CITY OF PORT HUENEME
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 17. 2026
Port Hueneme City Hall
250 North Ventura Road, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
5:30 PM Closed Session | 6:30 PM Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McQueen-Legohn called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers: Steven A. Gama (arrived at 5:31 p.m.), Laura D. Hernandez, Misty Perez; Mayor Pro Tern: Jess Lopez; Mayor: Martha R. McQueen-Legohn
Absent: None
PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
City Attorney Paul Early read the closed session item into record.
A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.8.
Property: 700 East Port Hueneme Road, Port Hueneme California Agency Negotiator(s): James Vega, City Manager; Paul Early, City Attorney Negotiating Parties: Red Mule Group LLC
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of Payment.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST and LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURES - None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor McQueen-Legohn recessed to closed session at 5:32 p.m. 6:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER / FLAG SALUTE
Mayor McQueen-Legohn called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Councilmember Lopez led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers: Steven A. Gama, Jess Lopez, Misty Perez; Mayor Pro Tern: Laura D.
Hernandez; Mayor: Martha R. McQueen-Legohn
Absent: None
INSPIRATION
At the request of Councilmember Gama, there was Council consensus to move the inspiration after public comments.
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2026, Page 1 of 6
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Paul Early provided the closed session report indicating no reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were provided in person by the following:
• Becky Breuning
• Luis Mendez
• Jan Berk
• Jonathan Soto on behalf of the Hueneme High School Thunder Vikes Robotics Team
INSPIRATION
Given by Councilmember Gama
AGENDA APPROVAL FOR CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Councilmember Perez, and passed unanimously to approve the City Council Agenda of February 17, 2026.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST and LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURES - None.
PRESENTATIONS
A. 2025 STATE OF THE REGION REPORT PRESENTED BY VENTURA COUNTY CIVIC
ALLIANCE
David Maron of Ventura County Civic Alliance presented the 2025 State of the Region Report.
B. MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY PROCLAMATION
Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez read a proclamation recognizing February 21, 2026, as “International Mother Language Day.”
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Councilmember Perez, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 - 3, as presented.
Motion passed 5-0, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Lopez, Perez, Hernandez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
City Council:
1. MINUTES
Approved the February 2, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
2. REGISTER OF DISBURSEMENTS
Received and filed the City’s register of disbursements for the period of January 16, 2026 through February 2, 2026.
3. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3987.1 OF ARTICLE III CHAPTER 12 OF THE PORT HUENEME MUNICIPAL CODE TO CC Regular Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2026, Page 2 of 6
REDUCE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL CANNABIS BUSINESSES
ALLOWED IN THE CITY
Read, by title only, waiving further reading, and adopted Ordinance No. 829, an Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Port Hueneme, California, amending Section 3987.1 of Article III Chapter 12 of the Port Hueneme Municipal Code to amend the maximum number of cannabis businesses permitted to operate in the City of Port Hueneme".
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING JOB ORDER CONTRACTING (JOC)
AND JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT AUTHORITY
Recommendation: 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, authorizing the use of Job Order Contracting (JOC) as an alternative public works project delivery method and establishing procedures and limitations of the City of Port Hueneme Municipal Code and adding section 2575 “Job Order Contracts”.
City Clerk Georgianna Alvarez affirmed Proof of Publication and that a complete set of reports and exhibits were on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer Charles Cable 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 Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez, seconded by Councilmember Perez, to 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, authorizing the use of Job Order Contracting (JOC) as an alternative public works project delivery method and establishing procedures and limitations of the City of Port Hueneme Municipal Code and adding section 2575 “Job Order Contracts”.
Motion passed 5-0, by Roll Call Vote, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Lopez, Perez, Hernandez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
BUSINESS ITEMS
5. VETERANS BANNER PROGRAM
Recommendation: Receive a proposal from the Veterans Advisory Ad Hoc Committee and/or REACH regarding a Veterans Banner Program, and consider adopting a Resolution approving the creation of a Veterans Banner Program and approving a donation from REACH.
City Manager James Vega provided a brief introduction. Rich Rollins on behalf of REACH and Anahi Carter on behalf of the Veterans’ Ad Hoc Committee presented the report.
Questions followed.
Public comments were provided in person by the following:
• Jan Berk
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2026, Page 3 of 6 A motion was made by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez, to receive the proposal from the Veterans Advisory Ad Hoc Committee and REACH regarding a Veterans Banner Program, adopt Resolution No. 4569 approving the creation of a Veterans Banner Program, and approve a donation from REACH. Comments followed.
Motion passed 5-0, as follows:
AYES; Gama, Lopez, Perez, Hernandez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
6. ACCEPT DESIGN FOR CITY HALL AND MORANDA PARK TURNKEY TURF REMOVAL
PROJECT
Recommendation: Accept and approve the design concept for the turf removal project in partnership with Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) for the Turnkey Turf Transformation Program (Program).
Councilmember Gama recused himself from the meeting at 7:54 p.m. due to a conflict of interest, as his residence is located within 500 feet of Moranda Park.
City Manager James Vega provided a brief overview. Public Works Director Fred Camarillo presented the report. Questions followed. Landscape Manager Andrew Rex provided additional input.
Public comments were provided in person by the following:
• Jan Berk
• Rich Rollins
• David Scrivner
A motion was made by Councilmember Perez, seconded by Councilmember Lopez, to accept and approve the design concept for the turf removal project in partnership with Inland Empire Utilities Agency (lEUA) for the Turnkey Turf Transformation Program (Program). Comments followed.
Motion passed 4-0, as follows:
AYES: Lopez, Perez, Hernandez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES; None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Gama
Councilmember Gama returned to the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
7. REVIEW OF CITY OF PORT HUENEME LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Recommendation: Review the City’s Legislative Platform, consider amendments and adopt a revised document that will provide guidance and allow staff to advocate for City programs and priorities in the coming year.
Deputy City Manager Charles Peretz presented the report. City Manager James Vega provided additional input. Questions followed. There were no public comments.
A motion was made by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Councilmember Perez, to review the City’s Legislative Platform, consider amendments, and adopt a revised document that will provide guidance and allow staff to advocate for City programs and priorities in the coming year. Discussion followed.
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2026, Page 4 of 6 The motion was amended by Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez, seconded by Councilmember Lopez, to also include direction to staff to return with the Legislative Platform incorporating language addressing social justice and climate sustainability. Comments followed.
Motion passed 5-0, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Lopez, Perez, Hernandez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: None
REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
8. FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
Recommendation: Receive the following future agenda item requests and provide direction on whether to schedule each item for a future meeting:
1. Request: SUBMITTED BY: Councilmember Lopez; ITEM: “Spring Clean” Community Cleanup Project proposal; STAFF TIME/COST ESTIMATE: $5,000.
Councilmember Lopez provided a brief report. Questions followed.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez, seconded by Councilmember Perez, to add an item to a future agenda regarding the “Spring Clean” Community Cleanup Project proposal. Motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
City Manager James Vega provided comments and reports regarding the following topics:
• Finance Department receives Statewide Budget Award for FY 2025-26 and 2026-27 • Movie Night at Bubbling Springs Park
• Sea Splash Color Dash 5K & Kids 1K and Free Health & Wellness Fair • Bolker Park Playground Update
• Upcoming Council meeting topics
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Council provided comments and reports regarding the following topics:
Councilmember Lopez:
• Expressed appreciation for Councilmember Gama’s inspiration, Diane Fresh, and the DL Fresh Foundation
Councilmember Perez:
• Expressed appreciation to the City Attorney for his insight, guidance, and active participation during the meeting
Councilmember Gama:
• Expressed pride and appreciation for Diane Fresh and emphasized continued support for children in the community
• Upcoming Ventura County Animal Services meeting - encouraged pet adoption, noted the facility remains at max capacity, and highlighted new mobile spay/neuter program • Raised concerns regarding graffiti activity and requested review of the City’s graffiti policy Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez:
• Participating in Regional Defense Partnership (RDP) Base meetings in preparation of the Washington, D.C. trip
• Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) meeting - addressed legislation concerns and made preparations for the upcoming Sacramento trip • Upcoming Mini Mansions Mini Mansions Bowls of Hope - serving soup to the community CC Regular Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2026, Page 5 of 6 Mayor McQueen-Legohn:
• Continuing monthly meetings
• Attended Reel Guppy blue carpet premier event
• Upcoming Mini Mansions Mini Mansions Bowls of Hope - serving soup to the community • Participating in RDP Base meetings in preparation of the Washington, D.C. trip • Plans to present three certificates at the upcoming Soroptimist International Awards Recognition
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 9:13 p.m. to its next regular meeting scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
S^rgi^na Nicole Alvarez, MMC, CPMC City Clerk
Approved this 2'"'^ day of March, 2026:
Ma tha R. McQueerf Legohn, M^vlor
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - February 17, 2026, Page 6 of 6