City Council — April 1, 2026

National Fair Housing Month Proclamation

• VCCAR presented a proclamation declaring March as National Fair Housing Month.
• The Mayor read the proclamation reaffirming the City's commitment to fair housing laws.
• No vote was required for the presentation of the proclamation.

Ventura County Fire Department Report

• The Fire Chief summarized 2025 activities and noted a 17% increase in calls since 2018.
• Updates were provided regarding prevention bureau activities and new Fire Station 27 construction.
• Council discussed countywide fireworks enforcement and privacy considerations during Q&A.

Council and City Manager Reports

• Members reported on attendance at COG meetings, foreign relations tours, and community events.
• The Mayor reported on a lobbying trip regarding police radio upgrades.
• The City Manager announced a 22% decline in homelessness and a special meeting on retail cannabis.

Mobile Home Park Rent Ordinance

• The Council conducted a public hearing on regulating successive rent increase applications.
• The ordinance prohibits reapplying for increases within 12 months after a denial based on the same facts.
• First reading passed after the City Attorney explained the regulatory changes.

St. Francis Dam Floodpath Project

• Representatives presented a conceptual design for a monument in Railroad Plaza Park.
• Council approved the design contingent on third-party approvals from the VCTC and railway.
• Staff will return with a Memorandum of Understanding once additional approvals are obtained.

Water Pressure Zone Facilities

• A resolution authorized the operational acceptance of 330 Water Pressure Zone facilities.
• Improvements include water tanks and a booster pump station serving the East side of the city.
• The motion passed with a noted correction regarding recorded tank capacity figures.

Community Events MOU

• Council considered an agreement with the Chamber and Optimist Club to support community events.
• The MOU establishes a cost-sharing agreement where organizations reimburse the city for services.
• Authorization was granted for the City Manager to execute the agreements.

Closed Session

• City Attorney provided a report regarding a public employee performance evaluation.
• No reportable actions were taken during the session.

Administrative and Opening Items

Roll Call and Closed Session

• Roll call was conducted after technical difficulties with audio were resolved. The City Attorney provided a closed session report regarding a public employee performance evaluation (Item 5A). No reportable actions were taken during the closed session.

Public Comment

• One public comment was received. A speaker, who identified as a manager for a Senior Citizen Mobile Home Park, requested clarification on the enforcement of fireworks ordinances. The speaker cited concerns regarding safety impacts on residents and officers, noting that fines were issued but enforcement was limited if violations occurred in private backyards. The Mayor noted that the Police and Fire Chiefs might address the fireworks topic closer to the Fourth of July.

Presentations

National Fair Housing Month Proclamation

• The Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors (VCCAR) presented a proclamation declaring March as National Fair Housing Month. The Mayor read the proclamation, which reaffirmed the City's commitment to fair housing laws and the elimination of discrimination in housing. The proclamation was presented to VCCAR leadership. No vote was required.

Ventura County Fire Department Report

• The Ventura County Fire Chief presented a summary of 2025 activities, including call volume statistics, prevention bureau activities, and updates on the new Fire Station 27 construction. Statistics indicated a 17% increase in calls since 2018. During the question-and-answer session, the Mayor asked about countywide fireworks enforcement; the Chief noted that while some cities utilize drone surveillance, enforcement remains a law enforcement issue with privacy considerations.

Council and City Manager Reports

• Council members provided reports on recent activities, including attendance at the Ventura Council of Governments Administrative Committee, a bi-national foreign relations tour, and community engagement events. The Mayor reported on a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., regarding police radio upgrades and attendance at employee and police appreciation events. The City Manager reported on a decline in homelessness numbers (22% citywide decline) and announced a special meeting scheduled for the following Monday to discuss a potential ballot measure regarding retail cannabis.

Consent Calendar (Item 10)

• Routine matters listed on the consent calendar were presented for approval. A Council member noted a clerical correction regarding the order of motions recorded in previous meeting minutes.
• Motion: Moved by Council Member Schatz.
• Second: Seconded by Council Member Cronall.
• Outcome: Passed.

Public Hearing / First Reading (Item 11A)

• The Council conducted a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance regulating successive rent increase applications at mobile home parks. The City Attorney explained the ordinance, which prohibits park owners from reapplying for rent increases within 12 months of a denial based on substantially the same facts, unless material circumstances change. No public comment was received.
• Motion: Moved by Council Member Chavez.
• Second: Seconded by Council Member Nellis.
• Outcome: First reading passed.

Action Items

St. Francis Dam Floodpath Project (Item 12A)

• Representatives from the Santa Paula Historical Society presented a conceptual design for a monument in Railroad Plaza Park commemorating the 100th anniversary of the St. Francis Dam disaster. The project is privately funded and requires additional approvals from the Ventura County Transportation Commission and Sierra Northern Railway. Council members discussed the design elements and maintenance.
• Motion: Moved by Council Member Chavez.
• Second: Seconded by Council Member Conejo.
• Terms: Approve the conceptual design and direct staff to return with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) once third-party approvals are obtained.
• Outcome: Passed.

Water Pressure Zone Facilities (Item 12B)

• A resolution was presented authorizing the operational and final acceptance of 330 Water Pressure Zone facilities and improvements constructed by the developer Lennar. The facilities include water tanks and a booster pump station serving the East side of the city. A Council member clarified a conflict of interest disclosure, noting they were outside the 500-foot zone. A clerical error regarding tank capacity (750 vs. 750,000 gallons) was noted for correction.
• Motion: Moved by Council Member Chavez.
• Second: Seconded by Council Member Crenshaw.
• Outcome: Passed (with corrections).

Community Events MOU (Item 12C)

• The City Council considered an MOU with the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce and the Optimist Club to support community events, specifically Cruise Night, the Labor Day Parade, and the Holiday/Christmas Parade. Staff outlined a cost-sharing agreement where the organizations would reimburse the city for 50% of city services based on gross revenue. Council members inquired about insurance, liability, invoicing timelines, and the reduction of Cruise Night events from seven to five. A public speaker expressed concern regarding the reduced number of Cruise Nights but emphasized the event's community value.
• Motion: Moved by Council Member Cannella.
• Second: Seconded by Council Member Gonzalez.
• Terms: Authorize the City Manager to execute the MOUs with the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce and the Optimist Club of Santa Paula.
• Outcome: Passed.

Future Agendas

• The City Manager confirmed a special meeting was scheduled for the following Monday to discuss a recommendation regarding a retail cannabis ballot measure.

Adjournment

• The meeting adjourned at 8:38 PM.