Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Labor Negotiations
- Public speakers representing employees and SEIU Local 721 requested additional bargaining authority beyond the proposed 1% cost of living adjustment.
- The Council entered a closed session to confer with labor negotiators under Government Code Section 54957.6.
- The City Attorney reported no reportable action following the closed session.
Juneteenth Proclamation and Hueneme Beach Festival
- The Juneteenth Celebration Committee presented a proclamation for the 35th Annual Freedom Day Celebration scheduled for June 20, 2026.
- Staff outlined changes for the 2026 Hueneme Beach Festival, including an earlier start time and free parking with shuttle service.
- Council members inquired about the Youth Poster Contest, lawn chair policies, and the role of Police Explors.
- No formal motions or votes were taken on these presentation items.
Memorandum of Understanding with Hueneme Elementary School
- Council Member Camarillo questioned the funding structure regarding internal staff hours and insurance coverage limits for crossing guards.
- Staff clarified that the contractor's insurance provides primary indemnification with the City's coverage stacking on top.
- The Council unanimously approved the continuation of the MOU.
Interim Policy for Residential Projects
- Staff explained the interim policy is necessary to ensure compliance with state housing laws and avoid penalties like funding ineligibility.
- It was noted that while the 99 Cent Store lot was rezoned, no developer has yet applied for housing conversion there.
- The Council unanimously approved the interim policy.
Annual Hero Award
- The Citizens Advisory Commission recommended recognizing all volunteers participating in weekly beach cleanups rather than a single individual.
- Council Member Lopez suggested including the organization REACH in the recognition alongside the volunteers.
- The Council unanimously accepted the recommendation and directed staff to schedule a future review of award criteria.
Assessment Districts Public Hearing
- A public hearing was held regarding annual assessments for Lighting, Parkway and Medians, and Drainage districts.
- Staff explained that assessments fund specific services for properties within the districts and noted increased costs since establishment.
- The Council unanimously adopted resolutions ordering the levy and collection of assessments for the three districts.
2025 Urban Water Management and Shortage Contingency Plans
- Staff presented the state-mandated Urban Water Management Plan, noting current per capita usage of approximately 71 gallons per day.
- Discussion covered unused city wells due to saltwater intrusion and the state mandate to convert non-functional turf by January 1, 2027.
- The Council unanimously adopted resolutions for both the Urban Water Management Plan and the Water Shortage Contingency Plan.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
- Staff presented three notification options, with Council members expressing support for Option B (annual neighbor notification) due to safety concerns.
- Discussion covered the legality of prohibiting corporate ownership, the need for significant fines, and a mandatory one-year review clause.
- The Council directed staff to draft a revised ordinance incorporating neighbor notification, specific penalties, and a review clause for future adoption.
Closed Session
- The Council entered a closed session to confer with labor negotiators regarding ongoing collective bargaining.
- The City Attorney reported no reportable action occurred during the session.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Roll Call
- The regular City Council meeting for the City of Port Hueneme was called to order at 5:30 p.m. A roll call confirmed the presence of Council Members Gama, Lopez, and Perez, and Mayor McQueen-Legohn. Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez was noted as absent.
Closed Session and Public Comments
- Two public comments were received regarding labor negotiations prior to a closed session. Speakers representing city employees and SEIU Local 721 discussed the insufficiency of the current 1% cost of living adjustment proposal and requested additional authority for the bargaining team. The Council subsequently entered a closed session under Government Code Section 54957.6 to confer with labor negotiators. Following the session, the City Attorney reported no reportable action.
- Two general public comments were received. One speaker thanked staff for schedule adjustments regarding the senior exercise program and provided updates on the Nate's Place Pickleball Tournament and the Veteran Banner Program. Another speaker addressed Pride Month, criticized the City's response to hate incidents against the LGBTQIA+ community, and called for protective ordinances and a police commission.
Agenda Approval
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. The motion passed unanimously. No conflicts of interest were disclosed.
Presentations: Juneteenth Proclamation and Hueneme Beach Festival
- The Juneteenth Celebration Committee of Ventura County presented a proclamation recognizing the 35th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration, scheduled for June 20, 2026, in Oxnard. Details regarding entertainment, food vendors, and activities were provided. No formal motion or vote was taken.
- A presentation was given regarding the 2026 Hueneme Beach Festival, scheduled for July 11 and 12. Changes from the previous year, including an earlier start time, free parking with shuttle service, and the festival layout, were outlined. Council members inquired about the Youth Poster Contest, website updates, committee composition, lawn chair policies, and the role of Police Explorers. No formal motion or vote was taken.
Consent Calendar
- Items 3, 5, and 7 were pulled from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion. A motion was made and seconded to approve the remaining consent items (Items 1, 2, 4, and 6). The motion passed unanimously.
Item 3: Memorandum of Understanding with Hueneme Elementary School
- This item concerned the continuation of the MOU regarding crossing guards. Council Member Camarillo questioned the funding structure, specifically regarding internal staff hours and insurance coverage limits. Staff explained that administrative work has decreased and that the contractor's insurance provides primary indemnification, with the City's coverage stacking on top. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 5: Interim Policy for Residential Projects
- This item addressed an interim policy for processing residential projects under state housing laws. Council Member Camarillo asked about penalties for non-compliance and activity on the 99 Cent Store lot. Staff clarified that the City is working with the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to ensure compliance and avoid penalties, such as ineligibility for state funding. It was noted that while the 99 Cent Store lot was rezoned, no developer has yet applied for housing conversion there. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 7: Annual Hero Award
- This item was pulled to discuss the nomination and appointment process. Council Member Lopez raised concerns regarding the Citizens Advisory Commission's (CAC) review process. Staff explained that the CAC unanimously recommended recognizing all volunteers participating in the weekly Hueneme Beach cleanups rather than a single individual. Council Member Gama spoke in support of the volunteers, and Council Member Lopez suggested including the organization REACH in the recognition. A motion was made and seconded to accept the CAC's recommendation to recognize the beach cleanup volunteers and to schedule a future Council review of the award criteria and direction to the CAC. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 8: Public Hearing on Assessment Districts
- A public hearing was held regarding the levy and collection of annual assessments for Assessment Districts 87-1 (Lighting), 91-1 (Parkway and Medians), and 95-3 (Drainage). Public Works Director Fred Camarillo explained the purpose of the districts and the upcoming audit of lighting costs. Council Member Gama asked about the public benefit of the assessments and the status of LED lighting conversions. Staff explained that the assessments fund specific services benefiting properties within the districts and that costs have increased since establishment. No public comments were received. The public hearing was closed. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the three resolutions ordering the levy and collection of assessments and authorizing an agreement with the Ventura County Auditor-Controller. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 9 & 10: 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan
- Staff presented the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (UMP), a state-mandated document covering the city's service area, projected population growth, water sources, and usage analysis. The presentation noted current per capita usage is approximately 71 gallons per day and addressed water loss of approximately 1,700 acre-feet. The Water Shortage Contingency Plan, identified as Section 8 of the UMP, was presented as a standalone document outlining six shortage levels with corresponding response actions.
- Discussion focused on city wells (currently unused due to saltwater intrusion), water loss data derived from annual audits, the state mandate to convert non-functional turf by January 1, 2027, and plans for a citywide upgrade to advanced metering technology.
- A public hearing was opened for the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan. No public comments were received. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan Resolution. The motion passed unanimously.
- A public hearing was opened for the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan. No public comments were received. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan Resolution. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item: Short-Term Rental (STR) Regulations
- Staff presented a report on proposed short-term rental regulations, outlining three options for notification/posting requirements: Option A (simplified exterior posting), Option B (annual neighbor notification), and Option C (QR code placard). The draft ordinance includes requirements for annual permits, business licenses, occupancy limits, parking standards, quiet hours, a nuisance response plan, a local contact, and a citywide 10% permit cap.
- Public comments were received from a representative of the "Hueneme Wave" organization, a resident from Surfside 3, and a homeowner/organizer for STRfreedom.org. Speakers addressed enforcement, corporate ownership prohibitions, security risks associated with exterior signage, and the need for annual effectiveness reviews.
- Council discussion focused on the notification options, with several members expressing support for Option B due to safety concerns regarding exterior signage. Discussion also covered the legality of prohibiting corporate ownership, the need for significant fines within state limits, and the inclusion of a mandatory one-year review clause.
- The Council provided direction to staff to proceed with drafting a revised ordinance incorporating Option B (neighbor notification), specific penalties modeled after neighboring cities, consideration of language regarding corporate ownership restrictions, and a mandatory one-year review clause. Staff will return with the revised ordinance for a future public hearing and adoption. No formal motion was taken at this time.
City Manager and Council Member Reports
- The City Manager provided updates on the Miranda Park Playground grand opening, a public workshop for the 2027 Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Hueneme Beach Festival schedule, and the agenda for the July 20th meeting.
- Council Member Camarillo reported on the Miranda Park playground, Hueneme Housing Inc. financial policies and capital goals, and the Veterans Ad Hoc Committee banner installation schedule. Council Member Gama commented on park revitalization and expressed interest in a future presentation on the turnkey turf project. Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez acknowledged the Miranda Park work, discussed legislative tracking regarding child care in general plans, and addressed an inquiry regarding feeding ducks at Bubbling Springs.
Additional Public Comments and Councilmember Remarks
- Additional remarks were provided regarding community events, including a Suroptimist officer installation, a Pride proclamation, a Chumash presentation, and a robotics summit. No formal motions were moved or seconded, and no decisions were made during this segment.
Adjournment
- The Chair confirmed there were no further items to address. The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m. The next Council meeting was announced for July 20th at 6:30 p.m. No formal motion to adjourn was explicitly moved or seconded in the transcript.