City Council — March 24, 2026

Meeting Summary

Present: 1-Ayala, 4-Rhodes, 2-Judge, 3-Litster, Cavanaugh

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City Manager presented a mid-year progress report on FY 2025-26 strategic goals.
Updates covered economic development, workforce planning, and water sustainability.
Discussion included artificial intelligence usage rates and security guardrails.

Public Works reported that 121 traffic signals require assessment for obsolescence.
Council approved a $250,000 supplemental budget for immediate controller replacements.
Staff are developing a 10-year plan with a projected cost of $14.1 million.

The meeting opened with public comments covering a wide range of topics, including short-term rentals (STRs), the inclusion of the "In God We Trust" motto on city property, support for local arts (Roundup show), and community concerns regarding tiny homes and the film commission. Council members thanked attendees for their passion and participation, emphasizing the necessity of hearing multiple perspectives on contentious issues like STRs.

Consent Calendar: The Council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-07, establishing procedures for indigent status determination for election candidates.
Focus Area Goals Update: City Manager Samantha Argybright presented a mid-year progress report on the FY 2025-26 strategic goals. Key updates included economic development (Town Center), film and tourism initiatives, workforce compensation planning, water sustainability studies, and code enforcement statistics. A significant portion of the discussion focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), covering current usage rates among staff, security guardrails (Data Loss Prevention), and policy development.
Traffic Signal Assessment: Public Works Director Ron Fujiwaki and Traffic Engineer Justin Link presented a report on the city's aging traffic infrastructure. Due to 121 signals being assessed, with some controllers over 30 years old, the Council approved a $250,000 supplemental budget for Phase 0 improvements to replace the most critical obsolete controllers immediately. A longer-term, 10-year plan costing approximately $14.1 million for Phases 1 and 2 is being developed. Contracts with Econolite were amended to facilitate the work.

Council members shared updates on their recent engagements, including:
Events: Attendance at the "Every 15 Minutes" traffic safety program, the Chamber of Commerce Salute to Excellence Awards, the Elks First Responder of the Year Awards, and various school district meetings.
Community & Safety: Updates on the Simi Valley High School safety program, the Amgen expansion impact on local schools, and fundraising efforts for the family of a deceased Elks Lodge member, Robert Johnson.
Regional Issues: Reports on lobbying efforts in Sacramento regarding SCAG bills and discussions on regional water basins and energy infrastructure with SCE.

Two new items were added to the agenda for future discussion: a proposal for a commemorative plaque on a historic oak tree near Yosemite Drive and a request to display the national motto at City Hall. The meeting concluded with moments of silence honoring Oxnard Police Officer John Sunia and local resident Robert Johnson.