MINUTES
OXNARD CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
July 1, 2025
A. ROLL CALL, POSTING OF AGENDA
At 4:33 p.m., Mayor Luis A. Mc Arthur 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 Luis A. Mc Arthur; Bert E. Perello; Michaela Perez; Gabriela Rodriguez ; Aaron Starr; Gabriel Teran and Gabriela Basua were present. The City Clerk stated that the agenda was posted on Thursday, June 19, 2025 and the amended agenda on Thursday, June 26th 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; Eric Sonstegard, Assistant City Manager; Stephen Fischer, City Attorney; Steve Naveau, Human Resources Director and Lourdes A. Lopez, City Clerk.
CONSIDERATION OF TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPATION PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 2449
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
No public comments were received
C. CLOSED SESSION ( 4:30 PM)
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code section 54957.6)
Agency designated representatives: Ashley Golden, Assistant City Manager and Steve Naveau, Director of Human Resources
Employee organizations: Service Employees International Union CTW, CLC, Local 721 (SEIU Local 721); International Union of Operating Engineers AFL-CIO, Local No. 501 (IUOE Local 501); Oxnard Mid-Managers Association (OMMA); International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO (IAFF), Local 1684 Legislative Body: City Council
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Government Code section 54957)
Title: City Manager
Legislative Body: City Council
3. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Government Code section 54957)
Title: City Attorney
Legislative Body: City Council
At 4:35 p.m., the City Council recessed to a closed session. At 5:22 p.m., the City Council reconvened in an open session in the Council Chambers. City Attorney announced that no reportable actions resulted from the closed session for Agenda Item C.1 and that the City Council will reconvene at the end of open session for Agenda Item Nos. C.2 and C.3 July 1, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE 2
public employee evaluations.
D. APPOINTMENT ITEMS (5:00 PM)
1. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission Annual Report. (15 minutes)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council receives the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission Annual Report.
Chair Angela Whitecomb introduced the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commissioners and provided an update on the activities the Commission has been working on and the goals for 2025. Public comment was received from Eric Andrist.
Discussion ensued among the City Council and Chair Whitecomb . The item was received and file, no action was required.
2. SUBJECT: Presentation by the County of Ventura on the 2025 Homeless Point in Time Count. (30 minutes)
Kimberlee Albers, Deputy Executive Officer/Homelessness Solutions Director with the County of Ventura provided an update on the efforts to address homelessness and the results of the 2025 Homeless Point in Time Count. Supervisory Vianey Lopez thanked the City Council for the partnership to address homelessness. No public comments were received. Discussion ensued among the Councilmembers and Ms.
Albers. The item was received and file, no action was required.
E. OPENING CEREMONIES (6:00 PM)
At 6:20 p.m., Mayor Luis A. Mc Arthur presided and called to order the regular meeting of the Oxnard City Council in the City Hall Council Chambers at 305 W. Third Street, Oxnard, California . 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 , June 19, 2025 and the amended agenda on Thursday , June 26th at the Library, City Hall kiosk, City Administrative Offices and on the website.
The meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States led by Councilman Starr.
Staff members present were Alexander Nguyen , City Manager; Ashley Golden, Assistant City Manager; Stephen Fischer, City Attorney ; Kenneth Rozell, Chief Assistant City Attorney; Javier Chagoyen-Lazaro , Chief Financial Officer; Michael Wolfe, Public Works Director; Tamara Flynn, Project Manager ; Jason Benites, Police Chief and Lourdes A.
Lopez, City Clerk.
F. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. SUBJECT: Presentation of a Commendation to Isaiah Chavez for Winning the 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics.
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Councilwoman Perez read the commendation and presented it to Isaiah Chavez who thanked the City Council for the recognition.
G. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA AND NON-ACTION ITEMS
Public comments were received from Mario Riley, Sr. (investigation into Manuel Herrera, vendetta against Aaron Starr), Aten Dannh (diversity, was disrespected at the Plaza Park), Kevin Brannon (public access TV), Manuel Herrera ( council activities, press conference at the County of Ventura, deportation and immigration) and Vanessa Valdez (ICE).
H. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY
I.
The City Manager commented on various items, including: fireworks, Durley Park, free Drop-Off days at Del Norte, and Park and Recreation month. Olympia Hugo gave an overview of all the activities that are planned for the month.
CITY COUNCIL/HOUSING AUTHORITY /SUCCESSOR AGENCY/FINANCING
AUTHORITY BUSINESS /COMMITTEE REPORTS
The members of the Council provided brief announcements regarding their various activities.
J. REVIEW OF INFORMATION /CONSENT AGENDA
Item No. L-3 was reviewed and discussed among the Council and staff.
K. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON INFORMATION /CONSENT AGENDA
No public comments were received.
L. INFORMATION /CONSENT AGENDA
1. City Clerk Department
SUBJECT : Approval of Minutes.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve the minutes of the June 17, 2025 regular meeting as presented.
2. Cultural & Community Services Department
SUBJECT: Agreement with the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging for the Administration of the Senior Nutrition Program.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the County of Ventura in an amount not to exceed $420,000 in grant revenue for the administration of the Senior Nutrition Program ; and
2. Approve a Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget appropriation and corresponding grant revenue recognition in the amount of $420,000 to the Federal Grants Fund (200). (This item did not originate in Committee .)
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3. Finance Department
SUBJECT: City's Monthly Investment Report for the period ending May 2025.
RECOMMENDATION: This is an information item for the City Council to receive and file.
(This item did not originate in Committee.)
Consent Item L-1
It was moved by Councilmember Pere/lo, seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to approve the Information/Consent item as presented. VOTE: Mc Arthur, Perello, Perez, Rodriguez, Starr, Teran, and Basua voted in favor; the motion carried 7-0.
Consent Item L-2
It was moved by Councilmember Perella , seconded by Councilmember Rodriguez, to approve the Information/Consent item as presented. VOTE: Mc Arthur, Perello, Perez, Rodriguez , Starr, and Basua voted in favor; the motion carried 6-0-1. Mayor Pro Tern Teran recused himself due to his professional relationship with the County of Ventura.
Consent Item L-3
This item was received and file. Councilman Starr requested that the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer investigate whether it would make sense to modify the agreement with Bank of America to earn interest on our cash balances rather than receiving an earnings credit that only offset bank charges. No action was required.
M. PUBLIC HEARINGS
N. REPORTS
1. Public Works Department
SUBJECT: Public Project Agreement 32600042 with Toro Enterprises , Inc. for the Neighborhood Street Resurfacin g - La Colonia Phase III Project, the Colonia Rd. and Juanita Ave. Sidewalk Improvement Project, and the Ramona Elementary School Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Project, Specification No. PW 24-30. (10 minutes)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize:
1. A total of $10,398,673.15 in Project funds for the Neighborhood Street Resurfacing - La Colonia Phase III Project, the Colonia Rd and Juanita Ave Sidewalk Improvement Project, and the Ramona Elementary School Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Project, Specification No. PW 24-30;
2. The Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Toro Enterprises , Inc. in the amount of $8,665,561.15 for the Project and approve a Project contingency amount of $866,556 (~ 10%) with Toro Enterprises , Inc. for a total not to exceed value of $9,532,117.15 for the Project;
3. A Project allocation amount of $866,556 (~10%) for engineering , inspection , survey and project management for the Project ; and
4. Approve project budget appropriations of $1 ,200,000 for the Neighborhood Street July 1, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGES
Resurfacing Project (C2209), consisting of a budget transfer of $1 ,000,000 within the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fund (201), $100,000 from the available fund balance in the Water Operating Fund (601), and $100,000 from the available fund balance in the Wastewater Operating Fund (611) 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.)
The Public Works Director and Project Manager Flynn were available to answer questions . Discussion ensued among the Council and staff. Public comments were received from Eric Andrist and Manuel Herrera.
It was moved by Councilmember Rodriguez , seconded by Councilman Starr, to approve the recommended action as presented . VOTE: Perello, Perez, Rodriguez, Starr, Teran, Basua, and Mc Arthur voted in favor; the motion carried 7-0.
2. City Manager Department
SUBJECT: Agreement A-8587 with Blue Star Operations Services, LLC (Dallas Cowboys) for 2026 - 2030 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. (10 minutes) RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement with Blue Star Operations Services, LLC (Dallas Cowboys) [A-8587] for the Use of City Facilities for the 2026 - 2030 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp.
(This item did not originate in Committee .)
The City Manager was available to answer questions . Discussion ensued among the Council and staff. Public comments were received from Tom Cady, Brittney Hendricks, Greg Runyon, Eric Andrist , Bryan Wansley, Phillip Molina, Manuel Herrera and Levi Duarte.
It was moved by Mayor Mc Arthur , seconded by Councilmember Pere/lo , to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE: Perez, Rodriguez , Starr, Teran, Basua, Mc Arthur, and Perello voted in favor; the motion carried 7-0.
3. Finance Department
SUBJECT: City of Oxnard Annual Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2025-26. (10 minutes)
RECOMMENDATION : That City Council adopt Resolution No. 15,994 approving the FY 2025-26 Investment Policy for the City of Oxnard, and provide direction regarding delegation of investment authority.
(This item was considered by the Finance and Governance Committee on May 27, 2025, and has been revised to reflect comments received at the Committee meeting.) July 1, 2025 OXNARD CITY COUNCIL PAGE6
Chief Financial Officer and Assistant City Manager Sonstegard were available to answer questions . Discussion ensued among the Council and staff. Public comment was received from Phillip Molina. Councilman Starr suggested that staff consider proposing that the Treasurer select one of several staff-approved investment professionals to contract with for professional investment services and that this professional answer to the Treasurer, with the understanding that the Treasurer would need to approve in writing any investment purchase recommend to him. Staff said they would investigate that option.
It was moved by Mayor Mc Arthur, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Teran, to approve the recommended action as presented. VOTE : Rodriguez , Starr, Teran, Basua, Mc Arthur, Perello, and Perez voted in favor; the motion carried 7-0 It was moved by Councilrnember Perella, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Teran, to extend the meeting past 10:00 p.m. VOTE : Perello, Perez, Rodriguez , Starr, Teran, and Mc Arthur voted in favor; the motion carried 6-0-1. Councilmember Basua was absent.
At 9:08 p.m., the City Council recessed into a closed session. At 11 :46 p.m., the City Council reconvened in an open session in the Council Chambers . Mayor Mc Arthur announced that no reportable actions resulted for items C.2 and C.3. 0 . ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business on the agenda, and without objection , Mayor Mc Arthur adjourned the meeting at 11 :46 p.m.
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