City of Ventura residents are encouraged to apply for a vacancy on the Planning Commission that advises the City Council on issues related to planning, development, and beautification of the City. The special recruitment process is now open and 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 Monday, February 8.
Qualified applicants will undergo interviews with the City Council Appointments Recommendation Committee in February. The recommended appointee will be considered by the City Council and confirmed in late February. Volunteers must be willing to serve a four-year term.
Applications may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected], 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 City Hall.
For more information call the City Clerk’s Office at 658-4787.
Have fun, build teamwork and boost staff morale – register your company team before Feb.11 for the 2016 Corporate Games, Ventura County’s ultimate sports competition. Register online at www.venturacorporategames.org or call the Corporate Games Hotline at 658-4738. Join thousands of employees representing more than 90 companies in this 6-week business-to-business team-sports competition featuring over 26 different events. Games are held March 19 to May 7.
Corporate Games is the fun way to build your team and provide great health benefits, and this year’s theme is “Teamwork wins!” With a proven track record of building camaraderie through teamwork and lasting relationships among company employees who participate, the games offer a wide variety of events so companies can tailor participation based on staff interests.
Companies may compete in many sports and games such as Basketball, Bowling, Dodge Ball, Horseshoes, Lazertag, MB2 Racing, Paintball, Softball and Texas Hold’em, just to name a few. Employees pursue individual Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals. Company Teams compete for Overall Division Trophies and Team Spirit Awards.
City of Ventura 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 unless otherwise noted.
Carpinteria Seal Rookery Hike 18 years-adult
2/5 Friday 9:10 am-2:45 pm $40+$20 materials fee #5666
Hike along the Coastal Vista Trail in Carpentaria. Stop to plein air sketch the harbor seals and new pups plus incorporate watercolor and ink pen. Meet at Ventura train station (Harbor Boulevard and Figueroa Street) by 9:10 am. Train leaves at 9:30 am. $22 train ticket not included in class fees–purchase online or on the day of at the station kiosk. Lunch (self-paid) at local spot. Leave Carpentaria train station 2:19 pm arrive back in Ventura 2:41 pm.
Learn Digital Photography (Beginning /Intermediate) 16 years-adult
2/6 Saturday 3-6 pm $65 #5479
Build up your understanding of digital photography from basic concepts (first two hours) through advanced techniques (second two hours) including camera use, lenses, equipment, tripods, understanding exposure and composition. Classes held at the Barranca Vista Center, 7050 E Ralston St in Ventura.
Computer Animation Fundamentals with PC 8-12 years
2/8-3/7 Monday 3:45-5:45 pm $125 #5636
In small groups students will focus on learning introductory computer drawing animation techniques and create original characters, voiceovers, speech and short animated stories! Bring pencils, snacks, and USB drive on final day. At Bible fellowship Church, 6950 Ralston St Room 206.
Introduction to Video Game Design 8-12 years
2/9-3/8 Tuesday 3:45-5:45 pm $125 #5563
Beginning Game Developers will work with a partner to conceive, design and build their own original interactive video game, including characters, backgrounds and theme. Students will use creative and critical thinking to complete their games. Bring pencils, snacks, and USB drive on final day.
AM Yoga & Melt for Renewal 16 years-adult
2/9-3/1 Tuesday 8-8:45 am $55 # 5579
The simple and deeply relaxing yoga poses of the Melt Method re-hydrate connective tissue to restore neurological balance, stability, and joint mobility. Bring towel, mat and dress comfortably. Instructor Mary Lincoln.
Ventura’s Westpark Community Center is named a “Health Champion Award” recipient for its “excellent programs that contribute to a healthier Ventura County”. The Partnership for a Health Ventura County (PHVC) bestows these annual awards on behalf of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, which will recognize all recipients during a TBD March meeting as part of National Nutrition Month.
Westpark Community Center staff will make a public presentation of their award-winning programs on Thursday, February 4, at 9am, at the Ventura County Public Health Department, 2240 E Gonzales Road in Oxnard. Award winners are selected from the nominees each January by their related PHVC committees.
“Westpark Community Center is a true model for other organizations to follow in creating, supporting and sustaining a healthy environment for local Ventura residents,” said Eddie Munizich, Chair of the Healthy in Your Neighborhood and at Home Committee.
The Westpark Community Center, operated by the City of Ventura Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships, offers food/produce distributions, health screenings, nutrition workshops, Zumba® classes, community health fairs, homework and tutoring support, physical activity and recreation opportunities, enrichment classes, sports leagues and youth camps – all while teaching Westside youth about the importance of self-esteem, leadership, good character, responsibility and respect.
These recommendations are the outcome of monthly meetings of the Charter Review Committee (CRC) as formed by the San Buenaventura City Council in October 2014. The CRC was formed for the purpose of reviewing the existing city charter and determining if changes were needed to address specific issues raised by the City Council and suggesting improvements for greater voter participation in local governance.
The following are summary recommendations for consideration by the City Council.
Compensation should be increased to $1500 per month for the Mayor and $1200 per month for Council Members with an annual regional CPI adjustment.
Terms for Council Members should not exceed three terms of four years for a total of 12 years.
The Board of Education should be removed from the charter.
No change should be made to the election of the Mayor from the Council.
Council Members should be individually elected from districts.
The City Charter should reflect gender neutrality.
The title of Deputy Mayor should be changed to Mayor Pro Tem.
Should the Mayor’s position be vacated before the end of a two year term, the Mayor Pro Tem should automatically assume the position. If the remaining term of office is more than 12 months and one (1) day, it shall be considered as a full term for the purposes of succession in the office.
The residency requirement for running as a candidate for membership on the City Council should be 30 days.
There should be no residency requirement for the position of City Manager.
With regard to the major issue of whether to move to district elections, it should be noted that the Council’s decision to not provide funding in order to retain outside consultant expertise limited the CRC’s scope and resources regarding discussion of the characteristics and details concerning district elections. Since the Council declined to provide funding for the Committee to have access to one or more experts, the analysis on districting was not as broad or in-depth as some committee members would have liked.
It was the consensus of the committee that specific language for charter changes is the purview of the City Council and the City Attorney and, therefore, this report does not recommend specific language for charter change.
In September 2015, the City of Ventura adopted an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process to help homeowners achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. The ordinance encourages the use of solar systems by establishing prescriptive guidelines and minimizing costs to property owners and the City Ventura. In the two months since the ordinance took effect, 27 new solar energy systems have been electronically submitted and approved in Ventura.
The City’s Building and Safety Division accepts electronic plan submittal for small residential (single family and/or duplex) rooftop solar systems, with a plan check turnaround of three business days. Over the past two years, the City has reviewed, approved and inspected more than 1250 photovoltaic systems in our community.
The benefits of solar are well known, providing increased property values, lowering operating costs, saving on electricity bills, reducing dependence on grid electricity and protecting the environment.
Previous Mayor Cheryl Heitmann addressing last year’s Art Tales at Foster Library
The City of Ventura is pleased to sponsor the eighth annual creative writing contest inspired by art, in partnership with E.P. Foster Library. Selections from the Public and Municipal Art Collections at Ventura City Hall are rotated annually to a special second floor exhibit space near the library’s rear (children’s) entrance in an effort to make them more accessible to the community.
Visit E. P. Foster Library or the links below and choose the artwork that inspires you to create and enter your own poem or short story, 500 words or less by April 4, 2016.
Free and open to all writers worldwide
Prizes in 3 age categories
“Artist Next Door/Our Local Story” is the Art Tales theme for 2016, celebrating Ventura’s 150th birthday in April, through four artists whose works in the Municipal and Public Art Collections tell our city’s unique story by depicting its classic neighborhoods, citrus orchards, proud history and hip downtown.”
Click the links below to view and download featured art, contest info and the required release form:
Teachers can contact Art Tales curator Tobie Roach at 658-4759 or [email protected] to request printed copies of materials for your classes and for further contest information.
City of Ventura Classes check out hundreds more on our web-site
Call 658-4726 or 654-7552 to register, if you already have an account online, visit www.cityofventura.net
Classes/Events held the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted
Explore with Me 2.5-5 years
1/6-2/10 Wednesday 5:15-5:45 pm $60 for one adult & one child #42133
1/8-2/12 Friday 10:30-11 am $60 for one adult & one child #42134
Discover the world of art through the eyes of your child with such hands-on activities as sculpture, painting, collage, drawing and gardening. Instructor Jennifer Benitez.
Drawing & Painting for Youth 8-18 years
1/7-2/4 Thursday 3:30-4:45 pm $64 #42141
Explore relevant artists and their styles to create your own acrylic paintings and pencil and charcoal drawings. Instructor Catherine Broger.
Primal Feat 18 years-adult
1/10 Sunday 4-5:30 pm $15/session or $65/for 6 sessions #42056
1/31 Sunday 4-5:30 pm $15/session or $65/for 6 sessions #5517
The body is meant to move! for this fun, intuitive experience we dance in our bare feet or soft dance shoes and comfy clothes. No dance partner or dance experience is required. Facebook.com/primalfeat. Instructor Liz Galvan. Classes held at 2343 E Thompson Blvd #A. To register 658-4726.
Cook With Me 2-5 years
1/16 Saturday 10:30 am-12 pm $45
You and your child will create a toddler-friendly full course meal from drink, appetizer and main course to dessert! Explore different food textures in the kitchen. Your child will boost his or her confidence as he or she works on fine motor skills. Supplies included. Instructor Jennifer Benitez.
Floral Design Workshop 2-5 years
1/16 Saturday 1-3 pm $45
Learn how to create stunning centerpieces with wild flowers or plants from your own yard using color, creativity and the therapeutic energy of flowers. Supplies included. Instructor Jennifer Benitez.
Basic Guitar 9 years-adult
1/19-2/23 Tuesdays 7-8:30 pm $55 #5623
Learn folk and pop strums, patterns and chord progressions. Students provide own acoustic or electric guitars. Instructor Randy Covington. At Dudley House, 197 N Ashwood St. To register call (805) 658-4726.
Move Like The Animals 3-6 years
1/20-2/24 Wednesday 3:45-4:30 pm $65 #5687
This program for boys and girls links motor learning to reading, singing and imagination and develops self-esteem through the fun and excitement of learning to walk like a bear, roll like a cat, crawl like an alligator, do many monkey things and more! Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in. Instructor Erin Clark. At Billy Clower Dance Studio, 75 MacMillan Avenue.
Joe Salsedo, former 2011 Employee of the Year, is retiring after 40 years of working for the City of Ventura. Joe, an Equipment Operator, is often the lone emergency responder when rain storms bring flooding to city streets. He is quiet and humble, yet can always be counted on, day or night, to keep us safe. He is well respected as an exemplary employee and person.
The 150th birthday of Ventura marks a crossroads for our city.
It is a time when we both look back to 1866, the date we became a city, and look ahead to the 150 years ahead us. As we do so, we have to acknowledge that Ventura is a little worn for wear and showing its age.
Still, it has a great future ahead, one that we need to begin preparing and planning for. What’s our responsibility to future generations, such as our children and their children?
What investments do we want to make now that will pay dividends in the future?
Ventura must chart a course of stable, local revenue for its future
We raise a lot of sales tax money in Ventura, but most of it doesn’t stay here in the city. Of the $176 million raised in fiscal year 2014-15, only about $24.4 went to Ventura.
About six and a half of the seven and a half cents we pay in sales taxes goes to the county and the state. Consequently, the vast majority of sales tax revenue we raise in Ventura doesn’t stay in Ventura. And, for every dollar in property taxes we pay, only 16 cents stays in Ventura
That is why I will ask my colleagues to place a sales tax revenue measure on the November 2016 to guarantee a local funding stream. The sales tax money we raise in Ventura, needs to stay in Ventura.
In other words, Ventura money for Venturans.
Local money for fire stations, police officers and paramedics.
Local money for drinking water, clean beaches and waterways.
Local money to prevent youths from entering gangs and getting addicted to drugs.
Local money to serve our elderly, bringing them opportunity and well-being.
Local money to address homelessness.
And local money to build our reserve fund, the rainy-day bank of the city.
Our reserve fund is at the bare minimum of $12 million for unforeseen needs and emergency expenses for about 45 days of operations.
But the industry standard is having funds available for 90 days of expenses, which would require $24 million.
But, in order to receive more local funding, you have to demonstrate that you are capable of managing what you have wisely and prudently.
Under the leadership of this council, city manager and staff, we are living within our means, balancing our budgets, and no longer borrowing from internals funds to cover shortfalls.
In fact, bond rating houses Moody’s and S&P rate our bonds Double A plus, among the highest of ratings, which allows us to achieve lower interest rates when we float bonds.
That means more money for the City, and less to big financial institutions.
The next 150 years in Ventura are bound to be great ones.
Let’s invest in that wonderful future to make it possible.
Thank you.
This is a portion of his address as our new Mayor made at the City Council meeting.
