by Gina Dorrington

It can be said that when it rains in Ventura, it pours. This rainy season has given us another set of challenges here at Ventura Water. Water and wastewater crews worked 24-hour shifts responding to broken water lines and increased flows in the sewer system. Thanks to one concerned resident, we were alerted to an exposed water line and were able to isolate the line without service interruption. We also lent support to our Public Works coworkers, cleaning debris, and pumping down flooded areas. The best part is you probably didn’t even know it. This is the goal, so that our customers rarely experience disruptions. No matter what obstacles we encounter, Ventura Water’s purpose stays the same; to provide local, reliable, and quality service for all generations.

We are guided by four quality standards: Safety, Reliability, Professionalism, and Stewardship. These are demonstrated routinely by the Ventura Water team, and it is an honor to work with them. One of our teams, the Sewer Collections Department, was honored this past month with the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Tri-Counties Section Collection System of the Year Award and has been nominated for the State level award. The dedication is so great with this team that when the awards ceremony was held, half of the team was out clearing debris from a pump station that had been inundated by high surf events.

The Ventura Fire Department, in partnership with the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative, will host a free, public town hall to discuss wildfire preparedness on Thursday, March 7, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall, located at 501 Poli Street in Ventura.

The town hall will cover a wide variety of preparedness topics, including wildfire risk in the City of Ventura, Fire Hazard Reduction Program guidelines, defensible space and home hardening tips, home ignition zone assessments, wildfire home insurance, and information about the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firewise community certification process.

“Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and an engaged and prepared community is our strongest defense against the threat of wildfires. We are thrilled to partner with the Wildfire Collaborative in providing a town hall for a two-way dialogue with our residents,” said Fire Chief David Endaya. “We want to work together to strengthen our community’s resilience and protect what matters most.”

Agencies presenting at the event will include the Ventura Fire Department, Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council, Southern California Edison, and the California Department of Insurance.

“Collaboration is at the heart of effective wildfire preparedness. By working together with organizations like the Ventura Fire Department, we amplify our impact and empower communities to take meaningful action,” said Mason Thurmond, Program Lead for the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative. “The Ventura County Resource Conservation District is proud to play a role in fostering a resilient and well-informed community through the work of the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative.”

In addition to speakers, a variety of booths and community outreach materials will be provided by the California Office of Emergency Services, American Red Cross, and the Ventura Land Trust.

Live streaming and Spanish interpretation will also be available.

For all event information, please visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/FireTownHall. To learn more about emergency preparedness in the City of Ventura, visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/EmergencyPreparedness.

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Ventura’s Community Partnerships Granting Program (CPGP) and Cultural Funding Granting Program (CFGP). Both grant programs were developed to support nonprofit organizations that provide services to Ventura residents.

“These grants, administered by the Parks and Recreation Department, support our local social service, arts, and cultural nonprofit groups who work hard to serve the many unique needs of Ventura residents,” said Recreation Manager Emily Fox.

The Community Partnerships Granting Program, developed in 1998, is available to 501(c)(3) social service organizations located in Ventura County. $140,000 is awarded on a competitive basis, with project-based grants ranging in size from $1,000 to $20,000 in a two-year cycle during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 fiscal years.

The Cultural Funding Grant Program, developed in 1993, is available to Ventura-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations with 501(c)(3) status or that have a Ventura County fiscal agent with 501(c)(3) status. $90,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis, with grants supporting projects, initiatives, and general operating expenses ranging in size from $1,000 to $20,000 in a one-year cycle during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Applications for both grants are due by 5:00 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. For more information including grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, and applications, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Grants.

Additionally, the City of Ventura’s Special Event Grant Program (SEGP) will be opening in early Spring 2024. This year’s SEGP will include an additional $150,000 in one-time funding to support free and affordable community events in the City of Ventura. This grant will be available to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or that have a Ventura County fiscal agent with 501(c)(3) status, including recipients of grant funding from the Community Partnerships and Cultural Funding Grant Programs. More information will be available on the City’s website in early March 2024.

The City of Ventura has received a significant boost in its efforts to combat homelessness with the recent allocation of a homeless housing, assistance, and prevention-round four state grant from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness. The grant, totaling $640,000, includes $96,000 earmarked to assist transitional-age youth between 18-24 years old.

“The City has made strategic investments in various areas to create meaningful outcomes for individuals facing homelessness,” said Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. “We’ve bolstered our affordable housing inventory by 250 units and allocated over $1.5 million to combat homelessness. This grant funding will amplify our endeavors, empowering us to extend crucial assistance to our community’s most vulnerable populations, thereby ensuring they possess the necessary resources to obtain and sustain secure housing.”

The funding will be utilized to establish a robust homeless prevention and diversion program aimed at providing vital rental and utility assistance to individuals and families. By supporting these households, the program aims to help people maintain their permanent housing and ultimately reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in the community.

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by recent data indicating an increase in homelessness within Ventura. According to the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, there are 644 individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of Ventura, though this figure represents only a portion of the total affected population over the course of a year.

Ventura County 2-1-1, a key resource for housing assistance, has reported a significant rise in calls for aid, with over 380 calls originating from residents within the City of Ventura in 2022 alone. This upward trend highlights the critical need for proactive measures to address homelessness in the City.

“Effectively addressing homelessness demands a comprehensive strategy that integrates supportive services with tailored interventions,” expressed Leona Rollins, Housing Services Manager at the City of Ventura. “Through collaborative efforts with the County and numerous community partners, we allocate resources to fund a range of initiatives and programs, encompassing case management, housing navigation services, street outreach, and our vital emergency shelter program.”

With the grant funding secured, the City is poised to launch a comprehensive two-year pilot program under the Homeless Prevention and Diversion initiative. The program aims to serve at least 100 eligible households, providing up to $4,000 in financial assistance to each household to help them maintain their permanent housing.

For more information on the City of Ventura’s Housing Services Division and its initiatives, please visit: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/HousingServices

The City of Ventura encourages low-income customers to apply for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) for help in paying for current or past-due water and wastewater bills. Eligible households now have until March 31, 2024, to apply while funds last. Originally slated to conclude in fall 2023, the program has received a federal extension through March 2024.

“I’m pleased to share the announcement for the extension of this assistance program,” shared Mayor Joe Schroeder. “This vital program has already provided much-needed relief to many of our residents and helps to ease the burden of water and wastewater costs for low-income families.”

Households with an income below 60 percent of the state median income, such as $103,856 for a family of four, qualify for the program. In addition, households currently participating in programs like CalFresh, CalWORKs, or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are eligible for LIHWAP.

Established by Congress in December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the LIHWAP was enacted to help support financially struggling low-income households to settle outstanding water and wastewater bills. Through LIHWAP, thousands of low-income residents in Ventura have already received substantial financial support, addressing both current and overdue bills.

“With this extension, more low-income households can receive relief in their utility costs,” said Ventura Water General Manager Gina Dorrington. “While we are pleased the program has been extended, it’s crucial to note that funding is limited, and assistance is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. We encourage residents and families to apply as soon as possible to take advantage of this opportunity for financial assistance.”

The LIHWAP is administered by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD). To learn more about the program and apply by March 2024, visit www.csd.ca.gov/WaterBill.

The City is seeking applicants for its Housing Authority Board, Downtown Parking Advisory Committee, and Water Commission. These positions provide the City Council with recommendations on related projects and programs. Applications are due by Friday, February 2, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Applications for the Housing Authority Board are due by Friday, February 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

“Civic engagement is the foundation of local government,” said Mayor Joe Schroeder. “When individuals contribute their time and energy to address common issues and pursue common goals, they strengthen the fabric of our community.”

Vacancies occur either by the expiration of a term or resignations during the year. Per San Buenaventura Ordinance 2019-003, no citizen may serve on more than one committee, commission, or board. Dual appointments are not permitted.

There are two openings on the Housing Authority Board. This seven-member board of commissioners meets the second Wednesday of each month at 3:00 p.m. to review the Tenant applicants and assess both their status and if they are in good financial standing. These openings are for residents.

There is one opening on the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee. This seven-member advisory committee meets on the third Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. to advise on parking management strategies and programs in the Downtown Parking District area. This opening is specifically for a Downtown District commercial property owner.

There is one opening on the Water Commission. This seven-member commission meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. to review and make advisory recommendations regarding water rates, water resources infrastructure projects in the five-year capital improvement program, water supply options, and other water resource issues. This opening is in the ‘professional’ category.

To learn more and apply, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Recruitments. For questions, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 658-4787 or by email at [email protected].

Responding proactively to recent severe high surf events, the City of Ventura has officially declared a local state of emergency. This move allows the City to expedite disaster response and seek emergency funding from the state to aid recovery. The City Council ratified the local state of emergency on January 9, 2024, and it will remain in effect for the next 60 days.

“With recent damages to our iconic and historic pier, Ventura faced repair needs and additional cleanup costs caused by recent high tide events,” noted Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. “The declaration of a local state of emergency enables us to seek essential emergency funding, expedite recovery endeavors to swiftly address damage, hasten repairs, and ensure the prompt restoration of our City’s infrastructure.”

The winter storm began on December 28, 2023, and produced large breaking waves with life-threatening rip currents and significant coastal flooding. City staff swiftly responded to reports of flooding, roadway debris, retaining wall damage from high surf, and other hazardous conditions in public areas. Beach protective measures were implemented to mitigate tidal impacts. During the high surf event, the Ventura Fire Department had 38 Ocean Rescue unit responses and 10 Ocean Rescue calls.

Addressing potential hazards on public property and within the public right-of-way, the Ventura Pier, previously impacted during the January 2023 winter storm events, underwent emergency stabilization measures. The recent high tides resulted in additional damage, extending the pier’s closure for several months.

Recent damage includes nineteen missing or damaged piles and estimated costs exceeding $1.75 million, further postponing the reopening for several months. The ongoing emergency repair endeavors focus on rectifying dislodged piles, damaged bracing, and brackets.

“Ventura City staff, in collaboration with the County of Ventura and numerous local and state agencies, worked cohesively to swiftly respond to emergency calls for help, clear debris, reopen public areas, and implement mitigation efforts along the coastline,” stated City Manager Bill Ayub. “We express our gratitude for their effective coordination, which played a crucial role in addressing challenges posed by coastal flooding and significant high surf.”

For real-time updates and information on emergency efforts, residents can visit the dedicated webpage at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/EmergencyAlerts.

For critical emergencies, please call 911. Stay informed of critical incident updates in your area by registering for VC Alert, Ventura County’s Emergency Notification System, at www.VCAlert.org.