MINUTES
OXNARD CITY COUNCIL
OXNARD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SUCCESSOR AGENCY
OXNARD FINANCING AUTHORITY
OXNARD HOUSING AUTHORITY
October 8, 2024
Special Council Meeting
A. ROLL CALL, POSTING OF AGENDA
At 6:02 p.m., Mayor John C. Zaragoza called to order the regular meeting of the Oxnard City Council, in the City Hall Council Chambers at 305 W. Third Street, Oxnard, California. The Assistant City Clerk called the roll and announced the posting of the agenda. Councilmembers Gabriela Basua, Oscar Madrigal, Bert E. Perello, Gabriel (Gabe) Teran, Arthur Valenzuela, Mayor Pro Tem Bryan A. MacDonald, and Mayor John C. Zaragoza were present.
THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE BODIES ARE MEETING: City Council.
CONSIDERATION OF TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 2449.
B. OPENING CEREMONIES (6:00 PM)
C. APPOINTMENT ITEMS
1. City Manager Department
SUBJECT: Appointment Item Presentation of UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center's Citywide Survey on the Well-being of Young Adult Residents of Oxnard.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive and file the presentation of the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center's citywide survey on the well-being of young adult residents of Oxnard.
Veronica Terriquez, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Director presented to Council. A significant study commissioned by the Oxnard City Council and conducted by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC.
A significant study commissioned by the Oxnard City Council and conducted by the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center (CSRC) that highlights the challenges and barriers facing young adults in Oxnard. Utilizing federal funding from the American Rescue Plan, the City Council commissioned the UCLA CRC to study the widening gap that was exacerbated by the pandemic between high- and low-income families, and the impacts to young people from lower- income and working-class backgrounds. Led by the UCLA CRC Director, Professor Veronica Terriquez, the research draws on extensive data from the 2023-24 Thriving Youth Study (TYS), a youth-led initiative involving over 3,000 local residents aged 18 to 34.
OCTOBER 8, 2024 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 2
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
During the special City Council meeting, Dr. Terriquez reviewed key findings including Health and Education Disparities: Young adults in Oxnard report poorer health outcomes and lower levels of educational attainment compared to their peers throughout California. Career Aspirations vs. Reality: While many young people in Oxnard aspire to higher education degrees and better jobs, they often lack the preparation and guidance needed to achieve these goals.
With nearly half of Oxnard's population under the age of 35, the success of the community's young people has major implications for the City's future. The research found that 83% of young adults in Oxnard come from immigrant families, with many serving as translators and caregivers within their households. The time required to care for family responsibilities can limit their educational and professional opportunities.
Public comments were received from Hannah Quiroz, Angeles Agredano, Meaghan Salas, Cynthia Salas, Daniel Chavez, Jr., Roy Prince, Dolores Ortiz, Eduardo Huerta, Juan Vasquez, Ana DeGenna, Vanessa Valdez, and Genevieve Flores-Haro.
The report and presentation were received and filed; no formal action was required.
D. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business on the agenda, and without objection, Mayor Zaragoza adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
R. Chaparro She grape
ROSE CHAPARRO
City Clerk