UnGovr Transcript
iHow this transcript is madeUnGovr transcribes the official recording with automated speech-to-text, separates speakers by voice, and matches voices to the seated roster. Names and attributions are AI estimates and may contain errors.Verify any quote yourself: click anywhere in the transcript and the official video jumps to that exact moment, so you can check any quote against the recording.0:02 – 0:5225 turns
Hello, good evening. I'd like to call the meeting to order for the Oxnard City Council for Monday, June 1st, 2026. I would like to make clear for the record of this meeting and it should also be reflected in the minutes that at least one portion or a portion of this city council meeting is conducted pursuant to California Government Code Section 54953B in that Councilwoman Gabriela Basua is participating remotely from the Sheraton Dallas Hotel At 400 Olive Street in Dallas, Texas.
Zip code 75201 in accordance with the Brown Act. The teleconference location has been identified on the agenda for this meeting. Madam Clerk it would be now appropriate for you to conduct a roll call and posting of the agenda after which we will confirm certain matters for the record.
Councilwoman Basuah?
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
May 20th and the amended agenda
on
Tuesday May 26. I would now like to request that Councilwoman Basuah respond to the following questions. Councilwoman Basuah, can you hear me well? Yes. Were you able to hear our proceedings on this and up until now?
Yes
Do you have a copy of the agenda for this meeting?
Yes
Have you posted the agenda at the location where you are at? Yes. Is your location reasonably accessible to the public such that any member of the public could participate in this teleconference from your location if he or she wished to do so?
Yes.
Is there any member of the public there with you who would like to participate in the public comment portion of this meeting, or otherwise address any agenda items for this meeting?
No.
Thank you. I would like to advise the mayor and the council members that any votes taken must be taken by roll call, thank you.
Thank you Madam Clerk. Prior to closed session we will take public comments on the closed session agenda. Can the City Attorney Mr. Fischer provide a statement prior to closed session please?
Thank You Mayor McArthur The City Council will recess to a closed session pursuant to government code section 54956.9 subdivision D4 based on existing facts and circumstances, to decide whether to initiate litigation in one potential case.
Thank you Mr. Fisher. Madam Clerk do we have any speakers for public comments prior to closed session?
Mayor and council members we do not have any requests to speak for closed session in person or virtually thank you
Thank you. The City Council will now recess to a closed session and at 6 p.m., we'll begin with our regular agenda, thank you. Hi, good evening everyone and welcome. Just want to call the meeting to order for the Oxnard City Council and for the Oxnard Housing Authority from Monday June 1st 2026 I would like to make it clear for the record of this meeting, and it also should be reflected in the minutes that at least a portion of this City Council meeting is being conducted pursuant to California Government Code Section 54953B.
And that Councilwoman Gabriela Basu has participated remotely from the Sheraton Dallas Hotel located at 400 Olive Street in Dallas, Texas 75201. In accordance with the Brown Act the teleconference location has been identified on the agenda for this meeting. Madam
0:52 – 0:5710 turns
Clerk... Mr. Mayor before we proceed with that part of the meeting if I could make the report out of closed session?
Yeah absolutely forgive me for that. We just emerged from closed session and I'm gonna ask our City Attorney now Mr. Fisher to make any announcements thank you Mr. Fisher
Thank you. The City Council, by a unanimous vote has directed the city attorney to initiate an action. The action, the defendants and other particulars shall once unsealed be disclosed to any person upon inquiry unless to do so would jeopardize the city's ability to effectuate service of process on one or more unserved parties or that to do so would jeopardize its ability to conclude existing settlement negotiations to its advantage.
Thank You Mr. Fisher Madam Clerk, it's now appropriate for you to conduct a roll call and posting of the agenda after which we will confirm certain matters for the record.
Roll call — called by City Clerk
Show transcript
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 May 20th. And the amended agenda on Tuesday May 26. I also have an announcement to make pursuant to government code section 54952.3 each member of the housing board of commissioners present will receive $50 for convening this meeting with the exception of Commissioner Starr who has declined to receive compensation I would now like to request that Councilwoman Basuah respond to the following questions. Councilwoman Basuah, can you hear me well?
Yes. Thank you. Were you able to hear our proceedings on this end up until now? Yes Do you have a copy of the agenda for this meeting? Yes Have you posted the agenda at the location where you are at? Yes. Is your location reasonably accessible to the public such that any member of the public could participate in this teleconference from your location if he or she wished to do so?
Is there any member of the public there with you who would like to participate in public comment portion of this meeting or otherwise address any agenda items for this meeting? No.
Okay,
I would like to advise the mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and council members that any vote taken must be by roll call thank you.
May I make just a quick announcement for the record? Yes. Go ahead Councilwoman. I will be logging out in about five minutes for approximately an hour, and then I will return. And I will let you know when I'm back.
under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you, everyone. Go ahead, Cesar.
0:57 – 1:017 turns
Good evening Mr. Mayor McArthur and council members. My name is Cesar Tapia. It is a privilege to be here tonight with you. I'm a student at Channel Islands High School currently of ninth grader. I am here and I'm so proud to be a part of YDC, the program. This program has taught me a lot and given me the experience to travel and meet people from other counties. In early spring we in YDC went to Sacramento for a leadership conference There, I learned what it takes to be a leader and the responsibilities and discipline that they need to have in order to succeed in life as a leader.
Being in Sacramento was a great experience because I met other teenagers from neighborhood counties that wanted to be leaders in their home cities like me Moreover, attending to the conferences and activities that YDC offer have inspired me to get a college degree to become a doctor in the medicine field. But first, I need to get my high school diploma and then continue my education so that I can become a medical doctor.
As I have said, YTC has inspired me to be a successful student so that I can earn a high school diploma and get into a four-year college degree and be a leader in the community. For this reason, I enjoy doing community service for the city such as beaches and park cleanups. And I am also a member of City Corps. And I enjoy participating in these programs in the way to help my community.
So thank you. Thank you for listening to me tonight and I hope you have a wonderful good night. Thank you.
Cesar, do you want to highlight who's here? I see Adriana is here but maybe your parents that are here. Anybody else who's here supporting you? Yes. Yeah? Who are... Do you want to just name them or introduce them? Thank you, Eric.
So my father is here and my mom.
I picked them out. They're the two couple that are sitting there very proud. They're like, yeah, wonderful. You know, I'm always just impressed this is the way we like to start off a council meeting by highlighting our young people like yourself that it clearly are resilient and your unwavering commitment to our community. You understand at such an early age what's important, right? It's setting goals and going after those goals but it's also contributing in making this community better. And sometimes others don't understand that until later in the fact that you're recognizing it early on is as to the testament of your character certainly the work that your mom and dad have done And also the YDC program that you're a part of. So thank you for getting involved in our Police Activities League, thank you.
Thank you. Go ahead. We have a certificate for you if you want to come up here
and invite your supporters to come up here with you.
Eduardo, can I give my phone to you for a photo?
Thank you so much.
1:02 – 1:021 turns
And I think we're just going to remain standing. Charlene, if you're here, if you can come up? Oh there you are Charlene.
Agenda Discussionitems moved / continued / pulled — click to expand
The next item on the agenda is the ceremonial part of our agenda and this evening we have three. First is the presentation of a proclamation designating June 12th 2026 as Philippine Independence Day flag raising And as Charlene and others are making their way up here, I'll just read the proclamation that we put together. The Philippines declared independence from Spain over 128 years ago after more than 300 years of Spanish rule.
The first Filipino immigrants came to Ventura County in the early 1930's and worked as migrant farm laborers who made historic and significant contributions to the agriculture and economic growth of this county, specifically Oxnard. The Filipinos in the military served side by side with Americans in World War II which later paved the way for recruitment into the U.S. Naval Services in 1947 Countless Filipino-American veterans have served and continue to serve this great nation during the Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iran conflicts.
Several Filipino Americans are also city, county, state, federal employees who play an important and vital role in civic community and cultural sectors all throughout our society. Many Filipino Americans are recognized as professionals in the medical field legal professions, educational and business communities. There's a large number of Filipino-Americans retirees in this county who contribute immensely to the local economy and many continue to be in the forefront of progressive movements to create a fair and just society for all of us to enjoy.
So just, it is my honor as the mayor of this city and as the representative of this council and our local government to proclaim June 12th 2026 as Philippine Independence Day flag raising. Thank you so much
Just a few words here. Good evening, Mayor McArthur, Mayor Pro Tempteron, council members, staff and public on behalf of the Filipino-American Council of Ventura County I'd like to express our sincere gratitude to City of Oxnard for this proclamation recognizing Philippine Independence Day and honoring the contributions of the Filipino American in our community.
We are also grateful for the city's continued support of our annual Philippine Independence Day flag raising ceremony. Philippine Independence Day commemorates June 12, 1898 when the Filipinos people declared their independence after more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule. It is a day that honors the courage, sacrifice and determination of those who fought for freedom and self-governance.
For Filipino Americans, it's also an opportunity to reflect on our heritage, celebrate our culture and recognize the many contributions our community has made to the American society. This proclamation is more than a recognition of our historical event. It is an affirmation for the Filipino-American community's presence, history and contribution to Oxnard. For many of us, raising the Filipino and American flags side by side symbolizes the journey of generations we have embraced both their Filipino heritage and their American identity. The Filipino-American Council of Ventura County serves as the umbrella organization representing 11 affiliated Filipino-American organizations throughout Ventura County including the Filipino Community of Ventura County Incorporated International Cultural Association of California, DJ's Basketball League, Pinay Sphere, Filipino Nurses Association, Philippine Center of Ventura County and several provincial organizations representing Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocano, Zambales and the Visayan regions.
Together we work to preserve and promote Filipino culture, foster unity among generations, support educational and charitable initiatives, and strengthen the connections throughout our diverse community.
We also recognize community leaders such as Tony Gray, founder of the Filipino American Council Ventura County whose vision helped create opportunities for greater civic engagement representation and cultural pride within our community. We invite everyone to join us for our annual Philippine Independence Day flag raising ceremony at Oxnard City Hall at noon on Friday June 12 next week This free public event is open to all, and we are honored to welcome retired Oxnard Police Commander Mark Amon as our guest speaker.
We also want to invite you all to our upcoming event in October, to celebrate Filipino American History Month. We will kick off the month with a booth at the Multicultural Center, no Multicultural, City of Oxnard Multicultural Festival. We want to support you as much as you have supported us. We love doing this for you and you might see a little a little dance from us mayor, if you're there.
And then also to follow that we will be having a celebration at the library here next door. She'll have a whole bunch of activities, Filipino type activities and then we will end the month with a Filipino American history fiesta at College Park so as you know Filipinos love to party and we invite you all to celebrate with us
Thank you again to the City of Oxnard, the Mayor, City Council, City Staff, Oxnard City Corps, the Recreation and Community Services Department and all those whose support helped make this celebration possible. We deeply appreciate your partnership in recognizing and celebrating the Filipino-American community. Salamat atmabuhay! My name is Alvin Manzanilla, President of Zambalas Association.
I'm Katinka Balzazar, Press Relations Officer.
Ronald Aruejo, Parliamentarian for the Council.
Melody MacTowell,
Auditor for the Council.
Grace Twazin, Advisor for the Council.
Lauren Armadillo, Youth Representative.
Charlene Borla-Garcia, Executive Director.
Sonia Armadillo, Deputy Director.
Daisy Dedicatoria, Historian. Nenita Atangan, Assistant Secretary,
Filipino Nurses Association. Anne Amon, Council
Treasurer. Alicia Alanaya, Associate Director of the Council.
And Chito Atagan, President of the Filipino Nurses Association of Ventura County Incorporated. Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Before they leave the stage, I'd like to remind everyone. The Attorney General for the State of California is Filipino-American doing a heck of a job for this state. I'd like to read the proclamation from the City of Oxnard for the I'd like to read the proclamation from the City of Oxnard for Juneteenth celebration June 20th, 2026. Whereas in January 1,
1:12 – 1:192 turns
1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued an Emancipation Proclamation legally and officially declaring an end to slavery in the United States of America And, whereas on June 19th 1865 Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston Texas to announce the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were free. And whereas the announcement stated that quote that in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive United States all slaves are free This involves an absolute equity of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection therefore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor." End quote.
And whereas this act that informed the basis for black Americans to celebrate Emancipation Day, a day set aside for this nation to celebrate freedom from enslavement on June 19th. And whereas this date was the beginning of the 19th Freedom Day celebrations as former slaves celebrated their newly granted freedoms and Whereas June 19th, 2026 will mark the 161st year of celebration officially becoming a federal holiday in June 2021 by President Joseph Biden.
National Juneteenth Independence Day is celebrated all across the nation with a mission of, beg your pardon. With the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture. And whereas the inaugural celebration of Juneteenth in Ventura County was June 17th, 1989, and was recognized and sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Ventura County in connection with the firefighters of color United States Akronism Focus and the Black Students Union, Akronism BSU for Oxnard College and other primarily African American organizations.
Whereas on the weekend of June 20th, this year's 35th anniversary celebration in Oxnard is sponsored by Juneteenth celebration of Ventura County with the purpose of unifying and raising awareness of our history together. And whereas the city council wishes to recognize the importance of the Juneteenth celebration in Oxnard and command the organizers for their meaningful and educational public event slating this special occasion in honoring their ancestors while continuing an annual tradition.
Now therefore, and I'm speaking for the Mayor, I Louis M. McArthur, Mayor of the City of Oxnard do hereby proclaim June 20th, 2026 as Juneteenth Celebration Day in the city of Oxnard and encourage all residents to participate in the celebration sponsored by the Juneteenth Celebration of Ventura County at Oxnard Plaza Park. In witness therefore Speaking for the mayor, I heretofore set my hand and cause the great seal of the city of Oxnard to be affixed this first day of June 2026. Lucy MacArthur.
Okay well thank you City of Oxnard, Mayor, the council we really appreciate your support I'd like to introduce our Juneteenth celebration of Ventura County President Bruce Stewart and co-chair Julia Dixon and myself, Angela Landers. We've been co-chairs for about 14 years now. We've been spearheading our Juneteenth celebration in Oxnard and we definitely appreciate Oxnards support of our celebration.
I would like to read a little something regarding Juneteenth. Juneteenth for us is a time to bring awareness to our history, honor our ancestors and pay tribute to the triumphs and resilience of formerly enslaved black Americans It is also a time to celebrate the many ongoing accomplishments and contributions of African Americans today. Nearly a hundred years after America fought for and won its independence from British rule in the Revolutionary War of 1776, African Americans were still in bondage.
Almost two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863 many African Americans remained enslaved especially in Texas It wasn't until June 19th, 1865 when Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas and announced that more than 250,000 enslaved people were free. That moment gave the rise to the name Juneteenth marking a day that has become a powerful symbol of freedom and celebration.
Black history is American history, there is not one without the other. Black Americans have fought for this country, sacrificed for this country and have given their lives for the United States of America. They have marched, protested, sat in and prayed for justice and equality. And through it all, there have always been hope, resilience and celebration. Juneteenth reminds us not only of how far we've come but also of the work that still remains.
It is a day for reflection, unity and pride And I'd like to close with a quote from Abraham Lincoln, those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves and under a just God cannot long retain it. So in honor of the tradition of celebrating Juneteenth, we wish to welcome all of our citizens in Ventura County, especially in Oxnard. It's close by to please come out and join us on Saturday, June 20th.
2026 will be located celebrating out at Oxnard Plaza Park and it will be from 10 a.m to 6 p.m so please come out and join us and help us celebrate freedom thank you.
1:19 – 1:245 turns
Mr. Steele do you want to say anything? I just want to thank Ms. Landers, Ms. Dixon, Mr. Stewart. Thank you for championing this and doing this for our community.
Thank you.
The third ceremonial item that we have is the presentation of a proclamation designating June 2026 as Pride Month in the City of Oxnard. And if I can have those recipients of our proclamation come up here? Early this morning at about 8.30 we had a gathering right out here, right outside our council chambers where we partook in the raising of the pride flag which you'll see flying here prominently and a few of us made some comments there indicating our staunch support for our pride community, the role they played here in our city and in our region, historically their contributions And I think it's a visible demonstration of our bold statement that we make as a city. And I was really happy to see members of our executive team here, as well as our police department reinforcing that we are aligned and we are standing in solidarity with our pride community.
We recognize our diversity and this is a place that we want to make sure is safe and that others know that in our community We welcome and we celebrate those members of the LGBTQ plus community. Thank you. And with that, I'll let our Councilwoman read the proclamation. Go ahead.
Thank you, Mayor. On June 28th 1969 led by black trans and queer leaders Marsha P Johnson and Stormy DeLiveri the LGBTQ plus community took a stand against brutality and began the fight for LGBTQ rights at Stonewall Inn in New York City. Cities and towns throughout the United States commemorate the Stonewall riots each June by celebrating Pride Month And a tremendous amount of progress has been made for LGBTQ plus rights. Transgender individuals still face higher instances of hate crimes, bodily harm and discrimination simply for being who they are. And despite these challenges LGBTQ plus people remain resilient and live in continued bravery by simply being themselves building community and promoting equal rights for all And LGBTQ plus Oxnard residents have existed since the city's founding.
And many of the current residents, students, business owners within the City of Oxnard and city employees who contribute to the enrichment of our city are part of the LGBTQ plus community. Pride Month offers the community an opportunity to uplift and celebrate different voices within the LGBTQ plus movement, and to celebrate the work of LGBTQ plus leaders and organizations who have continuously fought to create equality for all.
And as a result, each generation is able to live love and be their best authentic selves. Now therefore Mayor of the City of Oxnard Louise McArthur do hereby celebrate and proclaim the month of June 2026 as Pride Month in the city of Oxnard we encourage all residents to join in celebrating the culture accomplishments and contributions of LGBTQ plus people The City Council encourages all residents to work to help advance the cause for equality for LGBTQ plus people and their families. In witness thereof, I have the honour to set my hand in cause to the great seal of the city of Oxnard to be affixed this first day of June 2026
Hi, I'm Steve Solman. I'm an original founding member of Diversity Collective Ventura County. This year our Pride Festival is titled Here to Stay and we plan on staying for a long time. Our festival is Saturday July 25th at Plaza Park in downtown Ventura from 11 to 5 p.m.
1:24 – 1:4125 turns
I know we have representatives from different organizations and different groups throughout the community. So, I know we have reps from Oxnard College, we have reps from Obsidian, MICOP, and other groups so I just like to have them introduce themselves.
I'm Tess Allen, she her, I'm the facilitator of the Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Resource Center at Oxnard College.
Good evening, everyone. Thank you for the City Mayor and City Council members for this beautiful proclamation. It's not just about having one month but having pride every day of our lives. My name is V. I'm Esco Aguilar. I am a T-Spirit Puerto Rican queer person and it means a lot to not only bring up the names of the LGBT community but as well our T-Spirit Native American communities as well because we are also silent especially in these hard times that we face in political climate I come and represent Obsidian, which is an indigenous queer native two-spirit and third gender support circle for local Oxnard residents. I cannot give you guys my personal phone number or my email but um but you guys could reach out to any of the city council members um so you know City Council Member Gabriela Rodriguez and City Council Member Michael Perez they know me personally if you guys know anyone who needs uh support especially in indigenous native tribes have them reach out to them and they can reach out to me directly so I could support them.
And I'm also here just represent another circle that I'm part of, which is Sintalesi Naukampa, which is a Aztec dancing traditional group that dances in Santa Corp. We also, my maestra Jenny Luna, Dr. Jenny Luna to be exact teaches us all here in the city of Oxnard on the path. So I'm going to represent her as well. Thank you so much.
Hi everyone, I'm Rio Lorenzo and I am an indigenous queer woman that lives here in Oxnard. And I'm actually a very active community member and advocate for LGBTQ plus rights as well as human rights and immigration. So I'm here because One of the things that I love is to help community, especially right now with the immigration raids that have been occurring. But on a separate note, I'm also a wellness director at my cop and I'm here representing both today. Thank you so much. And just to make a quick announcement before I forget as an active community member, I do invite all of you to join us for our not pride this event but it's a love is love market which is Now a collaboration with Oxnard LGBTQ. It will be occurring June 14th, 10am to 5pm at Heritage Square.
Please come and join us! It's a fun family-friendly environment. Please bring your friends or family and join us and happy Pride!
And she's being shy but Roxana Franco is also a dancante with Dr. Jenny Luna
And if we miss anyone, we have an extra proclamation here. Okay. Thank you. Let's sit down first. Madam Clerk, are these speaker cards? Is that for the proclamations?
Mayor and council members those speakers cards are for items not on the agenda. Okay.
And then the virtual speaker is that for... So
mayor all of that can be handled under item G because those are all non-action
items
or items not on the agenda
Thank you Mr. Chairman. Go ahead, Mayor Pro Tem.
Thank you before we move on from the ceremonial items I just wanted to take a moment here and thank you mayor for the floor. The three ceremonial items we had today the Philippine Independence Day flag racing Juneteenth and Pride Month It's not lost on me that these are three key populations in any community, but especially in the city of Oxnard. It wasn't that long ago and I don't want to take away from the celebratory mood Marked spike across this country in the targeting of our AAPI population.
And that still exists to this day, but the scapegoating of that population for a number of things that had nothing to do with them and the targeting of them and the feeling of being unsafe then occurring now. I said this last year and it continues to occur But when we talk about our African American population and the minimizing, the rewriting or even the erasing of black history in this country at the national level is something that needs to be called out and reminded to people that this is happening. To people who are our neighbors, our community members And then for those in our community who are part of our LGBTQ plus two-spirit community, the targeting and the erasing and the deconstructing of their rights and what they have fought for decades and generations is occurring in real time as well.
Those three populations I am Honored that we had them here this evening on this agenda item, and they all had celebrations at fall within June. But just as a reminder that as a community these aren't just symbolic celebratory things that we're doing here. This community, this council stands with these populations who are being targeted in other communities across this nation.
And I hope that they feel that at least in this community and under the purview of this council That they know that they're supported and that I, and my colleagues stand in solidarity with them. And these actions that we have up here are beyond symbolic. This is an actual statement that we stand with them. And I personally do not tolerate the targeting of these people who are our neighbors, our community members, our friends, our family members. So I just wanted to point that out Mayor for those three that's something that did occur to me. Thank you for the time.
Absolutely, thank you Mayor Pro Tem. Councilwoman, go ahead.
Thank you Mayor Pro Tem and thank you mayor for the recognition. I too think there's parallels between the history of where we started and where we are today. And it's great to know that as the City of Oxnard, we will not tolerate hate in our community As a person who was just classrooms away from the shooting of Al King in our community, that's something that I take very seriously on the dais is making sure that there are spaces of inclusivity, of safety. Whether people are out in public in the community or not, that we continue to uplift a local government that is fair and just for everyone, that is free of discrimination and retaliation in our community.
Thank you councilman. Councilmember Perrella do you have
something? I appreciate council member Perez bringing up the shooting at Yale Green, violence has touched this community in the past murder with respect to my opinions on this it's In my opinion, it's disgusting the leader of this nation has taken the action that he has against specific groups. The people of color. Monuments removed. People in uniform replaced without cause.
The issue with respect to the LBGTQ I remember making a statement here one time that I misannounced the group that it was in. I paid a hell of a price and public comment called me out, and I probably deserved it but the names and the acronyms change so quickly It's often hard to keep in track and in touch with exactly what the groups are Everyone has a right to live To the fullest of their benefit in this country Whether however they're in this country at the time there in this country Specifically with a Filipino-American.
This has always bothered me. Filipino-American, one of the very first groups that ever came into Los Angeles was gunsmiths. A gunsmith and if you go to Morro Bay you can find that the Filipino community came to this nation on a galleon from the Spanish fleet decades ago there's a monument there but one of the biggest things when I came onboard this council and I wanted district representation They were going to divide the people up into who was in the community.
And Pacific Islanders, Asian-Americans if their name, the last name is Hispanic they were put in Hispanic I think that still needs to be addressed it's wrong but count things count and when they're going for counts the difference between five and four And three, it's significant when you have a degree of population in the community that is from a specific area.
Some would say a tribe or an ethnicity or whatever you want to call it. They deserve the respect and the count that they're entitled to. Thank you Mayor.
Thank you, Council Member. Any other comments? Mr. Mayor if I could ask
everyone tonight we're having a little bit of problem with the set with the electricity for these speakers in the rear of the chambers so if you could please speak directly into your microphone and speak clearly thank you.
Thank You Alex.
The next item on the agenda is for public comments. Go ahead Mr. Parlor go ahead.
It's okay. I apologize let us not forget the LBGT A former President Reagan who denied the public finding out about AIDS and sharing with the federal government what AIDS impacted this nation. I hope we all never forget that, and being tomorrow's election day, I hope we never forget that.
Thank you, Council Member.
The next item on the agenda is for public comments for items not on the agenda. A person may address a legislative body only in matters not appearing on the agenda And within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body. Speaker requests shall be submitted as set forth on the first page of this agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes, after 30 minutes if all speakers have not had an opportunity to speak.
The remaining speakers We'll be given an opportunity to speak prior to the adjournment of the 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 this time, should do so at the time of the hearing Anyone wishing to speak on items not on the agenda and for non-action items, please come forward and fill out a speaker card. Or if you're joining us virtually, please press star nine to raise your hand. And we've got about seven speakers plus I think one joining us virtually. We'll start with Ms. Roxanne Trujillo followed by Reverend Roger Labonte. Thank you.
Thank you, Roxanne. Good evening.
So June is a very important month. Happy Filipino Independence Day. Happy Juneteenth and happy pride. Can you guys hear me now? How's that? All right. Well good evening and thank you for the opportunity to make a public comment My name is Roxanne Trujillo. I am the founder and executive director of Open Door Studio. We're a non-profit organization in downtown Oxnard that supports the neurodivergent artists. Our organization also hires local artists as teaching artists for our program, And we're trying hard to create both income for members of our local arts community.
What we're asking today is that the council consider putting on the agenda, the approval for Open Door Studio to utilize the downstairs boardrooms of the Carnegie Art Museum. Having access to these boardrooms would allow us to expand our creative arts program and increase the number of clients we serve, specifically the neurodivergent. Keep in mind that we just today recognized a Filipino community, the African American community and the LGBTQ plus community. I'm here to represent the special needs and the neurodivergent community Autism as well. So, um, as our program grows we would also like to be able to hire more local artists to teach and to mentor our participants. We truly believe that this is a win-win situation because it will keep the Carnegie active during its closure and keep the Carnegie connected to the community during well, during its closure by supporting the neurodivergent community.
So we are also just a quick plug I know I have just a few more minutes we are also celebrating Juneteenth in our studio by having an art show and we're also having a big gay art show for pride so we do support all of our communities and we hope that you guys can consider supporting Open Door Studio And this is my staff. These are the people that also support, and they're also artists. So we're giving equity where equity is due.
Thank you and have a good
1:41 – 1:475 turns
night. Thank you. Thank you Roxanne. Thank You. Reverend Labonte? Thank you Reverend.
Go ahead. My name is Reverend Roger Labonte, and you may remember me from about nine months ago I was here. Which is good because I don't need to repeat all that and use up my three minutes. So let me just take this opportunity to last time I was here presented my issue. Three days later a police sergeant called me which I appreciated all he had done but I didn't know his name. His first name is Sergeant.
I have his phone number so anyhow He called me, he wanted to know more details of what the issue was. So I explained to him about the noise going down with the modified altered mufflers on cars. 2.30, 3 o'clock, 4.30 in the morning is unbelievable. Loud is an understatement. That's how bad it is. Matter of fact if you recall I mentioned that One time it was so loud, it woke me up in the middle of the night. I was pushing myself away from the noise. I fell and cut my face on the nightstand. That's when I said, I need to go to City Council meeting and talk about this. It's a major issue here in Oxnard.
I was ordained a priest here in Oxnard, I moved all around LA. When I found out I had Parkinson's, I retired to Oxnard because it was a peaceful quiet community. On that subject We need to probably do another surveillance like they did. I had called the sergeant back because I had his number on my cell phone, so I called him back and he told me that night two days before that they had done a surveillance and they gave out 12 citations. That's a lot, 12 citations.
So I think it's something that's worth doing once again, not just for us. I think for the community of Oxnard. I moved back to Oxnard because I loved it. It's a great place. So I hate to take away from all that noise. Just the other day during the day, I was standing only about three feet from someone talking. We couldn't even hear one another. That's how loud it is. It is unbelievable. I said if some of these people's grandparents lived in a senior living marmat They would reprimand their grandchildren, I'm sure. But they come right out of the gym, Legends Gym is right next door and the reason I can tell they come out of there if you're familiar with the area, I can hear the revving of the car going up a short way that's the corner U-turn and zooming all the way down to Rice Road If they choose to get some gas, they go right in front of our residence, right under my window.
It's awful. I invite any of you to come someday and just sit there in our parking lot. Sure, it happens every half hour to an hour. It is ridiculous. Some nights worse than others but when that sergeant did the surveillance, he had cut down for a while So it's good, we're thankful for that. But now it's back up to probably worse than before. So I want to thank the police sergeant for all he had done. We're grateful for his efforts and I'd like to thank you for continuing on this. I hope I see another phone call in three days. Okay, thank you. Thank you,
Reverend. Eric Endres? Mr. Andrews, you can be followed by Sarah Wilczewski.
Please play my video. This is Eric Andrus, Henry Levy House. I didn't realize this meeting was going to be moved to Monday because of tomorrow's election. That's fine but tonight is also the Wilson Neighborhood Council meeting where Christmas Tree Lane is on the agenda where I am supposed to serve as a committee member. Now Kenneth Rosell's made up rule that I have to be present here to announce my pre-recorded video before it gets played forced me to choose between the two meetings. That rule is not in your agenda. It is not in any adopted procedure. It was invented by Kenneth Rosell so residents either jump through his hoops or they don't get hurt Months ago, I volunteered for the Christmas Tree Lane Committee at the last Wilson Neighborhood meeting.
Gabe Turan and Bert Perella were there. It wasn't until I saw tonight's agenda that I realized they met without contacting me. I have a pending public record request for the emails behind that decision because I wanted on the record exactly who decided that I shouldn't be included. It's ironic that Tim Flynn is even running this committee when this past year he didn't even decorate his house for Christmas Tree Lane.
As for the temporary use permit for Christmas Tree Lane, Matt Whitecomb has been assigned by his wife Angela Whitecomb who runs the Wilson Neighborhood Council meetings to file a TUP on behalf of all 142 homes in the historic district just as he did last year. Nobody asked those homeowners. There was no vote, no survey, no process by which residents authorized him to represent them in a permit application affecting their property. And the TUP form itself says that for private locations, property owner permission is required. He listed this entire residential corridor as the location. He does not have permission from 142 homeowners. That's not just presumptuous, it's a due process problem. Those owners have a right to know a permit is being filed in their name and a right to object.
And the TUP is the wrong process to begin with. Right in the instructions for a TUP it states that it's meant for a single parcel, not 142 of them and nowhere in the City Code is there an applicable event that approves an event that runs for three weeks straight. The attendance numbers are also fudged as its well over 1,000 visitors every night. Oxnards simply can't control private residents decorating their homes for Christmas or the people who come to see them. This is bureaucratic red tape to justify funding paperwork so it looks like the City magnanimously supports Christmas Tree Lane, which we know they don't. Staff is stretching the code once again and I've watched this exact approach applied to my own SUP, which Joe Pearson and Jeff Pingeli still haven't properly resolved, and which this Council has let sit.
Make something up, apply it selectively, and leave the resident to deal with the fallout. You need to stop enforcing these video participation rules that don't exist in your own agenda, especially when you create scheduling conflicts that make them impossible to satisfy. You need to stop ignoring the fact that neighborhood council leadership is excluding a resident from a committee he volunteered for on his own street.
You should not accept a TUP filed for 142 homeowners by someone who was never authorized to represent them. And I'm asking you to resolve the SUP situation on my property that staff has been sitting on instead of piling a new permit problem on top of an old one. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Andrews.
Sarah?
1:47 – 1:556 turns
Good evening Mayor McArthur, City Council, city staff. My name is Sarah Wilczewski and I'm here tonight to give your bi-weekly update on ICE activity here in Oxnard. The latest abduction numbers from January 20th 2025 to As of 10am this morning, 6-1. In the 805 area code there have been 2,075 kidnappings in Ventura County 982 and here in Oxnard 192. This includes 5 just yesterday morning in Colonia.
So sad. We've passed 2,000 kidnappings since the start of this administration. We just should take a moment to reflect on that.
Thank you. Thank You sir. Senior Pastor Greg Wiggin?
You're not going to let that go, are you? You're just going to keep getting me. All right, I'll get one for you. Good evening former senior commander of the police department Mayor McArthur and fellow council members. I actually honestly was going to sit down and not say a word tonight but I have to tell you I was listening to the proclamations and Then listen to some of your council comments.
And I think it is absolutely necessary we support people that have been mistreated, that have been ignored whether you agree with them or not, whether you appreciate culture or not But to vilify other people who didn't do it. So like I resent, I just gotta be really honest with all of you. I really resent when I hear people attack Trump and because he's white therefore I'm white da-da-da or if I'm a Republican.
I gotta tell you something being a fool is not determined by your political party by your gender, by your race nor by your ideology. It's on your heart and the evil that is inside men is dangerous but you cannot defeat evil by being more evil yourself. You have to be more loving, more kind and that's what these dates are about if you really think about it yeah we need to honor them Okay, we acknowledge they were mistreated but I hate to tell you there was mistreatment in the Mexican-Spanish American War. There was mistreatment in the Civil War. There was mistreatment in World War II. It's not a racial thing it's a human thing and we all have to acknowledge that. We all have to acknowledge that. I'm not evil because I'm white. I am evil because I'm evil.
It is a human condition And if we're going to elevate ourselves, we have to lift up the LBGT community as human beings. We have to lift up the Filipino community. We have to lift up the black community and we don't do it by tearing down another community. We lift this all up because I want my black brothers and sisters to have a better life than me. I want my LBGTQ brothers and sisters to have a better life than me. I don't have to agree with ideology, I do have to agree with the human condition in the heart. And nobody gets better if our speech and our conduct doesn't lift them up. And I've said this to y'all until I'm blue in the face but you all are our leaders.
Please lead. Thank you.
Thank you, Pastor. We'll go to the virtual speaker. Thank you.
Thank you. Virtual speaker if you can press star 9 to unmute and you have three minutes starting now.
Hi did you just hear her tell me to push star nine to unmute? You don't push star nine you push start six I've been pushing star 9 since your ceremonial items. This is Deirdre Frank, by the way. And so now I'm speaking on at this point in the agenda. Reverend politics makes policy. Policy makes laws. I want you to remember Prop 8. So I went to law school with a woman named Rita Marsh and a woman named Connie Bear.
Why are they important? Every Valentine's Day, Connie and Rita went down to the registrar office and tried to get a marriage license because they were gay. They were in love. They had been together for 10 years, 15 years, 20 years. Of course, they were denied every Valentine's day until after Prop 8, a policy that was approved by the voters because people spoke up And they used words reverend, and they spoke about things that were important that needed policy change that involved politics.
Rita and Connie finally got married. They were the first couple in Ventura County to get married after the passage of Proposition 8. I was there. I was Rita's maid of honor at a ceremony at the Pierrepont Inn conducted by Justice Judge Toy White, Ronald Reagan and AIDS. It was a Ventura County resident for you old days who are here in Ventura County. I want you to remember Hugo Leckie.
Remember Hugo? The man who died of AIDS, author, artist, philanthropist donated over $1 million to the AIDS Foundation in Ventura County Politics, policy. He started AIDS. Don Prashard, Dr. Prashard, Ventura County Medical Center started the first clinic for AIDS treatment in Ventura County. So we're talking about not only what's happening now but legacy. Don't forget the legacy and finally from Ms. Dixon on Juneteenth if you're related to Herbert Hoover Dixon He was an old client of mine, multiple times I represented him. He was a doll. He was a great guy and if you're related to him, I just want you to know he was a very special person in my heart.
Thank you very much. And you need to fix the star nine, star six and pay attention to who's online. Thank you.
1:55 – 2:0918 turns
Madam Clerk, does that conclude the virtual speakers?
Mayor and Council Members yes. That concludes our speakers in person and virtually for items not on the agenda thank you.
Thank you The next item on the agenda is Item H this is a report from our City Manager go ahead Alex.
Thank You Mr. Mayor only two items tonight so first is the annual Oxnard Insect Festival which is occurring this Saturday downtown at Plaza Park. Remember, this is free and open to the public. It's a fantastic family event. Begins at 10am and runs until 4pm. Again that's this Saturday downtown Plaza Park. And our special guests this year are all things bees so they're insects too But we'll have apparently many of them varieties as well for young people and elderly people to learn from. I just want to draw your attention, see if I can get this to work.
See this here? Those are not your everyday tacos but those are delicious so really invite everyone to come and partake in the interesting variety of food. It's been said for a while now that this may well indeed become the protein source of the future, and yeah it's very delicious today so you don't have to wait for the future. All right, next is something much more serious. So for this I will invite the Assistant Police Chief Rocky Marquez.
This is to share with us information about Elder and Disability Abuse Awareness Month. Chief?
Thank you sir. Good evening Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Council Members. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to address this important topic Elder and Disability Abuse Awareness Month serves as an important reminder for our collective responsibility to take care of the most vulnerable members of our community. The Oxnard Police Department Family Protection Unit, which our mayor once served, those detectives are unsung heroes who work diligently to investigate some of the most heinous crimes including elder and dependent adult abuse. In 2025 alone in the city of Oxnard, our detectives investigated 31 cases of physical elder abuse And what we do know unfortunately is that many of these incidents go unreported.
Many incidents of abuse and neglect or exploitation do not get reported to the police, and so to our community if you are a victim or if you know someone who you suspect may be experiencing abuse, we ask you to please contact the Oxnard Police Department because we know reporting concerns can make all the difference in protecting vulnerable individuals and connecting them with the resources and support they need.
Together we can help ensure the safety and the dignity of all our community members, especially those elderly community members who helped shape our community to what it is today. Thank you.
Thank you Chief. Go ahead Council Member. I
have a question Mayor. I believe it was 31 cases were forwarded. Were those 31 cases you worked the City of Oxnard Police Department worked up and forwarded to our local district attorney? How many convictions did our District Attorney get?
I'd have to get back to you on
how many of those turned into. Absolutely. I expect results from the police, from the district attorney's office.
Certainly our family protection unit detectives work hand in hand with those district attorney personnel that are assigned to these types of sensitive cases and they work in places like the Family Justice Center So they can work collectively or collaboratively together. I don't know the numbers, but I do know we've had a great relationship with them and have had a lot of success in seeking justice for these victims.
Thank you. And I really appreciate it because I do believe many cases are not brought forward. Not on your part. The public just stays quiet. Thank you.
Thank you. I appreciate it chief you bring this item forward as a chief Mark has mentioned councilmember Perala I work that unit and we have a great It's a collaborative approach where there is a district attorney assigned when the interviews are conducted with an individual disclosing. And so this way, the efficacy rate is higher to be able to prosecute cases like that from the outset and also minimizes the number of times the victims are interviewed. Right? Absolutely. Thank you.
Anything else, Alex, to conclude? Okay. Thank you.
The next item on the agenda is Item H, I'm sorry, Item I. This is City Council Housing Authority Successor Agency Financing Authority Business Committee reports and if it's okay with you Councilwoman, we'll start with you.
Thank you, Mayor, for the opportunity to share my report and activities related to my district and citywide. I first wanted to just start off my report by thanking Diana and Peter with our department here in the city who has I want to start by acknowledging the work of Julie Estrada, who launched the effort to begin the process of commissioning an art mural at the South Oxnard Library.
process started. Much of the feedback from the community has been particularly from our seniors, the amount of just art and vibrancy that it brings right across the way from our senior community space there and looking forward to doing more of that just ensure that we create more opportunity for spaces in our community for people to enjoy and to also recognize the history and the moments that we're in.
As a part of some, just to transition to a part of my activities last week I had the opportunity to attend the Past Present Possibilities Power on the Central Coast. This was an event put on by Seafrog and Cause To talk about just the efforts of the transition to green energy and green energy jobs, and the headway of opportunity there for local community members to not just think about future job opportunities but also the concept of looking at Skills training and other pathways for folks to transition into these opportunities.
Neighborhood Council-wise, South Winds Neighborhood Council will be meeting this Thursday at 6 p.m. As a part of some of the community contacts that I have, many have also reached out regarding major concerns around dumping. Dumping along the railroad tracks from Cal Giesler down to Blackstock and know that As I've taken the opportunity to drive through some of the alleyways, to report potholes and other issues. We definitely see that issue being a top priority here to address in South Oxnard overall.
I also wanted to just take the moment to thank Michael Wolff our director public works director there's been a lot of alleyway maintenance that's currently happening in Cal Giesler and Redwood Other projected projects that will be coming up pretty soon. So just wanted to make that public, just in case folks see cones in their alleyways with the time and date listed there. Definitely want to encourage our neighbors to take a look at those dates and times just to make sure we are We're going to have a council meeting tomorrow. We are vacating our for We have election day so definitely encourage people to get out the vote and drop off your ballot. I know there has been some changes there, so definitely encourage folks to drop off their ballot or stop by a local polling station in the area.
I know polls will close at 8 p.m., and yeah looking forward to folks getting out the vote tomorrow.
Wonderful thank you Councilwoman. Thank You. Councilmember Perrello go ahead
Thank you, appreciate the public speakers tonight. I do have one thing that I'd like to publicly state. I don't know that Mr. Mayor Pro Tem and I had any agreement at a Christmas meeting. I attended a neighborhood council meeting where it was discussed. I had no involvement in it other than my ears were open. The issue with respect to the retired Reverend Minister Priest brought up the noise That is a secondary issue, the first issue that I'd like to address tonight.
We're approaching the height of firework season. I know that while the city has and will continue the various efforts to enforce illegal fireworks laws, that the community still continues to be impacted. I believe this issue also requires community members to behave and make smart choices when it comes to lighting fireworks. I am not of the digital generation, and I know that we now use social media to get the word out. But I think that we can also use old technology to get the word out.
I request, Mayor, I'd like staff to come up with an old-fashioned signs that can be placed throughout the neighborhoods that have been continuously over years hotspots. Abuses have taken place and impacted these neighborhoods tremendously. And hopefully this will help Make the city a better city with respect to that. Now on the second point of the gentleman that brought up the noise, I do recall him coming talking about the loud pipes on Gonzales Road.
Sir, I live off Vineyard and Ventura Road. Loud pipes are nothing new in that area. I know that we have a major manufacturer of exhaust systems, a very prominent well-respected national manufacturer here. We also have shops that change the mufflers I do think that there needs to be something looked at because the quality of life, just so that somebody can have a hot-sounding car impressed. And I was young once and I had glass packs and I understand how that works but it is impacting life tremendously. And we'll just name some streets that I'm well aware of.
Vineyard, Ventura Road, Oxnard Boulevard, Saviors, Gonzales Road, Rice and Rose. All of those streets and local neighborhoods have the issue with allowed pipes. It used to be just allowed bikes, now it's pipes and cars. An update on what I've been involved in, I went to the grand opening of the Endless Wave Skateboard Park very well represented by members of the council. I've been to the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, it has just come up that They need to spend $2 million to take care of a drainage problem, similar to what has happened in the city of Oxnard with the sewer plant called Long Deferred Extreme Maintenance.
And they're gonna work to come up with the money and the replacement for the funds. I'd like to bring the council up to speed on the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency. You have a city that is fighting to get the credit and the respect and the rightful things that they are owned with water There is an issue called non-native water. Non-native water is water that is harvested from a reclamation facility, Canao or the river, Santa Clara River or as the city of Oxnard feels will be purchased from Cayagas. It's not native to our area.
There are powers that be that continually deny Oxnard equal treatment under the law and because of that The City of Oxnard has become involved in a legal case. I hope that everybody in the city pays attention because if it either is raining too much or it rains not enough, it's never just right. It's the Goldilocks theory. It's never just right but I want to compliment our Public Works Director because our Public Works Director speaks articulately and I can watch the five members on that board their ears pick up when he speaks Thank you, Mayor.
Thank you, Council Member. Yes sir, go
ahead. Coming to work today, coming to work, coming to this council a young man I believe he was a young man, he looked like a young man on an electric bicycle blew right through his stop sign the car locked up the brakes coming directly with a T-bone him and the kid didn't look left or right. He didn't appear to have earbuds on For the people that have motorized electric vehicle bicycles or bicycles that have been modified, the law states and I've shared it with the management.
The department in the city of Oxnard that takes care of insurance and liabilities if you don't have insurance and you don''t declare on your auto whether it's your kid Thank you, Mayor.
2:10 – 2:2514 turns
I have a lot of updates, so I'll go through them quickly. First two items, there's the River Park Neighborhood Council meeting June 10th at Rio Vista Middle School and that will be an election meeting. And although I didn't see it in the weekly packet, I do have my calendar that Carriage Square is scheduled to meet June 11th at Curran School at 7pm if That is incorrect and I imagine we won't see it on this week's weekly packet, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share it. So if you get the weekly packet please stay tuned for that.
And as I understand that is also a an election meeting So for my recent activities, going back to after our last council meeting. I attended Public Works Day at Plaza Park and thank you to all of our public works staff who took their time to put together some really great interactive exhibits and I know that I took my daughters with me they enjoyed it and it was just great to see the community out there and see buses full of kids arriving too just as we were leaving unfortunately so It was it was a really great and well organized event. So thank you, Mr Wolf. Thank you your team for everything they did with that Then Councilman Perez and our recreation staff and I hosted the final meeting for this current cohort of voices of Oxnard youth After the previous council meeting and so appreciate all of those young people who were part of the first cohort And applications are open now for next year's second cohort and the applications close June 18th.
You can go to the city's website, oxnard.gov slash VOY, V-O-Y if you have a young person grades 12, 11, excuse me 10, 11 or 12 who may be interested in applying. I also attended the BEACON meeting, Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment as the representative for this council. And that is a JPA, a joint powers authority that meets with member agencies from Ventura County and Santa Barbara County. So we had our meeting just this past week as well.
Then the same day, I also attended the eighth grade graduation bash at Universal Studios as one of the chaperones. And my lovely wife and I were able to partner to chaperone 54 eighth graders over there heading to Universal Studios. It was a great time and we came back with all of them so that's a plus right? So we eventually found all of them, but it was a really great event. It was great to see them enjoying themselves. It's a great tradition and rite of passage and I appreciate being able to have the opportunity part of it Excuse me. It was a great bus ride back even though we got back, you know well after one in the morning and they were all They use all their energy there at the park so I'll give them credit for that so All right And then attended the Memorial Day ceremony at Plaza Park and thank you to the Veterans Committee and those who worked together to put that on Also attended the skate park groundbreaking as Councilmember Perrello had mentioned, as well as this morning the Progress Pride flag raising.
And just a quick note on that after the ceremony there was an individual there who did share with the mayor and me how much it meant to him as an adult, as a senior actually where It was within many people's lifetimes here that that is something that would have never happened for visibility and acknowledgement of somebody's identity and their true self. And he said it meant a lot to just see not only the flag flying, but also that public officials or city or community members came out to be able to recognize that as well. And it just meant a lot to him as someone who lived in a time when that was something that was not talked about, you did not out yourself, you did not even hint at that and so I appreciate him sharing what it meant to him and I hope others see this as a symbol and an acknowledgement of our support for everyone in this community especially those from marginalized populations.
All right, and my last two items here. Thank you Councilwoman Perez for bringing up EO Green and acknowledging the tragic murder that happened there at that site just a number of years ago. I had the opportunity to be part of the career day that they had there recently, and I saw Councilwoman Perez there as well and Councilman Rodriguez. And when you mentioned voting, I mentioned to those students, they had me there in my council member role And I let them know, even though you're in eighth grade and you are still a few years away from voting. You can register to vote at 17 in high school that will assist you with that and you are ready to go the day you turn 18.
And I reminded them all that there are probably people amongst them in that classroom who do not have the ability or will not have the ability to vote. And so, I hope that they exercise that privilege and their voice when the time comes because there are some who probably wish they could vote and they will not have that opportunity to do so. And just wanted to impress on them the importance of that privilege that many of us enjoy in this country and what it means to do that and guide our country in a way that we see fit And lastly, Mayor and for our staff here I have two requests.
what's been happening in our nation and trying to be proactive for what's going on in targeting particular communities. I'm hoping that our staff can look at the possibility of a moratorium on commercial office space being used for holding cells or processing of detainees As that's something that was reported on recently, that the federal government is gobbling up lots of commercial space for that reason.
And I would like to see if that's something that we can be proactive about in this community to at least prevent any space in this community being used for that purpose. And Councilor Perrello mentioned e-bikes. At Public Works Committee a few months ago, I had requested something around e-bikes as well. Staff's been looking at what we can do as far as ordinances goes, and I hope that we can have that come forward within a reasonable amount of time as well so we can still be proactive about that. And I've had a number of conversations or requests from members of the public on that including public safety personnel who've mentioned it. So those are my two requests. Thank you mayor for the time.
Mayor if I may, I'd also be interested on both of those items as well.
Sounds good. I don't know if, Madam Clerk is Councilwoman Basu back on or not yet? If not we'll just go straight to council. Member Starr.
Mayor, Councilwoman Basu is not connected. Thank you Madam Clerk. Councilmember Starr.
Thank you. Upcoming on June 11th we have the West Village Neighborhood Council meeting. I think it's their election meeting so definitely want to encourage folks in West Village to attend I attended the Endless Waves Skate Park groundbreaking ceremony along with a number of my colleagues on the dais here. We're looking forward to its opening, I believe it will be in spring 2027 and I hope that we can invite the La Colonia Neighborhood Council Chair to be part of that ribbon cutting because I think he kind of missed out on the ceremony would have liked to been part of that And I said it was just an oversight, we'll take care of it. So I've already got an assurance from staff that he will be invited to the ribbon cutting when that time comes.
I'd like to thank Gloria Chinea. She's on the Oxnard Senior Services Commission. She invited me to one of the senior events. I was at a Tai Chi for Arthritis class down at the South Oxnard, South Library. And a wonderful instructor by the name of Jessica I think was providing Tai Chi class hosting a Tai Chi class for there's eight individuals there and I think my favorite was it was a woman she She's 94 years old and she's doing Tai Chi, which is just really amazing.
I spoke to her and I said, 94? And she was like yeah but I transpose the numbers, I say I'm 49. And I said okay well I'm 26 so... So I think that this program does a lot to have our seniors keep physically active, socially interact with each other. There's just so much loneliness out there, and I think just having the opportunity for people to congregate together does a lot for people's mental state.
So I'm really glad to see that we're doing that. Regarding Reverend Roger Labonte, he contacted me Said that the issue that he was having with the loud mufflers on Gonzales Avenue near the Vista Senior Living Center where he is. He said that the problem had reemerged, but he was very grateful for the police department and what they were able to do last time which I guess was about nine months ago with the enforcement I told him that he should come by, speak up. And I have no doubt that our police department will be on it and they'll do some more enforcement to try and Limit the noise issue over on Gonzales. I recognize that this is just, this is a situation of just where you have to use eternal vigilance, I suppose because it never goes away completely because you always have some knucklehead who's going to be driving with a loud muffler but if we give enough citations out maybe they'll help for awhile until it reemerges so I hope that we can I'll continue to take care of that.
I'd like to, I'd like to acknowledge the comments by Reverend Greg Runyon as comments are very well taken. I agree with him that yes let's lift people up but let's not do it by tearing other people down. I think it's important for us to remember that we're all children of God And we should treat people accordingly. And that's all I have to say today, thank you.
Thank you Council Member Stark. Council Woman, go ahead.
I feel like we were at a lot of very similar events so- Right. Yeah. I too attended the Public Works Open House. I was very impressed by just the passion of folks who work in the different departments without not highlighting other groups. I especially wanna give a shout out to the folks, I think his name is Jaja? in the water department and also folks who are trimming trees even at night, so they were really excited to share some of the equipment.
But everybody in all the departments are doing a great job, so thank you all. I also attended the Memorial Day commemoration celebration at Plaza Park. It was very heartfelt and I really appreciate the community members who volunteered their time to put that together and the Salvation Army for feeding folks that day. And thank you Mayor McArthur for joining and Mayor Pro Tem Teran for joining the Upward Bound graduation at Oxnard College. So Wainimi and Channel Island High School students who participate, many of them are income qualified first generation in their family to pursue higher education It's a transformative program. I'm alumni, so I'm biased and but really it's thank you so much for showing your presence and showing that it takes a village to raise a child.
I have my Gold Coast Transit District meeting later this week on Wednesday and the animal shelter meeting got cancelled for the quarter so I guess I'll report back when we meet again. I believe that's it oh I also attended I just wanted to clarify, because I did have a few community folks reach out and ask why are we prioritizing a skate park when housing is an issue? And what happened to families that got displaced in Colonia. So I just want to clarify that we had an opportunity with a grant and we wanted to take advantage of the opportunities Just create leveraged resources and opportunities. That doesn't mean that housing is not important, we believe it's important but there's a saying in Spanish slow down because I'm in a hurry so despacio que llevo prisa.
So we will have updates on that hopefully soon. Thank you
Thank you, Councilwoman.
Go ahead, Mayor Patel. You want to say something
else? Just real quickly, Councilwoman reminded me this past Saturday I want to thank our traffic engineering staff and the VCTC, the Ventura County Transportation Commission folks on creating a pilot protected bike path, protected path on Woolley Road heading west from Victoria Avenue and I saw Jose Rivera there who is with the City of Oxnard and it was great.
Went and tried it out myself, and it was nice to see. I hope that's something we can continue to work on when we strive for our bicycle master plan and look at our five-year priorities that we added bicycling to as well as far as infrastructure. So thank you for the extra time, Mayor.
Yes sir, go ahead Council Member.
If I can address Council Member Rodriguez's question with respect to the housing in the Colonia. I think that's a close session item. It's there was a litigation that it was involved and so
and councilmember Peralta this is not a time for entering into discussions. This is for individual council members to give their reports and you can enter into a dialogue
understood, but when there's a lot of community asking the same question we need to.
2:25 – 2:318 turns
I'll just conclude. I know a lot of us are really active here. As you know, I regularly engage with constituents at my office believing that these interactions are vital for fostering civic trust, maintaining direct accountability and making well-informed empathetic policy decisions And I have had the pleasure of meeting with several in my office. But I also go out quite a bit to meet them at their homes and also for businesses, and there's just a number of them so I won't go over all of them here but one of the significant ones I went out last Friday met with the founder and owner of Mission Produce. I know it's a publicly traded company but the founder himself was there.
And I think Mission Produces is vital to our city provides Employment, significant employment opportunities. Most of the, he shared with me and his staff that over 95% of those that are employed at Mission Produce are from our Oxnard community. They generate substantial tax revenue. Also they drive a supply chain activity. They directly go to the port for all of their efforts there.
And also I know that Council Member Rodriguez mentioned it but if I can just elaborate, I really am thankful for the invitation To go to the trio graduation at Oxnard College, just wrote some notes down. I had the privilege of attending thank you to Councilman Rodriguez did the trio upward bound graduation at Oxnard College where briefly shared reflections on my own academic journey and emphasize the significance of higher education. Higher education plays a vital role in fostering economic growth, post-secondary education provides our local workforce with advanced specialized skills crucial for fulfilling roles such as engineering job scientists, business leaders at key local employers like Naval Base Ventura County, the Port of Wainimi, Dignity Health, Haas Automation, as well as Mission Produce and other job opportunities in ag and leisure industries A more educated workforce tends to adapt more readily to emerging technologies, resulting in increased productivity per worker and broader wage growth.
Generally individuals with college degrees experience lower unemployment rates and tend to earn substantially more over their careers compared to those with only a high school education. Higher average incomes contribute to increased tax revenue, which supports the funding of public infrastructure, civic amenities, social services at both local and state levels. Furthermore higher levels of education attainment are associated with better public health outcomes and reduced crime rates ultimately helping lessen the financial demands on public assistance programs in criminal justice system.
Established in 2017, the Trio Upward Bound program Currently supports 70 high school students from Channel Ones High School, Winnipeg High School. The program focuses on college preparation through mentorship after-school workshops campus visits in a six week summer session. Oxnard College proudly hosts two federally funded TRIO programs dedicated to assisting first generation low income disabled students pursuing higher education and career ambitions so I know you know the program intimately Councilwoman, so thank you for the opportunity to speak and make some remarks there because I think it's critically important to support that program.
And I think others mentioned here, I think we were at various events together but I do appreciate the public works event. I took my little boys, I have a four and five year old out there Greatly enjoyed that and I'm so glad that events like that happen in our city because it creates opportunities for families to go out there, free events much like this Insect Festival that's coming where people can interact with one another, socialize. For little kids it really enhances their pro-social skills and for us as a community it really strengthens our bonds so I appreciate that. And speaking of appreciation thank you Sarah for coming here at every council meeting providing us an update. Thank you for that. And with that, I'll close this item unless anybody else has something else.
Yes, sir, Councilman?
Yes, I'd like to know if there's any other council members it feels it's worthwhile putting some signs in the areas that are hotspots. I know all the hotspots are not just in District 1 and I don't think everybody in the City of Oxnard is up on social media. We've had council members back other council members' ideas. Does anyone back that idea? Hotspot can you elaborate as to...
Some small sign put out by the city say, you know, I know we're short
on time as far as before the 4th of July for this year, but Councilmember you're requesting that come back to this back to committee or back to this council for consideration. I would certainly back that discussion.
And when you say hospitals, you're talking about fireworks.
Mayor, we will follow the process to get that on a committee meeting coming up.
OK. Thank you Mr. President for your clarification. Go ahead.
I see we have an appointment to serve on the library board. Is that correct?
Yes. So we'll move to the next item on the agenda. This is from the city clerk's department. The appointment of our member to serve on the city's library board The recommendation is that the mayor with the approval of the City Council appoint Sahara Pena to serve as an at-large member on the library board. Just a reminder, this item did not originate in committee and our city clerk Ms. Lopez is here to answer any questions we may have.
Are there any questions on this appointment? If not I'd like to move the recommendation. Thank you councilman Aprello Madam Clerk, are there any public speakers on the appointment?
Roll-call vote Passed 5–0 move the recommendation. Thank you councilman Aprello Madam Clerk, are there any public speakers on the appointment? Mayor and Council Membe · 1 under review
Show transcript
2:31 – 2:3937 turns
And this motion carries six to zero thank you
Thank you. The next item on the agenda is the review of the info consent agenda. Do any customers have any consent agendas they wish to discuss? Mayor Pro Tem?
Yes, mayor I'll have to recuse myself from item L3 just due to potential for a Remote interests for the Regents of the University of California. I have done consulting work for UCLA within the last 12 months, and so just as an abundance of caution, I'll recuse myself from that item.
Thank you. Council Member Starr, go ahead?
I would like to pull L3.
Okay. Yeah, go ahead Mayor Pro Tempore.
Just to confirm Mr. City Attorney, since L3 has been pulled for discussion and I've said I was going to recuse since it won't be part of the larger consent agenda when we get to that should I leave the dais?
Since this is consent agenda you don't have to leave the dais. Okay well I won't participate though I promise. You cannot participate but you don't have to leave
Thank you, what's the pleasure of council on these?
So are there any other items to be pulled because then the next step is to see if there's any public comment on any of the consent
items. Anyone else wishing to pull an item for discussion? If not it's just all three. Madam Clerk are there any public speakers for the consent agenda?
Mayor and mayor pro tem and council members there are no requests to speak on the information in consent agenda in person or virtually thank you
I'll move the recommended action for the rest of the items.
Thank you, Councilman Perlow.
I'll second.
Roll-call vote Passed 5–0 move the recommended action for the rest of the items. Thank you, Councilman Perlow. I'll second. Mayor will take a vote. So this will be a · 1 under review
Show transcript
and this motion carries thank you.
Thank you we will now go to L3 this is from the fire department subject Affiliation agreement with the Regents of the University of California for the pre-hospital care program. Affiliation agreement first amendment, recommendation that the City Council approve a first amendment to paramedic internship agreement A8312 titled affiliation between the regents of the University of California and the city of Oxnard for a period of five years The Community Services Public Safety Housing and Development Committee approved this item 3-0 back on May 12, 2026.
And Chief Alexander Hamilton is here to answer any questions. We'll start with you Council Member Starr.
Thank you. I'm in favor of this. I just want to ask a few questions so I can get a better understanding. So roughly how many interns do we typically have in a year with this program? Do you think?
Council Member Starr thank you for the question Alex Hamilton, Fire Chief. It actually varies because we're very much space limited and so we only have, generally only have two paramedics functioning as paramedics in any given day. So it, we really only have a couple of stations where we can place them. The best answer I give you is it depends. I don't think we've had more than five or six in any given year.
And they're doing their internship here, right? It's all here. They're not doing it at UCLA.
Yeah so generally they'll do some time doing clinicals which is often in hospitals and ERs and then they'll do their internship in the pre-hospital environment. So whether that's on ambulances, fire engines but somewhere where they can get some experience in a pre-hospital environment.
And it seems to me like this is a really good way Introduce people to OFD and recruit them. I was curious roughly what proportion of the interns do you think actually join our ranks?
You know, we're actually going through a recruitment right now so I can go back and take a look to see if there's any of those names But certainly, I know our personnel are always taking a close look when we have interns or write-outs coming along because we're always looking to recruit good people into the department.
Okay and I'm told but I don't know if it's correct that we might be the only city in Ventura County that has such an arrangement with UCLA?
Yeah, that's my understanding. It appears... I don't know that the other agencies... Ventura City only hires paramedics so they don't send anybody out for training and Ventura County has been sending a lot of their folks to the Moorpark Paramedic Programme but as part of our agreement to get our folks trained is we also provide internship opportunities for other graduates of that programme.
OK. Alright, thank you very much. Thank you. Any other quick go ahead gives my problem
Support this a Congratulations to our fire department for having the wherewithal to push this type of stuff It's a benefit to the community But I just like to share something with you. You can't always have firemen or policemen when something happens there was a going away for former police assistant chief Morehouse And at that event, I was standing next to an assistant fire chief and an individual all of a sudden couldn't breathe.
In a matter of seconds, Assistant Fire Chief Guthrie applied the hymenic remover, the person coughed it out. To their athletic ability they caught it and then life came back and it was amazing. It was that fast. And ladies and gentlemen if you Ever in a spot like that, I was standing right next to him. Guffrey just kind of pushed me away. The guys and I took care of it.
Learning how to do CPR, that kind of stuff, very basic stuff. No telling who you'll help. You might help yourself.
I want to thank you. Thank you sir. Appreciate the kind words.
I made some comments to Chief at the committee meeting, but I applauded yourself and your department. Things like this don't happen by accident. It takes the innovation, the vision and the work up to put something like this together so thank you for that initiative that's helping our local youth community here. So really thank you and applaud you for doing that.
If there are no further questions or comments, Madam Clerk are there any speakers on this item?
Excuse me, Mayor and Council Members. There are no requests to speak on item L3. I'll
move the recommended action.
I'll go ahead and second that option.
I just want to note also that Councillor Mbassua is back on virtually joining us. Thank you Councilwoman.
Call for
the vote.
Councillor Mbassaua? Yes. Councilwoman Rodriguez? Aye. Councilman Starr?
Yes.
Roll-call vote 3–0 · 3 under review
Show transcript
2:39 – 2:4622 turns
And this motion carries 6-0-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Teran recusing himself. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Clerk.
We'll move to the next item on the agenda. This is Item M1. This is the time and place set for a public hearing on item M1 from the Public Works Department. Subject, fiscal year 2026-27 resolution to levy assessments in Mandalay Beach Maintenance District. Recommendation that the City Council acting as the legislative body for the Mandalay Beach Maintenance District 1 Hold a public hearing on June 1st, 2026 to receive public testimony regarding the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 assessments for the Mandalay Beach Maintenance District.
And two, adopt a resolution to levy the special tax assessment for fiscal year 26-27 within the Mandalay Beach Maintenance District. The Finance and Governance Committee approved this item 2-1 on May 12th, 2026 Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director is here to answer any questions. We start with the City Clerk's certification of publication and written communications if any? Go ahead Madam City
Clerk. Mayor and Council Members there was a legal notice published in Vida newspaper on May 21st and the City Clerk's office has received no written communications on this item thank you.
Thank You madam clerk do any council members have any ex parte communications or other disclosures regarding this matter to state for the record?
No
Thank you. Members of the public were invited to sign up to speak on this item on the city's website, and a person who did not sign up may do so now by submitting his speaker card or following the instructions posted on the agenda for this meeting in at the city's website oxnard.org CityMeetings. Anthony Miller, Special Districts Manager posted a video presentation regarding this item and is available to answer any questions Brief clarifying questions for council members that they may have before we take public testimony on this item.
The council will deliberate after the public hearing has been closed. Do any council members have any questions at this time? Okay. Council Member Ciacia, anything? Thank you. I'll now open the public testimony portion of this public hearing. Speakers have three minutes to speak on this item. Madam Clerk, do we have any speakers assigned to speak on this item?
Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members there are no requests to speak on this item in person or virtually thank you.
Thank you if there are no speakers on this item then we will close the public hearing. The public hearing is now closed. Does any council member wish to comment If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve the recommended action. I'll comment. Go ahead Council Member Starr.
So as I've said in the past since the electorate has never had an opportunity to vote on this special tax assessment, I will be voting no on this recommendation.
Noted. Thank you Council Member Starr Yes, Council Member Perla go
ahead Mayor, I had the opportunity to watch this committee meeting and I give credit to Mr. Starr for advocating for his point, but I need to ask this. 1982, 84 this was approved, 86 another approval. I wonder how Mr. Starr you would advise someone if they had a child say at that time? And then it came to now that they need some money to take care of the child and the parents decide they don't want to do it.
I mean, how would you advise? Because I consider this part of our city and I consider when we don't take care a part of our city and I do respect your belief that the Constitution is more as important and you believe that our legal advice is wrong I respect that, but how would you handle somebody that was going to take care of their child? That say wasn't up to adult and needed help or a neighbor in a district. And you live in a district as I do.
How would you handle that with your rationale that you won't do it because the people that are living there now don't have the vote That kid wasn't born when this thing was voted, so he doesn't have the vote. What would you advise?
Are we talking about child rearing or are we talking
about... We're talking about voting no on this two times.
I think that there should be an opportunity periodically for taxes to be renewed. I don't think that you should have a permanent tax that binds people forever. I think that it's appropriate to have voting on taxes and it needs to happen on occasion. Okay,
thank you for sharing that.
Yeah go ahead Mayor Pro Tem.
And along those lines, just thinking back to the committee meeting as well. Sorry if it's posed as a question but are there requirements when people purchase a home in this district that be disclosed to them in some way or that they know that this is a maintenance assessment district? For any of our special districts I guess that's a general question but just so it's clear for the public who may not live in one of these districts as I don't
Good evening Council. Anthony Miller, Special Districts Manager with the Special Districts Division Public Works Department. Specifically with this assessment district there is no public noticing requirement for when homes are purchased within the neighborhood as is the case also with the landscape maintenance districts CFD's however do have a noticing requirement that being said when you purchase a property within one of these neighborhoods More often than not, there is a disclosure of the tax bill. And on the tax bill, the assessment is clearly identified as a line item on your tax bill.
OK, thank you. And so part of that then is in the assessment that occurs each year from the assessor's office? It's itemized on there as part of the maintenance assessments district. Is that correct?
That is correct.
I appreciate that and having CFD 5 and two small LMDs in my district. I appreciate the edification for me on that one, thank you.
2:46 – 2:5523 turns
Any other questions or comment? If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve this item.
So moved.
Thank you. Is there a second?
I will second.
You want to take a water break or anything Council
Member?
Okay. Where's Guthrie? Yeah, we're going to call him back. Okay. So there is a second. Okay. Did you have something Councilwoman Basuah?
All
right okay.
Roll-call vote Passed 5–1
Show transcript
And this motion carries six to one, thank you
Thank you We will now
move to item M2 This is the time and place set for a public hearing on Item M2 from the Finance Department Subject Fiscal Year 26-27 Proposed Budget Public Hearing Recommendation that the City Council and Housing Authority Board conduct a public hearing on the fiscal year 2026-27 proposed budget for the city of Oxnard and Oxnard Housing Authority, and provide staff direction regarding any adjustments to the proposed budget in preparation for budget adoption on June 16th, 2026.
And Chief Financial Officer Javier Chigovi-Lacero is here to answer any questions We will start with the City Clerk's certification of publication and written communications, if any. Madam City Clerk?
Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members there was a legal notice published in Vida newspaper on May 21st and the city clerk's office has received just one written communication from SEIU which was distributed to all the council members and will be made available on the website. Thank you.
Thank you madam clerk. Do any council members have any ex parte communications or other disclosures regarding this matter to state for the record?
No.
Thank you.
I did meet with management when they went through the preliminary of the budget with I went through with management when I was with Mayor Pro Tem and Council Member Starr. That's the only thing I've
got. That was a brief on the budget,
but experts... I don't know if I need to disclose that with this expert team. Okay.
Thank you. Members of the public were invited to sign up to speak on this item on the city's website And a person who did not sign up may do so now by submitting a speaker card or following the instructions posted on the agenda for this meeting and at the city's website, Oxnard.org City Meetings. Thomas Liu, Assistant Chief Financial Officer, and Eric Sanzigart, Assistant City Manager posted video presentations regarding this item and are available to answer any brief clarifying questions Council Members may have before we take public testimony on this item.
The Council will deliberate after the public hearing has been closed. Do any council members have any questions at this time? Mayor Pro Tem, go ahead.
Thank you and thank you to our CFO and Assistant City Manager I note that this is a public hearing and it's our first introduction for the proposed budget for the next fiscal year. I was hoping that perhaps staff could give an introduction, an overview for the benefit of the public on this so that we can See what we're working with and although they won't be able to see a reenactment of the presentation, hopefully we can get some context whether that be through verbal discussion or any visuals that may aid with that as far as notes. So that was my only question Mayor.
Okay. May I add to that? Just because the video that was presented said that between then and now there might be additional changes maybe if you could highlight if there's any updates to what was pre-recorded by Measure M?
Absolutely, you guys are awesome. You set us up perfectly so... If you don't mind Mayor McArthur? Go ahead. So good evening mayor, city council members, Eric Sonstagart Assistant City Manager Thank you for the opportunity to present For you and our entire community on the fiscal year 26-27 City of Oxnard Proposed budget before we get started on this item this evening We did want to provide a little context for our discussion this evening So the city continues on its path from a global pandemic to a position of self-reliance, fiscal sustainability in 2026. Thankfully with the voter approval measure E in 2020 new businesses like the Amazon Distribution Center and strong fiscal prudence by the City Council and City Management we've been able to implement restoration budgets to reinstate programs and services that had previously been eliminated While meeting the reserve policy targets ahead of schedule for the general fund and building a strong financial position for the city to address uncertain economic conditions.
So, the City Council in the last couple years has made some very responsible decisions resulting in the utilization of $20 million dollars to pay down long-term pension debt restoring the city's reserves to 16.6% of our operating expenses and putting aside a recession protection fund last year of 14.9 million dollars After receiving nearly $16 million in supplemental funding requests from city departments this year, staff is only recommending a small percentage of them to maintain a balanced budget. These expenses that are highlighted in slides 19 and 20 of the Measure M video, the presentation that we can bring up if needed include additional costs related to the Ventura County Animal Shelter, one-time election costs, police department vehicle purchases, increased legal services and disaster preparedness supplies.
For Measure O, we are recommending that we continue the approved weaning schedule in anticipation of the sun setting in Measure O and recommend nearly $19.5 million dollars in expenditures for fiscal year 2026-2027. A majority of the expenses proposed within Measure O are for capital improvement projects such as street and alley projects as well as a new fire ladder truck and program costs for a fire academy to help train up to 21 firefighter trainees.
We will ask City Council this evening for your input on the use of available general fund balance anticipated for the end of fiscal year 2025-2026. You may choose to direct staff to appropriate all, some or none of the nearly $12.7 million in anticipated fund balance. Potential expenditures based on staff recommendations are on page 21 of the slide presentation and staff is here to assist with that discussion and answer any questions you might have about the expenses listed there.
I would like to acknowledge the expertise, professionalism and dedication as well as the tireless amount of hours that CFO Xavier Chagoyan-Lazaro, Assistant CFO Thomas Liu and Budget Manager Tawny Williams, as well as the entire budget team put in throughout the budget season at the same time as finance was completing the audit process. The overlapping publication and meeting dates for committees and meetings in May and June result in some complex changes that have to take place in short order. And we do acknowledge the complexities of the budget document as a whole, and we hope that our-the two videos that we produced and the discussion tonight can kind of help with a greater understanding for our residents watching tonight. We recognize it is-the budget document as a whole is a lot to wrap your arms around.
So, I'd like to conclude by once again emphasizing the city is structurally balanced and using one-time money the right way. Ongoing revenues exceed ongoing expenditures so we are structurally balanced this year. The only reductions in fund balance come from planned one time uses of one time funds. We are admittedly conservative in our budget estimates for both revenues and expenses. We recognize all the unknowns at the local state and federal level The city has come a long way and we're on stable financial footing, but we know there are challenges ahead. So at this time I would like to turn it over to the finance team to highlight a few changes
2:55 – 3:0217 turns
Good evening, Mayor, Council Members. Javier Chaco de Lazaro, Chief Financial Officer. As indicated in the staff report that is published with this agenda we indicated that it's possible there will be some changes since the publication of the agenda package basically there are two major changes one is that City Council on May 19th basically adjusted their priorities Capital improvement projects. And the second one is that staff presented at the measure all citizens oversight committee, the proposed budget for measure all. For the general fund The proposed budget include $9.6 million in appropriations for six projects in the CAP that was presented at the City Council agenda on May 19th, that was before City Council made the changes and priorities.
Those projects included the ERP implementation, the citywide alleyway resurfacing and reconstruction, Oxnard PD headquarters parking lot rehabilitation The Oxnard Fire Station overhead doors replacement, Campus Park Phase 3 and sidewalk improvements. Those are the projects that are indicated in the document that was included in the agenda for general fund. And for measure of fund, the proposed budget include 8.2 million dollars in appropriations for two projects based on those CIP similar CIP priorities that were included in the City Council package of May 19th and those projects included the neighborhood street resurfacing and an Oxnard PD new generator for the storage annex Uh, to today is that basically it's kind of a taking a step back and based on the priorities off the city council.
Asking City Council basically for some of these projects, basically just removing them from the proposal and ask for the re-appropriation of a total of almost $4.3 million for the general fund and $100,000 for measure all. So at the May 19th city council, the CIP priorities that came on top were A street resurfacing, the citywide alleyway resurfacing and reconstruction and arterial street resurfacing. Those three projects with the current amount that is estimated in the CAP exceed the amount that the available budget staff has identified.
And that's where I think the conversation needs to happen with what Eric mentioned, those items that his staff was recommending in their overall presentation. So those are the major changes and we're definitely looking forward for City Council feedback.
Thank you. Any other questions before we open up the public hearing? Okay, I'll now open the public testimony portion of this public hearing. Speakers have three minutes to speak on this item. Madam Clerk do we have any speakers for this item?
Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members there are no requests to speak in person or virtually for this item thank you.
Thank you if there are no speakers then we will close the public hearing. The public hearing is closed Now, does any council member wish to comment?
Yes.
Go ahead Council Member Stone we'll start with you
I'll start off by saying that I grew up in a city where we approved budgets by department And what we have here today is we're not approving or we're not going to be approving a budget by Department We're only agreeing If the resolution is the same this year as it was last year We're only approving a grand total figure. I feel as if Some previous City Council, I don't know how far back decided to surrender basically the authority of the City Council to and delegate it all to the city manager and I'm opposed to that. I think that if any Decision needs be made about let's say reducing One department to increase another I Think that decision should come to us this decision today is Within the bounds of the city manager only So to me, I think we're going through An exercise that doesn't make any sense to me if we're only going to approve a grand total figure and basically give all the authority to the city manager as far as where all the spending is going to be, what purpose do we really have here today?
So if you're looking for at least my direction I would ask staff that when they come up with the resolution for adopting the budget that we are adopting a budget by department, that we're not just approving a grand total figure. Because to me it's just kind of a farce if all we're doing is approving a grand total. I'd like to go back to a process that many, many, many other cities do which is have the council approve the budget by department. If the city manager wants to have a change, have him introduce it to us any time he likes during the year, we'll look at it, consider and make that change if it's appropriate.
But I can't support the process that we have today, if it winds up with the same type of outcome that we had last year. And those are my comments, thank you.
Thank you. Any other comments? Questions? Go ahead Mayor Pro Tem.
Well, staff did ask for direction from slide 21. I'd like to dive into that but I don't know if Mr. Sonstegaard or Mr. Chagall-Lazaro have any additional information for Councilmember Starr? He said it didn't make sense to him can we make it make sense or is this just a
You stated something that I didn't understand it and just to be clear, I understand it perfectly. I just happen to disagree with
that.
If
I can have the floor back Mayor? Thank
you. I believe I quoted him but he said it didn't make sense if it's now clear that it's not that he didn't understand but he just doesn't agree with it I'm glad that clarity was made in phrasing there. But before I go to my point here, if there's anything that staff would like to add to that about this process or why this structure is used in budgeting for the city of Oxnard? I'm open to that before I move on to this.
I don't have anything to add.
OK. All right.
Eric, was it was there just a follow up of what council member Starr said? Was there a time in our city where The budget process was approved by council department?
3:03 – 3:1619 turns
Not in the 30 years that I've been here, but the city is a lot older than me. Again, I think it's more of probably a philosophical... I don't discount what he's saying, but also I'm not real sure that it's as unique as perhaps it was portrayed. But again, those are conversations that can take place but I don't know if Alex should be having anything to add so.
Mr. Mayor, I can add this. Thank you. Every year we have the budget books. If you look at it, the current budget book, you can see what the departments are doing. It's not that complicated
All right,
thank you. So staff was seeking some direction on the general fund supplemental requests and maybe we can before I go into this given the CIP discussion that we had at the previous meeting and what was prioritized as far as the continued alley resurfacing and street resurfacing does that play into this slide at all before I dive into this?
Yeah, Diego are you able to pull that slide up onto the screens here in the chambers?
Mayor, Councilwoman Basuah has her hand raised so at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Councilwoman Basuah go ahead while we're going through this slide
Thank you, Mayor. I had my hand up because I wanted to before we get to the slide I wanted and thank you for allowing me to speak on I apologize on mayor pro temp but I did have a question to staff so I have had this conversation with Councilmember Starr about the way he would like the budget to be presented to the council and I've done my best to try to explain to Councilmember Starr, which I understand that he understands. He just doesn't like the process that we use in order to approve the budget so and I'm sure there might be other individuals I'm in the city that might agree with his philosophy. So, I just want to be able to let the general public know that we do have a budget book.
Every city department is in that budget book. If you want to know what is being allocated by department, all you need to do is open up the book, go online, go to that department. It will give you so much information. It'll give you your full-time employees. It will tell you line item on where the money is going and it will give you a total at the end. We combine all those totals together and we get one number. And that is what staff is asking us to approve today. So I understand what Council Member Starr is saying, but it's already being done. So I just want to make sure that I try to personally explain it to those people watching that might not know that those numbers are already there.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Eric, I'll turn it back to you.
So if we're going to circle back to Mayor Pro Tem Turan's question about capital CIP projects so if you might remember a conversation that was We had this conversation at the Measure O committee meeting on Thursday. I think we've had it at previous council meetings as when it comes to the CIP program, we have, we've had these somewhat parallel tracks that have taken place though the last couple months part of that you have all participated in is both council members and committee members is the prioritization of that CIP program and determining hey what projects should should move up and down on that prioritization. Now, we come to you with kind of maybe like the jelly to the peanut butter where we actually identify the funding that is available.
And so that is... You'll see some CIP funding that is recommended at a general fund and you'll see some CIP funding that is recommended out of Measure O. That total amount there is the amount that we're recommending can be spent on that list of priorities Now if we want to, if we again want to go over the list of priorities and kind of based on your input from the last council meeting get kind of like an update on it. Well what is that? And I believe the number's about $17.8 million dollars. What does that 17.8 like get us? We certainly you know Michael has that list and can come up and speak to that.
I appreciate that. I just wanted to ensure for the public watching here, that discussion is a parallel discussion of this but for slide 21 which we were going to bring up, staff was seeking direction on some of these potential supplemental requests and I was hoping to have discussion around those and where we stand with those as far as this request is
made. Diego can we bring that slide up again? Great. So I'll give a little, this was in the presentation provided in the agenda packet it was in the measuring video but just to give you a little more context of this slide. The 12.7 million dollar figure at the top of the slide represents the available fund balance and the general fund that we anticipate having at the end of fiscal year 2025-2026 and so as I said in my opening comments City Council can do what they want with that $12.7 million and there's probably, it's like a sliding scale and your options could be I would really like to reinvest all of that 12.7 million into a variety of different expenses and projects or I'd like to save that $12 .7 million for something coming down the road or somewhere in between.
We believe that staff believes that the $9.6 million figure in the lower left capital improvement projects is necessary, and that is part of that $17.8 million figure that I told you about CIPs. The other items that are on this slide They're there for discussion. Those were requests made by our departments, we certainly believe they have some utility and some value but again that's just part of the conversation that we can have tonight if there's something there that you believe is important you know we can make that happen so thank you
and I think this slide is important because we certainly want to be mindful of the general economy as we go through the rest of this decade and being mindful and proactive about it. At the same time, I would say there's probably not one thing on this list that are things that wouldn't benefit our community in some way. I will just post to my colleagues right off the top in the green section for the ongoing expenses.
It's my belief as a council member and as a professional in this realm that we do need to continue to invest in our youth and youth programming and opportunities, and diversity of opportunities in the city of Oxnard. Communities like Oxnard have young people who do not get these types of opportunities often as other communities might get. And even just being exposed to things like cultural arts or youth development programs, those can go a long way and can make all the difference And with recreation, when we have the first 110,000 for maintained temporary labor hours. In a moment I would like to ask our recreation staff or our cultural community service staff if they can elaborate on that a little bit about what that typically entails.
But on the far right hand side in the top row there is psychologist services for the police department. Also a firm believer that our staff who work for the city of Oxnard are people who serve this community also deserve wellness and deserve to be in a place where they know they can be heard if there are things that are needs that they have, whether that be physical needs, accommodations or psychological needs.
And especially in the public safety realm where there are a number of other considerations when it comes to vicarious trauma or direct trauma that they encounter through their work I think that's an important conversation for us to have as well. So for that top row of things there, the recreation temporary hours, youth development programs, the Oxford Arts Academy and psychologist services for police department.
I would like to engage my colleagues in discussion on those items And the second question I have after recreation is the bottom right corner there, 30,000 for community development for code compliance over time. I see Mr. Pangilli is here if he can elaborate a little bit on what that entails and why we have that in here just so we know what it is we're talking about.
So I'll turn it over to our staff if they wanna respond to those two squares there, the recreation temporary hours and the community developments code compliance overtime.
Thank you Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Bengeli Community Development Director. As you may be aware from other presentations we've made co-compliance continues to join forces with our police department and our fire department on after hours vendor enforcement operations as I've said before I think at this moment in time we're still the only jurisdiction In Ventura County actively enforcing these food and health safety issues, and these fire code issues. And so we are anticipating a need of about $30,000 to continue these without eating out of our own budget.
And in addition to that, we do fireworks enforcement for quite a few days leading up to the fireworks 4th of July. And so these are just ongoing expenses that eat into our traditional budget. And these are these are new expenses to us.
OK, thank you for that elaboration, Mr. Pingeli. And then for Mr. Harrison, if you can speak to the temporary labor hours in recreation.
Good after well, good evening, Mr Mayor Mayor Pro Tem City Council. The recreation to maintain temporary labor hours, that is to move our temporary labor to $18 an hour as opposed to 17 so we could be more competitive in the market. The other one, it's the $100,000 is for our summer job academies and things like that we work with the Oxnard School District, the high school district on. So it's maintaining those employees and making sure that there's enough money to cover those expenses.
And that is a paid position for them during that time, correct?
Yes, Mr. Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem. It is to maintain that as well it's a good recruiting tool because a lot of those employees are carried over throughout the year and other programs that we do have.
Okay, thank you Mr. Harrison I appreciate that and appreciate Mr. Pangilli's elaboration. I just wanted to pose that because you see the $860,000 for supplemental alley maintenance which I also am a firm believer in ensuring that we do preventative maintenance where needed and reconstruction were needed as well for our streets likewise for the residents who actually live in this community When we underinvest in youth, what we see is not realized until later on when they become adults who may continue to struggle generationally sometimes with social issues such as homelessness, substance use disorders with involvement in the justice system and in communities like Oxnard.
I hope we can think three-dimensionally and preventative on that when we invest in young people, give them diversity of opportunities. That may be the opportunity that they need to Make those positive choices for themselves, then and moving forward. And even Mayor if I may beginning of every council meeting at the with the Pledge of Allegiance we hear from those young people and they share with us at times that opportunities they were given that had them go to where they are that led to them being before us at that meeting so I hope that people can hear me and think I'm supportive of both the recreation items.
3:16 – 3:2514 turns
Items that we would be in favor of, I think you know just to kind of harp on what Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem has mentioned. We did conduct a study with UCLA regarding youth in our community and so definitely That was actually my point. I think I heard
The directors say that $18 an hour is competitive, but isn't that minimum wage starting January 2027?
That's actually
really the
core of this item. So
is this bridging the gap for that department?
We have to now, we now have to move the wage up to meet that requirement. And so basically this item is if we want to maintain the same level of hours that we've been providing, we need this. The alternative if it's not approved is that we just reduce the number of hours.
Okay, just that's not competitive. That's minimum wage. I just wanted to clarify. Go ahead.
Right and I think just to prevent a reduction in hours, I think that's definitely the approach. Just to make sure that they're able to maintain the level of hours that they're working but I agree Councilmember Rodriguez in terms of what the livable wage is and medium You know, median minimum wage is in the community. And then just to kind of conclude the recreation youth development supportive of that cultural arts as well as the public works item that's listed under street supplemental alley maintenance as well.
Thank you. Can I just write a little? I don't want there to be, I wanna call it the Public Works Director because I've been talking about the capital improvement projects and I believe that there are alleys that are one of the three projects that we've identified as the top three priorities for CIP. And then we have this item that's supplemental alley maintenance so I wanna make sure that we're clear about what those two items are.
Thank you Mr. Yonnas.
Good evening Mayor, Council Members, Brian Yonnas Assistant Public Works Director So the 860 on the alley maintenance, currently in our budget we have $140,000 for it. It's basically weed abatement, any trees that encroach over the property line and the alleys, that's what we utilize. That doesn't get us anywhere throughout the fiscal year. We're very reactive to residents' weed abatement, refuse vehicles, safety vehicles going down these alleys that we have overhanging trees So we try to address those with the money we do currently have.
The $860,000 would then provide us a regular schedule at two times a year approximately 35 plus alleys that are in multiple neighborhoods would allow us to do those maintenance on those specific alleys. So right now we're very reactive on a lot of 311 requests or whatever it may be with the money and the budget we have, but we do our best. We also get assistance from City Corps for Measure O funds that they do provide some alley maintenance as well. So that's the difference between the capital and the 860 that the alley maintenance is showing on this slide 21. Thank
you Mr. Giannis. Any other questions or comments? Go ahead.
I appreciate the back and forth. I really appreciate Councilmember Basuah. Thank you very much for the comments that you made, thank you One concern that I have and I hear it continually, and I have nothing Against the people that make the comments when we talk about recreation recreation It's a good thing this helps kids But there's another component of that department the seniors and Now, just because I'm over 55 doesn't mean I'm advocating for that group.
But what I am advocating when we have a comment that the city funded the study from UCLA and the city has done different things and the results came out. The results have come out and I will share my personal experience in a meeting with the superintendent of the Oxnard Elementary School District. I want to make sure that the school districts do and get the best they can results. But when I look at the reports of the test scores in the county, not just Oxnard, in the County of Ventura, it's depressing.
It doesn't mean teachers aren't doing a job. It doesn't mean administrators aren't doing their job. It just means the results are not there. And when we have Issues with respect to Recreation we need to have some people Coming from the school systems that are in a level of education that allows them to get better paying jobs We're talking about minimum wage $18. It wasn't long ago $18 was a lot of money Going forward and we do have tremendous young people that come and lead the Pledge of Allegiance but I think if we took a cross-section of the schools that are listed as in the report that this entire council got, showing less than 50% of the state requirements that we're meeting in the county.
I wonder if we just took a random how that child would address? I have experience with people that are working in libraries in the elementary school district spending $1,500 every beginning year to add books into the library At grade levels. And when they see fifth and sixth graders coming in, pulling up second and third grade books, it's an indication to those librarians they're reading at that level.
That's sad. The issue that I'm pushing when we talk about helping kids, I wanna make sure we understand there's another part of government, it's called the educational part. It's up to them to get the results When we talk about at the very bottom, I think as Mayor Pro Tem pointed out, the far right-hand corner top psychological services. In my meeting with the superintendent she requested that we provide her mental health help for her children.
The only mental health that I know that the city of Oxnard helps is and I believe it's to the credit of our police chief He gives officers an opportunity once a year to talk to a psychiatrist. Possibly the fire department does the same thing, but when we have educators and if you're paying attention to what's going on with the election right now for the superintendent, we have educators providing that kind of results for our community. I want to make sure the people that support the government of Oxnard understand the government at Oxnard doesn't have a lot to do with education That has ruffled some people's feather.
I'm sorry, the actions that this council and frankly previous councils before this council took to get us back on the straight and narrow and get us in a better shape than we were, I think has been very beneficial to the residents of Oxnard not just the elected officials that are sitting up here It's been beneficial to everybody in the city of Oxnard. We have a long way to go, but if we don't get the economic wherewithal of every average individual and average can be a dirty word or a very clean word, if we don' get the economic wherewithal of those people so that they can do better in life, we are missing a boat.
But that doesn't all fall on the City of Oxnard. That falls on the educational system And in full disclosure, I have no children by choice. So if somebody wants to come after me on that, interesting. But I think if you take a look at the number of people and positions of authority in the local governments and where they send their children or if they send them to the local public schools, you will get a very big eye opening.
3:25 – 3:3011 turns
Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Go ahead Mayor Pro Tem. Oh,
I think Council Member Starhead is You
can go
first.
I just wanted to clarify, I wanted to bring those items forward for discussion by my colleagues. That's not the discount the one time expenses that are in yellow there or open up discussion to those if we You know, want to look at the capital improvement projects at $9.6 million and then the ladder truck which I believe FIRE has been looking for a couple fiscal years now as well as the upgrades to electronic citation printers for the police department and so I just want to make sure that we're giving those due discussion as well.
Mayor Pro Tem,
just a point of clarification and I know it's just terminology. So there is a ladder truck, a fire ladder truck that has been recommended as a Measure O purchase? Yes this is an engine. This is the fire engine. I don't know the difference either but that's okay.
The truck has the ladder, the engines are the ones without the ladder. There you go yeah. I think the ladder truck is like a big toolbox from what I recall and I see this Fire Chief nodding his head yes. See I paid attention on the tour Fire station, thank you.
Council Member Sutch, do you have a question or comment? Go ahead.
So we're having a wonderful conversation here and my question is at the end of the day when we give direction here does this show up in a resolution that we are voting on or is it just a conversation that we have on the record here today because from what I can see we're not approving anything except for a grand total figure. And we've just empowered staff to basically make all the decisions, so we can talk all we want about how we prefer this or how we prefer that but the reality is that we're not driving this bus here. We are simply just passengers and I don't think that we should be just pretty ornaments on a Christmas tree to be displayed, I think that we should actually have the authority that a city council has.
And the city council has the authority to set a budget by department. I tried to make a motion to do that last year you might recall and couldn't get a second for that so it may be the case that the rest of my colleagues here are perfectly happy saying you know what this isn't our decision or we don't really... We're just going to give it But I'm going to simply say that, I don't think that's appropriate. I think it's not appropriate and I think we should be the ones that have our heads on the line if you will for making the decisions one way or another but I think it needs to be us that makes the decision so I don' even know why we're having this conversation today because it just isn't meaningful
Okay, now I will jump in if you don't mind Mayor McArthur. Now I have lots to say about that so I don't know if there's a misunderstanding of how we appropriate funds within a city budget But I hope I was clear enough that we have available fund balance of $12.7 million. The city manager does not have the ability to just spend that money. It needs to be appropriated, and that's appropriated through the budget process, through the resolutions that he's talking about. If you say that you don't want any of those things on the page right there, they're not going to happen.
I don't understand why that's so difficult to understand Your misgivings about the manager-council form of government is for another day. I don't really know what else to say to that but this idea that this is a lesson in futility, we're here and this is a public hearing. We take your feedback. You're correct. We do not vote on anything tonight. That is not what happens. We take your feedback We implemented into the budget, and you come back on the 16th and you vote on it. If you look in there, and you ask us questions, then we explain to you that the things you talked about tonight, and you said you didn't want money spent on or you did want money spent on, staff just decided to ignore what you had to say?
That's a completely different problem. Categorically disagree with the idea that this is a waste of time. This is actually how we do budgeting in a city.
3:30 – 3:3513 turns
Are you worried that if we have this discussion about a fire engine or a ladder truck, that we actually will take that money and do something else with it? Because also remember in the course of routine business, we bring all these contracts to you throughout the year. And the budget is published and you can track it. So this idea that I'm going to pocket the money or I'm gonna take this money and buy the new electric Ferrari, which probably costs almost as much as a fire engine is absurd.
You're not the passengers. You're providing the roadmap for this entire community and our job is to implement and execute. And when things go sideways we have to come back here whether it's the economy, it's other governments something's not available if we can't implement and execute The budget that you approve, which is departmental. Then we come here but when there's routine business these contracts and all these agreements in these projects come through you for approval throughout the year.
Thank you.
Thanks Alex. Go ahead Mayor Pro Tem.
I think our assistant city manager and the city manager took a few of the points. I wanted to make so I'll just say number one that this council, the seven people who were elected to make these decisions part of that is the budget and If you want it broken down by department, as has already been mentioned, it's available in the budget book that could be reviewed. This is the proposal that could be reviewed prior to the approval of the budget and look at all the granular detail we need about how much is going into each department and within each department, the FTEs within the different programs, et cetera.
And that could be by fund as well Measure O I have to say that I don't appreciate words being put in any of our mouths either, to say well if you're okay giving up control then that's, well I don' think that's the case at all. And to be frank if anyone of my colleagues here feels that they're wasting their time or that their voice doesn't matter and representing as they've been elected to do so, I checked. None of us are handcuffed to this dais. We're free to leave at any time if this feels like a waste of time, that your vote doesn't matter or that this is not a good use of what we're supposed to be doing as a council. So just a reminder that this is a choice for us to be here.
We have choices ahead of us. We have to make decisions to represent this community And if it feels futile, there's a door right there. There's a door back here. You got a choice. So anyhow those are my comments Mayor. Thank
you. This is being painted as somehow an information problem. It's not an information problem. It is an authorization problem. It's who has the authority to make changes. Who has the authority to adopt a budget and make changes? So let me just ask a question, true or false? If the city manager wants to change the budget by spending $3 million less for police and $3 million more for parks does he have that authority to do that, true or false? Yes or
no?
It does not come to the council. We've seen documents presented to us. They made it very clear to us that we only approve a total funding number for any given fund, and that the decisions of ultimately where the money gets spent by department is in the city manager's authority. So yeah I do think this is just theater. I don't think this is something where we actually really have
Council Member, let's allow Mr. Nguyen to answer that question or... Javier is
going
to
speak and then I'll speak. Thank you.
Go ahead,
Javier. Just to be clear that when
City Council approved the budget. It's basically setting the limit threshold that we're asking the city council to pay within each of the individual funds and then we have financial policies that basically govern How those funds are being allocated between the departments and how those funds can be basically, if needed, adjusted or transfers between the funds. But what the City Council decision is making is how those monies are being spent in the community is that total threshold of individual fund.
3:35 – 3:4111 turns
And if I can ask you, when have you ever seen a city manager after the budget's passed go and move $3 million from police to parks? Where have you seen that? Perhaps maybe in Parks & Rec on TV. Where have you seen that happen? Where have you seen that happen? That a city manager would move $3 million from a police budget after it was approved by their City Council to the Parks Department or vice versa Where have you ever seen that
happen?
Anyone?
I would also add that we have monthly financial reports, so you would know that every single month. You also have a transparency portal where you can go in every single day if you are that interested in the details of the budget and the finance. And so if there was a city manager that decided to arbitrarily move $3 million from an approved budget It seems like that would probably be an issue that the City Council would take up as that city manager is an employee of the City Council.
Council Member Starr, did you have a comment before we just move on?
I do. Can somebody tell me what the harm is in having a budget by department, what are we so afraid of? What is staff so afraid of that we can't approve a budget by department and if you wanna have a change come to us for that change. Why can't a resolution be that specific?
Mayor. Do you want to say something before the mayor pro tem comments?
We're not afraid of that silly concept Yes, yes. It's inefficient. The whole budget book is there if you pay attention to it, you know what's going into each department. You know what you are approving. So we're not gonna have 12 or 13 or 14 of these meetings and even when we do, you've gotta keep track of everything so it's here. You have the current budget book. If you have that in front of you right now, you could see what's going on
If I may, to Council Member Starr's question if we are approving budget by departments. The budget is billed by departments and in the budget book you can find all the information by department where it becomes when it's time to manage that budget what Council Member Starr is proposing becomes operational inefficient to the point that we will have to come to City Council every time that there's some changes. And that's why we ask City Council to ask for the threshold, the limit how much we can pay as long as it is part of the budget and then we have all the information that is available by the different departments.
Usually governing bodies are... There's a degree of separation between operations and policymaking And that's what we have these degrees of separations. It will be impractical and it will sometimes we get comments from the public that things happen too slow in city government, right? Just adding that level of And to his concern about these modifications or changes between departments.
Those are very rare. At least the magnitude that he's suggesting are significantly, significantly rare. I would like also to highlight that all the budgets by departments that are built in this process are incorporated as our budget controls that govern that process so Moving money from one place to another doesn't happen just randomly, everything gets properly documented. Internally based on the financial policies that are part of the budget process and it's very clear City Council approved the threshold, the maximum amount that we can pay for certain funds. And if we need to spend more money within a fund, we have to come back to City Council to ask for that additional appropriation regardless which department needs that but what we're asking with this process also is a certain amount of flexibility when certain needs in one department are outpacing the needs from another one within the total threshold.
I think that's a lot of common sense and it helps to improve efficiency in the overall local government.
I appreciate having you here, I think we're deviating a little bit here Council Member Starr. I think we're here to discuss making adjustments to the proposed budget for adoption on June 16th and I think this will go into a philosophical discussion on the construction of the budget. Go ahead Mayor Pro Tem.
If I can bring it back to this, to slide 21. We don't have to bring it back up but I would like to pose to Council Member Starr do you have any or what are your thoughts or input regarding the discussion that the rest of us had about the ongoing, the recreation expenses, the police department psychological services?
3:41 – 3:4611 turns
Come back to me with a resolution that actually spells this out that this is what we're going And then we can talk. But I'm going to say this, when this budget ultimately comes to us for consideration, I'm going to look at that resolution and see are we just approving a total number or are we approving numbers by department? And that will tell you everything you need to know. So I will wait until that happens And if it's just totals by fund, I will point that out. I'll point that out to my colleagues. I'll point it out to the public just so that they understand what it is we're approving which is just grand totals by fund and that's really it.
Okay well thanks for the discussion three steps from now but for what we have in front of us right now these particular programs, what thoughts do you have on the discussion that we had? For recreation programs Police psychological services, community development over time.
Well let me put it back this way to you. Would you agree to a budget by department or are you okay with just simply saying hey we're just gonna have decision? Start off with that because if you're not willing to have a budget by department that we approve what's the point of having this conversation at all? Because it doesn't mean anything. Would you commit to voting for a budget by department
You've answered my question with a question. Yes, you're talking about wasting time here. Look at the face of all these staff here who have taken their time and their expertise to put together this budget proposal or CFO or assistant city manager. I'm trying to have a conversation with you so the public can hear this from all of us about these important programs that staff has asked for direction on Do you have any input you want to share with us about recreation programs, police psychological services, community development over time? This is important stuff. Regardless of the end vote or your agreement or disagreement with that I'm trying to give you an opportunity here to talk about these programs that affect the community members who you and the rest of us represent.
If you wanna decline to have that conversation and represent your constituents at District Three, that's your prerogative but I just wanna make it clear this... I'm trying to include you in this conversation Council Member
Are
you done? Council
Member Perla, go ahead. Any comments or questions?
Okay. Mayor can I just try to steer this in direction so I just wanted to be clear about what's happening we Part of bringing a resolution is we need to have this conversation first. And so, to say that I don't want to talk about it until we have a resolution, it's like well, we need you to talk about it so we know what to bring to you as our governing body. So getting back to the slide 21 that we had talked about, while there isn't any actions taken, direction from you as far as the items that are there. We provided a list of items that could be funded, and we'll do our best to extrapolate out of this discussion What we believe is your recommendation when we come back on the 16th. But the more explicit we get tonight, the easier it is for staff to implement those thoughts so just wanted to bring that to your attention.
Thank you Eric and Diego if we can get slide 21 back up on the screen and then Councilwoman Basuah did you have your hand raised?
I did go ahead, just in order to move the conversation along. I think it's important to realize none of us are going to change and I don't know how many of you agree with council member star and not but I think we should move on he. We understand what he is saying. I personally do not agree with him at all. I believe staff is doing a great job, the budget is there. We've got the numbers based by department it totals the one number he's talking about And I am not blind. I am making every single decision based on the information that is being given to us by staff.
So, I just wanted to kind of move the conversation along. I don't have a problem with and I'm sorry, I'm looking at a larger screen because I'm kind of blind. But we do have to pick something. So Mayor, I'll turn it back to you so you can lead us in that conversation and I just kind of want to move it along.
Yeah, thank you. Go ahead Council Member Perlon.
3:46 – 3:5410 turns
The salt of the earth, the rock of this council is showing itself. She happens to be in Dallas, Texas tonight. She's laying it on the line telling it exactly what's going on. I support staff. There's questions about who's driving this truck or bus or organization? Some of the people that are asking these questions were not here when the organization was going in all kinds of directions except straight.
That doesn't make it good or bad, but I have no problems with the management driving the organization and having taken the direction from the council. Mr. Starr, I disagree. We've talked sometimes adversarial, sometimes semi-friendly, but the more it goes this way you're unhappy with this as it is going forward. You started the conversation that you made a resolution, you made a recommendation We have a motion. It didn't get a second and I keep going down the road and I got to tell you, it's in my gut and it keeps coming up like bile. You've got a personal lawsuit against the city manager and one against the city attorney and you want changes in the city.
The voters will be, it'll be in their hand. And if you get support on the council things might change but I don't know. But for me, I intend to support what's proposed. I think that Council Member Basu has said it better than anybody else up here and that's all I have to say and I do agree moving on. Thank you Mayor.
Any other comments or questions?
I do have a question, or clarifying point. Earlier today when our CFO was talking about the capital improvement projects and when we talked about priorities last time since we were asked to prioritize things without considering dollars or the budget numbers, I think if I understood correctly did you say Based on our recommendations and our, you know, wishes and dreams that we can only potentially sponsor two of the CIP projects. Can you clarify that again please? And that's the $9.6 million that we're looking at?
So Michael will talk a little bit about that and look at the 9.6 million that's on this slide and the 8.2 that's in the Measure O slide together and then he'll talk a little bit about the plans based on that prioritization for that 17.8 approximately.
Yeah, if we could speak more on that because I think it was a little fast and
yeah. Good evening Mayor, Council Members, Michael Wolff, Director of Public Works and so the CIP discussion that occurred at council the 19th reprioritized projects and I'll just list them off in order and then I'll go down the dollar requests that are associated with the top four. So number one is Neighborhood Street Resurfacing, that's the number one priority project.
Number two is citywide alley resurfacing reconstruction. That's number two. Number three is arterial street resurfacing and number four is the advanced alley maintenance program. Now when I go down the dollars for each one of those requests, the first one which is the neighborhood street resurfacing is $1.8 million. The second one on the list is citywide alley resurfacing that's $4.3 million.
And the third one on the list is Arterial Street resurfacing, that's 7.2. So collectively that total is 19.6 which exceeds the amount being suggested tonight that the general fund and Measure O could combine for a total of 17.8 so we could not actually get all the way through the third project based on the prioritization and estimated cost for those projects.
Okay thank you for sharing that and I'm not trying to like nickel-and-dime us. Well first and foremost, I want to like acknowledge that we're not talking about cutting and we're not at a deficit and this is a good problem that we have in front of us so props for everybody who got us there but I remember Councilwoman Basuah at the last meeting when we were doing CIP priorities kind of threw out there the possibility Prioritizing those projects and not fully doing them at 100%, is that something that we could potentially work out for the next meeting?
Or is it half-baked and absolutely not, we need to complete what we start.
So the amount of money or funding that we are suggesting for those capital projects has to do with the next phase of the five phase plan that we've already discussed. So we would technically maybe going back just a step Typically cities would look at payment management as a fiscal year process. Recognizing that we had funding issues and lawsuits that precluded certain things from happening, we suggested that we do it in a phased approach rather than a fiscal year approach. So we have a five phase program not a fiscal year program.
We did that because we weren't sure about the funding that was gonna be recommended and approved by city council for those projects. So we would technically be in our third year of a fiscal year process, but we're not in our third phase of the project. So anything less than what we're recommending is less than what the payment management program suggests which is would reduce our pavement condition index. So to not fully fund those projects, it means to not go to the next phase and not suggest that we want to keep our PCI at the current level that it is now there are so there is a little bit of a dimmer switch. It's not an on off like so look at this from a perspective of economies of scale. So we wouldn't really not recommend putting out an arterial project that is $4 or $5 million because you don't get the economies of scale from that type of work.
And so while it could have a little bit of dimmer switch, it is sort of counterproductive from the way we do projects and the way we bundle projects together, the type of work and what we would get from a bidding standpoint. So there are Projects like the arterial street resurfacing project where for example Gonzales Road We award a Gonzales Road project. I think it was close to nine million dollars and we had $900,000 Contingency, we didn't use that $900,000 contingency. We barely I want to say maybe $100,000 of that $900 thousand contingency So but so there are some funds left over from other areas That can be used but not to the tune of the dollar amounts that we are suggesting here Does that answer your question?
Yeah, that helps. So that tells me how we came to the two main CIP projects. Can you remind me just because I don't have those notes in front of me what the total would be with just the first two CIPs? Because I'm wondering if we could...
So the first one is 8.1. That's this neighborhood. The second one is 4.3 so it's 11.4 or 12.4 sorry
3:54 – 3:5916 turns
So would that release other funding so that we could consider other things? Because I'm only asking because I am concerned about our seniors and just with changes coming from the county and reduction in like some of their basic needs programs, and food share, and things like that. So I'm just wondering if there's any possibility for that knowing that we can't fulfill all the CAP projects that we want to.
So I'll just speak from a capital project perspective, so to not put any funding towards the arterial project is a vote not to do the arterial project. And so that would be a vote to have our PCI reduced from what it is today.
Okay, no, that's fine.
Because it's really about competing with the same... Yeah. Right? All these are important programs and projects It's whichever one kind of rises to the top. So, so to not do one means or to do one means not to do another
one? No I am interested in the arterial project. I'm not saying again everything is important and I've shared that in other meetings as well. So just coming back to this slide 21. I guess my big question, because looking at slide 16 when we are looking at expenses by department the way I see this whole process because I work at a community college. We adopt and we have a budget adoption and then each community college does what they need to right so we don't get into the weeds as policymakers into every single specific expense but there are certain things that we do approve as Community College right? So I think That helps me with the parallel thinking.
I know this is filling the gap, which was my point earlier. I am not opposed to any of these recommendations. I do believe that folks work really hard to evaluate wants versus needs. So I think my question is on page 21 when we're talking about these supplemental requests, I know that the minimum wage is changing. I know that we've grown and that we all want to prioritize Like recreational programs and cultural activities. Those are all great programs But what's the difference between the ongoing expense right here on page 21? Versus you know the budget that is broken down by department on page 16 Sorry, I know what I have us going back and forth here
so Councilmember Rodriguez you're asking What's the difference between the CCS amount here and
Well I see, I can read the chart that says this is the expense by department right? And then we have the supplemental directives from the general fund since we happen to have this cushion quote-unquote maybe that's not a good word. I'm not sure what to call it. The ability to allocate additional funds to supplement these dollars So I see the recreation, cultural arts for example those three. $110,000 for recreation, $100,000 for youth development programs and then $30,000 for cultural arts.
This is ongoing expense. I'm reading it as such from our general supplemental request and then we have the budgets that have already been allocated so I guess how is that different? I understand there's a need
Sure. So generally what you're going to on the slide 16, these are basically going to be your operating expenses for each department things that have been approved, uh, you know, in prior years could involve personnel and labor costs could involve agreements that have already been signed and approved by council. So there aren't what we consider ongoing or operating expenses. And then each year During the budget process, we asked departments is there something that you need that's not included in these ongoing operating expenditures? And this is what these are some of the things you get on this slide. And so, you know, we might have funded a couple of these things like at one time in the past or in the last year but the money is not included moving forward.
We're asking should it be included? So when it comes to the youth development programs The Oxnard Arts Academy and the maintained temporary labor hours, that's the decision. I mean do we want to commit funds to that or do we not? That's basically what it comes down to.
Yes so from the budget that they currently had proposed this is them identifying their needs and saying we need this additional dollar amount not to grow but to sustain correct?
No its additive yeah.
So things that are nice to have?
I mean, I guess that's an eye for
the
holder.
Yeah. That's a qualitative question. It's just an adjustment. Might be nice for someone but necessary for someone else.
Of course and I just think that every department has their needs and there are some departments who have been waiting their turn in different at least in the community college system everything is a priority and we don't always have the bandwidth to do what we want or need. Well thank you for indulging in that
3:59 – 4:0613 turns
Any other questions or comments? I'm personally supportive of making the adjustment for recreation, to be supportive of that. Certainly the fire engine and the police departments need to procure a citation printer. And I know that you had mentioned also being supportive of Mayor Pro Tem Wright in making an adjustment for the recreation items as presented.
Yes, correct.
Okay. Is there any other questions or comments? Yes, go ahead. I'm sorry, Councilwoman Basuch, do you have anything?
If I may, Councilmember Rodriguez, what is it specifically that you would like to see funded that we're not funding today?
Well, like I said the senior I'm concerned about senior citizens and some of the programs that we do have within recreation not to say. It's not a reflection of the Recreation Department. I think it's a reflection of the state where we're headed with budget cuts. I specifically had the Senior Citizens Commission come and talk to me about some basic needs programs that were going to be cut. I think there was enough advocacy that maybe that cut got delayed, but I don't see seniors...
Like, and I love youth. So recreation, youth development programs and the summer programs and the Arts Academy but like just if having a line item to supplement I guess some of the senior nutrition program yeah there it is. There is currently a $43,000 line item And I know that they were at risk of being cut from the County of Ventura support. And I believe there was federal cuts to that program, which was triggering down to our seniors here in Oxnard. Yes.
I'm sorry somebody's trying to answer a question. I don't know if you could see. Sorry Councilwoman Basu, I think somebody was going to do a clarifying additional information. Okay okay sorry hang tight.
Good evening Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and council members. Renee Raikstra Assistant Director for Cultural and Community Services. Council Member Rodriguez thank you for bringing up the seniors and being that voice. To update you on the situation with funding and senior services and VCAAA That is a pause. The transition back to the state is a pause, currently working through that and what it will look like.
Definitely more involvement happening in that process. For senior nutrition, the same budget that we received from the county, we are receiving the same exact amount this year minus the $40,000 that we just came to council recently but the base budget $420,000 for senior nutrition is coming our way. We also have approved Council has approved CDBD CDBG which will support the remaining cost of that program. So for this fiscal year, senior nutrition is safe.
Okay great and that's probably why it's not here on the list of priorities recommended by staff I appreciate that thank you. I didn't have I didn't follow up with that conversation but I do think it's important that we consider that thank you. Councilwoman Basuah does that help our communication?
Yes, yes, thank you so much for that clarification. I just wanted to make sure that because I do agree with Councilwoman Rodriguez that the senior nutrition program especially during the last month where I've been I've been in somewhat involved in a senior case and the senior had no food, and I understand that this is very detrimental to our community. So what I just wanted to do was if it wasn't going to be funded, I was going to see about getting it funded but.
If just for staff purpose as we go through the year and we see changes within the state, the county. If you can just keep us in the know regarding the senior nutrition program and also when they reallocate additional CDBG funds maybe we could take a closer look at that. Thank you. Yes, go ahead Mayor Pro
Tem. If I may to that point as Ms. Raikstra had mentioned the Board of Supervisors did take action to delay this or pause it for the this coming fiscal year but thank you for bringing up Councilwoman because this is a conversation it seems like we will be having next year as we hit a crossroads and the county Makes firm decisions on what their path is going to be and how that's going to affect Their service providers as service the city of Oxnard being one of them. So thank you for bringing that up
Mayor Just for the record we open the public testimony portion of the public hearing at 828 and there were no Speakers, we closed the public hearing shortly thereafter We have a virtual speaker who has her hand raised but the public hearing portion was closed. So I just want to, for the record, I just want to make
that... Yeah. Well, I hit the gavel. We officially closed the public hearing portion so we'll stick to that. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? And I don't know how specific of directions you need, Eric. Sure. But we can certainly provide more if you need but I think so far...
I might have to talk a little bit with the finance team. I have a general understanding based on some comments, but I want to be clear about what you see there on slide 21. At least from what I am hearing from council And correct me if I'm wrong, Javier or Thomas. I would probably suggest that we come back with a recommendation within the proposed budget and the ultimate resolution that the $9.6 million in capital improvement projects are recommended as well as the two recreation and one cultural arts items If there was something else that I, that there was some recommendation
on.
4:06 – 4:1112 turns
The fire engine is certainly worth a conversation.
But we're exceeding the 12th. Go ahead Councilwoman.
I'm sorry the way I was reading the slide is that if we have objections and we want to pull things out then we would speak about those concerns. I'm not, because like the community development with code compliance. I support that too because I know that you know we literally made a committee for Christmas tree lane because it really became a big issue but that's not the only place that has code compliance concerns so I was asking questions to better understand. That doesn't mean I oppose that specific recommendation, so I'm not saying that Public Works Community Development Police Department and community development shouldn't be at least for myself. I don't know if other folks have something else to add.
Thank
you yeah just to clarify then so it's crystal clear for me. I was soliciting conversation around these items and I'm full support for the top row there, including the psychologist services for the police department as well as the bottom right corner community development for code compliance over time for those enhanced efforts they've been doing around Out of the area vendors that they've been been dealing with to Mr. Yanez is Peace for the public works for the streets or excuse me, the alley weed abatement and tree trimming I have seen them do that. I've seen it in action and I appreciate that they're doing it in the past I had held as a council member in district 2 we did an alley cleanup day and Where we invited residents to sign up if they wanted to clean the weeds or growth just along their property line, bag it up and then we had our public works staff come around that same day and pick it up as a special pickup.
And we had great participation in the past when I've done that, and I'm wondering if there's some kind of synergy we can have with this where if we collaborate on those who has those of us who have alleys in our districts. That might be something we can do in addition to maybe like a one time a year for public works to go around do that if he was asking for two times a year at this budget amount?
But just open to thoughts.
I think Mayor Pro Tem, just the only reservation I have on that is I'm sure the volunteer opportunity might differ based off of folks' time and availability. And just to kind of insinuate what I mentioned earlier tonight, there's just an increasing amount of dumping that happens from the central all the way to the south end, and I'm sure in parts of the north end as well.
So I think overall it's just... That's kind of a... Yeah, big issue that I see a common pattern in.
And if I can elaborate on that a little bit if it helps folks on this when I held these alley cleanup events there was a single Saturday it was promoted ahead of time we made sure that 311 went ahead of that Saturday to do all of the pickups in those alleys so that there weren't bulky items at least furniture and things like that in the way but I also encouraged people if you're gonna clean up your property line, also check in with your senior neighbors or those who may have differing abilities to see if you can help them or do it for them. And that was a great community kind of cohesive piece to that and I know that myself and Marvin Booz helped an alley that was two alleys away from mine because there were residents who couldn't do that one and it was great time spent together, great time talking to those residents but I only bring it up because hearing what that is now, if that's something that can help with public works and also add to our residents' ability to talk with one another and get a special pickup on things that are in their alley for growth, for weed abatement.
It's an opportunity too but I also know that if we have the ability to fund that and have that happen, you know, that's the will of this council too. But anyways just throwing that out there for folks.
Thank you.
Mayor?
Yes, go ahead Council Member.
If it's appropriate this time I'd like to make a motion that we extend past 10 p.m.
Yeah, I second that motion. Madam Clerk any speakers on going past ten o'clock for Council Member Starman to motion?
Roll-call vote Passed 7–0 motion? Excuse me,
Show transcript
4:11 – 4:1912 turns
And this motion carries seven to zero, thank you.
Thank you, go ahead Council Member Schell. Thank you so in terms of priorities what I like to see is I like to see expenditures today that save us money tomorrow. I like expenditures where there's a quick payback so those monies are available. So I'm a real big fan of street improvements because I understand that when we wait, it's just more expensive and sometimes that means we have to make some sacrifices in order to have more in the long run.
I do have a question about... I assume that the payback is really good on This one time expense for the police department. I was wondering if somebody could give me an idea of how much of a labor-saving device it is to have these electronic citation printers freeing up resources for our police department?
So this is from the police chief on the electronic citation printers.
Good evening, Mayor and Council. Jason Benitez, Police Chief. In this particular item, the citation printers are estimated that they could reduce the time that is required to issue a typical citation from 10 minutes to about 4 minutes. So that's a very dramatic reduction which lends to other things. It lends to greater availability of police resources which lends to later better response times There are certain efficiencies that go with that as well. And so we see this as a very big means to improve the outputs that the police department has. Does that answer your question?
Thank you, and this is the type of thing that I think is very worthwhile. It's a one-time expense. It saves a lot of time for our officers so they can spend more time patrolling rather than writing up citations. Those are sorts of projects that I'm more enthused about. Some of these other proposals seem to have, it's questionable where you can say how much of a return it is on your investment. I know there's all these social studies that folks will trump it up and just simply say oh well this has a 5X return but Very often, those sorts of studies are written by people that are promoting spending in those areas because that's where they're employed.
But anything that's hard costs where we see this, where we can see an actual return on our investment, that's where I think we need to make our focus.
Thank you. Go ahead.
Appreciate the discussion around that. It sounds like there's a data entry administrative piece to that too, right? Where a handwritten citation I imagine has to be entered by somebody on the back end into a database system and then documented in some way is that correct? And we have the commander here.
Yes, Commander Dan McAlpine, Oxnard Police Patrol Support. You're exactly right Council Member or Mayor Pro Tem. is that right now when a citation's read by an officer, by hand. That paper copy then goes to another person who does manual data entry and that manual data entry is passed on to the courts with the e-citation program it's all one time entered by the officer and it's automatically transmitted between all three systems.
Thank you Commander. And I do have two... I would like to respond Just a quick counter here, I know we had this discussion when we had the budget preview. When you look at ROI on social programs, to say that To suggest that there are people who have financial interest in this, we have the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Stanford University.
Numerous universities that do these types of studies to find the benefits Preventative programming for youth and what that saves later on down the line in cost to the taxpayers, costs to our juvenile justice system or criminal justice system. Savings in healthcare, savings in any number of downstream things that we can look at. I would imagine that these these things that are viewed as feel good programs actually do have a A tangible return on investment and there are organizations that are doing these studies that actually their skin in the game is actually to prove that these things are effective.
And I mean, All told, for someone who referenced the marshmallow study in our last meeting that has been disproven as far as being a predictor of outcomes for children later on in their adulthood. I mean, I take that with a little bit of a grain of salt and the bottom line, and I said it earlier when it comes to programming in communities like Oxnard young people who live here now they They need every opportunity that they can get, whether it be through this.
Through their local government, through the nonprofits who provide you services, through for profit organizations of whatever it is and through our school systems as well as Councilor Aparillo mentioned. All of us have a role in this. We can't just abdicate it to someone else's job, not mine. All of our youth, they are all of our youth and someone who grew up in Oxnard and knows what young people in Oxnard faced then and those who work with them now, and see what they face. I think they would be sharing a little bit of a different attitude and perspective on that if they knew clearly what it is that's faced and what can benefit young people in this city. And the last thing Mayor, I know you and I have discussed this as well If you have the chance to speak to somebody from this city who grew up here and had a very challenging childhood and young adulthood, and maybe they made some very, had some challenging behaviors and received some consequences from that through our justice system or what-have-you.
When they come out on the other side invariably they will tell you I wish that when I was younger I'd made better choices. I wish I had been able to do this. I should've listened to so-and-so. The more that we can give them opportunities to have those supports, to have those programs, to have those adults in their life. To help be that net for them the more likelihood we have of them having more positive outcomes sooner rather than later And so I just want to throw that out there.
This is where we are in the city of Oxnard, and this is generational. We have to see how we can break that cycle for as many as we can as soon as we can. So thank you Mayor.
Go ahead
Council Member.
Mayor Pro Tem, I agree with majority of what you said but I want to make sure you understand what I'm talking about. Children if they're lucky they will become adults And when they become adults and they can't compete in the real world for jobs because of lack of skills, that falls on society.
4:19 – 4:2518 turns
You know I also want to be physically responsible and conservative in our adjustments but I'm very supportive As I mentioned, the recreational items. The capital improvement projects and the police departments for the procurement of the electronic citation printers. And that will almost take us right about to exhaust the $12.7 million that we have. That's my proposal, Eric.
So Mayor McArthur, if I could just maybe try to capture what I've heard this evening and I do want to make a commitment to each of you on the dais that when we come back on the 16th because we spent so much time on this slide 21 We will make it abundantly clear both in a presentation and in the staff report like what was implemented from slide 21 so you know that. And if there's something on the 16th that you're like, I don't agree with that Or I don't, we can take it out before you vote on the budget or something like that. But I think what we've heard is that we will probably include the capital improvement projects and the electronic citation printers and then the items on the top, the four blue ones And then the 30K for community development.
I think that's based on what I heard, what we'll probably put into the proposed budget for the 16th and then we can have continuing conversations between now and then or on the 16th as to whether there's something you wanna do differently than that?
Yeah, that sounds good to me. Okay, Council Member Perlago. Just one point.
Assistant City Manager, with respect to the Public Works 860 when Mr. Yannis was up here and they were talking about the garbage trucks going down alleys and trimming the trees if memory serves me right there's a lot of electronics on the tops of the garbage trucks how much damage when this comes back can you tell us came to those trucks because I know that when I am told it because I'm retired I have a lot of time on my hands When I go down alleys in districts not in one, but I go down alleys and districts in one too.
The biggest thing I see is the alleys that do need work we're working on them, but the alleys that have yet to be worked on there's a tremendous amount of illegal parking There's a tremendous amount of overgrown brush. I don't know if those specific alleys, garbage trucks go down them but I do know from having worked on a garbage truck that the tops of the garbage trucks and it happens on Red Wing Lane street that I live on they used to prune the trees until the city of Oxnard established the trimming.
If there's electronic devices on the tops of those garbage trucks that are at risk going in those alleys with trees Just a little more information on that. Thank you.
We can get that for you, thank you.
Thank you. Are we prepared to make a motion in a second?
I don't think there is any motion.
I'm sorry my script was wrong here. All right and it also says to excuse our housing commissioners which we don't have any here tonight.
So Mayor McCutcheon, I might have already said it but just wanted two things. First of all the staff appreciates all of the feedback from the council from every single one of you. It helps as the city manager said it helps you guys kind of lay the path for a staff to go down so we do appreciate even some of these conversations can become difficult but we do appreciate because then we get to hear what your priorities are And we will come back on the 16th for the adoption of the budget with the comments and the feedback from this evening, and we can continue the conversation.
Appreciate it, Eric. Thank you very much. We will now
move to the next item on the agenda. Did you have something? I do
have a question. So we're typically giving 12 days notice before meeting and that's 12 days before the 15th, that's only a few days from now. Are you actually going to be Have something ready in time for the posting of the agenda?
Yes, that is the plan. And my opening comments I talked about the complexities over the last month having to do with CIP and committees and then Measure O and all that so this week is a week that we have had kind of starred on our, excuse the pun, I meant like starred with a star on the calendar Thanks and props to the finance team
and all those who worked on it because after our CIP meeting, I don't know how many
people are aware of this. Remember that there
was a There was a holiday that week, and so they actually had a really quick turnaround time from our CIP decisions on the 19th to publishing the following day if I'm remembering correctly on that. Or there was one day less you had left before you had to publish?
Yeah, and the Monday meeting pushed the publication date back one day as well, so we were publishing on a Wednesday, but we'll get
it together. Yes, so they really got down and got it out there, and so thank you to all the team who did that.
4:25 – 4:3123 turns
The next item on the agenda is Item N1 from the Housing Department. Entails the Oxnard Navigation Center Operating Agreement with Mercy House for fiscal year 2026-27, the recommendation that the City Council want to approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a one year agreement with four one year options to extend with Mercy House Living Centers for the provision of a shelter and navigation center operations in fiscal year 26-27, in an amount not to exceed $3,235,242.56, and two, authorize the city manager to execute any amendments to agreement number 327007.
The Community Services Public Safety and Housing and Development Committee approved this item 3-0 back on May 12th, 2026 Our housing director, Ms. Brenda Lopez is here to answer any questions any council members may have. Council member, sir do you have a question? Sir go ahead.
Yeah sure. So there was a competitive offer there from the National Health Foundation. How did we decide that National Health Foundation was not the better option for this
Good evening, Brenda Lopez, housing director. Thank you for the question and yes we went out to RFP, we received two proposals one from Mercy House and then the second one from the National Health Foundation. We have several so number one we established a committee and it does include an outside individual with the county who has experience with shelters and we reviewed both proposals against RFP. We do have a scoring matrix Not just on cost, but in the RFP we gave the different whether it's background, thoroughness of the proposal, budget, meeting the performance expectations and references. So we look at a variety of ratings and then we pick the highest scoring proposal.
Was that scoring matrix in the staff report or? No. Okay All right I do have a request that next year when this comes up again that we Our next time this comes out for some sort of competitive situation that we include something like that in the staff's report.
Sorry, Council Member Stroud to clarify you're asking for the individual scorecard or for the criteria?
I'm asking really for both.
Okay, Katrina is in the RFP which is public and then I'll just get guidance
but With the scores would be great so there was a number of target goals that are listed on I think it's on page 350 of the PDF Length of stay at the shelter Exits deposit destinations Occupancy rates and there's two others yes And I'm wondering, as I understand it we come up with a report every month or something like that?
Yes. That's correct. With every report we require when we receive the invoices from the operator in this case Mercy House, we require all of the backup for every expense and then we also require database reports but they cannot just generate themselves where we can verify that they're meeting their performance matrix.
I just want to clarify something on the criteria versus the scoring courts. I understand the need for that criteria, but are we allowed to show grading scores because wouldn't that be since it's a competitive bid?
So
we
will review that further but my understanding is that the purchasing division does not generally release those types of Scoring information. Yes,
because the bid can be pitted against one another right? So I just wanted to clarify so that we're on the same page because the criteria Should be known but I'm not sure if scores can be released
I would just gonna
say when they
Do open the bids and I mean the actual bids themselves are public. But it sounds like the scoring, the actual scoring of the evaluators of the RFPs is what is being asked for. Is that correct Council Member?
That's to me. That's part of it. I certainly would want to see what the dollar value was of the competitive bid. Maybe that's in the report and I just missed that but If we're making a choice and we're spending more, it's good to know why. And if it turns out that this is less, that's also good to know too.
That is correct the amount is not in the report but national was higher than Mercy House.
Okay and I'll just say that I have seen some public works staff reports that do list out here's what all of the bids were on a table and I think that's part of what the council member is asking for but just to clarify So we're clear, you are also asking for the scoring cards of those who evaluated those bids. Or are you willing to let that go?
I just want to have a better understanding of how a decision is made and to the extent that you can provide me with information, I'm appreciative of that. But right now it's just, I re-report this as, we recommend Mercy House. And I'm like okay, that might be the right answer but I can't discern that from just reading the report as to why. Thank you.
Before we get into a further discussion, Madam Clerk, I just want to make sure we don't have any public speakers on this item.
Mayor, we have one virtual speaker but I believe that was the one that still has his hand raised from the public hearing.
4:31 – 4:368 turns
Do you want to just bring them on, just to
clarify? I'm sorry Mayor. It's a different speaker. Okay. Sorry my apologies. Virtual speaker if you can press star six to unmute and you have three minutes starting now.
Oh hi can you hear me?
Yes please proceed.
Hi good evening this is Doug Portello. Good evening staff and the public. I just wonder about this RFP process, and apparently there were two bids that were put in the RFP process. And I'm just curious to know if a wide enough net was cast to possibly include some other legitimate organizations that could represent this need for our city and the homeless? So Mercy House is very expensive, and apparently the National Health Institute is also.
So this is something that there may only be certain qualified organizations that could fit our needs here but I think it's a fair question to ask how was that bidding process put out to organizations and who was included? And who was contacted to put in a bid for this. And just remember that Mercy House, they will get this money from the city and that money doesn't stay in the city.
It goes back to where their base So I don't know if the rescue mission or any other local organization was just not willing to put in a bid for this. I think it's great when we can have local organizations like Rescue Mission and others that have been doing great work with homeless in our area, that we can have kind of a homegrown I think also one of the problems and paying so much money to a vendor to basically provide security is what they're doing.
You know, are we getting our best bang for our buck? Because this navigation center has cost many millions of dollars in taxpayer money. I know that we have an agreement with the county and other funds have come in to help support the renovation of this building but we're leaving a lot of homeless people out in the cold is what's happening So there is two figures that were given about our homeless population. Oxnard, we're the largest city in Ventura County. We have the largest homeless population. One report from a city staff said that homelessness has gone down 15%.
And then another time they came out and said no it's gone down 20%. Well any of those who are out on the street and doing homeless advocacy or just drive around all over Oxnard, we can kind of clearly see There's a lot of homeless people and it makes sense because look at the cost of living. Look at all the factors that put people out on the street, and those are things that are going on now.
And we're seeing more families out there, and I just want to make sure that we're getting the best option to get the best bang for our buck. Mr. Bartello, thank you for
your call. Thank you for
your comments. Mr. Mayor, can I make some clarifying comments because this commentary is just not accurate? So first and foremost to... Oh, I see Mr. Haynes has his hand up too. He's the executive director of Mercy House but so let me make a quick comment and then maybe you can let him address us. So to characterize what Mercy House does as security is It's downright inaccurate, but maybe Mr. Haynes can discuss their model and understand or at least remember that we're in this as a partner with the county so this isn't a burden entirely borne by us. So we have a very good partnership here with the county as well as cooperation with our partners in the city of Ventura given that the population sometimes comes back and forth between our cities.
I'm not really clear on what these questions are, I know Council Member at the last council meeting you said you weren't a fan of the Mercy House Agreement so maybe you can spell that out for us so that we can address your concerns but I don't think you've stated what you're not a fan of so maybe if you do that we perhaps can address it?
Go ahead, sir. Did you want to speak?
4:36 – 4:5219 turns
Yes, thank you. My name is Larry Haynes and I am the CEO of Mercy House and I also just want to indicate that Timothy Wynn my Chief Program Officer is also in Council Chambers in person to address any questions. I just wanted to simply let the council know that myself and my chief program officer are in attendance if you would like us to address any of these points and questions we can take them one at a time we could take them at the end but want to be respectful of the flow of the meeting and the council members' time.
As the city manager did say, I take some exception to some of the comments that were just made regarding our costs and our expenses but I just did want to ask the Council's pleasure in terms of if you would like us to speak what process would you like us to engage in? What would you find most effective?
You know Mr. Haynes maybe you can just speak on the model that you employ at the Navigation Center
Sure, sure. And if we could, if I could just to sort of support my answer, if I can have my chief program officer also walk up and to the dais as well, to the microphone as well in case there are any specific questions or things that I might have missed. In terms of our model, so first off our model is It's a national best practice. I have been the CEO of Mercy House for 36 years, I have been engaged in homeless services both housing and shelter for nearly 40 years.
The program that we have, the basis of what we do is nationally recognized as the best approach and most effective approach to addressing homelessness. Specifically to the Navigation Center it functions on some key points. Number one, we are housing centric The whole point is to make sure that what we are addressing is to not simply putting a band-aid on a problem, but making sure that we're actually solving someone's homelessness and moving them on into permanent housing. I am proud to say that since we have been a partner with the City of Oxnard, we have sheltered and housed hundreds of people off the streets of the city of Oxnard. The majority of these folks would be considered The first component of our model is to in fact be a low barrier A low threshold shelter and the reason that you want to do that is the reason that you don't want to set the bar so high, is because what happens is it ends up then not helping the people that need the help the most.
It is easy to sort of have. Exaggerated performances, if in fact you're creaming the very people that you're letting in. We are actually dedicated to serving the people that are the hardest to serve that are the most in need. It also is worth noting that we work hand and glove with the city. You guys are the ones that provide the outreach for us, that bring the folks to us verifying that they are from Oxnard. That they are the appropriate people to come in. That's not a Mercy House thing where we're the ones doing that. That is actually in tandem and working with the city.
Very quickly and I've been talking probably a bit too long regarding the costs. Well first off it was mentioned that actually the other bid was more expensive than ours but you know number one. Number two As we have done anywhere and everywhere, we are a transparent absolutely open book. It's not lost on me that we just spent a considerable amount of time going through line items in terms of the public budget. We would do the same for ours. We are an open book for anybody who has any question on where we're spending money. We are open to any suggestions that might be out there and how we can do things more effectively. We take this idea of a public trust very seriously The idea that this somehow leaves Oxnard though and comes to Mercy House, I have no idea what that could possibly mean.
The people that are served from Oxnard, the overwhelming majority of the people employed are from Oxnard, the local community that benefits and actually gains the economic benefit of what we do is the City of Oxnards so I just don't understand what that comment could possibly mean in any rational terms. Third component that is important to our, to how we operate is also one of and I know this sounds flowery and please forgive me for waxing poetic but We come to this space, to this work with...
I apologize. Well it is deeply moral and deeply religious convictions. We do this because we are serving humanity. We're doing this because we believe in the inherent dignity of literally everyone that is in need For some of us it's because we believe we're created in the image of God, and for some of us it just is that there is a universal sense of human dignity. And so it is important to us that the way with which we treat our clients, that our staff is trained forward to engage people where they are not where we wish that they were. To engage them, to move them forward instead of in a judgmental factor is highly important.
We're community oriented, we are absolutely committed to being a good neighbor. We understand that everything is interconnected in a well-functioning city. The business community with the residential community with local governance, PD, fire, social services... Everything is related to each other and we see that. We don't want to advocate so hard For the people that we're serving, that were actually damaging the other sectors of the city. So we believe for example, that we need to be a positive force, a resource for local PD. We need to be solution for downtown businesses that are impacted. We need to be a resource for neighborhoods there that are impacted.
It's not just rhetoric. I mean, literally tonight as an example of that my staff was meeting with the Wilson neighborhood meeting presenting on what we do making sure that they knew how we are operating making sure that they had a point of contact number if there was ever anything that went wrong making sure that they knew that whatever the other neighborhood concerns were beyond just Mercy House operations we want to be their ally and their partner as well literally tonight my staff was there presenting in meeting with folks there so At any rate, Mayor, that is probably a too long overview of what we do. But myself and my chief program officer are here to answer any questions that council members might have.
I appreciate Mr. Haynes, thank you for that detailed and comprehensive discussion on the model utilized at the Navigation Center, thank you. And the economic impact in those employed at the Navigation Center, thank you. Any other questions or comments? Council Member Perrella go ahead.
Yes, thank you. I don't have any questions of staff. I appreciate Mercy Housing but I do have questions of Ms. Lopez please. Ms. Lopez when the The question was asked by a council member, how many people were contacted to bid? Do we contact individuals to bid on these projects or do we put them out for public?
I know we put it on public through our city purchasing department. And then on our end, we do communicate to all of our partners that we're going to be posting a request for proposals and we point them to our city's website so we let the county know. So we let everybody know as well by word-of-mouth but we go through our procurement process.
And that is a policy the city has? They put out to public bid? Correct. Thank you. Can we identify the individuals that sit on these review boards By position, not necessarily name. And is that in the report?
It's not in the... No, the committee members were not on the report and the staff member works for the County of Interact Continuum of Care.
I remember years ago when I got into a little bit of a discussion with Public Works, I'd recommended that they at least put in who were the parties that voted on and gave their recommendations, not the names so it would put certain questions to bed. The suggestion. The second is, I take a bit of an offense when people talk about the biggest bang for the buck. Not you Ms., but we've had council and a member of the public.
There's two ways to play that and people when they talk about the biggest bang for the buck they forget the second half of the story. The story is if the money is generated locally, you spend it locally or you get the biggest bang for the buck So if we want to get the most bang for our buck and someone is making a complaint or an accusation that we're not allowing locals to get involved when it's already been identified that this bid is open to the public, that's a correction that I needed to make. And I can't let it pass. Thank you.
Can I just ask a brief question of the Chief Operating Officer of Mercy House? If you can just elaborate as to the number of workers at the Navigation Center and maybe just an overview of their roles and responsibilities.
Absolutely, thank you very much. At the Navigation Center there's about 35 employees there. The exact count off the top of my head, but it's about 35 employees. From management down to our floor staff we call them shelter specialists. Oh look! There it is in front of me. It looks like a total of 37 full-time effective staff. I was close. The highest volume of staff members we call our shelter specialists and safety specialists. Those are folks who are doing the literal work of running the shelter that's like stalking the shelter, keeping it clean, keeping it safe.
A big part of our mission operating a low barrier shelter is we want to return to those experiencing homelessness a sense of dignity, a sense of humanity and that happens by restoring a sense of safety and stability in a sense of cleanliness so keeping that shelter operating smoothly and cleanly is really high priority for us and then safety. So we have A position called a safety specialist, whose primary role is engagement with the guests in the shelter and oversight to just activities on the floor. We want to be able to engage with those folks where they are and intervene before something escalates into a conflict. And so it's really knowing folks, knowing where they are, where their troubles are, and being able to provide some form of a caring ear, creating space where space needs to be made.
And then we have shelter navigators, those are our folks who are doing case management work. We want to engage with every individual in that shelter to create a housing plan and to engage them in what's called the CES or Coordinated Entry System. Those are the sort of tools that we have to give access to our shelter guests so that they can engage What's available for getting their housing? We believe that to end someone's homelessness means to connect them to housing. And so the shelter navigators or the case management team, they're working with every individual to identify how to increase their income, how to meet their health needs and really ultimately get them into housing.
So that's like the bulk of our staff and then we've got sort of site leads who manage the floor. We have a program manager who provides Management to the project itself and then above her we have a regional director that provides oversight to the region.
I appreciate it, thank you. Any other questions or comments? Go ahead Mayor. What
is the ratio of employees to clients?
So we have 37 employees in the project they're not all there 24 hours a day it is a 24-hour operation So it depends on the time of day. We have less staff overnight, because it tends to be quieter when folks are sleeping. We have more staff during the day. I think at peak we have seven staff, eight if you count security guards, to 110 clients on the site.
Thank you. Mayor Pro Tem? Mr. Mayor, if I could just add a quick comment. Yes, go ahead. So it's interesting and I think overall good to hear these questions. reiterate how difficult this work is for the staff. And it's actually extremely difficult if you're committed to doing it well and doing it right. There are programs out there that don't have this level of excellence that Mercy House has, and they don't even do the security.
pretty much collect the rent. But if anybody who's a policymaker who really wants to either understand how difficult this is or to be reminded, you can certainly volunteer for a few shifts at our shelter if you really wanna see it up close. This is not easy work. Thank you.
I appreciate you saying that, Alex. You know, as a policeman and I readily work with the homeless population and it's extremely challenging to engage with them so I appreciate the work of you and your staff to do that for this community. Mayor Pro Tem, did you have a question? I understand we have one more speaker. We have a virtual speaker. I apologize. We'll move to that person. Thank you.
Virtual speaker if you can press star six to unmute and Virtual speaker, if you can perhaps star six to unmute and you have three minutes. Mayor and council members the virtual speakers not responding.
Mayor Pro Tem go
ahead. Before we move on to I'm going to go ahead and open it up for deliberations and possibly a motion. Respectfully, I do want to circle back to if there are questions or concerns that you still have council restart we have Mister Haynes here with the CEO here as well miss Lopez from our staff. I think this is this is So I just wanted to pose that, because I thought that was a fair offer.
4:52 – 4:5713 turns
I've never been a big fan of this program. I don't really accept the housing first model and I understand the city manager disagrees with me on that and that's fine. I see a lot of spending up and down the state to address homelessness And candidly, a lot of it is just wasted and ineffective. I feel like we're just simply funding the homeless industrial complex and it doesn't really serve very many people that were that we care about here.
And I think that there's a lot of people making a lot of money off of this through construction projects or just the ongoing service costs, and I just don't think it's all that effective and clearly it's been a failure in many other places. I won't say whether it's a failure here But right now I'm just, like I said not a fan of this. Not comfortable with this and I will be voting no.
Okay. Go ahead
Mayor Pro
Tem. I'm sorry if we can try the virtual speaker again. So virtual speaker if you can press star six to unmute and you have three minutes starting now.
So Mayor, just as a reminder. Some people view the meeting through the YouTube channel and there is a slight delay in if they are taking their cues off of what they're watching on the video, they may not see what's going on presently. The phone system however because I have tried it when you call in, when that unmute button is hit Not the city clerk, but the system itself prompts the speaker to unmute with the star six.
So it's a problem on the user end of this not on the way the meeting is being run.
I appreciate it thank you for that clarification.
Yeah in meetings where I have not made it and others have been covering for me yeah I have been watching the meetings and done secret shopper call-ins to see how that works. And that is how it works.
Appreciate that, thank you. I just want to make sure we don't exclude anyone wishing to participate in our meetings.
Mayor, I'm having some difficulties. I am unmuting the speaker but I can't seem to get him on the call so virtual speaker if you're listening if you can press unmute.
Okay. Okay, we'll try. Mayor Pro Tem, go ahead.
Thank you. So I'm willing to make a motion on this in just a moment but just regarding the effectiveness of this Mr. Haynes shared that there is best practices as evidence behind what they do they have measurements and metrics by what Document and measure what it is that they're doing, and the outcomes that their clients see. There are also things that are more difficult to measure that he mentioned as well but I'm having trouble reconciling how there would be a lack of support for a program as described in a model described by Mr. Haynes who's run it for over three decades versus what effectiveness do you see happening for a citywide camping ordinance, which you've mentioned a number of times.
I'm wondering how that effectively gets people off of the streets and has measured success from that versus a model where people are coming into shelter in congregate shelter to start with and then receiving services, Respect and dignity in what they're encountering versus making an area where they cannot be. And if they are willing to receive services, great. If not you can't be here or we'll force you into it as I think has been your implication in the past for such a model.
So do you have any information or data to share of that model versus what Mr. Haynes is talking about?
I don't think there's a need for me to repeat things that I've said in the past. I think we all know what my position is, I know what your position is so I would just suggest that we just bring this to a vote and move on. That's fair
enough. So I'll move the recommended action mayor oh before I do and just so we're clear um the staff report makes reference to an agreement with the county of Ventura as was mentioned by Miss Lopez however that's not what's in front of us this agreement is directly with Mercy House correct?
4:57 – 5:0610 turns
That is correct. The agreement with the county is ongoing, and we're just referencing where half of the cost is going to come from.
Correct. And that was the previous meeting when we had that agreement. So I just want to make it clear in case anyone's wondering why didn't he recuse himself from that one? Well this one is just with Mercy House. Correct! So I'm willing to move the recommended action.
I'll second but I'd like to make a comment.
Go ahead Council
Member. Mayor Pro Tem you asked a good question how could somebody think that? I can tell you when talking to residents in the city of Oxnard throughout the city of Oxnard When there are complaints about the homeless on the street, the amount of money, everything else. That's how a person can have the concerns that it's not a successful program. I'm seconding this because I think I don't have better options. I think this is the best thing because I will share with you when I was younger in the 70s, I had a very good friend that spent time in the Peace Corps. He's in Thailand and when he got a vacation they went to India New Delhi.
And we'd always heard as kids, you know that people are dying on the streets and I never forget him telling me, Bert they were dying on the streets and you stepped right over them just kept on walking. I support a program like this because we cannot do that in this country but some of the things that I see they've got to be improved The comment that we're throwing money and making people rich, I don't think so. But I do read the LA Times pretty religiously and we find tremendous amounts of people that have scammed a system And I look at it when we find those people that have scammed a system It's usually somebody that was supposed to catch them that didn't do their job.
I have not seen any problem like that in this city and I need to share that with you. I do support this action.
Yeah, if I can just make a call myself. I'm also Overwhelming supportive of this item myself. I hear what you're saying councilmember started us not to say there We haven't seen instances of abuse But I can tell you and I think mr. Haynes mentioned here from my background in policing seeing people Thank you very much. Whatever the situation, there's a gutter in that situation. We've got to do something to help people and I think we genuinely have...
I believe Mr Haynes, I believe the Chief Operating Officer who is here, that they genuinely sincerely and they're very authentic in their efforts to want to deal with sometimes the most difficult of people to deal with. And this is, I think so far, the best model we have and it's incumbent upon us to monitor their efforts and I tell you, I walk here regularly And you know I'm big on modernizing beautiful in our city and I see that they're taking care of the space outside the facility and inside the facility when I walk through there. And to your point, I think it's important to make sure that we have a great facility because of well maintained facility. It just showcases that we intimately care about that community. We want to see them succeed, so I'm very supportive of this effort because we can't have our community out there on the street, you know?
Personally, to your point, Council Member Perrello, I've seen a member on a 911 call of an alarm finding a dead person on top of a roof Right, or having people just die out there. And I think Doug Portello works intimately with that community and he can attest that we've got to continue to do what we can to help that population. But I do hear you. I'm not dismissing it. There is an act of abuse out there because I've read it and we do acknowledge that. Thank you so there's a first and second go ahead.
I just wanted to chime in as well because as y'all know, I work at a community college and within the last two weeks we've been having a lot of celebratory celebrations graduations and one of the students shared a speech and I wish I had it recorded but she said that the worst thing she thought could happen to her was for her to live out of her car until she lost here to make a plug or an advertisement to this specific organization, but it was an organization like this. I'm not sure if it was this specific one, but it's that holistic approach that has given her a second chance at life and I think those are the transformations that I really get excited about. And I remember just within the last 10 years, Plaza Park did not look like it does right now.
So I just thank everybody for their efforts and I will be casting my vote soon.
Right. We heard Ms. Montano, right? I think when we were there for the opening of the Navigation Center And what she stated there and how beneficial this has been for her and her dignity, and for her children. Mayor Pro Tem?
Yes, just my closing comment on this motion. I can say that dating back to 2018 when I became chair of Fremont South Neighborhood Council way before I was on the city council, I received a phone call from Carl Lawson and the staff back then And they said, you're the chair. We want to share with you that we're going to be opening the shelter again in your neighborhood after they had said that the previous year was the final year and the 17 years prior to that sometimes off and on having a shelter it was lackluster as far as the operations of it and they admitted that as staff But they said it's gonna be different. We're going to, we have an operator that we're looking to bring in but it'll also be a 24-hour seven day week operation not just the warming shelter in the evenings and I didn't have a lot of information about what that meant back then but I thought well 24 hours how is that?
How's that an improvement beyond just it's always open? I know in the mornings people would be sent out and they'd go out to the neighborhood wait till 6 p.m came back and they come back to the shelter in the evening but when they change that model And they told me, I said well you don't have to convince me. You need to come to my neighborhood council. We have to answer every single question. You have to hear every single concern and to their credit they did. It was a couple hours long but fast forward Mercy House was the operator and it was a night and day difference in the operations. The way it was handled even the communication we had a direct phone number to the staff to the facility if any issues came up in the neighborhood And when Mr.
Haynes said they wanted to be a good neighbor, he truly means that as their top official within the organization I can say firsthand as a neighborhood council chair then as a council member for that district they walk their talk and I appreciate the work that Mercy House, their staff has done but beyond that as the mayor just alluded to talking with the people who are receiving those services I encourage any of the council members, if you get a chance to schedule a visit with them and talk with some of these folks and hear their journey and the challenges they faced and what opportunities are in front of them now because of programs like Mercy House.
And that, I hope will give you another perspective or confirmed perspectives that you may already have. When they were on K Street, the number of people I saw who are out there volunteering their time as clients pulling the weeds sweeping the sidewalk. They really took pride in being there and wanted to be good neighbors as well. There are always the outliers but when those outliers came up Mercy House dealt with it directly and quickly.
And so I support this fully. I'm happy I was able to make the motion that got a second on it Because they have proven to me as a neighborhood council chair, as a resident of the neighborhood where the shelter was from 2018 until recently. They actually mean what they say and they do what they mean. And so I just appreciate the work that they do, the stance they have, the mission they have and the staff that they have there. They truly are the real deal and Everything I hope they continue those operations so thank you mayor.
Absolutely, and thank you to the staff report it indicates it's a one year with extensions right? So we will continue to monitor and I have every faith that our housing department will do just that. So I think everyone so Madam Clerk call for the vote.
Roll-call vote Passed 5–0 motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem and it was seconded by Perella. Thank You. Councilwoman Basuah Yes. Thank you. · 1 under review
Show transcript
5:06 – 5:1323 turns
and this motion carries six to one thank you.
Thank you the next item on the agenda is Item N2. This is from the Public Works Department so thank you Chief Operations Officer, thank you so much. Thank you for your time and patience. This is from the Public Works Department subject Senate Bill SB1 local streets and road maintenance and rehabilitation account. RMRA project list for fiscal year 26-27. Recommendation that the City Council adopt a resolution to one, adopt the fiscal year 26- 27 project list of Senate Bill 1.
Proposed projects that will be funded in part or solely with road maintenance and rehabilitation account revenues And two, authorize the city manager and or designee to take whatever actions are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution. This item did not originate in committee per the City Council Committee Bylaws Resolution 15-851 Article 2 Section D3A as this is a routine item.
Public Works Director Michael Wolfe is here to answer any questions council members may have So we'll start with any questions any council members may have. If not, we'll go to a public comment. Madam Clerk do we have any public comment on this item?
Mayor and Council Members there are no requests to speak on Report N2 in person or virtually thank you.
Thank you
if there is no discussion or comment I'll move the recommended action.
I'll second
Madam Clerk, I call for the
vote. Councilwoman Perez? Yes. Councilwoman Rodriguez? Aye. Councilmember Starr?
Yes.
Mayor Pro Tem Teran? Yes Excuse me, Councilwoman Basuah? Yes Thank you. Councilmember Perala? Yes. Mayor McArthur?
Yes.
And this motion carries 7 to 0, thank you.
Thank you. The next item on the agenda is Item N3 also from the Public Works Department subject public project agreement 3260511 with Toro Enterprises Inc for the Citywide Alleyway resurfacing La Colonia neighborhood alley reconstruction project specification number PW25121 recommendation that the city council approve and authorize one a total of Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Toro Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $5,898,690 for the project and approve a project contingency amount of $589,869, 10% with Toro Enterprises, Inc., for a total not-to-exceed value 6,488,559 for the project. And three, a project allocation amount of 589,869, 10% for engineering inspection survey and project management for the project. This item did not originate in committee as this is a capital improvement project specifically listed in the city's capital Improvement program budget, which was previously approved by City Council and Public Works Director Michael Wolfe is here to answer any questions from council members. We'll start with any brief clarifying question if any council members may have before we all go to public comment.
Go ahead Councilman Perla. One question
on page 452 there's an aerial view of the map and it circles the area in this colonial neighborhood and And it includes the streets, apparently the alleys that will be worked on. Are there any alleys that will not be worked on in that neighborhood? And the reason I ask is there any bit of a dispute among the residents which alley gets if we have doing some and not all?
I hope I was
clear. Yeah, I do have the question. I'm trying to think back. I don't know the answer to your question of whether or not there's other alleys in this neighborhood that aren't part of this, but we did the cast iron pipe replacement project when I first got here so almost five years ago. I believe those alleys were paved as part of that. Okay. Project but that's a guess right now so I don't know an answer to your question there may be alleys, there may not be alleys that are part of this process but this is our phase one of our alley phases that came to council a couple years ago.
Thank you.
Any other questions or comments? Madam Clerk do we have any speakers for this item?
Mayor Pro Tem and council members, there are no requests to speak on this item in person or virtually. Thank you.
Thank you. I'm very supportive of this item. I think that neighborhood is looking fantastic. I am willing to move the item forward as...
I'll second. If that's a motion, I'll second.
Yeah, that was a motion. We have a first and a second.
Go ahead, Mayor
Pro Tem.
I just wanted to take a moment to thank the staff for all the work on this. I know it's been a few years in the process for this, and I know that Councilmember Madrigal and I had a number of conversations about Colonia and the ongoing projects we have, the cast iron pipes and the paving, and now we have alleys, and Thanks staff for even back then, just forward looking and how can we continue and finalize the many paving and many infrastructure projects that were on deck for Colonia. And so now here we are, which is in 26th and we have this in front of us and I'm just thankful to all of the work that your team's done Mr. Wolf and Mr. Kessler and looking forward to what's next with this. So thank you.
5:13 – 5:1824 turns
Mayor, my apologies. Who was the maker of the motion? I know it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempteran. It was. Okay, thank you. Councilwoman Rodriguez?
Aye.
Roll-call vote Passed 4–0 motion? I know it was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempteran. It was. Okay, thank you. Councilwoman Rodriguez? Aye. · 2 under review
Show transcript
And this motion carries seven to zero. Thank you.
Thank you The next item on the agenda is Item N4 For the Public Works Department, subject fiscal year 26-27. Landscape Maintenance Districts Initiation of Proceedings to Levy Assessments Approval of a Consolidated Engineer's Report and Declaration of Intention to Levee Assessments Recommendation That the City Council acting as the legislative body of the city of Oxnard Landscape Maintenance District, otherwise referred to as LMDs.
One adopt a resolution of the City Council of the city of Oxnard California initiating proceedings to levy assessments against real property for fiscal year 26-27 in connection with the city's landscape maintenance districts To adopt a resolution of the City Council of the city of Oxnard, California approving a consolidated engineers report regarding assessments against real property for fiscal year 26-27 in connection with the city's landscape maintenance districts.
And three, adopt a resolution of the City Council of the city of Oxnard California declaring its intention to levy assessments against real property for fiscal year 26-27 in connection with the city's landscape maintenance districts setting the public hearing for June 16th 2026. The Finance and Governance Committee approved this item 2 to 1 back on May 12, 2026.
And our Public Works Director Michael Wolfe and his staff are here to answer any questions Councilmembers may have. We'll start with any brief clarifying questions. Councilmember Perlow go ahead.
City Attorney I live in LMD 13 so I can be involved but not on 13.
So under the FPPC's conflict of interest regulations, because what is happening tonight and the other staff can correct me if I'm wrong. You were just setting an assessment using the formula you're not changing the formula. You are in the same situation as all of the other homeowners that live in your district. So under the public generally exception, you can participate
In the entire thing.
Yes, thank
you very much.
Thank you know that was the same question I had for myself. I live in now on D as well so thank you for that clarification.
Essentially your interest is indistinguishable from that of all the other affected properties in the district.
Thank You Mr. Fisher There are no questions. I'll open it up for anyone wishing to speak. Do we have any public speakers on this particular item?
Mayor and council members, there are no requests to speak on this item in person or virtually. Thank you.
Thank you. Go ahead Council Member Starr.
Just to disclose as was earlier in the agenda because those being assessed I've never had the opportunity to vote on that assessment. I'll be voting against the recommended actions tonight.
Thank you, Council Member Starr. What's the pleasure of council on this particular item?
I'll move for approval. I'll second it.
Madam Clerk, call for the vote.
Council Member Starr?
No.
Mayor Pro Tem Teran? Yes. Council Woman Basuah? Councilmember Perallo? Yes. Councilwoman Perez? Yes. Councilwoman Rodriguez? Yes Mayor McArthur?
Yes
And this motion carries 6 to 1, thank you
Thank you The next item on the agenda is Item N5 from the Public Works Department Subject Agreement 32600497 I have a motion to approve and authorize the mayor to execute For an annual contract amount of $2,800,000 for an initial term of one year from July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 with the option for two consecutive one-year period extensions ending June 30, 2029 with a total contract amount not to exceed $8,400,000 Thank you, Mayor.
5:18 – 5:2418 turns
Thank you, Mr. Yanis and Mr. Wolf for the info on this. I know when this came to committee, I think I had some basic questions about it. One thing I think I failed to ask was around an option to... These are rental vehicles, correct? And there's no option to purchase them at the end of that. Is there?
Mayor, council members, Brian Yannas, Assistant Public Works Director. I can't recall if there is an option to purchase. Our previous BTR agreement did have an option to purchase. I believe these are straight purchases, do you remember? Yeah straight right yeah just straight lease okay oh there is an excuse me Thank you, Miss Riley. There is an option to purchase at the end of the terms. OK
and my follow up question to that is have we ever ended up purchasing a rented vehicle in this service in the past? Or do we usually end up just giving them back and renting another one or repurchase one to replace it? I'm
just wondering. That's a great question. This is the first time we're switching companies And with this recent BTR contract, which is going to expire June 30th, 2026. We have looked at that whether to purchase these leased vehicles based with the evaluation of our fleet services manager, our environmental resources manager and our chief collections operations manager as well.
We we've decided that it is not in our best option to do that at this time. But yes, that option will definitely be evaluated each time we have that option when it comes up and at least expires.
Okay,
I
appreciate that. And I know in talking with some of the ER staff, specifically the drivers for residential routes. The conversations come up around hydraulic arms versus the chain driven arms and those different options and kind of their preferences as a people who do the work day in and day out. And so I'm just wondering if we know what these ones will be as far as the mechanism for picking up and putting down the containers?
I do not know the specific details of this new vehicle, but it is not the same vehicles. Our previous contract with BTR were auto car and these are not auto car. These are McNeilis. And I'm, Ms., do you know about the arm mechanism on this one?
And it's just out of my curiosity, just from conversations with the drivers.
No, I mean there's even with the current lease agreement that we have with BTR, there's adjustments that are made sometimes they do they pick up too quickly and drop too quickly and sometimes adjustments need to be made with hydraulics and the mechanism as at the way it operates here so will continue to do that But our drivers can always come chat with us to see if there's any issues with their vehicle.
Yeah. And they are a joystick-operated arm, which is typically a little bit of an easier push and pull for the drivers. And so they should be able to like the ability of them. Everything that we've done on here is really to reduce the fatigue for the drivers on the new specs of the equipment.
Great. Glad to hear that. All right, thank you both very much. Those are my questions, Mayor.
Go ahead, Council Member Starr. Just kind of a follow-up on the lease. Some leases are structured with what's called a bargain purchase option at the end. Sometimes it's for a nominal amount, even $1. I don't know what the terms are here. Is the price of the option at the end of the lease such that we'd be foolish not to exercise it? Or is it at some There's this general, you can buy it at the end of the lease but we're going to determine the fair market value then.
Yeah this agreement isn't favorable for us particularly in that way at the lease of the agreement and so we do have a rental credit essentially to this. It's a nominal amount and so at the end of the lease we would make the determination probably to look at either renewing lease for new equipment or We can always buy it out, but it would probably be within the best interest of the city to either lease new or not move forward with purchasing these.
Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Jonas, do we know just out of curiosity going through Sourcewell as a cooperative to procure these vehicles? Do we know what the discounted amount is versus going through just the general market
Yes, the source well agreement with this was approximately... I don't know if there was a percentage but we are through this source well agreement and I got to commend our staff for seeking this. We were saving annually $150,000 a year and then also with the delivery fee, the previous company BTR had a delivery fee of 9250 $9,250 per delivery and so we will not have that fee. So those are some savings on our annual basis.
I just
want to add something to Councilmember Starr's questions of there's actually a couple specific examples of the lease credit page 953 and 952 in the staff report They talk about what kind of rental credit you get and then a purchase price thereafter. So the terms are laid out in each one of those example quotes. Again, one example would be page 953 or 952 just to go back to that question.
5:24 – 5:257 turns
If there are no other questions or comments
Mayor and council members, there are no requests to speak on this item in person or virtually. Thank
you. I appreciate that. Thank you Madam Clerk. What's the pleasure of council on this item?
Motion
to approve. We have a motion by Councilwoman Perez and second by Councilmember Perrella.
Roll-call vote Passed 5–0 motion by Councilwoman Perez and second by Councilmember Perrella. Thank You. · 1 under review
Show transcript
And this motion carries 7 to 0, thank you.
Thank you before we adjourn are there any other questions or comments anything for future agenda if not that there's no objection we are adjourned thank you