CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
November 19, 2025,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chavez called this meeting to order at 6:42 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Deacon Al Guilin provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Orneles 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
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported there was no reportable actions taken on the following: 4.A) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b)(1), Title: City Manager 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Joseph Dobzynski, Jr. was called to speak on ICE raids in Ventura County and agenda item 11A.
Luke Faith with Carbon California was called to speak reporting on incident north of Santa Paula on November 18th regarding an oil spill. Ventura County has activated an action plan with cleanup. See VCEmergency.com for more information.
Anonymous public speaker spoke of concerns there were no lights or sidewalk at 131 Ferris Drive.
Constance Leshin was called to speak in support of funds to the immigrant community.
Nidia Bello was called to speak in support of funds to the immigrant community.
Jennifer Herrandez was called to speak in support of funds to the immigrant community.
Luz Gomez was called to speak in support of funds to the immigrant community.
Zuleth Lucero was called to speak in support of funds to the immigrant community.
Nicole was called to speak in support of funds to the immigrant community. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
MAYOR’S RECOGNITION AWARDS - Mike Gutierrez, Vice President, Western Region of International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Mayor Chavez presented Youtube video of Mike Gutierrez, Vice President, Western Region of International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, and provided recognition certificate.
7.B)
MAYOR’S RECOGNITION AWARDS - Christina Gonzalez, Director of Data Management & Applications, Ventura County Office of Education Mayor Chavez presented Recognition Award to Christina Gonzalez,
7.C)
MAYOR’S RECOGNITION AWARDS - Ric Castaniero, SPHS, Sam Zuniga Advisor & MeCHA Students, Laura Espinosa of Santa Paula Latino Townhall, and Javier Gomez of Inlakech Mayor Chavez presented Recognition Awards to Ric Castaniero, SPHS, Sam Zuniga Advisor and MeCHA Students, Laura Espinosa of Santa Paula Latino Townhall, and Javier Gomez of inlakech. (SPHS mariachi performed)
7.D)
MAYOR’S RECOGNITION AWARDS - Master Carlos Urrutia’s Taekwondo Team Mayor Chavez presented Recognition Award to Master Carlos Urrutia's and the Taekwondo Team.
7.E)
COMMUNITY ACTION VENTURA COUNTY
Suzy Lopez-Garcia, Executive Director provided a presentation on Community Action Ventura County.
7.F)
COMMUNITY ENVIORNMENTAL COUNCIL PRESENTATION
Em Johnson, Director of Climate Programs on the Central Coast Community Resilience Hubs Accelerator, presented a presentation on behalf of Community Environmental Council.
Marcos Martinez was called to speak in support of solutions on climate control.
Cytlalli Salgado was called to speak in support of solutions on climate control. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Crosswhite:
Announced she can provide the link to the extreme heat presentation if anyone wants it; Federal housing bill package may change Community Service Block Grant funds, possibly linking them to housing production. Will update the council if the legislation passes; Secured an update from new Senate pro-tempore Monique Limón: her top priority will be the state budget, which will be challenging this year.; SB 707 changes to the Brown Act will impact the community; Two upcoming economic development workshops planned following the subcommittee meeting; Attended the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Energy and Environment Committee meeting; SCAG Legislative Communications and Membership Committee; Clean Power Alliance meeting; Ventura County Transportation Commission meeting; California Council of Governments meeting; Economic Development Subcommittee meeting (with the Mayor and Planning Commission); Multiple immigration related meetings with Councilmember Ornelas; Board of Supervisors meeting; Veterans Day ceremony; Ribbon cutting for the new day spa in downtown Santa Paula; and the Art About Agriculture exhibit opening.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended the Regional Sanitation District meeting (as City representative); Sponsored and attended the Boys & Girls Club “Light Up the Season” event on November 8th; Veterans Day ceremony; Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) meeting; and the Blue Ribbon Committee meeting.
Councilmember Ornelas:
Attended multiple immigration related meetings with Councilmember Crosswhite.
Vice Mayor Juarez:
Announced The Senior Advisory Committee is still seeking a fifth member; Attended the Boys & Girls Club “Light Up the Season” event; Veterans Day ceremony; and the Blue Ribbon Committee meeting.
Mayor Chavez: Announced a new tradition: expressing appreciation to committee and commission members by joining them in walking in the holiday parade. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Singer:
Announced City systems went down on Monday November 10th; email was unavailable for the entire week; Pavement work began November 19th in downtown, expecting to finish before Thanksgiving. Once complete, work will move down to main streets, date to be announced; the Community Economic and Development were a recipient for the Zen City Rising Star Award; Recognized at the Municipal Management Assistance of Southern California conference for mentorship; Next council meeting will be on December 10th. Attended the Veterans Day ceremony; and participated in VCLA’s forecast and Civic Alliance presentation. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
PURCHASE OF ONE (1) NEW 2026 FORD F-550 STAKE BED TRUCK Motion: Approve CONSENT CALENDAR
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 11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL AD HOC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FOR ALLOCATION OF SURPLUS BUDGET FUNDS This item was presented by Gloria Parra, Fellow with American Connection Corps AmeriCorps Member, and a presentation by Mike Soules with Ventura County community Foundation (VCCF).
Motion: Approve
making a monetary donation of $50,000, as previously set-aside by the Council from surplus budget funds to Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) Neighbors Support Fund, and split the funds $20,000 to Poder Popular, $10,000 to 805 DocuFund, $10,000 to Community Action Ventura County, and $10,000 to Food Share, with all monies used to benefit Santa Paula; Approve becoming an endorser of the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Neighbors Support Fund, which supports immigrant families, and In recognition of the community’s growing needs, consider allocating an additional amount of surplus funds to be available for future immigrant support or inclusion efforts, as needs arise.
Moved by Gabriela Ornelas, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas
11.B)
247 GRANT LINE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR SANTA PAULA CREEK BRIDGE Motion: Approve and Adopt Resolution No. 7594 to Authorize the City Manager to execute the proposed Purchase and Sale Agreement to acquire the real property known as 247 Grant Line, Santa Paula, CA, and all documents necessary to carry out the Agreement; and Authorize acceptance of the property pursuant to Government Code Section 27281.
Moved by Carlos Juarez, seconded by Gabriela Ornelas
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Pedro A Chavez, Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Gabriela Ornelas 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
Consider resolution to move forward with proper healthcare in the valley in December or January to update our legislative policy due to the hospital closing. Council was in consensus. 13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Chavez adjourned this meeting at 10:31 p.m.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk