Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Police Department Awards
- The Police Chief recognized Rachel Perez and Clarissa Vasquez as Support Services Employees of the Year.
- Officer Christopher Tarrio received the Officer of the Year award for professionalism and high DUI arrest numbers.
- No formal vote was taken as these were presented as departmental recognitions.
National Public Works Week Proclamation
- Council Member Perez read a proclamation designating the week of May 17–23, 2026, as National Public Works Week.
- The proclamation honored public works professionals for their contributions to infrastructure and public health.
- No formal vote was recorded for the proclamation.
Public Works Department Annual Update
- Staff reported on completed resurfacing projects, water tank refurbishment, and new playground installations.
- Updates included fuel tank replacement, creek clearing, and turf replacement projects funded by grants.
- Council members inquired about creek cleaning timelines, weed control methods, and new sewer inspection equipment.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation
- Council Member Gama read a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
- The proclamation honored the history, contributions, and resilience of AAPI communities.
- No formal vote was recorded for the proclamation.
Oversized Vehicle Parking Ordinance
- The Council adopted an ordinance restricting oversized vehicle parking on public streets and establishing a permit fee.
- Permits will be issued case-by-case by traffic enforcement based on specific resident needs rather than an automated system.
- The ordinance exempts active loading and unloading while applying only to public streets, not private property.
Hueneme Beach Car Show Special Use Permit
- The Council granted a five-year special use permit for two annual car show fundraising events at Hueneme Beach.
- Events are scheduled for June and October, with proceeds supporting the Police Explorers' Turkey Drive.
- Approval included conditions regarding a 30-day buffer between shows and funding for restrooms and trash removal.
Vacancy and Recruitment Report
- Staff reported a 5.5% overall vacancy rate with 7.5 vacant positions out of 128 total FTEs as of April 1, 2026.
- Council members discussed hiring freeze status, target staffing levels, and historical peak employee numbers.
- The informational report was accepted unanimously without public comment.
Police Radio Equipment Purchase
- The Council approved a budget appropriation of up to $395,470 to purchase 700 MHz compatible radio equipment.
- The purchase enables a transition to the Ventura County Regional Radio System to ensure interoperability with neighboring agencies.
- A contract with Telcom Inc. was authorized with an exemption from formal bidding due to the vendor's specific system knowledge.
2025 Water Master Plan
- Staff presented a 20-year plan identifying $23.2 million in capital projects to replace aging pipes and address fire flow deficiencies.
- Key findings noted current system pressure issues caused by aging cast iron and asbestos-cement pipes.
- The report was received for informational purposes with no formal vote taken.
City Manager's Report
- Updates included the "Coffee with Your City" event, a historic preservation award, and expanded summer programming.
- The report highlighted upcoming deadlines for Hero Award nominations and the Hueneme Beach Festival poster contest.
- The agenda for the June 1 meeting was previewed, including a Pride Month proclamation and budget update.
Council Member Reports
- Members reported on attendance at energy policy, trade, and real estate association meetings.
- Council Member Gama noted beach conditions post-storm and the cancellation of an animal services commission meeting.
- Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez and Mayor McQueen-Lejeune shared updates on senior socials and the Port's 60th anniversary.
Full summary
Agenda Item 1: Approval of Agenda
- The City Council moved to approve the meeting agenda. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 2: Police Department Awards
- The Police Chief presented the Support Services Employee of the Year and Officer of the Year awards.
- Support Services Employee of the Year: Two employees were recognized: Rachel Perez and Clarissa Vasquez. Both are parking enforcement officers who were transferred from Community Development to the Police Department. They were recognized for their dedication, community assistance, and support of patrol officers.
- Officer of the Year: Officer Christopher Tarrio was recognized for his professionalism, mentorship of Police Explorers, and high number of DUI arrests.
- No formal vote was taken on the awards; they were presented as recognitions.
Agenda Item 3: National Public Works Week Proclamation
- Council Member Perez read a proclamation designating the week of May 17–23, 2026, as National Public Works Week. The proclamation recognized the contributions of public works professionals to infrastructure, public health, and quality of life. No formal vote was recorded for the proclamation.
Agenda Item 4: Public Works Department Annual Update
- The Public Works Director presented an annual update on department activities. Key projects discussed included:
- Completion of resurfacing projects on Hueneme Bay Alley and Surfside Village.
- Ongoing refurbishment and coating of the water tank at the Water Agency.
- School crossing upgrades using thermoplastic.
- New playground installations at Bulker and Miranda Parks, including ADA-compliant sidewalk improvements.
- Replacement of the fuel tank, with manufacturing underway and installation expected in June.
- Annual creek clearing and wastewater lift station wet well rehabilitation.
- Turf replacement projects at City Hall and Miranda Park funded by a grant.
- Manhole rehabilitation programs.
- Fleet maintenance challenges and the recruitment of a second mechanic.
- Engineering permit issuance and grant applications.
- Council members asked questions regarding the timeline for Bubbling Springs Creek cleaning, the use of biodegradable additives for weed control, and the operation of the new camera truck for sewer inspection.
Agenda Item 5: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation
- Council Member Gama read a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The proclamation honored the history, contributions, and resilience of AAPI communities in Port Hueneme and the nation. No formal vote was recorded for the proclamation.
Agenda Item 6: Consent Calendar
- The Council considered the consent calendar containing Items 1 through 6. Council Member Lopez requested to pull Item 3 for separate discussion.
- Action: A motion was made to approve Items 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 7: Oversized Vehicle Parking Ordinance (Item 3)
- The Council conducted a second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to restrict parking of oversized vehicles and establishing a permit fee.
- Discussion: Staff explained that permits would be issued on a case-by-case basis by the traffic enforcement team rather than through an automated online system, requiring residents to justify the need for parking an oversized vehicle on public streets. The permit duration would be determined by the specific need (e.g., loading/unloading, maintenance) rather than a fixed maximum term, though a 90-day notification period exists in the code. Staff clarified that the ordinance applies to public streets, not private property, and that active loading/unloading is exempt.
- Action: A motion was made to approve Item 3. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 8: Hueneme Beach Car Show Special Use Permit (Public Hearing)
- The Council held a public hearing to consider a resolution granting a five-year special use permit (PHSU 26-7) to the Port Hueneme Police Department and Police Explorers to host two annual car show fundraising events at Hueneme Beach from 2026 to 2030.
- Details: The events are proposed for the second Sunday in June and one Sunday in October, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The October event proceeds will support the Police Explorers' Turkey Drive. The project is categorically exempt from CEQA.
- Discussion: Staff and the applicant addressed questions regarding the expansion from one to two events, funding for restrooms and trash removal (covered by the Explorers), and the 30-day buffer period between car shows to mitigate noise concerns for neighbors. It was clarified that the buffer applies specifically to car shows and does not preclude other types of events.
- Public Comment: No public comments were received.
- Action: A motion was made to approve the resolution conditionally. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 9: Vacancy and Recruitment Report (Public Hearing)
- The Council held a public hearing pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3 (AB 2561) to receive a report on city vacancies and recruitment/retention efforts.
- Details: As of April 1, 2026, the city had 128 total FTE positions with 7.5 vacant, resulting in a 5.5% overall vacancy rate. Staff noted that while some positions were frozen in the budget, they are being filled as other positions become vacant or through internal promotions. Employee organizations were notified of their right to present but did not do so.
- Discussion: Council members inquired about the hiring freeze status, the target staffing levels, and the peak number of employees historically. Staff confirmed they are actively managing staffing levels based on budget constraints and critical needs.
- Public Comment: No public comments were received.
- Action: A motion was made to accept the informational report. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 10: Police Radio Equipment Purchase
- The Council considered a request to approve a budget appropriation not to exceed $395,470 for the purchase of 700 megahertz band compatible radio equipment and to authorize a contract with Telcom Inc.
- Details: The purchase is necessary to transition from the current P25 VHF system to the Ventura County Regional Radio System (700 MHz) to ensure interoperability with other agencies, specifically Oxnard Police and Ventura County Sheriff. The current system creates communication gaps during critical incidents. The annual subscription cost is estimated at $13,173. An exemption from formal bidding was requested due to Telcom's established relationship and specific knowledge of the department's system.
- Discussion: Staff explained the history of the 2013 digital upgrade, the resulting interoperability issues, and the cost comparison with other vendors (Motorola). The transition timeline was estimated at a couple of months.
- Action: A motion was made to approve the budget appropriation, contract authorization, and bidding exemption. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 11: 2025 Water Master Plan
- The Council received a presentation on the 2025 Water Master Plan prepared by MKN/Ardura.
- Details: The plan evaluates the water system's infrastructure and operational needs over a 20-year horizon. Key findings include that the system meets current demand but suffers from pressure deficiencies due to aging cast iron and asbestos-cement pipes. The plan identifies 31 capital projects totaling $23.2 million over 10 years to replace aging pipes, increase system pressure, and address 151 fire flow deficiencies (reducing them to 36). The plan also recommends asset management software and AMI meter replacement.
- Discussion: Council members asked about the handling of asbestos-cement pipes (abandonment in place), the specific locations of pressure issues, and the timeline for addressing fire flow risks. Staff confirmed the projects will be integrated into the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and the upcoming utility rate study.
- Action: The report was received for informational purposes. No formal vote was taken.
Agenda Item 12: City Manager's Report
- The City Manager provided updates on:
- The "Coffee with Your City" event.
- The Ventura County Historic Preservation Award received by the Port Hueneme Historical Museum.
- New summer programming enabled by approved fee schedules, including an expanded junior lifeguard program.
- The deadline for 2026 Hero Award nominations (May 22).
- The upcoming Memorial Day ceremony and paddle-out on May 25.
- The Hueneme Beach Festival poster contest deadline (May 29).
- The agenda for the June 1 meeting, including the Pride Month proclamation, road repair resolution, budget update, Union Hall permit, and parking analysis review.
Agenda Item 13: Council Member Reports
- Council Member Lopez: Reported on attendance at the California Community Choice Association meeting in Sacramento regarding energy policy and carbon neutrality goals.
- Council Member Gama: Reported on the cancellation of the Ventura County Animal Services Commission meeting due to safety concerns regarding a specific dog case. Also noted beach conditions post-storm and the presence of blue starfish jellyfish.
- Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez: Reported on attendance at World Trade Day, the Southern California Association of Governments conference, and the monthly senior social.
- Mayor McQueen-Lejeune: Reported on attendance at the Women's Realtor Association panel and the Port's 60th anniversary event.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 1 at 6:30 p.m.