by Shana Epstein-Ventura Water General Manager

On the heels of winning the Mayor’s Challenge and being recognized as one of the most water wise cities in America, it’s clear that Ventura residents are extremely mindful of water conservation and the need for continued resiliency. As a catalyst to help reduce conservation fatigue during these extended drought conditions, Ventura Water is proud to equip residents with more water-saving tools!

Coming at the end of June we are excited to announce the grand opening of our Recycled Water mobile use hauling program, where residents can come and get training, pay a fee, and be permitted to fill up containers with high-quality recycled water to be used for landscapes – instead of having to use their potable water. Training sessions will be held Tuesdays, Thursdays, and alternating Saturdays from 9-10 a.m. at the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility (VWRF), 1400 Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. The first training session was held on June 21. Contact the VWRF to sign up at 677-4131.

And that’s not all! In July 2016, we will bring you another tool in the water conservation tool belt! Ventura Water will launch WaterWise 2.0, a new turf replacement program that offers more ways to save water. Everything from turf replacement to free sprinkler nozzles and smart irrigation timers will be offered to participants who qualify! So hold off on starting that yard project and stay tuned for more information coming in July on the launch of this exciting program!

Finally, what inspires you to make sacrifices and go above and beyond the call of duty to minimize your water footprint? Also coming in July 2016 – just for fun and as a part of our annual summer awareness campaign – Ventura Water will launch Capture Conservation, a local photo contest that offers residents who have battled to conserve during the drought an opportunity to capture what they’ve done in a photo and be entered to win some really cool prizes! Whether it’s a fancy rainwater harvesting system or simply a reusable water bottle, share how you and your friends are “capturing conservation!” It’s easy… Save water, take a photo and enter to win! Check your monthly Pipeline for more details to come in July.

by Save Our Water Ventura

A “Hail Mary” is a last-ditch attempt to score as time runs out, generally considered a miracle if it succeeds. Yet, on June 6, the Ventura City Council passed by 6-1 the Net Zero Ordinance despite strong opposition from the building industry. While some developers tried to defeat it, other pro- development forces tried to delay it. Save Our Water Ventura (SOWV) supported the ordinance and did not want a delay.

SOWV chair, Charles Spraggins said: “We did not get everything we wanted. However, the ordinance was a fair and reasonable compromise — so most of our members supported it. Net Zero is a plus for the city and for current residents. It requires new developments to be water neutral or pay a fee (known as an impact fee or an in-lieu fee). The fee will help pay for new water supplies. Until now current residents have subsidized water supplied to most new developments.”

During the contentious city council meeting, Carl Morehouse, an urban planner and a Ventura City Council member since 1999, admitted that Ventura City Councils have been negligent in properly planning for the City’s water requirements — and for the funding of those requirements.

Net Zero would not have passed without the extensive labor of the Ventura Water Commission whose members have given up their personal time, working without compensation, on behalf of our city. Last year, with the urging and support of SOWV, the Ventura City Council formed the Ventura Water Commission.

The top managers of the Ventura Water Department and an outside consulting firm worked with the Water Commission over a period of nine months to formulate the ingredients of the Net Zero Ordinance. During the lengthy process, the Commission listened to all stakeholders. Keeping water affordable is one of SOWV’s goals. The new ordinance will contribute to that end. Our thanks to the Ventura Council, Ventura Water Staff and Ventura Water Commission.

www.SaveOurWaterVentura.org

In celebration of EMS Week (May15-21) the Ventura City Fire department thanked their on-duty fire personnel with a special breakfast on May 18. Breakfast  including custom-made pancakes and omelets  prepared and served by Fire Chief David Endaya, the Fire Management team, and members of the Fire Prevention division.

National EMS Week honors and recognizes the important work of emergency medical services practitioners and rescue personnel. In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to show public appreciation for the critical role of specially trained personnel who, on a daily basis, respond to medical emergencies including heart attack, difficulty breathing, falls or accidents, drowning , cardiac arrest, stroke, drug over dose or acute illness. EMS workers perform pre-hospital emergency medical care, providing basic and advanced medical care at the scene of an emergency and on route to a hospital.

Every Ventura City Fire engine and truck company is staffed with at least one advanced life support (ALS) paramedic able to provide vital emergency medical services.

Fire Chief David Endaya said “Our fire department members are dedicated to providing Ventura’s residents critical emergency medical services as well as fire suppression and protection, urban search and rescue, hazardous materials response and ocean rescue.”

The breakfast was held in the parking lot at the Ventura City Fire Headquarters, 1425 Dowell Drive.

City of Ventura Imagination 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/Events held the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted

Afternoon Delight Ballroom  50 years+
5/26-6/30       Thursday       1-2 pm            $69 per person                     #6463
Avoid nighttime driving and join us, couples or singles, to learn three new ballroom dance styles every six weeks. Instructor Patricia Monico. Classes held at House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave, Suite E

Intro to Aikido for Youth  7-16 years
5/29-6/19       Sunday                      11 am-12 pm $40     #6384
Students focus on conditioning and basic aikido techniques in a cooperative environment to help gain focus and awareness. Instructor Dennis Belt. Classes held at Aikido Dojo Training Center, 2406 E Main St.

Pottery and Ceramic Hand Building  14 years-adult
6/1-7/6 Wednesdays 6-8 pm $105+$10 materials fee   #6423
Create your own ceramic art as you pinch, coil and use slab construction methods, glaze and decorate. Instructor Kim Clarke.

Beginning Skateboarding  3 years-adult
6/4       Saturday        10-11 am       $30     #6407
Bring a skateboard, helmet and kneepads to practice half pipe, pumping back and forth, kick turning and dropping in. Classes limited to 5 skaters. At Serio Skateboard Shop, 989 B E Main St www.sk8serio.com. To register call  658-4726.

Beyond Basic Dog Obedience  14 years-Adult
$70 + $5 Supply Fee
6/4-6/25          Saturdays      9-9:50 am      Dogs under one year          #6415
6/4-6/25          Saturdays      11-11:50 am  Dogs over one year #6416
Covers: Covers: settle, stand, shake, place command, leadership, problem solving, games for your dog. An adult must accompany handlers under 18. Proof of vaccinations required (Rabies/DHPP). No retractable leashes, please. Participation is at the discretion of instructor.

Belly Dance-4-Fitness  18 years-adult
6/6-7/18          Monday          s          6-7 pm                        $65     #6400
Each session includes a warmup, BD workout, choreography and cooldown. Shimmy, twist and tone in this fun cardio class. Dress comfortably in workout attire and optional hip sash. Instructor Anja Christy. No class 7/4.

Lunchtime Card Making  12 years-adult
6/8       Wednesday   12-1:15 pm    $30+ $10 materials fee                   #6628
Create 8 handmade cards with different themes for each session for birthdays and other special events as you learn such techniques as stamping, distressing, dry embossing, watercolor, markers and chalk. No experience necessary. All tools provided. Bring lunch. Classes held at City Hall Atrium, 501 Poli St in Ventura. To register call (805) 658-4726.

The City of Ventura and Ventura Water have begun a major sewer line replacement project in the midtown area; from Brent Street and the Five Points intersection, along Main Street to Lemon Grove Avenue at Channel Drive. The project is scheduled to be completed in late fall 2016.

This project will replace aging (more than 50 years old), fractured, undersized infrastructure with new sewer pipes to improve reliability and capacity, and to meet the needs of our residents and business community. In addition to meeting the future needs of our citizens, the sewer replacement is necessary for the hospital expansion in the adjacent Wellness District.

Work will take place between 7am and 4pm, Monday through Friday, and “No Parking” signs will be posted on affected streets during construction. During the day, westbound traffic on Main Street will have one lane open on the north side and two lanes open at night; there will be minimal lane closures eastbound. During the project Lemon Grove Avenue will be closed to traffic for approximately one week. Signs will help alert motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to detours and alternate parking options.

Businesses along Main Street, on Brent Street and in the area will remain open during construction, and customers are encouraged to continue supporting our local business community.

For questions about this project, contact the City of Ventura’s Construction and Survey Manager Loree Pryce, 658-4704, [email protected]. For urgent or after-hours issues, contact Toro Construction, Alex Marquez at 432-0065.

Sewer line replacement project information is available online at www.cityofventura.net/pw/construction.