MINUTES
City Council and Successor Agency Regular Meeting
August 25, 2026
Council Chambers
City Hall
6:30
p.m.
1)
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by Mayor Mendez. 2)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3)
ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Albert Mendez, John Garnica, Christina Villaseñor, Carrie Broggie, and Mario Rodriguez Members Absent:
None.
Members Excused:
None.
Also Present:
Tiffany Israel, and Erika Herrera, City Manager
4)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Christina Villaseñor motioned, seconded by Carrie Broggie to approve that item 9.D. gets moved to consent calendar
Motion carried
by the following voice vote: AYES: Albert Mendez, John Garnica, Christina Villaseñor, Carrie Broggie, Mario Rodriguez NOES: None ABSENTS: None ABSTAINS: None EXCUSED: None. 5)
PRESENTATIONS
5.A)
PROCLAIMING RECOGNITION OF FILLMORE SEARCH AND RESCUE’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY (1946-2026) - AUGUST 2026 Department:
City Clerk
Mayor Mendez presented the proclamation.
PROCLAIMING RECOGNITION OF FILLMORE SEARCH AND RESCUE’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY (1946 - 2026) - AUGUST 2026 6)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No comments.
7)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, COMMENTS, COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, AND BOARD REPORTS Mayor Pro Tem Garnica: Mayor Pro Tem John Garnica shared that he attended the Fillmore Piru Ground Water Sustainability meeting. There wasn’t anything major to report. However, the Water Conservation District is advancing a bond measure to prevent drastic rate increases. If they had to cover the entire $300 million cost in the first few years during construction, water prices would become extremely high. The improvements are for the Santa Felicia Dam. The main focus is on the temporary improvements, with three projects in total.
Councilmember Rodriguez: Councilmember Mario Rodriguez shared that he attended the Soccer Fest a few weekends ago, and it had a good outcome. There were some concerns regarding the park and safety issues, so he made sure to take those concerns to the Public Works Director and the City Manager. Fortunately, we were able to get some resolutions and reassurance on those concerns with the field. He also attended the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance meeting. There wasn’t much to report, just a couple of reminders about the upcoming heat, ways to save energy while staying cool, and discussions about adding more shade structures in Fillmore and EV charging. They have been working on this project. Additionally, there were presentations about contractors installing heat pumps and incentives, including a $500 incentive for those who can apply online to see if their house is eligible for energy-saving upgrades. He also attended an Economic Development Collaborative meeting, but there was nothing to report.
Mayor Mendez: No reports.
Councilmember Broggie: Councilmember Carrie Broggie shared that on August 13th, she attended a Zoom meeting was held by the Ventura County Transportation Commission, focusing on addressing financial issues affecting the transportation safety assistance program, with efforts underway to secure funding to sustain its operations. Additionally, a “porch talk” is scheduled for tomorrow between 6 and 8 PM at the her house, inviting residents of Fillmore to discuss any questions or comments they may have. Last week, the she participated in a Special Council Meeting via Zoom, which was beneficial for staying informed about the proceedings and resulted in significant savings for the City of Fillmore. However, She also shared that she missed the long-awaited grand opening of a Sonic due to a Council Campaign meeting the previous week.
Councilmember Villaseñor: Councilmember Christina Villaseñor shared that the Ventura County Regional Sanitation District has not met since the last update, so she had nothing new to report. She also provided an update on the future of Santa Paula Hospital. On August 18, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors decided not to move forward with constructing a new micro-hospital with an emergency room. Instead, the County will focus on medical office buildings and expanded urgent care services, including a pharmacy, laboratory, and imaging services. Councilmember Villaseñor shared that she attended the Board of Supervisors meeting as a Fillmore resident and provided public comment. She recommended that the governing body invite the hospital’s CEO to present to the City and discuss the next steps so the community can remain informed and participate in brainstorming potential solutions. Despite the Board of Supervisors’ decision, the Ventura County healthcare agency remains open to exploring partnerships that could help keep the hospital operational or potentially scale back its services. Councilmember Villaseñor emphasized the community’s concern regarding access to emergency care if the hospital were to close. She suggested holding a brainstorming session with the Blue Ribbon Task Force, a community group that provides feedback to the healthcare agency, to explore potential contributions and ways city leadership could support efforts to maintain healthcare services in the community. 8)
CONSENT CALENDAR
8.A)
AUGUST 11, 2026 - REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Department:
City Clerk
AUGUST 11, 2026 - REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.pdf
8.B)
AUGUST 19, 2026 - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Department:
City Clerk
AUGUST 19, 2026 - SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.pdf
8.C)
CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-AUGUST 25, 2026
Department:
Finance
CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-AUGUST 25, 2026.pdf
8.D)
APPROVE THE SECOND READING TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 26-999 TO ADD A NEW CHAPTER 16.07 TO THE FILLMOREMUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER TO ESTABLISH CROSSCONNECTION AND BACKFLOW STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS FOR WATER LINES Department:
Public Works
SR - SECOND READING OF ORD NO. 26-999 ESTABLISHING CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION STANDARDS. FINAL
8.E)
CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS DECLARING INTENTION TO ESTABLISH PROPOSED COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 7 (CREEKSIDE) AND TO INCUR BONDED INDEBTEDNESS OF PROPOSED COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT NO. 7 (CREEKSIDE) OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE.
Department:
Finance
SR - INTENTION TO ESTABLISH PROPOSED CFD NO 7.PDF
John Garnica motioned, seconded by Mario Rodriguez to approve the consent calendar items 8A. through 8D and the item 9D that was moved from the new business Motion carried
by the following voice vote: AYES: Albert Mendez, John Garnica, Christina Villaseñor, Carrie Broggie, Mario Rodriguez NOES: None ABSENTS: None ABSTAINS: None EXCUSED: None. 9)
NEW BUSINESS
9.A)
APPOINTMENT OF ONE COUNCIL MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S FOR THE CLEAN POWER ALLIANCE Department:
Administration
City Manager, Erika Herrera presented item 9.A.
SR - CPA BOARD OF DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT.pdf
John Garnica motioned, seconded by Mario Rodriguez to approve Christina Villaseñor as the primary, John Garnica as an alternate, and Albert Mendez as a second alternat for the Clean Power Alliance Board of Directors and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to provide CPA with the required written notification of the City Council’s appointments and any related documentation.
Motion carried
by the following voice vote: AYES: Albert Mendez, John Garnica, Christina Villaseñor, Carrie Broggie, Mario Rodriguez NOES: None ABSENTS: None ABSTAINS: None EXCUSED: None.
9.B)
CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-1000 TO AMEND CHAPTER 12.11 OF THE FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE THE CITY’S WASTEWATER PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS Department:
Public Works
Joe Bellomo Public Works Director presented item 9.B.
SR - CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-1000 UPDATING CHAPTER 12.11 - PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS. FINAL Christina Villaseñor motioned, seconded by John Garnica to approve that the City Council introduce first reading of Ordinance No. 26-1000 to update the City’s Pretreatment Requirements under Fillmore Municipal Code Chapter 12.11 for compliance with State and federal law regarding the Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) pretreatment program requirements: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF FILLMORE,CALIFORNIA, UPDATING PORTIONS OF THE CITY’S WASTEWATER PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS Motion carried
by the following voice vote: AYES: Albert Mendez, John Garnica, Christina Villaseñor, Carrie Broggie, Mario Rodriguez NOES: None ABSENTS: None ABSTAINS: None EXCUSED: None.
9.C)
ADOPTION OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND COST ESTIMATE FOR PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 25-03B, WELL NO. 10 EQUIPPING AND PUMP HOUSE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS Department:
Public Works
Joe Bellomo Public Works Director presented item 9.C.
SR - ADOPTION OF PS&E AND AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 25-03B FOR WELL NO. 10 EQUIPPING AND PUMPHOUSE CONSTRUCTION. FINAL Christina Villaseñor motioned, seconded by Mario Rodriguez to approve that the City Council adopt the plans, specifications, and estimate (“PS&E”) for the Well No. 10 Equipping and Pump House Construction Project at Delores Day Park, known as Project Specification No. 25-03B (“Project”) and authorize the advertisement of the Project for construction bids.
Motion carried
by the following voice vote: AYES: Albert Mendez, John Garnica, Christina Villaseñor, Carrie Broggie, Mario Rodriguez NOES: None ABSENTS: None ABSTAINS: None EXCUSED: None.
9.D)
ACCEPTANCE OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH SDI FOODS INC. FOR THE SONIC RESTAURANT DRIVE-IN AND DRIVE-THRU PROJECT LOCATED AT 211 ORANGE GROVE AVENUE AT THE INTERSECTION OF STATE ROUTE 126 (VENTURA STREET) Department:
Engineering
SR - ACCEPTANCE OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH SDI FOODS INC. FOR THE SONIC RESTAURANT PROJECT. FINAL Item 9.D. was moved and approved during the consent calendar items.
9.E)
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 26-1001: AMENDING FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 11 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS TO ADD CHAPTER 11.30: UNLAWFUL CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IN PUBLIC PLACES Department:
Administration
Manuel Minjares Assistant City Manager presented item 9.E.
SR - ENCAMPMENT ORDINANCE(2173674.2).PDF
Mario Rodriguez motioned, seconded by Christina Villaseñor to approve that the City Council approve the first reading to introduce Ordinance No. 26-1010: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING FILLMORE MUNICIPALCODE TITLE 11 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS TO ADD CHAPTER 11.30, “UNLAWFUL CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IN PUBLIC PLACES”.
Motion carried
by the following voice vote: AYES: John Garnica, Christina Villaseñor, Carrie Broggie, Mario Rodriguez, Albert Mendez NOES: None ABSENTS: None ABSTAINS: None EXCUSED: None. 10)
CITY MANAGER
Assistant City Manager Manuel Minjares: Provided an update on the Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program, which including key information, progress, and available resources.
City Manager Erika Herrera: Provided updates on the heat wave and available community resources, also shared the supported community engagement efforts by assisting with the calendar for the upcoming year and connecting residents with relevant information, and contributed to the quarterly newsletter by sharing timely community updates and resources. 11)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Mendez adjourned the meeting.
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 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