CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
October 15, 2025,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chavez called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Rev. Maddie Sifantus provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Ornelas led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, and Leslie Cornejo 5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported there was no reportable actions taken on the following:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b)(1), Title: City Manager 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Daniel Melendez was called to speak in support of ordinance workshop on rent review for the 400 Mobile Estate.
Humberto Cancino was called to speak in support of ordinance workshop on rent review for the 400 Mobile Estates.
Maria Cancino was called to speak in support of ordinance workshop on rent review for the 400 Mobile Estates.
Giselle Valdovinos was called to speak in support of ordinance workshop on rent review for the 400 Mobile Estate.
Mauricio Cruz was called to speak in support of ordinance workshop on rent review for the 400 Mobile Estate.
Cytlalli Salgado was called to speak read letter from resident in support of ordinance workshop on rent review for the 400 Mobile Estate. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
MAYOR’S RECOGNITION AWARDS - FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA FAIR WINNERS Pulled
7.B)
SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN OUTREACH
Claire Grasty, Director of Public Transit, provided an update on the Short Range Transit Plan Outreach.
7.C)
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT QUARTERLY REPORT Community Development Director James Mason provided the Community and Economic Development Department Quarterly Report. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended the boards, commission and committee interviews; Ventura County Transportation Commission meeting; Collaboration meeting between Southern California Association of Governments and Kern Council of Governments; Ad-Hoc immigration committee;
League of California Cities Conference; and announced
the City received a Helen Putnam Award.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended the boards, commission and committee interviews; League of California Cities Conference; Harding Park advisory board quarterly meeting; Athen's Services electronic recycling event; and the Ventura County Fair received the costal project award for the surfers point project.
Councilmember Ornelas:
Attended the boards, commission and committee interviews; and League of California Cities Conference.
Vice Mayor Juarez:
Attended the boards, commission and committee interviews; met with Mayor Chavez and staff about internal communications; League of California Cities Conference; Barbra Webster School 100-year anniversary; Announced fire disaster response; and accepted the Helen Putnam Award, along with Mayor Chavez.
Mayor Chavez:
Accepted the Helen Putnam Award, along with Vice Mayor Juarez. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer:
Attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference; Measure R Committee; and Taste of Santa Paula event. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
SEPTEMBER 2025 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
10.B)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Special Meeting July 2, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting July 2, 2025
City Council Special Meeting July 9, 2025
City Council Special Meeting August 6, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting August 6, 2025
City Council Special Meeting August 19, 2025
10.C)
MEASURE T BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR FALL 2025 PAVING PROJECT
10.D)
RETROACTIVE COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT OF CHEVROLET COLORADO PICKUP (UNIT 283) Motion: Approve 10) CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo 11)
PUBLIC HEARING
11.A)
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE FULL COST ANALYSIS OF USER FEES PREPARED BY WILLDAN FINANCIAL SERVICES AND AMEND AND AUGMENT THE CITY OF SANTA PAULA FEE SCHEDULE This item was presented by Finance Director Christy Ramirez. Priti Patel with Willdan was available by zoom for questions.
Mayor Chavez opened the public hearing. With no public comments, the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Approve as amended Staff recommends that the City Council approve Resolution No. 7595 approving the full cost analysis of user fees prepared by Willdan Financial Services and amend and augment the City of Santa Paula Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026, with the following amendments: The fees shall be increased on the first day of every other July thereafter; every two years unless directed otherwise by city council or contrary to law, the fees shall be increased by the immediately prior calendar year's annual average CPI. the adjustments will be based on CPI and will be reviewed during the regular budget process.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 4-1
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo No: Pedro A Chavez
11.B)
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1350 AMENDING CHAPTERS 16.200 (ADMINISTRATION – GENERAL PROVISIONS), 16.202 (APPLICATIONS, PROCESSING, FILING AND FEES), 16.204 (PUBLIC HEARINGS), 16.206 (APPEALS AND REVOCATIONS), 16.208 (DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS), 16.210 (ZONE CHANGE), 16.212 (GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS), 16.214 (AGRICULTURAL PRESERVE AND LAND CONSERVATION CONTRACTS), 16.216 (SPECIFIC PLANS), 16.218 (CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS), 16.220 (VARIANCES), 16.222 (MINOR MODIFICATIONS), 16.224 (ZONING CLEARANCE), 16.227 (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS), 16.228 (TEMPORARY USE PERMIT), 16.230 (HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT), 16.234 (DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS), 16.236 (ANNEXATIONS), 16.237 (81 ACRE INITIATIVE IMPLEMENTATION), AND 16.238 (SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT) OF TITLE XVI: DEVELOPMENT CODE OF THE SANTA PAULA MUNICIPAL CODE IN ORDER TO CORRECT INCONSISTENCIES, OUTDATED LANGUAGE AND FORMATTING AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER SECTION 15061(B)(3) OF THE PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE This item was presented by City Attorney Monica Castillo.
Mayor Chavez opened the public hearing. With no public comments, the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Approve as amended Waive the first reading by title only, and introduce Ordinance No. 1350, entitled “An Ordinance amending Chapters 16.200 (Administration – General Provisions), 16.202 (Applications, Processing, Filing and Fees), 16.204 (Public Hearings), 16.206 (Appeals and Revocations), 16.208 (Development Code Amendments), 16.210 (Zone Change), 16.212 (General Plan Amendments), 16.214 (Agricultural Preserve and Land Conservation Contracts), 16.216 (Specific Plans), 16.218 (Conditional Use Permits), 16.220 (Variances), 16.222 (Minor Modifications), 16.224 (Zoning Clearance), 16.227 (Accessory Dwelling Units), 16.228 (Temporary Use Permit), 16.230 (Home Occupation Permit), 16.234 (Development Agreements), 16.236 (Annexations), 16.237 (81 Acre Initiative Implementation), and 16.238 (Site Development Permit) of Title XVI Development Code of the Santa Paula Municipal Code in order to correct inconsistencies, outdated language and formatting and finding the Action to be Statutorily Exempt from CEQA under Section 15061(B)(3) of the Public Resources Code”, with amendments.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo 12)
ACTION ITEMS
12.A)
APPOINTMENT TO COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
This item was presented by Julie Latshaw, City Clerk.
Motion: Approve appointment Lorena Long to the Parks & Recreation Youth for a term of one year 10/15/2025-10/15/2026.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo Motion: Approve appointment Brady Mang to the Parks & Recreation Commission for a term of three years 10/15/2025-10/15/2028.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo Motion: Approve appointment Vanessa Olmos to the Parks & Recreation Commission for a term of three years 10/15/2025-10/15/2028.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo Motion: Approve appointment David Ross to the Planning Commission for one partial term starting 10/15/2025 and ending on 05/02/2027.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Gabriela Ornelas
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo Motion: Approve appointment Sylivia Delossantos-Rasey to the Senior Advisory Committee for a term of Two years 10/15/2025-10/15/2027.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo Motion: Approve appointment Veronica Giron-Stone to the Senior Advisory Committee for a term of Two years 10/15/2025-10/15/2027.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo
12.B)
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1349 ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, 2025 EDITION (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24), THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, AND THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE Motion: Approve Introduce and waive first reading of Ordinance No. 1349, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA PAULA AMENDING SECTIONS 150.001, 150.015, 150.025, 150.045, 150.055, 150.075, 150.085, 150.150, 150.160, 150.170, 150.180, 150.190, AND ADDING 150.200 AND 150.210, OF CHAPTER 150 OF THE SANTA PAULA MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT BY REFERENCE THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, 2025 EDITION, (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24) INCLUDING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; VOLUMES 1 AND 2 OF THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE INCLUDING APPENDICIES AH PATIO COVERS, AJ EXISTING STRUCTURES, AND AX SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE INCLUDING APPENDIX M PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE; THE CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE; THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE; AND THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE; and Schedule a public hearing to consider adopting the proposed Ordinance at the City Council’s regular meeting of November 5, 2025; Direct the City Clerk to publish a summary of the proposed Ordinance and provide notice of the public hearing twice at least 14 days before the public hearing at which the proposed Ordinance is to be considered for adoption.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo
12.C)
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND MOBILE HOME RENT COMMISSION Motion: Approve Resolution No. 7591 the Mobile Home Rent Review Commission and Resolution No. 7594 the Planning Commission, approving the compensation structure as amended.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas, Leslie Cornejo 13)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
13.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
14)
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourning the Regular meeting, Council reconvened back to closed session at 10:20 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk