Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026
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 2 – DOUG HALTER, DEPUTY MAYOR
DISTRICT 3 – RYYN SCHUMACHER
DISTRICT 5 – BILL MCREYNOLDS
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.
The City of Ventura acknowledges that we are gathered on unceded Chumash land. To read the City Council–adopted Chumash Land Acknowledgment in full, please visit: Chumash Land Acknowledgment | Ventura, CA.
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) 658-4787. 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. 1 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov
CALL TO ORDER – CLOSED SESSION: 4:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers McReynolds, Mangone, Schumacher, Campos, Deputy Mayor Halter, and Mayor Dr. S ánchez-
Palacios
Absent: Councilmember Duran
Mayor Dr. Sánchez-Palacios presiding; Councilmember Duran present at 4:04 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: None
CLOSED SESSION: Teleconference/Video Conference Meeting. The Public may not participate in the Closed Session, other than for Public Comments.
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
City Negotiators: Bill Ayub, City Manager and Valerie Barroso, Human Resources Director
Employee Organizations:
a. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 CTW,CLC, representing “G” (General), “S” (Supervisory), and “Q” (Professional) Units b. Ventura Maintenance Employees Association (VMEA)
c. Ventura Fire Management Association (VFMA)
d. Ventura City Firefighters’ Association (VCFA)
e. Ventura Police Management Association (VPMA)
f. Ventura Police Officers’ Association (VPOA)
Unrepresented Employees:
a. All Unrepresented Employees
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6
ADJOURNMENT: 4:54 p.m.
___________________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR SESSION: 5:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Duran, McReynolds, Mangone, Schumacher, Campos, Deputy Mayor Halter, and Mayor Dr. S ánchez-
Palacios
Absent: None
Mayor Dr. Sánchez-Palacios presiding
2 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Schumacher
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
• Museum of Ventura County Presentation
CLOSED SESSION REPORT: City Attorney Javan N. Rad reported that City Council met in closed session on the item and announced that there was no reportable action.
CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
CITY MANAGER COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS:
Public Speakers: KC Rodriguez, Jeff Lambert, Whitney Reed, Nervonica, Trevor Gotsman
CONSENT ITEMS:
Supplemental Packet: Communications posted online.
Action: No speakers. M/S/C (Duran/Mangone) to approve the consent items, as presented.
Vote: All Ayes
1. City Council Minutes – Regular Meetings held on January 13, 2026, and January 27, 2026
Staff: Michael MacDonald, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
Approve City Council Minutes for Regular Meetings held on January 13, 2026, and January 27, 2026
Action: Approved recommendation.
3 CONSENT ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov
2. Ordinance for Second Reading - Ordinance to Amend San Buenaventura Municipal Code Section 2.470.030 to Clarify Grant Program Authority Under the Arts & Culture Commission
Staff: Michael MacDonald, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
Waive the second reading in full and adopt an Ordinance amending San Buenaventura Municipal Code Section 2.470.030 to clarify the advisory role of the Arts & Culture Commission and align cultural funding grant program administration with the City’s standar d grant governance practices.
Ordinance titled:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
BUENAVENTURA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2.470.030 OF CHAPTER 2.470, “ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION,” OF THE SAN BUENAVENTURA MUNICIPAL CODE”
Vote: Approved recommendation. Ordinance No. 2026-05
3. Ordinance for Second Reading - Proposed Anti -Harassment Ordinance adding Chapter 8.1200 to the San Buenaventura Municipal Code
Staff: Michael MacDonald, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
Waive the second reading in full and adopt the Anti-Harassment Ordinance adding a new chapter to the San Buenaventura Municipal Code Chapter
8.1200. Ordinance Titled:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
BUENAVENTURA, CALIFORNIA ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 8.1200,
“ANTI-HARASSMENT PROGRAM,” TO THE SAN BUENAVENTURA
MUNICIPAL CODE”
Action: Approved recommendation. Ordinance No. 2026-04
4 CONSENT ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov
4. Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement PW26 -1193 with COM3 Consulting Inc. for Project Management Services Supporting Interim Fire Station No. 7
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement PW26 -1193 with COM3 Consulting Inc. in the amount of $26,000 for a new contract total of $85,750 and a contract completion date of January 31, 2027.
Action: Approved recommendation. Agreement No. PW26-1193.2
5. Fourth Amendment to Professional Services Agreement PW24 -1124 with RRM Design Group for Design Services Supporting Interim Fire Station No. 7
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
a. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Fourth Amendment to Professional Services Agreement PW24-1124 with RRM Design Group in the amount of $41,980 for a new contract total of $108,510 and a contract completion date of July 31, 2026.
b. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute future amendments to subject agreement up to a total maximum contingency of $3,670 for a total not -to-exceed contract amount of $112,180 and a total time extension of 180 calendar days.
Action: Approved recommendation. Agreement No. PW24-1124.4
5 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS:
6. Annual Position Vacancy Update and Recruitment and Retention Efforts
Staff: Valerie Barroso, Human Resources Director
RECOMMENDATION
Conduct a public hea ring and receive and file the City’s Annual Position Vacancy Update and Recruitment and Retention Efforts Report to comply with AB 2561.
Action: No Speakers. M/S/C (Halter/Schumacher) to approve the staff recommendation.
Vote: All Ayes
FORMAL ITEMS:
7. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Audit Results and Related Financial Reports
Staff: Greg Morley, Chief Financial Officer
RECOMMENDATION
a. Receive the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) with the Independent Auditors’ Report for the City of San Buenaventura for fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
b. Receive the Measure O Financial Statements report with the Independent Auditors’ Report and Report on Internal Controls for the City of San Buenaventura for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
Action: No Speakers. M/S/C (Halter/Campos) to approve the staff recommendation.
Vote: All Ayes
6 FORMAL ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov
8. Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Workshop #1
Staff: Greg Morley, Chief Financial Officer
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the staff report and provide direction, as needed, about the Fiscal Year 2027 draft base budget, with the proposed budget to be submitted to the City Council in April 2026.
Public Speakers: Beverly Ward, Spencer Noren
Action: Presentation made; discussion held.
9. Study Session for the Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 -2031 Capital Improvement Program
Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Conduct a study session regarding the proposed Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2027-2031 and provide staff with feedback on the proposed Program.
Public Speakers: Alyssa Gutierrez, Edith Espejo, Kenan Rubenstein, Cate Hall, Spencer Noren
Action: Presentation made; discussion held.
7 FORMAL ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov
10. At-Large Elected Mayor Discussion
Staff: Michael MacDonald, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION
This item is presented for information only, but the Council could provide staff direction for future agenda items, if desired.
Public Speakers: Wendy Chatto, Michelle Kennedy, Spencer Noren
Action: M/S/C (Schumacher/McReynolds) to direct staff to return to the Council with information regarding a
potential Charter amendment to reduce the Mayor’s
term to one year, and to agendize for discussion the
2024 proposed Charter amendments in order to obtain
Council direction on which provisions, if any, should be placed on the 2026 ballot.
Vote: Ayes: McReynolds, Mangone, Schumacher, Deputy Mayor Halter, and Mayor Dr. S ánchez-Palacios; Noes: Duran and Campos; Abstain: None; Absent: None
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS: None
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS:
Public Speakers: Hayles King
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct record of the City Council meeting held on February 17, 2026.
___________________________
Michael B. MacDonald, MMC
City Clerk
8 Michael MacDonald (Apr 1, 2026 16:55:17 PDT)