CITY OF SANTA PAULA
City Council Regular Meeting
July 15, 2026,
6:30
PM
MINUTES
1)
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Juarez called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
2)
INVOCATION
Chaplain Kay Wilson-Bolton provided the Invocation.
3)
FLAG SALUTE
Vice Mayor Crosswhite led the flag salute.
4)
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, and Gabriela Ornelas 5)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Monica Castillo reported no reportable action was taken at closed session on June 23, 2026, as follows: 5.A) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b)(1), Title: City Manager, 2026 Review City Attorney Monica Castillo reported no reportable action was taken at closed session on June 30, 2026, as follows: 4.A) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54957(b)(1), Title: City Manager, 2026 Review City Attorney Monica Castillo reported Council met in Closed Session and there was no reportable action taken on the following:
4.A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Initiation of litigation pursuant to § 54956.9(d)(4), Number of Cases (1) 4.B 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 4.C CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), P.Z. v. City of Santa Paula, et al., Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 56-2023-00574258-CU-OE-VTA 4.D CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), Tomas Madrigal v. City of Santa Paula, U.S. District Court Case No. 2:25-cv-7163-PVC 4.E CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), Jessie J. Verdun Jr. v. City of Santa Paula, Ventura Superior Court Case No. 2025CLCR046653 4.F CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), Jesse Verdun and Veronica Vester v. City of Santa Paula, et al., U.S. District Court Case No. 2:24-cv-06021-CAS-RAO 4.G CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), River’s Edge Manufactured Housing Community, LLC dba The 400 Mobile Estates v. City of Santa Paula, et al., Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2025CUWM052550 4.H CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), River’s Edge Manufactured Housing Community, LLC dba The 400 Mobile Estates v. City of Santa Paula, et al., Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2026CUWM066049 4.I CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), River’s Edge Manufactured Housing Community, LLC v. City of Santa Paula et al., U.S. District Court Case No. 2:26-cv-05734-JAK (ASx) 4.J CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), River’s Edge Manufactured Housing Community, LLC v. City of Santa Paula et al., Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2026CUWM067522 4.K CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1), Jerry Byrum v. City of Santa Paula, Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, Case No. 24029179. 4.L CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1), Gilbert Segovia v. City of Santa Paula, Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, Case No. 25033320. 4.M CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1), John Van Schiver v. City of Santa Paula, Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, Case No. 25033319. 6)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Bob Orlando was called to speak of the accomplishments of the City Manager. Expressed concern of not extending his contract an additional 3 years David Romney was called to speak expressing concern of not extending the City Managers contract and spoke of his acheivements. The people show their respect of Mr. Singer.
Chris Bartelson was called to speak and expressed his disappointment of the City Council not renewing the City Manager Dan Singer's contract and hoped they consider renewing his contract. 7)
PRESENTATIONS
7.A)
VENTURA COUNTY FAIR POSTER PRESENTATION
Rocky Manzano and Cole Whitehead, Junior Fair Board presented the 2026 Ventura County Fair Poster.
7.B)
PARKS & RECREATION MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Juarez presented the Parks & Recreation Month Proclamation.
7.C)
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT
Parks & Recreation Director Gregory Barnes presented the Parks & Recreation Department Activity Report.
7.D)
UNITED WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT PRESENTATION
Tara Mulally, Public Outreach & External Affairs Manager, presented a presentation on the United Water Conservation District Water Supply, Conservation & Water Quality Bond Measure on the November 3, 2026 Ballot.
7.E)
UPDATE ON CITY GRANTS
City Manager Dan Singer provided an update on City Grants. 8)
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Ornelas:
No report.
Councilmember Chavez:
Provided a written report on activities May - June 2026.
Councilmember Cornejo:
Attended Ventura Council of Governments; and Property Business Improvement District.
Vice Mayor Crosswhite:
Attended Ventura County Transportation Commission; Two Clean Power Alliance meetings; Channel Counties Dinner; Flying Spoon Ribbon Cutting; Business Roundtable; and Southern California Association of Governments.
Mayor Juarez:
Attended closed session; honored to give the history of the Police Department to our new recruit Sierra Garaby; announced no Cruise Night in the month of July and next Cruise Night will be August 7th; and spoke of a monument being designed and funded that is called Flood Path. The dedication date is set for Sunday, March 12th, 2028. 9)
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Dan Singer:
Pavement Management Project is moving forward; Park & Orchard work will start in August; the bridge is on its way with concreate pouring this Friday; announced for the public sake the City Council will not be meeting again until August 19th; and acknowledged the work Greg Barnes and his department for everything they did for the July 4th celebration. 10)
CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A)
JUNE 2026 WARRANTS AND CERTIFICATIONS
10.B)
DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE FOR THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO - SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2026
10.C)
ACCEPTANCE OF QUITCLAIM DEED CONVEYING FIRE STATION 29 SIDEWALK TO CITY
10.D)
ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT DEEDS FOR OFFSITE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS AT 12TH STREET/SANTA PAULA STREET AND HALLOCK DRIVE/SR-126 (HARVEST AT LIMONEIRA)
10.E)
SECOND AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BKF ENGINEERS INC
10.F)
SANTA PAULA WATER RECYCLING FACILITY MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR CONTROLS UPGRADE
10.G)
RESOLUTION NO. 7625, AMENDING THE JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR POLICE OFFICER AND POLICE SERGEANT POSITIONS
10.H)
WATER RECYCLING FACILITY PHASE 1 BLOWER REPLACEMENT PROJECT NOTICE OF COMPLETION Motion: Approve CONSENT CALENDAR.
Moved by Pedro A Chavez, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Gabriela Ornelas 11)
ACTION ITEMS
11.A)
FY 25/27 MID CYCLE BUDGET
Finance Director Christy Ramirez presented the FY 25/27 Mid Cycle Budget.
Motion: Approve Resolution 7626 Amending the FY 2026/27 Budget and Adopting the FY 2026/27 GANN Limit. Adopt the Amended Position Control List as proposed.
Presented by: Christy Ramirez, Finance Director
Moved by Leslie Cornejo, seconded by Jenny Crosswhite
Vote: Motion carried 5-0
Yes: Carlos Juarez, Jenny Crosswhite, Leslie Cornejo, Pedro A Chavez, Gabriela Ornelas 12)
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
12.A)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Juarez adjourned the meeting at 8:39 P.M.
ATTEST:
Julie Latshaw, City Clerk