CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
February 18, 2026,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Juarez called the meeting to order 6:30 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Deacon Al Guilin provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Chavez led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, and Pedro A Chavez Members Absent: Gabriela Ornelas
5)
PUBLIC COMMENT
City Attorney Monica Castillo announced Council met in closed session with no reportable actions taken on the following: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION - Pursuant to government Code § 54956.9(d)(1) - Fred and Elaine Malzacher - Revocable Trust v. The City of Santa Paula; Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 56-2021-00552735-CU-TT-VTA Mary Ann Krause was called to speak in support of the Legislative Platform. She also spoke on concerns with license reader with ICE watching.
Lianna De Haro was called to speak on the upcoming Candidate Forum to share your views.
Richard Rudman was called to speak announcing upcoming events. 6)
PRESENTATIONS
6.A)
POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPLORERS CHANDLER TACTICAL COMPETITION Police Chief Don Aguilar presented on the Police Department Explorers Chandler Tactical Competition.
Mayor Juarez presented recognition and achievement to Francisco Ramos for First Place Pistol Shoot and Santa Paula Police Department Explorer Post 2350 for Second Place Award Wilderness Marksmanship.
6.B)
RECOGNITION OF THE 2025 MEL L. HOWERY SHINING STAR AWARD RECIPIENT Parks & Recreation Director Gregory Barnes, presented the 2025 Mel L. Howery Shining Star Award to Martin Montelongo.
6.C)
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT
Parks & Recreation Director Gregory Barnes provided a presentation on the Parks & Recreation Department Activity Report September 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026.
6.D)
CITY OF SANTA PAULA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT ~ AUGUST 1, 2025 - DECEMBER 31, 2025 Councilmember Chavez stepped out of the room at the beginning of the presentation, returning during the presentation.
Public Works Director Dale Goodman provided a presentation on the Public Works Department Activity Report August 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. 7)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Chavez:
Announced he would report at the next meeting.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended the Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting; Senior Advisory meeting; Harvest Ribbon Cutting; Boys and Girls; Oil Museum use virtual meeting; Ethics Training; and Blue Ribbon Hospital meeting.
Vice Mayor Crosswhite:
Attended Southern California Association of Governments meeting; Economic Development Standing Committee meeting; Ventura County Community College District; Board of Supervisor meeting on Santa Paula Hospital; and Ventura County Transportation Commission meeting.
Mayor Juarez:
Attended Harvest Ribbon Cutting; Ethics Training; Legislative Agenda meeting; Committee interviews; and study session on Special Event Guidelines and Potential Partnerships. 8)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer:
Attended Harvest Ribbon Cutting; Boys & Girls Club; Birthday Celebration for employees; Ethics Training; Annual City Manager Conference, providing Ethics presentation; attended memorial for Joe Byrum; and announced in January staff asked to support the award of contract for the bidding of the 8th Street Lighting project, of which that process should have said to award a purchase. 9)
CONSENT CALENDAR
9.A)
JANUARY 2026 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
9.B)
RETROACTIVE APPROVAL FOR PARTS PURCHASES - WATER DIVISION Motion: Approve Consent Calendar.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez 10)
PUBLIC HEARING
10.A)
RESOLUTIONS TO MAKE CHANGES TO HARVEST CFD NO. 1 AND APPROVE THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE CFD NO. 1 FUNDING, CONSTRUCTION, AND ACQUISITION AGREEMENT Councilmember Chavez recused himself, leaving the Dias.
City Manager Dan Singer presented this item.
Available virtually David Fama with Jones Hall, David Lauletta with Lewis Management, and Amy Weaver with Lennar.
Mayor Juarez opened the the public hearing, with no public comments, the public hearing was closed.
City Clerk Julie Latshaw announced the results of the election, all of the owners of the affected property have unanimously voted "yes".
Motion: Approve Resolution No. 7602 authorizing amendment of the rate and method of apportionment of special tax and authorized services for Improvement Areas B & C of Harvest Community Facilities District No. 1 and submitting amendments to qualified electors; Resolution No. 7603 Declaring Results of an Election to amend the rate and method of apportionment of special tax and authorized services for Improvement Areas B & C of Harvest Community Facilities District No. 1 (CFD No. 1); and Resolution No. 7604 authorizing the Mayor/Chairperson to execute the Second Amendment to the CFD No. 1 Funding, Construction and Acquisition Agreement on behalf of the City of Santa Paula and Harvest Community Facilities District No. 1.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 3-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo
11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
APPOINTMENT TO COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
Motion: Approve Appointment to the Measure T Oversite Committee: Brad Williams to serve a four-year term; Senior Advisory Committee: Cynthia Reyes Cruz to serve a two-year term; Ventura County Area Agency on Aging-Santa Paula Representative: Peggy Parra; and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, announcing the appointment of the City of Santa Paula Representative.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez
11.B)
CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S POLICY & LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Gloria Parra, American Connection Corps Management Fellow provided a presentation for Council's consideration of amendments to the City's Policy & Legislative Agenda.
Council provided staff with feedback.
Motion: Approve adopting the proposed amendments to the City’s Legislative Platform related to federal immigration policy, oversight, and transparency, as amended., and adopt the proposed amendments to the City’s Legislative Platform related to health and wellness.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
City Manager Dan Singer informed the Council there was need of a study session in a couple of weeks on Council Recognition Policies and more topics lined up for the next few months. 13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Juarez adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. in memory of Officer Gates newborn son Dawson Gates.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk