Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Adam, Newman, 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
Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
- The Mayor proclaimed September 26 as Hispanic Heritage Month with the theme "Unidos Somos Mas, Together We Are More."
- Students and community members accepted the proclamation and discussed local Latino youth leadership and service initiatives.
Cancer Support Community Recognition
- Founders were recognized for the organization's 35th anniversary of providing free support groups and counseling.
- The nonprofit was noted as the seventh such organization in California and the 13th in the United States.
U.S. 101 Improvement Project Update
- Staff presented three alternatives for the 27-mile corridor, including a no-build scenario and HOV/express bus lane configurations.
- Public circulation of the draft environmental document begins September 30, with hearings scheduled for November 4 and 14.
- The final environmental impact report is targeted for adoption by the end of 2027, with first-phase construction programmed for 2031.
Public Comments
- Speakers addressed topics including ICE detentions, mixed-use development, and the New West Symphony's upcoming events.
- Requests were made to review temporary business permits for gold buyers and to restrict short-term rentals.
- A petitioner for the downtown project referendum raised concerns regarding building height, tree removal, and traffic.
- Updates were provided on the water utility's emergency response plan and concerns regarding surveillance technology.
Agenda Item 10A: CDBG Program Year 2025-26 CAPER
- Staff reported approximately $652,000 in expenditures against $732,000 in available funding for the program year.
- Funds were allocated to housing rehabilitation, public services, and program administration.
- The Council approved the report for submission to HUD and found the item not subject to CEQA.
Agenda Item 10B: Housing Options and Fee Exemption
- Staff reported that the Thrive Grove navigation center served 50 participants and contributed to a 64% reduction in the unsheltered count.
- The Council directed staff to bring back an item regarding a potential $2 million contribution for permanent supportive housing units.
- The Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to waive specific development fees for 100% affordable for-sale housing projects.
Closed Session
- The Council entered closed session to discuss pending litigation under Government Code Section 54946.9A.
- No report was provided upon returning to open session.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The meeting was called to order, and a roll call confirmed the presence of all council members.
Closed Session
- The clerk announced three pending closed sessions related to litigation under Government Code Section 54946.9A: Samuel v. City of Thousand Oaks, Lululu v. 1710TO Boulevard Partners, and Keys v. City of Thousand Oaks. No public speakers were registered for this item. The council entered closed session for one hour and returned without providing a report.
Pledge of Allegiance
- The council and attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Special Presentations
- Hispanic Heritage Month: The Mayor proclaimed September 26 as Hispanic Heritage Month, noting the annual celebration runs from September 15 to October 15 with the theme "Unidos Somos Mas, Together We Are More." Students from Thousand Oaks High School and community members accepted the proclamation and spoke regarding the significance of the month, the Latino Youth Leadership Group, the Latino Connection Club, and community service initiatives. A group photo was taken.
- Cancer Support Community Valley Ventura Santa Barbara: Beth Kinn and Marty Nason, founders of the organization, were recognized for its 35th anniversary. They described the nonprofit’s services, including free support groups, counseling, and educational workshops for cancer patients and families, noting it was the seventh such organization to open in California and the 13th in the United States. A group photo was taken.
- U.S. 101 Improvement Project: Amanda Fagan, Director of Planning and Sustainability for the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), presented an update on the project. The study area extends approximately 27 miles from Moore Park Road in Thousand Oaks to State Route 33 in Ventura. Three alternatives are under further study: a no-build scenario, one HOV/express bus lane with auxiliary lanes, and a similar configuration with design variations. Public circulation of the draft environmental document is anticipated to begin September 30, with public hearings scheduled for November 4 (in-person) and November 14 (virtual). The final environmental impact report is targeted for adoption by the end of 2027, with construction for the first phase programmed to begin in 2031. The project commits $243 million to multimodal projects. VCTC noted that Ventura County lacks a local transportation sales tax, which may impact funding competitiveness. Council members asked questions regarding lane configurations, right-of-way acquisition, construction impacts, funding mechanisms, and climate resilience. Fagan stated that existing lanes will be maintained during construction, no full homes or businesses will be acquired, and the timeline is flexible based on funding availability.
Public Comments
- Eleven speakers were registered. The following individuals addressed the council:
- Heather Hamilton: Spoke regarding ICE detentions in the 805 area, citing over 2,600 individuals taken, and urged the council to address the impact on local families and children.
- Suzanne Duckett: Argued against the need for densely packed mixed-use buildings or high-rises, stating the city has sufficient gathering places, and urged residents to vote for candidates with "character."
- Patricia Jones: Introduced Elsha Keebler Bernice, the new interim CEO of the New West Symphony.
- Elsha Keebler Bernice: Outlined upcoming New West Symphony events, including a collaboration with Pacific Festival Ballet and the Los Robles Children's Choir on October 3 at the Kavli Theater, and community outreach via a music van.
- Joel Richman: Requested that the city stop issuing temporary business permits to "roadshow" gold and jewelry buyers, arguing that these operators bypass licensing and background check requirements imposed on permanent secondhand dealers. He asked the City Attorney to review permit issuance practices.
- Holly Krzyzewski: Spoke as a petitioner for a referendum regarding the downtown project, reporting resident concerns about seven-story buildings, oak tree removals, and traffic congestion. She urged the council to reconsider the project and seek compromise.
- Liz Prado: Spoke regarding the upcoming anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, citing historical religious inscriptions on the Washington Monument and referencing recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding religious expression in public spaces.
- Scott Bell: Requested the city ban or restrict Short Term Rentals (STRs) and review local ordinances regarding smoking cannabis near schools, citing California Health and Safety Code Section 11362.4.
- Brian Barretto (California American Water): Presented an update on the company’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP), outlining procedures for protecting life, the environment, and water system operations during emergencies.
- Tim Totten: Read an email into the record expressing concerns about Axon Enterprise surveillance technology and warrantless mass surveillance, requesting a response from city officials. The City Clerk offered to contact the speaker directly.
- Dan Tweed: Proposed the adoption of mesh networking apps (Bridgify Me) and location identification systems (What3Words) for emergency communication resilience, and discussed the use of gold-backed currency (Goldbacks) and California’s gold quarter as alternative financial tools.
- City Manager Follow-up: The City Manager stated that the Finance Director, Community Development Director, and Assistant City Manager would meet with the speaker regarding regulations associated with gold roadshows and the state’s role.
Consent Calendar
- A motion was made to approve the consent calendar.
- Outcome: The motion passed 5-0.
Agenda Item 10A: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Year 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
- Staff presented the CAPER for program year 2025 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). The report detailed approximately $732,000 in available CDBG funding, with approximately $652,000 expended and a remaining balance of approximately $79,900. Funds were allocated to community projects (including housing rehabilitation for 100 affordable units and 19 mobile homes), public services, and program administration. Staff requested Council approval for submission to HUD and a finding that the item is not a project under CEQA. Council members confirmed the funding is fully federal (HUD). A motion was made to approve Item 10A based on staff recommendations.
- Outcome: The motion passed 5-0.
Agenda Item 10B: Update on Housing Options; Thrive Grove Navigation Center; Support of Permanent Housing; and a For-Sale Affordable Housing Fee Exemption
- Staff presented three connected initiatives: 1. Thrive Grove Update: Reported on the 30-bed navigation center’s first year of operations (June 2025–June 2026), noting 50 participants served, 197 referrals, and a 64% reduction in the unsheltered homeless count compared to 2025. 2. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Partnership: Proposed a one-time $2 million contribution to Ventura County to secure 10 dedicated PSH units for eligible Thousand Oaks residents at an 88-unit project on South Lewis Road (near Camarillo), expected to be completed in late 2027. The units would have a 55-year affordability period. Staff requested Council direction on whether to pursue this partnership. 3. Fee Waiver Ordinance: Proposed an ordinance to waive Police Facility Development Fees and Traffic Impact Fees for qualifying 100% affordable for-sale housing projects to reduce development costs.
- Discussion included the bottleneck of limited PSH availability affecting Thrive Grove turnover, questions regarding the funding source for the $2 million contribution (General Fund or Housing Successor Agency funds) and eligibility requirements for using Housing Successor Agency funds for out-of-city projects, and the "Housing First" model where services are voluntary but lease violations can result in eviction. Discussion regarding the fee waiver noted that affordable for-sale housing has fewer state incentives than rental housing, making fee waivers and land donations significant tools for production.
- A motion was made to receive the Thrive Grove report, direct staff to bring back an item for the potential $2 million contribution to the PSH partnership, and find that these actions are not subject to CEQA.
- Outcome: The motion passed 5-0.
- A motion was made to read the fee waiver ordinance by title only, waive further reading, and introduce it. The ordinance title was confirmed as: "An ordinance of the City Council of the city of Thousand Oaks exempting for sale affordable housing projects from certain development impact fees by adding section 8-2.06 and Title 9 Chapter 10 Article 9 to the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code."
- Outcome: The motion passed 5-0.
City Manager Announcements
- The City Manager announced that the next regular meeting is scheduled for September 29th. The agenda for that meeting will include presentations by Athens regarding Recycling All-Star Awards, a special presentation by FoodShare, and the AAUW's 50th anniversary. The department report, specifically the annual update from the TO Arts group, was noted as the focus of the evening.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned to the next regular meeting on September 29th.