City Council — May 4, 2026

Peace Officers Memorial Day Proclamation

• The Mayor Pro Tem read a proclamation designating Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day.
• Chief Federico introduced new lateral officer Austin Cravens to the Port Hueneme Police Department.
• Council members offered remarks welcoming the new officer to the agency.

APWA Project of the Year Award

• The City received the 2025 Project of the Year award for the Ventura Road Sewer Force Main Emergency Repair.
• Public Works Director Fred Camarillo accepted the award on behalf of the staff.
• Council members commended the department on utilizing trenchless technology to minimize traffic disruption.

Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation

• Councilmember Perez read the proclamation designating May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month.
• NAMI Ventura County Executive Director provided remarks regarding the organization’s funding challenges.
• Staff and Council acknowledged community support for ongoing mental health initiatives.

Award of Contract for Professional Auditing Service

• Staff reported the selection of a new auditor to replace the previous firm with a transition plan.
• Council questions addressed the 10% contingency trigger and cost savings compared to other bids.
• The motion to approve the contract award passed unanimously.

Ratification of Expenditures for Emergency Repair

• Staff reported ratification of an emergency repair costing approximately $37,000 for damaged equipment.
• A restitution process regarding the vehicle damage is expected to take up to six months.
• The motion to approve the ratification passed unanimously.

Oversized Vehicle Parking Ordinance Public Hearing

• Staff presented a proposal to restrict parking of oversized vehicles on city streets to improve safety.
• Council and staff discussed enforcement strategies, impacts on contractors, and signage during the hearing.
• The Council introduced the ordinance and found it exempt from CEQA.

Veterans Banner Program

• The Veterans Ad Hoc Committee reported 17 applications received for the banner program.
• Staff discussed banner specifications, locations near significant sites, and image processing.
• The Council approved the banner display locations and initial applications.

Community Development Department Reorganization

• Staff presented a resolution to eliminate the Manager position and reinstate the Director position.
• Council discussion focused on permitting efficiency, customer service, and online application logistics.
• The motion to approve the reorganization resolution passed unanimously.

Future Agenda Request for Traffic Control Improvements

• A request was submitted regarding traffic control and left turn arrows at the Ventura Road and Hueneme Road intersection.
• Staff noted ongoing partnership discussions with the Port regarding grant funding for improvements.
• The Council voted to place the item on a future agenda.

Closed Session

• The agency designated representatives to discuss labor negotiations with the Employee Association SEIU.
• This item was conducted pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6.
• The Council recessed and reconvened after the discussion.

Regular City Council Meeting – Port Hueneme

Meeting Call and Closed Session

• The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. with roll call taken. Public comments regarding the closed session were solicited; none were received. The City Attorney introduced the closed session item concerning labor negotiations pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. The agency designated representatives were the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and Human Resources Risk Manager to discuss negotiations with the Employee Association SEIU. The Council recessed to closed session.

Reconvened Session

• The meeting reconvened at 6:34 p.m. Roll call was taken, followed by the flag salute. Councilmember Gama presented inspirational materials including photographs of space imagery, the Aurora Borealis, local sunrises and sunsets, and community beach cleanups. Public comment was solicited; Becky Bruning spoke regarding the annual Surf and Turf fundraiser.

Agenda Approval

• A motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting agenda. The motion passed unanimously. A conflict of interest check was conducted. Councilmember Lopez noted a potential connection to Item 12 regarding an application process but, following guidance from the City Attorney, elected to remain for the item.

Presentation: Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week

• The Mayor Pro Tem read the proclamation designating May 10–16, 2026, as Police Week and May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Chief Federico thanked the community for its support of the Port Hueneme Police Department and introduced new lateral officer Austin Cravens, who has prior experience with the Simi Valley and Beverly Hills Police Departments and service in the California Air National Guard. Council members offered remarks welcoming the new officer.

Presentation: APWA Project of the Year

• Andrew Grubb, President of the APWA Ventura County Chapter, presented the 2025 Project of the Year award to the City of Port Hueneme for the Ventura Road Sewer Force Main Emergency Repair. Public Works Director Fred Camarillo accepted the award on behalf of the staff. The project utilized trenchless technology to repair infrastructure in 57 working days while minimizing traffic disruption. Council members commended the Public Works department on the successful execution of the project.

Presentation: Mental Health Awareness Month

• Councilmember Perez read the proclamation designating May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month. Roberta Griego, Executive Director of NAMI Ventura County, provided remarks regarding the organization’s 45th anniversary, funding challenges, and community support for mental health initiatives.

Housing Authority Meeting

• The Council recessed to conduct the Housing Authority regular meeting at 7:10 p.m. Roll call was taken, noting one member absent. The Housing Authority consent calendar was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously. The Housing Authority meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

City Council Consent Calendar

• The Council reconvened the regular meeting at 7:12 p.m. Items 5 and 7 were pulled from the consent calendar for separate discussion. A motion was made and seconded to approve the remaining consent calendar items (Items 1–4, 6, and 8–10). The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 5: Award of Contract for Professional Auditing Service

• Staff reported the item involves selecting a new auditor to replace the previous firm, with a transition plan in place. Council questions addressed the 10% contingency trigger and cost savings compared to other bids. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 7: Ratification of Expenditures for Emergency Repair

• Staff reported this item ratifies an emergency repair of a controller cabinet and battery backup system damaged by a vehicle, costing approximately $37,000. A restitution process is underway, expected to take up to six months. A motion was made and seconded to approve the ratification. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 11: Public Hearing on Oversized Vehicle Parking Ordinance

• Staff presented a report proposing an ordinance to restrict parking of oversized vehicles (defined by length, width, and height) on city streets. The proposal includes a permit process for residents and aims to improve bicycle safety and preserve parking. Council and staff discussed enforcement strategies, the impact on local contractors, and signage. The public hearing was opened; no public comments were received. The hearing was closed. A motion was made and seconded to introduce the ordinance (first reading) and find it exempt from CEQA. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 12: Veterans Banner Program

• The Veterans Ad Hoc Committee presented an update, reporting 17 applications received for the banner program. Staff discussed banner specifications, locations near veterans' homes or significant sites, and image processing. Council questions covered the vetting process and the addition of a late application. A motion was made and seconded to approve the banner display locations and initial applications. The motion passed unanimously.

Agenda Item 13: Community Development Department Reorganization

• Staff presented a resolution to reorganize the Community Development Department by eliminating the Community Development Manager position and reinstating the Director position to reduce costs and streamline operations. Job descriptions and salary schedules for remaining staff were adjusted. Council discussion focused on permitting efficiency, customer service, and online application logistics. A motion was made and seconded to approve the reorganization and resolution. The motion passed unanimously.

Future Agenda Item Request

• A request was submitted regarding traffic control and left turn arrows at the intersection of Ventura Road and Hueneme Road. Staff corrected a previous cost estimate and noted ongoing partnership discussions with the Port regarding grant funding for improvements. Council discussed whether further agenda action was necessary at this time. A motion was made and seconded to place the item on a future agenda. The motion passed 3-2.

City Manager Comments

• The City Manager reported on the recent spring cleanup event, noting over 26 tons of waste collected. Upcoming events listed included "Coffee with City," Memorial Day ceremonies, the Hueneme Hero Award nomination period, and Beach Fest. Future agenda items mentioned included proclamations, an annual vacancy report, and a Water Master Plan presentation.

Council Comments

• Council members provided remarks regarding recent meetings, including the RDP trip to Washington D.C., a meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers regarding dredging, and attendance at local career days and memorials. Comments also touched on education regarding e-bike and e-moto regulations.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 18 at 6:30 p.m.