Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025
CLOSED SESSION – 4:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING - 5:00 P.M.
WRIGHT EVENT CENTER – 57 DAY ROAD, VENTURA, CA 93003
DR. JEANNETTE SÁNCHEZ-PALACIOS, MAYOR
Councilmembers:
DISTRICT 1 – LIZ CAMPOS DISTRICT 5 – BILL MCREYNOLDS
DISTRICT 2 – DOUG HALTER, DEPUTY MAYOR
DISTRICT 3 – RYYN SCHUMACHER
DISTRICT 6 – JIM DURAN
DISTRICT 7 – ALEX MANGONE
Bill Ayub
City Manager
Javan N. Rad
City Attorney
Michael B. MacDonald
City Clerk
PUBLIC ADVISORY: THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE CONDUCTED IN A HYBRID MODEL WITH IN -
PERSON ATTENDANCE ONLY
Live broadcasts of City Council meetings are available on Cable TV (Channel 15) and via internet accessible video stream at https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/718/Videos or on YouTube at https://www.YouTube.com/cityofventura/live.
Please be mindful that the meeting will be recorded, and all rules of procedure and decorum apply for in - person attendees. A recording of the meeting will be available on the City’s website at:
https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/718/Videos.
To submit written comments (up to 1,000 characters) for the City Council’s consideration and inclusion in the public record, email [email protected] by 2:00 p.m. on the meeting date, or by using the public comment form at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/publicinput. Please include the Agenda Item Number in the subject.
This meeting will be conducted in accordance with the Brown Act, Government Code Section 54953. Any member of the public may attend this meeting. Questions regarding this matter may be addressed to Michael B. MacDonald, City Clerk, (805) 654 -4787. The City Council may take action related to any subject listed on the Agenda. Meetings will adjourn at 10:00 p.m. Any items outstanding at that time will be deferred until the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. 1 Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
CALL TO ORDER – CLOSED SESSION – 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: Public comments on Closed Session Items only.
CLOSED SESSION: Teleconference/Video Conference Meeting. The Public may not participate in the Closed Session, other than for Public Comments.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of Case: Guzman v. State of California, et al.
Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2021-00560435-CUPA Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of Case: Vaughn, April v. City of San Buenaventura Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2023CUPP013402
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
National Opioid Litigation – Purdue Pharma / Sackler Family Settlement United States District Court Case No. 1:17-MD-2804
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
4. THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES
Consultation with: Ventura Police Department, Chief of Police, David Dickey Authority: Government Code Section 54957(a)
5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of Case: OPV Coalition, et al., v. Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency, et al.
Santa Barbara Superior Court Case No. VENCI00555357
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
ADJOURNMENT: Adjourn to Regular Meeting.
___________________________________________________________________ CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR SESSION – 5:00 p.m The regular meetings of the San Buenaventura (Ventura) City Council also serve as regular meetings of the Successor Agency, Public Facilities Financing Authority, and the San Buenaventura Parking Authority when items are listed on the agenda.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2 Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Gold Coast Transit District Annual Update
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS: Per Government Code Section 54954.2(a)(2), the Council Communications section of the agenda provides City Council the opportunity to ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement, or make a brief report on their own activities.
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: In compliance with Government Code Section 54954.3, Public Communications is that portion of Council meetings set aside for members of the public to address City Council on items of any City business other than scheduled agenda items. Comments are limited to items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City and are limited to no more than three (3) minutes. Per the City Council Protocols, this initial period for general public communications will be limited to twenty (20) speakers. If there are ten (10) or fewer speakers, each speaker will have three (3) minutes to speak; if there are more than ten (10) speakers, each speaker will have two (2) minutes to speak. Speakers may not cede their time to another speaker. City Council cannot act on any items not on the agenda.
CONSENT ITEMS: Matters appearing on the Consent Items are expected to be non -controversial and will be acted upon by City Council at one time without discussion unless a Councilmember, City Staff, or a member of the public requests an opportunity to address an item. Items removed from the Consent Calendar will be discussed at the beginning of the Formal Items. Approval by the City Council of Consent Items means the recommendation of Staff is approved along with the terms and conditions described in the Administrative Rep ort.
1. First Amendment to Legal Services Agreement PO-0007205 with the Law Firm of Rutan & Tucker in the Case of XUS, LP v. City of San Buenaventura
Staff: Javan N. Rad, City Attorney
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Attorney , or designee, to enter into a First Amendment to Agreement PO -0007205 with the law firm of Rutan & Tucker in an amount not-to-exceed a total of $2,000,000 to continue representation of the City in the XUS, LP v. City of San Buenaventura litigation matter. 3 CONSENT ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
2. City Council Minutes – Regular Meetings held on July 1, 2025, and July 8, 2025, and Special Meeting held on July 9, 2025
Staff: Michael MacDonald, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
Approve City Council Minutes for Regular Meetings held on July 1, 2025, and July 8, 2025, and Special Meeting held on July 9, 2025.
3. Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate – 2025 Cal Cities General Assembly
Staff: Michael MacDonald, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
a. Appoint Mayor, Dr. S ánchez-Palacios as the City’s voting delegate for the 2025 Cal Cities General Assembly.
b. Appoint Councilmember Campos as the alternate for the City’s voting delegate for the 2025 Cal Cities General Assembly.
4. Appointment Recommendation Committee appointments to the Design Review Committee, Historic Preservation Committee, Parks & Recreation Commission, Arts & Culture Commission, Measure O Citizens Oversight Committee, and the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District
Staff: Michael MacDonald, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
a. Appoint Jeremy Ireland to the Design Review Committee for a term beginning August 27, 2025 to June 30, 2029.
b. Appoint Shannon Welch to the Historic Preservation Committee for a term beginning August 27, 2025 to June 30, 2029.
c. Reappoint Anthony Miller to the Parks & Recreation Commission for a term beginning August 27, 2025 to June 30, 2029.
d. Reappoint Karen Kitche l and appoint Diann Karnitsky to the Arts & Culture Commission for a term beginning August 27, 2025 to June 30, 2029.
4 CONSENT ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
e. Appoint David Swan and Jeff Kowalishen to the Measure O Citizens Oversight Committee for a term beginning August 27, 2025 to June 30, 2029.
f. Reappoint Paul Meehan to the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District for a term beginning August 27, 2025 to June 30, 2029.
5. Resolution for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program Under the California Office of Emergency Services for the City of Ventura’s Fire Hazard Reduction and Slope Stabilization Project
Staff: David Endaya, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to approve a Letter of Commitment of 25% local matching funds to apply for a federal grant amount of up to $1,500,000 and City match of $375,000 for the Fire Hazard Reduction and Slope Stabilization Project.
6. Reciprocal Easement Agreement with Ventura Land Trust for Continued Access to the Private Segment of Hall Canyon Road Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Approve and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Reciprocal Easement Agreement with Ventura Land Trust.
7. Reimbursement Agreement with Shea Homes, LP for the
Construction of a Segment of Soundwall on Blackburn Road Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
a. Approve and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Reimbursement Agreement with Shea Homes, LP for construction of a segment of soundwall on Blackburn Road.
b. Authorize a General Fund budget appropriation adjustment to include an increase, if necessary, in the amount of $150,000.
5 CONSENT ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
8. Response Letter to 2024 –2025 Grand Jury Report titled “Prioritizing Best Practice Street Maintenance”
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Mayor, or designee, to sign the City Council’s Response Letter and Grand Jury Response Form and authorize staff to submit both by the required deadline of September 2, 2025.
9. Fourth Amendment to General Services Agreement P2022 -003 with Central Coast Engineering, Inc., for Street and Sidewalk On -Call Construction Services
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Approve and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Fourth Amendment to General Services Agreement P2022 -003 with Central Coast Engineering, Inc. for street and sidewalk on -call construction services in the amount of $225,000, for a new not -to-exceed contract amount $917,481, cumulatively, for the remainder of the contract.
10. Sixth Amendment to General Services Agreement P2022 -018 with Blackpointe Group Construction and Waste Management, Inc. for Catch Basin Storm Drain Maintenance
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Approve and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Sixth Amendment to General Services Agreement P2022 -018 with Blackpointe Group Construction and Waste Management, Inc. for Catch Basin Storm Drain Maintenance in the amount of $93,594, for a total not - to-exceed contract amount of $574,722, cumulatively, for the remainder of the contract through June 30, 2026.
6 CONSENT ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
11. Third Amendment to Reimbursement Agreement 2022 -053 Between the Ventura Unified School District and City of Ventura Regarding Crossing Guards for Fiscal Year 2026
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Approve and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Third Amendment to Agreement 2022 -053 for the City of Ventura to reimburse th e Ventura Unified School District for crossing guards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 in the amount of $117,971.
12. Assignment of Ellwood Pipeline, Inc. Oil Pipeline Franchise to
ARTPS, LLC
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
a. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement approving the consent to assignment of Ellwood Pipeline, Inc. franchise to ARTPS, LLC.
b. Adopt a Resolution consenting to the assignment of a pipeline franchise from Ellwood Pipeline, Inc. to ARTPS, LLC and determine this project is categorically exempt under California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to 14 CCR §15301 (existing facilities).
13. General Services Agreement with Peter Lapidus Construction, Inc. to Provide On-Call Debris Removal for the Ventura River Fish Passage Notch
Staff: Gina Dorrington, Ventura Water General Manager
RECOMMENDATION
Approve and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a General Services Agreement with Peter Lapidus Construction, Inc. to provide on-call debris removal for the Ventura River Fish Passage Debris Removal Project; Agreement term August 26, 2025 to June 30, 2030, for a contract total not-to-exceed amount of $700,000.
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FORMAL ITEMS: The public may comment on each item listed on the agenda for Formal Items as the item is taken up. Formal Items may be reordered at the discretion of the Chair. The public may speak up to three (3) minutes on each agenda item. If there are 21 or more speakers, the time will be reduced to two (2) minutes.
14. Explore Funding Options and Methodology for Funding Future Identified Budgetary Needs
Staff: Greg Morley, Chief Financial Officer
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation which explores the funding options and methodology for future identified budgetary needs.
15. Resolution Amending the Compensation and Terms of the City Manager’s Employment Agreement
Staff: Valerie Barroso, Human Resources Director
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution Amending the compensation and terms of the City Manager’s Employment Agreement 2023-075, providing for a three percent merit increase in accordance with Section 5 (A)(1)(d) of the Agreement.
16. Acceptance of the Priority Legislative Budget Grant Projects Funds from the Ventura County Transportation Commission for Santa Paula Branch Line – Rails with Trails Project (ST23-1230)
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
a. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept the $4,000,000 in Priority Legislative Budget Projects grant funds from the Ventura County Transportation Commission for the purpose of funding the Santa Paula Branch Line - Rails with Trails project.
b. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to act as an agent for the City to conduct all negotiations and execute and submit all documents, including, without limitation, applications, agreements, amendment, and billing statements necessary to accept the grant and complete the project.
8 FORMAL ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
c. Upon receipt of the grant awards, authorize the Finance Department to adjust appropriations and revenues in the appropriate fiscal year(s), fund(s), project and accounts as necessary.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: In compliance with Government Code Section 54954.3, Public Communications is that portion of Council meetings set aside for members of the public to address City Council on items of any City business other than scheduled agenda items. Comments are limited to items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City and are limited to no more than three (3) minutes. Per the City Council Protocols, speakers may not cede their time to another speaker. If a person speaks during the first general public communications period, they do not have an opportunity to speak again during this second period, even if their time was shortened to two (2) minutes during the first period. City Council cannot act on any items not on the agenda.
ADJOURNMENT: Communications to the City Council are public record and will become part of the City’s electronic records, which are accessible through the City’s website. Please note: e -mail addresses, names, addresses, and other contact information are not required, but if included in any communication to the City Council, will become part of the public record. If you do not want your e -mail address or any other contact information to be made public, you may deliver communications via U.S. Postal Service to the City Clerk’s Office at 501 Poli Street, Room 204, Ventura, CA 93001. If you do not want your contact information included in the public record, please do not include that information in your communication. Please contact the City Clerk Department for further information.
In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (805) 658 -4787 or the California Relay Service at 711. Notification 72 hours prior will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements for accessibility to this meeting. AP&P 6.04, accessible at the link below, explains procedures for receiving and resolving requests for accommodation to participate in or conduct this meeting. https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/43474/APP-604-21225 Live Spanish interpretation will be available. No advanced request for interpretation services required.
La traducción al español estará disponible en vivo. No es necesario solicitar la traducción al español anticipadamente Administrative Reports relating to this agenda are available on the City’s website – https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/AgendaCenter.
Resource Items for the Public:
• City Council Protocols (which includes Rules of Decorum for the Public) • City Council Goals 2025-2026
• Budget Principles 2021-2022
• City Charter/Municipal Code
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This agenda was posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 5:15 p.m. in the City Clerk’s Office, on the City Hall Public Notices Board and on the internet.
Michael B. MacDonald, CMC
City Clerk
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