Subject: Public Comment: June 26: Item M-5
From: "Heather Schmidt, MPA" <
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Date Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2025 10:28:42 PM GMT-07:00
Date Received: Sunday, June 22, 2025 10:28:58 PM GMT-07:00 Hello Council and Mayor -
I'm writing today to express support for, and urge you to approve, a stipend of $150 per meeting for members of the Oxnard Planning Commission, as well as the related budget appropriation from the General Fund.
While I agree that it would be ideal if all interested residents of Oxnard would simply volunteer their time in service to our community, we have to be cognizant of the realities in which we live today:
- Almost all other cities in Ventura County currently offer a stipend for their Planning Commissioners, given the number of hours involved and the desire to retain qualified individuals. -Oxnard is the largest city in this entire county, with Commissioners making recommendations on behalf of over 200,000 people. But while our city has some of the greatest services and programming in the county, we also take the brunt of cultural attitudes and stereotypes. Simply put, people residing in other areas of the county often look down on and disparage our community. Without getting too hyperbolic, failing to offer an industry standard stipend in the same way other cities in the region do - for Commissioners of the largest city serving the greatest number of people - seems tantamount to the same type of disrespect the good people of this community already endure.
- Ventura County has never fully recovered from (a) the Great Recession of the early 2000s, or (b) the economic fallout of the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic. It now costs $42 per hour to rent a modest 2 bedroom apartment in our community, while wages have stagnated year over year for even high earners since 2021. The majority of residents of this county are working more than one job at this time, and while Planning Commissioners tend to be of a higher knowledge base or skill set, this data is not exclusive of them. To be even middle class in Ventura County, a household must earn over $200,000 annually. For these reasons, it is logical to believe that when given the choice between a position that has payment and a position that does not, the vast majority of residents will not only choose the paid position for advantageous economic reasons, but out of sheer necessity. - It is therefore reasonable to assume that should Ventura County's economic outlook continue to stagnate, or - God forbid - worsen, it will become even more difficult to find people to serve on the Planning Commission should some motivating factor like a stipend not be offered.
Simply put, paying "volunteers" is good policy. It addresses economic disparities while enhancing the quality and retention of those volunteers.The stipend is not compulsory. In the same way others may voluntarily refuse payment or reduce their pay - for numerous reasons - Planning Commissioners could choose the same. But offering the stipend to preserve the Planning Commission's quality and stability is essential at this time.
Respectfully - Heather Schmidt
--
Heather Schmidt, MPA
Public Policy Advisor
Heather Schmidt Consulting Services
Call or Text
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Subject: Re: City Council Meeting (June 26, 2025) | Agenda Item M.5. | Planning Commission Stipend From: Ronald Arruejo <
To:
Cc: "Nguyen, Alexander" <[email protected]>, "Fischer, Stephen" <[email protected]>, City Clerk <[email protected]>, "Lai, Dee" <[email protected]>, "Pengilley, Jeff" <[email protected]>, "Pearson II, Joe" <[email protected]>
Date Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2025 12:05:00 AM GMT-07:00 Date Received: Thursday, June 26, 2025 12:07:46 AM GMT-07:00 Attachments: Planning Commission Stipend Data (as of June 2025).xlsx Mayor McArthur, Mayor Pro Tem Teran, & Councilmembers (blind copied):
Copied: City Manager Alexander Nguyen, City Attorney Stephen Fischer, City Clerk Luly Lopez, Assistant City Clerk Dee Lai, Community Development Director Jeff Pengilley, Planning & Environmental Services Manager Joe Pearson Further Blind Copied: Planning Commissioners Vice Chair Dr. Stewart, Dr. Miguel Lopez, Mr. Steve Nash, & Mr. James Schuelke I am following up on my initial email sent earlier this week with an attachment of some relevant data for your context and analysis.
I do plan to speak during Public Comments for this Agenda Item and am open and appreciate any questions that you may have either prior to tonight's City Council meeting and/or during the meeting.
Thank you kindly for your service to the City of Oxnard.
Best,
Planning Commission Chair Ronald J Arruejo
On Mon, Jun 23, 2025 at 8:55 PM Ronald Arruejo < wrote:
Honorable Members of the City Council (blind copied):
Copied City Manager Ale ander Nguyen, City Attorney Stephen Fischer, City Clerk Luly Lopez, Assistant City Clerk Dee Lai, Community Development Director Jeff Pengilley, Planning & Environmental Services Manager Joe Pearson Further Blind Copied: Planning Commissioners Vice Chair Dr. Stewart, Dr. Miguel Lopez, Mr. Steve Nash, & Mr. James Schuelke Thank you in advance for your time and attention at the City Council Meeting this Thursday, June 26, 2025, on Agenda Item M.5. regarding the Subject of the Planning Commission Stipend. This item started at the Planning Commission with its approval of Resolution No. 2024-22 on August 15, 2024.
Firstly, I believe that I can speak on behalf of the commissioners on thanking the City Council for their selection and approval of us onto the Planning Commission and allowing us to serve our city “to make sound land use decisions supporting the mission statement…to create, preserve, and enhance the quality of the City’s natural and built environments through the implementation of the General Plan, zoning ordinance, adopted specific plans, Local Coastal Plan, and the coastal zoning ordinance” (
https://www.oxnard.gov/community-development/planning-environmental- services/planning-commission).
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We respectfully request approval of the proposed Ordinance titled: “An Ordinance of the City of Oxnard, California, Amending Chapter 2, Article II, Division 7, Sections 2-96 & 2-97 of the Oxnard City Code Establishing a Stipend for Service on the Oxnard Planning Commission” and adoption of a resolution establishing $150 per meeting compensation for the members of the Planning Commission of the City of Oxnard. In the opinion of the Planning Commission, we believe that this resolution most effectively supports the pillar of Organizational Effectiveness. As stated in the staff report, “the purpose of the Organizational Effectiveness strategy is to reinforce, stabilize, improve, and strengthen the organizational foundation of the City in order to build a modern, high-functioning City government that effectively and efficiently supports the operating departments in providing high-quality services and programs for our residents and businesses” (
https://www.oxnard.gov/city-council/city-council-five-year-priorities).
This agenda item's staff report’s recommended actions to 1) approve the proposed ordinance establishing a stipend for service on the Planning Commission, 2) adopt the resolution establishing $150 per meeting compensation, and 3) approve a sufficient appropriation for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 to fulfill the direction of the ordinance and resolution, if ultimately passed, will encourage more qualified persons to become and retain being members of the Planning Commission who are compensated comparably to the other cities within Ventura County and the surrounding counties. As the most populous city in the county, it makes logical and equitable sense to introduce compensation for the time and work of the commissioners.
We look forward to discussing the information contained within the staff report (Pages 491-539) at the upcoming June 26, 2025, City Council meeting.
We strongly urge approval of the proposed
Ordinance titled: “An Ordinance of the City of Oxnard, California, Amending Chapter 2, Article II, Division 7, Sections 2-96 & 2-97 of the Oxnard City Code Establishing a Stipend for Service on the Oxnard Planning Commission” and adoption of a resolution establishing $150 per meeting compensation for the members of the Planning Commission of the City of Oxnard.
If you have any questions in advance, please kindly let me know (at the contact information below my signature) so that I can provide a better and fuller context for you and your colleagues’ consideration. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter put forward by the Planning Commission (August 15, 2024), agendized by the City Council (September 17, 2024), and passed by the Finance & Governance City Council Committee (March 11, 2025).
Relevant Meeting Recordings:
Planning Commission (August 15, 2024): https://www.youtube.com/live/bEfbSG2yJzQ? si=jKoQtlmzD7CHUBEz&t=3174
City Council (September 17, 2024): https://www.youtube.com/live/0r2WKkho_Vo?t=10981s F&G CC Cmte (March 11, 2025): https://www.youtube.com/live/jT-ybsDBlAo?si=vknuv8o- PdqFDn0C&t=1980
Attachment:
June 26, 2025, City Council Meeting | Agenda Item M.5. | Planning Commission Stipend Best,
Planning Commission Chair Ronald J Arruejo
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| (
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County City Per Month Per Meeting Required Attendance Mileage Municipal Code / Resolution Other Los Angeles Alhambra $ - N/A N/A
Kern Arvin $ - N/A N/A 6-8 meetings/year; 10-30 minutes each
Los Angeles Bellflower $ 300 $ 150 Yes No M.C. 2.32 Info from website Santa Barbara Buellton $ 50 Yes No
Los Angeles Burbank $ - N/A N/A M.C. 2-1-405 Info from website Ventura Camarillo $ 125 Yes No
Santa Barbara Carpinteria $ 60 Yes No Reimbursement for city business Los Angeles Carson $ 100 Yes No
Ventura County of $ 150 Yes Yes
Santa Barbara County of $ 350 Yes Yes
Los Angeles El Monte $ 75 Yes R. 9622
Los Angeles Glendale $ - N/A N/A Info from website Los Angeles Hawthorne $ 50 Yes No Info from website Los Angeles Lakewood $ 50 Yes No Info from website Los Angeles Lancaster $ 75 Yes No Info from website Planning Commission Stipends (November 2024) Page 1 of 4 5 / 9
County City Per Month Per Meeting Required Attendance Mileage Municipal Code / Resolution Other Santa Barbara Lompoc $ - N/A No
Kern McFarland $ 50 $ 25 Yes No M.C. 0001-2022 1 meeting per month Ventura Moorpark $ 200 $ 100 Yes No R. 1991-730 Max 200/month Ventura Ojai $ - N/A N/A
Ventura Oxnard $ - N/A N/A M.C. 2-96 & 2-97 Los Angeles Palmdale $ 125 Yes No 150 for chair & 100 for others per meeting
Los Angeles Pasadena $ 50 Yes No M.C. 2.105.125 Los Angeles Pomona $ - N/A N/A
Kern Ridgecrest $ 200 $ 100 No No
Santa Barbara Santa Barbara $ 50 Yes No
Los Angeles Santa Clarita $ 263 Yes No Info from website Santa Barbara Santa Maria $ 75 $ 38 Yes No Ventura Santa Paula $ 50 No No R. 3761 1 meeting/month; paid quarterly Kern Shafter $ 50 $ 25 No Unknown M.C. 707 Daily salary for city-related business & other relevant expenses.
Ventura Simi Valley $ 543 $ 272 No No Planning Commission Stipends (November 2024) Page 2 of 4 6 / 9
Subject: Public comment on M. Planning Commission Stipend From: Ivana Christmann <
To: [email protected]
Cc:
Date Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2025 11:56:30 AM GMT-07:00 Date Received: Thursday, June 26, 2025 11:56:44 AM GMT-07:00 Dear Mayor and Members of the Oxnard City Council,
I am writing to express my personal support for the proposal to provide a modest stipend to members of the Oxnard Planning Commission.
As a fellow planning commissioner serving in the City of Simi Valley, I initially held the position that public service in this capacity should remain strictly voluntary, as I personally chose to in a way forgo my compensation and instead donate my stipend to local causes. However, after Chair Ronald Arruejo spoke at our Planning Commission meeting in February, and after hearing firsthand accounts of the workload, scheduling conflicts, and time demands involved in Oxnard’s process, I have since reconsidered my position.
While not every community shares the same dynamics, I believe we should maintain an open mind when it comes to making sure that the most qualified and committed individuals, regardless of financial background, job obligations, or caregiving responsibilities can serve in these important public roles. Offering a fixed stipend, similar to what the City of Simi Valley provides (which is approximately half of the City Council's monthly compensation), could help offset legitimate after-hours childcare or eldercare costs, transportation expenses, or lost wages.
This is not about creating financial incentives for public service, but about removing unintended barriers to participation. A small stipend may make it more feasible for residents from a wider range of backgrounds to serve something that benefits not only your Planning Commission, but your city as a whole.
I appreciate the professionalism and dedication of the Oxnard Planning Commission, and I commend Chair Arruejo for advocating on behalf of future commissioners. If this proposal is modest in scope and can be accommodated within the city’s budget, I believe it is worth serious consideration.
Thank you for your time, leadership, and for your continued service to your community. (Please note that the views expressed in this letter are entirely my own and do not represent the official position of the Simi Valley Planning Commission or the City of Simi Valley.) Sincerely,
Ivana Christmann
resident of Simi Valley
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