City Council — March 18, 2026

Police Department Annual Report

• Chief Eggler presented annual statistics showing a 15% decrease in Group A offenses for 2025.
• Staffing updates noted four sworn officer vacancies and ongoing recruitment efforts.
• Council inquired about the Chief’s Advisory Committee and pending traffic officer program funding.

Successive Rent Increase Ordinance

• The City Attorney presented an ordinance regulating applications for successive rent increases.
• An amendment clarified that regulatory property tax increases are excluded from the 12-month prohibition.
• The Council moved to reintroduce Ordinance Number 1353 as amended.

Utility Box Art Project Criteria

• Staff presented program requirements for painting city-owned utility boxes.
• Guidelines prohibit advertising, political content, and offensive imagery on the structures.
• The Council approved the project criteria requirements and associated maintenance responsibilities.

Transfer of Unclaimed Monies

• Finance staff presented Resolution 7608 to transfer escheated funds to the General Fund.
• A total of $34,590.84 remained unclaimed following public notice.
• The Council adopted the resolution to finalize the transfer of funds.

Population Growth Workshop

• Council proposed a workshop to discuss population growth impacts on traffic and safety.
• The Council agreed to consider scheduling the session for June or July.
• Coordination with existing study sessions on other topics will be required.

Closed Session

• The City Attorney provided a report regarding potential litigation matters.
• No reportable actions were taken during the closed session proceedings.
• The report was delivered during the initial administrative matters of the meeting.

• Meeting: Santa Paula City Council Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Council Chambers

Meeting Opening and Administrative Matters

• The Mayor called the meeting to order following an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call confirmed a quorum with Council Members Chavez, Cornejo, and Ornelas present. Vice-Mayor Crosswhite was absent. The City Attorney provided a closed session report regarding potential litigation; no reportable actions were taken.
• Regarding public comment procedures, a discussion occurred concerning the pooling of time among speakers. The City Manager and City Attorney advised that while the rules generally discourage pooling time to ensure orderly conduct, the Mayor has discretion to allow it. The Mayor elected to allow one speaker to utilize time ceded by two others for that specific instance.

Public Comment

• Seven members of the public addressed the Council.
• PBID and Downtown Improvements: Multiple speakers expressed concerns regarding delays in the Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) Commercial Facade Improvement Program. Speakers noted that applications submitted over a year prior had not yet been funded, despite approvals, and cited difficulties in planning improvements. Concerns were raised about the lack of communication, processing errors, and increased project costs due to delays.
• Downtown Environment: One speaker reported issues with noise, trash, and disorderly conduct from a nearby venue affecting business operations.
• Taxes: One speaker questioned where PBID tax funds were allocated due to a lack of visible progress.
• Recognition: One speaker requested city recognition for a local soccer team’s national ranking achievement.
• Council members acknowledged the concerns raised during public comment. The Mayor directed the City Manager to review the PBID issues, identify the root causes, and report back to the Council on steps to resolve them.

Department Presentation: Police Department

• Police Chief Don Eggler presented an annual report covering the following areas:
• Crime Statistics: Group A offenses were reported down 15% for 2025. Crimes against persons were down 1.4%, crimes against property were significantly down, and crimes against society were down 6.75%.
• Staffing: The department has four sworn officer vacancies, with recruitment processes underway. Civilian vacancies include a property room technician and an administrative analyst.
• Animal Services: Stray animal reunification rates were reported. Procedures for housing animals during heat waves were outlined.
• Community Engagement: Activities included neighborhood watch meetings, school programs, and participation in local events.
• Employee Development: Training updates on high-risk stops and narcotics were provided, along with employee recognition awards.
• The Council inquired about the status of the Chief’s Advisory Committee (launching that week), training related to audit deficiencies, animal control procedures regarding heat and Spark Shelter closure, immigration enforcement notifications, and the timeline for a traffic officer program. The Chief provided details on each, noting a traffic officer program is pending funding and staffing.

Council and Staff Reports

• Council Members: Members reported on attendance at Senior Advisory Committee meetings, Little League opening day, PBID board meetings, Ventura County Council of Governments, the Art Museum opening, and the Ventura County Taxpayers Association presentation on the hospital. Council Member Ornelas highlighted student achievements in regional speech and debate competitions.
• City Manager: Reported on road closures, the fifth-year Tree City USA designation, a management retreat, and an upcoming trip to Washington D.C. The Manager also detailed the second cohort of the Santa Paula Leadership Academy.

Consent Calendar

• Items 10A, 10B, and 10C: Council Member Chavez moved to approve consent calendar items 10A through 10C. Council Member Cornejo seconded. The motion passed.
• Item 10D (City Recognition): Council Member Chavez proposed an amendment to modify the language regarding the presentation of certificates, changing it to "presented by the mayor or presiding officer" to ensure coverage in the Mayor's absence. The amendment was moved and seconded by Council Member Ornelas. A subsequent motion to approve the amended item was made and seconded. The motion passed.

Action Items

• Item 11A (Ordinance on Successive Rent Increase Applications): The City Attorney presented an ordinance regulating successive rent increase applications. An amendment was proposed to clarify that regulatory increases in property taxes would be excluded from the material change in circumstances exception within the 12-month prohibition period. Council Member Chavez moved to reintroduce Ordinance Number 1353 as amended. Council Member Ornelas seconded. The motion passed.
• Item 11B (Utility Box Art Project): Staff and the Santa Paula Arte & Cultura Collective presented criteria and program requirements for painting city-owned utility boxes. Guidelines prohibit advertising, political content, religious proselytizing, and offensive imagery. Maintenance responsibilities and funding models were outlined. Council Member Chavez moved to approve the project criteria requirements. Council Member Cornejo seconded. The motion passed.
• Item 11C (Transfer of Unclaimed Monies): Finance staff presented Resolution 7608 to transfer escheated funds to the General Fund. Following public notice, $34,590.84 remained unclaimed. Council Member Chavez moved to adopt Resolution 7608 as amended. Council Member Ornelas seconded. The motion passed.

Future Agenda Items

• Council Member Chavez proposed a workshop or study session to discuss the impacts of population growth on traffic, roads, and public safety over the next ten years. The Council agreed to consider scheduling the workshop, with a target timeframe of June or July. The City Manager noted that this would need to be coordinated with existing study sessions on other topics.