Meeting Summary
Present: LaVere, Parvin, Lopez, Gorell
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Ventura County Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary
- Date: January 27, 2026
Opening Procedures
- The meeting was called to order. Roll call was taken, and a Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Moment of Inspiration
- Chair Garrell introduced a Moment of Inspiration/Inspiration and Perspiration to recognize the Thrive Grove Navigation Center in Thousand Oaks. Mayor Mikey Taylor and City Manager Drew Powers of the City of Thousand Oaks attended. A video featuring testimonials regarding the facility was presented. Chair Garrell noted an 18 percent reduction in homelessness in Ventura County over the previous two years, attributing it to partnerships.
Levine Act Disclosures
- Chair Garrell and another board member disclosed campaign contributions related to Item 14. Consequently, Item 14 was pulled from the consent agenda for separate consideration. Both members stated they would recuse themselves from deliberations and voting on Item 14 to comply with disclosure requirements.
Agenda Approval (Item 5)
- A motion was made to approve the agenda as modified. The motion was moved by Supervisor Parvin and seconded by Supervisor Veer. The vote passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda (Item 6)
- A motion was made to approve items 9 through 13, 15 through 16, and 18 through 29. The motion was moved by Supervisor Grouse and seconded by Supervisor Lopez. The vote passed unanimously.
Minutes Approval
- The minutes of the meeting held on January 13 were approved. The vote passed unanimously.
General Public Comments (Item 8)
- Four speakers addressed the board on matters not on the agenda:
- Erin Reddy: Discussed a year-round evacuation warning in La Conchita, expressing concerns about property values and insurance. The speaker requested a suspension of the year-round warning and a return to seasonal warnings pending review.
- Blanca: Addressed perceived inconsistencies in public statements regarding specific deaths and urged the board to speak out against violence.
- Danielle Blum: Echoed concerns regarding community safety and violence.
- Kenzie Flame: Requested increased Sheriff's Department enforcement regarding e-bike safety during school hours.
Item 33: Aviation Advisory Commission Appointment
- Supervisor Lopez recommended the appointment of Doug Tauber to the Aviation Advisory Commission, noting Tauber's experience as a professional pilot and flight instructor. A motion to approve was moved by Supervisor Lopez and seconded by Supervisor Long. The vote passed unanimously.
Item 14: General Services Agency Purchase Agreement Increase
- Following disclosures and recusal of two members, this item concerned the approval of an increase in the dollar amount for the purchasing agent to enter into agreements in excess of $200,000. A motion to approve was moved by Supervisor Lavier and seconded by Supervisor Long. The vote passed.
Item 32: Healthcare Foundation Employee Giving Program
- Amy Towner, CEO of the Healthcare Foundation of Ventura County, presented on the 2026 We Give Employee Giving Program. The presentation highlighted fundraising through payroll deduction and annual leave, including a matching donation pledge from the Ventura County Credit Union. A motion to approve the recommendation was moved by Supervisor Parvin and seconded by Supervisor LaVere. The vote passed unanimously.
Item 30: California Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Week
- Supervisor Lopez presented a proclamation declaring the week of January 30 through February 6 as California Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Week. Representatives from United Way of Ventura County discussed tax assistance programs and volunteer efforts.
Item 17: Healthcare Agency Behavioral Health Funding
- Staff presented on program funding agreements for the Lewis Road Mental Health Rehabilitation Center and the East County Psychiatric Health Facility. This item required a four-fifths vote. A motion to approve staff recommendations was moved by Supervisor Long and seconded by Supervisor Parvin. The vote passed unanimously.
Items 34, 35, and 36: Public Works Agency Emergency Reports
- The Public Works Agency presented emergency reports regarding the Reeves Road emergency repair, the Fraser Street low water crossing, and the Old Telegraph Road Bridge repair. Public comment was received from Alina Worth regarding erosion concerns on Reeves Road. Staff clarified that the Reeves Road repair was considered a permanent restoration of the roadway, though it remained in a floodplain. A motion to approve the staff recommendations for items 34, 35, and 36 was moved by Supervisor Long and seconded by Supervisor Laveer. The vote passed unanimously.
Item 37: Public Works Agency Barlow-Berenka Report
- A report was presented on the Barlow-Berenka Channel emergency repair project following storm damage. A motion to approve staff recommendations was moved by Supervisor Laver and seconded by Supervisor Lopez. The vote passed unanimously.
Item 38: Public Works Agency Permit Fee Waiver
- A resolution was proposed to waive application fees and trust deposits for property owners conducting emergency repairs on jurisdictional watercourses affected by recent storms. Public comment was received from Erica Morales, who inquired about permit duration extensions. Staff confirmed the resolution extends permitting to March 31, 2026. A motion to adopt the resolution was moved by Supervisor Long and seconded by Supervisor Parvin. The vote passed unanimously.
Item 41: Correspondence
- A motion to receive and file correspondence was moved by Supervisor Lavier and seconded by Supervisor Lopez. The vote passed unanimously.
Item 39: Board and CEO Officer Comments
- CEO Dr. Johnson provided updates on Management Council Awards, a National Conservation Award for Naval Base Ventura County, a GSA website redesign, the temporary closure of the E.P. Foster Library for HVAC improvements, and a County Employee Art Show. Board members provided updates on recent meetings, including the MLK Freedom March, the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year, and the Economic Development Collaborative. Chair Garrell and Supervisor Lopez commented on public safety and violence. Board members also presented in memoriam tributes to community members.
Item 31: Employee Recognition
- Twenty-one county employees were recognized for 25, 30, and 35 years of continuous service. A group photograph was taken with the honorees and the Board.
Closed Session
- The Board entered closed session to discuss items 42 and 43. There were no announcements from closed session.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.