CITY OF PORT HUENEME
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 17. 2026
Port Hueneme City Hall
250 North Ventura Road, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
Virtually via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/i/89157685221 ?pwd=avvvdzi6irvv8f8ez92nr8pq3t4sqw.1 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, Jess Lopez, Misty Perez; Mayor Martha R.
McQueen-Legohn.
Absent: Mayor Pro Tern Laura D. Hernandez.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Closed session public comments were provided by the following:
• Chris Bates
• Anahi Carter
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
City Attorney Paul Early read the closed session items into record.
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Authority: Government Code § 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: James Vega, City Manager; Charles Peretz, Deputy City Manager; and Frank Lee, Human Resources/Risk Manager Employee Associations: SEIU Service Employees International Union 721 B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Authority: Government Code § 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: James Vega, City Manager; Charles Peretz, Deputy City Manager; and Frank Lee, Human Resources/Risk Manager Employee Associations: Unrepresented Management and Professional Employees CONFLICT OF INTEREST and LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURES - None.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Mayor McQueen-Legohn recessed to closed session at 5:34 p.m.
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2026, Page 1 of 6 6:30 P.M. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER / FLAG SALUTE
Mayor McQueen-Legohn called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Councilmember Lopez led the flag salute.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Steven A. Gama, Jess Lopez, Misty Perez; Mayor Martha R.
McQueen-Legohn.
Absent: Mayor Pro Tern Laura D. Hernandez.
INSPIRATION
Given by Councilmember Gama.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Paul Early provided the dosed session report indicating no reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comments were provided in person by the following:
• Becky Breuning
• Mark Petrasso
• Josie Gonzalez
• Kym Piekunka
• David Scrivner
• DeeDee Beaman
AGENDA APPROVAL FOR CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilmember Perez, seconded by Councilmember Lopez, and passed unanimously, 4-0 (Absent: Hernandez) to approve the City Council Agenda of August 17, 2026.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST and LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURES - None.
PRESENTATIONS
A. QUARTERLY EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION
• 30 years of service - Brian Fomenko, Public Works Program Manager • 30 years of service - Fred Camarillo, Public Works Director Brian Fomenko and Fred Camarillo (not present) were recognized and presented with certificates of recognition for their years of service with the City.
B. HUENEME BEACH FESTIVAL RECAP AND PRESENTATION OF POSTER AWARD
WINNERS
Police Support Services Manager Frank Montelongo provided a brief recap of the Hueneme Beach Festival and recognized the Hueneme Beach Festival poster contest winners: Noah Gill - St. Anthony’s School - 3^'' grade; Sergio Martinez - Ocean View Jr.
High School - 8th grade; Elsie Pelayo - Oxnard High School - 11th grade.
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2026, Page 2 of 6
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment: None.
A motion was made by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Councilmember Perez, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 - 5, as presented.
Motion passed 4-0, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Lopez, Perez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Hernandez
City Council:
1. MINUTES
Approved the July 20, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
2. REGISTER OF DISBURSEMENTS
Received and filed the City’s register of disbursements for the period of June 30, 2026 through July 27, 2026.
3. TREASURER'S QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT
Received and filed the June 30, 2026 Treasurer’s Reports as presented.
4. AUTHORIZATION FOR 2026 CALIFORNIA COASTAL CLEANUP DAY Authorized an estimated 40 hours of staff time and up to $1,500 for supplies/materials to support the 2026 California Coastal Cleanup Day, and authorize Councilmembers Gama and Hernandez to continue to serve as City Representatives as part of California Coastal Cleanup Day.
5. AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE ON-CALL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ARDURRA GROUP. INC. FOR WATER ENGINEERING CONSULTING
SERVICES
Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Ardurra Group, Inc. (formerly MKN & Associates) (Ardurra), increasing the agreement's total not-to-exceed compensation amount from $300,000 to $600,000 for water engineering consulting services during the term of the existing five-year on-call agreement.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. ADOPT A RESOLUTION FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA). FINDING THE PROJECT
CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY'S CERTIFIED LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AND APPLICABLE PUBLIC ACCESS POLICIES OF THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL ACT. AND APPROVING SPECIAL USE PERMIT NO PHSU-26-9 AS AN APPEALABLE LOCAL COASTAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL AUTHORIZING THE PORT OF HUENEMEOXNARD HARBOR DISTRICT TO CONDUCT THE 2026 ANNUAL PORT OF HUENEME BANANA FESTIVAL VINTAGE CAR SHOW. INCLUDING A TEMPORARY WAIVER OF
BEACH PARKING FEES
Recommendation:
1. Open the public hearing to accept oral and written evidence;
2. Close the public hearing and consider all evidence presented;
3. Adopt a Resolution finding the Project categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15304 and 15323; finding the Project consistent with the City’s certified Local Coastal Program and applicable public access policies of the CC Regular Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2026, Page 3 of 6 California Coastal Act; and conditionally approving Special Use Permit No. PHSU-26- 9 as the City’s local government equivalent coastal development approval for purposes of applicable Coastal Act and Coastal Commission appeal procedures, including a temporary waiver of beach parking fees; and,
4. Direct staff to transmit a complete Notice of Final Action to the California Coastal Commission following the City Council’s final action; and
5. Take such additional, related actions as may be deemed appropriate.
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.
Community Development Director Tricia Maier presented the report. Applicants Randy Latimer, Director of the Banana Festival Committee, and Miguel Rodriguez, Co-Director of the Banana Festival Committee, gave a brief presentation. Questions followed.
The public hearing was opened at 7:25 p.m. There were no public comments. The public hearing was closed at 7:26 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilmember Gama, seconded by Councilmember Lopez, to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 4597, a Resolution finding the Project categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15304 and 15323; finding the Project consistent with the City’s certified Local Coastal Program and applicable public access policies of the California Coastal Act; and conditionally approving Special Use Permit No. PHSU-26-9 as the City’s local government equivalent coastal development approval for purposes of applicable Coastal Act and Coastal Commission appeal procedures, including a temporary waiver of beach parking fees; and,
2. Direct staff to transmit a complete Notice of Final Action to the California Coastal Commission following the City Council’s final action; and
3. Take such additional, related actions as may be deemed appropriate.
Motion passed 4-0, by Roll Call Vote, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Lopez, Perez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Hernandez
7. CONSIDER INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 10 TO ARTICLE
V OF THE PORT HUENEME MUNICIPAL CODE REGULATING SHORT-TERM
RENTALS
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, Chapter 10 to Article V of the Port Hueneme Municipal Code Regulating Short-Term Rentals”; 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 that a complete set of reports and exhibits were on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
City Manager James Vega presented the report. Questions followed.
The public hearing was opened at 8:03 p.m.
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2026, Page 4 of 6 Public comments were provided by the following:
• Paul Quigley
• Daniel De la Rosa
The public hearing was closed at 8:14 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Councilmember Perez, 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, Chapter 10 to Article V of the Port Hueneme Municipal Code Regulating Short-Term Rentals”; and
2. Find the project to be categorically exempt from CEQA; and
3. Take such additional related action that may be desirable.
Discussion followed.
Motion passed 4-0, by Roll Call Vote, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Lopez, Perez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Hernandez
BUSINESS ITEMS
8. FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT (ACFR) Recommendation: Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
Finance Director Ashley Chaparro provided a brief introduction of the audit and introduced Adam Guise, CPA and Partner at Moss, Levy, Hartzheim, who presented the report. City Manager James Vega provided additional input. There were no public comments.
The item was received and filed. No action was required by the Council; therefore, no vote was taken on this item.
9. COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND PROJECTS
Recommendation: Provide direction regarding Community Benefit Projects and any desired process.
City Manager James Vega presented the report. Questions followed. There were no public comments. Discussion followed.
A motion was made by Councilmember Perez, seconded by Councilmember Lopez, to approve annual item nos. 1 & 2 below and bring back the Economic Development Collaborative - Ventura County (EDC-VC) item to a future meeting for further discussion.
To be funded annually each January 1 (approximately $70,000 annually available):
1. Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON) Annual Support: $38,143. (category A - shoreline protection)
2. Sponsorship of Sea Splash Color Dash Event Full Cost Recovery: $25,000 - $30,000 (Category B - Community Development - Sponsorship of Special Events).
Discussion followed.
Motion passed 4-0, as follows:
AYES: Gama, Lopez, Perez, McQueen-Legohn
NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Hernandez
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2026, Page 5 of 6 REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - None
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
City Manager James Vega provided comments and reports regarding the following topics:
• Parks and Recreation Month activities
• National Night Out celebration
• ADA improvements near Hueneme Elementary
• Upcoming Council meeting topics
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS
Council provided comments and reports regarding the following topics:
Councilmember Lopez:
• Regular Meetings - Dark for the month of August; no reports.
Councilmember Perez:
• Regular Meetings - Dark for the month of August; no reports.
Councilmember Gama:
• California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) Annual Meeting - Attended; and provided a brief overview of CJPIA’s insurance program, including rising liability costs, the benefits of pooling insurance with other public agencies, available training and risk management and resources, and the City’s coverage.
Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez:
• Absent.
Mayor McQueen-Legohn:
• No reports.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 9:08 p.m. to its next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday September 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
City Clerk
Approved this 8*^ day of September, 2026:
Oa
Marfth^ R.
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2026, Page 6 of 6