CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
May 20, 2026,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
REGULAR MATTERS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Juarez called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Rev. Maddie Sifantus provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Ornelas led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Pedro A Chavez, and Gabriela Ornelas Members Absent: Leslie Cornejo
5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported Council met in closed session on May 14, 2026, reporting there was no reportable action taken on the following: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b)(1), Title: City Manager, 2026 Review; and Council also met in closed session today reporting no reportable action taken on the following: 1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.8. Property: East-Southeast of Hallock Drive and Telegraph Road (Triangle Property), APN: 107004405, Agency Negotiator: James Mason, Community and Economic Development Director, Negotiating Party: Xavier Maignan, Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment and 2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE § 54956.8. Property: 180 S. Palm Avenue, APN: 105008017, Agency Negotiator: James Mason, Community and Economic Development Director, Negotiating Party: Farmers Irrigation Company, Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment. 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gladys Valdvinos was called to speak on the mobile home ordinance commending staff for the workshop forum.
Karl Lawson was called to speak on the mobile home ordinance commending staff for the workshop forum. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
PUBLIC WORKS WEEK RECOGNITION
Mayor Juarez presented the Public Works Week Proclamation, dedicated to former Public Works employee Joe Byrum.
7.B)
SANTA PAULA WATER RECYCLING FACILITY (WRF) RESILIENCY PROJECT PRESENTATION This item was pulled.
7.C)
2025 HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Community Development & Economic Director James Mason provided the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Chavez: Attended Chamber awards Santa Clara River Valley Heritage Valley event; spoke on campaign to raise funds for the Farmworker Monument repairs; spoke on upcoming events, asking the community to come out; and gave Happy Birthday wishes to Eric Velos and Brittany Botts as well as to all whose birthdays are in the month of May.
Vice Mayor Crosswhite: Attended Grand Opening of the Santa Paula Cardinal Closet which has clothing and more, for those in need; Chamber Awards; Several Southern California Association of Government events; Latina Action Day / Conference; and Clean Power Alliance Annual Rate Setting.
Councilmember Ornelas: Attended the Chamber Awards; gave a shoutout to Animal control Officer Javier Manzanares for his quick responses to situations and communication.
Mayor Juarez: Also gave a shoutout to Animal control Officer Javier Manzanares; attended the Arte and Cultura Collective; Chamber Mixer; Parks & Recreation meeting; Business Connect; Arbor Day event at Glenn City School; K9 Fundraiser; announced that at the Odd Fellows conference, was elected the 174th Grand Master of California and the first from Santa Paula; attended Chamber Awards; Hospital Planning meeting at the Latino Town Hall; announced upcoming Hospital Forum at the Latino Town Hall; attended the Leadership Academy Graduation; and announced Cathy Barringer 99, passed yesterday before her 100th Birthday in August. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer: Attended the employee Taco Tuesday lunch; Chamber Awards; Hospital management meeting to plan for community workshop; Rotary scholarship awards reception; Future Leader Academy Graduation; and provided the next step with mobile home workshops scheduling. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Regular Meeting April 15, 2026
City Council Regular Meeting May 5, 2026
10.B)
APRIL 2026 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
10.C)
SECOND AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MAINTSTAR, INC. FOR ASSET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
10.D)
2024 CITYWIDE STREET MAINTENANCE PROJECT AND 2025 FALL PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN PROJECT NOTICES OF COMPLETION This item was pulled for separate discussion and vote. City Engineer Robert Woodward answered questions for Council.
Motion: Approve Accept the work performed by J & H Engineering General Contractors, Inc. for the 2024 Citywide Street Maintenance Project; Accept the work performed by J & H Engineering General Contractors, Inc. for the 2025 Fall Pavement Management Plan Project; and Authorize Staff to file the Notices of Completion with the County Recorder for both projects.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Gabriela Ornelas
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Pedro A Chavez, Gabriela Ornelas
10.E)
FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 PROJECT LIST FOR SENATE BILL 1 ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REHABILTATION FUNDING Item 10.D was pulled for separate discussion and vote.
Motion: Approve Consent Calendar items 10.A, 10.B, 10.C and 10.E.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Pedro A Chavez, Gabriela Ornelas 11)
PUBLIC HEARING
11.A)
VENTURA COUNTY WATERSHED PROTECTION DISTRICT’S BENEFIT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM FOR FY 2026-2027 Councilmember Chavez stepped away from the Dias for a personal issue.
Mayor Juarez opened the public hearing. With no public comments, the public hearing was closed.
Public Works Director Dale Goodman presented this item.
Motion: Approve Resolution No. 7615 authorizing the City Manager to allow City participation in the Ventura County Watershed Protection District’s Benefit Assessment Program for FY 2026-27 and continue the City’s assessment of $37.74 per Benefit Assessment Unit per year to fund a portion of the City’s Stormwater Management Program.
Moved by Jenny Crosswhite, seconded by Gabriela Ornelas Vote: Motion carried 3-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Gabriela Ornelas
12)
ACTION ITEMS
12.A)
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA PAULA AND THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY FOR USE OF 1400 EAST HARVARD BOULEVARD Mayor Juarez declared that his spouse, Heidi Juarez, is an uncompensated member of the Board of Directors, stating he does not have a conflict with this item.
Community & Economic Development Director James Mason presented this item.
Motion: Approve Lease Agreement between the City of Santa Paula (“City”) and the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley (“Lessee”) for the use of the gymnasium building, offices, classrooms and associated parking area located at 1400 East Harvard Boulevard; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Lease Agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney and to take all actions necessary to implement the Agreement.
Moved by Gabriela Ornelas, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Pedro A Chavez, Gabriela Ornelas
12.B)
3RD QUARTER FISCAL REPORT 25/26
Finance Director Christy Ramirez provided a presentation on the 3rd Quarter Fiscal Report 25/26.
Motion: Approve as amended budget recommendations and personnel changes as noted in the fiscal impact section with corrections to update the Position Control List to reflect fulltime employee increase to reflect additional hours for part time Parks Abatement Specialist and add GLs 206-5-5026-610 for Catch Basin Excluder and 610-5-9383-660 for the WRF Blower Replacement increase.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Pedro A Chavez, Gabriela Ornelas 13)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
13.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
City Manager Dan Singer announced the possibility of a June 17th study session. 14)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Juarez adjourned the meeting at 8:23 pm in honor of Cathy Barringer who passed yesterday at the age of 99.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk