City Council Minutes – January 28, 2026 Page 1 of 3
MINUTES
CITY OF CAMARILLO CITY COUNCIL
CAMARILLO SANITARY DISTRICT
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. The City Council was also sitting as the Camarillo Sanitary District.
ROLL CALL
Council Present: David Tennessen, Mayor
Martita Martinez-Bravo, Vice Mayor
Kevin Kildee, Councilmember
Susan Santangelo, Councilmember
Council Absent: Tony Trembley, Councilmember
(attending a city obligation as appointee to the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency)
Staff Present: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager
Rachel Richman, City Attorney
Mitchell Cameron, Administrative Services Director
Dave Klotzle, Public Works Director
Philip Lanzafame, Interim Community Development Director Wendy Levy, Human Resources Director
Eric Tennessen, Police Department Commander
Mark Uribe, Finance Director
Carrie Weal, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as to form.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Review Progress on FY 2025/26 Strategic Plan-City Council Goals and Objectives and Establish FY 2026/27 Strategic Plan: Council Goals and Objectives including Consideration of Major Project Priorities
Assistant City Manager Carmen Nichols gave a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the progress update on the FY 2025-26 Strategic Plan and Establishment of FY 2026-27 Strategic Plan, Goals and Key Values of the existing plan, and Project Prioritization process. She requested input from the Council on the eleven goals. The Council made the following recommendations:
Goal 3: PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESILIENCE
Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo recommended adding language to this goal to consider the development of a strategic plan focused on strengthening community trust in law
City Council Minutes – January 28, 2026 Page 2 of 3
enforcement. She proposed the following language:
“It is a goal of the City of Camarillo to strengthen trust and cooperation between residents and local enforcement by promoting transparency, protecting access to public services and fostering open dialogue, so all community members feel safe, respected, and supported. Camarillo is committed to being a city where everyone feels safe asking for help, reporting crime, and participating in community life.” Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo also outlined several ideas that could support this goal, including:
Utilizing a science-based policing partnership, such as the Center for Policing Equity, to guide methodologies;
Providing clear public guidance regarding law enforcement’s role and limitations related to ICE enforcement;
Holding community forums in partnership with service-providing organizations; Providing intergovernmental reports to increase community awareness; and Creating safe and accessible crime reporting options so all residents feel comfortable contacting law enforcement.
Councilmember Kildee requested assurance that residents are informed of disaster evacuation procedures in the event of a major emergency. Commander Tennessen reviewed the City’s proactive disaster preparedness efforts, the need to adapt response plans to the specific incident, and the importance of individual responsibility to remain prepared and informed.
Goal 4: LAND USE, TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Councilmember Kildee indicated that there are some aging shopping centers that should be included for economic opportunities.
Goal 5: TECHNOLOGY AND CITY FACILITIES
Councilmember Martinez-Bravo wanted assurance that the public reporting apps include the ability to provide assistance in Spanish.
Goal 8: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Councilmember Kildee recommended updating the Economic Development Strategic Plan to include future initiatives as they occur. Assistant City Manager Carmen Nichols confirmed that this plan will continue to be updated.
Goal 9: COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Councilmember Kildee recommended the City consider a music-related recognition of the 250th anniversary of the United States, which could potentially be incorporated into the Summer Concerts in the Park series.
Mayor Tennessen asked for a report at a future council meeting on impact of the Teen Civic Engagement program.
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Goal 10: INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
Vice Mayor Martinez-Bravo requested a goal to create a committee similar to the City of Livermore relating to schools. She recommended the following language:
“It is the goal of the City of Camarillo to establish an education and schools committee in partnership with Oxnard Union High School District, VCOE, Pleasant Valley School District to strengthen inter-governmental collaboration and improve communication and coordinate efforts and support student’s success, family, well-being and overall community vitality. The committee will serve the purpose of ongoing dialogue and coordination among the city and the two public school districts to align priority shared information and collaboratively address issues impacting students, families and schools within the City of Camarillo.
Objectives: Foster consistent and transparent communication between the city and school districts; coordinate planning efforts related to student safety, infrastructure, transportation and shared facilities; support joint initiatives that enhance educational outcomes, youth development, and family services; identify opportunities for resource sharing, grants, and partnerships.”
Goal 11: Employee Relations
Councilmember Martinez-Bravo indicated the importance for the City to review programs for retaining employees.
The Council expressed support for staff’s recommendations for projects selected during the Major Project Prioritization for consideration in the FY 2026-27 budget.
The following people addressed the Council on this item: Bev Dransfeldt.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:27p.m.
ATTEST:
Mayor City Clerk
Chair
Camarillo Sanitary District