Meeting Summary
Present: Chavez, 5-Cornejo, 1-Ornelas, Crosswhite · Absent: Warris
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At a glance
Senior Santa Paula Master Plan for Aging Update
- Staff presented an update on the Master Plan featuring 75 recommendations categorized by housing and health.
- Eleven recommendations have been completed while 31 are currently in progress with 33 pending.
- Staff noted capacity and funding challenges alongside successes like the Walk With Ease program.
Exciting Streets Program
- Public Works staff provided details on the bid process and funding sources including Measure R and Measure T.
- Council members noted the $4 million investment and its specific benefits to community infrastructure.
- The item was moved from the consent calendar for transparency and subsequently approved.
Union Oil Building License Agreement and MOU
- Staff and REC representatives presented a request for a five-year license agreement for archiving and museum purposes.
- Council discussed terms regarding signage language and ensured the loan agreement requires future Council approval.
- The motion passed as amended to clarify signage location and return requirements for artifact collections.
Resolution 7612: Immigration Enforcement Practices
- Staff presented a resolution affirming commitment to resident safety and condemning discriminatory enforcement practices.
- Public speakers shared personal accounts regarding the impact of ICE enforcement on local families.
- The motion passed as amended to explicitly include advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform in the title.
Downtown Facade Improvement Program Augmentation
- Staff requested $30,000 from the general fund balance to cover increased project costs from prevailing wage requirements.
- Council discussed the timeline for ARPA fund expiration and the impact on small contractors.
- The motion passed to approve the allocation allowing existing applicants to proceed with projects.
Full summary
City Council Meeting Summary
- Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Presiding: Vice Mayor Crosswhite (Mayor Warris absent)
Proclamation of Older Americans Month
- The meeting began with the presentation of a proclamation recognizing Older Americans Month. Vice Mayor Crosswhite read the proclamation, and Director Barnes and the Senior Advisory Committee were acknowledged for their contributions.
Senior Santa Paula Master Plan for Aging Update
- Director Barnes and Michael Schouten of Senior Santa Paula presented an update on the Master Plan for Aging. The report outlined 75 recommendations categorized by housing, health, engagement, caregiving, and financial security. Eleven recommendations have been completed, 31 are in progress, and 33 are pending. Challenges regarding capacity and funding were noted, alongside successes such as partnerships with CSUCI and the Walk With Ease program.
City Manager’s Department Report
- Mr. Singer presented the City Manager’s Department Report covering activities from November 2025 to April 2026. Highlights included the employee survey, contract updates, cannabis regulation, public advocacy, and human resources updates. Staff reported on mobile home rent control workshops which had over 150 participants.
Consent Calendar (Items 9A–9E)
- The Clerk removed Item 9A (minutes from a prior meeting) from the calendar. Item 9B regarding the Exciting Streets Program was moved to discussion for transparency. Public Works staff provided details on the bid process and funding sources, including Measure R and Measure T. Council members noted the $4 million investment and its benefits to community infrastructure. A motion was made to approve the remaining consent calendar items. The motion was seconded, and the consent calendar passed unanimously.
Union Oil Building License Agreement and MOU with Responsible Energy Council (REC)
- City Manager Singer and REC representative Cliff Simonson presented a request for Council approval of a license agreement for the second floor of the Union Oil Building. The agreement establishes REC as the tenant for archiving and museum purposes for a five-year term, renewable up to 20 years, at a rate of $0.50 per square foot. Staff noted the agreement includes a collection loan agreement and a memorandum of understanding.
- Discussion: Council and staff discussed terms regarding the right of first refusal for additional space, clarifying signage language to specify the center door leading to the second floor, and ensuring the loan agreement regarding the collection returns to Council for approval. It was noted that the City Attorney should review the loan agreement to ensure artifacts remain in Santa Paula unless Council approves otherwise.
- Action: A motion was made to approve the license agreement and MOU as amended. The amendments included specific language clarifying signage location and requiring the loan agreement to be brought back to Council. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed 4-0 as amended.
Resolution 7612: Immigration Enforcement Practices
- Staff member Gloria Parra presented Resolution 7612, which affirms the City's commitment to resident safety and dignity and condemns discriminatory immigration enforcement practices. The resolution calls on state and federal leaders to pursue humane, comprehensive immigration reform. Public speakers expressed support for the resolution and shared personal accounts of the impact of ICE enforcement on local families.
- Discussion: Council discussed the wording of the resolution to ensure it focused on community safety and federal solutions. A suggestion was made to amend the resolution title to explicitly include advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform.
- Action: A motion was made to approve Resolution 7612 with an amendment to the title to include advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed 4-0 as amended.
Downtown Facade Improvement Program Augmentation
- Mr. Mason presented a request to appropriate an additional $30,000 from the general fund balance to support applicants already in the Facade Improvement Program. Staff explained that prevailing wage requirements had significantly increased project costs, rendering the original grant amounts insufficient for some applicants. The augmentation would allow existing applicants to proceed with their projects in compliance with state laws. Discussion also covered the expiration of ARPA funds and the status of the PBID program.
- Discussion: Council members discussed the timeline for ARPA fund expiration, the potential legal implications of the materials-only alternative path, and the impact of the prevailing wage requirement on small contractors.
- Action: A motion was made to approve the $30,000 allocation to augment the original applicants. The motion was seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment
- The meeting concluded with a brief update on future agenda items and an adjournment.