Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: August 27, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager
Subject: Community Support Funds
BACKGROUND
City Council Policy 1.04 “City Councilmember Requests to Schedule City Council Meeting Agenda Items” states a Councilmember may request an item be placed on a future agenda if at least one other Councilmember supports the request during a Council meeting. For items requiring additional information, the City Manager provides limited staff assistance to prepare a brief introductory Agenda Report. If a majority of the Council agrees to proceed, the item is formally scheduled for a future meeting with full staff analysis and supporting materials.
At the August 13, 2025 City Council meeting, Councilmember Susan Santangelo and Councilmember Martita Martinez-Bravo made requests in accordance with Policy 1.04 to consider two support funds; Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund and Immigration Legal Defense Fund respectively. This meeting provides an opportunity for the requesting council members to present additional information and seek consensus from the Council on whether to proceed with scheduling the items for a future meeting.
DISCUSSION
Immigration Legal Defense Fund – Councilmember Martita Martinez-Bravo The Ventura County Board of Supervisors met on August 12, 2025, to consider the establishment of a Ventura County Immigration Legal Defense Fund and a $250,000 contribution to the Fund to bolster access to a broad scope of accessible legal, educational, and outreach resources to ensure access to due process, legal resources, and legal rights education. The Fund is intended for community-based organizations to increase awareness and education throughout Ventura County. It is not intended to provide individual financial assistance. The Fund would be established and administered through the County Executive Office, where staff would develop eligibility criteria and guidelines for community-based organizations regarding expertise and experience, manage a grantee process, accept donations, and distribute funds to qualified community-based organizations. The Fund’s focus on legal education, outreach and resources will allow community organizations to educate and empower people throughout
Community Support Funds
August 27, 2025
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Ventura County to understand their rights and navigate within the immigration legal system. The outcome of this item is pending continuation of the discussion at the August 26, 2025, Board of Supervisor’s meeting.
The Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund – Councilmember Susan Santangelo This fund was created in response to a growing humanitarian crisis affecting families, workers, and small businesses across the county. Many residents are facing fear, displacement, and economic instability, prompting a community-wide effort to provide urgent relief. The fund is managed by the Ventura County Community Foundation in partnership with local leaders and organizations to ensure transparent and effective distribution of resources. Its mission is rooted in compassion, resilience, and collective care for the most vulnerable. The fund provides immediate assistance for food, shelter, and basic necessities, while also supporting agricultural workers, small businesses, and local nonprofits. It aims to stabilize families and safeguard the local economy by addressing both short-term needs and long-term impacts. Funding decisions are guided by a special advisory committee, and contributions go directly to critical services without administrative overhead. Support is available to families, students, and businesses in crisis, as noted in the Frequently Asked Questions on the Fund webpage. The webpage also outlines how donors can contribute and how organizations can apply for aid.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact as a result of this action.
RECOMMENDATION
Consistent with City Council Policy 1.04, discuss and provide staff direction for consideration at a future City Council meeting based on information presented by the requesting council members:
1. Immigration Legal Defense Fund
2. Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund
ATTACHMENTS
1. Board of Supervisors August 12, 2025, Agenda Item No. 69 Board Letter and Exhibits 1 and 2
2. VC Neighbors Support Fund Launched article
REFERENCE MATERIALS
1. Ventura County Board of Supervisors Agenda Report and Attachments: ventura.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=22191
2. Neighbors Support Fund Webpage: vccf.org/neighbors-support-fund