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City Council — June 3, 2026

City Council — June 3, 2026June 3, 2026

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BodyCity Council
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 June 3, 2026

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Meeting Summary

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Present: Chavez, 5-Cornejo, Crosswhite, Juarez · Absent: 1-Ornelas

This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.

At a glance

Speed Limit Reduction Request

  • Residents requested lowering the Oaks neighborhood speed limit to 15 mph citing safety hazards.
  • Staff explained that a traffic survey is required to determine the 85th percentile speed.
  • Council advised residents to re-engage with the Traffic Safety Committee to facilitate a new survey.

Arbor Day Poem Contest Winners

  • Parks and Recreation Director presented winners from elementary, middle, and high school divisions.
  • Students read their original poems to the Council during the presentation.
  • Certificates and gift baskets were awarded to the three winners by the Mayor and Council.

Finance Department Activity Report

  • The department processed $6.5 million in invoices and noted the retirement of a long-serving accountant.
  • Staff confirmed the continuation of the "winter average" method for sewer billing calculations.
  • The RDA fund was officially closed while research into alternative fuel providers continued.

Public Works Department Activity Report

  • Wastewater staff identified two dialysis clinics as significant chloride contributors requiring pretreatment.
  • Water crews repaired 43 leaks and completed the Peck Road water line project.
  • The city applied for a reduced microgrid incentive program with approximately $7 million available for the project.
  • Summer paving is scheduled to begin in July, starting in the McKevitt Heights area.

VCOG REAP 2.0 Conceptual Infill Redevelopment Action Plan

  • Staff presented three conceptual plans for the East Harvard infill site to explore affordable housing potential.
  • Council discussed balancing housing needs with economic development and parking availability concerns.
  • The Council selected Concept 1 with modifications to reduce dwelling units and allow commercial flexibility.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

  • Staff presented a proposed policy outlining permitted and prohibited uses of AI tools by city employees.
  • Council requested edits to clarify definitions, address copyright issues, and prevent AI hallucinations.
  • The item was deferred to staff for revision before returning to the agenda for a vote.

Future Agenda Items

  • Staff announced a study session scheduled for June 17th to discuss long-term infrastructure needs.
  • The upcoming session will also cover potential water and sewer rate studies.

Closed Session

  • The City Manager reported a prior closed session regarding a public employee performance evaluation.
  • No reportable action was taken during that session.

Full summary

Meeting Summary: Santa Paula City Council Regular Meeting

  • Date: June 3, 2026 Location: Council Chambers

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  • The meeting was called to order by Mayor Juarez. An invocation was delivered by Carolyn Bjerke, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Cornell. Roll call confirmed the presence of Council Members Chavez, Cornejo, Vice Mayor Crosswhite, and Mayor Juarez. Council Member Ornelas was absent.

Closed Session Report

  • The City Manager reported that the Council had previously recessed into a closed session regarding a public employee performance evaluation for the City Manager. No reportable action was taken during that session.

Public Comment

  • Speed Limit Reduction Request: Residents Gina Mathwin and Linda Basin presented a request to lower the speed limit in the Oaks neighborhood from 25 mph to 15 mph. They cited narrow street widths (14–22 feet), lack of sidewalks, blind curves, heavy vegetation, and high pedestrian traffic including children and seniors. They presented a signature sheet with 128 residents supporting the change and noted 13 vehicle-pedestrian accidents in Santa Paula between June 2024 and August 2025.
  • Discussion: Staff and Council members noted that speed limit changes require a traffic survey to determine the 85th percentile speed. Council members advised the residents to re-engage with the Traffic Safety Committee and Public Works to facilitate a new traffic survey. The City Manager explained the process for placing non-time-sensitive items on a future agenda via a request form.
  • Aviation Museum Announcement: Richard Rudman, Vice President of the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula, announced upcoming "First Sunday" activities for June 7th, including a Kids Art Fest, free flights for youth, and a Farmer's Market at the airport.

Arbor Day Poem Contest Winners (Item 7A)

  • Parks and Recreation Director Greg Barnes presented the winners of the annual Arbor Day poem contest: Olivia Johnson (Elementary), Millie Figueroa (Middle School), and Stephanie Moreno (High School). The students read their original poems to the Council. Certificates and gift baskets were presented to the winners by the Mayor and Council.

Finance Department Activity Report (Item 7B)

  • Accountant Fabian Castellon presented the activity report for January through April 2026.
  • Key Activities: Accounts receivable processed invoices for transient occupant tax and property rent; licensing processed renewals; accounts payable processed approximately 4,000 invoices totaling $6.5 million.
  • Staffing: The department noted the retirement of accountant Wendy Morris after 20 years and the hiring of new accounting specialist Suyappa Vega. Daniel Blanco returned to the business and dog licensing position.
  • Utility Billing: The report addressed the "winter average" method for sewer billing, which charges based on the lowest water consumption months to avoid charging for summer irrigation water. Staff confirmed that utility shutoff notices remain consistent with previous periods.
  • Other: The RDA fund was officially closed, and the department assisted with the Spirit of Santa Paula payments and research into alternative fuel providers.

Public Works Department Activity Report (Item 7C)

  • Public Works Director Dale Goodman presented the activity report for January through April 2026.
  • Solid Waste: Athens collected over 7,700 tons of solid waste and 3,200 tons of organics/recycling. Outreach events included a household hazardous waste giveaway.
  • Wastewater: Phase one blower installation at the plant is underway. The department is addressing chloride compliance issues, identifying two dialysis clinics as significant contributors of salt/chloride. Efforts are underway to place these clinics on a pretreatment program to reduce chloride levels below the state limit of 110 ppm.
  • Water: 43 service valve and mainline leaks were repaired. The Peck Road water line project was completed. The Park and Orchard mainline replacement project is scheduled to begin the following week. The 330 zone booster station and tanks in East Area 1 are now online.
  • Streets and Fleet: Both divisions reported significant staffing shortages, operating with reduced crews. Recruitment efforts are ongoing.
  • Microgrid Program: The City applied for a SoCal Edison microgrid incentive program. The request was reduced from $16.56 million to $10.96 million, with $4 million required for SCE infrastructure, leaving approximately $7 million for the project. Staff is determining feasibility.
  • Capital Projects: The 10th Street/Ojai Road crosswalk project is approved by Caltrans; the city is paying for the three signalized crosswalks. The summer paving project (Pavement Management Plan Cycle 2) is scheduled to begin in July, starting in McKevitt Heights. A storm drain collapse on Harvard Boulevard was repaired.

Council Member Reports

  • Council Member Cornejo: Reported attendance at VRSD, Senior Advisory Committee, Housing Trust fundraiser, Basin Pumpers meeting, Chamber Awards, and a "Two-by-Two" meeting with the School Board. Noted the success of the summer school program.
  • Council Member Chavez: Encouraged residents to sign up for the city newsletter and attend the Social Services Coalition health fair on June 20th.
  • Vice Mayor Crosswhite: Reported on the Santa Paula High School art awards, Chamber mixer, Santo Niño de Atocha ceremony, Special Olympics torch run, and legislative updates regarding housing funding and mobile home park legislation.
  • Mayor Juarez: Reported on the Santo Niño procession, Memorial Day wreath laying, Parks and Recreation meeting, and the 150th anniversary of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Mountain View. Announced that Cruise Night will occur in August, September, and October, but not in July.

Consent Calendar (Items 10A–10D)

  • The Consent Calendar was presented. Council Member Cornejo noted an abstention on the May 20th meeting minutes due to absence.
  • Action: A motion to approve the Consent Calendar was made by Council Member Chavez and seconded by Council Member Cornejo.
  • Outcome: Passed.

VCOG REAP 2.0 Conceptual Infill Redevelopment Action Plan (Item 11A)

  • Staff presented three conceptual plans for the East Harvard infill site (currently a trucking yard and medical clinic) to explore future development potential for affordable housing, mixed-use, and transit-oriented development. The property is privately owned, and the owner has no current interest in selling.
  • Concept 1: Focus on senior housing, dense multifamily, and commercial use with a new private street connecting to Harding Park.
  • Concept 2: Retains the existing medical center and cell tower; develops surrounding areas for senior housing and commercial use.
  • Concept 3: Redevelops the entire site, replacing the medical clinic with a larger facility, featuring townhomes and multifamily apartments.
  • Discussion: Council members discussed the balance between housing needs, economic development (tax revenue), and potential medical facility expansion. Concerns were raised regarding parking availability and the speculative nature of the project given the owner's current stance.
  • Action: Council Member Cornejo moved to select Concept 1 with modifications to reduce the number of dwelling units to address parking concerns and allow flexibility for commercial/medical use. Council Member Chavez seconded.
  • Outcome: Passed. Staff will prepare a summary memorandum for VCOG.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy (Item 11B)

  • AmeriCorps Fellow Nicole Ospita presented a proposed AI Use and Governance Policy (Resolution 7620). The policy outlines permitted uses (drafting, research, translation) and prohibited high-risk uses (automated permitting, hiring decisions, emotion recognition, uploading confidential data).
  • Discussion: Council members requested edits to clarify definitions (e.g., "secure enterprise"), ensure consistent terminology ("users" vs. "staff"), and add language regarding copyright infringement and the verification of AI-generated facts to prevent "hallucinations." Concerns were raised about the city providing access to tools rather than expecting employees to use personal accounts.
  • Action: The item was referred back to staff to incorporate the suggested edits. It is expected to return as a consent calendar item once revised.
  • Outcome: No vote taken; item deferred for revision.

Future Agenda Items (Item 12A)

  • Staff announced a study session scheduled for June 17th to discuss long-term infrastructure needs and potential water and sewer rate studies.

Adjournment

  • The meeting was adjourned in memory of Judy Phelps, a longtime resident and pilot who passed away on May 30th.