Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
CLOSED SESSION – 3:00 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 3 – RYYN SCHUMACHER
DISTRICT 2 – DOUG HALTER, DEPUTY MAYOR
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 BE CONDUCTED IN A HYBRID MODEL WITH BOTH IN -PERSON ATTENDANCE AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION.
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.
To access the meeting remotely use this URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84095569075. To request to speak, use the “raise hand” function in Zoom. To join by phone: Dial 1-669-900-6833 or 1 -833-568-8864 (Toll Free) and enter Meeting ID: 840 9556 9075. To provide public comment, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the City Clerk.
Please be mindful that the meeting will be recorded, and all rules of procedure and decorum apply for in -person attendees and those participating virtually.
To submit written comments (up to 1,000 characters) for the City Council’s consideration and inclusion in the public records, email [email protected] by 3:00 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 meeting.
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CALL TO ORDER – CLOSED SESSION – 3:00 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: Santa Barbara Channelkeeper v. State Water Resources Control Board and City of San Buenaventura
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No.: 19STCP01176 (previously San Francisco Superior Court Case No.: CPF-14-513875)
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of Case: Wishtoyo Foundation/Ventura Coastkeeper and Heal the Bay Inc. v. City of San Buenaventura
U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Case No.: CV 10-02072-GHK (PJWx) Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation: One Case (August 25, 2025 correspondence from Sigrid R. Waggener in August 26, 2025 City Council supplemental packet) Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of Case: Open Main Street v. City of San Buenaventura (VCSC Case No. 2024CUWM021824)
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of Case: XUS, LLP, et al. v. City of San Buenaventura (VCSC Case No. 2024CUE1035012)
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
6. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Name of Case: Kahn, Brittney v. City of San Buenaventura Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2025CUPO036935
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
ADJOURNMENT: Adjourn to Regular Meeting.
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CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR SESSION – 5:00 p.m. The 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
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
• Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation
• National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation
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.
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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. Fourth Amendment to Legal Services Agreement P2024 -021 with the Law Firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore in the Matter of the Appeal of Accepting the Application for Industrial Disability Retirement of:
Joshua A. Young, Respondent, and City of San Buenaventura, Respondent, OAH No. 2024080992
Staff: Javan N. Rad, City Attorney
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Attorney to enter into a Fourth Amendment to Agreement P2024-021 with the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore in an amount of $95,000 for a not-to-exceed a total of $ 155,000 to continue representing the City with respect to the above-referenced matter.
2. Resolution Updating City Council Protocols Pertaining to Public Presentations, Policy Consideration Review, and Annual Review of the City Council Protocols
Staff: Michael MacDonald, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution amending the City Council Protocols to codify the August 19, 2025 Council -approved changes regarding policy consideration review, annual Rules Committee review, and the process for public presentation submissions.
3. Construction Contract with Sam Hill & Sons, Inc. for Install Downtown Portland Loo Restroom Project (PM23-1224)
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
a. Find that the subject project was appropriately noticed and bid in accordance with Section 1006(a) of the City Charter, no bids were received, and Authorize contracting for project work in accordance with Section 20166 of the Public Contract Code.
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Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
b. Waive all Minor Bid Irregularities, Approve and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute subject Agreement with Sam Hill and Sons, Inc. in the amount of $204,630 with a contract completion date of December 31, 2025.
c. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute future amendments to subject Agreement up to a total maximum contingency of $32,000 for a total not -to-exceed Agreement amount of $237,738 and a total time extension of 180 calendar days.
d. Authorize the Finance Department to increase Measure O budget appropriation by $115,131, adding it to the existing appropriation of $158,007 for a total budget appropriation of $273,138, supporting the contract and contingency above, as well as the Water and Sewer Utility Service Fees ($31,300) and Public Art Program transfer ($4,100).
4. Second Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, Casitas Municipal Water District, City of San Buenaventura, and United Water Conservation District regarding the Use of the Castaic Lake Flexible Storage Program
Staff: Gina Dorrington, Ventura Water General Manager
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Second Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, Casitas Municipal Water District, City of San Buenaventura, and United Water Conservation District regarding the use of the Castaic Lake Flexible Storage Program, increasing the storage charge to $30.35 from $13.00 per acre -foot and extending the term through December 1, 2030.
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PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: Staff shall introduce the public hearing item and present their report to Council.
Councilmembers may ask questions of staff if they desire. Any member of the public may speak or present evidence, after submitting a speaker card and being recognized by the Mayor. All rules of decorum apply during Public Hearings.
Each member of the Council shall verbally disclose all ex parte communications concerning the subject of the hearing.
5. Resolution to Amend Fee Schedule for Lot Line Adjustments to Meet Housing Element Program 18 - Objective 18.4 “Infill-First Strategy”
Staff: Rachel Dimond, Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION
a. Hold a Public Hearing.
b. Adopt Resolution authorizing the Community Development Director to waive the lot line adjustment fees for projects that are at least fifty percent (50%) affordable, regardless of their acreage, that are merging lots.
c. Reduce the lot line adjustment fees by fifty percent (50%) for multi - family and mixed -use projects that are 0.5 acres or less, that are merging lots.
6. Ordinance Amending San Buenaventura Municipal Code Chapter 18 , Creating Section 18.400 for Parklet Encroachments in the Public Rights of Way and and Resolution Adopting New Regulatory Fees for Parklets
Staff: Rachel Dimond, Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION
a. Conduct a Public Hearing.
b. Find the Parklet Permit Ordinance and Fee Resolution to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as provided by the Commonsense Exemption pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14 Section 15061(b)(3).
c. Introduce and approve the first reading of the Ordinance, titled:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
BUENAVENTURA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL
CODE, CHAPTER 18, CREATING, SECTION 18.400 PARKLET
ENCROACHMENTS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY”
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Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
d. Set the second reading and adoption of this Ordinance at the next City Council meeting at which adequate notice can be provided.
e. Adopt the proposed User Fee Resolution.
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.
7. Resolution Adopting Revised Benefits and Additional Compensation for Unrepresented Employees
Staff: Valerie Barroso
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a revised Resolution providing for benefits and additional compensation for unrepresented employees in salary schedules “E”, “M”, “C” and “D”.
8. Resolution to Terminate Vehicle Code Closure and Alternatives, and Third Amendment to Agreement CD2025 -02 with RRM Design Group to Complete the Vision Plan amd Create a Capital
Improvement/Implementation Plan for the Main Street Moves Closure Area
Staff: Rachel Dimond, Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION
1. Direct staff to pursue one of the following options for the MSM Program:
a. Reopen the street by adopting the Resolution to terminate the Vehicle Code closure by November 3, 2025.
b. Maintain the street closure by:
a. Providing feedback on the Draft Vision Plan to help guide future improvements and completion of the plan; and/or
b. Authorizing the Third Amendment with RRM Design Group contract with an additional $118,200 to complete the Vision Plan and create a Capital Improvement/Implementation
Plan.
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Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov
c. Direct staff to plan for a seasonal summer closure and/or a weekend closure; or
d. Study and return with a plan for a MSM Boundary Reduction.
2. Direct staff on whether to study and bring back an agenda item establishing an entertainment zone within the MSM area.
3. Find under California Public Resources Code Section 21166 and the State’s California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15162, on the basis of substantial evidence contained in the whole record, that since certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR No. 01-25-0007; State Clearinghouse No. 22024060943) on January 28, 2025, there have been no changes to the project, changes with respect to the circumstances under which the project is being undertaken, or new information of substantial impo rtance concerning the project, which cause new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects, and therefore no additional environmental review is required for the project.
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.
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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, September 10, 2025, at 5:40 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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