City Council, Successor Agency, &
Fillmore Unified School District Special
Joint Meeting
June 23, 2026
Council Chambers
City Hall
6:00 p.m.
MINUTES
1) Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Mayor Mendez. 2) Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3) Roll Call
Members Present:
Tricia Gradias, Scott Beylik, Olivia Palacio, Lucy Rangel, Albert Mendez , John Garnica , Christina Villaseñor , Carrie Broggie , and Mario Rodriguez Members Absent:
None.
Also Present:
None.
4) Approval of the Agenda
Carrie Broggie motioned, seconded by John Garnica to approve of the Agenda Motion carried by the following voice vote: AYES: Tricia Gradias, Scott Beylik, Olivia Palacio, Lucy Rangel, Albert Mendez , John Garnica , Christina Villaseñor , Carrie Broggie , Mario Rodriguez NOES: None ABSENTS: Sean Morris ABSTAINS: None
5) Presentations
5.A) THE SANTA CLARA RIVER CONSERVANCY
Department: Community Services
SCRC FILLMORE PRESENTATION
Ron Merkord, Board President of the Santa Clara River Conservancy and Board Member Heather Meranda presented item 5.A.
6) Public Comments
Sterling Wolt
Brian Schumacher
7) New Business
7.A) STRATEGIC FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOALS
Department: Community Services
LET’S TALK ABOUT FUSD
Christine Schieferle, Superintendent presented on item 7.A.
7.B) CITY OF FILLMORE DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Department: Planning / Community Development
SR - DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Kevin McSweeney presented item 7.B.
7.C) PRESENTATION ON AVAILABLE SOFTWARE AND COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT TOOLS
Department: Administration
AVAILABLE SOFTWARE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Erika Herrera, City Manager presented item 7.C.
7.D) E-BIKE EFFORTS
Department: Fire / Safety
E-BIKE EFFORTS
Eduardo Malagon Captain, Fillmore Chief of Police presented on item
7.D.
Public Testimony:
Derek Fouarge
8) City Council and Board of Trustees Reports, Recommendations, and Comments
8.A) FUTURE COLLABORATION INITIATIVES
Department: Administration
Mayor Albert Mendez: No reports.
Mayor Pro Tem John Garnica: Mayor Pro Tem Garnica addressed the groundwater sustainability basin, which pertains to all individuals extracting water from the ground in the valley between Peru and Santa Paula. A representative from the Peru area expressed concerns regarding the Chiquita Canyon landfill, which reportedly experienced a leak. Although the leak was purportedly contained, a monitoring wall outside the site detected a trace amount of harmful chemicals. The landfill is located upstream of the valley, impacting the water tables and posing a significant concern for the community. Mayor Pro Tem Garnica also shared that the United Water Conservation District’s proposal to include a $320 million bond measure on the November ballot. This bond is intended to fund the repair of Felicia Dam, which suffered substantial flooding in 2023. Constructed in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the dam was not designed to accommodate the current anticipated water flow over the spillway. Engineers have cautioned that without necessary repairs, severe weather conditions could result in water levels reaching City Hall. These matters are considered pertinent to both the city and the school district.
Councilmember Mario Rodriguez: No Reports.
Councilmember Christina Villaseñor: Councilmember Villaseñor noted that there was no Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting earlier this month. She suggests that the City include a future agenda item to discuss the upcoming winter. Villaseñor has been researching the potential impacts of a super El Niño, which could bring extreme rains and possibly extreme heat to the region. With uncertainty about the remainder of summer and into fall, she emphasizes the importance of emergency preparedness as a city goal. She proposes further investigation into this matter and has already searched online for any modeling conducted by the National Weather Service. Villaseñor believes it would be beneficial to review this modeling to ensure the city’s infrastructure is prepared for a potentially extreme year.
Vice President Scott Beylik: Vice President Beylik addressed the Council Members, audience, and community members, emphasizing the importance of maintaining joint meetings between the City Council and the School Board, which had not taken place for several years. He suggested continuing this practice on an annual basis by scheduling the meetings around the end of June, when the City Council typically adjourns and the School Board resumes its activities. Beylik also discussed the 2+2 Committee, consisting of two City Council Members and two School Board Members, including himself and a former City Council Mayor. He stated that the group recently met to plan its agenda, with the goal of continuing regular meetings and identifying opportunities for collaboration, such as presentations on topics of mutual interest.
Beylik highlighted the importance of inviting School Board Members to high-profile City events, such as the Bike Rodeo and the Fillmore–Santa Paula football game, to foster communication and strengthen collaboration. He also encouraged Council Members to attend School District events, including ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the athletics complex and the Rio Vista track, where they could represent the city and demonstrate their support. Additionally, Beylik discussed Civic Engagement initiatives, noting that the School District recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to promote Civic Engagement and Public Service.
This partnership includes hosting events at local schools and establishing a direct relationship with the library, making it the first School District in California to enter into such an agreement. Beylik expressed his desire to involve the city in these Civic Engagement efforts, noting that students have shown a strong interest in community service. He proposed inviting Council Members to speak at local high schools to share their experiences in public service and encourage students to become actively involved in civic responsibilities. In summary, Vice President Beylik emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the City Council and the School Board, highlighted upcoming events and initiatives, and outlined plans to strengthen Civic Engagement through partnerships, community involvement, and increased participation by both elected officials and students.
Councilmember Carrie Broggie: Councilmember Broggie shared she would not be having her porch talk this week.
8.B) FUTURE AGENDA TOPICS AND MEETING DATES
Department: Administration
Mayor Pro Tem John Garnica: Mayor Pro Tem Garnica encourages both bodies to meet again, suggesting a regular schedule of twice a year. He believes this would be highly beneficial for the community and both.
Vice President Scott Beylik: Vice President Beylik addressed the Council Members, audience, and community members, emphasizing the importance of maintaining joint meetings between the City Council and the School Board, which had not taken place for several years. He suggested continuing this practice on an annual basis by scheduling the meetings around the end of June, when the City Council typically adjourns and the School Board resumes its activities. Beylik also discussed the 2+2 Committee, consisting of two City Council Members and two School Board Members, including himself and a former City Council Mayor. He stated that the group recently met to plan its agenda, with the goal of continuing regular meetings and identifying opportunities for collaboration, such as presentations on topics of mutual interest.
Beylik highlighted the importance of inviting School Board Members to high-profile City events, such as the Bike Rodeo and the Fillmore–Santa Paula football game, to foster communication and strengthen collaboration. He also encouraged Council Members to attend School District events, including ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the athletics complex and the Rio Vista track, where they could represent the city and demonstrate their support. Additionally, Beylik discussed Civic Engagement initiatives, noting that the School District recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to promote Civic Engagement and Public Service.
This partnership includes hosting events at local schools and establishing a direct relationship with the library, making it the first School District in California to enter into such an agreement. Beylik expressed his desire to involve the city in these Civic Engagement efforts, noting that students have shown a strong interest in community service. He proposed inviting Council Members to speak at local high schools to share their experiences in public service and encourage students to become actively involved in civic responsibilities. In summary, Vice President Beylik emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the City Council and the School Board, highlighted upcoming events and initiatives, and outlined plans to strengthen Civic Engagement through partnerships, community involvement, and increased participation by both elected officials and students.
9) Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
These minutes summarize the final decisions made by the City Council and the School Board at the referenced meeting. The meeting was also audio recorded, and the recording is available for review. In the event of any ambiguity regarding the Council’s final decisions, the audio recording shall be used to interpret the Council’s intent. The audio recording shall serve as the official record of the proceedings whenever, in the Council’s opinion, the minutes are insufficient. An audio copy of the City Council meeting proceedings is available by contacting the Fillmore Deputy City Clerk.
Prepared by:
______________________________________________
Ana Cendejas, Deputy City Clerk