Meeting Summary
Present: Chavez, 5-Cornejo, 1-Ornelas, Crosswhite · Absent: Warris
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
Older Americans Month Proclamation
- Vice Mayor Cornejo read a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Older Americans Month.
- Senior Advisory Committee members announced an annual wellness fair scheduled for the following day.
- Council confirmed there are currently no vacancies on the Senior Advisory Committee.
Senior Santa Paula Master Plan for Aging Update
- Staff presented data projecting the older adult population will reach 21.7% by 2050.
- The update highlighted progress on 42 of 75 recommendations across five strategic goals.
- Director Barnes noted ongoing challenges regarding departmental capacity and funding constraints.
City Manager's Department Report
- Key updates included the groundbreaking of the Santa Paula Creek Bridge and new employee recruitment.
- A community forum on mobile home rent control attracted approximately 150 participants.
- Staff confirmed that mailers for a second rent control workshop are currently being distributed.
License Agreement and MOU with Responsible Energy Council
- The Council approved a five-year lease for the Union Oil Building to house the Responsible Energy Council.
- Amendments were adopted to specify signage placement on the center door leading to the second floor.
- The agreement requires Council approval for any permanent removal of city-owned museum artifacts.
Resolution Condemning Unjust and Discriminatory Immigration Enforcement Practices
- The Council approved Resolution 7612 affirming the city's commitment to being a welcoming community.
- An amendment was adopted to explicitly include advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform in the title.
- Discussion addressed concerns regarding potential risks associated with the resolution's strong language.
Augmentation of the Downtown Facade Improvement Program
- The Council appropriated an additional $30,000 to increase grant amounts to $20,000 per storefront.
- This funding adjustment addresses cost increases caused by state prevailing wage requirements.
- Staff was requested to provide a future report on fund classification and visual documentation of improvements.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Opening Procedures
- The regular City Council meeting for Tuesday, May 5, 2026, was called to order by Vice Mayor Cornejo. Following technical difficulties with audio equipment, the meeting proceeded with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll call recorded the presence of Council Members Chavez, Cornejo, and Ornelas, and Vice Mayor Crosswhite. Mayor Warris was absent.
Public Comment
- Three members of the public provided comments on items not on the agenda. Angel Garza, representing the Rivers Edge Mobile Home Park Homeowners Association, requested that flyers regarding a second workshop on potential ordinance updates be mailed to all residents to ensure adequate notice. A representative of a community group expressed gratitude for Resolution 7612 regarding immigration enforcement practices. Paul Sangston, owner of the Hardison House, requested a review of film shoot payment fees and business license requirements, arguing that current scales may deter smaller productions.
Presentation: Older Americans Month Proclamation
- Vice Mayor Cornejo read a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Older Americans Month in Santa Paula. Director Barnes and members of the Senior Advisory Committee were invited to the dais, where they thanked the Council and announced an annual wellness fair scheduled for the following day. Council members acknowledged the importance of senior services. Council Member Chavez inquired about vacancies on the Senior Advisory Committee; it was confirmed that no vacancies currently exist.
Presentation: Senior Santa Paula Master Plan for Aging Update
- Director Barnes and Administrative Analyst Michael Schouten presented an update on the Master Plan for Aging, noting the city's older adult population is projected to reach 21.7% by 2050. The plan includes five goals: Housing, Health, Engagement, Caregiving, and Finance. Of 75 recommendations, 11 were completed, 31 are in progress, and 33 are pending. Updates included the release of standard ADU plans, the success of the "Walk With Ease" program, partnerships with CSUCI for technology education, and increased investment in the senior nutrition program. Director Barnes noted challenges regarding departmental capacity and funding constraints.
City Manager's Department Report
- City Manager Singer provided a report covering activities from November through April. Key updates included the completion of an employee engagement survey, legislative updates regarding cannabis and the Athens Ad Hoc Committee, negotiations on the Lewis Lee Manera development agreement, and the groundbreaking of the Santa Paula Creek Bridge. Regarding mobile home rent control, a community forum held two weeks prior attracted approximately 150 participants, and a second workshop is scheduled. Staff noted that mailers for the second workshop were being distributed. The report also covered the recruitment of seven new employees and the initiation of the 2026 election process.
City Council Reports
- Council Member Ornelas reported on a Planning Commission meeting regarding a Dutch Bros application. Council Member Chavez reported attendance at various community events, including the Ventura College East Campus 100th celebration and the Chamber Local Business Roundtable. Vice Mayor Cornejo reported on attendance at Arbor Day and the Project Isabella parent conference, and provided updates on the Santa Paula Branch Line Master Plan contract amendment and Caltrans safety improvements on SR-126.
Consent Calendar
- Item 9A (Minutes from the April 15th meeting) was removed from the consent calendar as it had been previously approved. Item 9B (Street Paving Program) was discussed; staff reported that bids totaling approximately $4 million were received, with work expected to begin by June 1st. Council Member Chavez moved to approve Consent Calendar Items 9A through 9E (with 9A removed) as reported. Council Member Cornejo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 10A: License Agreement and MOU with Responsible Energy Council
- Staff presented a proposal for a license agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Responsible Energy Council (REC) for the partial use of the Union Oil Building. The agreement proposes a five-year term with three five-year renewal options. REC would lease approximately 4,400 square feet of the second floor and portions of the rig room for a monthly fee of $0.50 per square foot, commencing six months after possession. REC would be responsible for archiving and maintaining the city's museum collection and Lundgren Endowment items, which would remain city property.
- Discussion focused on staff capacity, the "right of first refusal" for LeapLab, office space allocation, signage location, and the loan agreement for artifacts. The City Attorney clarified that LeapLab holds the first right of refusal for available space every five years. Council requested that signage be placed on the center door leading to the second floor rather than the main entrance. Regarding the loan agreement, Council expressed a preference for returning the agreement for approval to ensure transparency, with staff suggesting a structure where limited-duration loans could be approved by staff while permanent removals require Council approval. It was confirmed the City serves as the final arbiter for disputes.
- A motion was made to approve the license agreement and MOU, incorporating amendments to clarify signage location and to return the loan agreement to the Council for future approval with specific language regarding staff versus Council authority. The motion was seconded. The measure passed.
Agenda Item 10B: Resolution Condemning Unjust and Discriminatory Immigration Enforcement Practices
- Staff presented Resolution 7612, which affirms the City's commitment to being a welcoming community, condemns discriminatory immigration enforcement practices, and calls for comprehensive immigration reform. Public speaker Ron Mercord supported the resolution. Council discussion centered on the wording of the resolution and potential risks, including concerns that strong language could invite retribution. A suggestion was made to amend the title to explicitly include "advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform," which was accepted.
- A motion was made to approve Resolution 7612 with an amendment to the title to include "through advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform." The motion was seconded. The measure passed.
Agenda Item 10C: Augmentation of the Downtown Facade Improvement Program
- Staff presented a request to appropriate an additional $30,000 from the General Fund to augment the Downtown Facade Improvement Program. The program, originally funded with $100,000, offered $10,000 grants. However, state prevailing wage requirements significantly increased project costs, rendering the original grant amounts ineffective. The proposed solution is to increase the grant amount to up to $20,000 per storefront for original applicants to cover the cost differential. Discussion included the expiration of ARPA funds and the potential reallocation of remaining funds if the program cannot continue in its current format.
- A motion was made to approve an additional allocation totaling $30,000 in General Ledger account 100-5-3002-209 to augment original applicants relying on productive factor prevailing wages. The motion was seconded. During discussion, it was requested that a future report address fund classification, potential legal solutions, and visual documentation of improved facades. The motion was put to a vote and passed unanimously.
Future Agenda Items and Adjournment
- The City Manager reported no special items. The City Clerk noted that Councilwoman Cornejo would be absent from the next meeting and that study sessions are anticipated in June. The meeting was adjourned.