Category Archives: City News

Ventura City Council approves water plan, huge increase anticipated

by Richard Lieberman

At a recent meeting of the Ventura City Council a plan to make sewage plant output to bring wastewater to drinking level standards was approved. The council approved a $200 million plan to obtain more drinking water for the city and reduce the amount of sewage water released into the Santa Clara River estuary.

The $200 million plus plan will be used to build a new plant that will take wastewater once slated to be emptied into the estuary and treat it to drinking water standards. After treating the wastewater, it will be injected into the City’s underground wells. Once injected the treated water will be mixed with the City’s underground wells. The water will then be pumped from the wells and become part of the City’s drinking water. The water will be treated by the usual treatment process for drinking water.

Known as “indirect potable reuse” the process is already in use in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Commonly known as “toilet to tap” which refers to using treated wastewater as drinking water without putting it into the ground first. In 2015 a small pilot project was tried in Ventura. The current plan calls for adding direct potable use after 2030.

The council passed the plan unanimously but will still need a variety of new permits based on various environmental groups including Heal the Bay and Wishtoyo foundation.

The two mentioned environmental groups sued the city in 2010 based on the damage treated wastewater was doing to the estuary at the mouth of the Santa Clara River.

“A lot of voices came together on this,” former councilman Brian Brennan told the council, as he urged the council to approve the project. “I know a lawsuit and a settlement kind of forced this down this road, but a lot of people came together and came up with solutions.”

Currently the city releases approximately 7.4 million gallons of treated water per day into the estuary. In 2025 when the plant comes on-line the amount of water distributed to the estuary will dramatically be reduced and should be down to 1.9 million gallons per day. The city further plans to reduce the estuary discharge to less than 500,000 gallons per day by 2030.

Ventura has enough water in normal years, but during drought periods, demand exceeds supply by as much as 30%.

According to a consultant’s report, the new treatment plant cost $190 million to $206 million to build, including the cost of additional wetlands protection and a pipeline to carry brine into the ocean, but not including the price of the land. Operating the plant will cost an additional $5.6 million per year from 2025 through 2029 and $6.7 million per year starting in 2030.

The city is looking into federal grants for about $20 million of the cost, the rest will come from water bills or other city funds. Susan Rungren, the general manager of the city’s water department, said she would return to the council at a future meeting with a funding plan.

“This is a huge project, “councilman Jim Friedman said. “It’s momentous from a cost standpoint. We need to prepare the ratepayers for what we are looking at. The cost of water is definitely an issue, and if it’s an issue now, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Q/A with City of Ventura Economic Development Manager Estelle Bussa

Estelle Bussa explains “what is economic development?”

Estelle Bussa joined the City of Ventura in May 2018. Her team helps provide resources that help businesses open and grow. She also helps businesses navigate the public agency process while also helping to make that process more collaborative and streamlined. She is a fourth-generation Ventura native, raising her own daughters here in our community. She has a strong background in strategic planning, project management and effective collaboration. We sat down with her to learn more about her efforts.

What is Economic Development?

I define Economic Development as the creation of capital, the creation of dollars from which community benefits are realized.  Through increases in revenues, or increases to the economic base, quality of life and community gains are achievable.  This can more tangibly translate to better streets, more police and fire, more parks to play in and extended services to the community.

What do you do?

Our mission is really to cultivate an environment for economic sustainability and growth. We help provide resources that help businesses plan, make possible, open shop and thrive here in Ventura.

Daily that can take many forms… from helping a business owner understand and go through the process of obtaining a permit for a tenant improvement, to educating a business on how to go about getting a business license or various permits.  We work with some of our larger companies in the City to understand their longer-term goals and objectives, so that we can work together on the infrastructure needed to support their plans.  The expansion of Community Memorial Hospital in the last few years is a great example of the partnership in action.

What are some best practices to support local businesses that lead to revenue enhancement?

First, connecting with business owners and entrepreneurs is important. The approach can’t be “them” and “us,” it must be more “we.” Meeting at industry events, chamber meetings or downtown associations is important to understand and solve problems. The City of Ventura wants to help businesses thrive and the relationships we build helps us understand the needs and how we can help make a difference in the process.

 

Second, building partnerships with educational institutions.  In Ventura County alone, we have three community colleges, and two universities.  Expanding that footprint just a few more miles and the reach is large. Learning, refreshing skills and retooling a workforce is critical in a dynamic economy.

Third, partnering with commercial real estate brokers and people investing in the region. They know what is happening in a given location and can speak to the opportunities and challenges.

And Finally, engaging with the community.  Ultimately, we want the workforce in Ventura, to live in Ventura… so understanding what is important to the community is vital!

Ventura is a great place to live, work and do business. It’s an honor to help build a strong economic future where my daughters and future generations can thrive in this beautiful place we call home.

Learn more about Economic Development in the City of Ventura at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/913/Economic-Development or schedule an appointment with Estelle by calling 805-677-3947.

Ventura Fire Captain graduates from prestigious leadership academy

Mayor Matt LaVere, Assistant Fire Chief Matt Brock, Fire Captain Shawn Hughes and Fire Chief David Endaya attended the graduation.

Ventura City Fire Captain Shawn Hughes graduated from the Los Angeles Fire Department Leadership Academy Class 19-03 on October 10. He is the first Ventura Firefighter to graduate from the very prestigious program. He waited patiently for four years to have the opportunity to get a seat! The wait list is long.

The Leadership Academy is an intensive graduate level course providing in depth leadership training. The foundation for the Leadership program was developed at the United States Military Academy at West Point and was adapted to the leadership concerns of the fire service today.

The instructors come from many different agencies and disciplines including the FBI, Homeland Security, USC Football, Command Staff of the LAPD, Command Staff of the LAFD, PhD’s, Active Shooter Experts, NFL Football, US Military, and Human and Sex Trafficking National Leaders. This collaboration provides participants with a wide range of leadership topics and challenges facing the 21st Century Leader.

The City of Ventura Fire Department is hiring learn more about career opportunities at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofventura.

City Council approves cannabis delivery permit fees

by Richard Lieberman

Cannabis has been a hot talking point in recent years with further legalisation being debated for a long time. People are becoming more informed on the different sides of cannabis and learning things about Terpenes, trichomes, and the complex biochemistry of the plant. Becoming more informed is allowing a bigger, more fact-driven debate around the issue — and it’s working. The City Council at a recent meeting adopted a resolution for new fees for cannabis delivery permits. The new fee schedule is to take effect November 1, 2019.

Until recently the ordinance approved by City Council banned all outdoor cultivation and all commercial activity. The state has mandated that “deliveries may be made to any jurisdiction in the state.” The regulation applies even if a local jurisdiction previously prohibited cannabis delivery. Ventura must comply and allow cannabis delivery within city limits. So this now means that medical marijuana patients are now able to stay in the comfort of their own homes while having their medicine such as this gods green crack strain delivered to their door, ready for whatever relief they’re consuming medical marijuana for.

The proposed ordinance has some restrictions: Delivery is permitted to residential locations only. Delivery times must be from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm only. No deliveries are allowed within 600 feet of public or private K-12 schools and will not be allowed during school hours 8:00am to 3:00 pm.

Whilst the restrictions are tight when it comes to cannabis businesses operating, it does allow for new ventures to be pursued by the market. Many are already undergoing a series of growth by utilizing seed to sale software, though for now this remains firmly in an indoor growth scenario. Distribution may have improved but there are still hurdles for these companies to face.

Other additional requirements are that dash cams be installed on each delivery vehicle, it must also be equipped with GPS and the delivery must include educational public information.

The fee schedule will aid in the recovery of cost to manage and conduct background checks by the city and permits to be renewed yearly.

New City Parking Authority established at Council Meeting

The City Council has approved a measure to create a new city department “The Parking Authority”. By a vote of 7 to 0 the council approved the measure.

The official name of the Authority is the “City of San Buenaventura Parking Authority.” The new Parking Authority will be administered by a governing board which will consist of members of the City Council. The new department will be staffed by existing city employees and no additional compensation to staffers will be offered.

There will be appointed officials for managing the department. Proposed and adopted by the city council are staffing positions of Chair which shall be the Mayor of the city, Vice-Chair will be the Deputy Mayor of the city, Executive Director position will be filled by the City Manager, Secretary position will be filled by the City Clerk, the treasurer position will be filled by the City’s Finance and Technology Director, the authority’s General Council shall be the City Attorney.

Regular meeting of the Parking Authority will occur at the regular Monday evening City Council meetings. All meetings of the Parking Authority will be open to the public and public participation is encouraged.

City of Ventura selects first Emergency Services Manager

Daniel Wall is an accomplished emergency management professional.

After an extensive search, Daniel Wall has been selected as the City of Ventura’s first Emergency Services Manager. The new role will begin on October 21, 2019. The Emergency Services Manager will serve as the central point of contact for all emergency management planning for the City of Ventura. He will be charged with developing and overseeing a progressive emergency management training and exercise program to enhance the City of Ventura’s emergency management program of preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.

“I’m honored to accept the position of Emergency Services Manager, with the City of Ventura. My experience as a veteran of the US Army and in local emergency management will allow me to immediately hit the ground running as a contributing member of the City Manager’s Office. I hope to collaborate with staff and partner agencies to build on our collective disaster experience to make our city more resilient into the future. Disasters are and will always be a threat we face, and it is through our continued focus on process improvement and preparedness that we will develop the best tools to protect our community,” said Daniel Wall.

Daniel Wall is an accomplished emergency management professional. He has more than 28 years of experience in emergency response. He began his career serving in the United States Army then he served as a Staff Nurse for Kern Medical/Trauma Center, Delano Regional Medical Center and Community Memorial Hospital. He comes to the City of Ventura from the Ventura County Health Care Agency where he has served as the Manager of the Emergency Preparedness Office. He has been with the County of Ventura for more than 16 years.

“Daniel Wall has the proven experience in overseeing an emergency management program that integrates the activities of many departments and organizations into a common vision and direction for the safety of our community. The City Manager’s Office looks forward to welcoming him to our team,” said Deputy City Manager Barry Fisher.

Spotlight on Ventura’s Environmental Services Specialist Arriana Rabago 

“I am very passionate about protecting the environment”

What do you do for your job?

As an Environmental Services Specialist for the City’s Environmental Sustainability Section, I help manage our environmental outreach programs and our solid waste environmental compliance programs, and I also oversee the day-to-day responsibilities associated with managing our contracts with E.J. Harrison & Sons and Gold Coast Recycling & Transfer Station. One of the projects I manage that you may recognize is the quarterly Community Cleanup & Recycling Event.

What do you like about your job?

I am very passionate about protecting the environment and I also love the City of Ventura. Mixing the two keeps me fulfilled each day at work. I love that I have the opportunity to preserve and protect the beauty of both Ventura and the planet through my work. I’ve found that the people in Ventura are passionate about these same things, which makes me so thrilled to serve the community.

What types of services does your division provide the City of Ventura?

The Environmental Sustainability Section offers many services to the community. We host several special events throughout the year with opportunities to safely and properly dispose of waste and become educated about environmental issues. We provide a Green Business Certification program that walks all types of businesses through the process of implementing sustainable practices. We also have a Green Schools program offering free educational presentations to all local K-12 schools, pre-schools, environmental clubs, summer camps, colleges and after-school programs. In 2018, our Green Schools program reached nearly 7000 City of Ventura students! Our stormwater program ensures the health of our watersheds by implementing outreach and compliance programs across the City.

What are some things you’d really like the community to know about your efforts?

I’d love for you to understand that, while the division has many programs that strive to improve the health and beauty of our community, these programs can only be so effective without your individual interest, engagement, and action. Whether it be reducing the amount of food you waste or installing LED light bulbs, each of our individual actions can have a powerful impact on our environment. In the wise words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

How does your division make a difference in Ventura? The Environmental Sustainability Section makes a difference in Ventura by implementing programs that aim to prevent litter, reduce our community’s impact on the environment, and enhance the quality of life for all who live, work, and play here.

Do you have any events or activities coming that you’d like to share/highlight?

We always have several events coming up!

Saturday, October 12th we have a Westside Household Hazardous Waste Dropoff Event from 9am-12pm at the Avenue Adult Center at 550 N. Ventura Ave. No appointment required.

Saturday, October 19th we are co-hosting a Laundry-to-Landscape workshop with Ventura Water educating the public on installation and maintenance of a simple laundry-to-landscape graywater irrigation system. This event will be held at the Avenue Adult Center.

Saturday, November 16th we are hosting the last quarterly Community Cleanup & Recycling Event of the year at 765 S. Seaward. This drop off style event is an opportunity for residents to properly dispose of unwanted junk and safely shred old documents.

How can Ventura residents’ partner with you to help make a difference in our community?

Ventura residents can partner with us by utilizing our programs and implementing the recommendations we offer. Whether you decide to turn your business into a Green Certified Business or learn how to recycle better, everyone has an opportunity to work alongside us in making a difference in Ventura. Be sure to follow us on social media @SustainableVentura to stay up to date on environmental tips and events and the ways in which you can get involved!

City Council meeting of August 8

by Richard Lieberman

Represented by Staci Brown Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) awarded two Ventura police officers with awards acknowledging the officer’s records for the most amount of DUI arrests. The officers were Cory Prater and James Dillard.

The City Council confirmed the Mayor’s appointment of Councilmember Brown as the City’s Voting delegate and Mayor LaVere as the alternate Voting Delegate for the League of California Cities 2019 Annual Conference.

Approved and authorized the Mayor to execute a purchase order not to exceed $334,000 for purchase of three portable emergency generators for Ventura Water.

Authorize the Mayor to make the final selection of the lead consultant for the General Plan and Housing Element update that has the best qualifications, experience, track record, and demonstrates the best fir with the culture of the community and the organization.

Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere announces campaign for Ventura County Supervisor, District 1

A formal campaign kick-off event is scheduled for early September.

Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere has publicly announced his candidacy for the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, District 1. With deep roots in both Ventura and the Ojai Valley, an impressive record of leadership on Ventura’s City Council and a lengthy, diverse group of endorsements, Mayor LaVere is excited to kick-off his campaign for County Supervisor.

“I am running for Ventura County Supervisor for a simple reason: I want to continue working to ensure that the Ventura County my young daughters inherit in 20 years is even better than the Ventura County we know today” stated Mayor LaVere. “That means balancing respect for the County’s unique history, while also having a bold vision for its future. We need to be aggressive in creating and attracting jobs that pay a living wage. We need to build more affordable housing, not by paving over our precious open spaces but rather through redevelopment of blighted properties. We need to plan for a sustainable future by protecting our water sources, agricultural land, hills and beaches. We need to address the local homeless and mental health crisis. These are the issues that will determine the future of Ventura County and will be my top priorities as Supervisor.”

Mayor LaVere’s campaign for County Supervisor has been bolstered by significant support and enthusiasm in the community. He has received over $120,000 in campaign contributions from more than 300 unique donors. He is proud to have earned the endorsements of local elected leaders like Ventura City Councilmember (and former Mayor) Cheryl Heitmann, Ventura City Councilmember (and former Mayor) Erik Nasarenko, Ventura City Councilmember (and former Mayor) Jim Friedman, Ventura City Councilmember Lorrie Brown, former Mayor of Oxnard Dr. Manuel Lopez, VUSD Board of Trustees President Sabrena Rodriguez, VUSD Board of Trustees Vice-President Jackie Moran, VUSD Trustee (and former President) Velma Lomax, and VUSD Trustee Matt Almarez.

“I am proud to endorse Matt in his campaign for County Supervisor. His work ethic and community engagement has been a huge asset to the Ventura City Council, and I know he will serve the residents of Ventura County incredibly well as the next Supervisor for District 1” said former Mayor and current City of Ventura councilmember Cheryl Heitmann.

Mayor LaVere has also earned the support of the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association, the City of Ventura Firefighters Association, the City of Ventura Police Officers Association, the Central Coast Labor Council, the Ventura Chamber of Commerce political action committee, IBEW Local 952, SEIU Local 721, the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, UFCW Local 770, Laborers Local 585 (LiUNA), and the Tri-Counties Building & Construction Trades Council.

“Mayor LaVere has an exemplary record of serving the residents of Ventura, even in the most difficult of times following the Thomas Fire. He has proven himself to be an incredibly effective and innovative leader while advocating for public safety, economic development and the sustainability of Ventura’s future” said Kevin Aguayo, President of the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association. “We believe a leader like Mayor LaVere will be a great addition to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and we are proud to support his campaign.”

Matt LaVere was elected to the Ventura City Council in November 2016 as the top vote-getter. After serving for one year as Deputy Mayor, he now serves as Ventura’s Mayor. He has also served on the Ventura City Council’s Economic Development subcommittee, Homeless & Affordable Housing subcommittee and the Finance & Budget subcommittee. He has also represented the City Council on the Ventura Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development subcommittee, the Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG), the Association of Water Agencies (AWA), the Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century (RDP-21) and as the City Council’s liaison to the Casitas Water District board.

Neal Andrews, Ventura councilman and past mayor, dies

Andrews ran and won a seat on the city council in 2001.

by Richard Lieberman

Neal Andrews long term Ventura councilman and past mayor has died. Neal died on Sunday, August 4, 2019 following a protracted illness. He served his last year on the council as mayor a position he coveted.

Andrews ran and won a seat on the city council in 2001. His election changed the dynamics of the council at that time. His election and subsequent actions led to the changing of city managers in 2004. Neal was a conservative and used his conservative voice for what he believed to be a fiscally conservative approach to city government.

He was a minority on the council but was still able to implement requirements for individual water meters on multi-family housing projects. He also was an ardent supporter of the WAV artist housing project and he sponsored and supported the use of “seed” money for incubator businesses directly leading to the establishment of the Trade Desk.

Neal was instrumental in bringing the Highland Games to the city in 2003. He was a tireless advocate for the homeless and worked to get a permanent shelter established in the city. He was successful in this effort and saw his efforts rewarded shortly after leaving office when the council approved a year-round shelter(which will be coming soon). During his term in office he also was responsible for dealing with and managing the devastation after the Thomas fire. He also hosted a weekly show on CAPS-TV “Conversations with Neal Andrews.”

Andrews was elected mayor on the night the Thomas Fire started in December 2017.

Funeral services were held at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home.

SCAG honors 6 innovative projects with its 2019 Sustainability Awards

Ventura wins Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability award

Six exemplary and innovative planning projects were honored May 2 as winners of the 2019 Sustainability Awards by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).

Recipients of the 12th annual awards include municipalities, agencies and non-profit organizations throughout the six-county SCAG region. The Sustainability Awards recognize excellence in coordinating land use and transportation to improve mobility, livability, prosperity and sustainability.

“We’re honored to present these awards, which recognize the best of the best when it comes to

improving the quality of life of our communities and the region,” said Bill Jahn, Big Bear Lake City Council member and President of SCAG. “Sustainability encompasses so much, but at its core is the integration of land use and transportation to improve our lives. As these projects illustrate, there is a tremendous amount of innovative and meaningful work being done across our region.”

The Sustainability Awards winners will be formally honored at SCAG’s 2019 Regional Conference and General Assembly, taking place at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert.

Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability: The City of Ventura for the Kellogg Park project.

Nestled into city of Ventura’s Westside neighborhood, Kellogg Park is the result of extensive collaboration between residents and the City. Built on a vacant lot that once cited a rebar factory, the park serves the varied recreation needs of a community short on open space. Residents advocated for a number of amenities to meet the diverse needs of the community, including multi-generational opportunities to exercise, a community garden, and design components that allow for increased safety. The park also features innovative sustainable design such as a sand- filter swale “river” that reflects the nearby Ventura River watershed and provides recreational and educational opportunities.

SCAG is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, representing six counties, 191 cities and more than 18 million residents. SCAG undertakes a variety of planning and policy initiatives to plan for a livable and sustainable Southern California now and in the future. For more information about SCAG’s regional efforts, please visit www.scag.ca.gov.