Category Archives: City News

Community development director Jeff Lambert leaves Ventura for Oxnard

Lambert will start in Oxnard on February 4^th.

by Richard Lieberman

Jeff Lambert , Community Development Manager for the past ten years is leaving Ventura to take a similar post with the City of Oxnard. As Community Development Director Lambert has managed current and future advanced planning for the city. His responsibilities for the City of Ventura included running Building and Safety, Code Enforcement, planning and economic development.

Ventura’s acting assistant city manager announced recently that Lambert was “on leave” from his city post. Later in press releases from both Ventura and Oxnard, it was announced that Lambert will be taking a new position with the City of Oxnard.

As community development director for Ventura Lambert has been instrumental in partnering with Community Memorial Hospital for its new in-patient facility and parking structure, homeless shelter policy, downtown development, and recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the Thomas Fire.

In Oxnard Lambert will take over the duties of Ashley Golden, who was promoted to assistant city manager last month. “Lambert is action oriented and is committed to building a strong development team, continuing community engagement, and improving stakeholder partnerships to get things done,” said Oxnard city manager Alex Nguyen. He also added “Jeff’s experience and leadership will help Oxnard become a more business-friendly city. He will jumpstart our planning, building, and permitting processes to make projects easier for builders and homeowners.”

Lambert will take over for Ashley Golden February 4.

“I am so thrilled to join the city of Oxnard team and community stakeholders to continue the City’s forward movement,” Lambert said. “The city’s development and economic objectives can absolutely be achieved,” added Lambert.

City of Ventura has new interim Community Development Director

David Ward has replaced Jeff Lambert as the Interim Community Development Director

The City of Ventura has announced that David Ward will serve as the Interim Community Development Director effective immediately. Ward recently served as the City’s Planning Manager and has worked for the City of Ventura for approximately 10 years. He replaces Jeff Lambert who is now in Oxnard (see article).

David told the Breeze “In assuming my interim role, I will continue the department’s current work plan efforts on the Thomas Fire Recovery, developing land use policy and ordinance projects such as the firearm ordinance and updated inclusionary housing ordinance, and expanded code enforcement efforts, as well as my oversight of the busy building permit office and planning permits processing through our 4 City Board/Committees. As Interim Director I am supported significantly by Yolanda Bundy, Chief Building Official and Jonathan Wood, Code Enforcement Manager, and the entire department staff as we work to accomplish our community rebuild and other endeavors for 2019.”

David Ward has been a planner at local public agencies throughout the California Coastal Region for more than 23 years, working for the Counties of Monterey and Santa Barbara, as well as the Cites of Morro Bay, Rancho Palos Verdes and Ventura. Ward holds a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Northridge and is a member of the American Planning Institute of Certified Planners.

From rural issues and resource protection to form-based codes, redevelopment and community plans, David has actively engaged with community stakeholders, project applicants and decision-makers to implement a local vision and create great places in our neighborhoods and community.

The Community Development Department has four divisions run by the Building & Safety, Planning, Code Enforcement, and Economic Development, with a staff of more than 50 employees run by the Community Development Director.

City of Ventura and Surfrider Foundation install bench near Ventura Pier

The City of Ventura, in conjunction with the Surfrider Foundation, recently installed a bench near the Ventura Pier. While this may look like an ordinary bench, it is made up of thousands of recycled cigarette butts, which would have continued to litter and be a threat to marine and wildlife if not collected. The Surfrider Foundation volunteers to maintain and empty 76 ashcans located throughout the city and sends them to company TerraCycle, where they are melted down into plastic pellets and turned into various products.

The first ashcans were installed in late 2016, and to date, Surfrider has sent 250,000 butts to TerraCycle.

Ventura County is leading the nation on clean energy

by Carmen Ramirez – Mayor Pro Tem, Oxnard, and Director, Clean Power Alliance Board

Christy Weir – Council Member, Ventura, and Director, Clean Power Alliance Board

Ventura County has become one of the largest communities in the nation to adopt 100% clean renewable energy. With the arrival of Clean Power Alliance (CPA), the County and many of its cities are dramatically reducing emissions in a simple and cost-effective way.

Last month, residents received the first of four mailers about the launch of Clean Power Alliance residential service in February. Service for nonresidential customers will begin in May.

Prior to Clean Power Alliance, we could only buy power from Southern California Edison (SCE). Now for the first time in our region’s history, there is competition and we have a choice. The primary goal of Clean Power Alliance is to provide clean renewable energy at competitive rates. Clean Power Alliance is lean, transparent and accountable, overseen by locally elected representatives who answer to the public.

The majority of Ventura County’s Clean Power Alliance member agencies are starting our residents and businesses at 100% clean renewable energy; this includes the cities of Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, and Ojai, and the County of Ventura (unincorporated area). Our five communities are joined by five others in Los Angeles county, so approximately one-third of Clean Power Alliance’s one million customers will be invested in 100% renewable sources.

This will be the largest and most significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions ever achieved in these jurisdictions, and it will make our environment healthier and our air cleaner. For example, emissions from the generation of electricity used by Ventura County government facilities alone will drop from 19,500 metric tons of CO2 down to 72 metric tons per year.

It is fitting and appropriate that Ventura County takes the lead on reducing emissions, as we are particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. We continue to face water shortages even in winter, along with increasing frequency and severity of wildfires. Our coastal communities and Naval Base Ventura County face potential sea level rise, and some of our largest economic engines, including the agricultural industry, are already feeling the impacts of climate change. The leaders of Ventura County’s 100% Green communities view this default choice as responsible governance, advancing a prudent, efficient and effective solution to a serious problem.

Clean Power Alliance customers can always choose among three rate options – Lean Power (36% renewable), Clean Power (50% renewable) and 100% Green Power (100% renewable). For just 7-9% above SCE’s base rate (but 5% less than SCE’s comparable 100% renewable option), we have the opportunity to immediately invest in 100% clean renewable energy for our homes and businesses which will lead us away from polluting fossil-fueled electricity. The average resident currently pays $112 per month for electricity; the 100% option would add approximately eight dollars, making their total bill $120 per month.

Customers in 100% Green Power communities who are enrolled in CARE, FERA, or Medical Baseline will get Green Power at no extra charge. Those with solar net energy metering systems can receive bill credits, and more cash back than what SCE provides, when they produce more energy than they use.

Surplus revenues from CPA operations will be reinvested in our communities via local programs and benefits to customers. Through its Board and public Community Advisory Committee, Clean Power Alliance will work to develop community programs addressing such priorities as local renewable energy development and job creation, rebates and incentives for measures that will clean our air, and rate savings.

At any time and with no switching fees, customers can opt for another plan (Lean Power or Clean Power) that is cheaper or the same as SCE’s base rate and still has a higher renewable energy content. Customers can also opt out and return to SCE. SCE will continue to maintain transmission and distribution lines and handle billing for all customers, which will now include a line-item for Clean Power Alliance’s energy. Visit https://cleanpoweralliance.org or call the customer service center at 1-888-585-3788 for more information.

Be prepared for heavy rain systems

On Tuesday, January 15, 2019, through the evening on Thursday, January 17, 2019 significant storm system with heavy rainfall resulted in voluntary evacuation orders for areas of risk for debris flow.

Advance measures should be taken to prepare for future storm systems.

Residents are encouraged to prepare for heavy rain and consider altering your travel and commuting plans.

The City of Ventura has established evacuation maps to assist residents with the best route to take during an emergency evacuation. The maps can be viewed on the City’s website at www.cityofventura.ca.gov.

Free sand and sandbags are available for city of Ventura residents (while supplies last) at the following location:

City of Ventura Sanjon Maintenance Yard, 336 Sanjon Road (public parking lot). Residents are asked to bring their own shovel.

Arroyo Verde Park, Marina Park, Grant Park, and the Ventura Pier will be closed for the duration of the storm. Any additional City of Ventura facility closures will be posted on the City’s website.

It is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. When flooded turn around don’t drown.

Public Works crews have been, and continue to be, out in the community inspecting and cleaning catch basins to ensure debris basins and flood channels are clear. Properties near a burn area remain at increased risk for flooding, erosion and debris flow. The City encourages you to talk to your neighbors who may not be aware of potential hazards.

Community members are encouraged to stay informed through official sources:

Visit www.vcemergency.com to stay informed during an emergency

In the event of a major incident or disaster, call the City of Ventura Hotline at 805-477-3711

Learn about emergency preparedness and flood information including weather service links and other helpful tips at www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org

Ventura has a new electricity provider how will this affect my service?

Customers can choose the level of renewable energy generation and rate option.

XResidents in the city of Ventura and 31 other communities in Southern California will begin to receive electricity service from Clean Power Alliance starting in February 2019. Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is the new locally operated and controlled electricity provider in Southern California. The benefits of CPA include local management and control of energy sources, stable and competitive electricity rates, and clean renewable energy content.

The CPA was formed through a partnership between public agencies throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties and will provide more choices to communities seeking an alternative to the traditional investor-owned utility model. By promoting the use of clean renewable power, the City is supporting the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As our new electricity provider, CPA will purchase clean power on behalf of its customers and Southern California Edison (SCE) will deliver it. SCE will continue to deliver electricity through its transmission lines, read your electric meter, send monthly bills, and provide other services.

All electricity customers in the city of Ventura will automatically be enrolled in the 100% Green Power option with CPA. State law requires that customers be automatically enrolled in the default rate selected by each city.

This option provides the largest environmental benefit and means that CPA will be buying renewable energy (e.g. wind and solar) to meet the demands of its customers. The 100% Green Power option has a 7-9% cost premium over the 2019 SCE standard rates. CPA customers can also choose the 50% Clean Power, a 0-1% cost savings compared to SCE standard rates, and 36% Lean Power, a 1-2% savings compared to SCE standard rates.

Customers can choose the level of renewable energy generation and rate option, or opt out and remain with SCE, at any time (visit the CPA website at cleanpoweralliance.org for details). To better understand what your bill could look like with different CPA and SCE rate options, use the bill comparison calculator on their website—be sure to have your SCE bill handy so you have your current rate and electricity usage.

Customers currently enrolled in CARE, FERA, Medical Baseline, Level Pay, and Summer Discount Program will automatically be enrolled in the 100% Green Power rate and will continue to receive the same discount. CPA service for non-residential customers is scheduled to begin in May 2019.

To learn more, change your rate option, or opt out of the program, please visit cleanpoweralliance.org or call 888-585-3788.

Note: The Jan. 30 issue of the Breeze will have further details about the program.

Recently appointed City Manager Alex Macintyre’s management style fits well with the city’s goals

New Ventura City Manager meets the Breeze for an interview.

by Richard Lieberman

City manager Alex Macintyre has taken over the reins at city hall. He came aboard in November 2018 and is settling into the position. Macintyre’s background and experience in city management are broad and extensive.

Macintyre has served as city manager for Menlo Park, an affluent city of 36,000 with a median income of $126,000. Menlo Park is also the home and headquarters of Facebook. He had been with the city since 2012. He also served as city manager at Lake Oswego in Oregon between 2008 and 2012. He also served as chief assistant county administrator with Marin County from 2006 to 2008. Before that, he was town manager for Tiburon and Portola Valley, both in Northern California.

Macintyre has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California at Irvine.

In addition to the Thomas Fire rebuilding effort, Macintyre is overseeing an ambitious water agenda that includes connecting to state water and working with a new council.

“I am absolutely enthusiastic and looking forward to what we can do together,” he said. “I know there is so much coming up and there is so much to do I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get going” he added.

Asked how it would be different working with a behemoth like Facebook and now working for Ventura. “When I came to Menlo Park, Facebook had just announced it plans to move onto an old Sun Microsystems campus that had been abandoned and it was a small ten-acre campus and I thought to myself it will be interesting to see how a very well branded company like Facebook does here. When they got there in 2012, they had something like 2500 employees and when I left they were up to about 15,000 employees.

When asked about how it will be working with a new council he said “I think it is going to be interesting given that we are now in the districts, how does the decision making or how might decision making be different on January 1 as compared with December 31^st? How will things be different, I don’t know but I know it will be different, I just don’t know how?”

City workers have mentioned to the Breeze that previous city managers never came in to say hi and seemed to not be connected to the city workforce, do you plan to be different? He answered “I actually have been going out to the departments. Among all the other things I have in mind is to get back to the workforce and introduce myself to them. We have 609 employees and another 400 seasonal temporary employees, that is a thousand people. There is no reason I shouldn’t be saying hello and interacting with them. I want to be able to knock on an employee’s doors and speak with them face to face,” he said. Having a workforce management system like the one that Alex Macintyre is introducing to this community will only improve employee productivity in the long run.

Here at the Breeze we welcome Alex to our community and wish him the best of luck in his new position and we look forward to his ability, knowledge, and experience in helping Ventura into the future. We know his management style fits well with the city’s goals and general plan.

DUI checkpoint nets 3 arrests

The Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Dec.28, The checkpoint was established at 9:23pm and screened approximately 862 vehicles traveling eastbound on Main Street from Callens Road. 3 drivers were arrested for DUI during the checkpoint.

One driver was arrested for 23152(a) and (b) CVC, 2800.1(a) CVC with a blood alcohol level of .20 BAC, one arrested for 23152(a) CVC and elected to provide a blood sample, and one arrested for 1203.2(a) PC and 23154(a) CVC with a blood alcohol level of .05 BAC.

The following is a list of additional enforcement activities during the Checkpoint:

460 Vehicles screened
12 Standard Field Sobriety Tests
1 Driver cited for being suspended (14601.1(a) CVC)
3 Driver cited for being unlicensed (12500 (a) CVC)
3 Miscellaneous citations issued
2 vehicles impounded

The deterrent effect of High Visibility Enforcement using both DUI checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols has proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug impaired crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely. However, there have unfortunately been cases where drivers have been falsely accused of drunk driving. If you have been falsely accused of drunk driving, you might want someone like this los angeles criminal defense attorney to help protect your freedom.

DUI Checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

During the 2017 Christmas (Dec. 22-25) and New Year’s (Dec. 30-Jan. 2) holiday periods, 25 people were killed and 643 injured on California roads, according to data from the California Highway Patrol Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.

Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. If you’ve found to be driving under the influence of alcohol or marijuana hiring a defense attorney to guide you legally is a must.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Ventura Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Just drive

by Ventura Police Department

In the smartphone age, people are more connected than ever before, but also attempting to stay connected when they shouldn’t: behind the wheel. And it is not just cell phones. Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road, or hands off the steering wheel – especially when texting or using your phone. A study from the California Office of Traffic Safety found that 1 out of 8 drivers is on their smartphone while driving on California roadways. Using your cell phone while driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal.

What you should know about California’s Cell Phone Distracted Driving Law:

A first offense ticket will cost at least $162, and at least $285 for the second offense.
The law applies at stop signs and stop lights, just like when you are driving. Pull over to a safe parking space to handle your business.
While driving, you cannot use a cell phone or similar electronic communications device while holding it in your hand. If the device is used in a hands-free manner, such as speaker phone or voice commands, that is legal, but never while holding it. Bottom line you can’t touch your cell phone while you are driving.
Using communication systems built into the vehicle by the manufacturer is legal. However, it still can be dangerous due to the brain’s inability to safely handle both driving and using in-dash or speaker phone functions.
To be legal, the phone or device must be placed in a mount attached either on the dashboard, center console, or a seven-inch square section in the lower right corner of the windshield, or in a five-inch square section in the lower left corner of the windshield nearest the driver. The mounting or device placement cannot hinder the driver’s view.
Emergency personnel such as police, fire and ambulance may use hand-held cell phones, but only in the legitimate course of duty.

Other serious driver distractions such as eating, grooming, reading, reaching for fallen objects, changing clothes and others are just as dangerous and can result in a ticket for “speed unsafe for conditions” or “reckless driving.” These infractions carry much larger fines, plus points against your driving record. If you are injured in an accident on the road caused by the negligence and recklessness of another driver in LA, you may wish to seek legal assistance with a potential claim from the Wilshire Law Firm.

Please be safe Ventura. Focus on the road.

Water likely to increase to $300

by Venturans for Responsible and Efficient Government (VREG)

In the next 12 months, Ventura Water will ask the City Council to increase water rates for 30 wastewater projects and 28 water projects by 2024. These costly projects will benefit some property owners. Other projects will help the community at large.

As of June 30, 2018, Ventura Water accumulated $115,000,000 to use for those projects from 2012-2018. Still, they need $449,586,000 more before 2024.

These new rate increases will come on top of the increases imposed over the last six years. In 2012, Ventura Water wanted to increase rates to replace aging pipelines and facilities, building projects to improve water quality and constructing new groundwater wells.

In 2012 the average homeowner and family of 4, received a bi-monthly bill of $145.72. That same family is paying $209.67 today. This is a 43% increase over the 2012 rates.

So how can Ventura Water impose such large fees against its citizens without the traditional right to vote on such matters? The answer lies in how Ventura implements Proposition 218. Approved by the voters in 1996, Proposition 218 allows Ventura to raise money in one of three ways. General taxes. Those taxes used for general governmental purposes, Special Taxes. A Special Tax requires a 2/3 (66.67%) majority vote or Special Assessments, Fees and Charges. Fees or charges means an assessment imposed as an incident of owning property which receives a unique benefit.

Ventura wants to use Special Assessments, Fees and Charges to impose higher water rates. This is where Ventura water turns a non-vote into a yes vote.

Ventura Water sends a water bill. Somewhere in the body of that bill, it tells you why the rate increase is necessary. To dispute the rate increase, you must download a protest form, complete and mail it or take it to City Hall by a specific date. If 51% of the ratepayers have not voted ‘NO,’ that is the end of the matter. There are 32,000 ratepayers. Sixteen thousand one must vote NO to defeat an increase.

The procedure followed by Ventura is consistent with Prop 218 language, but a California Supreme Court challenge goes further.

The California Supreme Court in Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency v. Verjil (2006)39 Cal.4th 205, at page 205, interpreted Prop 218’s language to mean a city “may raise other fees or impose new fees without prior voter approval.” The Court’s decision was specific.

However, that decision by the Supreme Court only involved the issue of water delivery through a pipeline and whether voters could use an initiative process to require prior voter approval for the costs of that delivery. It did not involve a question of whether fees imposed to deal with a $500 million projects together with environmental costs, expert studies, attorneys fees and a plethora of expenses arising out of a Consent Decree decided by a City Council in 2012, and in which the voters had no voice.

What if the costs are not exclusively operational costs? What if the expenditures benefit the entire community, not just ratepayers? Does Proposition 218 apply in those circumstances? Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency v. Verjil does not address when the costs other than operational costs.

If the City is considering rate increase of this magnitude without prior voter approval, they should be mindful of the language in Prop 218. It provides that “in any legal action contesting the validity of an assessment, the burden is on the agency (Ventura Water) to demonstrate that the …properties in question receive a special benefit over the benefits conferred on the public at large…” This needs to go before the voters for approval.

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