Meeting Summary
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Information Technology Department Overview
- The CIO presented an overview of IT operations supporting 1,875 employees across three divisions.
- Staff highlighted priorities including defending against approximately 25,000 monthly cyber attacks.
- Council members inquired about the nature of threats, which were described as largely automated.
City Attorney's Office Overview
- The office reported processing 1,210 public records requests and filing 23 gun violence restraining orders in 2025.
- Discussion focused on the potential need to hire a dedicated public records advocate due to increased volume.
- The City Attorney clarified that warrants are required for home entries related to restraining orders.
City Manager's Department Overview
- The department presented its role in overseeing city operations, budget management, and policy implementation.
- The presentation covered communications, marketing, legislative services, and grant management functions.
Black History Month Proclamation
- The Mayor proclaimed February as Black History Month with representatives from local sororities accepting the resolution.
- Speakers highlighted the history of the observance and announced upcoming events including a speech expo.
Parent Leadership Month Proclamation
- The Mayor proclaimed February as Parent Leadership Month.
- Representatives from the Partnership for Safe Families and Communities accepted the proclamation.
Appointment to Regional Defense Partnership
- The Council discussed the organization's role in lobbying and networking regarding the local military base.
- Members noted the potential for local businesses to secure contracts and the need for civilian recruitment.
- A motion was made and passed to appoint the Mayor to represent the city on the partnership.
Appointments to Citizens Advisory Groups
- The Council considered recommendations to appoint Brian Landers to the Measure O Oversight Committee.
- Anna Maria Van Hoven was recommended for appointment to the Mobile Home Park Rent Review Board.
- Staff clarified that standard live scan background checks are required for these positions.
- A motion was made and passed to approve both appointments.
Fair Rate of Return Petition Regulations
- The Housing Department presented regulations allowing landlords to request rent increases above the 4% limit.
- Public comment included concerns from tenants and advocates regarding maintenance and tenant protections.
- Staff explained that the regulations define allowable expenses and provide necessary guardrails.
- The Council approved the resolution with a condition for staff to report back in six months.
Teatro de las Américas Lease Agreement
- The Council considered a three-year lease for city-owned property with options for two one-year extensions.
- Discussion addressed the forgiveness of $15,690 in past-due rent and the organization's financial viability.
- An amendment was passed to lower the escalating rent structure to $200, $400, and $600 per month.
- The Council approved the amended motion to forgive debt and execute the lease agreement.
Cross-Connection Control Ordinance
- The Council considered an ordinance amending city code regarding backflow prevention standards.
- A public speaker requested an extension of the 30-day notice period for annual testing.
- Staff indicated willingness to adjust internal procedures to extend the notification lead time to 45 days.
- A motion was made and passed to adopt the staff recommendation to introduce the ordinance.
Firefighters Tentative Agreement
- Staff presented the financial impact of the agreement, noting a cumulative cost of $7.8 million over three years.
- One council member expressed concern regarding the city's ability to afford the increased costs.
- A motion was made and passed to adopt the resolution approving the tentative agreement.
Closed Session
- The Council reconvened to address deferred litigation matters from the earlier closed session.
- The City Attorney reported that the Council directed staff to join an amicus curiae brief in Newsom v. Trump.
- The brief concerns a preliminary injunction regarding the deployment of California National Guard members.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Closed Session
- The Oxnard City Council meeting was called to order on February 3, 2026. The Clerk confirmed the agenda was posted on January 20, 2026, with an amended agenda posted on January 28, 2026. The City Attorney announced a recess to closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9, Subdivision D1, to confer with attorneys regarding Marquez v. City of Oxnard and Gold v. City of Oxnard. A second closed session was scheduled pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9, Subdivision D4, to discuss initiating litigation in a potential case. Following the recess, the City Attorney reported no actions to report from the closed session, noting that items C1 and C2 were addressed, while item C3 was deferred to a subsequent closed session.
Departmental Workshops
- Information Technology (IT): Rob Rubin, Chief Information Officer, presented an overview of the IT Department, which supports 1,875 employees with 39 staff positions across three divisions: Business Engagement, Solutions Delivery, and Infrastructure and Cybersecurity. Priorities include defending against cyber attacks and maintaining system uptime. The department averages approximately 25,000 cyber attacks per month, most of which are automated and blocked by outer defenses. Recent accomplishments include infrastructure modernization, a PC refresh cycle, and specific projects with the Police, Finance, and Fire Departments. Council members inquired about the nature of the cyber attacks; the CIO explained the automated nature of most threats. No motions were made.
- City Attorney's Office: The office presented an overview of its operations, staffed by eight attorneys and support staff, covering transactional work, open meetings/records, and litigation. In 2025, the office processed 1,210 California Public Records Act (CPRA) requests and filed 23 Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs). Discussion focused on the decision to hire a dedicated public records advocate due to increased request volume and complexity. Council members inquired about GVROs and the city's authority to enter homes; the City Attorney clarified that warrants are required for entry and that GVROs are entered into a national system to alert officers. No motions were made.
- City Manager's Department: Alex Nguyen presented an overview of the department's role in overseeing city operations, managing the budget, implementing policies, and coordinating across departments. The presentation covered communications, marketing, legislative services, and grant management. No motions were made.
Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence
- Vanessa Villa from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard led the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was observed for former Commander Scott Aaron, Bill Terry, Ms. Valetti, and former police employee Pamela Thornton. Vanessa Villa shared her personal story and received a certificate of recognition from the Mayor.
Proclamations
- Black History Month: The Mayor proclaimed February as Black History Month. Representatives from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Juneteenth organizers accepted the proclamation. Speakers highlighted the history of Black History Month and announced upcoming events, including the 40th African American Speech Expo and a Juneteenth celebration on June 20, 2026.
- Parent Leadership Month: The Mayor proclaimed February as Parent Leadership Month. Representatives from Partnership for Safe Families and Communities accepted the proclamation.
Public Comment (Items Not on the Agenda)
- Four speakers addressed the Council on items not on the agenda:
- Dan Pinedo thanked the Public Works Department for installing speed humps on St. Mary's Drive and requested consideration of speed humps on El Menor.
- Sarah provided statistics on kidnappings of undocumented people in the 805 area code.
- Pastor Greg Runyon discussed a mental health crisis incident at his church and spoke on the balance between freedom of speech, the right to protest, and the rights of others.
- Larry Stein requested access to Capital Improvement Project documents for Parks and Recreation, noting they were not available online.
City Manager's Report
- The meeting proceeded to the City Manager's report. The transcript ends as the presentation begins.
Reports from City Council Members and Staff
- Council members and staff provided updates on various city activities, including a "weed super bloom," a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting awarded to the Finance Department, and upcoming discussions regarding a whistleblower program. Updates were given on crosswalk improvements, community meetings, Black History Month events, and Neighborhood Council meetings. The Mayor reported on receiving the Chair Award of Excellence from the West Ventura County Business Alliance, hosting the Kansas City Current soccer team, and the expansion of FoodShare. Public comment was received regarding wildflowers versus weeds in city parks and a complaint about a barking dog.
Appointment of Mayor to the Regional Defense Partnership (RDP)
- The City Clerk Department presented a recommendation to appoint the Mayor to represent the City of Oxnard on the Regional Defense Partnership (RDP). Discussion focused on the organization's history regarding base closures, its current role in lobbying and networking, and its economic impact on the region. Council members discussed the potential for local businesses to secure contracts and the need for the base to recruit more civilians from Oxnard. A motion was made to approve the appointment, seconded by another council member. The motion passed.
Appointment of Members to Citizens Advisory Groups (CAG)
- The City Clerk Department presented a recommendation to appoint Brian Landers to the Measure O Citizens' Oversight Committee and Anna Maria Van Hoven to the Mobile Home Park Rent Review Board. A member of the public addressed the council regarding background check criteria for a previous application. Staff clarified that the background check is a standard live scan for criminal history. A motion was made to approve the appointments, seconded by another council member. The motion passed.
Consent Agenda
- The council reviewed the information and consent agenda. A motion was made to approve the consent agenda items. The motion passed.
Resolution Establishing Administrative Regulations Regarding Fair Rate of Return Petition
- The Housing Department presented a resolution to establish administrative regulations implementing the city's rent stabilization ordinance regarding fair rate of return petitions. This item allows landlords to request rent increases above the 4% annual limit if they can demonstrate a lack of fair return. Public comment was received from a tenant describing unresolved maintenance issues, a policy advocate opposing the regulation due to concerns over tenant protections, and a representative from the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors supporting the regulation. Council members questioned staff on the legal basis for fair rate of return, the process for economic hardship appeals, and the potential for landlords to file petitions annually. Staff and the City Attorney explained that the regulations provide necessary guardrails and define allowable and excluded expenses. A proposal was made to adopt the regulations with a requirement for staff to report back to the Council in six months to review the process's effectiveness.
- Motion: A motion was made to approve the proposed resolution establishing administrative regulations for fair rate of return petitions, with the condition that staff provide a report to the Council in six months regarding the implementation and operation of the process.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The motion passed.
Lease Agreement with Teatro de las Américas
- The Council considered a staff recommendation to authorize the Mayor to execute a three-year lease agreement with Teatro de las Américas for city-owned property at 321 West 6th Street, with two one-year extension options. The proposal included authorizing the forgiveness of past due rent totaling $15,690 through January 2026. Discussion centered on the accumulation of past due rent, the organization's financial viability, and the need for accountability. Public speakers testified in support of the theater, highlighting its cultural significance and attributing financial struggles to external factors.
- Motion: A motion was made to forgive the existing debt and enter into a three-year lease agreement with an escalating rent structure: $300 per month for the first year, $600 per month for the second year, and $900 per month for the third year. The motion included a requirement for the organization to keep the Council informed regarding the completion of required state and federal financial filings.
- Amendment: An amendment was proposed to lower the escalating rent structure to $200 per month for the first year, $400 per month for the second year, and $600 per month for the third year. The amendment was voted on and passed.
- Decision: The motion, as amended, was voted on. The Council approved the motion to forgive the past-due debt and adopt the three-year lease agreement with the amended rent structure. The motion passed.
Introduction of Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Ordinance
- The Council considered a proposal to introduce an ordinance amending the city code regarding cross-connection and backflow prevention standards. A public speaker requested that the city extend the notice period for annual backflow testing from 30 days. Staff clarified that the 30-day notice period is an internal administrative procedure and indicated a willingness to adjust internal procedures to send notifications earlier, potentially extending the lead time to 45 days.
- Motion: A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendation to introduce the ordinance.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The motion passed.
Ratified Tentative Agreement with International Association of Firefighters Local 1684
- The Council considered a resolution to approve a ratified tentative agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local 1684. Staff presented the financial impact of the agreement, noting a cumulative cost of approximately $7.8 million over three years, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $3.5 million thereafter. One council member stated they would vote against the agreement due to concerns regarding the city's ability to afford the increased costs.
- Motion: A motion was made to adopt the resolution approving the tentative agreement.
- Second: The motion was seconded.
- Decision: The motion passed.
Closed Session – Item C3
- The Council reconvened in closed session to address Item C3. Upon emerging, the City Attorney announced the Council's decision. The Council unanimously directed the City Attorney to join an amicus curiae brief in the case Newsom v. Trump, which concerns the district court's grant of a preliminary injunction preventing defendants from deploying California National Guard members in Los Angeles.
Adjournment
- With no further business on the agenda and no objection raised, the meeting was adjourned.