Meeting Summary
Present: Chavez, 5-Cornejo, 1-Ornelas, Crosswhite, Warrens
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
Wayfinding and Brand Kit
- Staff presented a new brand kit and wayfinding strategy with estimated costs of $160,000.
- Council discussed implementation phasing and coordination with infrastructure improvements.
- The report was received and filed by the Council.
Animal Shelter Operations
- The City Manager reported the SPARC contract ended, leaving operations on a month-to-month basis with the Humane Society.
- No formal long-term agreement is currently in place for shelter services.
Traffic Safety Policy
- The City Manager clarified that existing speed humps will be restored during repaving projects.
- Residents were directed to contact Public Works regarding missing humps or new requests.
Park and Orchard Street Project
- The project was pulled from the consent calendar to amend budget adjustment language.
- The timeline includes bidding in March, contractor selection in April, and summer construction.
- The amended item was approved by the Council.
Mobile Home Park Rent Adjustments
- The City Attorney recommended an urgency ordinance to limit rent adjustment applications to once per 12 months.
- Council discussed the urgency of the matter and resource strain on staff.
- The Council directed the City Attorney to prepare the ordinance by consensus.
Strategic Plan Progress
- Staff presented a six-month update on the 2025-2027 strategic plan covering 49 objectives.
- Highlights included the completion of the Bike Master Plan and police facility funding efforts.
- The report was received and filed by consensus.
Police Chief Advisory Committee
- A proposal to form a five-member advisory committee was presented to address community perceptions.
- Council members suggested increasing the size to seven and clarifying the committee as non-operational.
- The Police Chief agreed to move forward with formation and report back on selections.
Nitrous Oxide Regulation
- The Vice Mayor requested code language to prohibit the sale of recreational nitrous oxide canisters.
- The Council agreed to flag the issue for inclusion in the upcoming municipal code update.
Immigration Resolution
- Council Member Chavez proposed a resolution supporting the immigrant community.
- The Council deferred the item for review by the ad hoc immigration committee before future agenda placement.
Closed Session
- The City Attorney reported on sessions regarding the City Manager's evaluation and anticipated litigation.
- No reportable actions were taken in either closed session.
Full summary
Invocation, Flag Salute, and Roll Call
- The meeting was called to order with an invocation by Chaplain Kay Wilson Bolton and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Chavez. A roll call confirmed the presence of all council members and the Mayor.
Closed Session Report
- The City Attorney reported on closed sessions held two weeks prior regarding the City Manager's performance evaluation and earlier that day regarding anticipated litigation (Item 5a). No reportable actions were taken in either session.
Public Comment
- Members of the public addressed the Council on various topics:
- Union Oil Building: Speakers Tim True and Mike Nelson supported the Responsible Energy Council's proposal to lease and curate the Union Oil Building, urging the Council to re-engage in negotiations regarding rent and maintenance costs.
- Immigration: Speakers Amalia Ochoa and Chris Gabriel advocated for a resolution condemning discriminatory immigration enforcement practices and requested legal funding and support for affected families.
- Community Events: Maria Robles and Maria Macias announced upcoming events, including a 2026 Congressional Candidate Forum and the expansion of a youth program.
- Harvest Development: An unidentified speaker criticized the City's handling of the Harvest development, alleging a shift from the voter-approved mixed-use plan to a housing-heavy project lacking promised amenities.
- Parking and Utilities: Julia Ancona requested 15-minute parking spaces near a water store for seniors and reported a malfunctioning water meter.
- Fire Department Costs: Judy Rice criticized the financial agreement with the County Fire Department and requested a report on property tax revenue breakdowns and fire service costs.
Presentations: Wayfinding and Brand Kit
- Sammy Tapia presented a report on the city's new brand kit and wayfinding strategy developed by Hunt Group Design. The presentation covered design inspiration, color palettes, and applications for signage and vehicle branding. Budget estimates included $10,000 for banners and $150,000 for wayfinding signage. The Council discussed implementation phasing and coordination with infrastructure improvements. The Council received and filed the report.
Council Member Reports
- Council members and the Mayor provided updates on their respective activities, including meetings regarding immigration policy, ICE detention centers, hospital closure, transportation grants, state legislation, and local business development.
City Manager's Report
- Animal Shelter: The City Manager reported that the contract with SPARC ended in February. The City is currently operating on a month-to-month basis with the Humane Society of Ventura County, with no formal long-term agreement in place.
- Traffic Safety: The City Manager clarified that the City's policy is to restore existing speed humps during repaving projects. Residents were directed to contact Public Works or the City Engineer regarding missing humps or new requests.
Consent Calendar
- Items 10A through 10C: A motion was made to approve these items and was seconded. Council Member Chavez recused himself from the vote on Item 10C due to a potential conflict of interest. The items passed.
- Item 10D (Park and Orchard Street Water/Sewer/Pavement Project): This item was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion. A friendly amendment was proposed and accepted to narrow the scope of the budget adjustment language to match the specific fiscal impact noted in the staff report. The project timeline was outlined, with bidding expected to begin Friday, bid close in mid-March, contractor selection in April, and construction over the summer. A motion was made to approve the amended Item 10D, which was seconded. The item passed.
Item 11A: Urgency Ordinance to Regulate Mobile Home Park Rent Adjustment Application Frequency
- The City Attorney presented a discussion on adopting an urgency ordinance to limit the frequency of mobile home park rent adjustment applications. The current ordinance allows automatic annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index but lacks limits on discretionary applications. The recommendation was to prohibit park owners from filing a new application within 12 months of a previous decision on the merits, absent unusual circumstances. Public comment was received regarding financial burdens on residents and staff resource strain. The Council discussed the urgency of the matter and the recommendation from the Housing and Homelessness Standing Committee. By consensus, the Council directed the City Attorney to prepare an urgency ordinance regulating the frequency of applications to once per 12-month period. No formal motion was moved or seconded.
Item 11B: 2025-2027 City Council Two-Year Strategic Plan Implementation Progress Report
- Nicole Asper presented a six-month update on the implementation of the City's two-year strategic plan, detailing the status of 49 objectives across six primary goals. Highlights included the completion of the Bike Master Plan and the pursuit of funding for Police Department facility upgrades. The Council thanked the presenter and noted the utility of the plan. The Council received and filed the report by consensus. No formal motion was moved or seconded.
Item 11C: Police Chief Advisory Committee Formation
- The Police Chief presented a proposal to form a five-member Police Chief Advisory Committee to advise on community perceptions and service needs. Public comment raised concerns regarding the lack of independent oversight, as the committee would be overseen by the Police Chief. Council discussion addressed the distinction between an advisory committee and an operational oversight body. Council members suggested striking the word "operational" from the committee's responsibilities to clarify its external, advisory nature. Additional suggestions included increasing the committee size from five to seven members and considering youth appointments. The Council provided feedback, agreeing to the formation of the committee with the clarification that it is advisory and not an operational oversight body. The Police Chief agreed to move forward with the formation and to report back on the selection process. No formal motion was moved or seconded; the item was concluded by consensus.
Item 12A: Future Agenda Items
- Regulation of Nitrous Oxide: The Vice Mayor requested that the City consider adding language to the municipal code to prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide canisters designed for recreational use. The Council agreed to flag this issue for inclusion in the upcoming municipal code update under health and safety provisions. No formal motion was moved; the request was acknowledged by consensus.
- Resolution on Immigration: Council Member Chavez proposed a resolution to state the City's values and support for the immigrant community. The Vice Mayor and Council Member Nellis requested to review the draft resolution first. The Council agreed to allow the ad hoc immigration committee to review the draft before it is placed on a future agenda. No formal motion was moved; the item was deferred for review by consensus.
Future Agenda Items (Continued)
- The City Clerk addressed the development of language for the immigration resolution previously raised by Council Member Chavez. The Clerk noted that the topic requires scrutiny and collaboration with other organizations before presentation to the Council. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon.
Adjournment and Memorial
- The City Clerk acknowledged Joseph Paul Byram, a former Public Works Department supervisor. The meeting was closed in his memory and honor. The City Clerk adjourned the meeting at 9:33. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon.