The City of Ventura’s proposed water reuse program, VenturaWaterPure, anticipates $1.7 million in federal funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (BOR) Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program.

VenturaWaterPure is among a shortlist of projects funded by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, pending Congress’ approval. This award is in addition to the $2.4 million that the City received from the program in 2018.

“It is encouraging to see VenturaWaterPure selected to participate in these competitive State and Federal funding programs,” said Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “The City will continue to pursue grants and cost-sharing opportunities like this to minimize the financial impact to our residents and maximize value to our community.”

Through the Title XVI program, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation provides grants to communities to reclaim and reuse wastewater, impaired groundwater, and surface water. Funding may be used for the planning, design or construction of water recycling and reuse projects

“With record-low rainfall across California, water reuse projects such as the VenturaWaterPure program are critical to protecting our communities against drought and climate change,” shared VenturaWaterPure Program Manager Linda Sumansky. “VenturaWaterPure will provide a reliable, drought-resistant water supply to the City of Ventura, a solution that is needed now more than ever.”

The VenturaWaterPure program is also being considered for a low-interest loan through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. If awarded, the City will receive a $125 million loan to fund the design and construction of the program’s Advanced Water Purification Facility. The City is expecting to receive formal loan approval in early 2022.

VenturaWaterPure will recover, treat, and reuse water that is currently discharged to the Santa Clara River Estuary. At a new purification facility, water will be treated using advanced technology for potable reuse. The multi-benefit program will create a new local water supply, meet legal requirements, and improve water quality for Ventura customers.

The program remains in the design phase, with construction anticipated to begin in 2023. To learn more about the VenturaWaterPure Program, visit www.VenturaWaterPure.net.

from the Office of Traffic Safety

The City of Ventura received $44,000 in grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) aimed at prioritizing the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians through educational programs and events.

“We remain committed to the safety of our residents when biking and walking in our neighborhoods,” shared Public Works Director Phil Nelson. “Along with the development of our Active Transportation Plan, this funding helps complement our goal of creating safer and more sustainable mobility options in our communities.”

The City of Ventura is distinguished as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. With over 60 miles of bicycle lanes, 35 miles of bike routes and paths, and over 400 lockers and racks, the City encourages increased use of active modes of transportation such as biking and walking in order to improve the quality of life in our community. Active transportation promotes healthier citizens, a cleaner environment, safety for all roadway user types, and economic development.

Grant funds will pay for a comprehensive safety program that will teach valuable skills for all types of road users, including:

• Bicycle skills and training courses that educate youth on safe riding behaviors
• Helmet fitting inspections and distribution of helmets to those in need
• Community and school education presentations on best bike/walking practices
• Incorporating bicycle safety skills into regular community bike rides
• Partnerships with health care providers and senior centers promoting pedestrian safety measures among older people and those who are experiencing homelessness
• Pop-up events that promote the importance of visibility on roads with safety equipment such as reflective armbands/leg bands and bicycle headlights/taillights

A grant from the California OTS provided funding for this program through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant program will run through September 2022. For more information about the City’s Active Transportation Plan, visit www.ActivePlanVentura.com or call the Transportation Hotline at (805) 654-7769.

The City of Ventura continues its redistricting process and encourages residents to participate in the district maps creation phase, open through December 10, 2021.

Residents are invited to draw proposed district boundaries and submit recommendations by print in the City Clerk’s Office or electronically with map drawing tools available online at www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/Redistricting.

Using the online mapping tool called DRA, users can submit maps electronically.  All maps received will be reflected as a “layer” on the interactive review map.

Community members can also pick-up printed maps, available in English and Spanish, in the City Clerk’s Office at Ventura City Hall, located at 501 Poli Street in Room 204.

Community feedback for redrawn districts must use the 2020 U.S. Census data and comply with the Fair Maps Act, adopted by the California legislature as AB 849 effective January 1, 2020. For details on the Fair Maps Act Criteria, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/Redistricting.

To submit paper maps, please email to [email protected]. Draft maps are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 10, 2021. 

For resources and additional information about the City of Ventura’s redistricting process, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/Redistricting.

For questions or to submit public comments, including suggested draft maps, email the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected]

On Nov. 17 Ventura City and County fire units responded to a reported vegetation fire near the River Haven encampment area adjacent to the Santa Clara River and Olivas Park golf course.

Units arrived to find a growing wind driven fire in thick vegetation next to the encampment. Aggressive work by firefighters was able to halt the fire and keep it from significant growth and threat to nearby developed areas. The fire was contained and fully extinguished in approximately 2 hours. The cause was determined to be from an unattended cooking/ warming fire.

The Ventura Police Department (VPD), in partnership with Boy Scouts of America, is proud to announce the launch of its Explorer Program for Ventura residents.

Ventura’s Police Explorer Program is designed for youth, ages 14-18, who are interested in learning about a career in law enforcement. The program is taught by VPD staff and officers who provide hands-on activities and interactive learning sessions about local police operations.

As an explorer, students will participate in patrol ride-alongs, accident investigations, defensive tactics, evidence collection and processing, community service, and much more.

“We want to build strong, trusting, and lasting relationships with our youth. This unique hands-on program helps build positive experiences between our explorers and our staff,” said Police Chief Darin Schindler. “By making connections early and offering an inside look at our agency, it is my hope that we will inspire young men and women to pursue a career with us as Ventura Police Officers.”

Developing an explorer program with representation from each of Ventura’s seven districts was an initiative identified in VPD’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan.

To be eligible for the Ventura Police Explorer Program students must:

• Be a graduate of the eighth grade and be between the ages of 14-18 years old
• Live or attend a high school in the city of Ventura
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Maintain a good driving record – if applicable
• Pass a criminal background check and an applicant screening process
• Be of good moral character and not engage in the use of drugs or alcohol
• Have an interest in learning about law enforcement and in serving the community
• Attend two meetings per month

To learn more about the program and the application, please visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/ExplorerProgram.

In honor of National Preparedness Month, all residents are encouraged to take action by developing an emergency response plan. Water is an essential resource for survival and a necessary part of every emergency supply kit.

Following a disaster, clean drinking water may not be available. Prepare yourself by building a supply of water that will meet your family’s needs during an emergency. Make sure to stock enough tap or bottled water to last three to seven days. Anticipate each family member will need one to two gallons of water per day. Additionally, customers should be prepared to disinfect available water by boiling water or using regular unscented chlorine bleach products that are suitable for disinfection and sanitation as indicated on the label. To learn more about how to safely disinfect drinking water during an emergency please visit the Emergency Preparedness page.

Remember, water disaster preparedness involves four easy steps:

1. Store water
2. Build an emergency kit
3. Make a plan
4. Stay informed

Residents and businesses are encouraged to register online at VC Alert to receive emergency updates and critical messages like evacuation notices. Be sure to visit Ready Ventura County or VC Emergency for more information about how to prepare for the unexpected.

Due to prolonged drought conditions and extreme heat throughout California, Governor Gavin Newson recently declared a Drought State of Emergency in 50 counties across the State. While Ventura County is not included in the current proclamations, the Governor is encouraging all Californians to voluntarily reduce water use by 15 percent.

Looking for ways to save? Ventura Water is here to help! Apply for one of our water conversation programs or schedule a free consultation with a Water Conservation Specialist by calling Customer Care at (805) 667-6500.

Water Wise Landscape:

Receive a cash rebate for converting your lawn to a low water-use landscape.

Upgrade your irrigation System: Apply for a free smart irrigation controller, drip irrigation, and high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles.

Low-Water Appliances: Install a high-efficiency toilet and washing machine.

Use Recycled Water: Check out Ventura Water’s Recycled Water Mobile Reuse Program

As a reminder, the City will continue to enforce water waste prohibitions, offer water efficiency programs/ incentives, and pursue multi-benefit water supply projects, such as the State Water Interconnection Project and the VenturaWaterPure Program.

Ventura Water extends its sincere appreciation to our customers for their continued commitment to improved water efficiency as the State of California shifts towards “making water conservation a California way of life”. For more information about Ventura’s current water supply situation, visit Ventura Water’s Water Shortage Update webpage.

As with everything, there are many different paths to becoming a Fire Marshal, however, the qualifications and experience needed are similar among differing agencies and cities. Fire Marshals typically start their career as either a Fire Inspector or Firefighter and promote through the ranks in either Fire Operations or Fire Prevention. It is the Fire Marshal’s responsibility, as the Fire Prevention Division Manager, to oversee the community risk reduction programs of the division including the development fire plan review and inspection, hazardous materials enforcement, occupancy inspections, defensible space inspections, fire review for special events, and fire operations support programs. Essentially, any program that addresses fire prevention, the Fire Marshal has a hand in overseeing.

In the Ventura, the mission of the Fire Prevention Division is to protect life, property, and the environment through effective engineering, enforcement, and education.

Given the multiple programs and functions that the Fire Prevention Division is responsible for, a typical path to the Fire Marshal position includes an individual gaining some years of experience in performing inspections in support of the various division programs, followed by plan review experience, and then project management and supervisory level experience.

Mandatory qualifications can vary among fire agencies within California, however, there are a few typical qualifying factors for Fire Marshal candidates. The typical qualification requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration or a related field, and other certifications required by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Preferred qualifications can also include Fire Investigator certification and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications which allow flexibility in how the Fire Marshal functions within a department.
Ventura’s Fire Marshal, Joe Morelli, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management and Associate of Science Degree in Fire Prevention, is a California State Certified Fire Marshal, Fire Plans Examiner, Fire Prevention Specialist, and Firefighter I and II. He holds International Code Council Certifications as a Fire Inspector I and II and Plans Examiner. He also serves on committees and boards within the fire service including the Executive Board of the California Fire Chief’s Association Fire Prevention South Section, and the National Fire Protection Organization Fire Prevention Organization and Deployment Committee as the California Fire Chief’s Association Representative.

Learn more about the Ventura Fire Prevention Division at www.VenturaCityFire.com.