MINUTES
OXNARD CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
March 4, 2025
A. ROLL CALL, POSTING OF AGENDA
At 4:40 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Teran presided and called to order the regular meeting of the Oxnard City Council convened in the Council Chambers at 305 West Third Street, Oxnard, California. Councilmembers Gabriela Basua; Bert E. Perello; Michaela Perez; Gabriela Rodriguez; Aaron Starr and Gabriel Teran were present. Mayor Luis Mc Arthur was absent.
The City Clerk stated that the agenda was posted on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at the Library, City Hall kiosk, City Administrative Offices and on the website.
CONSIDERATION OF TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 2449
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
Public comment was received from Hall Dittmer, President & CEO of Wellhead Power Solutions, LIC.
Mayor Pro Tem Teran recused himself from Item C-1 due to a potential conflict through his contract work with the local school districts.
Councilmembers reported their ex parte communications received on Item C-3.
At 4:48 p.m., the City Council recessed into a closed session. At 5:00 p.m., Mayor Me Arthur was present.
C. CLOSED SESSION (4:30 PM)
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS - (Government Code section
54956.8)
Property: A portion of Northwest corner of Cooper Road and Bonita Avenue (APN 201013201)
Agency Negotiator: Michael L. Wolfe, Public Works Director and Hamner, Jewel & Associates
Negotiating Party: Oxnard School District
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
Legislative Body: City Council
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code Section
54956.9(d)(1))
Name of case: Lucia Aldana, et al. v. City of Oxnard, et al.
Ventura County Superior Court, Case No. 56-2020-00547139-CU-PO-VTA Legislative Body: City Council
March 4, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 2
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4))
Based on existing facts and circumstances, the City Council shall decide whether to initiate litigation in one potential case regarding the Shoals Energy Storage Project (County of Ventura Permit No. PL24-0024).
Legislative Body: City Council
D. OPENING CEREMONIES (6:00 PM)
At 6:20 p.m. Mayor Luis Mc Arthur presided and called to order the regular meeting of the Oxnard City Council concurrently with the Oxnard Housing Authority in the City Hall Council Chambers at 305 West Third Street, Oxnard, California. Councilmembers Luis Mc Arthur; Bert E. Pereilo; Michaela Perez; Gabriela Rodriguez; Aaron Starr; Gabriel Teran and Gabriela Basua were present. The City Clerk stated that the agenda was posted on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at the Library, City Hall kiosk, City Administrative Offices and on the website.
Stephen Fischer, City Attorney announced that by a vote of 4-3 with Mayor Mc Arthur, Councilwoman Rodriguez., Councilmember Perello and Mayor Pro Tem Teran voting in favor and Councilman Starr, Councilwoman Basua and Councilwoman Perez voting no; directed the City Attorney to initiate an action to challenge the approval by the Ventura County Planning Commission of a battery storage system project known as the Scholes project proposed by Wellhead Power Solutions, LLC. to be located on agricultural land in the County's jurisdiction south of Gonzales Road approximately one and half mile west of Victoria Avenue.
The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States led by Ricardo Navarro, followed by a moment of silence in honor of Gene Gonzales, a retired Parks Supervisor who passed away.
Staff members present were Alexander Nguyen, City Manager; Eric Sonstegard, Assistant City Manager; Stephen Fischer, City Attorney; Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director; Javier Chagoyen-Lázaro, Chief Financial Officer; Jason Benites, Police Chief; Alexander Hamilton, Fire Chief; Steve Naveau, Human Resources Director; Mike More, Human Resources Manager; Brenda Lopez., Interim Housing Director; and Lourdes A. López, City Clerk.
E. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. SUBJECT: Presentation of a Proclamation Designating March 2025 as "Women's History Month."
ACTION: Mayor Mc Arthur read the proclamation and presented to Kathy Morgan with the League of Women Voter, Ventura County who thanked the City Council for the recognition.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public comments were received from Mario A. Riley, Sr. (recent book), Alexis Schmidt (upcoming neighborhood meeting), Adriel Miramontes (women's history month), Ray Blattel March 4, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 3
(voting device), and Greg Runyon (various issues).
REPORT OF CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY
Alexander Nguyen, City Manager commented on the recent groundbreaking of the Rice Avenue and Fifth Street/State Route 34 Grade Separation Project funding sources and stated that the project is expected to begin March 2025 and be completed by 2029.
H. CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS/COMMITTEE REPORTS
RECESS
At 9:28 p.m., the City Council recessed and at 9:35 p.m., the City Council reconvened.
The members of the Council provided brief announcements regarding their various activities.
Councilman Starr requested that the City consider the merit of subsidizing door cameras in lower income and crime ridden areas in our City. It would be connected with the Police Department and with the consent of the resident so that we can better solve crimes or detect them.
Councilwoman Basua requested a staff report on Ormond Beach decommission.
Councilwoman Perez requested that Council send a unified letter to the State Lands Commission requesting that they hold a meeting in Oxnard regarding Ormond Beach.
I. REVIEW OF INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
Item Nos. K-2, K-4, K-6, K-8, and K-10 were reviewed and discussed among the Council and staff.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
Public comments were received from Ray Blattel, Philip Molina, Dough Partello, Alicia Percell, Greg Runyon, Manuel Herrera, and Deirdre Frank on Item K-2.
K. INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA
2. City Attorney Department
SUBJECT: Adoption of Ordinance Implementing Specific Provisions of the Court of Appeal's Decision Regarding the City Treasurer
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 3052 titled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OXNARD
AMENDING SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE OXNARD CITY CODE TO
TRANSFER THE DUTIES RELATING TO THE COLLECTION OF FEES AND
TAXES FROM THE CITY TREASURER TO THE POLICE CHIEF, AND MODIFY
THE PROCEDURE FOR THE PAYMENT OF DEMANDS, WARRANTS AND
CHECKS SO THAT CERTAIN DUTIES HELD BY THE CITY TREASURER ARE March 4, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 4
TRANSFERRED TO THE ASSISTANT CITY TREASURER.
Finance Department
SUBJECT: Monthly Investment Report as of January 31, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION: This is an information item for the City Council to receive and Housing Department
SUBJECT: Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization System Annual Activity Report for 2024.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive and file the 2024 Annual Activity Report for the Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization System, as adopted by the Mobile Home Park Rent Review Board.
6. Police Department
SUBJECT: Federal and State Asset Forfeiture Funds
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve a budget appropriation in the amount of $162,000 for the use of Federal (Fund 191 - $95,000) and State (Fund 192 - $67,000) Asset Forfeiture Funds allocated to the City of Oxnard's Police Department.
Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Public Project Agreement 32500418 with R.E. Schultz Construction, Inc. for Citywide Playground Replacement Project - Del Sol Park, Specification No. PW 25-16.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize:
1. A total of $262,248.00 in Project funds for the Citywide Playground Replacement Project - Del Sol Park, Specification No. PW 25-16;
2. The Mayor to Execute an Agreement with R.E. Schultz Construction, Inc. in the amount of $218,540.00 and a Project contingency amount of $21,854.00 (10%) with R.E. Schultz Construction, Inc. for a total not to exceed value of $240,394.00 for the Project; and
3. A Project allocation amount of $21,854 (10%) for engineering, inspection, survey and project management for the Project.
Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Purchase Order with Municipal Maintenance Equipment for VAC-CON for Wastewater Division.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute a Purchase Order with Municipal Maintenance Equipment (MME) in the amount not to exceed $779,155.72 for the purchase of a VAC-CON sewer cleaning vehicle mounted on a Freightliner 114SD truck chassis for the Wastewater Division.
Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Second Amendment to Agreement 32300154 with Auto Body International March 4, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE S
for Light and Medium Duty Paint and Body
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a Second Amendment to an Agreement with Auto Body International in the amount of $450,000 for a new total amount not to exceed $825,000 for paint and autobody repairs for City vehicles.
10. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Agreement 32500401 with Blackpointe Group Construction & Management, Inc. for Catch Basin Cleaning Services.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute an Agreement with Blackpointe Group Construction & Management, Inc. (Blackpointe) for an initial term of one year from March 5, 2025, to March 4, 2026, with the option for four consecutive one-year period extensions ending March 4, 2030, tor a total contract amount not to exceed $1,750,000 for catch basin cleaning services.
11. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Second Amendment to Agreement 32400156 with Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects, Inc. for Architecture and Engineering Services for the Wastewater Division New Maintenance Building Project PW 22-36.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a Second Amendment to an Agreement with Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects, Inc. (RNT) in the amount of $100,000 for a new not to exceed value of $1,100,000 for additional design work required for the New Wastewater Maintenance Building PW 22-36.
Consent Items K.1, K-3, K-5, K-7, K-9 and K-11
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Councilwoman Rodriguez, to approve the Information/Consent item as presented. VOTE: Perello, Rodriguez, Basua, Mc Arthur, Perez, Starr, and Teran voted in favor; the motion passed 7-0.
HOUSING AUTHORITY
At 7:38 p.m., the joint meeting with the Housing Authority concluded.
Consent Items K.2
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Councilwoman Perez, to approve the Information/Consent item as presented. VOTE: Perello, Perez, Rodriguez, Teran, Basua, and Mc Arthur voted in favor; the motion passed 6-1 with Councilman Starr voting no.
Consent Items K.4
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Councilwoman Rodriguez, to approve the Information/Consent item as presented. VOTE: Perello, Rodriguez, Mc Arthur, Perez, Starr, Basua, and Teran voted in favor; the motion passed 7-0.
Consent Items K.6
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Mayor Mc Arthur, to approve the Information/Consent item as presented. VOTE: Perello, Mo Arthur, Rodriguez., Starr, March 4, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 6
Teran, Basua, and Perez voted in favor; the motion passed 7-0.
Consent Items K.8
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Teran, to approve the Information/Consent item as presented. VOTE: Perello, Teran, Starr, Basua, Mc Arthur, Perez., and Rodriguez voted in favor; the motion passed 7-0.
Consent Items K.10
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Councilwoman Rodriguez, to approve the Information/Consent item as presented. VOTE: Perello, Rodriguez, Basua, Mc Arthur, Perez, Starr, and Teran voted in favor; the motion passed 7-0.
L. REPORTS
1. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Annual Enterprise Pavement Impact Cost Reimbursement Study. (10 minutes)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receive and file the Annual Enterprise Pavement Impact Cost Reimbursement Study.
(Public Works and Transportation Committee approved 3-0 on February 11, 2025.) Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director, Michelle Mc Carron, Assistant City Attorney and in Hetzerson, principal with artell Wells Ascociates presented and answera Public comment was received from Alicia Percell. Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
The presentation was received and filed; no formal action was taken.
2. Finance Department
SUBJECT: FY 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget. (15 minutes)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Receive an update on the FY 2024-25 revenue and expenditure projections for major funds; and
2. Approve budget amendments to the General Fund (101), Street Maintenance Infrastructure Use Fee Fund (105), Special Districts Fund (120), Transportation Development Act Fund (212), Capital Outlay Fund (301), Developer & Other Deposits Fund (541), Environmental Resources Operating Fund (631), Public Liability and Property Insurance Fund (701), and the Facilities Maintenance Fund (735) as explained in this report.
(This item did not originate in Committee)
Javier Chagoyen-Lázaro, Chief Financial Director and Mike More, Human Resources March 4, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 7
Manager presented and answered questions. No public comments were received.
Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
It was moved by Councilman Starr, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Teran, to approve budget amendments for funds 101, 120, 212, 301, 541, 701 and 735. VOTE: Starr, Teran, Perez, Rodriguez, Basua, Mc Arthur and Perello, voted in favor; the motion passed 7-0.
It was moved by Councilman Starr, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Teran, to approve budget amendments for funds 105 and 631. VOTE: Teran, Perez, Rodriguez, Basua Mc Arthur and Perello, voted in favor; the motion passed 6-1 with Councilman Starr voting no.
Human Resources Department
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding - Oxnard Public Safety Managers Association. (10 minutes)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council of the City of Oxnard adopt Resolution No. 15,849 approving the attached tentative agreement between the City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Public Safety Managers Association (OPSMA) that are proposed to be integrated with the terms of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and OPSMA. The integrated document shall be the successor MOU for the term July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
(This item did not originate in Committee)
Steve Naveau, Human Resources Director, Jason Benites and Alexander Hamilton, Fire Chief presented and answered questions. Public comment was received from Ray Blattel. Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
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.
It was moved by Mayor Mc Arthur, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Teran, to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m. VOTE: Rodriguez, Teran, Perez, Starr, Basua, Mc Arthur, and Perello voted in favor; motion passed 7-0.
It was moved by Mayor Me Arthur, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Teran, to approve the recommended action. VOTE: Mc Arthur, Teran, Rodriguez, Starr, Basua, Perello, and Perez, voted in favor; motion passed 7-0.
Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Grant Application to the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program for the Durley Park Improvement Project. (10 minutes) RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the:
1. Submission of a grant application to the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program in an amount not to exceed $6,000,000, with a 1:1 match requirement March 4, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 8
that is currently funded by a state grant, for the Durley Park Improvement Project (Project C2333);
2. City Manager, or designee, to execute the grant agreements;
3. Finance Director, or designee, to submit financial reports, grant claims, and approve budget appropriations for the use of grant funds; and
4. Public Works Director, or designee, to submit non-financial reports. (This item did not originate in Committee as it is for a capital improvement project specifically listed in the City's Capital Improvement Program budget, which was previously approved by the City Council.)
Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director presented and answered questions. No public comments were received. Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
It was moved by Mayor Mc Arthur, seconded by Councilwoman Perez, to approve the recommended action. VOTE: Perez, Mc Arthur, Starr, Teran, Basua, Perello, and Rodriguez voted in favor; motion passed 7-0.
5. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Public Project Agreement 32500373 with Toro Enterprises, Inc. for Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Northeast Communities and Cloyne Street Project, Specification No. PW 24-53, Federal Project No. CML-5129(086). (10 minutes) RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize:
1. A total of $1,974,588.25 in Project funds for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Northeast Communities and Cloyne Street Project, Specification No. PW 24-53, Federal Project No. CML-5129(086);
2. The Mayor to execute an Agreement with Toro Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $1,645,490.25 for the Project and approve a Project contingency amount of $164,549, (approximately 10%) with Toro Enterprises, Inc. for a total not-to-exceed value of $1,810,039.25 for the Project;
3. A Project allocation amount of $164,549 (approximately 10%) for engineering, inspection, survey and project management for the Project; and
4. A total amount of budget appropriations of $1,020,244.31 consisting of $627,906.42 from the Circulation System Improvement Fee Fund (Fund 350, Subfund 8040) available fund balance for the Northeast Communities Project C1302, and $392,337.89 from the Mobility Fee Fund (Fund 350, Subfund 8055) available fund balance for the Cloyne Street Project C1601 as well as the corresponding Capital Outlay Fund (301) appropriation increase in the same amounts.
(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.)
Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director presented and answered questions. No public comments were received. Discussion ensued among the Council and staff.
March 4, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 9
It was moved by Councilmember Perello, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Teran, to approve the recommended action. VOTE: Perello, Rodriguez, Starr, Teran, Basua, Mc Arthur, and Perez voted in favor; motion passed 7-0.
L. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business on the agenda, and without objection, Mayor Mc Arthur adieurned the meeting at 10:50 p.m.
rando (l. Lies
LOURDES A. LÓPEZ
City Clerk Mayor