CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
June 3, 2026,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Juarez called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Carolyn Bjerke provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Cornejo led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, and Pedro A Chavez Members Absent: Gabriela Ornelas
5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported Council met in closed session with no reportable actions taken on the following: Public Employee Performance Evaluation Pursuant to Government Code 54957(b)(1), Title: City Manager, 2026 Review. 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gena Mathwin and Linda Banner-Bacin was called to speak on speed reduction in The Oaks neighborhood due to safety concerns. Printed copy of their presentation was provided and handed out to Council.
Richard Rudman was called to speak announcing upcoming events. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
ARBOR DAY POEM CONTEST WINNERS
Parks & Recreation Director introduced the Arbor Day Poem Contest Winners Olivia Johnson, Millie Figeroa, Stephanie Moreno, who read their poems. Certificates of Achievement was presented to each.
7.B)
FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Accountant Fabian Castellon, presented the Finance Department Activity Report January - April 2026.
7.C)
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, ACTIVITY REPORT - JANUARY 1 - APRIL 31,2026 Public Works Director Dale Goodman presented the Public Works department Activity Report January - April 2026. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Cornejo: Attended Ventura Regional Sanitation District meeting; Senior Advisory Committee; Housing Trust event fundraiser in Moorpark; Santa Paula Basin Pumpers Annual meeting; Annual Chamber Awards; Santa Paula Unified School District/City Council Joint Committee (2x2) Meeting.
Councilmember Chavez: Reminded residents to sign up for the City Newsletter; announced all are invited to the Santa Paula Social Service Coalition Community Fair; and Congratulations to the Class of 2026.
Vice Mayor Crosswhite: Attended Santa Paula High School Awards Ceremony at the Art Museum; Santo Niño de Atocha Ceremony; Santa Paula Police Department Special Olympic Torch Run; Clean Power Alliance Executive Committee meeting will report out at the next meeting; Southern California Association of Governments meetings; Heritage Valley Policy Advisory Committee meeting; and California Council of Governments.
Mayor Juarez: Attended the Santo Niño de Atocha Ceremony; War Memorial; Parks & Recreation meeting; 150th Anniversary Odds Fellows Lodge meeting; announced Cruise Night this Friday for June, none in July, and will continue in August, September and October; and plans to adjourn the meeting in memory of Judy Phelps. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer: Attended Chamber Mixer; Hospital Forum; Santa Paula Unified School District/City Council Joint Committee (2x2) Meeting; announced Chief Aguilar presented at the Rotary meeting; and attended Business Connect with Bevyhouse. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Council Special Meeting May 14, 2026
City Council Special Meeting May 20, 2026
City Council Regular Meeting May 20, 2026
10.B)
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE - BIENNIAL REVIEW
10.C)
DISSOLVING OF THE CANNABIS STANDING COMMITTEE
10.D)
CALLING THE NOVEMBER MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION WITH THE STATEWIDE ELECTION Motion: Approve Consent Calendar with Councilmember Cornejo abstain on the May 20, 2026 minutes.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Leslie Cornejo
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez 11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
REVIEW AND DIRECTION REGARDING VCOG REAP 2.0 CONCEPTUAL INFILL REDEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN (IRAP) FOR THE EAST HARVARD INFILL SITE LOCATED AT 1397 E. HARVARD BLVD.
Nichole Garner, AICP - Senior Planner (Sanbell) provided a presentation on VCOG REAP 2.0 Conceptual Infill Redevelopment Action Plan (IRAP) for the East Harvard Infill Site Located at 1397 E. Harvard Blvd.
Motion: Approve Concept 1: Senior and Multi-Family Housing with Commercial and Through Street: Approximately 138 units with 8,250 S.F. of commercial/retail, resulting in a density of 22 dwelling units/acre (du/ac.), with reduction in units to offset the parking needed.
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Pedro A Chavez
Vote: Motion carried 4-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez
11.B)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) POLICY
Administrative Fellow Nicholle Azpera provided a presentation on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy.
Following discussion, the City Council provided feedback, edits, and recommendations to further refine the policy as the City continues evaluating the potential implementation of AI tools across various municipal functions and bring back for final approval. 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Juarez adjourned the meeting at 9:10 pm in memory Judy Phelps, longtime resident of Santa Paula passed away on May 20th as a result of her battle with cancer.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk