City Council — June 30, 2026

Fire Station No. 3 Reconstruction

• Staff presented a $30–$35 million plan to rebuild the 1954 station with three bays and EV infrastructure.
• Council debated the morality of incurring debt without a voter referendum versus the need for modernization.
• The Council approved the resolution, initial study, and related ordinances to proceed with the project.

School Resource Officers Program

• Police confirmed high schools have full-time officers while elementary and middle schools use rotating coverage.
• Council members discussed the balance between safety needs and concerns regarding the school-to-prison pipeline.
• The Council approved the program continuation despite one member voting against it.

Senior Nutrition Program

• Staff clarified that current eligibility includes all residents over 60, exceeding federal low-income guidelines.
• The Council discussed the scope of service delivery under the Older Americans Act.
• The motion to approve the program funding and operations passed unanimously.

Audit Procedures Amendment

• The CFO explained the need for an additional $40,000 to validate treasurer assertions and protect credit ratings.
• Council members reviewed the scope of the estimate and potential for future funding requests.
• The Council ratified the emergency amendment to the audit agreement with the external firm.

Remote Access Disruption Policy

• The City Attorney outlined a new process for handling Zoom disruptions, including recesses if systems fail for an hour.
• The policy specifically addresses two-way communication platforms and does not cover one-way viewing streams.
• The Council adopted the resolution to comply with state requirements for meeting accessibility.

River Park Joint Use Agreement

• The Council considered a second amendment to the agreement with the Rio School District for facility use.
• A neighborhood representative expressed support for the amendment during public comment.
• The motion to approve the amendment passed with one council member recused.

Closed Session

• The Council recessed to confer with attorneys regarding Campbell Council members.
• No actions or reports were released from the closed session discussion.

Oxnard City Council Meeting Summary – June 30, 2026

Meeting Call and Ceremonial Items

• The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Teran. A roll call confirmed the presence of Councilmembers Pesua, Perallo, Perez, Rodriguez, and Starr. Mayor McArthur was absent. The agenda was noted as having been posted on June 18, 2026.
• Prior to the main agenda, the Council recessed to a closed session to confer with attorneys regarding Campbell Council members. No actions were reported from the closed session.
• Upon reconvening, the meeting proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence honoring fallen firefighters and victims of earthquakes in Venezuela. Ramiro Medina, a recent graduate of the Oxnard EMS Corps Cohort 3, was recognized for leading the Pledge and sharing his experience. He was presented with a Certificate of Achievement signed by Mayor McArthur. Representatives from the Oxnard Fire Department and EMS Corps also provided remarks regarding the program's success.

Item F: Ceremonial Items – 2026 Ventura County Fair Poster Presentation

• Representatives from the Ventura County Fair, including President Guillermo Ceja Jr., Director Miriam Mack, and members of the Junior Fair Board, presented the official 2026 Fair poster. The winning poster was created by Annalise Cohen, a ninth grader from Camarillo. The presentation included details on the fair's theme ("Find Your Fun"), concert lineup, special admission days, and a new clear bag policy. No formal motion or vote was taken on this item.

Item G: Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items

• Public comment was opened for matters not appearing on the agenda. Several speakers addressed the Council:
• Sales Tax: One speaker opposed the renewal of Measure O, arguing it functions as a general sales tax with discretionary spending by the City Manager rather than being restricted to public safety. The speaker suggested a two-thirds majority vote with specific purpose restrictions.
• Immigration and Public Safety: Speakers representing the 805 UndocuFund discussed concerns regarding ICE activity, DUI checkpoints, and the fear of calling 911 within the undocumented community. They requested advance notification of police training exercises involving tactical gear.
• LMD Assessments: A resident discussed a 224% increase in Land Maintenance District (LMD) assessments, citing lack of disclosure during property purchase and poor maintenance of specific medians. Photos were submitted for the record.
• 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.
• Recall Effort: Multiple speakers addressed a recall effort targeting Councilmember Starr. Speakers supporting the recall cited intimidation tactics and a lack of representation. Speakers opposing the recall characterized the effort as a distraction and a "sideshow," defending Councilmember Starr's record and election by voters.

Item H: City Manager Report

• The City Manager reported no items for this week.

Item I: Council Reports

• Councilmembers provided brief updates on their activities:
• Councilmember Perez: Met with the District Attorney, attended the Campus Park groundbreaking, attended a "Polluters Pay" town hall, and hosted a Blackstock Neighborhood Council barbecue.
• Councilmember Perallo: Attended a Fox Canyon groundwater meeting and a neighborhood cleanup. Addressed a public comment regarding a resident's permit issues, clarifying that the resident's contractor was responsible for delays.
• Councilmember Pesua: Met with the District Attorney, attended the Campus Park groundbreaking, and attended a La Colonia meeting.
• Councilmember Starr: Attended the Campus Park groundbreaking and a La Colonia Neighborhood Council workshop regarding the Sunkist Project. He noted logistical issues with the workshop venue and requested an indoor facility for future meetings. He also reported a resident's request to convert tennis courts to pickleball courts.
• Councilmember Rodriguez: Announced a cancellation of office hours for the week of July 4th. She thanked Housing staff for coordinating safety measures at Central Terrace and noted an upcoming meeting with the Gold Coast Transit District.
• Mayor Pro Tem Teran: Thanked Public Works for hosting the Oxnard Youth Academy. He echoed concerns regarding the logistics of the La Colonia workshop. He announced upcoming community events: "Star Stripes & Sounds" on July 3rd and a July 4th speaking event at Plaza Park.

Item J: Information and Consent Agenda

• The Council reviewed the Information and Consent Agenda.
• Recusals: Councilmember Starr recused himself from Item L2 due to a potential conflict of interest regarding a property owner near the project site. Mayor Pro Tem Teran recused himself from Items L3 and L6 due to professional relationships with the County of Ventura and local school districts.
• Public Comment: One speaker addressed Item L6 (School Resource Officers), expressing support for the program based on the importance of relationship building and safety.
• Item L1, L4, L5: A motion was made by Councilmember Rodriguez and seconded by Councilmember Pesua to approve the remaining items. The motion passed (6-0).
• Item L2: A motion was made by Councilmember Pesua and seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to approve the item. The motion passed (5-0), with Councilmember Starr recused.
• Item L3 (Senior Nutrition Program): Discussion focused on eligibility criteria under the Older Americans Act. Staff clarified that while federal guidelines emphasize low-income and minority populations, the City currently feeds all individuals over 60 who meet the age requirement. A motion was made by Councilmember Starr and seconded by Councilmember Perallo to approve the item. The motion passed (5-0).
• Item L6 (School Resource Officers - SRO): Discussion included questions regarding the number of incidents, deployment strategies, and the presence of SROs at all schools. Commander Serrato of the Oxnard Police Department confirmed that high schools have full-time officers, while elementary and middle schools are covered by rotating officers. Councilmember Perez stated she would vote "no," citing a preference for alternative mentorship models and concerns regarding the school-to-prison pipeline. Councilmember Perallo expressed strong support, citing historical safety incidents. A motion was made by Councilmember Starr and seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to approve the item. The motion passed (4-1).

Item M1: Public Hearing – Fire Station No. 3 Reconstruction

• The Council conducted a public hearing regarding the reconstruction of Fire Station No. 3 at 150 Hill Street.
• Presentation: Staff and the Fire Chief presented the project, noting the current station is the oldest and smallest in the county, built in 1954. The new design includes three apparatus bays, improved living quarters, and infrastructure for future electric vehicles. The estimated cost is $30–$35 million per station, with construction taking 18–24 months. A temporary facility will be used during construction.
• Public Comment: One speaker supported the project but requested a future agenda item regarding the status and funding of Fire Station 9, arguing that East Village and West Village residents are not receiving adequate services.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Perallo and Councilmember Starr engaged in a debate regarding bond measures and debt. Councilmember Starr reiterated his stance that placing the city in debt without a voter referendum is immoral, referencing his previous litigation on the matter. The City Manager stated that the litigation had negatively impacted the city's ability to access favorable bond rates.
• Action: A motion was made by Councilmember Perallo and seconded by Councilmember Pesua to approve the resolution, initial study, and ordinances related to the project. The motion passed (6-0).

Item N1: Public Works – Second Amendment to Joint School/Park Use Agreement

• The Council considered a second amendment to the joint use agreement with the Rio School District for facilities in the River Park specific plan area.
• Public Comment: One speaker, representing the River Park Neighborhood Council, supported the amendment.
• Action: Mayor Pro Tem Teran recused himself. A motion was made by Councilmember Starr and seconded by Councilmember Pesua to approve the amendment. The motion passed (5-0).

Item N2: Finance – Ratification of Emergency Amendment for Audit Procedures

• The Council considered ratifying an emergency amendment to the audit agreement with Macias, Ginni and O'Connell for an additional $40,000.
• Discussion: The Chief Financial Officer explained that the external auditors paused their work after the City Treasurer made certain assertions, requiring additional procedures to validate those claims. The urgency was emphasized to avoid losing credit ratings and grants. Councilmembers discussed the scope of the estimate and the potential for future funding requests if the scope expands.
• Public Comment: One speaker expressed concern regarding the withholding of public records from auditors, citing his own experiences with public record requests.
• Action: A motion was made by Councilmember Starr and seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez to ratify the amendment. The motion passed (6-0).

Item N3: City Attorney – Remote Access Disruption Policy

• The Council considered adopting a resolution regarding disruptions of remote access during meetings, as required by SB 707.
• Discussion: The Assistant City Attorney explained that the policy requires a specific process for handling disruptions to the Zoom platform (two-way communication), including a brief recess and findings if the system cannot be restored within an hour. The policy does not apply to disruptions of one-way viewing platforms like YouTube or cable TV.
• Action: A motion was made by Councilmember Starr and seconded by Councilmember Pesua to adopt the resolution. The motion passed (6-0).

Adjournment

• With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.