TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026CLOSED SESSION – 4:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING - 5:00 P.M.CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – CITY HALL - 501 POLI STREET, VENTURA, CA 93001DR. JEANNETTE SÁNCHEZ-PALACIOS, MAYORCouncilmembers:DISTRICT 1 – LIZ CAMPOSDISTRICT 2 – DOUG HALTER, DEPUTY MAYOR DISTRICT 3 – RYYN SCHUMACHERDISTRICT 5 – BILL MCREYNOLDS DISTRICT 6 – JIM DURAN DISTRICT 7 – ALEX MANGONEBill Ayub City ManagerJavan N. Rad City AttorneyMichael B. MacDonald City ClerkPUBLIC ADVISORY: THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN A HYBRID MODEL WITH BOTH IN-PERSONATTENDANCE 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 athttps://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/718/Videosor 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] 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 memberof 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.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov1 CALL TO ORDER – CLOSED SESSION – 4:24 p.m. ROLL CALLPresent: Councilmembers Duran, McReynolds, Mangone, Schumacher, Campos, Deputy Mayor Halter, and Mayor Dr. Sánchez PalaciosAbsent: NoneMayor Dr. Sanchez-Palacios presiding; Councilmember Schumacher participating remotely under California Government Code Section 54953.8.3(c)(4) while traveling to attend a local government conference. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: NoneCLOSED SESSION: Teleconference/Video Conference Meeting. The Public may notparticipate in the Closed Session, other than for Public Comments. 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATIONName of Case: Blackwell, et al. v. County of Ventura et al.Ventura County Superior Court Case No. 2024CUEI031690Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIORSProperty: A 25-foot wide portion of property within a parcel located in the County ofVentura, California (APN 140-0-040-105)Agency Negotiators: Bill Ayub, Carlene Saxton, Gina DorringtonNegotiating Parties: James R. Mellor, Jr., Esq. for HYS & Family LLCUnder Negotiation: Price and terms of paymentAuthority: Government Code Section 54956.83. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIORSProperty: A 25-foot wide portion of property within a parcel located in the County ofVentura, California (APN 147-0-040-520)Agency Negotiators: Bill Ayub, Carlene Saxton, Gina DorringtonNegotiating Parties: Robert G. Kuhs, Esq. for Santa Clara Avenue Oxnard, LPUnder Negotiation: Price and terms of paymentAuthority: Government Code Section 54956.84. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATIONConsideration of Initiation of Litigation: Two CasesAuthority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)5. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONTitle: City ManagerAuthority: Government Code Section 54957Tuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov2
6. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORSCity Negotiators: Dr. Jeannette Sánchez-Palacios, Mayor, Doug Halter, Deputy Mayor Unrepresented Employee: City Manager Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6 ADJOURNMENT:5:01 p.m.CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR SESSION: 5:06 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Duran, McReynolds, Mangone, Schumacher, Campos, Deputy Mayor Halter, and Mayor Dr. Sánchez-Palacios Absent:None Mayor Dr. Sanchez-Palacios presiding; Councilmember Schumacher participating remotely under California Government Code Section 54953.8.3(c)(4) while traveling to attend a local government conference. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilmember Mangone SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ventura Port District Annual UpdateCLOSED 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: Public Speakers: Sharyn Cooper, John Sanders Jones, Phillip Fields, Wendy Chatto, Cynthia Cesnauskas, Ashley McPherson, Kristen Kessler, Crawford Coates, Marlyss Auster, Sally Bud, Terry Foley, Steven Montgomery, Robyn Holmberg Tuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov3
CONSENT ITEMS: Supplement Packet: Communications posted online. Public Speakers: Glenn Overley, Phillip Fields, Robyn HolmberAction: M/S/C (Halter/Duran) to approve the ConsentItems as presented. Vote: All Ayes1. First Amendment to Legal Services Agreement 2026-38 with Law Firm of Wood & Finck, in the case of Onofre Padilla v. City of San Buenaventura, et al., VCSC case no. 2025CUPP054997Staff: Javan N. Rad, City Attorney RECOMMENDATION Authorize the City Attorney to enter into an amendment to Legal Services Agreement 2026-38 with the law firm of Wood & Finck, to increase the not to exceed amount to $547,500 (an increase of $487,500), to continue representation of the City in the Padilla v. City of San Buenaventura lawsuit. Vote:Approve recommendation. Agreement 2026-38.1 2. Appointments Recommendation Committee Appointments to theParks & Recreation Commission and Arts & Culture CommissionStaff: Michael MacDonald, City Clerk RECOMMENDATIONa. Appoint Patty Overley and reappoint Tanner Shelton to the Parks & Recreation Commission for a term of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030. b. Appoint Laura Mullen, Friday Treur, and reappoint Rafael Perea de la Cabada to the Arts & Culture Commission for a term of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030. Vote: Approve recommendation. Tuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov4
CONSENT ITEMS (Continued)3.General Services Agreement with Woods Maintenance Services Inc.for Encampment Cleanup Services Staff: Rachel Dimond, Community Development Director RECOMMENDATION Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a General Services Agreement with Woods Maintenance Services, Inc. to conduct Encampment Cleanup Services on City-Owned Property for a not- to-exceed amount of $900,000 from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029 with the option to extend for two additional one-year periods from July 1, 2029, to June 30, 2030 and from July 1, 2030 to June 30, 2031. Vote: Approve recommendation. Agreement 2026-103 4. Authorization to Advertise Bids for the Santa Paula Branch Line –Rails with Trails Project (ST23-1230) Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works Director RECOMMENDATION Authorize advertisement for bids to be received on the City's bidding platform. Vote: Approve recommendation.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov5
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 Approve Mills Act Contract for Historic Landmark No. 121 John P. McGonigle Residence Staff: Rachel Dimond, Community Development Director RECOMMENDATION a. Conduct a public hearing. b. Adopt a Resolution approving a Mills Act contract for Historic Landmark No. 121 “John P. McGonigle Residence” located at 1613 East Main Street. Public Speakers: Phillip Fields Action:M/S/C (Duran/Halter) to approve staff recommendation Vote: All Ayes 6. Resolution to Approve the Historic Landmark Designation Request for the “Walter M. Jones Residence” at 695-697 East Main Street(PROJ-25-0956) Staff: Rachel Dimond, Community Development Director RECOMMENDATION a. Conduct a public hearing. b. Adopt a Resolution designating the “Walter M. Jones Residence” at 695-697 East Main Street (PROJ-25-0956) as a Historic Landmark. Public Speakers: Phillip Fields Action: M/S/C (McReynolds/Duran) to approve the staff recommendationVote:All Ayes6:48 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Council Recess Tuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov6
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS (CONTINUED) 7. Ordinance Amending Chapters 20.155 and 24.582 to Establish theCity’s Tree Protection Ordinance Staff: Stacey Zarazua, Parks and Recreation Director RECOMMENDATION a. Conduct a public hearing.b. Introduce and waive the first reading of the City’s Tree Protection Ordinance, and set the second reading and adoption of the Ordinance on the next date upon which adequate notice can be provided. Ordinance titled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BUENAVENTURA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 20 OF THE SAN BUENAVENTURA MUNICIPAL CODE TO REPEAL CHAPTER 20.155, “TREE PROTECTION IN HABITATS FOR PROTECTED WILDLIFE,” AND ADD A NEW CHAPTER 20.155, “TREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE,” AND AMENDING TITLE 24 TO ADD CHAPTER 24.582, “TREE PERMIT,” TO REGULATE THE PRUNING AND REMOVAL OF TREES WITHIN THE CITY” c. Adopt a Resolution authorizing submittal of a Local Coastal Program Amendment to the California Coastal Commission based on the proposed Ordinance. d. Adopt a Resolution repealing Resolution 2026-10 and adopting a new schedule of civil penalties imposed through administrative citations for violations of the San Buenaventura Municipal Code relating to the removal and pruning of trees. e. Adopt a Resolution adopting permit and in-lieu fees for removal and pruning of trees in accordance with the Ordinance. Tuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov7
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS (CONTINUED) f. Find that adoption of the Ordinance and Resolutions is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because the action does not have the potential to result in significant effects on the environment and pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.9 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15265 for preparation and adoption of a Local Coastal Program Amendment. Supplement Packet: Communications posted online. Public Speakers:Kristen Kessler, Wendy Chatto, Chris Amendt, Barbara Brown, Thea Lemberger, Patty Overley, Phillip Fields, Anne Wang, Matt Capritto, Jorge DeLeon, Jeri Becker, Christy Weir, Dawn Durazo, Bambi Ruebe, Rick Uttich, Ivett Plascencia, Denise Pomboonreung, Janet Sprissler, Burt Handy Action: M/S/C (Duran/Halter) to direct staff to conduct three public workshops with stakeholders, including the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors, homeowners, contractors, arborists, environmental groups, insurance providers, community members, neighborhood representatives, tree care professionals, and other interested parties, and return to the City Council on October 27, 2026, with recommended amendments based on the public input received. Vote: Ayes: Duran, McReynolds, Mangone, Campos, Deputy Mayor Halter, and Mayor Dr. Sánchez-Palacios; Noes: None; Abstain: None; Absent: Schumacher Councilmember Schumacher absent at 6:49 p.m.Tuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov8 FORMAL ITEMS:The public may comment on each item listed on the agenda for Formal Items as the item istaken up. Formal Items may be reordered at the discretion of the Chair. The public may speak for 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. 8.Additional State Coastal Conservancy Funding and SeventhAmendment to Grant Agreement 09-016 for the Surfers Point - PhaseII Project (CO13-1069)Staff: Charles W. Ebeling, Public Works DirectorRECOMMENDATIONa. Authorize the City Manager, or designee to execute the SeventhAmendment to Grant Agreement 09-016 with the California StateCoastal Conservancy, accepting an additional $1.5 million in grantfunding for the Surfers Point – Phase II Project, and any associateddocuments necessary to implement its provisions.b. Approve any related budget adjustments necessary to recognize theadditional grant revenue.Public Speakers: Phillip Fields Action: M/S/C (Campos/Mangone) to extend the meeting beyond 10 p.m. per the Council protocols. Vote: Ayes: Duran, McReynolds, Mangone, Campos, and Mayor Dr. Sánchez-Palacios; Noes: Deputy Mayor Halter; Abstain: None; Absent: SchumacherAction: M/S/C (Duran/Mangone) to approve the staffrecommendation. Vote: Ayes: Duran, McReynolds, Mangone, Campos, Deputy Mayor Halter, and Mayor Dr. Sánchez-Palacios; Noes: None; Abstain: None; Absent: SchumacherTuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov9 FORMAL ITEMS (CONTINUED) 9.Fiscal Year 2026 Strategic Priorities - Fourth Quarter UpdateStaff: Bill Ayub, City ManagerRECOMMENDATIONReceive, file, and provide any feedback on the Strategic Priority WorkplanFourth Quarter update.Public Speakers:Phillip FieldsAction:Presentation received and filed. Feedback provided.10.Fiscal Year 2027 Strategic Priorities - Annual WorkplanStaff: Bill Ayub, City ManagerRECOMMENDATIONReceive and provide feedback on the refined Fiscal Year 2027 AnnualWorkplan.Public Speakers: Phillip FieldsAction:Presentation received and filed. Feedback provided.ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS: NonePUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: NoneADJOURNMENT:Meeting adjourned at 10:29 p.m. in honor of the hundreds of lives lost in the Venezuela earthquakes. I hereby certify that this is a true and correct record of the City Council meeting held on July 7, 2026.________________________________ Michael B. MacDonald, MMC City Clerk Tuesday, July 7, 2026Ventura City Council Minutes www.cityofventura.ca.gov10