Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Adam, Newman, 5-Gutierrez, Engler, Taylor
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
Homelessness and Public Safety Update
- Thrive Grove Navigation Center operates at full capacity with 30 beds, having helped reduce encampments and transition four individuals to housing or employment.
- Crime statistics show an 8% overall decrease, with record lows in residential burglary and a 46% drop in unsheltered homelessness.
- Staff confirmed high demand for expanding Thrive Grove but noted that expansion depends on funding and operational cost analysis.
- New initiatives include a proposed "drone as first responder" program and increased enforcement against illegal e-motorcycles.
Emergency Preparedness and Wildfire Mitigation Update
- The city is collaborating with the County on next steps for the East County Family Justice Center following a $2 million property acquisition commitment.
- Infrastructure resiliency investments totaling $45 million include battery backups for traffic signals and a microgrid at the Municipal Service Center.
- Wildfire mitigation efforts have expanded to 11 Firewise communities through home-hardening workshops and educational content.
Downtown Project and Economic Development Update
- The downtown project, featuring 24% affordable housing, is scheduled for Planning Commission and City Council hearings in May and June.
- Economic highlights include Amgen's $600 million research facility investment and the approval of the Chappelle Industrial Project.
- Staff proposed modernizing the Filming Ordinance to a concierge-style model to reduce barriers and streamline fees for production companies.
- Discussions focused on creating a public market incubator and utilizing the downtown plaza for weekly farmers markets and community events.
Housing and General Plan Update
- Approximately 2,000 housing units are currently in the pipeline, including 263 affordable units, with 27 low-income permits issued in 2025.
- Progress on the 2045 General Plan includes zoning and sign code updates currently in the third phase of drafting.
- Staff is processing applications for mixed-use sites at Oaks Mall and the former Newberry Park drive-in location.
- Recent activity includes 25 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) permits issued since February.
Fiscal Sustainability Update
- The city adopted a two-year balanced budget that received awards from the Government Finance Officers Association and the California Society of Municipal Officers.
- Labor negotiations concluded with the first class-and-comp study in over 20 years, alongside a comprehensive user fee study effective in July.
- Water and wastewater rate studies were completed, with new rates taking effect in January and July respectively.
Information Technology Department Update
- The newly formed department deployed 50 laptops for mobility and migrated key systems to the cloud.
- A secure artificial intelligence platform named GovAI was implemented to allow employees to leverage AI tools while protecting city data.
- The GIS team redesigned development dashboards and achieved ADA compliance for all public-facing applications.
Public Works and Sustainability Update
- Implementation of the Climate and Environmental Action Plan includes an Active Transportation Plan and electric leaf blower rebate outreach.
- Infrastructure maintenance projects include an $18 million pavement overlay covering over 50 miles of roadway and a citywide concrete replacement.
- The Municipal Service Center project features nearly 100 EV charge ports, battery backup, and a microgrid funded by FEMA grants.
- Transit improvements include a new dial-a-ride app and the addition of a sixth fixed-route bus line.
Community Attitude Survey Results
- The 2026 survey showed 82% satisfaction with city performance, a statistically significant increase from 2023.
- Residents identified maintaining fire protection, parks, road maintenance, and water quality as their highest resource priorities.
- Lower satisfaction scores were noted for facilitating affordable housing, providing homeless shelter, and managing traffic congestion.
- Council members acknowledged a correlation between the Thrive Navigation Center and improved survey scores regarding homelessness.
City Priorities Discussion
- Council members discussed consolidating a list of 11 priority items to maintain the traditional limit of 10 for better focus.
- A motion passed to direct the City Manager to review the items, determine organizational placement, and return with a consolidated list.
- The Council reached a consensus to defer the finalization of the priority list structure to the City Manager without a formal vote.
City Manager Goals and Norms
- Discussion focused on arranging goals and norms while maintaining the spirit of existing headers.
- A motion passed to allow the City Manager to arrange the items to accomplish stated goals, with final approval expected at a May meeting.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The annual goals meeting was called to order. The City Clerk conducted the roll call, confirming the presence of Council Members Adam, Newman, and Gutierrez, Mayor Pro Tem Engler, and Mayor Taylor. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the assembly.
Public Comments
- Three individuals provided public comments. Richard, a resident and U.S. Navy veteran, thanked the council and advocated for placing the phrase "In God We Trust" in the City Council Chambers, presenting images of other chambers featuring the phrase. Stella addressed concerns regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing that blocking ICE operations endangers the community and criticizing rhetoric comparing detention centers to concentration camps; she also supported the inclusion of "In God We Trust." Paul Johnson, a resident, supported "In God We Trust" and ICE while opposing sanctuary city status. He raised concerns regarding election integrity in Ventura County, citing alleged discrepancies in a 2025 special election in Riverside County and issues with the County Clerk's office, and announced his candidacy for Ventura County Clerk.
Study Session: Annual Goals and Priorities
- City Manager Drew Powers opened the study session, outlining the agenda which included updates on previous priorities, results from the 2026 Community Attitude Survey, and a priority-setting exercise.
Homelessness and Public Safety Update
- Assistant City Manager Ingrid Hardy and Police Chief Jeremy Perez provided updates on homelessness and public safety.
- Thrive Grove Navigation Center: The facility, nearing its one-year anniversary, operates at full capacity with 30 beds. Referrals continue to exceed available beds. Four individuals have exited the program: three into permanent housing and one into full-time employment. The center has contributed to a reduction in encampments.
- Statistics: Countywide homelessness decreased by 28% since 2023, with unsheltered homelessness down 34%. Thousand Oaks reported a 46% decrease in unsheltered homelessness. Overall crime decreased by 8% in 2025 under the FBI's new reporting system. Commercial burglary dropped 39%, and residential burglary decreased 16%, marking the third consecutive year of record lows for residential burglary. Domestic violence remains a concern, driving an increase in aggravated assaults. Traffic fatalities have been reduced to two per year for the last two years.
- Technology and Enforcement: Investments in license plate readers and body-worn cameras have aided in solving crimes. A proposal for a "drone as first responder" program is being developed. Enforcement efforts regarding illegal e-motorcycles have increased.
- Discussion: Council Member Engler inquired about expanding Thrive Grove from 30 to 50 beds. Staff confirmed high demand but noted expansion depends on operational cost analysis and funding. Staff clarified the average length of stay is 121 days. Staff noted that transition to permanent housing is limited by the availability of permanent supportive housing units, with 192 units under construction and 875 in pre-development countywide. Chief Perez stated there are currently no encampments in Thousand Oaks, though some individuals sleep on city property or in vehicles. Regarding emergency preparedness, staff emphasized signing up for VC Alert and noted the Tactical Response Team coordinates with neighboring jurisdictions for evacuations.
Emergency Preparedness and Wildfire Mitigation Update
- Assistant City Manager Ryan Roman presented updates on emergency preparedness and infrastructure resiliency.
- East County Family Justice Center: The council previously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing up to $2 million toward property acquisition. Staff is collaborating with the County of Ventura on next steps.
- Wildfire Mitigation: The city has produced home-hardening content and hosted workshops. There are currently 11 Firewise communities in Thousand Oaks.
- Infrastructure Resiliency: The city is investing approximately $45 million over the next two years in resiliency projects, including battery backups and generator connectors for 136 traffic signals, upgrades to water and wastewater systems, and a microgrid at the Municipal Service Center.
Downtown Project and Economic Development Update
- Assistant City Manager Akbar Alikhan and Director of Strategic Communications Alexandra South provided updates.
- Downtown Project: The project is preparing for public hearings, with the Planning Commission hearing scheduled for May 18 and the City Council hearing tentatively set for June 23. The project includes 24% affordable housing (39 units).
- Real Estate and Funding: The city entered into agreements for the acquisition of 401-403 Hillcrest Drive and reached terms to acquire 1868 Thousand Oaks Boulevard for circulation purposes. A Draft Environmental Impact Report was published in March.
- Economic Development: The city welcomed Justine Kendall as the new Economic Development Manager. Key developments include Amgen's $600 million investment in a new research facility and the approval of the Chappelle Industrial Project (Conejo Summit). Efforts to revamp filming activity are underway.
- Filming Ordinance: Staff presented an update on modernizing the Filming Ordinance, shifting from a rigid permitting model to a concierge-style approach to reduce barriers and streamline fees. Staff highlighted the economic multiplier effect of filming and increased engagement in cultural divisions.
- Discussion: Council members and staff discussed the Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposal stages, noting significant developer interest. Discussion focused on the importance of a public market to house approximately a dozen businesses with shared overhead, serving as an incubator. The potential for the downtown plaza to host weekly farmers markets and community events was addressed. Staff indicated that designing a "turnkey" space could reduce costs for service clubs. The park area was identified as part of the initial phase.
Housing and General Plan Update
- Staff provided a detailed report on housing production and the implementation of the 2045 General Plan.
- Project Status: Updates were provided on multiple projects, including the Timber School Site (218 units), 325 Hampshire Road (420 units), 2150 Hillcrest (333 units), 500 T.O.B. (328 units), Kennedy Wilson Site (240 units), 88 Longcourt (73 units), Chappelle Apartments (26 units), and People Self Help Housing (78 units).
- Pipeline: Approximately 2,000 units are in the pipeline, including 263 affordable units. In 2025, 27 building permits were issued for low and very low-income affordable units. Staff anticipates at least 750 market-rate units and roughly 100 affordable units in the coming year.
- General Plan: Progress was reported on zoning and sign code updates, currently in phase three of drafting. Staff is processing applications for mixed-use sites, including the Oaks Mall and the former drive-in site in Newberry Park. Clarifications were provided regarding the Black Angus site (203 rental units) and the drive-in site (147 units). Staff noted 25 ADU permits issued since February.
Fiscal Sustainability Update
- Staff presented highlights of fiscal sustainability efforts, including the adoption of a two-year balanced budget in July, which received awards from the Government Finance Officers Association and the California Society of Municipal Officers. The city produced its first fully digital budget book. Labor negotiations were completed, including the first class-and-comp study in over 20 years. A comprehensive user fee study was completed and adopted, with fees effective in July. Water and wastewater rate studies were completed, with water rates effective in January and wastewater rates effective in July. The city supported federal and state legislation regarding affordable housing funding.
Information Technology Department Update
- The new Chief Technology Officer presented an update on the formation of the Information Technology Department. Highlights included the deployment of 50 laptops for mobility, migration of key systems to the cloud, and enhancements to the enterprise permitting and licensing system. The GIS team redesigned development activity and capital improvement dashboards and achieved ADA compliance for public-facing applications. The department implemented GovAI, a secure artificial intelligence platform, to allow employees to leverage AI tools while keeping city data private. Staff is recruiting key management positions and plans to focus on data analytics and architecture.
Public Works and Sustainability Update
- Staff reported on the implementation of the Climate and Environmental Action Plan (SEE Act), including emissions reduction, energy resiliency, and waste diversion. Accomplishments included the completion of the Active Transportation Plan, the Rancho Conejo biotech area sidewalk project, and a public outreach campaign for electric leaf blower rebates. Energy projects at the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant included upgrading the cogeneration facility and integrating solar data. A billing correction at the treatment plant resulted in a credit of over $75,000. The city approved design-build agreements for FEMA grant-funded power backup projects at the Langrenge Pump Station and the Municipal Service Center (MSC). The MSC project includes nearly 100 EV charge ports, battery backup, and a microgrid. The city awarded an SB 1383 grant to Adelante Comunidad Conejo to fund a food recovery hub. Public Works Director reported on infrastructure maintenance, including an $18 million pavement overlay and slurry project covering over 50 miles of roadway. A citywide concrete replacement project is nearly complete. A new transit app was launched for dial-a-ride bookings, and a sixth route was added to fixed-route buses. Major improvements were completed at the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant and wastewater network. The Thousand Oaks Boulevard median landscaping project was completed. Flood mitigation systems were constructed on Wessex Boulevard and Herbs Road, and the storm drain system at Ventu Park Road and Lynn Road was replaced.
Community Attitude Survey Results
- Tim McClarney of True North Research presented the results of the 2026 Community Opinion Survey, which yielded 1,071 completed interviews.
- Key Findings: 91% of respondents rated the overall quality of life as excellent or good. 82% expressed satisfaction with the city's overall performance, a statistically significant increase from 2023. Satisfaction ratings exceeded 80% for most services, with library services, fire protection, EMS, and park maintenance ranking highest. Lower satisfaction was noted for facilitating affordable housing, providing homeless shelter, and managing traffic congestion. Eleven service areas showed statistically significant positive changes in satisfaction between 2023 and 2026.
- Priorities: Residents identified showcasing local businesses, a farmer's market, and community gathering places as top priorities for downtown development. When prioritizing limited resources, residents ranked maintaining fire protection, parks and recreation, road maintenance, and water quality protection as highest priorities.
- Emergency Preparedness: 61% of respondents felt well or somewhat prepared for emergencies. Approximately 60% were signed up for VC Alert.
- Discussion: Council members discussed the results, noting the consistency of resident priorities regarding growth, open space, and schools. The demographic shift toward an aging population was highlighted. Council members acknowledged the correlation between city actions, such as the Thrive Navigation Center, and improved survey scores regarding homelessness. A question regarding the representativeness of the survey was addressed by the presenter, who clarified that statistical reliability is derived from the random sampling method.
City Priorities Discussion
- The Council discussed a list of 11 priority items for the upcoming year. Council members expressed a desire to maintain the traditional limit of 10 priorities to ensure focus. Discussion focused on consolidating items, with suggestions to combine "Resiliency and Sustainability" with "Public Works" or to split the item to align with departmental structures. Staff indicated the city has the bandwidth to address all 11 items but acknowledged the value of the 10-item format.
Motion and Decision on City Priorities
- A motion was made to direct the City Manager to review the 11 priority items, determine the appropriate organizational placement for each task, and report back to the Council with a consolidated list. The motion was seconded. The Council agreed to allow the City Manager to organize the priorities to ensure all bases are covered and to return with a finalized list. No formal vote was recorded in this segment; the decision was reached through consensus to defer the finalization of the priority list structure to the City Manager.
City Manager Goals and Norms
- Discussion focused on the arrangement of goals and norms, with a noted desire to maintain the spirit of existing headers. It was acknowledged that final action and approval would likely occur at a May meeting. A motion was made to allow the City Manager to arrange the items in a manner that accomplishes the stated goals. The motion was seconded. Following discussion, the motion was voted on and passed.
City Manager Announcements
- The City Manager noted that as this is a non-budget year, goals and norms are not traditionally adjusted, though the item was afforded as a conversation point. No further discussion or action was taken on this item.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned. The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 12 at City Hall.