Meeting Summary
Present: Gama, Lopez, Perez, Hernandez, McQueen-Legohn
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
Proclamations and Recognitions
- The Council designated April 2026 as both Fair Housing Month and Autism Acceptance Month.
- Detective Roque Lopez was honored for his retirement following over 20 years of police service.
- Representatives from the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors and Easterseals accepted the proclamations.
Police Department Annual Report
- The Chief presented 2025 data showing a 9.73% decrease in Group A offenses and zero homicides.
- Staffing remains at 24 sworn positions with a lateral hire currently in progress.
- New operational assets include a second K-9 unit, drone technology, and upgraded body-worn cameras.
- The department reported zero sustained civilian complaints and zero deaths in custody for the year.
2026 Bike MS Coastal Challenge Permit
- The Council conditionally approved a special use permit for the May 30, 2026 cycling event.
- A fee waiver totaling $2,628.76 was granted for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
- The project was deemed categorically exempt from CEQA requirements.
Hueneme Beach Festival Permit (2026–2030)
- A five-year special use permit was approved for the annual festival and concurrent soccer tournament.
- The Police Explorers will manage alcohol sales to avoid direct city involvement in the activity.
- The City will provide $35,000 in seed funding while waiving specific parking fees.
Movies in the Park Permit (2026–2030)
- The Council approved a five-year permit for monthly screenings at Hueneme Beach Park.
- Parking fee waivers were granted for designated lots during the event series.
- Staff confirmed the permit applies specifically to beach locations while other parks are covered separately.
Sister City Committee Fee Waiver
- The Council unanimously approved a resolution to waive application, permit, and security deposit fees.
- The waiver supports a fundraiser at the Orville Carpenter Community Center Auditorium.
- The committee will provide its own insurance coverage for the event.
Park Reservations and Activities Code Amendments
- Staff proposed code changes to regulate bounce houses, barbecues, and personal property in parks.
- The Council directed staff to draft amendments but requested further research on barbecue enforcement.
- Additional instructions included exploring self-service restroom options and specific enforcement mechanisms.
City Manager and Clerk Reports
- The City Manager highlighted recent events including the Sea Splash Color Dash and Bolker Park ribbon-cutting.
- The Clerk outlined upcoming spring events and the agenda for the April 20 meeting.
- No formal motions or votes were taken on these informational reports.
Council Member Reports
- Members discussed park attendance, the condition of Bubble Tree Park, and beach cleanup statistics.
- An inquiry regarding a dirt walkway near the city facility was addressed with plans for future planting.
- No motions were made or voted upon during this segment.
Mayor's Report and Adjournment
- The Mayor announced upcoming appearances and requested an inspection of beach restrooms.
- The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem will attend the next meeting remotely from Washington, D.C.
- The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 p.m. with no further business.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Opening Remarks
- The regular City Council meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. on Monday, April 6. Following the flag salute and roll call, the Mayor delivered opening remarks recognizing April as Stress Awareness Month, emphasizing self-care and community well-being.
Public Comments
- Members of the public addressed the Council on non-agenda items. Topics included a promotion for the annual Surf & Turf Dinner; concerns regarding homelessness on the beach, including encampments and drug use; commendation of Police Department DUI enforcement and concerns regarding lithium-ion battery safety risks at the port; recognition of the 25th anniversary of the "Sizzling Seniors" exercise program; support for the Autism Acceptance Month proclamation and the "Ought to Run" event; and an invitation to a bike rodeo and resource fair at Oxnard College.
Agenda Approval
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting agenda. The motion passed unanimously. No conflicts of interest were declared.
Proclamations and Recognitions
- Fair Housing Month: The Council received a presentation from the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors regarding the Fair Housing Act. Council Member Lopez read a proclamation designating April 2026 as Fair Housing Month. A representative from the Realtors accepted the proclamation.
- Autism Acceptance Month: The Police Chief introduced representatives from Easterseals Southern California. Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez read a proclamation designating April 2026 as Autism Acceptance Month, noting that the Port Hueneme Police Department would wear special patches and pins in support. A video regarding the "Everyone Belongs" campaign was presented.
- Detective Roque Lopez: The Council honored Detective Roque Lopez for his retirement after over 20 years of service. The Police Chief detailed his career, including work with the Oxnard School District, CSU Channel Islands, and his role as a Field Training Officer. Council Member Gama read the proclamation recognizing his service. Detective Lopez addressed the Council.
Police Department Annual Report
- The Police Chief presented the 2025 year-end report covering staffing, call volumes, crime statistics, and departmental accomplishments. Key data points included:
- Staffing: 24 funded sworn positions and 13 professional staff positions; the department was fully staffed prior to recent vacancies.
- Call Volume: Over 28,000 total calls, including 7,009 9-1-1 calls. Homeless-related calls accounted for 5% to 10% of calls.
- Crime Statistics: Overall Group A offenses decreased by 9.73%. Homicides and animal cruelty incidents were zero. Burglaries decreased from 61 to 28. Increases were noted in theft/larceny and weapons law violations.
- Safety: Zero fatal car crashes for the second consecutive year. Zero vehicle thefts and zero trespasses at the Port and Naval Base.
- Operations: Implementation of a commercial enforcement program, addition of a second K-9 unit, deployment of drone technology, and upgrades to body-worn cameras.
- Complaints: Zero sustained civilian complaints, zero racial profiling complaints, and zero deaths in custody.
- Funding: Approximately $65,000 raised for the canine unit and over $535,000 in grant funds utilized for overtime and equipment.
- Following the presentation, Council members asked questions regarding staffing challenges, the timeline for drug-related arrest data involving the new canine unit, and funding protocols. The Chief confirmed a lateral hire is in progress and stated canine unit impact data would be available in 2026. No formal motions were made regarding the report.
Port Hueneme Housing Authority Meeting
- The City Council recessed to convene the Port Hueneme Housing Authority regular meeting. A quorum was established. The Housing Authority moved to approve the consent calendar. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The Housing Authority meeting was adjourned, and the City Council meeting reconvened.
City Council Consent Calendar
- The City Council proceeded to the consent calendar. No items were pulled, and no public comments were received. A motion was made to approve the consent calendar, which was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Hearing Item 9: 2026 Bike MS Coastal Challenge Special Use Permit
- Staff presented a request for Special Use Permit PHSU-26-6 for the 2026 Bike MS Coastal Challenge, a non-competitive cycling event scheduled for May 30, 2026, with a rest stop at Hueneme Beach Park. The request included a waiver of fees totaling $2,628.76. The project was deemed categorically exempt from CEQA. A representative from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society presented on the organization's mission. No public comments were received. A motion was made to adopt the resolution conditionally approving the permit and waiving fees. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Public Hearing Item 10: Hueneme Beach Festival Special Use Permit (2026–2030)
- Staff presented a request for a five-year Special Use Permit (PHSU-26-4) for the Hueneme Beach Festival, scheduled annually from 2026 to 2030. The event includes live entertainment, food vendors, a carnival, and alcohol sales, with an estimated attendance of 15,000 patrons per day. The permit covers the concurrent Copacabana Beach Soccer Tournament. Staff proposed that the Police Explorers organization manage alcohol sales and retain revenue to avoid city involvement in alcohol sales. The request included a waiver of parking fees for specific lots. The project was deemed categorically exempt from CEQA. Council members inquired about the organizing committee, cost tracking, and alcohol sales management. Staff clarified that adult volunteers would manage sales on behalf of the Explorers and that the city would provide $35,000 in seed funding. No public comments were received. A motion was made to adopt the resolution conditionally approving the permit. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Public Hearing Item 11: Movies in the Park Special Use Permit (2026–2030)
- Staff presented a request for a five-year Special Use Permit (PHSU-26-5) for the "Movies in the Park" series, scheduled for monthly screenings between June and September from 2026 to 2030 at Hueneme Beach Park. The request included a waiver of parking fees for designated lots. The project was deemed categorically exempt from CEQA. Council members asked for clarification on event locations; staff confirmed that while the permit covers the beach location, movies would also be held at other city parks, but only beach events require this specific permit. No public comments were received. A motion was made to adopt the resolution conditionally approving the permit. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Business Item 12: Sister City Committee Fee Waiver Request
- Staff introduced a request from the Sister City Committee to waive fees associated with the use of the Orville Carpenter Community Center Auditorium for a fundraiser tentatively scheduled for May or September 2026. Bobby Martinez, representing the committee, presented an update on activities, including a visit to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and a student exchange program. The committee requested a waiver of the $32 application fee, $750 permit fee, and $500 refundable security deposit, noting they would provide their own insurance. Discussion focused on the fiscal impact and the value of the program. A motion was made to adopt a resolution waiving the fees. The motion was seconded. Following brief public comments supporting the committee, the Council voted on the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 13: Reservable Spaces Fees and Permitted Activities in City Parks
- Staff presented a report seeking Council direction on amending the Municipal Code regarding park reservations and permitted activities. Recommendations included establishing code violations for failing to vacate reserved spaces; allowing inflatable bounce houses only through a pre-approved vendor process; permitting personal propane barbecues while prohibiting charcoal barbecues outside designated areas; prohibiting the installation of personal property; and implementing enhanced service levels for picnic reservations with associated fee increases. Discussion centered on enforcement mechanisms, risk management, and the impact of fees on community access. Council members expressed concern regarding the enforcement of barbecue rules on holiday weekends and the exclusive use of restrooms by the Little League. The Council directed staff to proceed with drafting code amendments for most items but requested further research and a revised proposal regarding barbecues, specifically to explore options for allowing them where ash receptacles exist or to install such equipment. The Council also directed staff to explore self-service options for restroom access and to include specific enforcement mechanisms in the final proposal. No motion was taken on the code amendments at this time.
Item 14: City Manager Comments and Reports
- The City Manager provided a report on recent city events, including the "Sea Splash Color Dash 5K and Kids 1K," the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the West Ventura County Business Alliance partnership, the ribbon-cutting for Bolker Park, and the "Egg Extravaganza" event. No motions or votes were taken on this item.
Upcoming Events and Next Meeting Agenda
- The City Clerk provided updates on upcoming spring events, including Arbor Day on April 22 and a citywide spring cleanup on April 25. The Clerk outlined the agenda for the April 20 meeting, which will include presentations on Earth Day and Arbor Day, a presentation from the Museum of Ventura County, a median ordinance, community development reorganization, a revision to the recreation fee schedule, and an updated agreement with the Navy. No motions were made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Council Member Reports
- Council members provided reports and comments regarding park attendance, the condition of Bubble Tree Park, feedback on community development processes, alignment of parks and police wellness initiatives, and the Hueneme Beach Cleanup volunteer statistics. One member inquired about future plans for a dirt walkway area near the city facility; the City Clerk indicated planting is planned for that area. No motions were made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Mayor's Report and Adjournment
- The Mayor announced that the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem will attend the next meeting via Zoom from Washington, D.C. The Mayor listed upcoming appearances, including the Knights of Columbus Officer Recognition event and the Boys & Girls Club ribbon-cutting, and requested an inspection of beach restrooms. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 p.m. No motions were made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.