February 10, 2025
Carrie Weal, Deputy City Clerk
City of Camarillo
601 Carmen Drive
Camarillo, CA 93011
SUBJECT: CITIZEN TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE -
ANNUAL REPORT/MAJOR TOPICS
Ms. Weal,
Thank you for entrusting Bev and I to serve on the Citizen's Transportation Advisory Committee representing the City of Camarillo and our community interests. CTAC/SSTAC meets on a quarterly basis acting in an advisory capacity to the Ventura County Transportation Commission regarding Unmet Transit Needs. The following list covers major topics and/or projects discussed in 2024.
All 2024 meetings were held in-person at the County of Ventura Government Center. • January 9, 2024: The CTAC/SSTAC elected Marissa Rodriguez, representing the City of Fillmore, to serve as the Committee Chair. Miranda Patton was elected Vice Chair. In addition, the committee approved the annual meeting schedule and approved the Committees' Operating Rules. An update on SB-125 Transportation Bill and the Short Range Transit Plan, highlighting its development process and community engagement strategies, were provided for informational purposes. The meeting concluded with the distribution of certificates recognizing CTAC/SSTAC members for their years of service with commendations for those reaching five or ten years of service. • April 9, 2024: CTAC/SSTAC unanimously approved the Unmet Transit Needs findings at the April meeting. There were no Unmet Transit Needs meeting the minimum thresholds for FY24-25. Updates were provided on the Short Range Transit Plan and the Operating Rules, which were also approved. Staff informed the committee about the impact of the state budget deficit on transportation funding.
• Unmet Transit Needs Summary/Observations: Residents in Camarillo expressed a strong demand for expanded public transit services, including more frequent routes and extended hours. Residents expressed the need for better connections to key locations such as medical facilities, shopping centers, and educational institutions. Specific requests included daily service to various destinations like the Camarillo Outlets, Ventura Medical Facilities, and local government offices, with an emphasis on accommodating evening and weekend travel. Overall, the feedback reflects a desire for enhanced accessibility and convenience in public transportation within and around Camarillo • June 11, 2024: Gold Coast Transit District provided an overview of paratransit services and associated dispatch services. The City of Moorpark presented on the MCT On Demand microtransit service, covering various aspects such as payment options and potential economic benefits. Staff reviewed guidelines for the FY2024 combined call-for- projects for FTA funds and provided an update on improvements at the Camarillo Rail Station. Committee members raised issues regarding driver shortages in Ojai and requested future discussions on eBike safety education. • September 12, 2024: CTAC/SSTAC approved the FY24-25 Unmet Transit Needs schedule, procedures, and definitions. Staff presented an update regarding the accessibility improvements planned for the Camarillo and Oxnard Transit Stations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Following a review by the U.S. Attorney's Office, it was determined that VCTC was not compliant with ADA requirements, prompting an agreement with the Department of Justice to enhance accessibility features at the Camarillo station. Planned improvements include better access routes, elevation adjustments, detectable warnings, and improved signage, with design work expected to be completed by Summer/Fall 2026. The City of Oxnard is also making related upgrades, and both entities will engage stakeholders to ensure compliance with federal regulations while exploring alternative methods for accessible boarding.
City staff were not present for any meetings in 2024. Bev and I encourage City of Camarillo staff actively attend and participate at the quarterly CTAC/SSTAC meetings. Many other cities and transit operators in the County consistently attend and provide valuable updates and seek input on activities, fare increases, route changes, new programs, etc. Active participation from our City staff will not only ensure that we remain informed about regional developments but also allow us to advocate effectively for the needs of our community We appreciate the City's confidence in us to continue being advocates for the residents of Camarillo.
Respectfully submitted,
Miranda Patton & Bev Dransfeldt