Meeting Summary
Present: Gama, Lopez, Hernandez, McQueen-Legohn · Absent: Brown
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Meter Reading Services Contract
- Staff explained the selected vendor offered greater staffing experience compared to a lower bidder.
- Council questioned digital meter implementation details prior to approval.
- The two-year contract for meter reading services was approved.
Cannabis Business Cap Reduction
- Staff presented data showing revenue decline and oversaturation of commercial cannabis businesses.
- Council discussed permit transferability and economic impacts of reducing the license cap.
- The ordinance to amend the Municipal Code regarding caps was approved for introduction.
Ocean Protection Council SB1 Grant
- Staff outlined the grant focus on sea level rise adaptation planning and community visioning.
- Councilmembers emphasized the need for coordination with neighboring jurisdictions like Oxnard.
- The resolution authorizing participation and application submittal was approved.
City Council Policy Manual
- Staff presented amendments regarding agenda timelines and election period outreach restrictions.
- Councilmembers clarified that outreach restrictions apply only to City-initiated events.
- The amended manual was approved to update voting thresholds and distribution protocols.
City Port Committee Appointment
- Staff recommended continuing the item due to pending modifications to the Community Benefit Fund process.
- Council discussed awaiting a formal proposal from the Port of Hueneme before designating representatives.
- The motion to continue the agenda item for future discussion was approved.
Full summary
Meeting Summary: Port Hueneme City Council Regular Meeting
- Date: February 2, 2026 Location: City Council Chambers
Call to Order and Inspiration
- The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. A roll call was taken, and a quorum was established. Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez provided the inspiration for the evening, recognizing Selena Soto of the Port Hueneme Boys & Girls Club for her selection to participate in the Pasadena Rose Parade. Councilmember Gama added comments regarding her participation in community service and sports. A photograph was taken with Soto, her family, and representatives from the Boys & Girls Club.
Public Comments (Non-Agenda Items)
- Public comments were heard from members of the public regarding items not on the agenda.
- Ormond Beach Restoration: A representative from the Nature Conservancy requested the Council consider a proposed pedestrian bridge connecting Ormond Lagoon to Hueneme Beach Park. Staff indicated that the City of Oxnard had not yet provided sufficient information regarding maintenance and access questions raised by the City of Port Hueneme in October. The staff member requested a future opportunity to present the design details once information from Oxnard is available.
- Pier Parking and Noise: A resident reported concerns regarding noise and pollution caused by vehicles performing maneuvers in the parking lot near Surfside Pier. The speaker requested the installation of concrete parking stops to prevent vehicle movement and reduce noise pollution.
Agenda Approval
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Presentations and Proclamations
- World Wetlands Day: A proclamation recognizing World Wetlands Day was read by Councilmember Gama. Representatives from Coastal Keepers accepted the proclamation and thanked the Council.
- Black History Month: A proclamation recognizing Black History Month was read by Councilmember Lopez. No representatives were present to accept it, but it was adopted by the Council.
Housing Authority Meeting
- The Council briefly recessed to conduct the Port Hueneme Housing Authority regular meeting. The Housing Authority consent calendar was considered routine.
- Outcome: The consent calendar passed unanimously.
- The Housing Authority meeting was adjourned, and the City Council meeting reconvened.
Consent Calendar (City Council)
- Items on the City Council consent calendar were reviewed.
- Items 1–3 and 5: A motion was made and seconded to approve these items.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
- Item 4 (Alexander Contracting): This item regarding a two-year contract for meter reading services was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion. Councilmember Lopez inquired about the qualification differences between the selected vendor and a lower bidder. Staff explained that while the lower bidder met requirements, they lacked the staffing experience of Alexander Contracting, which has served the City since 2013. Questions regarding digital meter implementation were also raised. Following discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve Item 4.
- Outcome: Item 4 passed unanimously.
Public Hearing: Cannabis Business Cap Reduction
- A public hearing was opened regarding an ordinance to amend the Municipal Code to reduce the maximum number of commercial cannabis businesses allowed in the City.
- Staff Presentation: Staff presented data indicating a significant decline in cannabis-related revenue and an oversaturation of businesses relative to the City's population. The proposal would reduce the cap on retail dispensaries, lounges, and manufacturing/distribution licenses but would not require the closure of existing businesses.
- Discussion: Councilmembers asked questions regarding the transferability of permits, the relationship between dispensaries and lounges, and the economic impact of reducing the density of cannabis businesses. Staff clarified that the cap reduction allows the market to naturally rebalance over time and that current operators are supportive of the reduction.
- Public Hearing: No in-person public comments were received; one written comment was noted. The hearing was closed.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to approve the introduction of the ordinance, determine the project is exempt from CEQA, and take related action.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Ocean Protection Council SB1 Grant
- Staff presented a resolution to authorize the City's participation in the Ocean Protection Council SB1 sea level rise adaptation planning grant (Track 1).
- Discussion: Staff detailed the grant's focus on community visioning, vulnerability assessments, and monitoring. Councilmember Lopez inquired about the inclusion of specific technologies like BioRock and whether community input would be incorporated; staff noted the current phase focuses on data gathering, with implementation and specific project selection to follow in Track 2. Councilmember Hernandez emphasized the need for coordination with the County and City of Oxnard. Councilmember Perez noted the necessity of cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution authorizing participation, ratifying the application submittal, and authorizing future related grant applications.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
City Council Policy and Procedures Manual
- Staff presented an amended version of the City Council Policy and Procedures Manual for approval. Changes included the attachment of the future agenda item request form, agenda packet distribution timelines, restrictions on non-essential community outreach during election periods, and a correction to the voting threshold required to amend the rules.
- Discussion: Councilmember Hernandez inquired about dissemination to commissions and the signature requirement. Staff confirmed the manual is distributed to commissioners and includes an acknowledgment signature page. Councilmember Perez asked for clarification on whether the outreach restrictions applied to non-profit fundraising events during election periods; staff clarified the restriction applied to City-initiated events.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to approve the amended manual.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
City Council Appointment to City Port Committee
- The agenda item regarding the appointment to the City Port Committee and discussion of committee goals was discussed.
- Discussion: Staff recommended continuing the item because the Port of Hueneme and Oxnard Harbor District had recently proposed modifications to the Community Benefit Fund process that could alter the committee's purpose. The Council acknowledged the existing informal meetings between the City Manager and Port CEO and discussed the need to await the Port's formal proposal before designating representatives.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to continue the item.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
City Manager and Council Member Comments
- City Manager Reports: The City Manager reported that the promenade has reopened following mid-cycle dredging. He announced the approval of a partnership with the West Ventura County Business Alliance and the opening of registration for the C-Splash Color Dash 5K. Upcoming agenda items for February 17th were listed, including a turf removal grant plan review and a legislative platform review. Coordination with the County regarding immigration training was reported as ongoing.
- Council Member Reports: Updates were provided regarding the Beacon meeting, Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary co-stewardship, and Surfers Point managed retreat. Councilmember Hernandez reported on meetings regarding the RDP trip to D.C. and suggested a white paper on sea level rise and coastal conditions be developed. The Mayor thanked staff for a birthday greeting and announced the next meeting date.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 PM.