City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan
2024 Implementation Status Report
Contents
INTRODUCTION
STATUS REPORT SNAPSHOT
TOP IMPLEMENTATION INITIATIVES OF 2024
MOUNTAIN FIRE RESPONSE
HURDLES AND OPPORTUNITIES
LOOKING AHEAD
3 4
5 16
18 19
Introduction
State GHG Reduction Goals
40%
below 1990 levels by 2030
(Senate Bill [SB] 32)
Carbon neutrality by
2045
(Assembly Bill [AB] 1279)
The City of Camarillo is proud to present its fi rst annual Implementation Status Report on the Sustainability
Master Plan (SMP) for Municipal Operations, marking
a signifi cant milestone in the City’s journey towards achieving long-term sustainability and climate resil-
ience. The SMP focuses on greening City operations,
transitioning to clean energy, modernizing infra-
structure, and enhancing transportation systems. In
October 2023, the City adopted the SMP and in doing
so, took one of the fi rst of many steps in our journey to increase the sustainability of our operations.
Sustainability is supported by three principles: envi-
ronmental protection, social equity, and economic
viability, as shown in Figure 1. The City views sustain- ability as a system-based approach that seeks to
balance environmental protection with social and
economic development, in a fi scally responsible
manner, to help shape a more livable community.
The goal of the SMP is to create solutions that not only protect the environment but also improve quality of
life, create jobs, and promote economic prosperity.
This report refl ects the City’s progress in the fi rst year of implementing the strategies and actions outlined in
the SMP.
The SMP, adopted to guide the City’s efforts in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapting to the
impacts of climate change, serves as a living docu-
ment that will evolve over time with new technology,
best practices, and community needs. The SMP has
established a framework for implementing sustain-
ability measures, tracking key performance indica-
tors (KPIs), and aligning municipal efforts with the
state’s ambitious GHG reduction goals. This document
provides a qualitative overview of the City’s achieve-
ments through the end of 2024. These early actions
lay the foundation for future progress and are aligned
with the goals set forth in the SMP.
The City’s efforts have been guided by the principles of climate mitigation and adaptation, resource conser-
vation, and community engagement. As Camarillo
fi nalizes the Climate Action Plan, the City continues to lead by example, demonstrating how municipal oper-
ations can contribute to broader community sustain-
ability goals while inspiring regional action. As we
embark on this journey, cross-departmental collabo-
ration and stakeholder participation will remain key to our success. This report highlights the City’s dedication to inspiring the community to act and positioning
Camarillo as a regional leader in sustainability. We
are eager to continue building on these foundational
efforts in the years to come as we strive toward a more sustainable, resilient, and climate-ready Camarillo.
Right: Figure 1 Intersection of Sustainability
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024 Page 3 Status Report Snapshot
Between the approval of the SMP in
October 2023 and the development of
this fi rst annual Implementation Status
Report at the beginning of 2025, the
City has made meaningful strides in
implementing the SMP. The initiatives
included in the SMP are structured in a
stepwise manner, with goals, measures,
and actions. Each goal provides an
overarching topic with which the
measures align. The measures included
under each goal are intended to pull in
the same direction, providing effective
and realistic means for making prog-
ress towards sustainability efforts.
Actions represent specifi c programs or
steps that directly support the imple-
mentation of sustainability measures,
translating long-range policies into
tangible outcomes. This framework is
shown in Figure 2.
Each of the measures includes a
“primary department,” with actions
noting which City department would
serve as the “supporting department.”
Figure 2: City of Camarillo SMP Framework Figure 3: SMP Project Phasing The primary department oversees the
strategic direction and coordination
of the broader measure, while the
supporting department manages the
tactical execution and implementa-
tion of specifi c tasks and activities (e.g.,
actions). Together, they work in tandem
to confi rm the successful completion of
the overall initiative.
The SMP identifi ed 20 measures, and
127 actions (80 of which are included
in Phase 1) designed to reach the City’
social, economic, and environmental
goals. The SMP includes an Implemen-
tation Schedule, which is divided into
three phases, as shown in Figure 3.
Since we have just completed the fi rst
year of Phase 1, this status report will
focus on the progress made during
this phase. Future progress reports
will provide updates on the respective
calendar year, with progress reports
being prepared annually.
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024Page 4
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Top Implementation Initiatives of 2024
Over the past year, the City of Camarillo has made meaningful progress in various initiatives aimed at enhancing community resilience and reducing GHG emissions. Summarized below is a highlight of the measures taken, actions implemented, and the co-benefi ts achieved through the completed initiatives in 2024. These efforts refl ect our commitment to continuous improve- ment and community support. Specifi c information is provided below detailing how this progress supports our broader goals. Because each measure has multiple actions, incremental progress will be shown. Our goal is to continue to make meaningful progress on these initiatives and provide a framework to track and monitor success and identify opportunities to adaptively manage, where necessary.
In Progress: Action is currently being implemented,
with ongoing efforts to meet milestones.
Completed: Action has been fully implemented
and all objectives achieved.
Not Yet Started:Action has been identifi ed but
no implementation steps have been initiated.
On Hold: Action is temporarily paused due to resource
constraints, priority shifts, or external factors.
Icon Key
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024 Page 5
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The City established a Sustain-
ability Coordinator Core Team
to drive its sustainability initia-
tives forward. This team meets
quarterly as a group to discuss
strategy implementation and
goals. Additionally, each team
held intermittent meetings
throughout the year with their
respective departments and
supporting departments. These
meetings were crucial for iden-
tifying actionable pathways,
implementing sustainability
actions, implementation
hurdles and tracking the
progress of various initiatives.
This collaborative approach
provided alignment and facili-
tated a pathway for the City to
work towards the sustainability
objectives effectively.
Action M-SL-1.2 is one of
six actions that comprise
Measure M-SL-1. As part of this
measure’s next steps, the City
is preparing a citywide Climate
Action Plan (M-SL-1.1). The
CAP recognizes that climate
change and the associated
effects are real and are already
being felt in Camarillo, with
projections demonstrating
that the impacts will become
more extreme over the next
century without a collective
global effort to actively make
real change and reduce GHG
emissions. Therefore, the CAP
aims to encourage policies and
practices that protect the envi-
ronment, enhance quality of life
in Camarillo, encourage equity
in the decision-making process,
and continue to reduce the
Measure: Enhance internal capacity to lead, implement, and monitor sustainability initiatives.
Action: Identify a Sustainability Coordinator from each of the City’s main departments and divisions. The Sustainability Coordinators will meet regu- larly for sustainability peer-to-peer information sharing sessions, to discuss challenges, brainstorm solutions, and track progress towards reaching the City’s climate and sustainability related key performance indicators. This team will serve as the key organizers for cross-departmental collaboration needed to implement sustainability goals, as well as community contacts, and key researchers for emerging technologies, and best practices in sustainability.
Co-benefi ts: Skill-building and Educational Opportunities M-SL-1.1 Develop CAP
M-SL-1.2 Sustainability Coordinator Team
M-SL-1.3 Encourage and provide funding for local event attendance M-SL-1.4 Explore funding mechanisms
M-SL-1.5 Identify and apply for sustainability staffi ng assistance M-SL-1.6 Conduct annual staff sustainability survey
City’s emissions consistent
with California’s goals. To
achieve these goals, the plan
provides a set of measures and
actions for Camarillo to reduce
emissions and lead the way
towards a more sustainable
future, similar to the SMP. The
CAP, in tandem with the Safety
Element and SMP will continue
to evolve as best practices
change and new information
becomes available to create
the most resilient community.
Sustainability Coordinator Core Team Established (Action M-SL-1.2) City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024Page 6
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The City Council approved the
purchase of 12 new F-150 Ford
Lightnings, which enhance the
City’s fl eet with zero emission
vehicles, reduces emissions,
and supports our sustainability
goals. These electric vehicles
will not only lower the City’s
GHG emissions but also serve
as a model for sustainable
practices within the community.
By integrating these vehicles
into daily operations, the City
demonstrates the commitment
to innovation and environ-
*In total, the City purchased 22 vehicles in 2024, 12 of which were approved by City Council to be EVs. mental stewardship. Addition-
ally, the purchase of these new
vehicles will result in a reduction
of over $37,600 annually in fuel
and maintenance costs that
can be reallocated to other City
initiatives and programs. The
addition of these 12 new electric
vehicles marks signifi cant prog-
ress toward achieving Action
M-TR-1.1, which aims to replace
33 City fl eet vehicles with elec-
tric models by 2026.
Measure: : Electrify or otherwise decarbonize 45% of the municipal vehicle fl eet by 2026 and 100% by 2040.*
Action: Implement the 33 City fl eet vehicle replacements identifi ed for replacement by 2026.
Co-benefi ts: GHG Emissions Reductions, Improved Public Health, Increased Resilience, Protection of Natural Resources
New EV Municipal Vehicles Acquired (Action M-TR-1.1 ) Electric Vehicle Charger Installation (Action M-TR-1.3) Camarillo has identifi ed 33 fl eet
vehicles that will be replaced by
2026 with electric vehicle (EV)
alternatives as they reach the
end of their useful lives (Action
M-TR-1.1). To effectively charge
the vehicles onsite, the City has
installed 36 Level 2 charging
stations vehicle charging
stations at the Corporation
Yard, City Hall/Constitution
Park, and the Library. The EV
chargers at City Hall/Consti-
tution Park and the Library not
only provide conduits for City
vehicles to charge but also offer
an opportunity for City staff
and the community to charge
their vehicles at a nominal
price. This initiative supports the
City’s commitment to reducing
GHG emissions and promoting
sustainable transportation.
By transitioning to EVs and
providing accessible charging
infrastructure, Camarillo is
taking signifi cant steps towards
a more sustainable future, while
also setting a positive example
for other municipalities to follow.
Actions M-TR-1.1 and M-TR-1.3
represent two of six actions
within Measure TR-1. The City’s
next steps include continuing to
monitor the availability of ZEVs
and identify opportunities to
replace the remaining 21 EVs.
Actions M-TR-1.1 and M-TR-1.3
represent two of six actions
within Measure TR-1. The City’s
next steps include continuing to
monitor the availability of ZEVs
and identify opportunities to
replace the remaining 21 EVs.
Measure: Electrify or otherwise decarbonize 45% of the municipal vehicle fl eet by 2026 and 100% by 2040.
Action: : Complete electric vehicle charger installations and panel upgrades as part of the SCE Charge Ready Program at the Library, City Hall and Constitution Park, and Corporation Yard.
Co-benefi ts: GHG Emissions Reductions, Improved Public Health, Increased Resilience, Protection of Natural Resources.
M-TR-1.1 Implement 33 vehicle replacements M-TR-1.4 Explore funding mechanisms M-TR-1.2 Monitor EV availability M-TR-1.5 Sustainability staffi ng assistance M-TR-1.3 EV charger installation M-SL-1.6 Annual staff survey City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024 Page 7
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2 https://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/news_detail_T2_R159.php M-TR-2.1 Develop ZEB Plan
M-TR-2.2 Implement ZEB Plan
M-TR-2.3 Maintain and operate fl eet
M-TR-2.4 Develop signage
M-TR-2.5 Biofuel procurement
Buses travel throughout the City
to transport people to various
locations, generating GHG
emissions through the combus-
tion of fossil fuel. Implementing
zero-emission bus charging
infrastructure is crucial as it will
signifi cantly reduce emissions,
contributing to cleaner air and a
healthier environment. Addition-
ally, this infrastructure supports
the City’s sustainability goals
by promoting the use of electric
buses, which are more ener-
gy-effi cient and cost-effective
in the long run. Camarillo’s
City Council approved a Zero
Emission Bus Rollout Plan (ZEB
Rollout Plan) in July 2023. The ZEB
Rollout Plan includes informa-
tion on the types of zero-emis-
sion buses to be purchased,
their purchase schedule,
timing of their replacement in
disadvantaged communities, a
schedule for related infrastruc-
ture build-out, potential funding
sources, and training plans.
During the development of the
ZEB Rollout Plan, locations for a
new ZEV bus depot (i.e., transit
vehicle storage and charging
facility) were identifi ed for the
Metrolink Station parking lot or a
vacant lot along Ventura Boule-
vard. It was determined that due
to the centralized location, the
Metrolink Station would be a
prime spot and during 2024, the
City received $2 million in SB-125
funding for the transit vehicle
charging and storage facility.
Additionally, VCTC has allocated
an additional contribution of
$2 million in SB-125 funding for
the project. Construction of
the bus depot will begin in FY
2026/27, with implementation of
EV chargers anticipated for FY
2027/28. City staff will continue
to dedicate time to the devel-
opment, implementation, and
monitoring of the zero-emission
vehicle plan to confi rm the
successful transition to a decar-
bonized transit fl eet. The City will
also maintain its partnership
with RTW Management, Inc. or
a similar entity to operate and
manage the transit fl eet during
this transition.
Measure: Electrify or otherwise decarbonize 100% of the public transit fl eet by 2035 Actions:
• M-TR-2.1: Develop and implement a zero-emission plan for the Camarillo Area Transit ‘CAT’ by 2023 that establishes a transition schedule for all vehicles and analyzes future charging infrastructure needs to inform municipal charging/fueling station buildout. • M-TR-2.2: Continue to dedicate staff time to develop, implement, and monitor the zero-emission vehicle plan for the Camarillo Area Transit.
• M-TR-2.3: Continue to partner with RATP or a similar entity to maintain and operate the transit fleet, including the transition to decarbonized vehicles.
Co-benefi ts: GHG Emissions Reductions, Improved Public Health, Protection of Natural Resources, Skill- building and Educational Opportunities
Signifi cant progress has been
achieved on this measure.
Actions M-TR-2.1, 2.2, and 2.3
represent three of the fi ve
actions driving efforts to fully
electrify Camarillo’s public
transit fl eet by 2035. Next steps
will include construction of the
bus depot and acquisition of
electric buses. Once electric
buses are operational, the
City will develop signage that
clearly details the zero-emis-
sion characteristics of public
transit vehicles and highlights
the GHG emission reduction
benefi ts and versatility of elec-
tric and zero-emission vehicles
to encourage community
members to utilize transit and
also emphasize the reliability
of ZEVs to encourage broader
community adoption. Camarillo
anticipates operating a 100%
zero emission fl eet by 2031,
nine years ahead of the state’s
2040 deadline.
Zero-Emission Bus Implementation Funding Received (Actions M-TR-2.1, 2.2, 2.3) City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024Page 8
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Based on the GHG emissions
inventory completed for the
SMP, business travel (car,
train, and airplane related
travel) resulted in over 60
percent of the City’s Scope
3 emissions. Therefore, the
City prepared an updated
Travel Policy which includes
Sustainable Travel Initiative
information to encourage
staff to consider traveling in
the most sustainable way for
each specifi c event. Specifi -
cally, the updated Travel Policy
begins with Sustainable Travel
Initiatives, which outline the
components that should be
considered when planning
travel such as assessing the
need to travel over attending
virtually, combining trips when
possible and geographically
feasible, carpooling, prioritizing
zero-emission vehicles when
renting a vehicle, and booking
airfare with the least number
of layovers, among other
initiatives. Additionally, the City
launched a revised vehicle
Measure: Reduce business travel GHG emissions 50% by 2035, from 2019 levels.
Action: Adopt a policy requiring City employees travel by train, carpool, or utilize other alternative modes of transportation for the purpose of business travel (e.g., conference attendance) where feasible (based on travel distance and destination).
Co-benefi ts: GHG Emissions Reduction, Improved Public Health reservation system which
streamlines the check-out
process, both saving time, and
encouraging staff to utilize the
City-owned electric vehicles
instead of personal vehicles,
when possible. The Updated
Travel Policy was approved in
November 2024 by City Council.
Action M-EB-2.1 is one of six
actions under Measure EB-2.
As part of the City’s next steps,
we will continue to utilize and
refi ne Camarillo Connect to
Travel Policy Updated (Action M-EB-2.1)
M-EB-2.1 Adopt Updated Travel Policy
M-EB-2.2 Encourage offsite Travel with EVs
M-EB-2.3 Business Travel Tracking Mechanism
M-EB-2.4 Cost/Benefi t Analysis
M-EB-2.5 Camarillo Connect
M-EB-2.6 Metrolink Partnership
expedite repairs and reduce
unnecessary waste as well as
vehicle miles traveled. Addi-
tionally, the City will continue to
evaluate the cost and benefi ts
associated with various busi-
ness travel being completed
virtually versus in-person. The
City will also encourage staff
members to utilize EVs when
traveling off-site and has
made that process easier
through the revised vehicle
reservation program.
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024 Page 9
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In 2024, the City completed
a lighting retrofi t program at
the City’s Library to replace
existing incandescent bulbs
and other ineffi cient lights with
light emitting diode (LED) lights
that are controlled by motion
sensors and daylighting (e.g.,
controlled use of natural light in
and around buildings). Addition-
ally, the City completed and
submitted an Energy Effi ciency
and Conservation Blog Grant
(EECBG) application to retrofi t
the lighting at the Police station
3. This project, set to be complete
in the 2025, will further the City’s
commitment to sustainability
by improving energy effi ciency
and reducing the energy related
GHG emissions from municipal
buildings. These efforts demon-
strate the City’s proactive
approach to environmental
stewardship and its dedication
to creating a more sustainable
future for the community.
Measure: Increase infrastructure energy efficiency to reduce municipal energy use by 10% from 2019 levels, or 50 MWh, by 2035.
Action: : Implement building lighting retrofits to transition from current manual, fluorescent lights to motion-detector activated LED lights with daylight harvesting to auto-adjust based on the amount of daylight coming into the Library, Police Department, and City Hall.
Co-benefits: Cost savings, GHG Emissions Reductions
Action M-BE-3.5 is one of seven
actions under Measure BE-3.
As part of the City’s next steps,
we will complete the building
retrofi ts at the Police Station and
complete a feasibility study to
identify the costs and benefi ts
of integrating wireless smart
controls into streetlights and
traffi c signals.
Building Lighting Retrofi t Program (Action M-BE-3.5)
M-BE-3.1 Smart Control Feasibility Study
M-BE-3.2 Cost-benefi t Analysis
M-BE-3.3 Periodically audit energy use
M-BE-3.4 Expand Traffi c Signal Light Project
M-BE-3.5 Implement Building Retrofi ts
M-BE-3.6 Monitor real time energy
M-BE-3.7 Plan to re-invest utility savings
3 As of the January 16, 2025, awards have not yet been announced City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024Page 10
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4 https://cal-adapt.org/tools/local-climate-change-snapshot/ 5 https://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/news_detail_T2_R218.php M-SL-6.1 Employee-led best practices
M-SL-6.2 Weather monitoring
M-SL-6.3 Ventura County Fire Department Education and Training M-SL-6.4 Update Emergency Operations Plan
M-SL-6.5 Create educational program
In the City of Camarillo,
extreme heat days are defi ned
as days where the maximum
daily temperature exceeds
92.1°F.
4 It is anticipated that the
City will experience an increase
in the number of extreme heat
days from 4 days annually to 11
days annually by the middle of
the century and 24 days by the
end of the century. As stated
in the City’s Climate Change
Vulnerability Assessment
(Appendix D of the SMP), expo-
sure to extreme heat can cause
direct heat-related illness (heat
cramps, heat exhaustion, and
heat stroke) and death, and
can also exacerbate certain
existing medical conditions.
Increased frequency of
extreme heat days can result
in increased public health
risks, particularly to vulnerable
populations like older adults,
young children, and individ-
uals with underlying chronic
diseases, through heat-related
illnesses and increased vector-
borne illnesses. Therefore, to
protect City staff, it is imper-
ative that we provide regular
trainings and information
sessions on heat risk.
In 2024, a total of 59staff
attended the Big 4: Bloodborne
Pathogen, Bio Hazard, Hearing
and Heat training. The training
session included information
on environmental and personal
risk factors for heat illness,
procedures for complying with
the City’s requirements, the
Measure: Protect City worker welfare from future climate hazards and weather-related risks (e.g., extreme heat and smoke from wildfi res).
Action: Research and implement practical employee-led best practices for outdoor worker welfare to adapt to climate-related events (e.g., extreme heat events). Follow up with employees post climate-hazard events (e.g., wildfi re smoke, extreme heat event) to track data on worker wellbeing.
Co-benefi ts: Skill-building and Educational Opportunities, Increased Resilience
importance of and methods
for acclimation, the necessity
to report symptoms or signs of
heat stroke immediately, and
how to monitor weather reports
and respond to hot weather
advisories. This training helps
keep our team safe and healthy,
which is of the utmost impor-
tance. In 2024, the City expe-
rienced extreme heat events,
including on September 7, when
the Camarillo Public Library was
utilized as a cooling center.
5 Action M-SL-6.1 is one of fi ve
actions under Measure SL-6.
As part of the City’s next steps,
additional staff will be trained in
how to respond to extreme heat
and other potential hazards.
Heat Risk Trainings (Action M-SL-6.1)
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024 Page 11 City staff conducted a compre-
hensive audit of landfi ll, recy-
cling, and compost containers
across City Hall. This audit iden-
tifi ed opportunities to collocate
landfi ll, recycling, and compost
bins, aiming to streamline
the collection process. By
strategically placing these bins
together, the City can enhance
waste sorting effi ciency, reduce
contamination, and lead by
example by implementing
proper disposal practices at
City Hall. This initiative not only
simplifi es waste manage-
ment but also supports the
City’s sustainability goals
by encouraging recycling
and composting, ultimately
reducing the amount of waste
sent to landfi lls. This effort
aligns with SB 1383
6 by reducing
organic waste, which directly
Measure: Reduce organic waste by 75% by 2025, from 2014 levels in line with Senate Bill 1383, and landfi ll zero waste by 2035, while increasing municipal procurement of recovered organics waste products.
Action: Complete an audit on current bin location and signage for landfi ll, recycle, and compost waste in municipal buildings to confi rm that bins have clear signage and are collocated together for appro- priate disposal. Where necessary, establish a plan to improve signage that clearly outlines what is accepted in each receptacle and enhance distribution of waste management bins.
Co-benefi ts: Protection of Natural Resources, Skill-building and Educational Opportunities
contributes to lowering GHG
emissions. Additionally, the
audit provided valuable data
that can be used to optimize
waste management practices
citywide. By setting a prece-
dent at City Hall, this initiative
inspires residents and local
businesses to adopt similar
practices, amplifying the posi-
tive environmental impact.
Audit of Waste Management at City Hall (Action M-SW-1.3) 6 SB 1383 is a California law aimed at reducing short-lived climate pollutants by requiring a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal and a 20% recovery of edible food waste by 2025 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More information available here: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/Organics/SLCP/collection/.
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024Page 12 M-SW-1.1 Update municipal purchasing policy
M-SW-1.2 Provide reusable mugs to staff
M-SW-1.3 Complete audit on waste bins
M-SW-1.4 Require large events to establish waste management team M-SW-1.5 Install recycling bins
M-SW-1.6 Promote existing programs and expand new programs M-SW-1.7 Transfer to digital timesheets
M-SW-1.8 Provide education regarding polystyrene alternatives M-SW-1.9 Develop donation space at City-owned facilities for equipment M-SW-1.10 Procurement and application of locally generated compost M-SW-1.11 Climate Corps fellow or CSUCI Intern
M-SW-1.12 Compost bin installation
M-SW-1.13 Establish Repair Cafes
M-SW-1.14 Promote City-hosted waste management events
M-SW-1.15 Perform waste audit periodically
The City initiated a mulch
giveaway program, offering
community members the
opportunity to pick up free
mulch at designated parks
and public places on planned
dates. This initiative not only
helps share valuable resources
but also promotes sustainable
gardening practices within
the community. By providing
ongoing education and
information on the benefi ts
of composting, the program
encourages residents to reduce
waste, improve soil health, and
support local ecosystems.
Additionally, the program
fosters a sense of community
by bringing people together
to participate in sustainable
community-driven activities.
It also helps reduce the City’s
waste management costs by
diverting organic waste from
landfi lls and repurposing it for
benefi cial use in local gardens
and landscapes.
Action M-SW-1.3 and M-SW-1.6
represent two of 15 actions
under Measure M-SW-1. As part
of the City’s next steps, mulch
giveaways will be hosted
throughout the year – keep an
eye out for more information!
Mulch Giveaway (Action M-SW-1.6)
Measure: Reduce organic waste by 75% by 2025, from 2014 levels in line with Senate Bill 1383, and landfi ll zero waste by 2035, while increasing municipal procurement of recovered organics waste products.
Action: Partner with an entity such as E.J. Harrison and Sons to promote the City’s existing programs, such as the free mulch program, shredding program, and household hazardous waste collection.
Expand programs as necessary.
Co-benefi ts: GHG Emissions Reductions, Protection of Natural Resources City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024 Page 13 M-SL-4.1 Annual leadership award
M-SL-4.2 Community surveys
M-SL-4.3 Grant and Technical Assistance Highlights
M-SL-4.4 Sustainable Cleaning Product Policy
M-SL-4.5 Host Annual Events
M-SL-4.6 Sustainability Training Course
M-SL-4.7 Identify and Apply for Grants
M-SL-4.8 Water Heater Loan Program
Camarillo hosted a sustain-
able craft swap event, which
attracted over 50 community
members excited to share
resources and repurpose
material. This event provided
a platform for residents
to exchange unused craft
supplies, fostering a sense of
community and promoting
sustainable practices. Partici-
pants not only found new uses
for their materials but also met
with like-minded individ-
uals. The event emphasized
the environmental benefi ts
of reusing and recycling
and highlighted the City’s
commitment to sustainability.
Initiatives like this demonstrate
how small, community-driven
initiatives can contribute to a
larger environmental impact.
Action M-SL-4.5 is one of eight
actions under Measure SL-4.
As part of the City’s next steps,
we will identify an existing
Sustainability Training course
and enroll staff annually.
Sustainability Outreach Events (Action M-SL-4.5)
Measure: Inspire sustainability innovation through recognition of leadership, media coverage, and internal incentives.
Action: : In collaboration with the Camarillo Public Library, partner with local entities, such as Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District (PVRPD) or Studio Channel Islands, religious institutions, and schools to host regular sustainability outreach events, such as workshops, presentations, working groups targeted at specifi c community groups, public contests or challenges, and an annual event such as Earth or Arbor Day.
Co-benefi ts: Skill-building and Educational Opportunities Additionally, we will continue to
host events with the Camarillo
Library and other potential
interested parties to promote
sustainability. We are also
exploring the opportunity to
create a community wide cele-
bration around sustainability
– stay tuned for more informa-
tion coming soon!
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024Page 14 M-SW-2.1 City climate/ sustainability website
M-SW-2.2 Track communication pathway success
M-SW-2.3 Translate outreach materials
M-SW-2.4 Develop Sustainability Minute
M-SW-2.5 Provide support for community events
M-SW-2.6 Communicate Sustainability Commitments
M-SW-2.7 Job Posting Sustainability Reference
M-SW-2.8 Partner with Camarillo Library
M-SW-2.9 Identify and Engage with Key Businesses
M-SW-2.10 Prioritize communications
Clear, consistent communi-
ty-centric communications
are essential for fostering
transparency, building trust,
and confi rming that residents
are informed and engaged in
local initiatives and decisions.
Throughout the year, Camarillo
provided consistent sustain-
ability and climate communi-
cations to align with its goals,
support information sharing,
and promote community
engagement, awareness, and
collaborative action towards a
more sustainable future.
We’re excited to share that
through the course of 2024, we
achieved the following:
• 52 Social Media posts
related to sustainability
• 878 YouTube subscribers
• 3,894 YouTube video views
• 819 views of CAP/Safety
Element web page
• 772 views of Resilient
Camarillo web page
Action M-SL-2.2 is one of ten
actions under Measure SL-2. As
part of the City’s next steps, we
will continue to actively update
the website and investigate
the best opportunities to meet
people where they are.
Sustainability and Climate Citywide Communications (Action M-SL-2.2) Measure: Increase external
communications on City sustain-
ability initiatives and opportunities
for community engagement.
Action: Explore and track the
success of different ways to
communicate sustainability
and climate progress trans-
parently and effectively to the
public, for example, through a
dashboard, semi-regular social
media posts, City web pages,
Camarillo Community TV, or the
City’s YouTube channel. Track
the number of clicks made
on specifi c links to identify the
most successful mechanisms
for engagement.
Co-benefi ts: Skill-building and
Educational Opportunities
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024 Page 15 Photo credit: Tyler G
Mountain Fire Response
On November 6, 2024, the Mountain
Fire7 began near Balcom Canyon
Road and Bradley Road, on South
Mountain in the Moorpark area. Driven
by powerful winds, the fire quickly
crossed State Route 118 and began
to burn in the Camarillo Hills. By
November 9, nearly 500 fire engines
were on the scene to provide support,
with 32 water tenders, 21 helicopters,
60 hand crews, 12 bulldozers, and
approximately 3,000 firefighters from
around California
8. Winds continued
to remain strong and by the time the
fire was fully contained, 243 structures
were destroyed and 19,904 acres
burned9, including prolific agricultural
land. The City of Camarillo’s Climate
Change Vulnerability Assessment
(Appendix D of the SMP) provides infor-
mation on wildfire risk in the commu-
nity, and notes that the wildfires in our
region are influenced by Santa Ana
Winds, similar to the Mountain Fire. It is
predicted that throughout Southern
California, including in the City of
Camarillo, the occurrence of wildfires
and the average burned area are
projected to increase by the middle
and end of the century.
As the fire impacted our community,
the City acted quickly and worked
directly with home and business
owners who were impacted by
assigning specific staff to each person
for personalized care and atten-
tion during this critical time. We also
created a website outlining resources
for the Mountain Fire recovery,
including Our Commitment to You,
which outlines the City’s ongoing
efforts. The website includes resources
on a variety of topics including how to
stay informed, storm readiness, debris
removal, emergency contacts, water
and power, trash services, dona-
tions and volunteering, fire-related
assistance (e.g., the Small Business
Administration loan program), food
resources, mail resources, and much
more. To reach people in-person,
CalFIRE hosted a Mountain Fire
Community Meeting on Sunday,
November 10, 2024, at Ventura County
Fire Station 54, located in Camarillo.
The meeting was also live streamed
and made available for replay. To
provide information about services
offered at the Local Assistance Center,
which opened on November 14, 2024,
CalFIRE held a Community Town Hall
Meeting on November 13, 2024. Addi-
tionally, the City hosted a Commu-
nity Town Hall Meeting on January 7,
2025, which invited the community to
hear from speakers on the post-fire
flooding and debris flow risks, tips on
how to prepare, and much more.
This effective wildfire response aimed
to protect natural resources and
demonstrates community resilience
through coordinated efforts to safe-
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024
7 https://www.fi re.ca.gov/incidents/2024/11/6/mountain-fi re 8 https://www.fi re.ca.gov/incidents/2024/11/6/mountain-fi re/updates/5d60d4f7-edfa-4dc5-954f-f89103aa7cc1 9 https://www.fi re.ca.gov/incidents/2024/11/6/mountain-fi re/updates/dd3d0016-177a-4624-a2b9-71e6e4d55f1d 10 https://wfca.com/wildfi re-articles/how-do-wildfi res-affect-the-community/ Photo credit: Tyler G
Photo credit: Tyler G
guard lives, property, and the envi-
ronment. The long-term benefi ts of
effective wildfi re response include
enhanced ecosystem recovery,
improved soil stability, and the pres-
ervation of biodiversity. Additionally, a
well-coordinated and thoughtful wild-
fi re response demonstrates commu-
nity resilience by working together to
protect infrastructure, resources, and
community health
10. This collective
action not only mitigates immediate
threats but also strengthens the
community’s ability to withstand and
recover from future wildfi res. Further,
this response fosters a sense of secu-
rity and preparedness, encouraging
community members to engage in
proactive measures and support
recovery efforts.
The City of Camarillo deeply appre-
ciates the swift and coordinated
response from all parties involved
in combating the Mountain Fire. We
extend our heartfelt thanks to the
fi refi ghters and other fi rst responders
for their dedication and bravery, which
safeguarded our community and
minimized the impact of this disaster.
This wildfi re underscores the urgent
need for proactive sustainability and
resilience planning, as outlined in
the SMP. The increasing frequency
and intensity of wildfi res highlight the
necessity of integrating climate adap-
tation strategies, such as fi re-resistant
infrastructure, emergency prepared-
ness, and sustainable land manage-
ment, into our long-term planning
efforts. Moving forward, the City will
continue to enhance policies and
collaboration efforts that align with
the SMP to better protect our commu-
nity against future climate-driven
disasters. By prioritizing resilience, we
can build a safer, more prepared
Camarillo, ensuring that our residents,
businesses, and natural resources
remain protected in the face of our
changing climate.
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024 Page 17 Hurdles and Opportunities
Implementing sustainability and
climate-related initiatives in a city often
presents signifi cant challenges. One
of the greatest hurdles is balancing
fi nite time and resources, which can
make it diffi cult to effectively prior-
itize and execute these important
projects. For the City of Camarillo, an
additional challenge lies in addressing
aging infrastructure, much of which
is decades old and nearing the end
of its useful life. As such, we must be
innovative and identify and implement
solutions that advance the current
systems and replace antiquated
processes. We’re excited to embark on
a City Hall remodel that will facilitate
clear sustainability-related
solutions throughout.
Another common challenge, shared
by many cities including Camarillo, is
limited time and staff hours to complete
these initiatives. The Sustainability
Coordinator Core Team is composed
of existing staff who must balance
sustainability efforts alongside other
critical responsibilities. This challenge is
further amplifi ed during natural disas-
ters, such as the Mountain Fire, which
demand immediate attention and
resources. Despite these obstacles, the
City remains committed to advancing
its sustainability goals through innova-
tive solutions, collaboration, and a long-
term vision for resilience and progress.
As more robust and complex actions
are implemented in future phases, City
staff will need additional resources,
including funding and additional time
to support these initiatives. This may
involve applying for various grants to
obtain fi nancial support, allocating
budget to hire additional staff and/or
consultants to provide the necessary
expertise, and investing in new tech-
nologies that can enhance effi ciency
as they become available. Additionally,
ongoing training and development for
existing staff will be essential to confi rm
that they are equipped with the latest
knowledge and skills to manage and
execute these initiatives effectively.
By proactively planning for these needs,
the City can create a smooth transi-
tion to more sustainable practices and
achieve long-term environmental and
community benefi ts.
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024Page 18
CITY HALL
Over the next year, the City will continue
to implement Phase 1 initiatives and
make meaningful progress towards the
overall measures. The team of Sustain-
ability Coordinators will lead this effort,
with support from all City staff and
stakeholders. Led by City Council direc-
tion, the Sustainability Coordinators
Looking Ahead
will work together to continue making,
tracking, and monitoring meaningful
progress. The evolution of this program
will provide opportunities for us to
identify the most fi scally responsible,
sustainable pathways and build this
intention directly into the work we do
each day. As new staff joins the team
and we continue to attract high-quality
candidates that embody the City’s
mission, we will confi rm that they are
provided with opportunities to actively
participate in the SMP implementa-
tion, which will expand the reach and
value of this program. We’re excited
about this continued progress and look
forward to providing ongoing updates
throughout the process. Detailed
throughout this report are next steps
that we will take to continue imple-
menting actions outlined in the SMP,
focusing fi rst on the Phase 1 actions,
and then transitioning to Phase 2 and 3
as actions are completed.
City of Camarillo Sustainability Master Plan 2024 Page 19