Meeting Summary
Present: Gama, Lopez, Perez, McQueen-Legohn · Absent: Hernandez
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
Inspiration
- Council Member Gama addressed the council regarding Parks and Recreation achievements.
- The presentation highlighted youth engagement programs over the past six years.
- An estimated 22,000 total engagements were noted during this period.
Hueneme Beach Festival Recap
- Staff reported total expenses of $105,432.37 and a surplus of $603.
- The event featured music acts, a car show, carnival rides, and a soccer tournament.
- Staff recommended scheduling the 2027 festival for July 10th and 11th.
Port of Hueneme Banana Festival
- A public hearing considered a resolution for the September 26, 2026 event.
- Staff recommended approval with conditions for traffic, safety, and noise mitigation.
- The council approved the resolution granting a special use permit and parking fee waiver.
Short-Term Rental Ordinance
- Staff presented an ordinance proposal including a $995 annual permit fee and a 10% citywide cap.
- Discussion covered enforcement challenges, HOA notification requirements, and fine structures.
- The council approved the ordinance for first reading by title only and waived further readings.
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
- An external auditor presented a clean, unmodified opinion on the financial report.
- Key highlights included a $4.3 million prior period adjustment and a $6.4 million budget surplus.
- The item was received and filed without a formal vote.
Community Benefit Fund Projects
- Staff recommended two annual projects: a Beach Erosion Beacon membership and the 5K Sea Splash event.
- Discussion on one-time projects included a left-turn signal analysis and economic development grants.
- The council approved the annual projects and scheduled a future meeting to discuss one-time options.
CJPIA Annual Board Meeting Report
- A council member reported on the Joint Powers Authority meeting regarding liability insurance.
- Discussion covered the impact of social inflation on costs and the city's status within the pool.
- Details were provided on the insurance structure and the Sequoia Pacific Reinsurance Company.
Closed Session
- The council recessed to discuss labor negotiations with SEIU and unrepresented employees.
- Public comments were received regarding salary disparities and contract negotiation duration.
- The City Attorney reported no reportable action upon reconvening the open session.
Full summary
Call to Order and Attendance
- The meeting 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-Lachon. Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez was absent. The regular meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. following a flag salute and a second roll call confirming the same attendance.
Closed Session
- Public comments were received regarding labor negotiations, specifically concerning salary increase disparities and the duration of negotiations without a contract. The City Attorney read the closed session items into the record, covering conferences with labor negotiators for the SEIU Service Employees International Union 721 and unrepresented management and professional employees. The council recessed to closed session at approximately 5:33 p.m. Upon reconvening, the City Attorney reported no reportable action from the closed session.
Inspiration
- Council Member Gama provided an address highlighting the achievements of the Parks and Recreation Department over the past six years, focusing on youth engagement programs and noting an estimated 22,000 engagements.
Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
- Public comments were received on several topics:
- Pier Parking and Safety: Residents raised concerns regarding safety in the pier parking lot, citing vehicle stunts, noise, fireworks, drug activity, and loitering. Speakers requested increased police patrols, decoy vehicles, and stricter enforcement of ordinances. Council Member Lopez responded, noting ongoing work with the police department on patrols and the exploration of decoy vehicles.
- Traffic and E-Bikes: A speaker discussed speeding trucks at the intersection of Hueneme and Ventura Roads and requested stronger enforcement. Concerns were also raised regarding e-bikes and scooters exceeding safe speeds on bike paths, with requests for posted speed limits and ordinances prohibiting wheelies.
- Council Member Conduct: A speaker addressed concerns regarding an endorsement for Council Member Hernandez, citing judgment issues following a small claims filing that allegedly disclosed a police chief's home address.
Approval of Agenda
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Employee Recognition
- Deputy City Manager Charles Peretz presented quarterly employee recognition. Brian Fomenko was recognized for 30 years of service. Deputy Public Works Director Charles Cable and Council Members Lopez and Gama offered remarks regarding Fomenko's contributions. Fomenko accepted a certificate.
Hueneme Beach Festival Recap
- Police Support Service Manager Frank Montelago presented a recap of the Hueneme Beach Festival. The report noted total expenses of $105,432.37 and a surplus of $603. The festival included 10 music acts, a vintage car show, carnival rides, and a soccer tournament with 88 teams. Poster contest winners were recognized. Staff recommended holding the 2027 festival on July 10th and 11th.
Consent Calendar
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Hearing: Port of Hueneme Banana Festival
- A public hearing was held to consider a resolution finding the 2026 Port of Hueneme Banana Festival categorically exempt from CEQA, consistent with the local coastal program, and granting a special use permit (PHSU 26-9) with a temporary waiver for beach parking fees.
- Discussion: Staff presented a report noting the event is scheduled for September 26, 2026, with an expected attendance of 15,000. The request covers city-owned property, including street closures and beach parking lots. Staff recommended approval with conditions regarding traffic, safety, and noise mitigation. Applicants presented details on security measures, a new screening system, and coordination with the police department, confirming alcohol would be sold within the festival but prohibited in the car show area and public streets. No public comments were received.
- Decision: A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution. The motion passed.
Short-Term Rental Ordinance
- Staff presented a report on an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals (STRs) by adding Chapter 10 to Article 5 of the Port Hueneme Municipal Code.
- Discussion: The proposed ordinance includes an annual permit fee of $995, a business license requirement, transient occupancy tax payment, a 10% citywide permit cap, and "good neighbor" standards. Staff noted that enforcement within the coastal zone requires California Coastal Commission approval and that stricter elements might face challenges. Violations would carry fines ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. Discussion addressed the relationship between the ordinance and Homeowners Association (HOA) covenants; staff clarified the City does not enforce private HOA contracts but requires operators to provide written notice to their HOA. The 10% cap was retained to balance Coastal Commission requirements with local concerns. Public comment was received regarding an appeals process and third-party contractor compensation; staff confirmed an appeals section exists and noted third-party contractors are discretionary.
- Decision: A motion was made and seconded to introduce the ordinance for first reading by title only, waive further readings, and find the project categorically exempt from CEQA. The motion passed unanimously.
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)
- Staff and an external auditor presented the ACFR for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The auditor reported a clean, unmodified opinion. Key highlights included a $4.3 million prior period adjustment related to pension and retiree health benefit trust accounts, a General Fund decrease of approximately $3.6 million due to planned capital spending, and a year-end result $6.4 million better than budgeted. The item was received and filed; no vote was taken.
Community Benefit Fund Projects
- Staff presented a recommendation to establish annual and one-time projects for the Community Benefit Fund.
- Discussion: Staff recommended two annual projects: a membership for the Beach Erosion Beacon and the 5K Sea Splash Color Dash event. For one-time projects funded by a prior balance, options included a left-turn signal analysis, wayfinding signage, and economic development grants. Discussion focused on the cost of the signal analysis versus implementation costs, with some members questioning deferral. The City Attorney noted concurrence on signage and economic development grants was withheld pending further detail. Council members expressed interest in a small business loan program managed by the Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
- Decision: A motion was made and seconded to approve the two annual projects and to schedule a future meeting for further discussion on one-time projects, including a presentation from the EDC. The motion passed unanimously.
Future Agenda Items and Updates
- The City Manager provided updates on recent events, including a walking tour and the National Night Out event. Staff reported on completed curb ramp and crosswalk improvements. Upcoming agenda items for September 8 were identified, including proclamations, a second reading of the short-term rental ordinance, a response to the Grand Jury's fireworks report, a review of the Hueneme Hero Award policy, and a review of beach parking fees.
Report on California Joint Powers Insurance Association (CJPIA) Annual Board Meeting
- A council member provided a report on the CJPIA annual board meeting. The discussion covered the history of the Joint Powers Authority, the impact of "social inflation" on liability insurance costs, and the City of Port Hueneme's status within the pool. Details were provided regarding the insurance structure, self-insured retention levels, and the establishment of the Sequoia Pacific Reinsurance Company. No formal motion was moved, seconded, or voted upon.
Adjournment
- The chair announced no other business was pending. The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.