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City of Ventura Fleet Manager Mary Joyce Ivers named 2017 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year

Mary stays informed and active in the industry.

Mary Joyce Ivers, Fleet and Facilities Manager for the City of Ventura, has been named 2017 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year by Government Fleet, a national organization dedicated to excellence in fleet management.

Ivers, a Certified Public Fleet Professional, was chosen for the award by a panel of fleet managers from around the country based on 10 categories: business plan, technology implementation, productivity, policies, preventative maintenance program, utilization management, replacement program, customer service, fuel management and safety.

The award recognizes Ivers’ efficient use of resources and promotion of government fleet management best practices. In recognition of her award City Manager Mark Watkins said, “Ivers provides outstanding performance and service to the city and community,” he continued, “In addition to this exceptional award, Ventura’s fleet division was named the #1 Small Fleet in the Leading Fleets program two years in a row under her leadership.” If you own or are developing a fleet of trucks cars or vans, just remember fleet insurance will be required for you to operate! The more this industry continues to grow, the more apparent software that offers potential solutions to something like the truck driver recruiting process may be worth looking into, as there are many aspects to considering in an industry like this. As technology doesn’t look like it is going anywhere, we might as well use it to our advantage.

Without a doubt, municipal fleet plays a critical role in supporting public service. With the number of people looking to venture into this industry, it would be ideal that the use of commercial vehicle tracking becomes something that fleet businesses take into consideration, as this could help them manage various aspects of their business a lot better. Every day, vehicles such as, patrol cars, fire engines, bucket trucks and heavy construction equipment are used to keep our city safe and as the Fleet and Facilities Manager, Ivers oversees the obtainment, maintenance and repairs of more than 400 city owned vehicles and 186 pieces of equipment. In addition to the vehicles, the fleet division also manages the City’s parts supply and inventory warehouse, hazardous waste disposal, and the purchase and inventory of over 225,000 gallons of fuel for all City vehicles. Fleet also ensures the City complies with all Federal and State emissions regulations and promotes environmentally friendly practices.

Ivers gets ahead of the unique challenges associated with fleet operations by staying informed and active in the industry. Her enthusiasm for the profession continues to grow and improve Ventura’s fleet efficiency and safety.

Ventura City Council approves portion of Measure O revenue

On June 12, the Ventura City Council voted unanimously to approve $1.64M of
Measure O revenue annually to keep all fire stations in Ventura open. Consistent with the
Measure O ordinance, the ongoing funding will maintain nine rotating full-time firefighters who
staff Fire Station 4 (three firefighters daily), located at Telephone Road and Montgomery
Avenue, and ensure the fire station remains open for the next 25 years. The Measure O
funding was approved with the adoption of the City’s fiscal year 2017-2018 Operating Budget
of $278M; Ventura’s General Fund budget is $110.6M.

“The City Council is upholding the promise we made to Ventura voters,” said Mayor
Nasarenko. “All revenue from Measure O stays right here in Ventura and this initial allocation
will help to maintain fire and paramedic response times for the 15,000 calls for service
received each year from citizens who need emergency care.”

The FY 2017-2018 balanced budget reflects the City Council goals to steward Measure O
dollars responsibly, create and maintain economic development and vitality, and enhance the
response to homelessness. General Fund budget highlights include: increasing the City’s
operating reserves by $1.5M to prepare for the future, funding for public safety to improve
emergency communications center response, and one-time funding for the parks
ambassador program. The City held four public workshops and two public hearings regarding
the proposed operating budget for FY 2017-2018.

In November 2016, Ventura voters approved Measure O, a half-cent transaction and use tax
for 25 years that will generate $10.8M annually to maintain vital services. In accordance with
the San Buenaventura Municipal Code Section 4.129.160, the Measure O Citizens Oversight
Committee reviewed and unanimously recommended that the City Council approve ongoing
funding to staff Fire Station 4.

The City established a separate Measure O Fund to review expenditures and ensure that
they are appropriate under the Measure O ordinance. An annual, independent financial audit
of the funding is required.

Fire Station 4 was closed in 2010 as a result of budget cuts. To maintain area coverage and
keep the fire engine in service the City applied for and received two, 2-year Staffing for
Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants consecutively from Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2010 and 2013 totaling nearly $5M, to provide
previous staffing levels for four years during the economic recovery. The total cost to
maintain a fire station is approximately $2.23M annually; Measure O dollars will fund the
staffing for Fire Station 4 and the City’s General Fund will cover the operating expenses.

 

Community Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary presents annual scholarship awards

Rosemary Icardo and Ann Howard, Junior Coordinators, Gary Wilde, CEO CMH, Audrey Carman, recipient and Edie Marshall, Auxiliary President at awards ceremony.

On June 12, Audrey L. Carman was presented with the Maria Cavallo Scholarship for $2,000 and the Audrey Woodburn Scholarship for $2,000. These awards are given to a graduating Junior Volunteer who has served at least 100 hours in the CMH Auxiliary, has maintained a 3.50 GPA or better, and will be attending an accredited college or university. The recipient must also be planning to pursue a healthcare career such as becoming a physician, nurse, physical therapist, pharmacist, etc.

Audrey has accumulated 330 volunteer hours at CMH, while maintaining a 4.0-4.33 GPA at Ventura High School. She is not only a California Scholarship Federation member, but she served as the CSF club’s president for three years. Her campus involvement also included membership in Key Club, International Volunteers Organization, and the Multi-Ethnic Club.

Dedication to academic excellence is evident in the many awards Audrey has received. She was named Ventura High School’s Cougar of the Month four times and was on the Honor Roll / Principal’s Honor Roll from 6th through 12th grades. She received UCLA’s Brain Research Institute’s Special Award. She placed 3rd in the senior’s division at the California State Science Fair and 2nd place in the senior’s division of Human Behavioral and Social Sciences at the Ventura County Science Fair. At graduation, Audrey received a multi-lingual diploma seal and cord.

Audrey will be attending Ventura College next year where she will pursue a career in nursing and health sciences.

Vol. 10, No. 21 – July 19 – Aug 1, 2017 – Opinion/Editorial

•  My talk-interview radio show on KPPQLP Ventura (104.1FM) can now be listened to at www.venturabreeze.com “Face of Ventura” (top left). I know that the station is low wattage (not to interfere with other nearby FM stations), so some of you have had a difficult time hearing it so here is your chance. Find out more about the VPD, the Rubicon, Ventura Music Festival, the Fair and much –much more.

Always looking for suggestions of who should be on my show and the good and bad of it.

•  Music Under the Stars, at the Olivas Adobe has started another concert season, so if you have never attended here is your chance. Concerts on Saturday evenings until September 9. The next concert, on July 22, is the The Swing Kings. See the ad in this issue for details. And be sure to come say hi to me.

•As reported in this issue, Ventura City Manager Mark Watkins will be leaving his position in December of this year. I was quite surprised to hear of this. In my opinion he has been a very good city manager and will be missed. Some people think that his position is overpaid, but I’m not one of them.

These are the top salaries in Ventura, including benefits:

Kenneth Corney, Police Chief $220,117.00+$124,337.00=$344,454.00

Kris Mcdonald, Fire Battalion Chief $255,634.00+$70,845.00=$326,479.00

David M. Endaya, Fire Chief $198,815.00+$112,906.00=$311,721.00

Darin S. Schindler, Assistant Police Chief Ventura $197,985.00+$107,718.00=$305,703.00

Mark Watkins, City Manager $242,059.00+$58,289.00=$300,348.00

I believe that the city manager should be our highest paid official. He (or perhaps she one day) is similar to a CEO running a very large corporation. He only answers to a board of directors that we call our City Council. His duties are very large, complicated and important. The City Manager and City Attorney are the only positions that are hired (and can be fired) by the City Council. The City Manager hires the head of all departments.

• The Museum of Ventura County is in deep financial trouble. Interim Executive Director Elena Brokaw was brought in to decrease the Museum’s operating costs which she has greatly done, but even she has stated that she is not a museum curator and that the Museum needs one to keep afloat.

In my opinion, the Museum really needs a professional museum curator to run it. The museum needs to be much more interactive and appealing to entire families. In its current state, it is hardly appealing to anyone.

The addition made several years ago to the museum is atrocious. That is my professional opinion (I’m a graduate of the USC School of Architecture and had my own practice starting in 1968, so it means something). This is also the opinion of several museum board members that I have spoken with and also most folks that I speak with. The design completely ignored the Spanish look and feel of the Museum and of the surrounding buildings.

At a recent City Council meeting (referring to the “metal bars” in the front of the Museum), member Mike Tracy (our ex-chief of police) said, with sarcasm, “I like bars” but in this case the bars are not keeping people in but people out.

Our next issue will have an article about the Museum.

•  No one from the six Trump banned countries has killed anyone in a terrorist attack in the USA since 1975. In the years since the September 11 attack, only three of the over 780,000 refugees from these countries have been convicted of terrorist related crimes. In this amount of time, more Venturans have been killed by Venturans. Perhaps the six countries should ban visitors coming from Ventura.

•Some people are willing to take less for the good of the “company”. Kevin Durant is a basketball player for the Golden State Warriors. He recently agreed to terms on a contract worth only about $53 million for 2 years for the good of the team. I certainly hope that he can manage to live on only $26.5 mill a year. My hero.

•  The City of Ventura is now a “Bicycle Friendly City” .The Cycle California Coast

(http://www.cyclecentralcoast.com) has identified the following benefits for communities, nonprofit organizations, businesses and government agencies who are a “Bicycle Friendly City”.

~ Increases the number of tourists visiting Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
~ Increases the positive visibility of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties as tourism destinations in print and online media and advertising throughout the community.
~ Fosters a positive impression of bicycling and bicycle tourists within the community.
~ Where practical and economically feasible Ventura encourages the development of bicycle infrastructure, bicycle-friendly businesses and a destination for bicycle tourism.

This will be good if it increases tourism, but I’m not sure if it greatly increases Venturan’s biking to work and using their bikes for everyday use. We are just not a bike culture, but I certainly hope it will increase bike usage. Look for the coming “Grand Loop Signs”.

•  In 2014-15, Ventura paid $13.8 million to its retirement system for past and present employees. That amount could grow to almost $18 million during the current budget cycle.

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) oversees Ventura’s retirement system, which is funded through employer and employee contributions and is dependent on a strong showing by stocks, bonds, real estate and other investments.

CalPERS says that the costs will rise even faster in the years ahead.

The City Council voted to pay the annual bill in its entirety at the start of the year, rather than in monthly payments. The move will save $390,000 in interest in 2017-18 and the savings could really add up over time.

This is just a temporary fix, as the cost of Ventura’s retirement system needs to, somehow, be reduced by the City Council.

Multidisciplinary collection of abstract work features 22 artists

This multidisciplinary collection of abstract work features 22 artists hailing from the United States to Australia, each selected for their deliberate deviation from representational art. These artist’s theoretical compositions, though dissimilar, reflect the social, emotional and intellectual preoccupations in all areas of modern culture.

An ambitious and unexpected exhibit, Departure Theory is a diverse medley of contemporary abstracts, including a large scale hanging installation, geometric sculpture and conceptual art. Not confounded by generic limits, the visual comprehension of each piece in this exhibition introduces a sense of infinite possibility in highly controlled compositions

Dab Art | H Gallery + Studios until July 30

1793 East Main Street | Midtown Ventura G a l l e r y H o u r s | W E D – S A T | 1 – 5 p

New Medicare cards offer greater protection to more than 57.7 million Americans

New cards will no longer contain Social Security numbers, to combat fraud and illegal use

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is readying a fraud prevention initiative that removes Social Security numbers from Medicare cards to help combat identity theft, and safeguard taxpayer dollars. The new cards will use a unique, randomly-assigned number called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI), to replace the Social Security-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) currently used on the Medicare card. CMS will begin mailing new cards in April 2018 and will meet the congressional deadline for replacing all Medicare cards by April 2019. Today, CMS kicks-off a multi-faceted outreach campaign to help providers get ready for the new MBI.

“We’re taking this step to protect our seniors from fraudulent use of Social Security numbers which can lead to identity theft and illegal use of Medicare benefits,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “We want to be sure that Medicare beneficiaries and healthcare providers know about these changes well in advance and have the information they need to make a seamless transition.”

Providers and beneficiaries will both be able to use secure look up tools that will support quick access to MBIs when they need them. There will also be a 21-month transition period where providers will be able to use either the MBI or the HICN further easing the transition

CMS testified on Tuesday, May 23rd before the U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means Subcommittee on Social Security and U.S. House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Technology, addressing CMS’s comprehensive plan for the removal of Social Security numbers and transition to MBIs.

Personal identity theft affects a large and growing number of seniors. People age 65 or older are increasingly the victims of this type of crime. Incidents among seniors increased to 2.6 million from 2.1 million between 2012 and 2014, according to the most current statistics from the Department of Justice. Identity theft can take not only an emotional toll on those who experience it, but also a financial one: two-thirds of all identity theft victims reported a direct financial loss. It can also disrupt lives, damage credit ratings and result in inaccuracies in medical records and costly false claims.

Work on this important initiative began many years ago, and was accelerated following passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). CMS will assign all Medicare beneficiaries a new, unique MBI number which will contain a combination of numbers and uppercase letters. Beneficiaries will be instructed to safely and securely destroy their current Medicare cards and keep the new MBI confidential. Issuance of the new MBI will not change the benefits a Medicare beneficiary receives.

CMS is committed to a successful transition to the MBI for people with Medicare and for the health care provider community. CMS has a website dedicated to the Social Security Removal Initiative (SSNRI) where providers can find the latest information and sign-up for newsletters. CMS is also planning regular calls as a way to share updates and answer provider questions before and after new cards are mailed beginning in April 2018.

For more information, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/ssnri/index.html

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association serving the community

Dr. Lanyard K. Dial, President awarded Champion in Underserved Care.

by Lori Harasta

The focus of this year’s Pacific Coast Business Times’ Champions in Health Care was on aging and elder care. Among those recognized for excellence was Dr. Lanyard Dial, President/CEO and Medical Director for Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, who was awarded Champion in Underserved Care.

Livingston is a critical safety net in Ventura County, serving 90% of the underinsured and indigent patients needing quality home health, compassionate hospice care, and essential personal care. It is a vital part of Livingston’s mission to ensure that everyone receives care, regardless of their financial situation. During 2016 Livingston provided subsidized care to 636 patients at a cost of $750,777.

In 2017, Livingston expects to deliver subsidized care, services and programs to 300 unduplicated seniors through Home Health, Hospice programs and Care Giver programs. An estimated total of 2,600 seniors will be served.

Since 2014, Livingston has provided nurses for a program serving the underserved called COPD Access to Community Health (CATCH) Program. In its last few months of funding, CATCH is a free-of-charge program designed to improve health outcomes for people with respiratory disease. As a result of the program, according to Ventura County Health Care Agency data, there has been a 36% reduction in COPD-related emergency room visits over baseline.

In addition to these programs, Livingston is partnering with Ventura County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in a program intended to prevent unnecessary transport of hospice patients to a hospital emergency room; instead treating them in their homes, according to their wishes. Livingston has participated by training first responders to assess patients, talk with family members, and determine whether the patient needs a hospital visit or if the emergency can be managed in the comfort of one’s home. This has reduced the rates of ambulance transports from 80% to just 36% of hospice patients (August 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016).

These are just a few ways Livingston, under the leadership of Dr. Dial, has been serving the underserved in Ventura County for the past 31 years. This year, Livingston celebrates 70 years of service in Ventura County.

As part of their services, they host free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following in Ventura:

Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, from 6:30-8:00 pm. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge.

Newly Bereaved Support Group Thursday, August 10th from 6-7:30 PM. This monthly group is designed for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and is free. These groups meet every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Diabetes Classes Tuesday, August 1st from 1-2:30pm. These meetings are held on 1st Tuesday of each month. General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes including prediabetes, with emphasis on meal planning, medication, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and new developments in diabetes.

Joint Replacement Classes Thursday, August 3rd from 1:00-2:00pm. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care. These meetings are 1st Thursday of each month.

Monday, August 14th for both English and Spanish speaking. English 4:00-5:00 pm and Spanish 5:30-6:30 pm. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care.

All classes at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109. Call 642-0239 for more information.

FOTM Artist Spotlight on Porfirio Gutierrez

Focus on the Masters is pleased to shine the Artist Spotlight on Porfirio Gutierrez, an extraordinary weaver who combines ancient Zapotec traditions with a modern sensibility.Growing up in Teotitlan del Valle in Oaxaca, Mexico, he was immersed in the ancient art of weaving. Using natural dyes and employing traditional designs, he and his family, it can be said, are making certain that the artistic and spiritual values of his ancestors continue to be known and admired around the world. Through August, he is featured as a Guest Studio Artist at the Carnegie Museum in Oxnard.

Make your reservation today! www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or 653.2501. $10 for the general public, $5 for students and seniors, and free to Focus on the Masters Members. Not a member? Sign up today at www.FocusOnTheMasters.com.

AfterGLOW Fundraising Event: Immediately following the program join us for an AfterGLOW, a celebratory dinner at the Ventura home of Terry Willison immediately following the program. The AfterGLOW is $25 for FOTM members, $35 for non-members. Paid reservations are required prior to July 25. For RSVP & tickets visit www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or call 653-2501.

Top notch happy hour at Rhumb Line

Just a few of the wonderful Happy Hour selections at Rhumb Line.

by Jennifer Tipton

A Rhumb Line is the course of a ship that keeps a constant compass direction, good name for a restaurant that delivers consistently great food and service!

Also called “The Sunset Restaurant”, Rhumb Line is located where the old Scotch and Sirloin used to be in the Ventura Harbor. If you haven’t lived in Ventura for long, you probably have no idea where this is – 1510 Anchors Way Drive. With plenty of parking, the location provides beautiful views of the harbor just about anywhere you sit, there are indoor bistro type tables, a more formal dining area, bar seating that faces the harbor and a dog friendly outdoor patio also overlooking the harbor.

Everyone knows the best way to advertise (only second to running an ad in the Ventura Breeze) is word of mouth, so when a friend shared his experience at Rhumb Line, we all went to see for ourselves and what we found was indeed notable!

A Happy Hour is about the “tapas” or “small plates”, the adult beverages and great company, Rhumb Line delivered just that with the beauty of the boats and water as an added bonus.

The menu includes items you may not find anywhere else such as Blackened Ahi Sliders, Beef Sliders with bacon and blue cheese, a variety of Flatbread Pizzas and Oysters. These range from $5 to $10 each. The adult beverages selection offers the usual well drinks, beers and house wine for $5 and specialty cocktails such as Fresh Margaritas and one called a Rubedo (that sounded pretty tasty) for only $8 each.

The clever way to do happy hour is with a group so that each can choose a different selection and then share to taste a variety of tapas. We shared the Baby Back Riblets with a Szechuan glaze, the Ahi Poke served on large fried wontons with a sauce that again was delectable, the Shrimp/Chicken Quesadillas with pepper jack cheese, spinach and Pico de Gallo, Fried Calamari with a lemon aioli, Shrimp Bruschetta Bites with an aged balsamic glaze and the Lamb Sliders with arugula, tomato jam and goat cheese served with shoestring fries! The portions were not small, the flavors were fabulous and not one of us could choose a favorite, two of us even said, “wow, that calamari was good, and I don’t even like calamari!”

Service was good although we were missing a place setting and waited on a glass of water, but our plates were replaced with fresh ones for each dish which I thought was a nice touch and our server was very personable and kind.

A big shout out to Tommy Alizotis who we had a chance to meet, he is one of the 3 new owners that took over Rhumb Line about a year ago and is also the General Manager and Kitchen Manager – very impressive!

Rhumb Line’s Happy Hour is open every day from 3-7pm with all these tempting tapas and refreshing beverages, but bring your own great company (although the staff is very friendly). You could even invite me to join you.