Meeting Summary
Present: 5-Basua, 1-Perello, 6-Perez, Andrade, 4-Rodríguez, 3-Starr, 2-Teran, Arthur
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Ceremonial Resolutions and Commendations
- The Council unanimously adopted resolutions to posthumously commend Len Schulman and honor Adam Lopez for their long-term service.
- Certificates of recognition were presented to an 11th-grade student and the Pacifica High School football and cheerleading teams.
Continuum of Care Board Appointment
- The Council unanimously appointed the Mayor Pro Tem as the member and the Mayor as the alternate to the Ventura County Continuum of Care Governance Board.
Whistleblower Policy Revision
- The Council unanimously approved a resolution to update the city's whistleblower policy after discussing confidentiality concerns regarding a specific complaint.
- Staff confirmed that the investigation into the cited allegations found no wrongdoing.
Downtown Security Services Contract
- The Council approved a five-year contract with City Guard Inc. for security services in the downtown district and other facilities, not to exceed $2.575 million.
- Staff clarified that security personnel will not inquire about immigration status and data will not be shared with federal immigration authorities.
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Review
- The Council approved budget amendments for various funds, including a project to replace doors at the Materials Recovery Facility.
- A separate vote approved an $8.1 million increase in General Fund expenditures, which staff confirmed would be funded from available fund balances.
ERP System Contract Amendment
- The Council unanimously approved a ninth amendment to the ERP agreement with Creative Core Technologies, extending the term to December 2028.
- The amendment authorizes a new not-to-exceed contract amount of $21.51 million and appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund.
Staff Performance and Legacy Systems Discussion
- The City Manager stated that the legacy system must be maintained through the end of the ERP implementation phase in late 2028.
- The City Clerk emphasized the necessity of providing factual evidence when questioning staff integrity.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The Oxnard City Council meeting for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, was called to order. A roll call confirmed the presence of all council members and the Mayor. The Clerk verified that the agenda had been posted at City Hall, the Oxnard Public Library, administrative offices, and the city website on February 5, 2026. Following a brief recess to comply with agenda posting rules regarding public participation start times, the meeting reconvened as a joint session with the Oxnard Housing Authority. A roll call was conducted for the Housing Authority commissioners, and compensation was announced for attending commissioners, with one commissioner declining payment.
Ceremonial Items and Resolutions
- Pledge of Allegiance and Student Recognition: An 11th-grade student led the Pledge of Allegiance and delivered a speech regarding her background and future plans. She received a certificate of recognition.
- Resolution Commending Len Schulman: A resolution was introduced to posthumously commend Len Schulman for over eight years of service to the Measure O Citizens' Oversight Committee. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion passed unanimously.
- Resolution Commending Adam Lopez: A resolution was introduced to commend Adam Lopez for over seven years of service to the Community Relations Commission. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion passed unanimously.
- Commendation for Pacifica High School: Certificates were presented to the Pacifica High School boys' football team and cheerleading squad for their championship achievements.
Public Comments (Items Not on the Agenda)
- Members of the public addressed the Council on several issues, including:
- Allegations regarding unofficial requirements by the Oxnard Police Department (OPD) for enforcing noise ordinances, specifically concerning dog barking.
- Statistics regarding reported abductions in the 805 area code and an announcement of an upcoming training event.
- Safety concerns regarding a homeless encampment near the Oxnard Dunes, including fires and theft, and perceived defamation related to the 311 reporting system.
- Concerns regarding sidewalk construction encroachment in the Colonia area and safety issues at Pacifica High School, including the absence of a school nurse.
- Criticism of the city's homelessness strategy, advocating for a more comprehensive approach beyond a single shelter facility.
Council Member and Housing Authority Reports
- Council members and the Mayor provided updates on various community activities, including park cleanups, mobile library installations, playground projects, and upcoming community workshops. Updates were also given regarding the Teamsters strike at CSUCI, neighborhood council meetings, and the design progress for Eastwood Park. The Mayor Pro Tem requested staff review a memorial program for benches and trees in public parks. The Mayor shared updates on community engagement efforts, including meetings with Lideres Campesinas, a ribbon-cutting for a Santa Barbara Airbus stop, and the hosting of the Kansas City Current soccer team. The Mayor also highlighted the establishment of a stakeholder meeting regarding ICE activity.
Appointment to Ventura County Continuum of Care Alliance Governance Board
- The City Clerk presented a recommendation to appoint one member and one alternate member to the Ventura County Continuum of Care Governance Board. The Mayor moved to appoint the Mayor Pro Tem as the member and the Mayor as the alternate. Councilwoman Perez seconded the motion. No public speakers were present. The motion passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda and Resolutions
- Minutes and Administrative Items: The City Clerk presented corrections to the minutes of the February 3 meeting. A motion was made to approve the remaining consent agenda items (L1, L2, and L7) with noted corrections. A public speaker requested that contracts under $100,000 be included in the public disclosure list. The motion to approve the remaining items passed unanimously. A separate motion to approve the Oxnard Housing Authority items (L2 and L7) also passed unanimously.
- Resolutions Commending Volunteers: Items L3 and L4, involving resolutions commending Ms. Dietrich-Frank and Mr. Joe Munoz for their volunteer service, were combined. The Mayor moved to adopt the resolutions, and Councilwoman Rodriguez seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
- Whistleblower Policy Revision (Item L5): The Council considered a resolution to update the city's whistleblower policy. Council Member Perala moved to approve the item, raising concerns about the public discussion of a specific complaint potentially compromising confidentiality. Council Member Starr noted the complainant had given permission, and the Mayor Pro Tem agreed that public discussion could create a perception of compromised confidentiality. The Mayor stated the investigation found no wrongdoing regarding the specific allegations. The motion was seconded by the Mayor Pro Tem and passed unanimously.
- Monthly Financial Report and Contracts (Item L6): The Council received and filed the monthly financial report and list of City Manager-approved contracts for December 2025. Council Member Perala questioned the $1.7 million in asset seizure funds, which staff explained was a one-time occurrence. A public speaker raised concerns regarding the City Treasurer's access to source documents. Council Member Starr responded with allegations regarding the City Treasurer's actions. As a receive-and-file item, no motion or vote was required.
Downtown Security Services Contract (Item N1)
- The Council considered a recommendation to approve a five-year contract with City Guard Inc. for security services in the downtown management district, public library, parking structure, and service center, with a total amount not to exceed $2,575,000. Staff clarified that security personnel would not inquire about immigration status and that data captured would be shared with local law enforcement but not federal immigration authorities. Public speakers offered mixed feedback, with some requesting a delay for more community input and others supporting the contract. One council member expressed a desire to hear from the security company's executive leadership. A motion was made to approve the contract and was seconded. The motion passed with a vote of six to one.
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Review
- The Finance Department presented a mid-year budget review recommending updates to revenue and expenditure projections and amendments to various funds, including the General Fund, Street Maintenance, and Environmental Resources Funds. The item also included a recommendation to add an Environmental Resources roll-up door replacement project to the Capital Improvement Program. Discussion addressed a $2 million reduction in the Environmental Resources Fund due to a rate change for solid waste fees, plans to replace aging mowing equipment at the Golf Course, and the necessity of replacing doors at the Materials Recovery Facility. Public speakers raised concerns regarding the legality of the Infrastructure Use Fee and the city's financial trajectory. Council members debated the necessity of an $8.1 million increase in General Fund expenditures. Staff clarified that proposed expenditures would be funded from available fund balance.
- A motion was made to approve the budget amendments. An amendment was proposed to divide the question, separating the General Fund (Fund 101) from the other funds. The amendment was seconded.
- The council first voted on the budget amendments excluding Fund 101. This motion passed unanimously.
- The council then voted on the amendment for Fund 101. This motion passed with a vote of six to one.
ERP Annual Report and Ninth Amendment to Agreement with Creative Core Technologies
- The Finance Department presented a recommendation to approve a ninth amendment to the professional services agreement with Creative Core Technologies for the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. The amendment authorizes a new not-to-exceed contract amount of $21,510,000 and extends the agreement term to December 30, 2028. The item also included an appropriation of $2,500,000 from the General Fund. Staff described the ERP system as critical infrastructure replacing a legacy system from the early 1990s. Public speakers expressed concern over cost increases and timeline extensions. Staff and the City Manager highlighted the complexity of the project and the risks of abandoning it. A motion was made to approve the recommended action, including the contract amendment and appropriation. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Discussion on Staff Performance and Legacy Systems
- The City Clerk addressed the Council regarding a previous statement made by Councilmember Starr, emphasizing the need for factual evidence when questioning staff integrity. The City Clerk also inquired about the duration for which legacy systems would need to be maintained. The City Manager responded that the legacy system would be required through the end of the implementation phase, targeted for the end of 2028.
Adjournment
- Pastor Greg Runyon confirmed there were no additional speakers. The Mayor called for a vote on the pending motion regarding the ERP agreement, which was carried with a vote of seven to zero. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.