Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Hueneme Youth Street Art Initiative
- Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez proposed a mentorship-based program to address youth graffiti through authorized mural projects.
- The initiative plans collaboration with local organizations and the Police Department to create diversion programs.
- Funding for the sustainable program would be sourced from the Community Benefit Fund.
FoodShare Ventura County Presentation
- The organization reported that 44% of Port Hueneme residents required food assistance in the previous year.
- Plans were announced for a new $50 million food bank facility with 91% of funding already secured.
- Council members inquired about volunteer opportunities and potential partnerships with local housing groups.
Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation
- Council Member Perez read a proclamation designating July as Parks and Recreation Month.
- Staff provided updates on upcoming events including the Hueneme Beach Festival and movie-in-the-park series.
- Ongoing programs such as STEM camps, sports camps, and the Learn to Swim program were highlighted.
Housing Successor Agency Property Acquisition
- Staff recommended acquiring a parcel at 237 East Hueneme Road for $600,000 to develop low-income housing.
- The purchase is funded by Housing Successor Agency funds rather than the General Fund.
- Council members questioned potential unit density and the development's proximity to the adjacent museum.
Pavement Coatings Contract Award
- Staff clarified that Union Pavement was eliminated for failing to meet a 5% mobilization requirement.
- A calculation error in the staff report was corrected to confirm Pavement Coatings as the true low bidder.
- The contract was awarded to Pavement Coatings following the clarification of bid discrepancies.
J&H Engineering Contract Correction
- Staff confirmed the correct appropriation amount was $468,372 and the scope of work was a two-inch overlay.
- Errors in the original staff report regarding the appropriation amount and overlay thickness were acknowledged.
- The item was approved with the corrected appropriation amount after staff clarification.
Anti-Saline Chemical Sole Source Purchase
- Staff explained that the vendor is the sole producer of a specific chemical mix required for facility membranes.
- Council members expressed concern regarding a legal venue clause designating San Diego County.
- The City Attorney advised that venue location is not a significant legal concern for commodity purchases under California law.
Motive Energy Solar Panel Maintenance Contract
- Staff clarified that a cost discrepancy included $2,400 for biannual panel cleaning services.
- The contract covers preventative maintenance and monitoring but excludes repair costs beyond normal maintenance.
- It was noted that warranties on the solar panels and inverters have expired.
Opportunity Zone 2.0 Designation Support
- The council considered letters of support for an application targeting census tracts flanking Port Hueneme.
- The initiative aims to attract private investment in sectors such as defense, aerospace, and tourism.
- The application aligns with the Governor's Jobs First Initiative to encourage investment in low-income areas.
Blue Diamond LLC Compliance Review
- Staff presented a report detailing non-compliance including failure to adhere to a payment plan and audit requirements.
- A representative for Blue Diamond LLC disputed findings of bad faith and attributed delays to administrative issues.
- The council adopted a resolution finding the company in default and directed staff to issue a notice of intent to revoke.
BEACON Dues Increase and Conditions
- The Beach Erosion Authority requested increased dues to fund scientific studies and advocacy for sand replenishment.
- Council members questioned the return on investment and the timing of the request relative to the Beacon board vote.
- Approval was granted with conditions requiring ROI documentation and advance communication regarding dredging projects.
Settlement Agreement Amendment with Oxnard Harbor District
- The proposed amendment eliminates joint meetings for Community Benefit Fund allocation in favor of a 50-50 split.
- Each legislative body will independently determine how to spend its portion within three spending categories.
- Staff recommended creating a restricted fund to track the City's 50% allocation.
League of California Cities Delegate Appointment
- Staff presented the annual item to appoint a voting delegate and alternates for the September conference.
- Council Member Gama was nominated as the voting delegate with Council Member Lopez and Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez as alternates.
- The motion to designate the delegate and alternates passed unanimously.
City Manager and Council Member Reports
- The City Manager highlighted 17,000 attendees at the Hueneme Beach Festival and ongoing ADA improvements.
- Council members reported on housing modernization, a new community food pantry, and a mobile spay/neuter program.
- Updates included attendance at regional meetings and plans for an El Niño forecast discussion.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The regular City Council meeting was called to order on July 20 at 6:32 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Clerk conducted the roll call. Council Members Lopez, Perez, and Gama, Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez, and Mayor McQueen-Lajon were present.
Inspiration
- Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez delivered an address regarding youth graffiti in Port Hueneme. She proposed a "Hueneme Youth Street Art Initiative" to address tagging through mentorship, creative expression, and authorized mural projects rather than punitive measures. The proposal outlined collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club, the Department of Recreation and Community Services, REACH, and the Police Department to create diversion programs, utilizing the Community Benefit Fund for sustainable funding.
Public Comments
- Luis Garcia: Addressed concerns regarding an inconclusive arson investigation at his residence and a lack of responsiveness from the Police Department. He requested a meeting with the Police Chief, which had been declined three times, and called for a process to review past complaints to improve departmental feedback and operations. The Mayor noted that staff would connect with Mr. Garcia regarding his concerns.
- Guillermo Ceja Jr. and Ventura County Junior Fair Board: Presented the official 2026 Ventura County Fair poster, announced by the Junior Fair Board. They detailed the fair's theme, the Youth Poster Contest results, the grandstand concert lineup, special admission days, and the Junior Livestock Auction.
- Written Comment: One general written comment was received.
Approval of Agenda
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
- No council members disclosed conflicts of interest for the items on the agenda.
Presentation: Introduction of New Police Officer
- Chief Federico introduced Officer Nelly Garcia, a new recruit for the Port Hueneme Police Department. Officer Garcia shared her background, including her degree in social work and prior law enforcement experience. Council members welcomed Officer Garcia and expressed support for her service to the community. A group photo was taken.
Presentation: FoodShare Ventura County
- Monica White, President and CEO of FoodShare Ventura County, presented on the state of hunger in the region. She detailed the organization's history, funding sources, and distribution methods, noting that 44% of Port Hueneme residents required food assistance in the previous year. She announced plans for a new $50 million food bank facility, for which 91% of funding has been raised. Council members asked questions regarding volunteer opportunities, the senior kit program, and potential partnerships with local housing organizations.
Presentation: Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation and Update
- Council Member Perez read a proclamation designating July as Parks and Recreation Month. Deputy City Manager Charles Peretz and Recreation and Community Services Manager Anna Hanley provided an update on recent and upcoming events, including the Hueneme Beach Festival, historical walking tours, yoga at the beach, and future movie-in-the-park events. They also highlighted ongoing programs such as STEM camps, sports camps, and the Learn to Swim program. Council members offered comments regarding the department's efforts and community engagement.
Special Meeting: Port Hueneme Housing Successor Agency
- The Council recessed to convene a special meeting of the Housing Successor Agency.
- Acquisition of Real Property at 237 East Hueneme Road: Staff presented a recommendation to acquire a parcel adjacent to existing agency-owned property for $600,000 to develop low-income housing. The City Manager clarified that the purchase would be funded by Housing Successor Agency funds, not the General Fund. Council members asked questions regarding potential unit density and the proximity of the development to the adjacent museum.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve the acquisition and authorize the appropriation of $600,000. The motion passed unanimously.
- The Housing Successor Agency meeting was adjourned, and the regular City Council meeting resumed.
Consent Calendar
- Public Comment: Adam Vega, representing the Port, provided an update on the Opportunity Zone 2.0 application, noting its submission and support from various state and local partners.
- Item Removals: Council Member Lopez requested to pull items 4, 5, 6, and 7 from the consent calendar for separate discussion. Council Member Gama also requested to pull an item regarding the census tract. Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez recused herself from voting on Item 5 (Patterson Road resurfacing) due to living within the affected area.
- Remaining Items: A motion was made and seconded to approve the remaining consent calendar items (1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11). The motion passed unanimously.
Consent Calendar Item 4: Award Contract to Pavement Coatings Company
- Council Member Lopez questioned a pricing discrepancy in the staff report regarding bids from Union Pavement and Pavement Coatings. Public Works staff clarified that Union Pavement was eliminated for failing to meet the 5% mobilization requirement and that the bid discrepancy was a calculation error. Pavement Coatings was confirmed as the true low bidder.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to award the contract to Pavement Coatings. The motion passed unanimously.
Consent Calendar Item 5: Award Contract to J&H Engineering General Contracts
- Council Member Lopez identified discrepancies in the staff report regarding the appropriation amount ($380,898 vs. $468,372) and the scope of work (two-inch vs. four-inch overlay). Staff confirmed the correct appropriation amount was $468,372 and that the scope of work was a two-inch overlay, noting the report contained errors.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve the item with the corrected appropriation amount. The motion passed. Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez abstained.
Consent Calendar Item 6: Sole Source Purchase of Anti-Saline
- Council Member Lopez inquired about the vendor selection for the anti-saline chemical used in water treatment and noted a reference to San Diego County in the legal venue section of the document. Staff explained that the chemical is a specified mix required for the facility's membranes and that the vendor is the sole producer of this specific chemical. Discussion continued regarding the legal venue reference.
Item 6: Contract Approval (Vendor Agreement)
- Discussion focused on the venue clause within a vendor agreement, which designates San Diego County as the legal venue. Council members expressed concern regarding the potential inconvenience of litigating in another county, particularly given Ventura County's strict hazardous material regulations. The City Attorney clarified that while venue outside the county is typically flagged for service or construction contracts, it is not a significant legal concern for commodity purchases where California law applies regardless of the courtroom location. The City Attorney noted that challenging venue in court for a commodity purchase would be difficult and that such terms are best negotiated with the vendor if deemed critical. Staff indicated that while the risk of litigation is low, the city could negotiate venue terms in future agreements.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 7: Award of Three-Year Contract to Motive Energy
- This item concerned a three-year contract for the cleaning, monitoring, and preventative maintenance of city-owned solar panels. A council member questioned a discrepancy between the total cost listed in the staff report ($9,480 annually) and the sum of individual line items in an exhibit ($7,080). Staff clarified that the $2,400 difference accounted for panel cleaning services, which are billed twice annually. It was confirmed that the contract covers preventative maintenance and monitoring but does not include costs for repairs beyond normal maintenance, which would require additional appropriations. Staff also noted that warranties on the solar panels and inverters have expired.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 12: Approval of Letters of Support for Opportunity Zone 2.0 Designation
- The council considered letters of support for an application to designate specific census tracts for Opportunity Zone 2.0 status. A council member inquired about the specific benefits for the City of Port Hueneme, noting the application referenced tracts in Oxnard and the greater county rather than the city specifically. A Port representative explained that the Opportunity Zone program, established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, offers federal tax incentives to encourage investment in low-income areas. The application targeted two census tracts flanking Port Hueneme to address areas that had not received designation in the previous round. The initiative aligns with the Governor's Jobs First Initiative, focusing on sectors such as defense, aerospace, logistics, and tourism. The goal is to attract private investment to the region.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve the letters of support. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 13: Cannabis Development Agreement Compliance Review for Blue Diamond LLC
- The council conducted a public hearing to review the compliance of Blue Diamond LLC with its development agreement. Staff presented a report detailing multiple areas of non-compliance, including failure to adhere to a payment plan, failure to cooperate with a financial audit, and failure to satisfy community benefit fund requirements. Staff noted that while the business had made some payments and re-engaged with auditors after the hearing notice was issued, significant deficiencies remained, including an outstanding balance of $5,368.79 and missing audit documents. A representative for Blue Diamond LLC addressed the council, disputing the finding of bad faith. The representative attributed delays to misunderstandings regarding audit documentation, changes in auditor personnel, and state law changes affecting tax reporting. The representative stated that no ownership change had occurred and that the business was actively working to cure the community benefit and payment deficiencies within the proposed 30-day period. Council members questioned the representative regarding the business's financial stability and ability to meet the 30-day deadline.
- Motion and Vote: Following the public hearing, a motion was made and seconded to adopt a resolution finding Blue Diamond LLC in default of its development agreement and directing staff to provide written notice of intent to revoke the agreement if the default is not cured within 30 days. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 14: Beach Erosion Authority (BEACON) Dues and Presentation
- The council received a presentation from Mark Baylor, Executive Director of BEACON (Beach Erosion Authority of California), regarding the organization's goals, activities, and a request for updated membership dues. BEACON is a joint powers authority focused on sediment management, beach preservation, and water quality along the coast. The presentation highlighted the threat of beach loss due to climate change and the importance of coordinated dredging and sand replenishment efforts, specifically for Port Hueneme. BEACON requested an increase in membership dues, citing the need for additional resources to fund scientific studies, advocacy, and administrative operations. A council member questioned the significant percentage increase in dues relative to inflation and the general fund impact. The BEACON Director explained that the percentage increase was based on a historically underfunded budget and was necessary to achieve the organization's mission, arguing that the investment yields a significant return for the city's economy and infrastructure. The council also discussed the roles of various agencies, including the County of Ventura and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in sand replenishment projects.
Agenda Item: Beacon Financial Support and Dues Increase
- Discussion focused on the City's membership in Beacon, a regional collaborative, and a request for increased financial support. A Beacon representative explained that the organization provides advocacy, scientific data, education, and project development coordination to secure federal funding for sand replenishment and beach protection. The representative noted that Beacon's dues structure requires a unanimous vote among all ten member jurisdictions to change, emphasizing the need for all members to remain at the table. Council members questioned the specific return on investment (ROI) and the tangible benefits received by the City, particularly regarding the dredging project at Channel Islands Harbor. Concerns were raised about the timing of the request, as the Beacon board had already voted on the increase before presenting it to the City Council. Staff and Council members discussed the need for better communication regarding Beacon's activities and the importance of securing funding two years in advance to avoid gaps in sand delivery.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve the expenditure for the fee increase. The motion included conditions requiring Beacon to provide the City Manager with a list of returns on investment (including presentation slides), to ensure future budget increase requests are presented to the City Council prior to the Beacon board vote, and for Beacon to take a prominent role in communicating with the Army Corps of Engineers and other partners regarding the dredge project two years in advance. The motion was seconded. After discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 15: First Amendment to 2025 Settlement Agreement with Oxnard Harbor District
- Staff presented a proposed First Amendment to the 2015 Settlement Agreement regarding the Community Benefit Fund (CBF). The amendment proposes eliminating the requirement for joint meetings between the City and the Port to allocate CBF funds. Instead, the funds would be split 50-50, with each legislative body independently determining how to spend their portion. The agreement includes three spending categories: shoreline protection, community development benefiting Port Hueneme residents, and shared mission projects. Staff confirmed that the Port had already approved the amendment. Discussion addressed accounting procedures, with staff recommending the creation of a restricted fund to track the City's 50% allocation. Questions were raised regarding the waiver language, which prevents either party from suing the other over past CBF handling, and the process for resolving disagreements on project eligibility. Staff clarified that each agency's attorney reviews expenditures internally, and there are no mandatory reporting requirements beyond maintaining internal records. A public comment requested assurance that the City Council would develop a fair, open process for deciding how to spend its portion of the funds.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve the First Amendment to the Settlement Agreement. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item: Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternates for 2026 League of California Cities Annual Conference
- Staff presented the annual item to appoint a voting delegate and up to two alternates to attend the League of California Cities annual conference in Anaheim, scheduled for September 23–25. The delegate will vote on behalf of the City Council during the General Assembly. Council members discussed attendance, noting that several members were already registered. A nomination was made for Council Member Gama to serve as the voting delegate, with Council Member Lopez and Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez serving as alternates.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to designate the voting delegate and alternates as discussed. The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
City Manager's Comments and Reports
- The City Manager provided updates on several citywide initiatives. Highlights included the Hueneme Beach Festival, which recorded 17,000 attendees, and ongoing ADA accessibility and pedestrian safety improvements near Hueneme Elementary. Upcoming events for Parks and Recreation Month were noted, including "S'mores by the Shore," Kite Day, and a movie on the beach. The agenda for the August 17 meeting was outlined, including employee recognition, the kickoff for California Coastal Cleanup Day, a public hearing on a short-term rental ordinance draft, a special use permit for the Banana Festival, the annual comprehensive financial audit, and a review of the Hueneme Hero Award Policy. Staff noted that if the CBF amendment was approved, a discussion on CBF projects would be added to the August agenda.
Council Member Reports
- Council members provided additional reports. Council Member Lopez reported on the Hueneme Housing Inc. meeting, noting the approval of an elevator modernization contract at Mar Vista and a shift in staffing costs. Council Member Perez discussed a presentation by the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors regarding low-income housing, the creation of a community food pantry in conjunction with the Salvation Army and FoodShare, and ongoing discussions regarding rental protections. Council Member Gama reported on the Ventura County Animal Services meeting, highlighting a new mobile spay and neuter program aimed at reducing shelter overcapacity. Council Member Gama also discussed Beacon's involvement in a kelp restoration grant project, explaining its ecological benefits for sediment retention and beach health, and reiterated the importance of long-term planning for dredging projects.
Council Member Updates
- A council member provided updates on recent activities, including attendance at the Oxnard stakeholders meeting on immigration and the VCOG administrative meeting. Plans were noted for a future meeting with Ventura County OES to obtain an El Niño forecast, with the council member scheduled to attend at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). A presentation regarding food vendors for city managers was confirmed for an upcoming City Manager's meeting. The member also reported attending the 43rd annual conference of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials and a Beacon meeting.
Request for Adjournment in Memory
- A request was made to adjourn the meeting in memory of Andy Ortiz, identified as the chair of the Firewise Communities organization and a former assistant chief with the Ventura County Fire Department. The member noted that Ortiz passed away suddenly and that his services were scheduled for Thursday.
Council Member Availability and Schedule
- Another council member addressed the council regarding upcoming travel and technical difficulties, noting a schedule involving multiple weeks of absence and return over the coming month. The member acknowledged staff support for accommodating these needs and for covering meetings.
Meeting Schedule and Adjournment
- A reminder was issued that no council meeting would be held on the first Monday of the month; the next meeting was scheduled for the third Monday, August 17, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m. in memory of Andy Ortiz. No formal motions were moved, seconded, or voted upon in this segment of the transcript.