Meeting Summary
Present: Chavez, 5-Cornejo, 1-Ornelas, Warren
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
Interim City Attorney Appointment
- The Council appointed Callan Martz as the interim city attorney following a closed session discussion.
- The Council acknowledged the service of outgoing city attorney Monica Castillo, presenting her with a city tile and recognition card.
Emergency Preparedness Month Proclamation
- The Mayor read a proclamation declaring September 2026 as Emergency Preparedness Month to address local hazards.
- The Emergency Services Coordinator promoted free CERT courses and emergency kit giveaways available to residents.
- The Council adopted the proclamation after noting the next English CERT course is scheduled for Spring 2027.
City Council Reports
- Council members and staff reported on recent community events, including the Lady Raiders softball championship and the "SP" sign repainting.
- Discussions addressed the hospital issue, with suggestions for a regional coalition and concerns regarding Brown Act compliance for ad hoc committees.
- The City Manager confirmed the Lady Raiders will be recognized at the first October meeting and noted El Niño preparations in the emergency plan.
Proposition 218 Solid Waste Rate Increase
- The City Attorney explained the process for a proposed 1% permanent solid waste rate increase over three years.
- The City Clerk reported that 42 protest letters did not constitute a majority protest, authorizing the Council to approve the increase.
- The Council adopted Resolution No. 7628 to approve the maximum permitted service charges for solid waste collection.
City Hall Facilities Complex Resiliency Projects
- Staff presented a no-cost project to install solar panels and battery storage systems at three city facilities.
- The project is part of the Clean Power Alliance’s Power Ready Round 2 funding program with an estimated benefit of $1.28 million.
- The Council authorized the Clean Power Alliance to submit the project to its Board of Directors for consideration.
Items for Future Agenda
- The City Manager provided an overview of upcoming meetings and noted that commission interviews are not currently scheduled.
- The City Manager offered to send an email update to the Council regarding the Chief’s Advisory Committee status.
Closed Session
- The Council recessed into closed session to discuss the appointment of an interim city attorney under Government Code 54957(b)(1) and (4).
Full summary
Meeting Overview
- The Santa Paula City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers. The meeting began with an invocation by Kay Wilson-Bolton and a flag salute led by Council Member Nellis. The City Clerk confirmed that all five council members were present.
Closed Session Report
- The City Clerk reported that the Council had previously recessed into closed session under Item 5A of a special meeting agenda to discuss the appointment of an interim city attorney pursuant to Government Code 54957(b)(1) and (4). The Council appointed Callan Martz as the interim city attorney by a vote of 5-0. Following the report, the Council acknowledged the service of the outgoing city attorney, Monica Castillo, presenting her with a city tile and a card recognizing her service from 2022 to 2026. Several council members and staff members offered remarks thanking her for her service.
Public Comment
- Jack Deshemire: Proposed modifications to the Santa Paula recreational vehicle (RV) parking and storage ordinance. He suggested allowing one licensed, working RV or trailer to be parked in a front yard or driveway, subject to setbacks for pedestrian access and sight lines, as a compromise to the current restriction. He noted that he had sent this proposal to the City Manager for consideration by a working group. The City Manager responded that a workshop on this topic is planned for approximately October and that public input will be solicited.
- Tiffany Orr (Vice President, 400 Craig Drive Mobile Home Association): Requested a moratorium on rent increase applications to protect housing affordability. She also reported that residents had been overcharged by 0.5% on their rent for five months (167 units) and asked the City Manager to follow up on the issue. The City Manager indicated she would follow up.
Item 7A: Emergency Preparedness Month Proclamation
- The Mayor read a proclamation declaring September 2026 as Emergency Preparedness Month, citing local hazards such as flooding, wildfires, and earthquakes. Kate Watkins, Emergency Services Coordinator, thanked the Council and encouraged residents to use available resources, including free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) courses (with a Spanish course scheduled for October) and information available on the city website and ReadyVenturaCounty.gov. She also mentioned a giveaway of free emergency kits during September. Council Member Ornelas asked about the schedule for English CERT courses; Watkins stated the next English course is in Spring 2027. The proclamation was adopted.
Item 8: City Council Reports
- Council Member Ornelas: Explained her absence from the previous meeting due to a family emergency.
- Council Member Chavez: Highlighted the Lady Raiders softball team’s championship win and requested their recognition at a future meeting. She requested the Mayor’s response to her previous request for an ad hoc committee regarding the hospital issue. She thanked Cal Energy and Limoneira for the repainting of the "SP" sign on South Mountain and requested recognition for them. She also promoted the upcoming Labor Day parade.
- Vice Mayor Crosswhite: Reported attending a farm workers monument fundraising meeting, a VCTA breakfast regarding hospital finances, a city/chamber business roundtable, and a meeting with the City Manager regarding the hospital. She noted the delivery of new restrooms for Teague Park.
- Council Member Warren: Reported attending the Fire Station 29 tour, the Blue Room Committee meeting regarding the Farm Workers Monument, and the mobile home rent control meeting. She discussed the hospital issue, noting that forming an ad hoc committee could create Brown Act issues if it overlaps with the existing Blue Ribbon Committee. She mentioned a suggestion to form a Santa Clara Valley coalition with Fillmore and other stakeholders to advocate for a mini-hospital. She also acknowledged the repainting of the "SP" sign.
- City Manager Tiffany Orr: Reported attending the "SP" sign watch party, the mobile home rent control meeting, and a candidate orientation for the upcoming November election. She noted that the city’s emergency operations plan update included preparations for El Niño. She confirmed that the Lady Raiders softball team will be recognized at the first Council meeting in October, as they are currently competing at SoFi Stadium.
Item 10A: Consent Calendar
- Item: California Office of Emergency Services designation of applicants agent resolution.
- Action: Vice Mayor Crosswhite moved to approve the consent calendar. Council Member Chavez seconded the motion.
- Vote: The motion passed unanimously.
Item 11A: Public Hearing – Proposition 218 Solid Waste Rate Increase
- Discussion: The City Attorney explained the Proposition 218 process for a proposed 1% permanent solid waste rate increase over three years, implementing the Athens franchise agreement amendment. The City Clerk reported receiving 42 protest letters out of over 6,100 notices sent, which does not constitute a majority protest. Therefore, the Council is authorized to approve the increase.
- Public Comment: Lupe Velasco spoke in opposition to the increase, citing financial hardship regarding food, gasoline, and utilities.
- Q&A: Vice Mayor Crosswhite asked about the cost of the increase (approx. 32–47 cents per month) and clarified a discrepancy regarding holiday tree collection fees. Athens Services representatives confirmed that tree collection is free during the designated period per the contract, and the rate sheet error would be corrected.
- Action: Council Member Chavez moved to adopt Resolution No. 7628, approving the maximum permitted service charges for solid waste collection services. Vice Mayor Crosswhite seconded the motion.
- Vote: The motion passed unanimously.
Item 12A: City Hall Facilities Complex Resiliency Projects (Solar Panel and Battery Energy Storage Systems)
- Presentation: Bruce Belushi (Public Works) and John Spector (Clean Power Alliance/CPA) presented a project to install solar panels and battery storage systems at City Hall, the Community Development Center, and the Police Station. The project is part of CPA’s Power Ready Round 2 funding program and would be provided at no cost to the city or taxpayers. The estimated benefit to the city is approximately $1.28 million. The systems would provide backup power for critical loads and reduce reliance on diesel generators.
- Q&A: Vice Mayor Crosswhite asked about the deadline for the "Energized Communities" program. CPA confirmed the deadline had been extended to March 2027.
- Action: Council Member Chavez moved to approve and authorize CPA to submit the project to its Board of Directors for consideration within the Power Ready Round 2 funding program. Council Member Ornelas seconded the motion.
- Vote: The motion passed unanimously.
Item 13: Items for Future Agenda
- The City Manager provided a brief overview of upcoming meetings, noting that commission and committee interviews are not currently scheduled for the 16th. Council Member Ornelas asked for an update on the Chief’s Advisory Committee; the City Attorney advised that this was not part of the agenda, and the City Manager offered to send an email update to the Council.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.