Meeting Summary
Present: Chavez, 5-Cornejo, 1-Ornelas, Crosswhite, Warring
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
RV Parking Ordinance
- Residents expressed concern over the lack of a timeline for updating the outdated ordinance and requested a pause in enforcement.
- The City Manager clarified that while notifications of potential violations continue, active citations are not currently being issued.
- A special council meeting or workshop is planned for late October or early November to address the issue.
Police Department Awards
- Javier Manzanares was recognized as Professional Staff Employee of the Year for his work in animal services and community service.
- Detective Yvette Solis was recognized as Officer of the Year for her investigative work and community involvement.
- The Mayor presented certificates of recognition to the recipients on behalf of the Santa Paula Optimist Club.
Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation
- The Mayor read a proclamation designating September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month.
- A presenter shared statistics on suicide and offered free training resources funded by Ventura County Behavioral Health.
- Council members discussed distributing the information through city channels and websites.
Council Reports
- Council members reported on attendance at local events, regional meetings, and updates on city projects like the Boys and Girls Club renovation.
- Reports included updates on the U.S. 101 improvement project funding and the Clean Power Alliance’s time-of-use pilot program.
- One council member noted a change in city attorney staff and anticipated a response regarding the mobile home park ordinance moratorium.
City Manager’s Report
- The City Manager introduced new staff, including the Assistant City Attorney and a part-time City Clerk employee.
- He provided an update on the RV ordinance, confirming that a special meeting is planned for the fall due to high public interest.
- The report also mentioned the upcoming volunteer day and the League of Cities conference.
Resolution No. 7630 – Acceptance of Tract 6001 Public Sewer Improvements
- The presenter confirmed that sewer improvements for the Harvest at Limoneira subdivision are complete and have passed inspections.
- Council requested that the resolution explicitly state that the retained bond of approximately $423,000 is a warranty bond.
- The motion to adopt the resolution with the added clarification passed.
CalCity 2026 Resolution Packet
- The Mayor sought council direction on voting for a resolution to form a working group on land use mandates.
- The working group would explore state legislative or constitutional changes to reduce "one-size-fits-all" mandates in favor of local control.
- The council reached a consensus to support the Mayor in voting for the formation of the working group, subject to the resolution remaining as described.
Future Agenda Items
- The City Manager indicated that a special meeting date will be requested for a workshop on the RV ordinance.
- Council Member O’Connell requested a study session on the future of the triangle property on Harvard Street.
- The City Manager confirmed that the triangle property study is already on the forecast.
Full summary
Agenda Item 1: Public Comment
- Residents spoke regarding the RV parking ordinance. Speakers expressed concern over the lack of a timeline for updating the ordinance, which they described as outdated, and reported receiving enforcement notices. They requested a pause in enforcement and the scheduling of public workshops to develop a revised ordinance. The City Attorney clarified that the City Council has the authority to issue a moratorium on enforcement, but it must be placed on the agenda. The City Manager later stated that no active citations are currently being issued, though notifications of potential violations continue.
Agenda Item 2: Presentations and Recognitions
- Police Department Awards: Chief Aguilar presented the Santa Paula Optimist Club awards for Officer of the Year and Professional Staff Employee of the Year.
- Professional Staff Employee of the Year: Javier Manzanares, Animal Services Coordinator, was recognized for his work with stray animals, pet reunification, and community service. He received a Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor.
- Officer of the Year: Detective Yvette Solis was recognized for her investigative work, particularly as the lead sexual assault detective, and her community involvement. She was absent; the Mayor presented her Certificate of Recognition on her behalf. The Chief noted she was also nominated for the county’s Investigator of the Year award.
- Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation: The Mayor read a proclamation designating September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month. Maya Zumaya of Emsi Independent Consulting presented statistics on suicide and the impact of prevention training. She offered free training resources funded by Ventura County Behavioral Health. Council members discussed distributing the information through city channels and websites.
Agenda Item 3: Council Reports
- Council Member Chavez: Reported on attendance at the Labor Day Parade, the reopening of Nanny and Dita’s Toy Shop, the Isabella project update, and the Mexican Independence Day Parade. She noted a change in city attorney staff and anticipated a response regarding the mobile home park ordinance moratorium.
- Council Member O’Connell: Reported on attendance at the VRSD meeting, Senior Advisory Committee, PBIT board meeting, Optimist Club award ceremony, and VCOG meeting. She mentioned a presentation on e-bike enforcement and safety.
- Council Member Ornelas: Stated she had no report.
- Vice Mayor Crosswhite: Reported on the upcoming Cruise Night (October 2), the Boys and Girls Club renovation, and various regional meetings including SCAG, Clean Power Alliance, and Ventura County Transportation Commission. She highlighted the U.S. 101 improvement project funding status and the Clean Power Alliance’s time-of-use pilot program.
- Mayor Warring: Reported on the Labor Day Parade, where the city was named Grand Marshal, and the Boys and Girls Club event. He noted the next Cruise Night date and band.
Agenda Item 4: City Manager’s Report
- The City Manager introduced new staff, including Assistant City Attorney Henry Castillo and part-time City Clerk employee Tracy Grove. He provided an update on the RV ordinance, stating that a special council meeting/workshop is planned for the fall to address the issue due to high public interest. He clarified that while notifications are being sent, active enforcement (citations) is not currently occurring. He also mentioned the upcoming volunteer day and the League of Cities conference.
Agenda Item 5: Consent Calendar
- The Consent Calendar was reviewed. No public comments or requests to pull items were received.
- Motion: Vice Mayor Crosswhite moved to approve the Consent Calendar.
- Second: Council Member Chavez seconded the motion.
- Vote: The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 6: Resolution No. 7630 – Acceptance of Tract 6001 Public Sewer Improvements
- Discussion: The presenter explained that the sewer improvements for Tract 6001 in the Harvest at Limoneira subdivision are complete and have passed inspections. A bond amount of approximately $423,000 remains as a warranty bond for one year. Council Member Crosswhite requested that the resolution explicitly state that the retained bond is a warranty bond. The presenter agreed to include this clarification.
- Recusal: Council Member Chavez recused herself from the vote as a property owner within 500 feet of the project.
- Motion: Vice Mayor Crosswhite moved to adopt Resolution No. 7630 with the added clarification regarding the warranty bond.
- Second: Council Member Ornelas seconded the motion.
- Vote: The motion passed.
Agenda Item 7: CalCity 2026 Resolution Packet
- Discussion: The City Manager explained that the Mayor, as the city’s delegate to the League of Cities, will be asked to vote on a resolution sponsored by other cities. The resolution calls for a working group to explore state legislative or constitutional changes to reduce "one-size-fits-all" land use mandates, arguing for local control in housing decisions. The Mayor sought council direction on how to vote.
- Consensus: Council members expressed support for exploring the issue through a working group, noting that it allows for discussion without immediate policy commitment. They agreed to support the formation of the working group, with the understanding that the Mayor could adjust his vote if the resolution changed significantly at the conference.
- Decision: The council reached a consensus to support the Mayor in voting for the formation of the working group, subject to the resolution remaining as described.
Agenda Item 8: Future Agenda Items
- RV Ordinance Workshop: The City Manager indicated that a special meeting date will be requested for a workshop on the RV ordinance, likely in late October or early November.
- Triangle Property Study: Council Member O’Connell requested that a study session on the future of the triangle property on Harvard Street be placed on the future agenda. The City Manager confirmed it is already on the forecast.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 PM.