Category Archives: City News

City of Ventura’s Laura Pfeifer recognized in National Safety Council’s sixth class of NSC Rising Stars of Safety

On August 27, the National Safety Council announced its sixth class of NSC Rising Stars of Safety – a group of future leaders dedicated to making workplaces safer. The 40 honorees have promoted a cycle of continuous improvement within their organizations and created initiatives focused on measurable outcomes of the NSC’s Journey to Safety Excellence.

The City of Ventura’s Laura Pfeifer, of the Public Works Fleet and Facilities Division was among the national honorees. Public Works Director Rick Raives said, “What an honor it is to have our City of Ventura staff included in this national recognition. Through Laura’s safety program coordination, the Public Works department was injury free for more than one year, which is a commendable achievement.” For information about the National Safety Council Rising Stars of Safety program, visit www.nsc.org.

Is paid parking coming to the Downton parking structure?

Users would be given a 90-minute free period.
Photo by Daniel Ingram

The City of Ventura is proposing to convert the multi-story parking structure on Santa Clara St. to a paid structure, beginning in January 2016.

Automated parking arms and equipment would be installed at the entrance. All users would be given a 90-minute free period, then pay $1 an hour, 7 days a week.

The City is considering parking permits for Downtown employees and nearby residents allowing parking on the upper floors, likely at a small monthly charge.

Free parking could be provided on special event days.

Security improvements to be considered include upgraded lighting, and additional security cameras.

A Parking Ambassador would also be on-site.

The City wants to implement the change now to avoid costly litigation. An existing agreement with the Century 10 Downtown movie would allow the theater to provide free validation to any theater patron.

If approved by the City Council, the purchase of new equipment would be funded by the City’s general fund. Downtown and Parking District budgets would not be affected. The Downtown Parking Advisory Committee has opposed the change.

Your opinions are being sought. Please email comments to [email protected].

Or you can share your comments directly with the City Council and City Manager at [email protected]. Each council member will receive a copy. If you use this email address, copy [email protected].

Ask the Director – Ventura Water General Manager

Ask the Director
Shana Epstein, Ventura Water General Manager

Q. I’m a Ventura Water customer and our family has been doing our part to conserve water. Can you explain why Ventura Water modified the existing residential Tier 1 into two tiers and why 0 to 6 HCF?

A. As the city and state experience one of the most severe droughts on record, Californians have proven they have the ingenuity and commitment to meet the challenges of conserving water. Coping with the impacts of a water shortage requires adaptation and full participation. When our Ventura Water Shortage Task Force (13 local customers serving on the advisory committee) evaluated different water shortage rate options, they heard loud and clear from customers who “used such a small amount of water” that there was no more room to budge. In response, the first tier was split to ensure rates were not increased for the lowest residential water consumers defined as the first six units (1 unit = 748 gallons.) These six units protect water usage at the lowest level to reflect minimum needs for health and sanitation. The new Tier 1 or “lifeline usage” remains unchanged in all water shortage stages for all customers, and will not be impacted by increased water shortage rates.

City of Ventura customers have been doing a great job in their conservation efforts. In June and July, Ventura saved 40% and 39% respectively, which met the cumulative goal of 20%. These hot summer months are our opportunity to have the greatest impact – and we ask community members to continue saving water so we can finish out the year maintaining our reduction goal of 20%.

Ventura Water offers many ways to help our community members save water (and money). Contact us at 805.667.6500 or online at www.venturawater.net to schedule a free water conservation survey and learn how to reduce water use in and around your home or business. If you’re thinking of designing a new drought resilient landscape, apply now for our WaterWise Incentive program while funds are still available by visiting www.cityofventura.net/waterwise/incentiveprogram. To learn about Ventura Water’s plans for a sustainable water future, you can take an in-depth tour of our VenturaWaterPure Potable Reuse demonstration facility on Saturday’s from 9am to 11am through December 2015. Private groups interested in weekday tours can also be accommodated with advanced notice. RSVP to [email protected].

Fall City of Ventura Classes

Fall 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.

Play-Well TEKnologies Jedi Engineering using LEGO® 5-11 years
9/21-11/2 M 3:30-5 pm $160
We use LEGO®s to build up problem solving skills, creative expression and a greater appreciation of how things work. Defeat the Empire by designing X-Wings, R2-units and settlements on far-flung edges of the galaxy. Imagination and engineering combine to create motorized and architectural projects such as energy catapults, shield generators and defense turrets. No class 10/19. At Bible Fellowship Church room 206, 6950 E Ralston st. www.play-well.org. To register call 805-658-4726. Course# 42016

Mr. Scott’s Chess Club 8-12 years
9/21-11/2 M 5-6 pm $50
Improve skills and gain new strategies with a National Championship Coach Mr. Scott. No class 10/19. Course# 42017

Let’s Play with Clay 3-6 years
9/21-11/2 M 6:15-7:30 pm $67 for one adult & one child
Parent and child play and work together to create projects in clay, such as pinch pots, nature print trays and, of course, handprints! No class 10/19. Instructor Michelle Solorio. Course# 42135

AM Yoga & Melt for Renewal 16 years-adult
9/22-10/13 Tu 8-8:45 am $55
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. Course# 42075

Beginning Ballet and Tap 7-11 years
9/23-11/4 W 3:45-4:45 pm $60
Have fun while learning all the basic steps for ballet and tap dance. Classes are progressive introducing new steps and combinations designed for the beginning dancer. Come to class with tap shoes and ballet shoes and wear exercise-type dancewear including stretch pants and t-shirts. No class 10/21. Instructor Elli Busch. Course# 42258

Sewing by Hand 9-12 years
9/25-10/30 F 4-5:15 pm $60
Learn hand-sewing skills to make dolls, folk pictures, purses and more Perfect for holiday gifts. Instructor Judee Hauer. Course# 42266

Mommie & Me Dance and Play to the Rhythm 2-4 years
9/25-11/20 F 9-9:45 am $60
Music, songs and dance make for a lively time for you and your child to explore rhythm, simple movement and social skills as you stretch, and strengthen. Wear comfortable clothes for easy movement. No class 10/26 Course# 42186

Ventura City Fire Department invites the public to commemorate 9/11

On Friday, September 11, beginning at 6:45am, community members are invited to visit any of the six Ventura City Fire Stations for a special remembrance ceremony of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Join us in honoring the 2,977 people who lost their lives 14 years ago including Firefighters, Police Officers, Military Personnel and civilians. Let us remember their sacrifices and acts of heroism.

6:45 a.m. – Fire apparatus will roll out of the stations and be positioned on the station ramps.

6:55 a.m. – Firefighters will stand at attention and raise the U.S. flag to half-staff. Silence will be maintained.

6:59 a.m. – A special tone will be broadcast over the fire radio followed by four sets of five bells. The bells are traditionally used by the fire service to commemorate firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. One minute of complete silence will be maintained. Following the silence, Fire Captains will give a brief tribute.

Ventura City Fire Station locations:

Station 1: 717 N. Ventura Avenue

Station 2: 41 S. Seaward Avenue

Station 3: 5838 Telegraph Road

Station 4: 8303 Telephone Road

Station 5: 4225 E. Main Street

Station 6 10797 Darling Road

Ventura Police Department DUI/CDL Checkpoint statistics

On Friday September 4, 2015 between the hours of 9:00 PM to 2:15 AM the Ventura Police Department conducted a DUI/CDL Checkpoint in the area of Harbor Blvd and Schooner Dr. The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

As a result of the checkpoint the following enforcement action was taken:
2 drivers were cited for 14601 VC, Driving on a suspended license and had their vehicles towed.
9 drivers were cited for 12500(a) VC, Driving without a drivers license.
1 driver was cited for 23222 (b) VC, Driver in possession of marijuana in a vehicle.
1 driver was given a DMV Re-Exam for driving under the influence of marijuana.
1 driver arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Any questions regarding the Checkpoint can directed to Sgt. Darrick Brunk at 805-339-4323, or by email at [email protected].

Congratulations to Ventura Water customers!

Congratulations to our customers!
Shana Epstein,
Ventura Water General Manager

Ventura Water congratulates all our customers; we are extremely grateful. New figures show that customer water use was down 39 percent last month (July) compared to July 2013, allowing Ventura Water for the first time to reach our 20 percent annual water reduction goal for the year so far! The exact year-to-date reduction in water use by customers as of the end of July was 20.79 percent.

As the City and the State experience one of the most severe droughts on record, the customers of Ventura have proven that they have the ingenuity and commitment to meet the challenges of conserving water. We have all come a long way since September of 2014, when Ventura declared a Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency requiring customers to reduce water use by 20 percent.

During the months of May, June and July this year, Ventura Water customers have reduced their water use significantly, establishing what we hope is a continuing trend. May 2015 saw a 28 percent water use decrease compared to May 2013, June saw a 41 percent decrease from June 2013, and July’s decrease was 39 percent compared to July 2013. It is important to note that we conserve the most during the warmer months! We need to continue our efforts through the fall and into the winter! We aren’t in the clear yet!

Ventura Water has instituted several mandatory water conservation measures for our customers. They include: sprinkler irrigation systems may run only two days per week between the hours of 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.; handheld hoses used to wash cars must have a shutoff nozzle; fountains must use recycled water; and hosing down hard surfaces like driveways or sidewalks is not allowed.

Ventura Water offers free water conservation aids and on-site residential water surveys to help our customers save water. Please contact Customer Care at [email protected] or call 667-6500 to schedule a water survey.

Leadership Ventura is now recruiting!

Be part of an exciting, action packed, year-long program, and get to know your community! The Leadership Ventura program introduces you to key business, government and community leaders and gives you the opportunity to talk to them in person and ask questions. Experience lectures, panel discussions, and site visits which give you direct contact with the people who keep the community running which helps you understand the community better. You will begin with a two-day retreat under the direction of Dr. Relly Nadler, True North Leadership, Inc. He uses the Myers Briggs personality profile as a tool to help you understand how to motivate people and improve your own leadership style. This personality analysis helps you understand how people think differently and how to get them to work together. Once a month you will meet for a class lecture and meet influential community leaders.

Please mark your calendars and join Leadership Ventura on Wednesday, September 9 from 5:30p – 7:00pm at The Greek at the Harbor for their Recruitment Mixer! Come meet the current and past participants of the program, and learn more about Leadership! For more information on Leadership Ventura or to sign up, please call the Chamber 643-7222.

City of Ventura end of summer classes for youth

Call 658-4726 or 654-7552 to register, if you already have an account online, visit www.cityofventura.net Camps held the Barranca Vista Center,7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted.

Drawing & Painting for Youth 8-14 years
8/27-9/24 Th 3:15-4:30 pm $64
Explore relevant artists and their styles to create your own acrylic paintings and pencil and charcoal drawings. Course# 40379

Clay Fantasy Creations for Youth 8-14 years
8/27-9/24 Th 4:45-6 pm $64
Create dragons, mermaids and other imaginary creatures plus clay jewelry and flowers. Course# 40380

Dynamic Singers Children’s Choir 5-12 years
8/31-10/2 M 4:30-5:30 pm $75+$5 materials fee
Learn basic music warm-ups, fundamentals and theory through different genres of music, languages and dance moves for a concert on the last day of class. At BFC, 6950 E Ralston St. in Ventura. Instructor Daniela Flores-Palomino. Course# 40282

The Fall 2015 class Guide is now on-line for class registration.

Register for City of Ventura Adult Fall Sports Leagues & Golf by September 2

Register now for City of Ventura Fall Adult Sports Leagues in men’s and coed softball, men’s basketball, flag football and six-a-side soccer with a registration deadline of September 2 or until full.

All leagues begin the week of September 13. Games are played weekends or weekdays after 6 pm at local parks in Ventura followed by playoffs after the regular season for qualifying teams. Team fees range from $300-$375 with additional fees paid for umpires and referees.

Golf lessons at the Olivas Links are offered for youth, women, and families with six-week sessions starting in September and November. Registration fee is $75.

Get information on rules and league format and complete the easy to fill-and-save team rosters at www.teamsideline.com/ventura or www.cityofventura.net/adultsports.

Or contact Adult Sports Coordinator Doug Reed at 658-4743 or [email protected]

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