MINUTES
OXNARD CITY COUNCIL
January 7, 2025
A. ROLL CALL, POSTING OF AGENDA
At 6:04 p.m., Mayor Luis Mc Arthur presided and called to order the regular meeting of the Oxnard City Council convened in the Council Chambers concurrently with the Community Development Commission Successor Agency. Councilmembers Gabriela Basua; Luis Mc Arthur; Bert E. Perello; Michaela Perez, Gabriela Rodriguez, Aaron Starr and Gabriel Teran were present. The City Clerk stated that the agenda was posted on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at the Library, City Hall kiosk, City Administrative Offices and on the website. Staff members present were: Alexander Nguyen, City Manager; Ashley Golden, Assistant City Manager; Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director; Anthony Miller, Special Districts Manager; Adam Smith, Project Manager; and Lourdes A. López, City Clerk.
CONSIDERATION OF TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 2449.
B. OPENING CEREMONIES
The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States led by Monserrat Sánchez, followed by a moment of silence in honor of President Jimmy Carter, the incident in New Orleans and Albert Duff, Sr.
C. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. SUBJECT: Presentation of a Proclamation Designating January 20, 2025 as "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day."
DISCUSSION: Mayor Mc Arthur read the proclamation and presented to Dr. Vincent Stewart and LaRita Montgomery with the Ventura County Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, who thanked the Council and made some remarks.
SUBJECT: Presentation of a Proclamation Designating January 11, 2025 as "Soroptimist Stop Human Trafficking and Sexual Slavery Awareness Day."
DISCUSSION: Mayor Mc Arthur read the proclamation and presented to Debbie Golhke, who thanked the Council and invited the public to attend the upcoming event.
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public comments were received from Lang Martinez (homelessness); Ronald Arruejo (compensation for Planning Commissioners); Annabel Taylor (faith based non-profit); Alexis Schmidt (road issues); Doug Partello (landscape maintenance districts); Greg Runyon (unity among Council); Dan Pinedo (comment about the passing of Albert Duff, Sr. and rent control); Nathan Castillo (gathering for justice); Larry Barbarine (sunset of Measure O).
It was moved by Councilman Starr to suspend our rules to allow public speakers to continue, seconded by Councilmember Perello. VOTE: Councilmembers Basua, Mc Arthur, Perello, Perez, Rodriguez, Starr, and Teran voted in favor; motion passed 7-0.
Public comments were received regarding tenant landlord issues and rent control from: Maria Navarro; OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 2
Francisco Valera; Margarita Gomez;; Ricardo Bautista; Jesus Vasquez; Maria E; Leonides; Maria Marcial; Candelaria Tlache; Nerida Rodriguez; Martha Polanco; Emigdia Reyes; Lorena Flores; Karla Godinez.
Lopezi; Eva Rosete; Odette Moran and Julie Pena.
E. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY
The City Manager stated that he will hire an attorney to address the rent control issues raised and provided an update on Standard and Poor's recent credit rating improvement.
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY/SUCCESSOR AGENCY/FINANCING AUTHORITY
BUSINESS/COMMITTEE REPORTS
The members of the Council provided brief announcements regarding their various activities.
Councilman Starr requested that a closed session item be scheduled regarding the landscape maintenance district audit.
Mayor Mc Arthur requested that the following items be placed on the future agenda:
1. Process when a complaint is filed - Cuesta Del Mar - what is our responsibility?
2. Establishing a Council committee for the Historic District;
3. Report on the landscape maintenance districts;
4. Status of non-functioning pole lights on Oxnard Boulevard (center median between Gonzales Road and Colonia Road);
5. List of vacant commercial buildings in the south end of Oxnard;
6. Look at the possibility of installing solar lights in parks to allow for sports practice and revisit the Ordinance that prohibits usage of parks when it gets dark
7. Gateway signs on Oxnard Boulevard regarding our historical district RECESS
At 8:59 p.m., the City Council recessed and at 9:07 p.m., the City Council reconvened.
Councilwoman Perez requested that the following item be placed on the future agenda:
1. Letter to the District Attorney regarding the circumstances we heard tonight of their experiences (landlord issues).
G. REVIEW OF INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
Items K-1 through K-10 were discussed among the Council and staff. Item I-1 (minutes of the City Council of December 17) and Item I-4 were removed from the agenda.
H. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
Public comments were received from Manuel Herrera.
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I. INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
City Clerk Department
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Regular Meetings of the Oxnard City Council for December 3 and 17, 2024; and Minutes of the Special Oxnard City Council for December 11, 2024.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve the minutes. *Minutes of the December 17, 2024 were removed from the agenda and will be rescheduled for the January 21, 2025 City Council meeting.
3. Finance Department
SUBJECT: Monthly Investment Report as of November 30, 2024.
RECOMMENDATION: This is an information item for the City Council to receive and file. (This item did not originate in a committee.)
4. Finance Department
SUBJECT: Update on the Financial Corrective Action Plan (FCAP) For Closing Past Audit Findings.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive and file the update on the Financial Corrective Action Plan (FCAP) for closing past audit findings. (Finance and Governance Committee approved 3-0 on December 10, 2024) *Item was removed from the agenda and will be rescheduled for the January 21, 2025 City Council meeting.
Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Public Project Agreement 32500241 with Blackpointe Group Construction & Management Inc. for On-Call Fencing Minor Repair Services (Rebid #2), Specification No. SD 24- 130R2
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize an agreement with Blackpointe Group Construction & Management Inc. (Agreement No. 32500241) for a total amount not to exceed $600,000 for a two-year term for on-call fencing minor repair services. (Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 3-0 on November 26, 2024.)
6. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: P chase Order with Quinn for a Backhoe Loader fo Streets Maintena ce.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to approve a purchase order with Quinn for a not-to-exceed value of $204,678.35 for the purchase of a backhoe loader for Streets Maintenance.
(Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 3-0 on December 10, 2024.) Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Annual Purchase Orders with Performance Nursery, Inc. for the Supply of Plant Material, Specification No. 25-12.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute Annual Purchase Orders with Performance Nursery, Inc. from December 18, 2024, through OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 4
December 17, 2029, for a total not to exceed amount of $500,000 for the supply of plant material. (Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 3-0 on December 10, 2024.)
8. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Agreement with Downstream Services, Inc. for Stormwater Filter Replacement and Maintenance Services, Specification No. PW 24-90.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize an Agreement with Downstream Services, Inc. (Agreement No. 32500236) for aterm of one year from January 22, 2025, to January 21, 2026, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,250,000 for stormwater filter replacement and maintenance services.
(Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 3-0 on December 10, 2024.)
9. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Trade Services Agreement with Commodity Trucking Acquisition LLC dba Tri-County Transportation for Backfill and Resurfacing Material Sales, Delivery and Haul Away Services.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute an Agreement with Commodity Trucking Acquisition LLC dba Tri-County Transportation (Agreement No. 32500292) for an initial term of one year from January 8, 2025, through January 7, 2026, with the option to extend for four consecutive one-year periods ending January 7, 2030, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for backfill and resurfacing material sales, delivery and haul away services.
(Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 3-0 on December 10, 2024.)
10. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Public Project Agreement 32500341 with Jaynes Brothers Construction, Inc. for the Wilson Park Playground Equipment Replacement Project (Rebid) Specification No. PW 20-53R.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize:
1. A total of $305,119.11 in Project funds for the Wilson Park Playground Equipment Replacement Project (Rebid) Specification No. PW 20-53R;
2. The Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Jaynes Brothers Construction, Inc. in the amount of $254,267.11 and a Project contingency amount of $25,426 (~10%) for a total not to exceed value of $279,693.11 for the Project; and
3. A Project allocation amount of $25,426 (~10%) for engineering, inspection, survey and project management for the Project.
(This item did not originate in Committee as this is a capital improvement project specifically listed in the City's Capital Improvement Program budget, which was previously approved by the City Council.)
11. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Annual Purchase Orders with Iteris, Inc., for Traffic Signal Equipment for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Traffic Signal Improvements Project.
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RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute annual purchase orders with Iteris Inc., for a not-to-exceed amount of $500,000 for a term of three years through January 7, 2028, to purchase traffic signal equipment for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Traffic Signal Improvements Project (M2208). (This item did not originate in Committee as this is a capital improvement project specifically listed in the City's Capital Improvement Program budget, which was previously approved by the City Council.)
At 9:52 p.m., the Council voted to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m., and take action on the remainder of the items on the agenda.
Consent Items I1 -K11
It was moved by Mayor Pro Teran, seconded by Councilwoman Rodriguez, with the removal of Item I-1 (minutes of the City Council meeting of December 17, 2024) and Item I-4 (Financial Corrective Action Plan), to be reschedule for the January 21,2025 City Council meeting, and approved the recommended action as presented.
VOTE: Councilmembers Perello, Perez, Rodriguez, Starr, Teran, Basua, and Mc Arthur voted in favor; motion passed 7-0.
J. REPORTS
1. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Update. (20 minutes) RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive a presentation on the Intelligent Transportation System.
(Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 3-0 on November 12, 2024.) (Presentation will be live upon consultant's request.)
Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director introduce consultant Andrew Yi, P.E. with LSY Enterprise, Inc. who gave a brief overview of the Intelligent Transportation System.
ACTION: The report was received and filed, no formal action was required.
2. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Resolution for AD 2000-1 Improvement Fund Account Closeout and Budget Appropriation. (10 minutes)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Authorize a budget appropriation in the amount of $16,500 within Special Districts account Fund 500, Subfund 50503801, for the cost of administering the Improvement Fund closeout and completing a final arbitrage rebate yield calculation; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 15,844 declaring a surplus, ordering disposition of the surplus within the Improvement Fund of Assessment District 2000-1(Oxnard Boulevard/Highway 101 Interchange project) to call bonds ahead of schedule, and approving the Closeout Report. (Finance and Governance Committee approved 3-0 on December 10, 2024.) OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 6
Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director and Anthony Miller, Special Districts Manager were available to answer questions.
Public comment was received from Greg Runyon. Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Teran, seconded by Councilwoman Basua, to approve the recommended action. Councilman Starr made an amendment to the motion for option 1. The motion did not receive a second
VOTE: Councilmembers Perello, Perez, Rodriguez., Starr, Teran, Basua, and Mc Arthur voted in favor; motion passed 7-0.
City Manager Department
SUBJECT: Consideration of Request by Councilman Starr to Eliminate the City Council Committee Structure
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Discuss the request by Councilman Starr to eliminate the City Council Committee structure; and
2. Determine if it wishes to direct staff to bring back an ordinance repealing Oxnard City Code Section 2-1.1 regarding the establishment of City Council Committees.
DISCUSSION: Councilman Starr presented a packet with information regarding his request and stated that Committees were established in 2018 with the expectation that they would facilitate public engagement and allow staff to present multiple options for Council Committee members to retine. However, public participation has been minimal, and committee meetings often only handle routine "receive and file" items. Despite efforts to create structure through bylaws in December 2019, these rules have become outdated. For example, the shift from five committees to three in January 2021 was not adequately reflected in updated bylaws or ordinances.
Discussion ensued among the Council regarding the Committee structure and stated that in some cases, feedback was given to staff and the item did not move forward (i.e. outsourcing Business License and Carnegie Art Museum proposal.)
Public comments were received from: Doug Partello, Grey Runyon, Dan Pinedo, Manuel Herrera and Barbara Macri-Ortiz.
It was moved by Councilwoman Perez, seconded by Councilmember Perello, directing staff not to bring back to Council an ordinance to repeal the committee structure (keep the committee system).
Councilman Starr amended the motion to have City staff come back with a proposal to end the committee system. The motion did not receive a second.
VOTE: Councilmembers Teran, Basua, Mc Arthur, Perello, Perez, and Rodriguez voted in favor; motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilman Starr voting no.
Councilmembers requested that staff update the Committee bylaws.
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4. City Manager Department
SUBJECT: City Council Committees
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. That the Mayor propose the appointment of the membership for each of the three City Council Committees; and
2. That the City Council consider the approval of the proposed appointments to each of the three City Council Committees.
DISCUSSION: The Mayor stated that he reviewed Ordinance No. 2949 and Resolution No. 15,286 which states that the terms of a committee member is two years. Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
Public comments were received from: Greg Runyon, Doug Partello, Manuel Herrera, and Ronald Arruejo.
It was moved by Mayor Mc Arthur, seconded by Councilmember Perello, to organize the committee meetings in the following orders: 1. Finance & Governance Committee at 5:00 p.m.; 2. Public Works & Transportation Committee at 6:45 p.m.; and 3. Community Services, Public Safety, Housing & Development at 8:30 p.m.
VOTE: Councilmembers Teran, Basua, Mc Arthur, Perello, Perez, Rodriguez, and Starr voted in favor; motion passed 7-0.
DISCUSSION: The Mayor made the following appointments and stated that he will be the Chair for all three Committees.
It was moved by Mayor Mc Arthur, seconded by Councilman Starr, to approve the following appointments:
Finance & Governance Committee: 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Chair Mc Arthur and members Rodriguez and Starr
Public Works & Transportation Committee: 6:45 - 8:15 p.m.
Chair Mc Arthur and members Basua and Teran
Community Services, Public Safety, Housing & Development: 8:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Chair Mc Arthur and members Perello and Perez
VOTE: Councilmembers Basua, Mc Arthur, Perello, Perez, Rodriguez, Starr, and Teran voted in favor; motion passed 7-0.
5. City Clerk Department
SUBJECT: Appointments of Councilmembers to Serve on Various Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
RECOMMENDATION: 1. That the Mayor, with approval of the City Council, appoint members and alternates from the City Council to the:
a) Association of Water Agencies for Ventura County (one primary and alternate); b) Beach Erosion Authority for Control of Operation & Nourishment (BEACON) (one primary and OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 8
alternate);
c) Clean Power Alliance Board of Directors (one primary and two alternates);* d) Economic Development Collaborative - Ventura County (one primary); e) Gold Coast Transit District (one primary and alternate); f) Las Cortes Housing Development corporation (two primary); g) Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (one primary and alterate); h) Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century (one primary and alternate); i) Ventura Council of Governments (one primary and alternate); j) Ventura County Animal Regulation Commission (one primary and alternate); k) Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (one primary and alternate; 1) Ventura County Transportation Commission (one primary) m) Ventura Regional Sanitation District (one primary and alternate); * Alternate may be a staff member
2. That the City Council, as a whole, appoint two Councilmembers to the Oxnard Airport Authority and one Councilmember as an alternate.
Mayor Mc Arthur open the floor for nominations to the various Board and Commissions and made the following appointments:
a) Association of Water Agencies for Ventura County (one primary and alternate); member Councilwoman Basua; and alternate member Councilman Starr b) Beach Erosion Authority for Control of Operation & Nourishment (BEACON) (one primary and alternate); member Mayor Pro Tem Teran and alternate Councilwoman Perez c) Big Independent Cities Excess Pool Joint Powers Authority (one primary); member Councilmember Perello
d) Clean Power Alliance Board of Directors (one primary and two alternates);* member Councilmember Perello and alternate members: Mayor Pro Tem Teran and Kathleen Mallory e) Economic Development Collaborative - Ventura County (one primary); Mayor Mc Arthur f) Gold Coast Transit District (one primary and alternate); Councilwoman Rodriguez and alternate Mayor Mc Arthur
g) Las Cortes Housing Development corporation (two primary); members Councilwoman Basua and Councilmember Perello
h) Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (one primary and alternate); Mayor Pro Tem Teran and alternate member Mayor Mc Arthur
i) Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century (one primary and alternate); member Councilwoman Basua and alternate member Councilwoman Rodriguez j) Ventura Council of Governments (one primary and alternate); member Councilmember Perello and alternate member Starr
k) Ventura County Air Pollution Control District - appointed Councilwoman Perez and later found out that the City Selection Committee makes this appointment 1) Ventura County Animal Regulation Commission (one primary and alternate); member Councilwoman Rodriguez and alternate member Councilwoman Perez m) Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (one primary and alternate); member Councilwoman Basua and alternate member Councilwoman Rodriguez
n) Ventura County Transportation Commission (one primary) member Mayor Mc Arthur 0) Ventura Regional Sanitation District (one primary and alternate); member Perello and alternate member Councilwoman Basua
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It was moved by Councilwoman Basua, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Teran, to approve the recommended action as presented.
VOTE: Councilmembers Starr, Teran, Basua, Mc Arthur, Perello, Perez, and Rodriguez voted in favor; motion passed 7-0
2. That the City Council, as a whole, appoint two Councilmembers to the Oxnard Airport Authority and one Councilmember as an alternate.
Appointed Mayor Pro Tem Teran and Councilmember Perello as the members and Councilwoman Rodriguez as the alternate member to the Oxnard Airport Authority.
It was moved by Mayor Mc Arthur, seconded by Councilwoman Rodriguez, to approve the recommended action as presented.
VOTE: Councilmembers Teran, Basua, Mc Arthur, Perello, Perez, Rodriguez and Starr voted in favor; motion passed 7-0
K. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business on the agenda, and without objection, Mayor Mc Arthur adjourned the meeting at 2:11 a.m.
Louds A Los
LOURDES A. LÓPEZ
City Clerk