Category Archives: City News

Venturan’s approve all local ballot measures, including tax increase

Matt LaVere is Ventura’s newest City Council member.

Almost 60% of the city’s 65,265 registered voters  took part in the Nov. 8 election. In our last council race, in 2013, roughly 26% of registered voters cast a ballot.

The increased voter turnout was due to the fact that this was the first time residents could vote for City Council in an even year and it also coincided with a presidential election. In 2014, the council asked voters to decide whether they wanted to switch from voting in odd years to voting in even-year elections and Venturan’s said yes.

The council race featured 10 candidates for three seats, which included incumbents Weir and Heitmann. Council member Carl Morehouse did not seek re-election.

City Council Winners:

  • Matt LaVere – 16,607 votes
  • Christy Weir -12,816
  • Cheryl Heitmann -11,469

School Board Winners:

  • Sabrina Rodriquez – 14,121
  • Jackie Moran or Don Wood

 

Sabrena Rodriguez won a Ventura school board seat, but who will fill the second open seat still remains a question. The votes counted for Jackie Moran and Don Wood change every time they are re-counted. The latest tally shows Moran leading by 12 votes (12,357 to 12,342).

Seven candidates ran for the two open seats for the school board.

Measure O, the city’s initiative to raise the sales tax, was approved 58% to 42%. It establishes a ½ cent sales tax increase for 25 years, expected to provide approximately $10,800,000 annually. To alleviate fears that the money will be spent on unapproved items, the measure requires independent audits, and a citizen’s oversight committee.

Attempts at a tax increase failed in 2006 and 2009 but this year’s voters recognized the need for improvement in city services.

Voters easily approved Measure Q, 82% to 18%, which sets term limits for City Councilmembers. The measure states that members can serve three full four-year terms (12-years), but then is not eligible to run for the City Council, or to be appointed to a vacancy, unless a period of four years has elapsed since they last serviced on the City Council.

The passing of Measure N, says that the selection of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will occur in even-number years following regular City Council elections. It also eliminates the Ventura Unified School District’s election process from the City Charter.

Even though it was very confusing because of several open-space initiatives, Measure P (SOAR) – extending open-space, agriculture, and hillside land use changes only by voter approval until 2050 – easily passed.

The city’s Measure P, which is separate from the county measures, combined the current SOAR (initially approved in 1995) and Hillside Voter Participation Area (initially approved in 2002) and extended it from 2030 to 2050.

Ventura Unified School District’s Measure R, which continued the District’s existing $59 parcel tax for another four years passed, as it did in 2012. The tax is expected to bring in $2.2 million a year.

Measure R would aid in preserving and improving academic programs, including music and art, along with expanding career and technical training.

It also requires an independent citizen’s oversight committee to be formed and all funds are to be spent on neighborhood schools. No money is to be used for administrative salaries or be taken by the state.

 

 

Toy drive benefiting the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases

The Ventura Police Department is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful toy drive.
The Ventura Police Department is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful toy drive.

by Danny Castro

This year is our 7th Annual Castro Family / Ventura Police Community Foundation Toy Drive benefiting the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Ventura County Medical Center. Our toy drive is put together for two reasons. First is, our family(Castro) and the Ventura Police Community Foundation organize a Christmas party for the patients and families. At the party we hand out toys / gifts to the patients and their siblings, food and snacks, Mr. & Mrs. Claus, music, and holiday cheer. The party is at the auditorium of the center so the patients receiving treatment can come down and be part of the fun.

Another reason for the toy drive is so we can keep the toy box in the center filled throughout the year. The toy box at the center is so that the patients receiving treatment ( chemo, blood transfusions, or IV medications) can pick out a toy or gift after their treatments, if they are having a rough day, or good news. Filling the toy box at the center shows that someone is thinking of the patients and the community cares about them.

This year toy drive is from Nov. 21 thru Dec. 16. All toys donated should be new due to the patient’s immune systems. The ages range from infant to 18 years old. For the teenagers we are looking for gift cards, and the toys should be $10 to $25. We will be wrapping all of the toys at Rise Volleyball in Ventura.

These are drop locations in Ventura, there are Also drops in Camarillo and Oxnard.

  • Ventura Police Department – 1425 Dowell Dr
  • Ventura Police Community Store Front – Pacific View Mall
  • Ventura Police Community Store Front – 110 N. Olive St.
  • Salon Panache – 3639 E. Harbor Blvd #122
  • Capital Mortgage Services – 4253 Transport St.
  • ATLAS Elementary School – 760 Jazmin Ave.
  • Rise Volleyball – 3040 Sherwin Ave.
  • The Clubhouse Fun Zone – 4535 McGrath St.
  • RE/MAX Gold Coast – 5720 Ralston St. Ventura

For more information you can check out Castro Family Toy Drive on Facebook and Instagram. If there are any questions or inquiries for donations please email me at [email protected].

Vol. 10, No. 4 – November 23 – December 6, 2016 – City Classes

3D printing and hanging tapestries

City of Ventura Barranca Vista Imagination Center classes check out hundreds more on web-site

Call  658-4726 or 654-7552 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net

3D Printing Level 1  8-16 years
11/23-1/18       W        3:30-5pm         $149+$25 supply fee   #7146
New age artists and designers will scan, model, morph and 3D print their projects using fun and easy Google Sketch-up and Autodesk Tinkercad. No class 12/28. Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and Olvera Street  teen-adult
11/30               W        8:30 am-5 pm   $35      #7333
View the largest collection of hanging tapestries in a Catholic place of worship in the United States created by Ojai artist John Nava with lunch and a visit to historic Olvera Street (downtown LA) guided by Maryanne Irving. Park your car and meet your guide and bus in the parking lot behind City Hall, 501/505 Poli St.

Ventura Police Department receives grant for special traffic enforcement

The Ventura Police Department has been awarded a $135,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcement and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries.  The Ventura Police Department will use the funding as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education.

“This grant award from the California Office of Traffic Safety provides valuable resources for our city to help keep our roadways and neighborhoods safe,” said Police Chief Ken Corney.

After falling to a ten year low in 2010, the number of persons killed has climbed nearly 17% across the state with 3,176 killed in 2015 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Particularly alarming is the six year rise in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities, along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies, and the emergence of drug-impaired driving as a major problem. This grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these and other devastating problems such as drunk driving, speeding and crashes at intersections.

“Years of research tell us that enforcement and education work best jointly to combat unsafe driving,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft.  “This grant brings both tactics together, with the Office of Traffic Safety and the Ventura Police Department working in concert to help keep the streets and highways safe across Ventura and the state.”

Activities that the grant will fund include:

  • Educational presentations
  • DUI checkpoints
  • DUI saturation patrols
  • Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement
  • Motorcycle safety enforcement
  • Distracted driving enforcement
  • Seat belt and child safety seat enforcement
  • Speed, red light, and stop sign enforcement
  • Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders
  • Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets,” identifying worst-of-the-worst DUI offenders
  • Specialized DUI and drugged driving training such as Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE)
  • Court “sting” operations to cite individuals driving from DUI court after ignoring their license suspension or revocation
  • Stakeout operations to observe the “worst-of-the-worst” repeat DUI offender probationers with suspended or revoked driver licenses

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Ventura City Fire Department responds to detached shed structure fire at El Dorado and San Diego Avenue

On Nov.18, at 2:37pm the Ventura City Fire Department responded to a structure fire in a detached shed in the area of El Dorado and San Diego Avenue.  The first arriving fire crew reported smoke and flames and extension into the garage of the adjacent residential home.  Firefighters successfully knocked down the main body of the fire while checking for fire extension in the adjacent home. Although there was some damage to the eves of the adjacent home the fire did not spread any further.

City of Ventura election results:

2016-dcpc-election-resultsCity Council winners:
Matt LaVere-most votes 16,607
Christy Weir -12,816
Cheryl Heitmann – 11,469

School Board winners:
Sabrina Rodriquez- 14,121
Jackie Moran- 9,734

MEASURE “N” – The selection of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor occur in even-number years following regular City Council elections, and eliminate the Ventura Unified School District’s election process from the City Charter, thus making them subject to state law, be approved?    Passed 58.79%

MEASURE “O” – Establish a ½ cent sales tax for 25 years, providing approximately $10,800,000 annually, require independent audits, citizens oversight, and all funds used locally? Passed 57.23%

MEASURE “P” -Extending open-space, agriculture, and hillside land use changes by voter approval to 2050 be approved?    Passed 71.99%

MEASURE “Q” – Term-limits for City Councilmembers to require that after serving three full four-year terms, a City Councilmember is not eligible to run for the City Council or to be appointed to a vacancy unless a period of four years has elapsed since their last service on the City Council, be approved? Passed 81.88%

Ventura City Fire Department hosts event for fourth grade students

More than 1,300 students observed live demonstrations by Ventura City Firefighters performing multiple tasks. Photos by Richard Lieberman

stuff-fire2On Tuesday, Oct. 18 and Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the Ventura  City Fire Department held a two-day Fire Safety Days event hosted by the Ventura City Fire Department in collaboration with the Ventura Unified School District. The event was held at the Ventura Fire Training Grounds, 765 S. Seaward Ave.

More than 1,300 fourth grade students, parents and school staff observed live demonstrations by Ventura City Firefighters performing multiple tasks associated with a career in firefighting and paramedicine.  Students observed multiple teaching stations with such topics as engine company operations, fire safety education, ladder and power tool demonstrations, and a grand finale involving the City Fire Department’s “hook and ladder” truck. Students were shown how Firefighters operate fire engines, pumps, and hoses that require on-the-spot mathematical calculations, using equations they have memorized and have to complete without the usual “pad and paper.” How an education in chemistry is an essential element of becoming a member of the Hazardous Materials Team.

stuff-fire3Firefighters from around the City served as both instructors and participants in each of the learning stations. The Firefighters focused not only on the tasks they are responsible to perform during emergencies, but also concentrated on the importance of education and its relation to the job.

In line with October being Fire Prevention month, the students also participated in a station dedicated to home fire safety and fire prevention. They learned the importance of Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH) as well as how to properly use a fire extinguisher on a live fire prop.

Post event activities will include an essay-writing contest among the attendees, with the winning school receiving the “Fire Hydrant Award.”  This trophy will be awarded to the winning school, where it will remain until the following year’s winner takes possession of it.  Each year, the winning school’s name will be inscribed on a perpetual plaque on the front of the trophy.  The Fire Chief and the school’s local firefighters will deliver the trophy once the winner is determined.

stuff-fire4Todd Tyner, Principal at Mound School and one of the founders of Fire Safety Day told the Breeze  “During Fire Safety Days, the firefighters highlight multi-step math concepts that are initially introduced during 4th grade instruction, such as conversion formulas, time, distance, mass and volume problem solving. 4th grade science concepts covered during Fire Safety Days revolve around transfer of energy, conservation of resources, natural hazards, and the influence of engineering and technology on society. Firefighters put these concepts into practice regularly, so we believe it is valuable use of student time to partner with our local firefighters as they demonstrate professional skills familiar to our 4th grade students.”

“In addition to that, it’s just a heck of a lot of fun!”

 

Ventura, make your voice heard.  Your vote counts

by Antoinette Mann, Ventura City Clerk

Voting is one of the most fundamental rights of our democracy.  There is no greater right than the right to vote and no better way to participate in shaping the future of our city than by voting.

Ventura voters have four municipal measures on the November 8th ballot, Measures “N”, “O”, “P” and “Q.” In addition, there are three City Councilmember seats up for election.  Voters can learn more about these measures by visiting cityofventura.net/election.

Early voting has already begun, in fact 50% of the 62,170 registered voters in Ventura are designated Vote-by-Mail voters.  Increasing voter participation strengthens our democracy and ensures residents’ voices are heard.

In 2013, 27% of Ventura’s registered voters participated in the electoral process while in 2014, 48% participated.  The higher participation rate in 2014 was due to the election being held in conjunction with County, State, and Federal elections.

In November 2014, Ventura voters approved Measure D, amending the City Charter to provide regular elections in November of even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years (aligning City elections with the elections of State and Federal legislators and officials) to increase voter turnout and decrease election costs.

This year, the City   is anticipating at least 50% of Ventura voters to exercise their democratic right on November 8.  Do your part, study the issues and complete your ballot .

Are you a Vote-by-Mail voter?  If so, you can drop off your completed Vote-by-Mail envelope at Ventura City Hall, in the City Clerk’s Office (501 Poli Street, Room 204) or at the County of Ventura’s 24-hour ballot box located in front of the Hall of Administration (800 S. Victoria Avenue).   Additionally, you can drop off your sealed ballot envelope at any polling place on November 8.

If you are mailing your ballot, ensure it is postmarked no later than November 8 and place the correct amount of postage on the envelope – two First Class stamps.  The last day to request your Vote-by-Mail ballot is November 1 for the November 8 election, so don’t delay.

Do you prefer to cast your ballot in person on Election Day?   Polling places are listed on the back of your sample ballot.  You can also visit the Ventura County Elections Division webpage to locate your polling place at venturavote.org.    Please note that polling locations are adjusted periodically.  Polls close at 8 p.m. but if you are in line and its 8p.m., the polling place will remain open so you can vote.

Once the voting period ends, you can view real-time election night results on the new official app from the Ventura County Elections Division.  In addition to providing election results you can verify your polling place and even check the status of your Vote-by-Mail ballot.  The easy to download app is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play – search for Ventura County Elections.

If you have any questions or need assistance with voter information, please call the City of Ventura City Clerk’s Office at  658-4787 or the County’s Election Division at  654-2664.

Ventura offers Water Wi$e Incentive Program

The City of Ventura opened the application period for its popular Water Wi$e Incentive Program on September 14.  A large number of applications are expected based on the success of last year’s program which provided rebates to approximately 330 Ventura homeowners and businesses who replaced grassy lawns with water-efficient landscaping.  Visit www.removeyourturf.com or call (866) 983-9232 for more information about the City of Ventura’s Water Wi$e Incentive Program.

The Water Wise Incentive program offers rebates of $2 per square foot of turf removed for eligible residential projects.  Homeowners may receive up to a $3,200 rebate per home.  Commercial properties or homeowner associations may receive up to $6,400. All rebates will be accepted on a first come first served basis and will be subject to terms and conditions as well as available funding.

New components to this year’s program include an online application portal that automates every aspect of the participant’s experience, offering weather based irrigation controllers (WBICs) to qualified applicants, and free high efficiency sprinkler nozzles through a web administered voucher program accessed by visiting www.freesprinklernozzles.com.

“The appeal of water efficient landscapes isn’t just for times of water shortage.  Our community is undergoing lifestyle transformations that result in a more sustainable way of life for a southern California city that depends solely on 100% local water resources,” says Shana Epstein, General Manager of Ventura Water.