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Vol. 9, No. 15 – April 27 – May 10, 2016 – Opinion/Editorial

The City Council has approved the pre-screen process.
The City Council has approved the pre-screen process.

•   I still see many signs saying “SAVE OUR HILLSIDES” opposing the proposed Regent Properties hillside development. Asking the City Council to “reject pre-screen application.” It is time for those opposed to the development to make new signs. The City Council approved Regent’s pre-screen application several months ago. It is now up to Regent to decide if they want to spend the large amount of money (and time) to proceed with the project. The development plans, and actual construction will continue if Regent decides to move forward.

The public will have many opportunities to comment on the final submitted plans as they progress through the various city departments. Hopefully, comments will be based on the facts of the project and not exaggerated concepts (like the one about 50 foot retaining walls – that don’t exist).

•   The VC Star has rejected my offer to buy the paper for $10,500,000 cash (that is all that I had in my wallet and my credit cards are tapped out) and have sold it to someone else. That is okay, as I’m too busy now.

•   Congratulations to Ventura College for the opening of their new 19,000 square foot $15 million Applied Science facility. A 2002 bond measure helped fund the building. We are lucky to have this outstanding college in Ventura.

•   If you have noticed, there is a “for sale” sign on Seaward in front of the Golden China Restaurant – the restaurant and property are for sale. The property does not include the area in back of the restaurant, as that is scheduled to be a future hotel. Marcus & Millichap are the Realtors. Their listing said they are “pleased to offer for sale ‘Seaward Avenue Commercial Development Opportunity’, a 3.38 acre tract of land including an 11,000 SF restaurant.”

It is an unusual sale as there is not a stated asking price. Interested parties submit their terms of purchase. It’s a great piece of property that will certainly be purchased for a future development if a developer is willing to deal with the challenges of building in Ventura.

•   Ventura is in the process of developing a Net Zero Policy. The plan would require a new or intensified development project to provide supplemental water and/or financial resources to the City’s water system in an amount equivalent to the new net demand for water created by the development.

Ventura’s recently released water report reports shows (not unexpectedly) that Ventura continues to have a water shortage problem (too bad Northern California got the El Nino and we didn’t), and that demand will continue to exceed supply.

The report shows that If the drought continues into next year (which is expected), the city will have about 16,503 acre-feet of water available, and demand will reach about 17,025 acre-feet.

A proposed ordinance will charge developers (based upon a rather complicated procedure) a large fee for every acre-foot of new water required. The City Council did not take action on the ordinance which might return to the Council for a vote in May or June.

If it is approved, projects that don’t yet have full entitlements would be subject to the ordinance 30 days after enactment.

Ventura gets its water from Lake Casitas, the Ventura River and groundwater, so the large snow packs from El Nino really don’t help our water situation. There are several other possible sources of water, including receiving some from the State that are being studied.

Several people who spoke at the meeting criticized the ordinance for very different reasons.Some arguing it would prevent badly needed affordable housing from being built, while others proposed that all construction should be stopped.

Several speakers, including Diane Underhill, a member of the city’s Water Shortage Task Force, urged the Council to develop a building moratorium until the drought is over and it can be shown that water would be available for further development.

Breeze reader Daniel Cormode (more from him in next issue) stated to us, “Representatives of Ventura Water and Water Consultancy made a Net Zero Policy presentation to the City of San Buenaventura Water Commission on March, 22, 2016.  A detailed review of the proposed Net Zero Policy was conducted and serious flaws in the estimation of costs and yields were noted.  These flaws in underestimating the true cost and overestimating the yield will result in future developments not being charged their fair share of the real cost of new water supplies and current customers of Ventura Water being obligated to pay the remainder of the costs.”

•   Ventura has reached a settlement agreement with Ventura Multi-Cinema, the owners of the downtown Century10 Theater, regarding the use of the Santa Clara parking structure. The city will pay Ventura Multi-Cinema $1.2 million for violating the terms of the 1996 lease between the parties.

Because the theater will invest at least $1.1 million into upcoming improvements including stadium-style seating, I think that this was a fair settlement for the City. The theater’s owners claimed that the City had broken the terms of the lease by giving the 60 California St. building owners exclusive use of 57 spaces for its customers (the City is paid by the owners for this use). The lease specifies that the structure should have ‘unrestricted’ parking for 40 years. The City had admitted that they had broken the terms of the lease.

 

Ventura City Fire Department respond to mobile construction office fully involved in fire

On April 25, at 7:24pm, Ventura City Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from behind a business in the 2400 block of Channel Drive.  Upon arrival firefighters found a mobile construction office fully involved in fire.  Firefighters worked to protect a boat and additional construction materials that were being impacted by the fire.  The fire was extinguished eight minutes after firefighters arrived on scene.  Power lines above the fire were damaged and began to arc while the wind was blowing.  Southern California Edison was called to the scene and shut off the power to the effected lines.

Ventura City Fire Department personnel and apparatus respond to structure fire

On April 21, at 1:37pm, Ventura City Fire Department personnel and apparatus responded to a reported structure fire located in the 100 block of Prospect St. The initial arriving units found a 20′ length of wooden property fence, multiple trash cans, and other misc. materials burning in between two residences and impinging on the eaves of an another adjacent residence. The fire was quickly knocked down, and then the affected structure was investigated and ventilated to rule out possible extension into the attic. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Apply Now to Serve on Ventura City Council Advisory Boards, Commissions and Committees

Ventura residents can apply for an exciting opportunity to support their community by serving as a volunteer on one of the City Council Advisory Boards, Commissions or Committees that advise the City Council on an array of issues.  There are open positions on 12 multi-member Council Advisory groups that examine issues and help shape Ventura. The semi-annual recruitment process is now open and applications are available online at www.cityofventura.net/involved/advisory or from the City Clerk’s Office, Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street, Room 204. The application deadline is 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2016.

Qualified applicants will undergo interviews with the City Council Appointments Recommendation Committee in May. The recommended appointees will be considered by the City Council and confirmed in June. Volunteers must be willing to serve two to four-year terms; some positions require special qualifications.

Applications are being accepted for vacancies on the following Council Advisory groups:

  • Cultural Affairs Commission
  • Design Review Committee
  • Downtown Parking Advisory Committee
  • Historic Preservation Committee
  • Housing Authority Board
  • Library Advisory Commission
  • Mobile Home Rent Review Board
  • Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Planning Commission
  • Public Art Commission
  • Tree Advisory Committee
  • Ventura Port District

Applications may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected], by fax to the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 641-1046, by mail to the City Clerk’s Office P.O. Box 99, Ventura, CA 93002, or hand-delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall.

For more information call the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 658-4787.

City of Ventura Special Event Grants applications are due May 12

Applications are due May 12 for the City of Ventura “Special Event Permit Fund” – a grant program open to event organizers staging cultural festivals and special events in Ventura that activate public space and increase visitor spending.

Applicants must be a Ventura based nonprofit or an agency partnering with a Ventura based nonprofit planning an event occurring between July 2016 and June 2017. The maximum amount of an award is $2,000. Grants are to be used to cover all or part of the special event permit fees levied by the City of Ventura for special events occurring on public property.

Applications are available online at www.cityofventura.net/permits or by contacting Special Event Coordinator Michelle Godoy-Morales at 654-7749 or [email protected].

“The purpose of these City of Ventura grants is to champion community celebrations that attract residents and visitors, strengthen Ventura’s cultural identity and economic vitality, and promote entrepreneurial spirt and innovative partnerships between private sector and public agencies,” said Community Partnerships Manager Denise Sindelar.

Ventura City and County Fire Departments respond to traffic collision with vehicle into building

On April 16, at 3:36pm Ventura City and County  Fire Departments responded to a traffic collision with a vehicle into a building located in the 9200 block of Telephone Rd.. Upon arrival, crews discovered a vehicle into an occupied restaurant. The driver and solo-occupant was extricated from the vehicle.  First arriving Firefighters quickly assessed the driver and building occupants for injuries while others assessed the structural integrity of the building. No injuries were reported.

Ventura Police Department provided traffic and scene control. This incident is under investigation by law enforcement.

 

 

 

Ventura City Fire personnel respond to grass fire along 101 freeway adjacent to railroad tracks

On April 20, at 2:30pm Ventura City Fire personnel responded to a reported grass fire along the 101 freeway adjacent to railroad tracks and an auto mall. Initial arriving units found a wind driven fire, approx 50’x50′, burning quickly through light to medium fuels, and moving South along the right shoulder of the Southbound 101 freeway. Engine company and hand crew personnel worked steadily to fully contain and extinguish the fire, using hand tools and hose lines, while apparatus shuttled tanks of water from hydrants in a nearby industrial area back up onto the freeway. Traffic on the Southbound 101 was heavily impacted, due to both heavy smoke and multiple fire apparatus operating, however railroad activity was not affected. The estimated final size of the area burned was approximately 1/4 acre, with no infrastructure or property being reported damaged. The origin of the fire was adjacent to a homeless encampment, however the exact cause is still undetermined.

Ventura College hosting grand opening celebration and building dedication of new state-of-the-art Applied Science Center April 21

Ventura College will host a grand opening celebration and building dedication of its new state-of-the-art Applied Science Center on Thursday, April 21, from 3-4 p.m. at the campus located at 4667 Telegraph Road. The event will include tours, a short presentation and remarks by school administrators, Chancellor Bernard Luskin and Board of Trustees Larry Kennedy, Chair. Established in 1925, Ventura College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District that include Moorpark College and Oxnard College

“Imagine students welding with a computer instead of a blowtorch and fixing the brakes on a car without touching a vehicle,” said Ventura College President Greg Gillespie. “This is the future of learning in the brand-new, state-of-the-art Applied Science Center at Ventura College.”

The 20,000 square foot center opens to students for the summer 2016 term. The facility is the brainchild of Vice Chancellor of Business and Administrative Services Dave Keebler, and features three types of learning to ensure a deep understanding of a concept or skill: traditional textbook learning, virtual simulator experiences and a hands-on simulation lab where students work with smaller versions of the real project without fear of making costly mistakes.

Features of the center include large glass windows so that passersby can watch students and robots inside the classrooms at work; virtual simulators that provide a 3-D video model that can rotate items; and an Imax projection screen that can be used by college staff, students and the community for training, web conferencing and teleconferencing.

“We are pleased to invite members of our community to the dedication of the Applied Science Center on Thursday, April 21st,” said District Chancellor Bernard Luskin. “The center curriculum was designed to train students for high-demand positions within the manufacturing industry, where demand exceeds the supply,” said Larry Kennedy, Chair, Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees.

Public invited to Ventura City Council’s Community Workshop on Homelessness, April 18

The City of Ventura City Council will hold a Community Workshop on Homelessness, Monday, April 18, 2016 from 5:30 to 9:00 pm at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Island View Room of the Derby Club. The purpose of the workshop is to:

Provide education and promote community ownership and alignment about homelessness

Foster healthy, collaborative dialogue regarding homelessness in our community through cooperative multi-agency relationships

Provide a starting point for renewed multi-agency and community efforts to identify barriers and strategies toward ending homelessness

The community workshop – facilitated by consultant Ken Lee — is intended to be a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue among the many public and private social service agencies, faith-based, business groups, community advocates and public safety agencies that interface with each other and with the homeless and disenfranchised individuals on a daily basis.

Workshop attendees will participate in group exercises designed so all participants will have an active role working toward creative solutions and enhanced programs through cooperation and collaboration. Small, diverse groups will work together to identify the opportunities, challenges and barriers associated with homelessness.

Before attending the workshop, community members are encouraged to review homeless data and materials available on the City’s website at www.cityofventura.net/homelessservices.  The data includes service locations countywide and citywide, population counts, public safety calls for service, affordable housing inventory, zoning for emergency shelters, continuum of care funding, and articles regarding national best practices.

The workshop session will begin at 6:00 pm sharp – seating in the main room is limited, however there will be an overflow space immediately adjacent to the Island View Room.

For more information about the Community Workshop on Homelessness, contact Community Services Manager Peter Brown, 805-658-4707 or [email protected].

City of Ventura accepts the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, April 1 – 30

Cities nationwide are participating in a nationwide contest to be named the “Most Water-Wise” city. Over 3,900 cities are expected to compete and Ventura has its eye on the prize!

In 2015, Ventura took second place for the top-ranked city in the 100,000 – 299,999 population standings.

El Niño has not delivered on its anticipated weather swings and little has changed regarding the status quo facing Southern California’s water supply problem. That’s part of the message behind the upcoming Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, April 1-30, presented nationally by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota.

The campaign, now in its fifth year, kicked off April 1, from the city of San Diego with a clarion call to mayors nationwide to use the power of their post to spread the word about the importance of water conservation.

Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko is calling on all Ventura residents to respond.

“I am joining mayors across the country in asking local residents to make a commitment to conserve water,” Nasarenko said. “Ventura is leading the way on water conservation and last year was the runner-up in the nationwide competition, finishing second to the City of Torrance. For the month of April 2016 and beyond, join me Venturans in this challenge, by continuing to reduce water usage and conserving our most precious resource.”

The annual competition rewards residents who take the pledge with a chance to win a Toyota Prius, home irrigation makeovers, environmentally friendly clean products, and hundreds more eco-friendly prizes.

Last year, mayors from 36 states encouraged residents to make over 390,000 pledges to promote drought resiliency, protect watersheds, and ultimately reduce stress on aging water infrastructure.

Ventura residents make their pledges online at www.mywaterpledge.com throughout the month of April. Cities with the highest percentage of residents that make pledges in their population category qualify for over $50,000 in prize drawings.

Answer the call and help Ventura be the most waterwise city in America. Simply go to www.mywaterpledge.com, and pledge either with your Facebook account or email address, and type in Ventura as your city.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/venturawater or www.cityofventura.net/water/mayorschallenge.