Category Archives: City News

Ask The Chief: Ventura City Fire Chief David Endaya

What are the most important priorities for the Ventura City Fire Department right now?

As a full-service city that also functions as the county seat, Ventura faces many challenges when it comes to public safety. The City contends with miles of coastline, railroads, highways, two rivers, the Government Center, the County Jail, the County Fairgrounds, wildland (brush) fire hillsides, tsunami threat, earthquake faults, and more. Despite the many unprecedented challenges, the Ventura Fire Department continues to remain trained, prepared, and equipped to serve you quickly and efficiently in times of crisis or disaster.

Maintaining fire, police and paramedic emergency response is vital to protecting the residents of Ventura. One of our highest priorities is to keep our response times as short as possible. Nearly 85% of all calls to the Ventura City Fire Department’s communications center require emergency medical attention. Keeping all six of the City’s fire stations open is important to maintaining quick response times and utilizing every resource available to save lives and mitigate emergencies. One of our local fire stations currently relies on temporary funding to remain open.

The City has placed Measure O on the November ballot for voter consideration to make local funding available for vital city services, including keeping all existing fire stations open.

We currently provide service out of six fire stations, with a daily staffing of 22 firefighters citywide, serving a population of over 110,000 people. In 2015, the department responded to more than 14,300 emergency calls for service. In 2008, the department received just over 10,500 calls for service. The continued increase in calls for service remains a challenge for the crews protecting the city around the clock.

In 1974, when the department responded to 1,975 calls annually, the daily staffing was 19 firefighters. In 2016, the number of permanently funded firefighter positions remains at 19. The additional 3 daily positions we have today are only temporarily funded, and that is the greatest challenge we face when trying to maintain rapid, efficient emergency response. Maintaining today’s response times means keeping all of our current fire stations open and operational.

Another priority is ensuring firefighting equipment and training is up to date. The advancement of technology is, at best, very difficult to keep up with. Progressive elements such as new air bags in vehicles and different types of home construction present new challenges to emergency responders. Firefighters must learn and train on the techniques of victim extrication from newer cars and the dangers the airbags pose to rescuers during emergency operations. They must also become experts at understanding newer building construction under fire conditions, and when and how the structure may fail or collapse. These are two examples of the many types of incidents our crews face every year.

Firefighters no longer just “fight fire.” Ventura City firefighter professionals are also paramedics, hazardous materials specialists, building collapse experts, urban search and rescue technicians, rope rescue experts, ocean rescue swimmers and trench rescue technicians to name just a few. Keeping all existing fire stations open and our firefighters trained and equipped with the best protective gear and rescue equipment available is important to protecting the health and safety of Ventura residents.

New Midtown parking structure provides potential for economic growth

Dr. John Hill cutting the ribbon while Stephanie Caldwell, the Chamber’s President and CEO, Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann and others look on. Photo by John Ferritto

by City staff

Community Memorial Hospital’s new $13 million parking structure in Midtown is a win-win that provides economic growth opportunities along with increased parking spaces for the community, hospital visitors and customers visiting nearby businesses. Through a public-private partnership, the City of Ventura provided the land with a long-term lease agreement and CMH paid for building the new 571-space, five-level parking structure which opened in September. Of those 571 new parking spaces, 200 are allocated for CMH use, 172 spaces are for the public, and 199 spaces are available to serve further economic development in the area.

The parking structure consists of 180,000 square feet with an additional 1,400 square feet on the first floor dedicated to commercial and retail space for new businesses. Currently, motorists can access the new parking garage from Brent Street and there is no charge for parking. Soon, an additional parking entrance will be available from Main Street and parking limits (such as 2-hours free) for the 172 public spaces may be noted. Two Chargepoint Electric Vehicle charging stations were also installed at the new structure, bringing the total to 16 stations in Ventura available to EV drivers at city facilities and public parking spaces. A Vaportite Light has been fitted on each level to make access easier in the darker evenings.

Ventura’s Wellness District — anchored by Community Memorial Hospital and the Ventura County Medical Center – is bolstered by both organizations which have made a substantial commitment to the area by investing more than $500 million to re-build their medical centers. CMH’s new 350,000 square-foot hospital, adjacent to the new parking structure and current building, will have a larger emergency room, more operating rooms and private patient rooms. VCMC’s new hospital replacement wing project is slated for completion by fall of 2017, with 220,000 square-feet of acute care facilities.

Development of the Wellness District is part of the City’s Economic Development Strategy focusing on the health care and biomedical industry, one of the six key areas in the plan. The build out of the District will include medical offices, supportive services, restaurants and retail which help enhance economic activity by creating jobs and businesses. The new parking structure is a significant step to help attract new development and a fully realized Wellness District.

The City is also working to replace and improve infrastructure in the Wellness District so our underground systems have the capacity for present and future growth. The current sewer line project at Main and Brent Streets is replacing undersized and aged pipes that, in some cases, were installed between 1945 and 1991. Addressing the needs of our aging infrastructure is vital for long-term economic growth, business competitiveness, and to maintain the quality of life for Ventura residents and visitors.

Vol. 9, No. 26 – September 28 – October 11, 2016 – City classes

City of Ventura Barranca Vista Imagination Center classes check out hundreds more on our web-site
Call (805) 658-4726 or 805-654-7552 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net
Classes and events held at the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted

Introduction to Video Game Design & Coding 8-12 years
9/28-11/16 W 3:45-5 pm $129 #6760
Learn the basic principles of conditional coding and work with a partner on fundamental video game design elements working with Multimedia Fusion software.

Beginning Hip Hop 6-12 years
9/30-10/21 F 4:30-5:15 pm $40 #6810
Join other hip hoppers to learn basic moves in a fun environment. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in, no jeans or shorts, and sneakers. No classes 9/2-9/5. Class held at 1547 Los Angeles Ave #102, Ventura.

Pre-K Ballet/Acro PC 2-5 years
10/1-10/22 Sa 10:15-11 am $40 #6801
Learn basic ballet techniques such as pointing your toes, foot positions and balancing, plus somersaults and hand stands. Instructor Kelyla Nelson,1547 Los Angeles Ave #102 in Ventura.

Haunted Ventura County 6-12 years
10/4-10/18 Tu 4-5 pm $40 #7149
Take a closer look at such local historic and haunted sites as the Stage Coach Inn, Heritage Square and Ortega and Olivas Adobes with a weekend field trip for an up-close investigation.
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Figurative Clay Sculpture 16 years-adult
10/5-11/2 W 6:15-8:15 pm $110+$20 materials fee #6785
Create your own figure and face sculptures using a variety of techniques. Instructor Kim Clarke.

Meditate for Mind Body Health 18 years-adult
10/6-10/27 Th 7-8 pm $75 #6751
We sit in chairs (bring pillows if needed) to practice silent concentration and mindfulness meditations to reduce stress, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Instructor PHD Psychologist Kimberly Wulfert.

Canine Body Language Seminar 18 years-adult
10/8 Sa 10 am-12 pm $20 #6770
Tail wagging doesn’t always mean “happy.” Learn to identify signs of anxiety versus playfulness as you open new lines of communication with your dog. Leave your dog at home and join Registered Veterinary Technician and Certified Professional Dog Trainer Shannon Coyner. Class held at 3521 Arundel Circle #B. www.venturapetwellness.com.

Tap with Haley 18 years-adult
10/9-11/13 Su 3-4 pm $60 #6829
Get a great mental/physical workout with simple tap steps and rhythm patterns. All dance levels welcome. Instructor Haley-Nicole Harwood.

Tai Chi Xing Yi
10/11-11/10 Tu/Th 12-1 PM $72 #7441
Learn Chinese physical culture, mental exercises, and mind-body systems as you practice traditional elements of Chen and Shao Lin style, Tai Chi, Qigong, and more with World and National Champion Martial Artist, Eric Zhang. No class 10/25 & 10/27

Olive Oil Tasting, Snacks and Art Sketching 18 years-adult
10/12 W 1-4 pm $40+$20 materials fee #7160
10/15 Sa 1-4 pm $40+$20 materials fee #7161
Sketch and tour Ojai Olive Oil’s groves. Taste its oils and create a refreshing drink of vinegar, herbs and fruit (recipes included). Meet at 1811 Ladera Rd, Ojai.

Vol. 9, No. 25 – September 14 – September 27, 2016 – City Classes

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
Classes and events held at the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street unless otherwise noted

Art classes
Critters 7-12 years
9/19-10/17 M 4-5:30 pm $50+$10 materials fee #6782
Learn to paint all kinds of animals in many styles including dot painting, abstract and realistic. Join artist Jen Livia at 4601 Telephone Rd #112 each week to explore new subjects and paint them in a variety of styles to discover our own unique style. All supplies provided. www.redbrickart.com.

Acrylic Painting for Youth 8-18 years
9/22-10/20 Th 3:30-4:45 pm $65 #6779
Explore painting themes of fantasy and nature on different painting surfaces.

Fun with Watercolor 15 years-adult
9/22-10/20 Th 10 am-12 pm $68 #6790
Learn basic techniques, color theory and how to paint in an outside environment. Experienced painters may work on their own projects. Includes some field trips.

Open Studio 15 years-adult
9/22-10/20 Th 12:30-2:30 pm $68 #6793
Work in your favorite medium–watercolor, acrylic, oil or drawing–in this relaxed minimal instruction environment.

Sewing by Hand 10 years-adult
9/23-10/21 F 4:15-6 pm $60 #6786
Learn hand-sewing skills to make dolls, folk pictures, purses and more perfect for holiday gifts.

Sailboats, Cityscapes and Whimsical Characters 16 years-adult
9/23-10/21 F 2-4 pm $100 #6788
Use wood, paint, fabric and found contributions to create fantasy versions of sailboats, cityscapes and other 3D art pieces.

My First Video Game! 5-8 years
9/26-11/14 M 3:45-5 pm $129 #6761
Young game developers work in pairs to design and build their own original 2D “bouncy ball” computer game. At Bible Fellowship Church Room 206, 6950 Ralston St.

Let’s Play with Clay 3-6 years
9/26-10/17 M 6:15-7:30 pm $45/child & adult #6776
It’s parent and child play as you work together to create projects in clay, such as pinch pots, nature print trays and handprints! Instructor Michelle Solorio.

Ventura City Fire Department commemorates 15th anniversary of 9/11

9/11 anniversary remembered by Fire Department at Station 3 at 5838 Telegraph Rd. Photo by Bernie Goldstein

On Sunday morning, September 11th, all Ventura City Fire Department stations held special remembrances for the first responders and civilians who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Fire Chief David Endaya stated, “Although 15 years have passed since that tragic day in 2001, it seems it could have happened yesterday. The images, the sounds, the emotions, and the pain are as vivid today as they were when I watched the events of that morning unfold live on television with my crew at Fire Station 5. We will never forget the actions of the firefighters, law enforcement officers, members of our U.S. Armed Forces, and the brave civilians who worked to save others, many losing their lives, that fateful day.”

City officials, law enforcement personnel, and Venturans visited many of the Ventura City Fire Department stations to participate in the brief ceremony.

The remembrances were held from 6:45 a.m. to 6:59.

At 6:55 a.m. – Firefighters stood at attention and raised the U.S. flag ceremoniously to half-staff. Silence was maintained.

At 6:59 a.m. – A special tone was broadcast over the fire radio followed by four sets of five bells. One minute of complete silence was held. The time coincides with the collapse of the World Trade Center South Tower, and the bells are traditionally used by the fire service to commemorate firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

For information about Ventura City Fire Stations, visit www.cityofventura.net/about/stations.

Ventura Council for Seniors City Council Candidates’ Forum

There will be at least one new face on the Ventura City Council after election day with three spots open and ten people competing for them, and you can help decide which ones will make the cut.

The Ventura Council for Seniors is hosting a free City Council Candidates’ Forum from 10am to noon Tuesday, Sept. 20 at the Ventura Missionary Church, 500 High Point Dr.

During the forum, the public is invited to ask questions, the tougher the better as the city faces many topics of importance, such as local tax measures on the ballot and planning, financial, recreation and quality of life issues(And the closing of Brooks).

Moderator is VCS Chair Suz Montgomery, who promises “this is an opportunity to ask the hard questions face-to-face with the people who want to run your city.”

Incumbent Carl Morehouse is not running for reelection, but two current council members are: Cheryl Heitmann and Christy Weir, facing eight new competitors. They are: Lorrie Brown, Jacqueline Martenson, Randall Richman, Matt LaVere, Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, Brian Lee Rencher, Michael Anthony Graves and Dave Grau.

“At the forum, you’ll find out if the candidates know about the issues, their solutions and the attitude they will bring to our 150-year-old city,” Montgomery said. “Also important is what each one of them has done for the city and if they have a track record of accomplishments.”

For those with special needs, the California Relay Service will ensure you can get there and back safely; call them at 658-4726.

There will also be a candidates’ forum and debate at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Bell Arts on the Avenue, focusing on that area of the city.

“You Got Served” project

Some of the arundo was taller than the students. Photos by Bernie Goldstein

On Aug. 29 the City of Ventura partnered with over 500 students from Cal Lutheran University for their “You Got Served” project. The school’s largest service-learning project (in terms of student participants). Cal Lutheran’s entire incoming freshmen class and transfer students worked alongside city staff and the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy to remove the invasive arundo donax — which kills native plants, shelters illegal activities(homeless) and is a fire hazard in the Ventura River bottom.

Cal Lutheran’s Community Service Center has worked with the city’s Volunteer Ventura! office on the university’s annual “You Got Served” program since 2008. The partnership has allowed all the incoming students to work together on a single project that introduces them to Cal Lutheran’s commitment to service and justice and connects them with the local community in a meaningful way. Together, the city and university came up with the environmental clean-up program.

During the last eight years of the program, Cal Lutheran’s students and city staff have:

Assisted with the restoration efforts in the Ventura and Santa Clara Riverbeds, removing arundo and more than 57 tons of trash and debris

Carefully removed invasive ice plant in the Ventura Harbor Wetlands Ecological Reserve

Beautified three city parks, a historic site, and a community center

Cal Lutheran President Chris Kimball along with other faculty and staff members also assisted students in this service learning project intended to connect students to our local community and show what can be accomplished through public-private partnerships.

Protecting Ventura’s waterways

The City has installed 270 trash excluders.

by City Staff

One of the many reasons we enjoy living in Ventura is the natural beauty surrounding our community – ours is the only coastal city in the county also flanked by two rivers, the Santa Clara River and the Ventura River. Ensuring that these fragile natural areas are protected from pollution is important because it impacts our environment and water quality.

One of the biggest threats to water quality is urban runoff that is caused by rain, excessive sprinkler spray and water from car washing that runs down the street. This runoff typically carries bacteria, metal, cigarette butts, motor oil residue, pesticides and pet waste that gets washed into storm drains and carried into our oceans, rivers, and local groundwater without any treatment.

Storm drains are designed to prevent area flooding by conveying rainwater to local rivers and the ocean. In the city of Ventura, we have an aging storm drain system that, in some locations, is made of corrugated metal pipes installed in the 1930’s. Modern storm drain lines are made of concrete or high-density plastic pipes which last longer and require less maintenance. Storm drains that lack drainage capacity due to inadequate size or necessary infrastructure repair and maintenance leave us vulnerable during high intensity rain events causing flooding problems. Ongoing maintenance and replacement of the existing infrastructure is required to keep a safe and viable system.

Storm drains are the only public utility for which the City has no identified funding for construction, maintenance and repair, and capital improvement projects. They are paid from the General Fund (the same fund that pays for police, fire, parks, programs for seniors and youth, and other critical services.)

To help improve our water quality, the City has installed 270 trash excluders (steel mesh cages) citywide in high trash generating catch basins to help capture debris that would otherwise flow to the ocean. Additionally, during dry weather, three urban runoff diversion devices along the promenade divert flows to the wastewater plant for treatment to reduce bacteria levels in the ocean throughout the summer months.

The new Green Street project located on Hartman Drive in Midtown is a perfect example of another way the City can protect our water and reduce the amount of pollutants from entering Ventura’s rivers and streams. The Green Street also helps recharge our groundwater by absorbing the runoff through bio-retention cells where drought-resistant trees and shrubs are planted. This capture and filter process is especially important because one-third of Ventura’s drinking water supply comes from groundwater. With more funding, the City could do more projects like this.

As a community that relies 100% on three local water resources – the Ventura River, Lake Casitas and local groundwater wells – improving the health of our waterways is vital. While our storm drain infrastructure is aging and maintenance needs are growing, we will continue to provide the best service possible within limited resources to protect our waterways.

To learn about environmental and water saving programs offered by the City of Ventura, visit www.cityofventura.net/es and www.cityofventura.net/waterwise/incentiveprogram.

Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – Ask the Chief

City councilmember (And ex Chief of Police) Mike Tracy and current Chief of Police Corney work to keep crime in Ventura down.

What are today’s challenges in keeping Ventura safe?
by Police Chief Ken Corney
Ventura Police Department

In these times of “instant communication” we are often aware in real time of criminal acts that occur around the country. In my experience, however, people are most concerned about their sense of safety and security impacted by crime that occurs in their own neighborhoods. It is understandably disturbing when your neighborhood experiences a residential burglary, theft from cars, or vehicles being stolen. Compared to around five years ago, Ventura has experienced double-digit percentage increases in these crimes that all too often affect our local neighborhoods. Our crime fighting team knows these crime increases are not just numbers, but represent individual victims harmed by violence and loss throughout our city where we live, the places we enjoy and the schools our children attend.

Our response to this growth of reported crime is challenged by increased calls for all categories of service, including quality of life issues such as the impacts of vagrancy in our community. Last year (2015) our police department handled nearly 98,000 calls for service, compared with just over 78,000 calls five years ago. And our police staffing today is essentially at the same level it was in 1999. Understandably, this limits our ability to provide proactive patrols in neighborhoods experiencing increased crime and to direct resources to follow-up investigative efforts.

As necessary resources become available, the police department has developed a growth plan to address some of the most critical issues our neighborhoods and community face today. Key elements of the plan include:

Enhanced patrol response efforts in order to focus on high crime areas and improve response times to in progress crimes and other emergencies.

Re-implementation of our Gang Violence Suppression Team strategies to provide proactive response to the impact of gangs in our community, including enforcement, intervention and prevention efforts.

Officers dedicated to focus on investigating reports of drug sales in our neighborhoods throughout our community.

Reinvest resources in our Traffic Safety team to keep our roadways safe around our neighborhoods and schools.

Expand our safe and clean efforts to provide officers dedicated to the downtown tourism areas most impacted by vagrancy and related quality of life issues.

Provide greater resources to our investigative division in order to increase our ability to solve more crime within an environment of increased caseloads and complex investigations.

Despite the challenges, I can assure you the men and women of the Ventura Police Department continue to work diligently to reduce harm in our community through innovative and effective approaches to achieve our five core goals of: Crime Control, Team Development, Active Community Partnerships, Safe Neighborhoods and Efficiency and Accountability. More information on how we will work to accomplish these goals can be found in our Strategic Plan document at Venturapd.org

Finally, I want to take a moment to thank the Ventura community for the support demonstrated by so many during this extremely difficult time for our profession. The support, outreach and kindness demonstrated towards our officers by so many Venturans has had a very positive impact on the brave men and women who serve this community. We are deeply appreciative and look forward to your continued support and our continued service to this community.

Apply for City Council Advisory Board and Committee positions

Residents of Ventura are encouraged to apply for volunteer City Council Advisory Board and Committee positions that advise the City Council on various issues. Applications are available online at www.cityofventura.net/involved/advisory or from the City Clerk’s Office, Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street, Room 204. The application deadline is 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.

There are three open positions on the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee and one open position on the Mobile Home Rent Review Board; these positions require special qualifications. Interested City residents for the Mobile Home Rent Review Board must be persons who are not connected with the real estate or rental housing industry and shall not reside in or have any financial interest in any mobile home park. Open positions on the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee must be filled with two members who are owners of commercial property situated with the Downtown Parking District area, and one member who is a business owner, operator or manager of a business within the Downtown Parking District Area.

Members shall be residents of the City at the time of their appointment and during their term of office, and volunteers must be willing to serve two to four-year terms. All eligible applicants will undergo interviews with the City Council Appointments Recommendation Committee in September.

Applications may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected], or by fax to the City Clerk’s Office at 641-1046, by mail to the City Clerk’s office P.O. Box 99, Ventura, CA 93002, or hand-delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street, Room 204.

For more information call the City Clerk’s Office at 658-4787.

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