CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
November 5, 2025,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chavez called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Deacon Al Guilin provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Gabby from Santa Paula Trading Company led the flag salute. 4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, and Gabriela Ornelas 5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT - Special Meeting October 15, 2025 and Special Meeting November 5, 2025 City Attorney Monica Castillo reported there was no reportable actions taken on the following:
October 15, 2025 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b)(1), Title: City Manager and November 5, 2025, 5.A) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION - Pursuant to government Code § 54956.9(d)(1) – Rivers’ Edge Manufactured Housing Community LLC v. City of Santa Paula et al.; Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2025CUWMO52550; 5.B) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - LIABILITY CLAIM Consideration of a liability claim pursuant to Government Code §§ 54956.9(d)(3) & 54956.95(c)- Claimant: Rivers’ Edge Manufactured Housing Community LLC; Agency Claimed Against: the City of Santa Paula and 5.C) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(1): 1 potential case. 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Karl Lawson was called to speak on the Mobile Home Park rent increases process.
Donna McClure was called to speak consider relocating the December 13 Holiday Event.
Tracy Hanna was called to speak opposing the December 13 Holiday Event. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
ATHEN’S 2025 RECYCLING ALL-STAR AWARDS
Roni Guthrie presented the Athen's 2025 Recycling All-Star Awards to Blanchard Community Library represented by Justin Formanek and Ron Merson, and Fosters Freeze represented by Scott Shafer.
Also, presenting certificates to our honorees we have Atticus Reyes with Assembly Member Steve Bennett's Office, Michael Durazo from Supervisor Kelly Long's office and certificates from Senator Monique Limón and Congresswoman Julia Brownley.
7.B)
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Police Chief Aguilar provided the Police Department Report.
7.C)
MEASURE T OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE YEAR END PRESENTATION
Committee Member Vanessa Olmos presented the Measure T Oversight Committee Year End Presentation. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended: Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting; Santa Paula Roundtable on economic vitality; police station phase 1 open house
; and The Elks officer of the year awards dinner.
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Attended: Southern California Association of Governments meeting; Immigration Ad Hoc meetings; Ventura County Transportation Commission; Ribbon Cutting for the Agromin/Harrison for food waste facilities; employee appreciation Halloween lunch; police station phase 1 open house
; and announced Santa Paula High School Football games are broadcasted online and on channel 10 news.
Councilmember Ornelas:
Attended: Immigration Ad Hoc meetings; and
police station phase 1 open house.
Vice Mayor Juarez:
Attended: the Ventura County Council Government's dinner; police station phase 1 open house
; Employee Appreciation Halloween Lunch; talked with Julie Brownley and Vianey Lopez about the government shutdown and on how to move forward; and met with the mayor and city staff to address concerned residents about the standing cannabis committee.
Mayor Chavez:
Provided slide presentation of Economic Vitality and Prioritizing Solutions. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer:
Attended: police station phase 1 open house; Employee Appreciation Halloween Lunch; Ad Hoc Immigration meetings; presented at the Santa Paula business roundtable; Ventura College East Campus committee meeting; the cannabis standing committee meeting; announced the city is closed next Tuesday in celebration of Veterans Day and there is the annual Veterans Day celebration at Veterans Park. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Special Meeting September 3, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting September 3, 2025
City Council Special Meeting September 8, 2025
City Council Special Meeting September 11, 2025
City Council Special Meeting September 17, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting September 17, 2025
City Council Special Meeting October 1, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting October 1, 2025
City Council Special Meeting October 14, 2025
City Council Special Meeting October 15, 2025
City Council Regular Meeting October 15, 2025
10.B)
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION 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
10.C)
2025 HOLIDAY PARADE REQUEST FOR FEE WAIVER
Motion: Approve waiving and sponsor up to 50% of the costs for City services for the 2025 Santa Paula Holiday Parade.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas
10.D)
SOLAR-POWERED STREET LIGHT PILOT PROJECT (SSLPP) FUNDING & RELEASE OF RFB AUTHORIZATION
10.E)
PURCHASE OF CRAFCO SUPER SHOT 125 DIESEL CRACKSEAL TRAILER
10.F)
PURCHASE OF A GRACO THERMOLAZER AND DTC 1000LB PREMELTER
10.G)
RATIFICATION OF SPECIFIED SECTIONS OF VENTURA COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT ORDINANCE NO. 34 Assistant Fire Marshall Ryan Kraai with the Ventura County Fire Department spoke on the Ratification of Specified Sections of Ventura County Fire Protection District Ordinance No. 34.
Motion: Approve Resolution No. 7596 ratifying Article 3, Section 903; Article 3, Appendix B; and Article 4, Section 604.11 as set forth in Ventura County Fire Protection District (VCFPD) Ordinance No. 34.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Gabriela Ornelas
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas Motion: Approve CONSENT CALENDAR 10A, 10B, 10D, 10E, and 10F; with edits to be made on minutes.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas Items 10C and 10G pulled for separate discussion
11)
PUBLIC HEARING
11.A)
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 This item was presented by Building Official Dan Schultz.
Mayor Chavez opened the public hearing. With no public comments, the public hearing was closed.
Motion: Approve 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 Appendices 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" Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas 12)
ACTION ITEMS
12.A)
AGREEMENT WITH THE SANTA PAULA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Tracy Hanna and Gloria Martinez provided a presentation on all of the strategic programs happening with the Chamber of Commerce.
Motion: Approve 1. Review the proposed engagement agreement with the Chamber of Commerce, and
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a professional services agreement with the Chamber of Commerce for fiscal year 2025-26.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas
12.B)
2025 CITY COUNCIL & LEGISLATIVE BODY MANUAL OF PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES City Attorney Monica Castillo presented this item.
Motion: Approve as amended Resolution No. 7593, approving the 2025 City Council and Legislative Body "Manual of Procedural Guidelines for the conduct of City Council and constituent body/commission meetings for the City of Santa Paula", with the amendments as discussed, including clarification of terminology regarding the “acting chairperson” in Section 9.1(D) and the definition of “term” in Section 9.3(C).
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas
12.C)
2024/2025 YEAR END FISCAL REPORT & Q1 FY 2025/26 UPDATE Motion: Approve budget adjustments outlined in the fiscal impacts of this report, with the condition that any remaining funds from the 8th Street Lighting Project be reallocated to the Downtown Parking Lot Upgrades.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Carlos Juarez
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas 13)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
13.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Special Study Session meeting for Pavement Management Program on December 2nd at 6pm.; and Mobile Home Rent Control Ordinance p
ublic workshop December 7th or 14th.
14)
CLOSED SESSION
15)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Chavez adjourned the meeting at 10:16 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk