City Council — September 16, 2026

Good evening. I'd like to call to order this regular meeting of the Santa Paula City Council this Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 here at the council chambers 970 East Ventura Street. We could those that are able to if you would stand please and our invocation with Kay Wilson Bolton.

Thank you. Good evening. Hello everyone. If you join me or listen in. Creator God, we are here tonight to do the business of governance but I want to start by saying thank you for all the good things in our lives. Help us to see the value of challenges that can mold us if we let them and reveal better ideas. We know that challenges for one person may even be seen as an opportunity by others We can't say thank you enough ever, particularly to you and to each other.

We get to do that tonight though by honoring two people, Detective Yvette Solis as Officer of the Year and Javier Manzanares as Professional Staff Employee of the Year. You gave them the talents in the hearts they need to specific tasks to serve our community and we're grateful for them. Since we're addressing the issue of suicide prevention tonight, I pray for those who struggle with thoughts of suicide due to loss of hope.

Give us eyes to see and ears to hear the words of those suffering and use intelligent conversation to walk with them. to safety and services. I ask continued blessings on our city staff, our council members, and our first responders of all kinds, teachers, public safety workers, caregivers, medical professionals, utility workers, and so many more. I especially tonight ask you to make a way for this valley to have the full services of a hospital and a staff.

We should not have less than any other community Our words are apparently not enough, so please send other voices to speak with us. Give us continued courage to speak truth to decision makers. Throughout history you're famous for changing the hearts of kings and prophets. We ask that you continue that work in the county seat. As we enter the political season, I pray for energetic peace, wisdom, creativity and earnest search for truth.

Help us to remember that when the election is over, we will still be neighbors and need each other. As always, I bless you in your name and I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen

Good evening and welcome. If there's anybody that needs equipment to enlist in Spanish, please see Julie or Tracy. Madam Clerk would you please conduct a roll call?

all present. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay our first item we're gonna have this morning or this evening sorry is uh Public comment, we'll have three speakers have three minutes each and we'll check afterwards if there's anybody online. First we'll have Richard Rudman followed by Steve Werner.

Good evening, I'm Richard Rudman representing the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula. Good evening Mary Chavez, Vice Mayor Crosswhite Council staff and fellow Santa Paulans and TV audience. We're going to talk about first Sunday activities as you may all know the Aviation Museum, the Art Museum and the Ag Museum all have coordinated hours so it's possible on a given first Sunday to visit all three But I'm going to talk about the Aviation Museum specifically now because on October 4th, the next first Sunday we're going to host a large Porsche car show.

And we expect to have maybe 40 to 60 Porsches at that show. Should be quite a spectacle, so if you're a car enthusiast it'll be interesting. We're also going to have the farmer's market with a bounce house and produce and other wares And weather permitting, in cooperation with the Experimental Aircraft Association we will be able to offer youths from age 7-18 their first flight in an airplane.

So that's on Sunday October 4th at Santa Paula Airport on Santa Maria Street for our events Oh, I forgot. We'll also have on display all our usual Aviation Museum exhibits including our own tribute to Matt Jeffries the designer of the original Star Trek Enterprise and our famous chain of hangers that are all kind of mini museums. The Star Trek exhibit is really worth a trip just for itself. Thank you good evening.

Thank You Mr. Rudman next we have Steve Werner followed by Robert Benavides

Good evening, Council. My name is Steve Warner. I am again here to bring your attention to the RV parking ordinance that desperately needs to be updated. I'm not going to bore everybody with all the reasons why because we covered that in a prior City Council meeting when we filled this whole hall and they had to open the doors. Every one of the council members after that meeting agreed that it needs attention So I'm not going to bore you with all those details. With hundreds of RV owners this ordinance is affecting, we feel necessary to keep pushing this issue until something is done at least every meeting City Council member agreed that the ordinance needs to be updated I believe it was the city attorney had mentioned the time frame would take a couple of weeks when, I think it was council member Ornelas.

Am I saying right? She was saying is there a way we can move this forward and move this forward. And I remember the city attorney saying well it's going to be a couple weeks for this and a couple weeks for this but you know we're pushing it. But still nothing happened. Still no date and we're not even sure how we're going to be notified, to come to make sure that we're going to be here to voice our opinion or to get what we want into the you know how we want it to be written or changed.

I received a email from the city manager back in June when i first started this exploration and he indicated that We as a city council try to prioritize and coordinate matters that had a lot of public involvement in that same meeting when we were all talking about it. He said there was a number one complaint that they get in his office, so I would say that has a lot of public involvement as an example ahead of my request to address the RV issue. We have been asking to have a workshop on smoking ordinance, e-bikes, e scooters and nitrous oxide products.

And also workshops on impacting growth of housing. So those were four that were going to be ahead of us. Have those even happened? I haven't seen where it's even been announced that there is a workshop. The main point that we want to make is I've received already a second notice on something that's 20 years old, makes no sense at all. We've all agreed. Is the next thing a fine? I don't care. We don't mind waiting. We being the RV owners don't mind waiting two years as long as there's no more violations or fines coming. It doesn't matter how long it takes. That's what we're worried about.

Last time we spoke, you know people then have gotten second notices. I've not heard of anybody else getting second notices yet since then but I mean I just don't want to get a fine and then have to fight that on something that's 20 years old and everyone agrees is outdated so thank you for your time.

Thank You Mr. Werner it is on a future consent calendar item but I don't think it's been slated yet

Mr. Mayor, may I ask that the City Manager report on this during his report just to give an update regarding the process so that our residents understand with a timeline?

Thank you Council Member Chavez. Okay we have Robert Benavides welcome sir

Good afternoon, Council. Thank you for the opportunity again. I'm on Steve's request. We just need status of the workshop mean where we're at. I mean, are we behind ahead or is it in process? It sounds like it's going to have that on the next or have a report on that but that's good because it isn't important to us. You know, we were or homeowners that have RVs for our pleasure and he's want an answer. Say how are we going to go forward? I'm gonna look forward together because I think we can make a win-win situation between the city and the homeowners too.

To make a win-win situation, not only to hold the homeowners accountable on what we have on our properties but also keep citizens safe from any kind of safety issue around or what we have on our property. So there is a way that I know we're relying on many issues that we can be aligned on and say hey, we could have an RV on our property for this reason, for that reason. But again, we just gotta get together, have the workshop, and then iron it out because I know we could have a win win situation to make that happen so When is it? So we can get prepared and be here with that. It is important to us because like I said, we're getting notices. We don't want to get a fine but what's next? But we just want to know where we're at.

Thanks for the time.

Thank you Mr. Benvides. Madam Clerk do we have anybody on Zoom or online?

Yes Mayor, we do have Laura Galvan and I'm going to bring her up on screen and she can unmute herself to speak. And then I'll start the three minute timer.

Perfect, I'm ready Julie. Good evening Mayor, members of the City Council. As stated I'm Laura Galvan my husband and I are long-term residents of Santa Paula and homeowners. I came before you August 19th regarding the city's ordinance and the recent enforcement of the regulations that have largely gone unenforced for many years. I'm here tonight because we don't want this issue to lose momentum and fade away At the August meeting, residents heard what we understood to be strong support from the Council for reviewing and potentially amending the R.B. ordinance and importantly for working directly with the community through public forums or workshops to develop a revised ordinance that is reasonable, practical, and mutually acceptable With the exception of Mayor Juarez, who was absent that evening.

The council appeared to be supportive of moving this process forward. We appreciate that and we left the meeting encouraged that the city and his residents could work together toward a solution. But it's been several weeks and we have not heard anything about what happens next. This is concerning because residents have already been receiving enforcement notices, as Steve said second maybe third times. We're requesting that a pause be directed to your teams to stop issuing citations or warnings until we can resolve this issue mutually.

If the council is serious about reviewing this ordinance, we believe the process should begin and not remain open-ended. We are respectfully asking the council tonight to take the next step. Please provide the community with a clear update on how and when the public forums or workshops will be scheduled and when the ordinance will be brought back to the council for consideration. I know you addressed that so i'm looking forward to hearing that piece of the meeting We're not asking for the city to eliminate reasonable regulations. We're asking for regulations that are current, understandable, consistently enforced and reflective of the realities of Santa Paula today.

Most importantly we want to be part of the solution Residents are ready to sit down with city staff and council representatives to have a constructive conversation and work towards an ordinance that protects neighborhood character while also respecting responsible homeowners and RV owners. We came before you in August, and we heard your willingness to work with us. And now we're asking for follow through and progress forward.

What are the next steps? When can the community expect the promised public forums and workshops to begin? We're ready and willing to participate, and we just need the process to start. Thank you for your time, for your continuance in allowing your community to be heard. Have a good night.

Thank you, Laura. Go then. Madam Clerk, do we have someone waiting? Matt Smith?

We do have one other person who is on Zoom if Mr. Smith, if you could verify if you plan on speaking on this item. You can unmute.

I'm just here watching. Thank you.

OK. Thank you. And Laura, if you could log off or not log off but volume. Thank you.

Mr. Mayor, I have a question, a point of inquiry for the city attorney who's here. Who has the authority to provide a temporary pause in enforcement?

So the City Council can issue a moratorium. Of course, you can't do that tonight since it's not on your agenda but you do have the authority to issue a moratorium directing staff to not enforce that provision so it would have to be placed on the agenda come before you and then you can pause the enforcement of I believe it's section 16.4 40.100

So just for clarification, that's the authority of the city council and not the city manager?

Yes. I want to say yes, the City Council would have that authority and you can direct a city manager to direct staff or give him authority to enforce that moratorium.

Thank you for the clarification. Thank you. I appreciate it. All

right thank you. Any more public comment Madam Clerk?

No Mayor we have no more.

All right, we're going to move on to presentations. And our first presentation is going to be recognition for Santa Paula Police Department Officer of the Year and Professional Staff Employee of the Year. I'd like to have Chief Aguilar come up first because I think he's got a few people to acknowledge and regrets from one person who couldn't be here but. Thank you. We have two certificates of recognition that we'd like to present afterwards chief.

Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Council Members and our viewing audience. I'm grateful to be here tonight to honor two of our homegrown employees from Santa Paula who have done outstanding work. I just want to give you a little bit background on this. The Santa Paula Optimist Club approached me a few months ago and wanted to honor employees from the Santa Paula Police Department for their exemplary efforts and outstanding work annually as a new tradition And I can tell you in working in other cities that this is a very significant, great way to honor our employees and our own town of Santa Paula. And I commend our Optimist Club for that. Tonight there are two Optimist Club members here. I'd like to invite them up. It's President Alma Olmos and her husband board member Juan Olmos if he could stand by me here as we continue on.

I'm Richard Rudman. Welcome, Richard. I apologize. Another board member. There might be a few more coming in if we wait a few seconds. This board, I applaud for recognizing the great work of our employees at Santa Paula Police Department. Thank you very much and in looking at the criteria we use for nominating employees that are employees nominated for these two awards this is for the officer and professional staff employee who exhibits exemplary compassion and dedication Builds camaraderie with others, leads with initiative and enthusiasm, provides outstanding customer service, consistently displays professional excellence and recognized by peers and community in going above and beyond their duties as a public servant. So without further ado we have two recipients tonight.

The first recipient, Detective Yvette Solis had a conflict so she could not be here tonight but we'll still cover some great things that she's accomplished this past year. And at this time I would like to invite up our professional staff employee of the year Javier Manzanares please come up and Last week the Santa Paula Optimist Club recognized these two recipients and provided them with awards, and Javier is proudly presenting his award tonight. He was presented by the president of Optimist Club. And so a little bio on Javier.

Animal Services Coordinator Javier Montanarez was hired in August of 2025. He grew up in Santa Paula and graduated from Santa Paula High School. Prior to his hiring he dedicated over three years of volunteer service as a Santa Paula Police Department Explorer He was promoted to the rank of Senior Explorer in April 2024. He received recognition as Santa Paula Police Explorer of the Year that year.

He showed strong leadership in developing other explorers, especially in preparation for the national tactical competitions and I personally witnessed that on a trip with the explorers when he took the leadership role and helped them along. Javier has developed special skills in the handling of stray animals as well as wild animals. He has implemented processes to work with local and regional animal shelters and rescues to find placements for stray dogs, which is outside the norm and outside of the regular operations of the Animal Services Coordinator.

He has also worked to provide consistent and adequate care to stray dogs entrusted to him as well as pet reunification. Javier was instrumental recently in working with police officers, as you might recall, and state wildlife officers when they helped locate a bear that was roaming our city. They were all including Javier able to safely get that bear in custody and also provided a path back to the wilderness.

In a very short time, Javier has excelled in providing responsive care as the animal services coordinator in our community. In January of 2026 he was nominated and received recognition as City of Santa Paula Field Services Employee of the Quarter so he just continues to get these accolades for his exemplary work and achievement. Javier has a positive approach in his everyday work and enjoys being a part of the community as a public servant. He has received numerous commendations for his exemplary performance in his array of duties. And I can assure you that as Javier continues to develop and do exemplary work in his role as Animal Services Coordinator, we'll still be commending him and providing him accolades as he continues his career here at the City of Santa Paula.

So congratulations to Javier Manzanares as Professional Staff Employee of the Year! Any comments? No, he's going to pass. He used them all last week at

the last one. Well thank you very much. Let me go ahead and read the Certificate of Recognition from the City of Santa Paula. In recognition of exemplary achievement in being selected as a Santa Paula Police Department Professional Staff Employee of the Year your inspirational effort supports the public safety commitment of dedicated services to our community. Public Safety employees are a vital component to the services to residents and business owners. We honor you and the police department's professional staff for dedication as public servants. Thank you for your service and proudly representing our community. I, Carlos Juarez, Mayor of the City of Santa Paula and on behalf of the City Council and the community of the city of Santa Paula praise and recognize Javier Manzanares, Santa Paula Peace Corps Animal Services Coordinator Professional Staff Employee of the Year dated this September 16th 2026 so congratulations.

Real

quick before comments

from

council

I always see you all over the place, and so I really appreciate all the work you do. And you have such a way of connecting with the animals because I see how you take them on walks and they're all different kinds and you just never know what you get. You've always been kind and gentle with them and we really appreciate that. Thank you so much.

And once in a while we get some complaints in our city about stray animals and that sort of thing. And I think a lot of times they're uninformed, and this is a relatively new position that we've taken on because of city circumstances. And I always tell the people that are asking about it that the intent is to take great care of the strays and the animals that are in our care, and that our officer has a heart this big and not to worry they're in good care.

Councilor Ornelas.

I just want to say congratulations, and I know I've said it before but I had a need to call for your services one time and I'll just repeat it. I think it was within maybe 10-15 minutes that I submitted the request and you took care of it so I just want to commend you again for all that you do and for taking care of all the animals that you bring in and for your hard work.

Just to echo what my colleagues have said, we're really grateful for all of your hard work. And what I will add is that it was a very hot summer and you were out there doing some very hard work in that heat with a smile on your face still. So we're very grateful for your service to our community and look forward to having continuing to serve our residents as they have needs and make sure that our stray animals are taken well care of. Thank you.

Well, Javier on behalf of my family thank you. You came by several weeks ago to pick up a deceased peacock and we have a lot of them roaming around they're very beautiful unfortunately you came got this one and took care of it but I'll tell ya for animal lovers there's nothing like the loss of a pet and I hear your very successful in reuniting many lost pets with their families so thank you for everything that you do Let's give them a round of applause.

We're not going to fit around this table.

We also have another certificate of recognition, but I think it would be appropriate. Chief, do you have Yvette's bio for her?

Yes Mayor, thank you. Just as Javier has accomplished a lot in a relatively short period of time I'm going to provide you with another recipient tonight who's done the same. Very proud of Detective Yvette Solis for being nominated and being the recipient of Santa Paula Police Department and Santa Paula Optimist Club Officer of the Year. Detective Solis could not be here tonight, and she sends you her regards. Detective Yvette Solis was born and raised in Santa Paula. She was hired in February of 2020 after graduating from the Rio Hondo Police Academy. She graduated from Santa Paula High School and earned her bachelor's degree in liberal studies from California State University Channel Islands. Detective Solis was recently the recipient, a little bit back for Outstanding Community Achievement with the Santa Paula Poder Populares Mujer con Traectoria Award meaning Women with Progression and Upward Career Trajectory.

Yvette spends a lot of time with her family and is a proud parent of her eight-year-old daughter, Arlo. In July of 2023 she was selected to detectives due to her work ethic and solid investigative skills. She has received numerous commendations including one for her persistence to investigate an extortion case where a suspect was demanding $200,000 from a family member As a lead investigator, she arrested the suspect when he showed up at a location to pick up the extortion money which of course there wasn't any. She provided care and compassion to the victim throughout that case.

In April of 2024, she received more accolades. She was nominated and was a recipient of the 2024 Knights of Columbus Officer of the Year for outstanding duties. Yvette was promoted to senior officer in August of 2024. She has continued to develop her advanced skill sets especially as the lead sexual assault detective currently. Detective Solis has completed work And on several complex and extensive investigations that have resulted in arrests and successful prosecutions by the district attorney's office.

Yvette has received numerous commendations for her outstanding work. Yvette is a first generation family member in the law enforcement career. She's also the first in her family to obtain a college degree, and the accolades keep coming. More recently I want to share with you that every two years we do the Medal of Valor awards for the county and on those occasions every police department nominates a person for investigator of the year. So this year is the 44th annual Medal of Valor Awards on October 26. That'll be at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and I'm proud to announce that Detective Solis has been nominated as Santa Paula PD's Investigator of the Year, so she keeps on getting the accolades and I'd like to share with you the reasons why she has been nominated Yvette has been assigned as the lead investigator for sexual assaults, a role that demands both rigorous investigative skill and profound sensitivity toward victims who experience some of the most traumatic circumstances imaginable.

Over the course of her assignment she has handled 19 sexual assault cases successfully solving and closing 12 of them several of which resulted in criminal convictions These outcomes reflect not only her investigative competence, but her unwavering commitment to securing justice for victims and holding offenders accountable. Detective Solis consistently produces thorough well documented reports and demonstrates remarkable persistence in following open investigations through to all resolution.

She does not allow cases to go cold or stall. Instead, she pursues every viable lead with diligence until a case reaches its proper conclusion. The tenacity has been instrumental in the successful closure and prosecution of numerous difficult cases. Equally important is the rapport Detective Solis builds and maintains with victims of sexual assault. She approaches each survivor with patience, empathy and professionalism creating an environment of trust that allows victims to come forward and participate fully in investigative processes.

This ability to connect with victims While never losing sight of investigative rigor sets her apart as an exceptional investigator. Detective Solis is also a consistent team player within the department, she regularly assists fellow detectives with other major assault and property crime investigations She does not hesitate to cover patrol shifts when the department has needs, demonstrating a selflessness and dedication to the broader mission of the department that extends well beyond her own caseload. And I will share with you as being a sexual assault investigator myself That the demands of that position are immense, they require special character traits to deal and help and assist victims. Not only for the victims of the crimes that are being investigated but all the advocacy that falls with it.

So I commend and congratulate and present the Officer of the Year Award from the Santa Paula Optimist Club to Detective Yvette Solis.

Thank you, Chief. And we realize that both she and Javier were recognized by your officers in this room a few days ago so It's unfortunate she didn't join us. Thank you for reading her bio, but I would like to read the Certificate of Recognition. In recognition of exemplary achievement in being selected as a Santa Paula Police Department Officer of the Year, your inspirational efforts supports the public safety commitment of dedicated services to our community. Our police officers are a vital component to the services to residents and business owners We honor you and the police department's sworn officers for dedication as public servants. Thank you for your service in proudly representing our community. I'm Carlos Suarez, Mayor of the City of Santa Paula and on behalf of the city council and the community of the City of Santa Paula praise and recognize Yvette Solis, Santa Paula Police Department Detective and Officer of the Year dated this Wednesday September 16th 2026 so thank you very much.

I know the recipient isn't here but she could watch it later any comments from Council?

I wish she was here, but when I see her, I'll make sure to tell her. I just want to say that it's no secret that I support the police department, but right now talking about Detective Solis, she's great at what she does. She's amazing and she has all of the qualities needed to do the job that she is now doing and taking that on is not an easy task. And so I'm just grateful for her being assigned to that.

You couldn't have picked a better person to show up for the people that need that kind of support, so thank you Chief and thank you to Detective Solis for everything she does every day and she really goes above and beyond in taking calls or in anything that are needed for people involved in the work that she does and so I just want to commend her for her work She's a great human, but also a very great detective and I'm really happy that she's here in Santa Paula. Thank you.

Yeah, I remember the thing that comes to mind for me is that I wasn't surprised when we initially found out not only now that she's receiving an award but that she was going to be chosen to be one of our detectives because I can remember an instance where there was a property crime that had occurred. A low stakes thing you know people don't figure those level gets ever get solved And her observational skills led to the items being returned before the end of the week because she remembered things from the report that then later she went, oh wait I recognize that. So I'm not surprised, I was not surprised at all that she always already demonstrating those investigative skills before she was ever an investigator and so And so we're very grateful to have her as part of our department.

And give her a big hug too because she's that kind of person. So I just from here, from the dais want to congratulate her again thanks.

If you can just relate to her how proud we are she's a positive role model especially to all the young ladies out there that aspire to follow potentially career in public service so make sure I mentioned to her personally but please relay that to her as well on behalf of the council.

Thank you Councilmember. I just want to thank again Optimist Club, thank you very much and joining Yvette at the Medal of Valor Awards will also be two other courageous individuals, the two men who saved that airplane, the pilot from the airplane crash we had just about a year-and-a-half, two years ago they'll be honored at that event as well on October 24th so we're glad to be able to do that. So thank you very much council.

Thank You Chief and lastly just I was here also to see her get recognized and Again, because it occurred kind of midday some of our council members sent their regrets they couldn't be here but we're definitely proud of her and again as Councilmember Chavez said and others please congratulate her for us. I'll come down give you the certificate on our behalf.

Okay,

Thank you. Good evening Mayor Juarez, Council Members and community watching. Thank you for recognizing Suicide Prevention Month and presenting this proclamation. I'm hoping that it's not just a piece of paper but it's a call to action. I want to share some statistics and this is the latest but we do know that these numbers are growing We do know that 988 calls are increasing, but in 2024 14.3 million individuals reported having thoughts of suicide 4.6 million made plans 2.2 million individuals actually attempted suicide And unfortunately, 48,824 died by suicide. Behind every number is a person, a family, a community. This is why suicide prevention trainings matter.

And with permission, I wanna share a success story. But after taking one of our trainings, a participant was contacted by somebody who is having thoughts of suicide and was actively looking for the means to accomplish that. And because of this training they know how to listen, how to respond and how to connect them. That person with thoughts responded, I think maybe some time after saying you are a person whom I didn't even know who helped me through a troubling time in my life.

I no longer have thoughts of suicide but I have decided to get help with my destructive behaviors. Thank you for what you did for me and for talking to me that night. Before that training, they may not have known how to respond or how to help. Training gave them the tools to help save lives. We have recently, through Oxnard Unified School District, have trained over 400 students and we still have some trainings to go.

But our goal is to train the county of Ventura so my call-to-action is for the city of Ventura, I mean Santa Paula, for the organizations within Santa Paula, our service organizations, our churches, our groups of families that want to get together Our explorers, our law enforcement. This training is at no cost. It's funded by Ventura County Behavioral Health MSHA funds through June of 2027 so we hope that more people will take these trainings.

These suicide prevention training courses are really important and they're making an impact I will leave flyers in the back if permitted, so people know how to get a hold of us. But I also want to accept this proclamation on behalf of my co-trainers Adriana Almazan and Gabe Turin who have been working with us to train. But let's make sure that when someone reaches out for help, there is someone in Santa Paula who knows how to help them. So thank you for this proclamation and let's turn recognition into action and work together to save lives in our community. Thank you.

Thank You Maya. Any comments from Council?

Can we make sure that the information gets distributed through our channels? Yeah. That the entire committee can embrace it? That flyer, we

could post it on

our website?

Yeah. I have it.

Okay.

Thank you.

Are your trainings offered in just only English

or Spanish? No, we offer them in Spanish as well and there's various types of trainings. There's various levels and various time frames as well.

Thank you for your presentation and that important information that you gave us. You had two supporters. Did they want to say anything?

This is my brother and my sister-in-law who are business owners here in Santa Paula.

Welcome, we'd like to come down and present this to you.

Thank you.

I don't know if we were all done giving comments. Oh go ahead, sorry. Just real quick. Were you done Council Member Bernal?

No, I was just gonna mention I know Adriana and I've worked with her in the past. I went to school with her and she's great at what she does so thank you for presenting today and I hope that people in our community take advantage of the free trainings.

Thank you for the work that you do and for helping to raise awareness of this. I know, oh, I'm trying to think how to word this. There's a lot of people if not everyone in this room who either their family or someone that they know very close has been impacted either by someone who had thoughts or who actually went through with those thoughts and it can be a really difficult time For families and friends who are supporting those individuals, and even worse when lives are lost. And so we really appreciate all of the hard work in supporting people to be able to be there and support folks that we can save lives. So thank you for all that work.

Thanks, Maya. Are you still having the walks?

Well we did that walk here in Santa Paula during COVID times because we couldn't all get together as one walk but now that we can we do them We're now supporting, I don't know if NAMI's having them but we're supporting the suicide prevention walk that's coming in October. And forgive me, I don't know the date.

I still have my T-shirt.

I have more if anybody

wants

them.

It's one way to get out the word and over the years have actually lost a couple of friends over the many years who...we don't understand the desperation The training that we can get to reach them and get them on a path to finding their way is so important. And so I just really appreciate all the work that's being done by you and, and the county's behavioral

health.

Thank you for the city for

supporting past events. Thank you so much.

Thank you. And I lost a friend this year and sometimes the signs are obvious and sometimes you don't see him. So training is good. We'd like to come down and present this to you.

Thank

you.

I think we'd like to move on to council agenda item number seven, which is city council reports. I'd like to start with Council Member Chavez.

Thank you. I'm going to give a verbal tonight. First and foremost it was great seeing so many of our community members out at the Labor Day Parade. It's always exciting. We're the only city in the entire county who celebrates Labor Day and we have such an amazing community of hardworking people that come out that day, children and families, and everyone gets to be part of what makes Santa Paula great.

And after that I know many of us, several of us attended the grand reopening of Nanny and Dita's Toy Shop which is exciting because I love toys and it's double the space. There's just so much more for us to be able to have on our Main Street corridor. Also thanks to Mr. Singer and the city for promoting the Air Pollution Control Board's initiative regarding the vehicles, the 2003 models or before where you can get a rebate from the board.

Councilmember, Vice Mayor, excuse me, Jenny Crosswhite and I attended the Isabella project update. It was great also to have Mr. Mason, Director Mason there present. It was kind of like an opportunity to re-engage and re-energize ourselves because it's a very important initiative that impacts our community. And so I think it's important for us as we move forward, and we'll probably have conversations at some point of appointing somebody to be an active representative so that we don't know who's going to show up and who doesn't but I think that could be... We definitely need to have ongoing representation I did recently attend the Mexican Independence Day Parade where I served as a parade judge, very exciting opportunity to do that. I was one of two people selected and it was great to watch all the wonderful floats and people that were celebrating their heritage.