From: Dulce S
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2025 7:58 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: public commentary for Jan 21st 2025 City Council meeng Aachments: 2025-jan21 DS Commentary in Chamber.pdf
Greetings, Georgianna. Once again I have comments for presentation with your fluid read-aloud voice. Seet attached PDF.
FYI, On my Microsoft 365 set-up the word-count displays as < 500 words for the entirety of the 2 pages. The breakdown: 466 words without the Endnote; another 32 words including it.
If the Endnote does not get read-aloud I am ok with that as long as there's a written record that passes to the eyes of at least the Mayor and City Manager. That Endnote, sourced directly from a State of California website, is meant to be helpful if any follow-up proves pressing for staff or elected officials, If you are accustomed to reading legal citations aloud, go for it. Or if your job requirements expect every word on the page to be uttered, including those formally abbreviated to convey a section and subsection of state code: give it your best.
I'm confident you can handle the reading of code citations more fluently than I would if speaking in-person. Inclusion of that Endnote may take the edge off anyone listening with a 'kill the messenger' mindset.
We are fulfilling civic duties: yours within a career arc, mine as a retired citizen who is blessed or plagued with noticing things, stumbling upon information, plus thinking outside the box at times, especially for matters relevant or pivotal o our community in the long run, with throughlines to our larger world: our 'neighbors' within the natural world and around the planet.
Hope you had a nice Monday off.
Best Regards,
Dulce Setterfield
Greetings, Council and Staff:
When neighbors felt thwarted while seeking facts, questions arose. As you know, Police Explorers Post 9988 (the Post) was approved to help shape and execute a weekend festival in 2024, once REACH was eliminated. It’s unknown if tasks stayed purely within the context of the Post or overlapped with the scope of some officers’ broader duties.
The resulting event seemed successful in several regards. Net revenue exceeded the expense tally, which included a donation amount designated for the Post, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Thus, cashflow to that ’charity’ didn’t entail deficit-spending.
However, funding for the Post over the years via the local Community Benefit Fund or other channels prompts questions.
While verifying the Post’s number, I stumbled onto the Charity Navigator (CN) website. First blurb spotted on that platform concerning the Post mentions an IRS ruling, year 2019.
CN says Impact & Measurement for that charity cannot be rated with data missing. But this remark is overlaid by a bold-colored banner stating:
This organization appears on the most recent listing of nonprofits that are delinquent with California state registrations
Also stated:
In compliance with California Assembly Bill 488, we have disabled donations to this charity on our platform
Furthermore:
Viewers are alerted that the current status of Port Hueneme Police Explorers Post 9988 Inc. is: CONFIRMED DELINQUENCY
Delinquencies are determined by our State Attorney General. Why should any budgetary priorities within our City or while partnering with the Port favor a charity sullied by Delinquency? Things don’t seem right between the IRS and/or FTB and the governing board of the Post.
That charitable organization exists inside the Police Department. Inside. Its board must include at least two directors, pursuant to state code requiring certain responsibilities be borne separately, not layered onto a single person.
Exercising diligence or curiosity, staff might discover delinquencies elsewhere. The Port could amplify rigor with voting criteria when Community Benefit Fund selections commence.
Why not start out by verifying each applicant’s Registry status? Or verify short-listed applicants only̶-before finalizing awards? Please don’t allow ‘immunity’ to previous funding recipients, as Good-Ole’-Golden-Cronies.
Learning about local Delinquency feels disheartening. I’m aware of values touted as guidance to Explorer-recruits, using words like Respect. Integrity. With policing, professionalism and pride traditionally seemed paramount. But pride may slide toward arrogance while professionalism might wobble when nobody’s looking.
Council can’t direct a board of an insular 501(c)(3) to clean up its act ASAP. What’s a sensible way forward that’s not unfair to upstanding, non-delinquent contenders for local funding? Consider steering clear of initiating or renewing cashflows to the Post or to “Youth Interested in Law Enforcement.”
Instead of leaning toward convenient cronyism for festival prep and execution, why not deploy due diligence while vetting qualified parties? Consider integrity. Consider accountability with delivery of requisite services.
ENDNOTE: A charitable organization that is not in good standing with the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers may not operate or solicit donations in California. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 11, § 312.) From: Roberto Marnez
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 8:59 AM
To: Alvarez, Georgianna
Subject: Public Comment
Hey Georgianna,
I hope you're doing well. I may or may not be able to make it to tonight's meeting. I wanted to speak for item #11, sister cities. Just in case I'm not there, could you read my public comment please?
Sincerely,
Bobby Martinez
"Good evening Mayor, City Council members, city staff, and esteemed members of the public,
My name is Bobby Martinez, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak tonight. I am here to express my support for the REQUEST TO WAIVE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER, proposed by Hueneme Sister Cities.
Hueneme Sister Cities is in the initial stages of its development, and now that we have established a bank account, we are eager to begin fundraising efforts aimed at benefiting our local youth residents. Our goal is to connect our community with our sister city, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, allowing students from both cities to learn about each other's cultures and communities.
By waiving the fees for the community center, we can maximize our fundraising potential. The planned event promises to be spectacular, featuring music, Mariachi performances, delicious food, desserts, games, and vibrant decorations. Additionally, fundraising efforts will directly support scholarships for students, helping them advance their studies.
I urge you to consider this request, as it represents an invaluable opportunity to enrich our community and support our youth. Thank you for your time and consideration."