The City of Ventura will host a virtual workshop on Thursday, February 17, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to gather input about walking, bicycling, and accessing transit as part of its Active Transportation Plan, or ATP. 

“Our goal with the Active Transportation Plan is to improve safety and accessibility when walking, biking, rolling, and taking transit in the City,” shared Ventura Public Works Director Phil Nelson. “Gathering feedback from community members with different cultural, racial, and demographic identities has been an important focus of our outreach efforts related to this plan. We want to invest in and prioritize healthy and equitable transportation options that will benefit the entire community.” 

For the ATP workshop participants will be able to share ideas about project goals and objectives as well as review bike and pedestrian networks. The workshop will also be live-streamed on YouTube and posted on the ATP project website to allow people to view the presentation and contribute feedback on their own time. To register for the virtual workshop and sign up to receive email updates, visit www.ActivePlanVentura.com.

The ATP was launched in summer 2021 and aims to create a roadmap of projects and programs that will enhance the experience for all modes of transportation throughout Ventura. Project elements include a Safe Routes to School component to recommend infrastructure improvements and traffic safety programs for K-12 students and families, as well as a Complete Streets component to develop policy guidance and standards recommendations for City staff. 

To date, the City’s public works team has completed the first phase of engagement for the ATP, which concluded in the fall of 2021. Staff collected nearly 1,400 responses in a citywide active transportation survey and conducted research at 25 local schools to observe drop-off and pick-up patterns. Outreach efforts have also included two community bike rides, virtual and in-person focus groups as well as pop-up events with community stakeholders, low-income and minority households, homebound seniors, youth, and parents. 

To view the community survey results, existing conditions report, or to register for the upcoming workshop, visit the City’s ATP website at www.ActivePlanVentura.com. 

Twenty-six-year veteran firefighter, Kris McDonald, has been selected as the next assistant fire chief with the Ventura Fire Department. This promotion follows the retirement of 29-year firefighter and Assistant Fire Chief Jack Hansen.

“The Ventura Fire Department has a dedicated and talented team of firefighters serving our community,” said Chief David Endaya. “Kris has had a long and successful career with the department and will serve as a key member of Ventura Fire’s command staff in enhancing our services. He has continually demonstrated a commitment to public safety, serving our residents, and strong leadership skills in the workforce.”

With over 26 years in the fire service, and 18 years with Ventura Fire, McDonald brings extensive experience to the Assistant Fire Chief position. His fire service training includes expertise in fire operations and in California’s Incident Command System, or ICS.

Chief McDonald most recently served as a battalion chief and training chief and was responsible for managing ongoing training schedules, mobile radio communications, mobile data dispatch computers, and OptiCom Traffic Control Systems. Regionally, his specialty qualifications within California’s Incident Command Certification System include Resource Unit Leader, Task Force Leader, Strike Team Leader, and Division Group Supervisor.

“I am thrilled and truly humbled to be selected for this opportunity,” said Chief McDonald. “I’ve spent the last 18 years of my career working for Ventura. I look forward to continuing the proactive and progressive work of our fire department in providing all-hazards response and emergency medical services to my community.”

Chief McDonald began his firefighting career in 1994 as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in northern California, where he was born and raised. He became a paramedic in 1997 and was hired by the Eureka Fire Department in 1998. In 2002, McDonald joined the Ventura Fire Family, hired as a lateral firefighter paramedic and seamlessly moved through the ranks of engineer, captain, and battalion chief.

He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration, as well as various Section Chief position qualifications within California’s Incident Command Certification System, which are all responsible for major areas of extended incident management.

McDonald assumed the role of assistant fire chief upon the retirement of former Assistant Chief Jack Hansen on December 30, 2021. Hansen passionately served Ventura for 29 years, was awarded Firefighter of the Year in 1998, honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1998, and earned numerous commendations for going the extra mile throughout his career.

To learn more about the Ventura Fire Department’s leadership team, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/MeetOurTeam.

Whether you’ve come for the Cincinnati Bengals, the Los Angeles Rams, the commercials, or the love of the game, the Ventura Police Department reminds football fans to designate a sober driver if drinking at a Super Bowl LVI watch party.

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 13, the Ventura Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking to deter, detect, and stop drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“When it comes to getting to and from your watch party safely, we’re all on the same team,” said Officer Chris Wilson. “The choice is simple, don’t drive impaired. Have a ride share service or a sober friend take you home instead.”

If your Super Bowl plans include drinking, make a game plan and know the rules:

In California, it is illegal to drive with a Blood Alcohol Content, or BAC, of .08% or higher. Even if you have only one alcoholic drink, it’s always safer to designate a sober driver.

If the driver is under 21 years old, it is illegal to driver with a BAC of .01% or higher.

Don’t let friends drive drunk. If someone has been drinking, take their keys and help arrange a safe ride.

If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911 immediately and take note of the vehicle, license plate number, and direction of travel.

The Ventura Police Department reminds the public that alcohol is not the only substance that impairs. Marijuana, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications can impact safety and awareness when driving. Know the potential side effects of certain drugs.

Funding for Super Bowl Sunday enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To learn more about the Office of Traffic Safety grant and VPD’s educational efforts, visit OTS.ca.gov or contact, Emily Graves, Community Outreach Specialist with the Ventura Police Department, at [email protected].

by Public Works Director Phil Nelson

Wheel you be our valentine?

There’s so much to love about Ventura, especially when it comes to enjoying time outdoors with our remarkable year-round climate! We love seeing the community get moving, whether it’s biking to one of our many bike paths, walking or rolling to the beach, or hopping on local transit to head downtown.

On Thursday, February 17, the City will host a virtual workshop at 6:00 p.m. to gather ideas on improving active transportation options in Ventura. We invite the community to ask questions and share their ideas with us during the public meeting!

Workshop participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, preview current bike and pedestrian networks, and review the City’s Active Transportation Plan. Additionally, participants can share ideas for how the City should prioritize improvements such as building sidewalk connections near schools and parks or enhancing existing sidewalks near popular destinations.

The City’s public works department launched the Active Transportation Plan in summer 2021, thanks to funding provided by Caltrans. This project is important because it creates a roadmap to improve walking, biking, and transit through future projects and programs. Additionally, the project

includes information about safe routes to school, a traffic safety program for K-12 students and families, and a program called complete streets, which outlines standards for transportation infrastructures throughout the City.

In the last several months, we’ve collected thousands of ideas through surveys, visited local schools to learn more about pedestrian safety for students, met with community stakeholder groups, and hosted virtual and pop-up events to gather a diverse mix of feedback.

Everyone’s feedback is important!

To register for the virtual workshop, sign up to receive email updates, and review the latest findings from the community, visit www.ActivePlanVentura.com.

The workshop will also be streamed live on YouTube. A recording will also be posted to the project’s website for those who can’t join us.

The City of Ventura is pleased to welcome Shawn Huff as the Chief Building Official in the Community Development Department. Huff joins the Ventura team from the City of Chico where he was the Deputy Director of the Community Development Department. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Building Official for the City of Visalia.  

With over 20 years of serving both state and local governments, Huff has a wide range of technical and regulatory experience. He served as an administrator in the State Housing Law Program and helped develop the state’s building standards with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Before starting his public service, Huff worked in the private sector in the trades.   

“It’s exciting to bring Shawn onboard with his broad background in both the private and public sectors,” shared Community Development Director Peter Gilli. “His technical and regulatory knowledge brings a diversified skill set in serving our residents and businesses.”  

Huff holds a master’s in public administration from Golden Gate University, a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Chico, and an Associate of Science degree in Building Inspection Technology from Butte Community College.   

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to live, work in and serve the fine community of Ventura,” said Huff. “I look forward to fostering relationships with our citizens and providing safe and efficient building standards that protect our residents.”   

The City’s Chief Building Official is responsible for managing all building regulation services and programs. To learn more about the Community Development Department, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/CommunityDevelopment. 

On Saturday, February 12, 2022, the City of Ventura’s Environmental Sustainability Division hosts its next Community Cleanup & Recycling Event. These cleanup and recycling events are held throughout the year to help City residents drop off unwanted items to be properly disposed of or recycled. Event space is limited, and registration is required to participate. 

Items accepted, but not limited to the following:  

• Household, trash, and garage items: appliances, clothing, furniture, and metal.  
• Electronic waste: computers, TVs, printers, audio/video equipment 
• Paper (limit two banker’s boxes): secure onsite shredding service available  
• Tires (limit four per household): for drop-off instructions, visit the registration website 

Items not accepted:  

• Household hazardous waste (HHW) is the only material type not accepted at the event. These items include but are not limited to aerosol cans, automotive fluids, motor oil and filters, paint, batteries, chemicals, and fluorescent tubes. For more information on how to dispose of HHW or register for an upcoming drop-off event, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/hhw.   
• Commercial or business waste is not accepted at these events, and vehicles clearly marked for commercial purposes will not be allowed entry.  

Register today at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ESevents. For more information about this event or other questions for the City’s Environmental Sustainability Division, call (805) 652-4525. 

The Food Waste Recycling Program for residents launched on January 1, 2022. Residents in single-family homes must bag food waste, tie it off, and place it in the yard waste cart. Food waste includes meat, bones, dairy, bread, fruit, vegetables, as well as all other edible and inedible parts of food typically thrown into the trash. Once at the sorting facility, bagged food waste is separated and composted into soil products. Do not place food waste directly into the yard waste cart, as this will contaminate the yard waste.

E.J. Harrison & Sons is providing complimentary food waste collection pails (2 gallons) to assist Ventura residents with participating in the new food waste recycling program. In December, the City’s Environmental Sustainability team began delivering the pails to all single-family homes in Ventura. The food waste recycling pails are also available by request and to residents in multi-family housing units as the program expands.

Before buying new bags for the pails, consider reusing bread bags, takeout bags, or grocery bags as a liner for the pail to collect food waste. When the bag is ready to be disposed, tie off the bag and place it in the yard waste container. Do not place your food waste recycling pail out for curbside collection.

This new program is required by California’s Senate Bill (SB) 1383. SB 1383 aims to reduce methane emissions by diverting organic material from landfills by establishing statewide food waste recycling requirements for cities. The City is rolling out food waste recycling for all residents, businesses, and multi-family properties to comply with the law.