Category Archives: City News

Fire/storm updates by City Council

by Burris DeBenning

While a strong, rainy cold front descended on Ventura, city staff provided updates at the Monday, January 8 City Council meeting on preparations underway for possible storm debris flows and the latest efforts with the Thomas Fire recovery. A very positive and articulate interim City Manager, Dan Paranick, conducted a presentation in conjunction with Public Works on Ventura’s preparations for this and future rain events and how the recovery process is on-track.

Mr. Paranick emphasized that city staff took this storm and future winter fronts very seriously by opening the city emergency operations center, coordinating with the Red Cross on an overnight evacuation center at Ventura College and notifying Westside, Downtown and Midtown residents of a voluntary evacuation that would be followed up by mandatory notices via VCAlert if necessary. Prescient news, especially since many people died in mudslides in Montecito.

“The watershed here is Priority 1A due to the potential rain impact,” said Mr. Paranick. The city has five key goals to meet this challenge: evacuation, response, emergency protective measures, long-term mitigation and protective measures “Sandbags ran out, so we made sure these were immediately replenished before the rain arrived later Monday evening,” he said. Residents in specific neighborhoods who may face debris flows because of the Thomas Fire were contacted by the city.

Clifford Tully, Public Works Director, presented a comprehensive storm mitigation plan along with engineering models that consider several scenarios, such as a 100-year or 10-year storm. Mr. Tully conveyed to several council members who asked about the areas of concern in the model, such as Ondulando and Clear Point storm drains, that the city and county are working together on preventative and recovery actions and even have storm patrols out at city hot spots to warn residents and officials about clogs and flooding.

Thomas Fire recovery has completed important milestones, according to Mr. Paranick, the highlight being President Trump’s declaration of the burn zones as a major disaster area, which opens the door to well-needed FEMA federal funding. The toxic substance removal phase is now 75% completed and the collection and dispensing of recyclable materials will begin on January 15.” We’ll also have town halls after the recycle assessment after the 18th of January,” said Mr. Paranick.

In addition, the City Attorney Greg Diaz reminded council that a curfew is still in effect in hillside burn areas until dangers have been removed by official personnel. For rain emergency issues, log onto www.vcemergency.com and for recovery information, the website is www.venturacountyrecovers.org.

Council chooses election district map

The 2018 election will be for Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6, and the 2020 election Districts 2, 3, and 7.

by Burris DeBenning

Unanimously, at the December 18 City Council meeting, council members voted 7-0 to adopt an electoral district map for the 2018 and 2020 election cycles, which brings the arduous work to change from an “at large” election process to a district election process almost to a close. All that remains is adoption of the ordinance amending the City’s election codes, which may be done by mid-January. The re-districting project spans nearly four years, begun in 2014, and involved dozens of council meetings, public notices, thousands of hours of community involvement, staff dedication and input from a professional election consultant. From 33 maps initially submitted by individual and community organizers, 19 maps were legally compliant, followed by a further narrowing of the field to four maps that council chose from: 11,16,22,23. These maps can be viewed at: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10830.

With no debate, council picked Map #11, based on the common council perspective that this map keeps communities of interest and geography together. Member Christy Weir, who raised her family in Montalvo, said that Map #11 does not divide Montalvo like some of the other maps. “We always thought of Montalvo as Victoria Avenue to Ramelli Avenue, not divided by Johnson Drive, which is what happens with Map #22,” Weir commented. Member Mike Tracy, who introduced the motion to adopt Map #11, stated that it was important for Montalvo and Pierpont to be in the same district, given their shared socioeconomic and community needs. “We need a map that reminds people that, even though council members will represent their own districts, they still come together to support the whole city,” said member Cheryl Heitmann. Heitmann also said that some neighborhoods like Pierpont are thought to have only wealthy homeowners, but in fact have a lot of renters like the Montalvo area. Member Matt LaVere endorsed Map #11 because it provides a strong Westside, Saticoy and Montalvo. “Map #11 achieves bringing the far ends of the City into council chambers,” said member and former mayor Erik Nasarenko.

Despite the vote, many members of the public spoke to oppose Map #11 and support Maps #22 and #23 that, in their view, represented the City’s Latino vote and community diversity best. Most opponents spoke in the name of CA– USE (Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy), which focuses on immigrant rights, wage reform and environmental improvement. A teacher with the Ventura Unified School District called Ventura a “wonky L-shaped city” that requires boundaries recognizing demographic similarities. Others spoke of the need to empower disenfranchised blocks of voters, keep the hillsides separate from the working classes and maintain the unique ethnic characteristics of certain neighborhoods. It was argued that Map #11 neglects the predominantly low income, immigrant and renter populations in Montalvo and Saticoy.

In the final evaluation, valid maps had to meet key requirements of the Federal Voting Rights Act (FVRA) and California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). Mayor Neil Andrews thanked the public and staff for exemplary work on this project. The final reading of the new district ordinance is scheduled for the January 8, 2018 council session.

Neal Andrews elected Ventura mayor

His City Council colleagues voted 7-0 for him to be mayor.

After more than 20 years as an active businessman and community volunteer in Ventura, Neal Andrews was encouraged by many citizens of Ventura to run for City Council. He was elected on his first attempt in 2001.

Now 16-years later he has been selected to be Ventura’s mayor by the City Council.

Before founding Horizon Management Services, Neal worked in a variety of capacities with Blue Cross of California, managing their statewide system of contracting for health services and later heading Behavioral Health Access, the corporate division responsible for mental health services to Blue Cross members. He has also been a hospital administrator, chief executive of a regional joint powers agency, and a university professor.

His professional honors include being twice elected to the International Board of Directors of The Planning Forum, then the leading international professional organization in the discipline of strategic planning and management. In addition, Neal has served on the National Leadership Council for the Institute for Behavioral Health, as a Scholar-Diplomat under the sponsorship of the U. S. State Department, as a Fellow of the National Security Education Seminar and the Inter-University Colloquium on Armed Forces and Society.

He is the author of Foreign Policy and the New American Military and many papers and articles on matters of public policy, business, and health care over the years. He is a popular speaker before regional and national conference audiences including such prestigious organizations as The Conference Board, the California Medical Association, and the National Managed Health Care Congress.

Over the years, Neal has also served as the Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties representative on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Health Care Executives Association, as a Member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts, and as an officer and board member of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, among others. He is widely known as an active citizen advocate in water quality and water conservation public policy issues in Ventura.

He is a member of Rotary, Kiwanis, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.

Neal received his baccalaureate degree from Duke University and his graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He later completed additional post-graduate work at the Michigan State University School of Public Administration and the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

He had been the longest-serving council member to never hold the post of mayor. His colleagues voted 7-0 for him to be mayor. In December 2015, Andrews was named deputy mayor when Erik Nasarenko became mayor. He succeeded Nasarenko at the conclusion of his two-year term.

Andrews stated when the council decides on a policy, “I will be the spokesperson for that policy, even if I didn’t agree with it.”

Andrews went on “I’ll be immediately focused on hiring a new city manager (Mark Watkins is retiring this month)and devoting my energy to redistricting.” The city is creating district boundaries for the upcoming election.

When elected little did he know that his first concern would be the devastating fires that have over -whelmed Ventura.

Council member Matt LaVere, who was elected in 2016, became deputy mayor on a 7-0 vote.

Erik Nasarenko’s parents and sister were in attendance at the city council meeting . He thanked the crowd and spoke of accomplishments of which he was particularly proud. Including getting a half-cent sales tax approved and moving the city to even year elections.

City begins spraying EarthGuard behind City Hall

The City has already started to spray EarthGuard in the homes where hazardous material burned and on the hills behind City Hall.

The product will not impact sifting of personal materials and will not affect the ability to seed properties. EarthGuard is a non-hazardous, non-toxic product and will not cause any issues with the watershed or the replanting or re-growing of plants. The product is mixed with fiber and is green in color in order to show where it has been applied.

Kick off the new year with a fresh start

Dump your junk and shred your old files at the first Community Cleanup & Recycling Event of the year. Most material types are accepted, except for Household Hazardous Waste (this includes any fire debris material). Also accepting holiday trees but make sure to remove all ornaments, hooks, lights, tinsel, nails and stands. The event will be held at 765 S Seaward Ave (Lot at the corner of Alessandro Dr.) on Sat. Jan.6 from 9am-12pm. For more information call 652-4525.

City responds to fire crisis

by Burris DeBenning

As the City enters the recovery phase of fire operations, resident concerns, questions and needs are being answered and assessed and priorities ranked. At the December 11 City Council meeting, leadership personnel from various agencies provided status reports, and the City Manager introduced the team, headed by the Assistant City Manager, Dan Paranick, that would be responsible for the totality of the clean-up and recovery stages of the fire.

Police Chief Ken Corney said that everything is being done to get people who were in mandatory evacuation zones back into their neighborhoods, but that critical safety issues, like the danger of open gas lines and downed transmission wires, remain a hindrance.

Police personnel are also contending with an uptick in crime as there have been multiple reports of looting and burglaries that seem to be in response to the evacuations. Augmenting City police in their efforts to keep the peace has been the California National Guard.

Councilmember Chery Heitmann asked Chief Corney for a timetable on when people can get back to their homes to collect valuable and mementos, and the chief estimated about two weeks, due to the extensive utility work being performed by the Southern California Gas Company and Southern California Edison.

Councilmember Jim Monahan asked Mr. Paranick why the gas company had to dig large holes in certain streets to shut off gas lines rather than turn them off at the home.

Water has been a major concern and Kevin Brown, Ventura Water General Manager, answered council questions regarding drinking and use safety and the condition of the city’s water system. While mandatory water boiling is no longer required, Brown stressed that the fire overwhelmed the City’s complex web of pipes, valves and tanks, as equipment was either destroyed or taxed by rapidly falling pressure when the fire moved through town. Brown said that the fire caused the system to drain ten times its normal draw rate. Once conditions were safer, Water Department crews were able to add chlorine for purification and visit damaged infrastructure to make repairs.

Councilmember Christy Weir asked Mr. Paranick’s team what responsibilities will homeowners have during the clean-up and rebuilding in conjunction with what the State can offer. According to County and OES(The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services) officials, the objective is to get people back onto their properties and connect residents with state assistance as quickly as possible, but that hazardous waste and unstable debris must be removed first.

The plan to expedite this timetable is to work with residents as a whole rather than individually, and thus be able to tackle many sites at once. Deputy Director William Stratton of the County’s Environmental Health Division emphasized that the largest concern right now is the toxicity of the ash and burned debris that may be caused by heavy metals and asbestos.

Residents brought up concerns over how the smoky and ash-laden air might affect children when school is back in session, and what has happened to the drilling, transportation and storage infrastructures of the many oil sites throughout and near the City. As the rainy season approaches, residents and council voiced concerns about the efforts needed to keep storm drains open and reduce the potential for vast mud flows from the denuded hills.

State OES will have a watershed task force, comprised of hydrologists and other experts, in place to resolve possible mudslide issues. As a welcome relief to homeowners, County Tax Assessor Steve Hintz said that people who lost their homes and first responders who call his office and ask can have their property tax penalties and fees waived.

One councilmember asked if there was a central website that will handle all fire communications, and what efforts were being taken to use social media to the fullest extent possible. Mr. Paranick responded that the most valuable central website is VenturaRecovery.org, and that his public information team will work diligently with local news organizations and social media sites to assure consistent and well-informed communications.

Finally, the question was asked, “how can I help?” Councilmembers Cheryl Heitmann and Christy Weir concurred that supplies of clothing and other “hard” goods have been met, but the best thing folks can do is patronize local businesses, like buying holiday gift certificates and air purifiers, and remember that members of the Ventura business community and the Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP) lost homes too.

City of Ventura offers parcel record packets to fire victims

City of Ventura residents whose property was damaged or destroyed by the Thomas Fire will be able to pick up a parcel record packet for their property. The City of Ventura Community Development Department has compiled all records for parcels with homes or structures that were damaged or destroyed. This information may assist homeowners with filing insurance claims and beginning the rebuild process.

Packets will include:

  • Building Permit Records
  • Including historic building permits and/or planning permits
  • (Please note that packets will not include copyrighted plans or calculations/reports.)
  • Property Zoning Information
  • Subdivision Tract Information, if applicable.

Property owners (with identification) may pick up their individualized packet at Ventura City Hall located at 501 Poli Street, Ventura during City Hall business hours in room 124 (lower level, West wing). Residents may also request an electronic version of the parcel packet by emailing their request to [email protected]. The City of Ventura is committed to supporting the recovery and rebuilding process for property owners.

Ventura Police Department hosting free Active Shooter Response Training Dec. 20

The for business and church leadership on December 20 at Ventura Baptist Church located at 5415 Ralston Street in Ventura. The training will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A new location was selected because the Ventura Police Department training room is currently occupied as an Emergency Operations Center. Ventura Baptist Church can also accommodate a larger group allowing for those waitlisted to attend. Registrations are still being accepted until December 19.

The training is being offered in response to community concerns regarding active shooter incidents in Nevada, Texas and California. FBI statistics show that mass shootings are rare, but the Ventura Police Department is committed to partner with the community in providing safety information. According to the FBI, between 2000 and 2016, there were 216 active shooter incidents throughout the country.

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within a short time, before police arrive on scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

The training is free. Registration is required by calling 805-339-4317 or emailing [email protected].ca.us.

A Holiday Boutique at Plaza Park

The City of Ventura Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships Department will host a Holiday Boutique on Saturday, December 9 from 10 am- 4 pm in historic Plaza Park. Come shop, play and stay to see the 160 live, decorated, twinkling trees. This is an opportunity to purchase a one-of-a-kind holiday gift for that special someone on your list! The boutique features over 30 talented artisans selling hand-crafted, quality items including; holiday decorations, gifts, ornaments and specialty pieces.

This free event will also include activities for children, and feature stage entertainment throughout the event. Don’t miss Mario Bocalli introducing the Cabrillo Jazz Band, the Holiday Choirs from the ChannelAire Chorus, the Bible Fellowship Church Kids Choir, holiday selections from the 2016 Mayor’s Arts Award recipient Jodi Farrell’s vocal students, dancers from Cassie’s Nutcracker Ballet class, Holidays on the Island Polynesian dancers and line dancing with Jackie.