CITY OF PORT HUENEME
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Port Hueneme City Hall
250 North Ventura Road, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
6:30 PM Regular Meeting
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Public Comments
Public comments may be submitted in person or in writing.
In-Person: Complete a speaker request card located at the entrance of the Council Chamber and give it to the City Clerk. Your name will be called when it is your turn to speak. Public Comment is limited to 3 minutes per speaker, unless for good cause, the Mayor amends the time limit. A speaker’s time may not be transferred to another speaker.
Written: All written public comments shall be no more than 500 words and are subject to the Public Records Act. Written comments should be submitted to the City Clerk by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the City Council meeting by email or directly to the City Clerk's Office. Email [email protected] and enter “City Council Public Comment" in the Subject line (and agenda item number if applicable). Mail or drop off written comments to the City Clerk’s Office located at 250 N. Ventura Road, Port Hueneme, CA 93041. Please clearly mark envelope with “Public Comment and meeting date”.
Translation Services
Use of a Translator
* The City shall provide a translator if one is requested by a member of the public with a 48-hour advance notice. If a 48-hour advance notice is not provided, the member of the public may provide their own translator. To request a translator, please contact [email protected]. * Per California Government Code 54954.3, if an individual utilizes a translator during Public Statements, the legislative body of a local agency shall provide at least twice the allotted time to a member of the public who utilizes a translator to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to directly address the legislative body of a local agency.
* If the City provides a translator or translation equipment that allows for the simultaneous translation of the testimony, then no additional time shall be granted.
Uso de traductor
* La Ciudad proporcionara un traductor si un miembro del publico lo solicita con un aviso de 48 horas de anticipacion. Si no se avisa con 48 horas de anticipacion, el publico podra proporcionar su propio traductor.
Para solicitar un traductor, comuniquese con [email protected]. * Segun el Codigo de Gobierno de California 54954.3, si una persona utiliza un traductor durante las declaraciones publicas, el cuerpo legislative de una agenda local debera proporcionar al menos el doble CC Regular Meeting Minutes -February 18, 2025, Page 1 of 7 del tiempo asignado a un miembro del publico que utilice un traductor para garantizar que las personas que no hablan ingles reciban la misma oportunidad de dirigirse directamente al cuerpo legislative de una agencia local.
* Si la Ciudad proporciona un traductor o equipo de traduccion que permita la traduccion simultanea del testimonio, entonces no se concedera tiempo adicional.
Americans with Disabilities Act
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, contact the office of the city clerk at (805) 986-6503 or [email protected]. Notice 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the city to make reasonable arrangements to allow participation in this meeting.
Levine Act Disclaimer
The Levine Act (Gov. Code, § 84308) requires any Party, Participant, or Agent in a Proceeding, as those terms are defined in Government Code section 84308 and Title 2, California Code of Regulations, Sections 18400 et seq., before the City of Port Hueneme that involves any action or consideration to their contract, license, permit, or other entitlement for use to disclose any campaign contributions made to City elected or appointed Officers totaling more than $500 within the 12 months prior to the City decision. Any City elected or appointed Officer who has received a contribution totaling more than $500 within the preceding twelve (12) months from a Party, Agent, or Participant, shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding and shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use the Officer’s official position to influence the decision. Violations of Government Code section 84308 may result in a civil action brought by the FPPC for an amount up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation. Any person who knowingly or willfully violates any provision of the Political Reform Act is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to the greater of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or three times the amount the person unlawfully contributed upon conviction for each violation. Any Party, Participant, or Agent is further prohibited from making, and any elected or appointed City Officer is prohibited from soliciting or accepting, any contribution in excess of $500 for a period of twelve (12) months following any proceeding described above. 6:30 PM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER / FLAG SALUTE
Mayor McQueen-Legohn called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Steven A. Gama, Laura D. Hernandez, Misty Perez; Mayor Pro Tern Jess Lopez; Mayor Martha R. McQueen-Legohn
Absent: None
INSPIRATION
Given by Councilmember Hernandez
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were provided in person by the following:
• Becky Breuning
• Jacki Cates
AGENDA APPROVAL FOR CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Perez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Lopez, and passed unanimously to approve the City Council Agenda of February 18, 2025.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST and LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURES - None.
CC Regular Meeting Minutes -February 18, 2025, Page 2 of 7
PRESENTATIONS
1. BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor McQueen-Legohn read the proclamation into record and proclaimed the month of February 2025, as “Black History Month”; and presented it to Dr. Iva Jeffreys on behalf of the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee.
2. MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY PROCLAMATION
Councilmember Perez read the proclamation into record and proclaimed February 21, 2025, as “International Mother Language Day”; and presented it to Matthew Vestuto, Eza Lopez, and Mai Lopez.
3. INTRODUCTION OF POLICE DISPATCHER NIKKI SCOTTI
Police Chief Federico provided a brief bio and introduced new Police Dispatcher Nikki Scotti.
4. CITYWIDE TRAFFIC & PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE City Manager James Vega provided a brief introduction and Public Works Director Fred Camarillo gave a presentation on recent traffic efforts and upcoming traffic/pedestrian improvements.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion was made by Councilmember Perez, seconded by Councilmember Hernandez to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 5 - 8, as presented.
Motion passed 5-0, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Hernandez, Perez, Lopez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None
City Council:
5. MINUTES
Approved the February 3, 2025, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
6. REGISTER OF DISBURSEMENTS
Received and filed the City’s register of disbursements for the period of January 26, 2025 through February 10, 2025.
7. WAIVER OF MORANDA PARK PERMIT FEES FOR PORT HUENEME LITTLE LEAGUE Authorized the City Manager to waive fees associated with the Port Hueneme Little League’s use of ballfields at Moranda Park until Bubbling Springs Park is reopened and available for the league's use.
8. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE REVISED SALARY SCHEDULE AND CREATE A
NEW CLASSIFICAITON IN THE PORT HUENEME POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (PHPOA) AND APPROVAL OF A SIDE LETTER TO THE COMPREHENSIVE
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
1. Adopted Resolution No. 4521, a Resolution to approve the revised PHPOA salary schedule which includes a newly created Property & Evidence/Crime Scene Technician Classification.
2. Approved a side letter to the Comprehensive Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of Port Hueneme and Port Hueneme Police Officers’ Association (PHPOA) (contract period July 1, 2022 to June 30,2025).
CC Regular Meeting Minutes -February 18, 2025, Page 3 of 7
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLES III AND IV OF THE PORT
HUENEME MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW FOR OFF-LEASH DOG ACTIVITY WITHIN A DESIGNATED AREA (THE “DOG PARK”) OF BUBBLING SPRINGS PARK Recommendation:
1. Open the public hearing to take testimonial and documentary evidence; and
2. Close the public hearing and consider the evidence; and
3. Introduce for first reading, by title only, waiving further reading of an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Port Hueneme, California amending Section 3007 of Chapter 1 of Article III and Section 4008 of Chapter 1 of Article IV of the Port Hueneme Municipal Code to allow dogs to be off-leash within the designated area of Bubbling Springs Park”; and
4. Find the project to be categorically exempt from CEQA; and
5. Take such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
City Clerk Georgianna Alvarez affirmed Proof of Publication and a complete set of reports and exhibits were on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
City Manager James Vega provided a brief introduction and Deputy City Manager Charles Peretz presented the report. Questions followed.
The public hearing was opened at 7:29 p.m. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed at 7:29 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilmember Hernandez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Lopez to:
1. Introduce for first reading, by title only, waiving further reading of an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Port Hueneme, California amending Section 3007 of Chapter 1 of Article III and Section 4008 of Chapter 1 of Article IV of the Port Hueneme Municipal Code to allow dogs to be off-leash within the designated area of Bubbling Springs Park”; and
2. Find the project to be categorically exempt from CEQA; and
3. Take such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Motion passed 5-0, by Roll Call Vote, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Hernandez, Perez, Lopez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None
10. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING
RECREATION FEES IN THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE
Recommendation:
1. Open the public hearing to take testimonial and documentary evidence; and
2. Close the public hearing and consider the evidence; and
3. Adopt a resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Port Hueneme, California amending the City’s Master Fee Schedule to Revise Recreation Based Fees in the City’s Master Fee Schedule”; and
4. Find the project to be statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15273 (“Rates, Tolls, Fares and Charges”); and
5. Take such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
City Clerk Georgianna Alvarez affirmed Proof of Publication and a complete set of reports and exhibits were on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
CC Regular Meeting Minutes -February 18, 2025, Page 4 of 7 Deputy City Manager Charles Peretz presented the report. Questions followed.
The public hearing was opened at 7:36 p.m. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed at 7:36 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilmember Perez, seconded by Councilmember Gama, to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 4522, a resolution entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Port Hueneme, California amending the City’s Master Fee Schedule to Revise Recreation Based Fees in the City’s Master Fee Schedule”; and
2. Find the project to be statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15273 (“Rates, Tolls, Fares and Charges”); and
3. Take such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Motion passed 5-0, by Roll Call Vote, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Hernandez, Perez, Lopez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None
BUSINESS ITEMS
11. SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATORY OPTIONS
Recommendation: Receive this report on Short Term Rental regulations and provide staff with direction.
City Manager James Vega presented the report. Questions were asked and answered throughout the presentation. (Mayor McQueen-Legohn left the meeting at 8:02 p.m. and rejoined the meeting at 8:04 p.m.)
Public comments were provided in person by the following:
• Jan Berk
• David Scrivner
Public comments were submitted via email and read by City Clerk Georgianna Alvarez by the following:
• Page LaPenn
• Pat Berberich
• Cynthia Weiss
A motion was made by Councilmember Perez, seconded by Councilmember Gama, to receive the report on Short Term Rental regulations and to move forward with additional community engagement. Discussion followed.
Motion passed 5-0, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Hernandez, Perez, Lopez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None
12. REQUEST FOR USE OF CITY RESOURCES IN SUPPORT OF REACH NONPROFIT’S
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Recommendation:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement allowing REACH to utilize storage space at Moranda Park; and
2. Approve REACH’S proposed project to beautify utility boxes within the City's boundaries, supported by no more than 25 hours of staff time and waiving fees associated with applicable city permits.
CC Regular Meeting Minutes -February 18, 2025, Page 5 of 7 Deputy City Manager Charles Peretz presented the report. Additional input was provided by City Manager James Vega, REACH Vice President Bobby Martinez, and REACH Treasurer Tom Fiala. Questions followed. There were no public comments. Comments followed.
A motion was made by Councilmember Gama, seconded by Councilmember Hernandez to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement allowing REACH to utilize storage space at Moranda Park; and
2. Approve REACH'S proposed project to beautify utility boxes within the City’s boundaries, supported by no more than 25 hours of staff time and waiving fees associated with applicable city permits.
Motion passed 5-0, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Hernandez, Perez, Lopez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
City Manager James Vega provided comments and reports regarding the following topics:
• Hueneme Beach Swing Set
• Hueneme Beach Festival
• Community Benefit Fund Sea Splash Color Dash 5K and Kids 1K & Free Health/Wellness Fair
• Upcoming Council meeting topics
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Council provided comments and reports regarding the following topics:
Councilmember Perez:
• Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) meeting - State of Emergency Management in California
Councilmember Gama:
• Dredging concerns
• Upcoming meetings: Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) and Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON)
Councilmember Hernandez:
• SCAG meetings - emergency preparedness; new tools and technology for traffic analysis • Clean Power Alliance meetings - met with constituents regarding program • Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) executive committee meeting - interviewed candidates for executive director position
• Thanked Lupe Acero for her years of service with the City Councilmember Gama:
• Air Pollution Control District Advisory Committee meeting - voting on new rules and are desiring to increase their air pollution credit permitting fees; dredging and air pollution credits
Mayor Pro Tern Lopez:
• Cal Cities Veterans Group best practices for all cities • Port of Hueneme’s MOU signing with NYK Line for the green automotive shipping corridor CC Regular Meeting Minutes -February 18, 2025, Page 6 of 7 Mayor McQueen-Legohn:
• Community Benefit Fund Sea Splash Color Dash 5K and Kids 1K & Free Health/Wellness Fair and Hueneme Beach Festival - unavailable to attend • Preparing for Regional Defense Partnership Washington, D C., trip • Savvy Senior event
• Elected as chair to the Air Pollution Control Board and Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) and vice chair for the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) • Ventura Regional Sanitation District (VRSD) meeting
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Perez:
Requested an item be added to a future Council agenda to discuss options, such as reflective paint, to improve the visibility of the Lido Boulevard street sign when they’re coming up Channel Islands Boulevard. City Manager James Vega indicated that it does not have to be added to a future agenda and Public Works could just look into the concern.
1. Councilmember Gama:
1. Requested an item be added to a future Council agenda to provide a dredging update and a strategic discussion of how to address the shortfall, seconded by Councilmember Perez.
Motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
Mayor McQueen-Legohn:
1. Requested an item be added to a future Council agenda that lists the events that were brought to Council by former Councilmember Martinez and to discuss if the City should continue these events, seconded by Councilmember Hernandez. Motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 9:27 p.m. to its next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, March 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
ity Clerk
Approved this 3
rd day of March, 2025:
Ma tha R. McQueeh-Legoo
Mayor
CC Regular Meeting Minutes -February 18, 2025, Page 7 of 7