Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Proclamations and Recognition
- The Council recognized October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
- Proclamations were read into the record acknowledging the impact of these conditions and the importance of community support.
- Pat Magus, a domestic violence victim advocate for the Port Hueneme Police Department, was recognized for her service.
2026-27 Rainy Season El Niño Preparedness Update
- Staff reported on facility inspections, EOC refurbishment, and Public Works improvements such as drain repairs and pipe replacements.
- The Community Center was designated as a potential local emergency shelter, with Oxnard College remaining the primary regional site.
- Staff requested authorization to distribute preparedness flyers in monthly utility bills to encourage resident readiness.
- The Council reached a consensus to proceed with the distribution of the preparedness flyer via utility bills.
Consideration of League of California Cities Recommendation to Oppose Proposition 43
- Staff explained that Proposition 43 would raise the voting threshold for local tax measures to a two-thirds supermajority.
- The League of California Cities requested formal resolutions to help educate voters on the proposition.
- The Council adopted a resolution opposing Proposition 43 limits on voters' ability to raise revenues for local government services.
Review of Hueneme Hero Award Criteria and Process
- Staff presented the current award policy and discussed potential amendments regarding eligibility for Council and CAC members.
- The Council determined that Council members may be nominated and may recommend nominees through the CAC process.
- Staff will proceed with an enhanced outreach strategy to solicit more nominations from the community.
City Manager’s Report
- The City Manager provided updates on upcoming events, including Touch a Truck, Spooktacular, and Patterson Road resurfacing.
- Staff clarified that the upcoming budget overview is a preliminary step to set the stage for the formal budget cycle.
- Council members expressed support for early engagement in the budget process and discussed specialized training for staff interactions with vulnerable populations.
Closed Session
- The Council entered closed session to discuss matters with the Unrepresented Management and Professional Employees Association.
- No reportable action was taken during the closed session.
Full summary
Closed Session
- The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. The Council entered closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 to discuss matters with the Unrepresented Management and Professional Employees Association. Agency representatives present included the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and Human Resources Risk Manager. No reportable action was taken during the closed session.
Public Comments (Non-Agenda Items)
- Utility Billing: A resident spoke regarding the failure to receive physical utility bills after the city migrated to a new billing platform, alleging violations of state law regarding electronic transactions. The City Manager stated the city had offered alternative payment options and did not believe there was an issue requiring council action. The City Attorney clarified that while the city must accept mailed payments, there is no statutory duty to provide physical invoices, though bills are mailed to those who request them. The Mayor directed the resident to follow up with the Finance Department.
- Property Dispute: A resident raised concerns about blocked emergency egress windows due to neighboring vehicles and debris, citing fire code violations. The City Manager stated that confidential code enforcement actions and property rights disputes cannot be discussed in public but indicated that new photos submitted by the resident would be forwarded to the Code Enforcement Department for follow-up.
Agenda Approval
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Proclamations and Recognition
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Council recognized October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A proclamation was read into the record acknowledging the impact of breast cancer, the importance of early detection, and the contributions of healthcare providers and advocates.
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month: The Council recognized October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A proclamation was read into the record emphasizing the need for community coordination, education, and support for victims. The Council recognized Pat Magus, a domestic violence victim advocate for the Port Hueneme Police Department, for her service. Several Council members and the Interim Police Commander spoke to her dedication and responsiveness. A group photo was taken.
Housing Authority Meeting
- The Council recessed to call to order the Port Hueneme Housing Authority regular meeting at 6:59 p.m. Roll was taken, noting the absence of Member Brown. No public comments were received. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Housing Authority consent calendar. The motion passed unanimously. No reports were given by authority members. The Housing Authority meeting was adjourned, with the next regular meeting scheduled for November 2 at 6:30 p.m.
City Council Consent Calendar
- The Council reconvened at 7:01 p.m. No public comments were received for the consent calendar. A motion was made and seconded to approve the City Council consent calendar. The motion passed unanimously.
Business Item 6: 2026-27 Rainy Season El Niño Preparedness Update
- Staff presented a report on preparedness for the upcoming rainy season and potential El Niño conditions. Key points included:
- State and Federal Actions: The state issued an emergency proclamation to streamline purchasing and permit processes and authorize the National Guard for support. Cal OES is coordinating with local agencies.
- City Facilities: The Housing and Facilities Department has inspected buildings, cleaned roof drains, maintained sump pumps, and completed roof replacements at City Hall, the Community Center, and Public Works. Backup generators and standby supplies are being maintained.
- Emergency Operations: The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been refurbished and expanded. Personnel training is scheduled for the current month. The Police Department is coordinating with lifeguards to utilize high-clearance vehicles for storm response.
- Sheltering: Due to county resource limitations, the city has designated the Community Center as a potential local emergency shelter, with staff undergoing intensive training. For regional emergencies, the primary shelter remains Oxnard College.
- Public Works Improvements: Catch basin inspections, cleanouts, and flood control station maintenance are ongoing. A failed drain crossing under Channel Islands Boulevard was repaired. Pipe replacement is underway on Pearson and 8th Street. The city is coordinating with the county on the Oxnard West Drain and J Street channel, including pump maintenance and debris removal. Tree trimming is being conducted to prevent palm fronds from clogging flood control pumps. Sandbag preparation is underway, with plans to make materials available to the public.
- Resident Preparedness: Staff recommended residents clear gutters, secure outdoor items, and have evacuation plans. The city is distributing "Ready Ventura County" flyers and has created a flood information page on its website, noting that standard homeowners insurance often excludes flood damage.
- Outreach: A public preparedness presentation is scheduled for October 10 at the library. Staff requested authorization to distribute preparedness flyers in monthly utility bills, targeting distribution around November 15.
Council Questions and Discussion (El Niño Preparedness)
- Sheltering: Council inquired about alternate shelter sites if the Community Center is impacted. Staff confirmed that Oxnard College remains the primary regional shelter, but the Community Center is the designated local site for Port Hueneme-specific emergencies. Staff clarified that while a designated shelter site within city limits is a requirement, alternative sites may be used if the primary site is inaccessible.
- Pump Failures: Council asked about backup pumps for the Willowbrook area. Staff stated that standby vehicles with equipment are staged during major events and that backup pumps are available for deployment.
- Upstream Debris: Council asked about coordination with Oxnard regarding upstream debris in the shared channel. Staff confirmed ongoing communication and planned meetings with Oxnard staff to coordinate maintenance.
- Watershed Monitoring: Council inquired about county monitoring of the watershed capacity. Staff noted that the county has live gauges but that the 2023 event exceeded the station's design capacity despite all pumps running.
- External Resources: Council asked about accessing Navy or Port pumps. Staff indicated they were not previously aware of such resources but would follow up. Staff confirmed the city is part of the Public Works Mutual Aid Plan, allowing requests for equipment through the county and state.
- Vegetation Management: Council asked about the removal of tule and cattails from Bubbling Springs Park. Staff confirmed a contractor is working on this and expects completion within a few weeks.
- Palm Tree Maintenance: Council suggested warning residents about palm frond buildup. Staff stated they are currently focused on city-owned trees near the channel.
- Pier Protection: Council asked about Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) plans for sandbar management to protect the pier. Staff indicated a kickoff meeting with ACOE is scheduled for the coming weeks to discuss schedules and recommendations.
- Damage Assessment: Staff provided details on the damage assessment process following the December 2023 storms, noting that the city utilized a county-operated database and building officials from Charles Abbott & Associates to document damage within 24 hours.
- FEMA Assistance: Staff noted that FEMA assistance thresholds are high (impacting fewer than 800 households), limiting federal support for smaller cities, and that the city has advocated for lowering these thresholds.
- Public Comment/Staff Response: A resident suggested emphasizing the importance of residents clearing their private drains from back to front in the preparedness flyer. Staff confirmed the flyer will be a double-sided, full-sheet document in English and Spanish, distributed via utility bills.
Decision (El Niño Preparedness)
- The Council reached a consensus to proceed with the distribution of the preparedness flyer via utility bills. No formal vote was taken as it was treated as a receiving file based on consensus.
Agenda Item 7: Consideration of League of California Cities Recommendation to Oppose Proposition 43
- Staff presented the League of California Cities’ request for cities to adopt a resolution opposing Proposition 43. Staff explained that the proposition would raise the voting threshold for voter-initiated local tax measures from a simple majority (50% + 1) to a two-thirds supermajority. Staff noted that the League requested formal resolutions rather than standard letters to help educate voters, as the proposition is not receiving significant campaign attention. Staff clarified that city resources cannot be used for advocacy but can be used to disseminate factual information.
- A motion was made to adopt a resolution entitled "Resolution of the City Council of the city of Port Hueneme opposing Proposition 43 limits voters ability to raise revenues for local government services on November 3rd." The motion was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 8: Review of Hueneme Hero Award Criteria and Process
- Staff presented the current policy for the Hueneme Hero Award, established in 2020. The discussion focused on potential amendments regarding the eligibility of City Council members and Citizens Advisory Commission (CAC) members for the award, as well as the process for soliciting nominations. Council members discussed the challenge of identifying nominees in a small community and the perception that the process may favor known individuals or organizations. Staff noted that the current nomination deadline is March 15, with a 45-day submission period.
- Staff proposed enhancing outreach efforts to solicit more nominations, including using utility bill mailers, social media, and newsletters. Staff also suggested providing Council with updates on the number of nominations received during the period to encourage further community participation.
- The Council did not adopt any amendments to the policy. It was determined that Council members may be nominated and may recommend nominees through the CAC process. Staff will proceed with the enhanced outreach strategy for soliciting nominations. No formal vote was taken on policy amendments as none were proposed.
Request for Future Agenda Items / City Manager’s Report
- The City Manager provided updates on upcoming events and projects:
- Touch a Truck: Scheduled for Saturday, October 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Spooktacular: Scheduled for Miranda Park; Council members discussed the timing relative to daylight saving time changes.
- Bubbling Springs Creek: Public Works is currently clearing the creek, noting that work is limited to specific times of the year.
- Patterson Road Resurfacing: Scheduled for October 12–26, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with alternate access via Wheelhouse Avenue and Jetty Street.
- October 19 Agenda: Includes proclamations for Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a high-level overview of department budgets, Veterans Committee and Banner details, and an overview of e-bike rules and laws.
- Staff clarified that the upcoming budget overview is a preliminary step to set the stage for the budget cycle, which will begin in earnest in March and April. Council members expressed support for early engagement in the budget process.
Council Member Reports
- Council Member Lopez: Reported attending the CSUCI presidential dinner, the League of California Cities conference (where the city voted for Resolution 1 regarding equity and local controls), the Port Hueneme Banana Festival, and a golf tournament for a Peruvian Orphanage fundraiser. Noted bringing back information on solar lighting and road repair equipment from the League of Cities.
- Council Member (Unidentified Speaker 9): Reported attending the Banana Festival, where the Lions Club booth distributed over 800 vegetables.
- Council Member (Unidentified Speaker 5): Reported attending the Banana Festival car show and the League of California Cities conference. Mentioned attending the California Joint Insurance Authority’s Underwater Risk Review in Monterey. Reported on the VC Animal Services mobile spay and neuter program, which has performed over 400 procedures, aiming to reduce shelter capacity issues.
- Council Member (Unidentified Speaker 4): Reported attending the League of California Cities conference and SCAG meetings. Discussed working with the Lucy Jones Institute and SCAG on updating the San Andreas earthquake scenario decision-making tool. Mentioned attending the VCOG dinner.
- Councilmember McQueen-Legohn: Reported on recent and upcoming events, including attendance at the Banana Festival, the 29th Military Appreciation Dinner, and the Mobility 21 Summit. She noted that the Mobility 21 Summit was supported by VCTC. She also announced upcoming attendance at the California Transit Association Conference and Expo (supported by Gold Coast Transit District), the Navy League birthday celebration, and the VCOG dinner.
- General comments included a discussion on the importance of specialized training for staff to interact with seniors and individuals with disabilities. A recommendation was made for the Public Works Director and City Manager to attend the League of California Cities conference for vendor displays and briefings.
Adjournment
- Councilmember McQueen-Legohn moved to adjourn the meeting in memory of Cassie Nolan, a Hueneme Bay resident and centenarian who passed away on September 13 at age 101. The motion passed with no objection. The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for October 19 at 6:30 p.m.