Meeting Summary
Present: 1-Perello, 6-Perez, 4-Rodríguez, 2-Teran
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Fire Station No. 3 Reconstruction
- The Council held a public hearing to approve the reconstruction of the 1954 station with modern safety features and electric vehicle infrastructure.
- Staff presented a $30–35 million cost estimate and an 18–24 month timeline utilizing a temporary facility during construction.
- Discussion included a debate on funding mechanisms, specifically comparing lease revenue bonds against general obligation bonds.
- The Council adopted the resolution, permits, and zone amendments to allow the new two-story station.
School Resource Officer Cost-Sharing Agreements
- The Council approved three-year cost-sharing agreements with three school districts totaling over $1 million annually for eight full-time officers.
- Staff reported 719 responses to schools in the previous year while addressing questions about resource deployment and coverage.
- Council members debated the value of the program, with one member opposing the model in favor of mentorship-focused alternatives.
- The motion to approve the agreements passed despite the expressed intention of one member to vote against it.
Senior Nutrition Program
- Council members inquired about access methods for warm meals and clarified eligibility requirements under the Older Americans Act.
- Staff confirmed the program serves all residents aged 60 and older regardless of income, though home delivery is limited to city limits.
- The item was pulled from the consent agenda for discussion but ultimately approved without further amendment.
Joint School/Park Use Agreement Amendment
- The Council authorized the Mayor to execute a second amendment regarding the maintenance and operation of facilities in the River Park area.
- A virtual speaker from the River Park Neighborhood Council expressed support for the proposed amendment.
- Mayor Pro Tem McArthur recused himself from the discussion and vote due to a professional relationship with local school districts.
- The motion to approve the recommended action passed.
Audit Procedures Emergency Amendment
- The Council ratified an emergency amendment to an audit contract to address assertions by the City Treasurer that could impact credit ratings.
- The amendment authorizes an additional $40,000, bringing the total contract value to approximately $1.26 million.
- Council members questioned the nature of the Treasurer's allegations and the certainty of the cost estimate before voting.
- The motion to ratify the emergency amendment passed.
Remote Access Disruption Policy
- The Council adopted a resolution establishing a policy for handling remote access disruptions during meetings in compliance with State Senate Bill 707.
- The policy requires a brief recess and attempts to restore the system within one hour if two-way communication is interrupted.
- Staff clarified that the policy applies specifically to Zoom platform disruptions for two-way participation, not one-way viewing.
- The motion to adopt the resolution passed.
Closed Session
- The Council recessed to a closed session to confer with attorneys regarding Campbell Council members.
- Upon reconvening, the City Attorney reported that no actions were required from the closed session.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The Oxnard City Council meeting held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Luis A. McArthur. Roll call confirmed the presence of Councilmembers Pesua, Perallo, Perez, Rodriguez, Starr, and Mayor Pro Tem Teran. The agenda was confirmed as posted on June 18, 2026. The Council recessed to a closed session pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) to confer with attorneys regarding Campbell Council members. Upon reconvening, the City Attorney reported no actions were required from the closed session.
Ceremonial Items
- The meeting included a Pledge of Allegiance led by Ramiro Medina, a recent graduate of the Oxnard EMS Corps Cohort 3, followed by a moment of silence for firefighters lost in Utah and Colorado and victims of earthquakes in Venezuela. Ramiro Medina was presented with a Certificate of Achievement for his participation in the EMS Corps program. Representatives from the Ventura County Fair presented the official 2026 fair poster, announced the winning artist, and provided details regarding the concert lineup, special admission days, the Junior Livestock Auction, and a new clear bag policy.
Public Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
- Public comments were received on several topics:
- Sales Tax Measure O: A speaker opposed the renewal of Measure O, arguing it functions as a general sales tax with discretionary spending rather than being restricted to public safety, and suggested it require a two-thirds majority.
- ICE Activity and Community Safety: Speakers representing the 805 UndocuFund discussed concerns regarding ICE activity, apprehension numbers, and the impact of DUI checkpoints and 911 calls on the undocumented community. They requested advance notification of police training exercises involving tactical gear.
- LMD Assessments: A speaker addressed a 224% increase in Land Maintenance District (LMD) assessments, citing lack of disclosure during property purchases and poor maintenance of specific medians.
- Public Comment Procedures: A speaker criticized the City Attorney's Office for allegedly providing incorrect advice regarding public comment rights, citing conflicts with the Sunshine Ordinance and Measure M, and argued that barriers were being placed on video comments and responses to staff reports.
- Recall Effort: Multiple speakers addressed a recall effort targeting Councilmember Starr. Comments included accusations of intimidation tactics by the Councilmember's camp, defenses of the Councilmember's record, and expressions of support for the recall citing concerns over representation and conduct.
- City Leadership: A speaker called for Mayor Pro Tem Teran to take more control of city operations, citing concerns over labor laws and representation for farm-working communities.
Council Member Reports
- Councilmembers provided reports on various activities:
- Councilmember Perez: Reported on meetings with the District Attorney, attendance at the Campus Park groundbreaking, a "Polluters Pay" town hall, and a neighborhood barbecue.
- Councilmember Perallo: Reported on attendance at a Fox Canyon groundwater meeting and a neighborhood cleanup. He addressed a prior public comment regarding his forwarding of a resident's social media post to city staff, stating it was not confidential and was shared to address claims made by the resident.
- Councilmember Basuah: Reported on meetings with the District Attorney, the Campus Park groundbreaking, and the La Colonia Neighborhood Council meeting.
- Councilmember Starr: Reported on the Campus Park groundbreaking and the La Colonia Neighborhood Council meeting. He noted logistical issues with a recent outdoor community workshop lacking microphones and requested an indoor venue for future sessions. He also reported a resident's suggestion to convert tennis courts at Rio Lindo Park into pickleball courts.
- Councilmember Rodriguez: Announced the cancellation of her Saturday office hours for July. She reported on the Campus Park groundbreaking, an upcoming meeting with the Gold Coast Transit District, and thanked staff for coordinating safety efforts at Central Terrace.
- Mayor Pro Tem McArthur: Reported on the Oxnard Youth Academy tour, the La Colonia community workshop, the Campus Park groundbreaking, and the "Polluter's Pay" town hall. He announced upcoming July 4th events at Plaza Park.
Consent Agenda
- Recusals: Councilmember Starr recused himself from Item L2 due to a potential conflict of interest regarding property ownership near the project site. Mayor Pro Tem McArthur recused himself from Items L3 and L6 due to professional relationships with the County of Ventura and a school district, respectively.
- Public Comment: A speaker commented in support of Item L6 (School Resource Officers), emphasizing the importance of relationships between officers and students.
- Voting:
- Items L1, L4, and L5: A motion was made and seconded to approve these items. The motion passed.
- Item L2: A motion was made and seconded to approve Item L2. The motion passed with Councilmember Starr recusing himself.
- Items L3 and L6: These items were pulled from the consent agenda for discussion.
- Item L3 (Senior Nutrition Program): Councilmember Rodriguez requested information on how seniors can access warm meals. Staff provided phone numbers and locations. Councilmember Starr questioned eligibility language in the Older Americans Act regarding low-income and minority populations. Staff clarified that while federal guidelines include such language, the program currently feeds all individuals meeting the age requirement (60+), and home-delivered meals are restricted to Oxnard city limits.
- Item L6 (School Resource Officer Cost-Sharing Agreements): The Council considered a recommendation to approve three-year cost-sharing agreements for SRO services with the Oxnard Union High School District, the Oxnard School District, and the Wainima Elementary School District. Proposed annual amounts were $685,308, $261,771, and $137,061, respectively. Staff reported 719 responses to schools in the previous year and noted eight officers are assigned full-time to these districts. Discussion included inquiries about resource deployment, SRO presence at all schools, and comparisons with neighboring cities. One council member stated an intention to vote against the item, citing a preference for alternative models focused on mentorship and career opportunities. Another expressed support, referencing past incidents of violence at local schools. A motion to approve the action was made and seconded. The motion passed.
Agenda Item M1: Fire Station No. 3 Reconstruction Public Hearing
- The Council conducted a public hearing regarding the reconstruction of Fire Station No. 3 at 150 Hill Street. The agenda included adopting a resolution certifying a Mitigated Negative Declaration, approving planning and zoning permits, and adopting ordinances for a zone change and zone text amendment to allow a new two-story station on the existing 0.66-acre property. Staff and the Fire Chief noted the current station, built in 1954, is the oldest and smallest in the county and lacks modern safety features. The proposed design includes three apparatus bays, improved health and safety conditions, and infrastructure for future electric fire engines. Estimated construction costs were $30 to $35 million per station, with a projected timeline of 18 to 24 months utilizing a temporary facility. Public testimony included support for the project and a request for a future agenda item regarding funding for a proposed Fire Station No. 9. Discussion included comments on the necessity of reconstruction and a debate regarding the use of lease revenue bonds versus general obligation bonds. A motion to approve the recommendations was made and seconded. The motion passed.
Agenda Item N1: Second Amendment to Joint School/Park Use Agreement
- The Council considered a recommendation to authorize the Mayor to execute a second amendment to a joint use agreement with the Rio School District regarding the maintenance, operation, and use of school and park facilities in the River Park specific plan area. The Mayor Pro Tem recused themselves from the discussion and vote due to a professional relationship with local school districts. A virtual speaker representing the River Park Neighborhood Council expressed support for the amendment. A motion to approve the recommended action was made and seconded. The motion passed.
Agenda Item N2: Ratification of Emergency Amendment for Audit Procedures
- The Council considered a recommendation to ratify an emergency amendment to a professional services agreement with Macias, Ginni and O'Connell for additional audit procedures related to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The amendment authorized an additional amount not to exceed $40,000, bringing the total contract value to not exceed $1,259,759.75. Staff explained the urgency arose after the City Treasurer made assertions to external auditors requiring additional research to avoid risks to the city's credit rating and grant eligibility. Council members questioned the nature of the Treasurer's allegations, the certainty of the cost estimate, and potential for future increases. Staff confirmed the amount was based on the auditors' scope of work. Public testimony included concerns over the city's history of withholding financial documents. A motion to ratify the emergency amendment was made and seconded. The motion passed.
Agenda Item N3: Remote Access Disruption Policy
- The Council considered a recommendation to adopt a resolution establishing a policy regarding disruptions of remote access during City Council meetings, in compliance with State Senate Bill 707. The City Attorney explained the legislation requires legislative bodies with populations over 30,000 to allow two-way remote communication and follow a specific process for system disruptions, including a brief recess and attempts to restore the system within one hour. Discussion clarified the policy addresses disruptions to the Zoom platform for two-way participation, not one-way viewing streams. Staff confirmed the production office monitors the system. A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded. The motion passed.
Adjournment
- With no further business on the agenda, a motion to adjourn was made. With no objection raised, the motion was decided in the affirmative, and the meeting was adjourned.