of the improvements and got after and received grant funding for smaller subsets of the project. But you have to have project-ready documents. You have to have shovel-ready documents typically to go after that kind of stuff.

Does that get to your question?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:44:31

It does. And I do think this is worthwhile doing. That interchange needs to be You know, made better than what it is today. Especially now that we have Amazon there's probably using it a lot. There's a lot more truck traffic I assume that's using Del Norte and the 101 interchange. But I guess let me ask you this based on your experience does it ever happen or how often does it happen where a city will put in the funds to get to this early phase, but then it never happens for the rest of it. Is that 10% of the time? 20% of time? 5%, any

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:45:19

inkling? I don't really have a good answer to that only because every project is different. Right. I will say it's 0% of the chance that we get those funds if we don't have project-ready documents, right? Absolutely. The idea of making sure that we have project rate documents is important for that. Also, we make sure we work with our representatives on VCTC and those kinds of transportation agencies such that we start to push the priorities of those projects up so I often see Sometimes you're waiting in line for other projects, but eventually you'll get there.

And to have those project ready documents and shovel ready documents is going to be allowing us as staff and allowing some of your colleagues and yourself who sit on those boards to push towards prioritizing our project. You know, sometimes it's a safety issue. Sometimes it's you know the bridge height is not no longer sufficient in terms of what Caltrans standard is not just necessarily that sort of the traffic issues. It could be safety issues like that where the geometry is no longer acceptable from a Caltrans standpoint. The height difference between the main line and the underside of the bridge is no longer acceptable.

And so those things start to push projects to higher priority as well. So it's hard to answer the question because every project different You only get to build a few of these in your career. I've been lucky enough to do a couple of them, and so sometimes you wait.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:46:51

Okay. Well if everything just goes perfectly in accordance to what you think should happen, do you think that it's five years, seven years, ten years before the interchange would finally be built?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:47:09

It'll be 10 years before. So this phase here will be multiple years right where we're doing these just document phases, getting the planning documents approved in the environmental doc is approved. I think rice 50 the design phase was a couple of years right that was just the design phase. Let alone the project report phase and the project approvals and environmental document phase.

And so these are usually 10 to 15 year, 20 year projects when you really start to get from when you go from start to finish. You can notice in our staff report that the older reports were 2007-2008 right? And so they do get stale but we haven't seen Depending on who's in the White House, you typically see certain types of funding that comes

3:48 – 3:5426 turns

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:48:01

out.

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:48:02

And so an opportunity for us to be available for those funds is as important as anything that I can think of.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:48:07

And just last question. So once this is all said and done and it's completed 10 years from now or whenever it is, is that the responsibility of Caltrans to then maintain it if there's any maintenance required? Or is it us?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:48:24

So we have a maintenance agreement with Caltrans for all of our interchanges. And so it depends on what part of the improvements you're talking about, so typically the local agencies responsible for like So I'm talking about on the overpass itself, not the main line. In this scenario, Del Norte as its own street we would be responsible for most of the street improvements, any safety improvements that are on the bridge, the lights. Those are typically the local agency's responsibility plus any enhanced landscaping be involved in the interchange. The bridge structure itself typically falls under Caltrans from a bridge inventory standpoint.

We as an authorized agency may be responsible for actually doing any, you know 20 or 30 years from now maintenance projects so there is actually a maintenance agreement and each intersection has its own map Each interchange has its own map and says Caltrans is responsible for this, city's responsible for that. And it's a pretty standard template I've seen in the four agencies I work for, pretty standard template and it's... A lot of it's the same throughout that in terms of what Caltrans will be responsible for, what the agency will be responsible for but that would come back Typically what Caltrans requires in these phases is an update maintenance document, maintenance agreement. And we took one of those to the City Council as part of Rice 5th I want to say a couple years ago so it'll come to the council.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:49:58

Okay well thank you very much you did a very good job of answering my questions.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:50:03

Thank you very much any additional questions? Madam... Just a comment Mr.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed3:50:09

Kessler

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed3:50:10

thank you for the report thank you

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:50:12

Thank you, Councilmember. Madam Clerk, do we have speakers on this item?

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:50:17

Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmembers, we do not have any public speakers for Report N1 in person or virtually. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:50:25

Thank you very much. If there are no speakers, do we have any comments or what's the pleasure of the council? I will second. We have a motion by Councillor Perlow and a second by Councilwoman Rodriguez. Seeing and hearing no comments or discussion, Madam Clerk may we have the

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction3:50:42

vote? Councilwoman Beres? Yes. Councilwoman Rodriguez? Aye. Councilman Starr? Yes Councilmember Peralo? Yes Mayor Pro Tem Teran? Yes And this motion carries 5-0 thank you

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:50:56

Thank you very much. Thank You Mr. Wolf and Mr. Kessler

Next item on the agenda is Item N2. This will be our last item on this evening's agenda. N2, Public Works Department Subject Initiation of Proceedings to Establish Landscape Maintenance District 43A Greenbelt Lighting Overlay and Appropriation from General Reserve to Fund Proceedings. Recommendation that the City Council, one, approve and authorize an appropriation of $40,000 from the General Fund Reserve to pay expenses including expenses of conducting a Proposition 218 property owner mail ballot proceeding associated with establishing a new overlay assessment district with the same boundaries as LMD 43. To fund the green belt lighting replacement project C2407. And two, approve and authorize the Mayor Pro Tem To approve a resolution initiating proceedings to establish landscape maintenance district number 43A, green belt lighting overlay.

This item did not originate in committee as this is in relation to a capital improvement project specifically listed in the city's Capital Improvement Program budget which was previously approved by the City Council and we have Mr. Wolf here. And Mr. Wolf any initial comments to make on this? I see we have council here as well and Mr. Miller anything additional?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:52:18

That's what I was going to say, Mayor Pro Tem. We have some of the experts here, so Anthony Miller here and also online we have our outside legal counsel

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:52:26

available. Okay thank you very much. Do you have questions by council members to staff? Yeah. Councillor Verstappen and then we will go down the line here.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:52:36

I just want understand with the timeline of this would this be a vote that takes place in November is it a special We have to do an engineers report.

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UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:52:59

We have to take the engineer's report back to the City Council. So it's a multi-step process before we even let the ballots out, but the ballot is a mail-ballot process. It's a majority protest mail-ballot process and then we have certain number of days that we have to give notice requirements in order to return the ballots. That all happens through the local process and it's not part of the like November election.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:53:22

Okay as far as how the majority measure the vote of the measurement of a majority My understanding is it's based on, it's weighted based on the assessment. Is that right? Correct. Okay. And the threshold is 50%. Well,

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:53:40

it's a majority protest so 50% plus one has to say no. All

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:53:45

right. So are you saying that it's not based on the votes cast? It's based on all potential votes?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:53:51

No, it' s the votes cast.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:53:52

Okay. So if a majority says of those voting as weighted It's a new tax if they vote in opposition. It doesn't go into effect.

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:54:06

That's correct. Unless I miss something Mark, if you want to add to

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response3:54:09

that.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 18Proposed3:54:11

No, basically we just says correct, but a tie vote go to you. The council is able to impose the assessment that there are more no votes than yes

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3:54 – 3:5913 turns

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:54:29

The final decision is with the

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 18Proposed3:54:31

Council.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role3:54:34

Thank you. Any additional questions? Councilman Rodriguez, Councilmember Perrello. Go ahead, Council Member.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed3:54:43

We received a detailed public comment letter from Mr. Garcia and there were some questions that he's asking for the attorney or for staff. We did this according to legal correct how we did this to this point, get to the item on the agenda.

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:55:03

The only legal requirements is the agenda posting right now. We haven't really actually done any of the proceedings. This will be the request is the initiation of proceedings and so I'm not sure I can answer your question other than the agenda was posted as required by our

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed3:55:20

statutes. Fair enough. I didn't address that well enough The complaint is that there were 2 public meetings so very few people showed up, but the public meetings were noticed.

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:55:34

Yeah, we sent out notifications. I'll bring Anthony Miller up and I think maybe Mark wanted to add something as well. Go ahead mark.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 18Proposed3:55:40

Yeah

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:55:41

those

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 18Proposed3:55:41

public meetings are a local option. So what you're doing on top of what's legally required? So there actually is no specific notice requirement for those public meetings. Though, of course the city can and would be well advised if it's going to hold a advisory meeting to give some notice of it. And the step that you're being asked to take today is basically to authorize staff to have the engineer prepare an engineer's report and then be coming back to the council to approve the engineers report to adopt what's called resolution of intention Which is what sets the public hearing and authorizes the city to send in the ballots out.

So there is no formal notice requirement for your action that you are taking today, because all you're doing today is voting on whether you want to start the process and authorize money to begin preparation of the engineer's report.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed3:56:46

Thank you very much. Thank you Council Member.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed3:56:51

Yeah, I just wanted to get clarity regarding the point that indicates that basically this would increase rent. It says if it passes, I'm certain the apartment complexes would pass on the increase to the tenants which would be an increase in rent for the working class that's already struggling. So if you can address that concern there?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role3:57:18

Well, I believe that's a supposition. That's somebody's guess at what's going to happen. I mean, I think as costs go up as a landlord you pass those costs on the renters as you see necessary. So I think the point of the comment being made in that comment letter is they disagree with the statute that who's allowed to vote? Because it's the property owners that get to vote, not necessarily the renters that get to vote. And that's just the Streets and Highway Code section in the state code that dictates who is authorized to vote. So I think their concern is that as a renter, I don't have any say in that process. I would say as a renter you have the say where you lease property and where you rent property. Most folks have an opportunity to make that choice Whether or not an increase in the property owner's assessment then gets passed on to the renter, I think it's just part of the process of how a property owner assesses the cost of them doing business.

And so if let's say for example gas and electricity were included as part of your rent and the cost of those are going up, then typically you would see rent increase for those kinds of things. If the cost of landscape maintenance is going up, if the cost of now's the time to replace the roof on the building, I mean, those costs get passed on to whoever is renting those properties because it's a rental property.

And I think there's some, I think the housing director would be able to speak terms a lot better than I can but there's some restrictions about what how much percentage can be changed over time And so there's limitations to those kinds of things based on some state laws and actually our local laws as well. So I really think the concern is that they don't have a voice in the process, is how I read that comment but we can't assume that every property owner is going to pass that cost onto their rent. You could make some estimates just based on how property owners have to address their costs.

3:59 – 4:047 turns

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 18Proposed3:59:37

And I think there's a fairly strong argument that when landlords are setting their rents, they're really setting them at what the market will bear not based on on their specific costs. So some argument is that you increase the cost to the landlord for the exterior landscaping I think it's important to note that. The landlord can't necessarily pass that on in increased rents because they're already charging the competitive friends and if they are able to pass it on. That's an indication that they're getting value from.

That landscaping.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:00:19

Any additional questions councilman.

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ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:00:31

Staff report, and in the very first partial paragraph there it says staff has performed outreach within this community to gauge their interest in the project and discuss the funding methods. The community's desire to move forward with this project was made clear during this outreach. Now I had a conversation on the phone with Joe Garcia he reached out to me. He attended both meetings And he was telling me that there wasn't any support for this. So I'm trying to understand these two or three sentences here.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 19Proposed4:01:16

Good evening, Council. Anthony Miller, Special Districts Manager with the City of Oxnard Public Works Department So specifically in relation to that question and Council Member Starr, I believe you actually may have been in attendance of one of those meetings as well.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:01:31

Actually no, I was not but my wife was.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 19Proposed4:01:33

Okay, I apologize so he is correct there were not many people attending that meeting despite what efforts we did make to get people in attendance. We, when I say we, my staff and I actually went out and canvassed that neighborhood by foot and placed flyers on every single doorstep within the single-family homes, announcing the meeting dates, the times, the opportunity to speak at those meetings.

And also hand delivered bills to the apartment complexes and attempted to get responses from the renters within the apartment complex as well. So I can't say that it wasn't due to a lack of effort, that we didn't see more people attend. But I'd also like to point out that while Even though there weren't too many people specifically in attendance at those calls, we did receive specific feedback during those calls that there was a desire to continue with the project. And that's something that is really at the heart of that comment is that the individual residents within this neighborhood they want to see this project done and well initially the outreach was done under a faulty assumption that would be able to pursue an option that isn't ultimately not being presented tonight After further review with our legal counsel and examination of the funding mechanisms available for the city here, it was determined that this was a more not only more transparent way of approaching the project but also a clearer way to establish what those costs would cost so the district would be eventually as well.

I will also further add that the specific Outreach that has been done not only includes those two meetings as well, but over the years we've collected as many. So specifically within this community, we've had 36 reports specifically on these lights. We've had continual reports of people wanting to see these things fixed since about 2016-17. We'v ehad I think 36 or 38 reports of requests of service for this particular improvement so this is definitely something that we know has been established as a need of or a want for the community to get done

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:03:43

I think there's a distinction between wanting a project, because sure everyone wants nice lights. And the distinction between that and paying a tax to get that. And once that gets into the mix then support not surprisingly might be lower after that. In the sense I got from the conversation with Mr. Garcia was that there isn't the appetite for paying an assessment for something that, sure it's a worthwhile thing to do but for them it's not worth the money.

So it just kind of struck me as strange when the report said that the community's desire to move forward with the project was made clear when in my mind if it involves an extra tax I don't think it's so clear

4:04 – 4:1718 turns

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role4:04:44

Right, so I mean this is an opportunity for them to express their actual desire on a ballot. I think some folks at the dais have mentioned that that would be a good approach is making sure the community gets to vote for it.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:04:56

Thank you and any additional council member?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:05:01

No if there's any public comments I'd like to hear them

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:05:04

though. So those are our questions. Madam Clerk, I believe we have two speakers on this one in person and one virtual. If anyone wishes to speak on this please submit a card to the clerk or if you're on Zoom press star nine to raise your hand. We'll start with the in-person comment. We have Alicia Purcell followed by the virtual comment.

PresenterKathleen AshmoreProposed · by introduction4:05:34

Tonight your staff is asking the City Council to waste $40,000. I think the staff presentation was misleading as well. I don't understand the claim that LMD 43's assessments, the existing one were increased because staff thought they could do it for 150,000 when for years city documents have have put this project at way more than that. As recently as fiscal year 22-23, the engineer's report estimated at $300,000 now suddenly we're talking about $700,000.

In other words, the existing assessments that have been collected for this project to date were improper because you know, the city knew that the project cost was higher than this LMD can fund so Those amounts already collected are sitting in a fund balance. They need to be fully applied against the future assessments of LMD 43 to reduce future assessments.

Also, the staff presentation claims quote residents confirmed their desire to fund the project end quote and on a later slide quote staff has received clear indication of the community's desire to move forward with this project through outreach and consistent 311 reporting, end quote. I was at the first outreach meeting. The only other LMD resident there besides me was Mr. Garcia.

I told staff I strongly opposed this idea. I think at the time Mr. Garcia wanted more time to think about it but he did attend a second meeting and as you can see from the written comments he submitted, he doesn't support it And I don't believe the other residents at the other meeting supported it. So given that residents at the meetings didn't actually support it, the city is left with a facially silly argument that consistent 311 reporting translates to residents supporting this project at this absurd cost. But as was already discussed, that doesn't translate. I think it's misleading to tell the council that residents support it merely because they got some maintenance requests and that those somehow outweigh the direct statements of opposition that have been received from residents.

Not only is the cost of this project way too high, no doubt the LMD would be saddled with two portions of administrative costs for two LMDs and those type of fees already eat up way too much our LMD budgets. I don't believe this will pass if you put it to a vote so the general fund will be stuck with the cost This is not what the LMD residents want, it is what city staff wants and there's a big difference.

And if you adopt any camping ordinance we'd have fewer vagrants damaging and stealing the wires out of the lights.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:08:40

Madam Clerk, we have the virtual caller.

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction4:08:43

Mr. Partello please press star six to unmute and you have three minutes starting now.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 14Proposed4:08:57

Yes, good evening. I have a few questions and I have a few comments and some of my research on that LMB it shows for the fiscal year 2526 budget that there's actually $45,000 for this project. It's Project C-2407 but I don't see any mention of that 45,000 That's actually been allocated in the budget for this CIP project, so that's one question. The other question I have is at the very bottom it says that the average LMD cost assessment is between two and three hundred dollars. My research shows between two and four hundred dollars so it depends on whether it's an apartment or a single family residence but it says that this increase will be less than that amount okay one penny Would be less $199.99 increase would be less than $200. So what's a better ballpark figure?

Or what this would increase their assessment. I think if when he went knocking door to door and asking if you want better lights, everybody's going to say yeah sure I want better lights oh but it might almost double your LMD. I think he's gonna get a lot of doors slammed in his face And particularly with a history of the management of our LNDs right up until the current day today, they are so poorly mismanaged and the administrative costs are ridiculous. If anybody wants to know how our LNDs are managed and the LMD cost then go on YouTube or go to MovingOxnardForward and look at the video The Ugly Truth About LND's So that is clearly documented, that the administrative costs are up to 75% of the total. Well little wonder you can get any maintenance done in an L&D when $0.75 out of every dollar is going into administrative costs and now you're doubling administrative cost by producing this very creative overlay so you're putting a tax on a tax With its own administrative costs, and then you're going to have a contractor come in and bid and do that.

And they're going to have their own administrative costs. They're going to be baked into the cost of this now it says for a certain number of years so the total is 719,880. of a $600,000 RFP that was submitted that they're accepting that lowest bid. Okay how many years at what interest and what is the administrative cost? Mr.

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CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction4:12:01

Partello your time is up.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 14Proposed4:12:03

Okay thank you. Thank you

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:12:10

did you have additional items Mr. Wolfe? Nope just here to answer any questions

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 19Proposed4:12:15

okay

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:12:16

Do we have additional questions from council members? I have one, but Council Member Perlow if you have one go ahead. Well I appreciate the folks who wrote in they're active members of that neighborhood. I've had a number of conversations with Mr. Garcia on this and he gave me the full background as he gave us in his written comment and When I read the staff report and I see that there's a desire to continue with the project, I don't interpret that as there is a desire by the community to move forward with the LMD overlay. I read that as they would like their lighting fixed. They would like to have lights on their green belt as they originally had when the neighborhood was developed.

And so Looking at this, and I was the other person in attendance at the meeting that Miss Purcell and Mr. Garcia were at. And I will state that the information that was presented there, I wish that there had been more people. I appreciate staff's effort in going door to door to make this happen. And so my question is, knowing that this is going to be a ballot process that follows Proposition 218 and is specific to this neighborhood it doesn't have to follow the general election or the November election or the primary.

The timeline on this, if we were to look at hey can we go back to the community try and have another go at this to present now that we know more? I know they could've come here. I know that they wrote into this but if we had a community specific meeting for that LMD for them to hear all of the information, have all their questions answered, have that conversation is that something we're able to do or are we past a certain mile point on this?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role4:14:11

So the timeline set by us in terms of the go forward process. Having another community outreach meeting is possible, I will say that from a construction bidding standpoint, I'm not sure we're going to see any cheaper prices on certain things especially electrical items and steel items so it's one of potentially increasing costs the longer we wait for that but there's nothing that's pushing the timeline from a statutory requirement.

So if the council does not want to authorize this and provide alternate direction, that's fine I would recognize that the council has approved policy while this is tangential to the policy that we believe that it was pretty clear about the process that the council wanted in terms of certain items and so we're trying to be consistent with process standpoint.

But another outreach meeting with the community is not stopping us from doing anything from a true timeline standpoint, it's really just our own

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:15:28

timeline.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed4:15:29

Okay

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:15:30

and just to address real quickly the concern about the passing on of the cost of an overlay to renters I would pose that if Mackenzie Scott flew in here and said, hey, I'm going to buy all new light poles just like Mr. Miller proposed, no cost to the taxpayers at all. I would imagine if I were a property owner out there and I rented to people, I have these beautiful new lights, LED, this safe pathway.

Well, that's certainly attractive and the market may bear a little bit more of this beautiful walkway that we now have. And that was absent any LMD overlay on there So these market forces work in different ways. So certainly I understand the idea of and the concerns around costs, but if any of these buildings qualify for our rent stabilization ordinance that would be limited to what that ordinances as well as Mr. Wolf alluded to.

So anyhow, Council Member Perlow did you have an additional question?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed4:16:38

Just a comment. I did say earlier that I read Mister Garcia, the one person that lived. I need to give the credit to miss has of Schmidt. She apparently can do some detective work she's given examples of that via circulation on the Internet but it states in her first line. I am writing today in my capacity as the neighborhood watch organizer for East Village and a resident of LMD 43 So there apparently are some people from this district that have stood up, and she's expressed her opinion Although it did come today at 1250 p.m Some of the questions that have been given in some of the comments that have been made by the speakers There was one comment with respect to Tremendous amount of money is going to go to administrative costs. I'd like to have somebody address that the second is that the.

How did you say it? As you see necessary was a comment that they used in quotations, as you see necessary. Are we putting and I'm not asking this? I'm assuming from the way the comment was given to the council it would imply that we're stacking costs on that we don't need to in these residents or we have any examples of that.

4:17 – 4:2619 turns

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role4:17:57

Yeah, I'm not sure I follow that question.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed4:17:59

Miss Purcell made a comment As you see necessary to go right of the staff report, but the way the comment was phrased in my opinion It sounds as if we're going to stack extra costs onto something do we do that?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role4:18:15

If they are not needed Well, we'll have an engineer's report that the council has to review and evaluate. I mean this is a step This is a phase process with this is We have a pretty good system here. Either you guys want to do this or you don't want to do this, right? Right. We're here to present the information with the knowledge that we have and so whether or not those costs are too high because some of those have to be estimates, right? So again, we don't have a crystal ball.

We don't know exactly how much is going to cost but we have to have an engineer's report And if you read the Streets and Highway Code section, it talks about estimates and things like that. So the idea here is that somehow the administrative costs are unnecessary or potentially higher than normal. I think maybe that was part of the comment, and Anthony can address the administrative costs of some of our districts.

So I'm not sure I have an answer to the question like would we add things that aren't supposed to be added? The answer to that is no. It's going to do an insurance report and say this is what he or she thinks the costs are. This is a recommended in terms of we talked to the CFO about whether or not there is any borrowing interest associated with that, and then you put in all the other processes which is really an evaluation of EBUs as equivalent billing equivalent benefit units Thank You Anthony And it really becomes a math problem at that standpoint, right? You're dividing the total cost by the number of equipment benefit units.

And so I'm not sure I can address the cost like we would throw an extra cost. The report's going to have to come to council. So you guys will be able to evaluate that report and say well why is this in there or why is that in there?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed4:20:04

So... The other comment with respect to the call-in, the administrative costs. Tremendous amount of these costs are going to be simply administrative costs

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 19Proposed4:20:19

So good evening and thank you for the question. So I think the number

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed4:20:25

first

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 19Proposed4:20:25

off,

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed4:20:25

I apologize that they didn't send these to you earlier.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 19Proposed4:20:30

No apology necessary at the administrative component. I believe that is being brought up here or there is actually in my opinion is separate and apart from the administrative component of actually managing a capital improvement project The capital improvement project in and of itself would effectively be just like any other project within the city, in that it has a project manager who would manage that project through construction.

And that time would be dedicated to that project and thus billable to that project which is what portion of every capital improvement project the City authorizes contains a portion of costs associated with that time. In any case, since this particular project is within an LMD that time would be specifically spent servicing that LMD. And in this particular case it would be the overlay district that's proposed to fund that project and thus would be billed to both the project and specifically to that LMD Now when it comes to the broader administrative costs for the LMDs in general, now I know that there was a comment that was thrown out saying 75% of the cost of any an LMD's budget is attributable to administration. I personally have not seen that to be the case in any of the LMD's during my time managing the districts here at City and I can't specifically speak to it because I don't believe that that exists.

Now with that said Actual overlay district would likely, obviously it doesn't exist at this point so I cannot say for sure but it would likely be managed in a way slightly different than our rest of our LMDs and that is not an ongoing concern. It is a district form specifically for the purpose of funding this particular project and at a later date would eventually lapse and go away entirely.

So the administrative function of managing that district would likely less than any other ongoing maintenance LMD, and we may include administrative costs differently in that case.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed4:22:27

Thank you. And the last is a comment. Mr. Partello I believe is totally in error when he wants the public to go look at some video and he wants to use that as an example of how poorly the LMD's are managed. Having been on this council for a number of years I don't recall Mr. Partello making any noise when the management of those LMDs and CFDs was wrong. The current team that has been brought in with the new management by previous council has done a terrific job of bringing these things in line through a lot of hard work on your part, and others in your capacity working for the City of Oxnard. So leaving that, I believe falsehood up in the air A disservice to the residents of Oxnard. I think you guys are doing a great job with what you have to work with and quite a few Districts including the one that I live in there are people that are demanding Much more services than they want to pay for and there comes a time There's no free lunch things have to be paid for past Past discrepancies of how these things were managed have surfaced, they've been addressed.

There's still been the process being worked out and conditions such as the things that were not taken care of in this I think fall on previous administrations. I'm not looking to hide from this but facts and evidence matter. Thank you

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 6Proposed4:24:04

for your work on this. And Mr. Wolf did you have a response?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role4:24:08

Well I just want to go over the comment about I pulled up an old report. I have a 2023-2024 engineers report. Again, the good news is these are reports that were approved by Council. So in those reports are many, many tables and you can see the different breakdown of cost in those tables. And so you can do your own math whether or not 75% actually is a legitimate number.

It's not. I don't want to spoil anybody's nighttime reading, but it's not. You can see the breakdown of costs for utilities versus third-party contractor work and so all this information is actually in a report that the council approves and so this idea that there's somehow this heavy burden administrative cost again would like for somebody to point to a different part of the report that council approved that shows that and I don' think they can.

So I want to make sure it's clear None of these things are hidden. None of these things are, everything is available to the public including a report that was approved by City Council.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:25:14

Thank you Mr. Wolf. Before we go to council for a start, Mr. Nguyen did you have something to add to this item here? Yes

UnidentifiedCity ClerkProposed · by role4:25:22

I would just say at this point I wouldn't recommend another community meeting and the reason is our staff went door-to-door to get people to come to two meetings And I'm sure people have a range of reasons why they chose to do something else. It's fine. We certainly have enough requests from some of those residents to address the problem, which is fine. That's valid.

Now this would give them the opportunity to vote on whether they want to fund it or not. So there's a distinction between wanting something fixed and whether when it comes down to if you think you'd like to pay for that. So it gets put to a vote. But I, now I'm not opposed to another community meeting if that's what everybody wants. I just don't think it'll help.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:26:13

Thank

UnidentifiedCity ClerkProposed · by role4:26:13

you.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:26:13

Councilor

UnidentifiedCity ClerkProposed · by role4:26:14

Stroud?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:26:14

So I agree with the city manager that having an additional meeting was probably not fruitful. Regarding the administrative costs, it's been a while since I've looked at the engineer's report and how it's allocated. Are the administrative costs allocated based on revenues received in or is there some other basis that it's spread?

4:26 – 4:3718 turns

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 19Proposed4:26:40

So the administrative spread is spread basically on a proportion of that particular district's overall expense budget. And I would say the general expense budget is actually spread specifically across It's professional services and maintenance operations. So in this particular case, like I mentioned in my response to Councilmember Perrello, the administrative expense for this particular proposed district may be calculated differently simply because it's a different function of the district. We haven't gone down that road yet because the district engineers report hasn't been put together. We have no idea how we're going to approach that just yet.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:27:18

And my next question is, is this project, this lighting project, Come under public works prevailing wage costs or is it something or is it something? No, he's got to do

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 19Proposed4:27:33

that. Yes, this would be a public work.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:27:36

So I assume there'd be a lot less money if it wasn't. Let me ask a question. Just I think that the main beneficiary of this lighting Are the apartments there? And that's where the walking trail is, much more so than the houses are nearby. Because I mean these are like behind houses you have to go out of your way to get to this trail. The apartments, I've walked them.

It's really it says open air feeling with people can enjoy and able to walk it. My question is this. Is there a way where we could vacate The ownership of this walking path and the lighting, give it to the apartment buildings there that own the property there. And let them decide whether it's worth the money or not to do an improvement. It's going to benefit them the most. We can actually put market forces I guess at work here Well, it wouldn't affect any existing renters. I mean future renters might be willing to pay more for that extra benefit and maybe they can do this for a cost that's a lot less than what we can do. They might people do...I've typically heard that prevailing wage costs increase it to the point where without prevailing wage it might cost a third less or fourth less is the numbers I've typically heard batted around.

That's a lot of money when you're talking about a $700,000 to $800,000 project. So I guess I would just like to open up the idea. Is this something worthy of consideration by a future council meeting? To do something like that can we legally do something like that?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 19Proposed4:29:27

Before I defer to Mr. Mandel The first portion of your question in terms of prevailing wage, I couldn't necessarily speak to the delta between what you would see in a private versus public setting. I can tell you right now that capital improvement projects across the board especially like Mr. Wolf said in regards to electrical steel prices are extraordinarily expensive so those things are going to fall outside of the scope of wage discussions Now, in regards to the maintenance and the concept for the private versus public maintenance and property ownership I'd have to defer to Mr Mandel for some of the technicalities there.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 18Proposed4:30:10

Yeah, and I think that's something that your city attorney's office would have to look at to give you an answer too because it sounds like what your. What you're brainstorming about would be taking some public property and giving it to a private property owner. And there are always complexities about doing that.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:30:36

I mean, we could establish certain standards for how they have to upkeep it. That can be part of the vacating process. So it's something I think is worthy of consideration Because I don't, I don't think this tax is going to be passed at any event. Or this assessment is gonna be passed by the event.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed4:30:58

I'd like to address this. Please. Mr. Starr, I just want to point this out. I'm a council member for the city of Oxnard but I'm elected from District 1 and if I am aware that Certain public properties are going to be gifted to someone specifically at the recommendation of the council member that represents a district yourself. You can bet I'm gonna make noise.

I don't think anybody else in this Council would feel differently because they would feel that wherever they represented and whoever got a free gift, they should be at the table getting the same thing. I do understand your view on public streets and private streets. I understand that, but when you said the word gift, I got a problem. The same...I would think you would look at it the same as when the Dallas Cowboys were going to give us a T-shirt.

You know? That's a gift. So how are you going to handle gifting the residents in your district where you live, not necessarily in this particular district But the council district you live in, that you're suggesting gifting them something at the expense of every other component in the city of Oxnard. I don't understand that. And I promise you that if it goes further, I will vehemently oppose that. Okay? I just wanted to share that with you, Mr.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:32:34

Starr. I can respond

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:32:36

to that. Council Member

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:32:38

Starr. So this isn't a gift that is personally newer to anybody I mean, we have done vacating of property in this city before. We've vacated some property, I think on the peninsula where we basically gave up our ownership of a public street. This sounds very doable. All we're doing is really just pushing the maintenance costs to another party. That's the gift we're giving them. They still have access today to this property.

To them there's no upside in terms access if they're now responsible for it. So why not? Why not simply say you guys own it, you're responsible for it, let's not have it be the city's headache anymore because there's a lot of money. It's a lot of money when you're asking people to pay in an assessment which they probably don't want to pay but maybe and I'm not sure that the apartment owners would even want it but maybe they would Maybe they'd want to take that on their own and say, you know what? We don't want to wait for the city to fix the lights.

We can fix the lights ourselves and we could do it for less money. And it's worth it to us because it improves future rents on future tenants. So I just see it as a win-win for everybody. It's not a gift-gift-gift in It is simply a transfer of obligations in effect from us to them. To them, it's a gift to us because we no longer have to have that burden of maintaining the costs.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:34:25

Did you have something additional Mr. Wolf?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role4:34:26

I just wanted to add maybe some context to that because I've done this process before at other agencies and typically what happens It's a result of a no vote. So these types of improvements, whether they're landscape slopes adjacent to properties, whether they're the Paseos or condition of approval for the project, right? Those improvements wouldn't be there except for the development of those projects and so with that being the premise when LMDs fall into this process where they can't pay for the cost of those improvements, whether it's operational or capital projects.

The normal process would be to solicit the 218 to get the community to say yes or no, do you want to pay for this or not? It's part of what you bought into. It's part of your improvements. The engineer's report lays out the special versus general benefit about who gets that special versus general benefit. But the process typically starts with a 218 process Other agencies where they voted no, then we would go with then the next step would be a vacation process as you explained.

Where you basically are saying okay well community has spoken they don't want to have these improvements necessarily through the LMD and so The vacation process can happen now I'll be cautious with some of that because We'd have to look at what the conditions of approval of the development were or we'd have to make sure that So in these scenarios, what the unintended consequences is sometimes what happens is okay now the apartment let's play this out. The apartment sort of now has that property they're going to close it off and nobody else can use it so you start coming having access issues things like that. So there's a lot of things that come with that but the process typically starts with a 218 ballot process and then okay we heard you say no let's start the vacation process of those properties if we are the easement owner of that.

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:36:26

I agree with you with the exception of one thing, which is I don't think we have to go down this Prop 218 process in order to do a vacation of the property. I think that we could save $40,000 by not actually going through this process and then just go through the natural next step. I expect there's gonna be a no vote anyway based on it because I talk to my neighbors

UnidentifiedCity ClerkProposed · by role4:36:55

So deny

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:36:56

the vote? Yeah. Wow, absolutely. Why not just go for something that's cheaper? You want to spend money on something you don't have to? Flexible.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:37:06

OK so thank you Council Member. I need to post something here just out of fairness and consistency we had a previous item where we took all the public comments but then someone raised their hand after the fact. We have one additional hand raised We are at 9.37 p.m., I think we've probably had our course of discussion. Does the Council, without objection, wish to take the final speaker here on this?

Okay no objection. Madam Clerk just out of fairness because I did this earlier this evening let's go ahead and take the speaker please.

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction4:37:39

Mr. Andrus if you can press star six to unmute and you have three minutes starting now

4:37 – 4:4511 turns

CommentMr. Eric AndrusProposed · by introduction4:37:51

Hi, it's Eric. You're not supposed to give my name, Louie. I've talked to a lot of people since I moved to this corrupt city in 2021 and the common theme I get from my friends and neighbors is that they've stopped believing that going to meetings with the city and talking to council members will do any good. They've been told for far too long that their voices don't matter so why bother going to a meeting? I've stopped going to my neighborhood meeting because Matt and Angela Whitecomb run them like they own the neighborhood She puts out a request for agenda items and then tells people she's not going to put it on the agenda. So why go? He called for a meeting of everyone on Christmas tree lane coming up next week, that's 144 houses if two from each house went to the meeting, that's a lot of people he scheduled the meeting for a tiny storefront office on C street I got a member of the current council to come to my house in January to talk To my neighbors, everyone felt it was a great meeting and left energized.

Not one item this person said they'd help us with get fixed has been addressed. And I've since learned that Alex Nguyen basically told this person that they only want to fix things in the historic district because they're friends with me. Nguyen thwarts everything good for this city that isn't going to boost his resume when it's time for him to flee the coop which won't be too soon in my mind. And he can take facts and evidence Bert Perella with them. Bert who can't make a recommendation to Aaron privately after the meeting, he has to try and humiliate him while the city watches publicly. He's shameful. Until the council takes back the power from the faux King Nguyen, the people just aren't going to waste their time trying to fight back to get their city back.

By the way I didn't get to say this in my prior comments, I love the remodel job on the Council Chamber. Everyone look around yourselves when and if Stephen Fisher is brave enough and truthful with you about peg fees or and or the hero fees Mr. Wolfe, I look forward to getting that parcel map from you. Thank you.

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ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:39:56

Two recommendations on here. One is to approve $40,000 from the general fund reserve to pay for expenses to initiate the Prop 218 process and then you approve the mayor or mayor pro tempore resolution initiating proceedings I'm actually going to move and if I get a second grade if not we'll move on but I'm gonna move that we Postpone this item to a future date And that we go back to the community for another public meeting. I am committing here to assist with that, whether it be delivering flyers or speaking to people individually and filling a room so that we can have some really good robust discussion and people can get some really good factual information and weigh out as residents of the LMD if this is something they'd like And then hearing what the other options are with one of the options being we just won't fix the lights, I guess.

Again, I will commit to that but that's my motion is to postpone this to a later date and have staff go back out for another public meeting. Do I have a second?

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ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:41:18

This other path that you want to go down.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 4Proposed4:41:21

City Attorney, can you clarify? We got one motion two motions who's right or wrong the mayor pro tem in my understanding made a motion is that on the table or not? We're still waiting for a second members right

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 15Proposed4:41:35

so I was clear on what the mayor Pro Tem was proposing in his motion. If there's confusion then people can raise If there's not a second, then there is no motion.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:41:51

Is there additional clarification needed on my motion? My motion is to postpone this item to a later date and have staff go back to the community for another community meeting. Okay, if there's no second, then that motion dies. Councilwoman Perez has seconded. Any discussion on this? Yeah.

CommentEric BershingerProposed · by introduction4:42:15

I am interested in having the community input, but if our staff has gone door-to-door and they have held community meetings, I think having an actual vote and letting folks tell us what they would want would move things along. I know there's a second, and we're talking about this extension. My only request would be if you do extend it, are you trying to extend three more months or are you trying to extend... You know, I wouldn't want this to be indefinite and then still not have an answer.

There's been several attempts, I just don't know what would be different if we approved an extension. If you say bring this back in the next two months and the next nine months or three years, what does that look like? Personally, I was leaning towards supporting letting the voters tell us what they want. Even though $40,000 seems like a lot of money in the scope of life, it is an investment in our community. It's really our job so they can say no. Many times when folks oppose something, they will show up in herds, right? We've seen it with OPAC, we've seen it With a lot of the very, you know, important issues. So folks are more likely to take action when they strongly disagree versus when somebody gets excellent service at a restaurant and they rarely leave a great comment for excellent service.

Just saying.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:43:25

Thank you Councilwoman. Councillor Stroud?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:43:28

Yeah I think I'm agreeing with the city manager. I don't think it's worthwhile to have any more meetings. I don't think you'll get anymore attendees than you have already so I really don't want to waste staffs time But I'm happy to have a motion postponed indefinitely and be done.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed4:43:44

OK? I will pull my second then.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:43:47

Well, before we move on with that, I'll just share just to respond to that. Sure. I think the $40,000, I understand the thoughts on that on both sides of the discussion here. I'm not saying let's not do this as recommended here. I am saying hey, let's bring this back. Let's go back to the community. I would point out that in the 2024 election, we filled a couple rooms or gyms as it pertained to the item that was on the ballot for the CFD5 residents. And I think with the right amount of attention and with effort, we can get folks there. And actually, we did three public... We did two in-person meetings and one virtual meeting all very well attended, and we got good discussion on it.

And again, I'm committing to helping staff with this. I'm not just giving them direction. I would like to make a motion that we postpone this item indefinitely. That would be my motion. Seeing and hearing no seconds. Did you pull your second for sure, council member? Just so I can be clear.

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4:45 – 4:4813 turns

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed4:45:20

Can

UnidentifiedCity ClerkProposed · by role4:45:20

you

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed4:45:20

turn on your mic? Any clarity from staff first?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role4:45:26

The only thing I would say that again having another outreach meeting is totally something we can do it's now becomes just kind of a pushing the timeline down a little bit It was just because Anthony's going to have to do it more than I do. And I was just asking him, you know, when could he be ready? I think early March probably is a good opportunity from a workload standpoint and recognize that that means that the results of that would have to be put in the staff report. So we're not talking about coming back to council in March. We're probably talking about coming back to council in April so...

Okay thank you for that.

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed4:45:59

And just for clarity Director Wolf you'd mentioned that costs could go up Is that still a concern or?

UnidentifiedCity ManagerProposed · by role4:46:09

Well, I will say that for every capital project that we have which is like 140. That's my concern. I would say that we are seeing a little bit of dip in concrete costs. We'll be bringing forward a City Council agenda for award of a sidewalk project which is a little less than our estimate but steel prices electrical prices you know which is probably the major drive of this project We're not seeing that come down, and I'm not seeing that coming down anytime soon. And so it's always...I always as the Public Works Director hesitate to delay projects for the fear of what that could do from a standpoint of consumer price index increases. Okay

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:46:56

just for clarity Councilwoman and no hard feelings did you officially withdraw your second to my motion?

UnidentifiedUnidentified speaker 3Proposed4:47:02

I think community input is important, so I'll sustain my second.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:47:05

Okay. Well we've had discussion on that Madam Clerk. We have the vote.

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction4:47:14

Councilwoman Rodriguez? Aye. Councilmember Starr?

ElectedAaron StarrCouncilmember, District 3Proposed · by roll-call response4:47:20

No.

CommentHome DepotProposed · by introduction4:47:21

Councilmember Perala? No. Councilwoman Perez? Yes. Mayor Pro Tem Teran? And this motion carries three to two. Thank you.

ElectedLuis A. Mc ArthurMayorProposed · by role4:47:35

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you to staff. I look forward to working with you. I hope the feelings mutual will help always. OK. That was the last item on the agenda just very quickly. I just want to thank the staff for being here and the work for this evening's meeting something that was stated earlier with this being Martin Luther King Day on Monday I just want to recognize that a lot of thoughts and feelings are in this community and communities across this nation.

It was within people's lifetime who are probably some in this room, but certainly people who still live in this community, in this country where the school my kids go to right now it wasn't that long ago they wouldn't have been allowed to go to that school or even people who look like some of us in this room by property in that neighborhood. And so I just want to recognize that and thank those who worked diligently and fought for the ability to have those rights, so thank you, those are my comments. Without objection we will adjourn the meeting at 948 p.m., thank you everybody.