The City of Ventura has selected Stacey Zarazua to serve as the acting Parks & Recreation Director. Zarazua succeeds Nancy O’Connor, who retired in September after serving as Parks & Recreation Director since 2016. Zarazua will oversee the department’s day-to-day operations while the City conducts recruitment efforts to fill the position.

“Stacey has a wealth of knowledge and experience within our Parks & Recreation Department. Over the course of her more than 20-year career with Ventura, she has served in many roles within the department,” said City Manager Bill Ayub. “She has a deep understanding of the department’s inner workings at every level and can seamlessly provide critical support to various work groups during this time of transition.”

Zarazua joined the Parks & Recreation Department in 2001 as a Recreation Coordinator in the Youth Sports section, where she was promoted to an Aquatics Supervisor in 2005. She has held multiple leadership roles within the department, serving in all three department divisions, including recreation, parks, and community partnerships.

Zarazua holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University Northridge.

“I’m thrilled to take on this role and lead our incredible team of staff members, many of whom I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for years,” said Zarazua. “My aim is to ensure that our city staff has the support and resources they require to continue delivering high-quality programming and services to our community. After all, parks make life better.”

Annually, the Parks & Recreation Department presents an extensive array of more than 1,000 recreation programs catering to all age groups. It oversees the maintenance of roughly 800 acres of parkland and open space, encompassing three community centers, three historical sites, an aquatic center, a sailing center, two beaches, and two golf courses.

To learn more about Ventura’s Parks & Recreation Department, visit the City’s website at

www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ParksRec.

In a groundbreaking announcement on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a historic $32,076,607 grant for Ventura during the third round of Project Homekey funding. This substantial allocation is earmarked for the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB), in partnership with the County of Ventura, to facilitate the transformation of a hotel into a permanent supportive housing facility.

“This is the largest Homekey award in the history of both our City and County and will substantially impact our community,” said Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. “The City Council is committed to addressing our housing crisis while prioritizing the well-being and future of our residents. This achievement marks a significant stride in our continuous efforts to combat the homelessness crisis that our community faces.”

The $32 million Project Homekey grant is earmarked for acquiring and renovating La Quinta Inn at 5818 Valentine Road in Ventura, strategically situated near public transit, grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and recreational amenities. This funding, granted through the State’s Project Homekey initiative, will transform the 142-room hotel into 134 permanent supportive housing apartments designed to serve households experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

“The rise in the number of homeless individuals, particularly those without shelter, underscores the need for further efforts to address and prevent homelessness comprehensively,” said Jeff Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority.

The total project cost, encompassing acquisition and renovation expenses, is estimated at over $50 million. The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura led the acquisition and rehabilitation of the facility, providing a sponsor loan of $1 million. The City of Ventura secured over $1.5 million from a California Department of Housing and Community Development fee on real estate documents to help purchase the hotel. The city also committed nearly $1.4 million in HOME-American Rescue Plan funding. The County of Ventura also contributed a $5.5 million grant for the La Quinta Inn project.

Based on the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, the County of Ventura has 2,441 people experiencing homelessness, marking a 9% increase compared to the 2022 Point-in-Time Count. During the same period, the overall number of homeless individuals in Ventura decreased by 10%, from 713 to 644.

It also facilitates the conversion of commercial properties and other existing buildings into permanent or interim housing for those in need.

The development will comprise 134 studio apartments alongside office and community spaces; all centered around a flexible courtyard that serves as a communal gathering place. To ensure the success and well-being of residents, the Valentine Road housing project will be staffed by four property managers, including two residing on-site, six case managers, and maintenance personnel.

The Housing Authority anticipates finalizing the property’s acquisition by early 2024, with the first occupants expected to be welcomed by the spring of the same year.

Bill Ayub, City Manager, City of Ventura – “About a year ago, employees from the City, Housing Authority, and County gathered in a small room at City Hall with a shared vision of a project that could significantly improve the lives of those in need of support. Witnessing this vision becoming a reality is exhilarating for all of us and a source of excitement for our entire community.”

The City Council voted in June to admonish Councilmember Mike Johnson and required him to apologize to staff members for bullying. The City Council discussed whether to take away Johnson’s committee assignments but decided against it.

As a result Mike Johnson is suing the city for not allowing him to participate in a closed-session meeting that he believes should have been made public and for not giving him an opportunity to defend himself against bullying allegations.

At the meeting in May, the City Council discussed allegations by two city employees accusing Johnson of acting in a hostile and bullying manner during two City Council meetings in 2022.

Johnson’s lawsuit alleges the city violated the state’s open meeting law by keeping him and the public out of the closed-session meeting and failing to disclose the topic of the meeting. The lawsuit also says that the closed-session meeting prevented Johnson from defending himself.

The state’s open meeting law, The Brown Act, prohibits a majority of legislative body members from communicating or taking action on an item outside of an open, public meeting. There are some exceptions.

The lawsuit demands the city abide by the Brown Act, hold open and public meetings,post an agenda 24 hours before each special meeting with a brief general description of an item and make available to the public any materials distributed.

Johnson’s lawsuit also requests the city record the audio of closed-session meetings and preserve them for a period of time.

The Ventura Pier, most of which remains closed to the public because of damage caused by the January storms is anticipated to open early next year.

Construction on the pier should start in late February or early March. It will take 30-45 days to complete the required repairs. Work needs to be done on 7 timber piles and numerous bracings and brackets.

The total estimate for final repairs is about $1 million. The city is in the process of obtaining funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, and the state for the project.

The pier’s front is open so the popular restaurants are accesible.

A long-term project to replace an underground pipe has closed one of three northbound freeway lanes until spring 2024. The effort will impact a half-mile stretch south of California Street. The left lane will be closed. Northbound motorists will use the two right lanes.

The closure will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as weather and other conditions allow, said Jim Medina, a spokesman for the agency.

The pipe replacement is meant to remedy the on-going wet spot along the center median that also can go into the left traffic lane. Workers will dig up pavement to reach the clogged or broken pipe.

by Darin Schindler Ventura Police Chief

As September unfolds, so does National Preparedness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of emergency planning and readiness. Ventura’s history bears witness to volatile wildfires and floods, making this month’s focus on preparedness all the more pertinent.

In our unwavering commitment to your safety and well-being, I am pleased to share that we’ve launched the Evacuation Preparedness Community Survey, a valuable opportunity for residents to actively shape how we respond to and recover from life-threatening emergencies.

Drawing on over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, and now as your Police Chief, I am acutely aware of the pivotal and critical role that effective emergency planning plays in preserving lives and minimizing the impact of crises. In collaboration with the City’s Emergency Services Manager, Mack Douglass, and our dedicated team of police officers and firefighters, we recognize the importance of nurturing a community that is well-informed and empowered to take decisive action during times of distress.

The Evacuation Preparedness Community Survey is a powerful tool that gives you a direct voice in refining Ventura’s evacuation plans, allocating essential resources, and guiding future educational initiatives. By participating in this 10-minute survey, available in both English and Spanish, you become a critical contributor to a more resilient Ventura. Your insights will provide us with valuable information to bolster existing evacuation strategies, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that our emergency plans are comprehensive and practical.

As we contemplate the ever-changing landscape of emergencies, your feedback will be instrumental in shaping our approach. The survey delves into critical aspects of evacuation preparedness, including your familiarity with evacuation routes, knowledge of emergency shelters, preferred transportation, favored communication methods for alerts and information, and overall readiness. Your responses will help us tailor our efforts to suit the needs and preferences of our diverse community.

It’s important to understand that emergency preparedness is not the sole responsibility of first responders; it’s a collaborative effort that demands active participation from each community member. Efficient evacuation routes are the backbone of a successful life-saving response. By participating in this survey, you also initiate essential conversations about preparedness with your family, further equipping yourselves to navigate challenges efficiently.

Your input will enable Ventura’s first responders to execute their duties precisely and confidently. In times of crisis, every second counts, ultimately saving lives and further protecting our community.

To access the Evacuation Preparedness Community Survey and learn more about this crucial initiative, please visit our website at CityofVentura.ca.gov/OES.

Remember – If we can predict it, we can prepare for it and respond better! Your participation is an investment in our shared safety, and we are grateful to serve a community that shares our commitment to preparedness.

Your voice matters in building a more resilient Ventura. Together, let’s ensure that our emergency preparedness is not just a plan on paper but a living testament to our collective commitment to each other’s safety.

Following a thorough Phase IV reassessment, Interim City Manager Don Penman has granted approval to three additional recipients for commercial cannabis conditional permits. The three recipients are MOM Ventura, located at 3868 East Main Street; Shryne Ventura, located at 1860 S. Victoria Avenue; and Safeport, located at 5801 Valentine Road. 

Back in October 2022, the initial Phase IV process led to the conditional award of permits for three retail businesses: Responsible and Compliant Retail Ventura, situated at 1890 East Main Street; TAT Ventura, found at 2835 E Main Street; and ZASA, located at 4591 Market Street.

During the fall of 2022, the remaining five finalists submitted appeals. Subsequently, a settlement agreement was reached between the City and the appellants in July 2023. This paved the way for a partial Phase IV re-evaluation where the five appellants competed for three permits. As a result, the City Council passed a resolution increasing the permissible number of retail permits from five to six.

Businesses granted conditional permits will be subject to site inspections, conduct employee background checks, and obtain a business tax certificate and certificate of occupancy from the City before commencing operations. Upon establishment, the City will conduct ongoing inspections, audits, and monitoring to ensure compliance with local and state regulations. A collaborative effort among City staff, the Ventura Police Department, and state regulators will be employed to ensure community safety.

Additionally, stricter obligations apply to cannabis businesses, including adhering to an age restriction of 21 years or older (18 and above for medical patients), maintaining a minimum distance of 600 feet from elementary, middle, or high schools, and annual permit renewals. Non-compliance with the permit terms or the City’s ordinance may lead to permit revocation.

In November 2020, voters approved a ballot measure for cannabis taxation. On February 24, 2021, the City Council authorized the City Manager to provisionally grant up to five retail storefront or non-storefront cannabis permits and 10 industrial permits.

In April 2022, City staff and an external consulting group selected eight finalists using comprehensive criteria, such as business ownership, community compatibility, local benefits, investment plans, and proposed sites. A subsequent public meeting was held in July 2022 to gather community input on applicants and proposed locations.

The City will continue discussions with the California Coastal Commission regarding a potential Local Coastal Plan Amendment. This initiative is geared towards facilitating retail operations within the Coastal Zone. As part of this effort, the City Council will evaluate the feasibility of expanding authorized permits to include the possibility of retail locations within the Coastal Zone.  

Cannabis businesses are required to contribute to Ventura’s non-profit sector and generate between $600,000 to $700,000 in revenue to fund City services in the first full year of operation.

For more information on the City’s cannabis regulations or the application process, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/Cannabis.

Ventura residents can now voluntarily register at-risk dependents with the Ventura Police Department, providing dispatchers and officers with critical information on individuals with special needs, diagnoses, or circumstances before an emergency situation.

The voluntary registration program is for at-risk individuals and requires personal information like name, date of birth, physical attributes, known disabilities or illnesses, a current photo, and emergency contact information.

“Voluntary information provided to our team before a dire situation can expedite the search for a wandering individual by reducing the amount of information collection needed after an initial call for service,” said Police Chief Darin Schindler. “The information also further assists officers by preparing them to appropriately contact and address that individual once they’ve been located. It’s a win-win.”

At-risk dependents and families that may find this program helpful are those with a loved one with Autism, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Down Syndrome, mental illness, blind or low vision, and developmental or intellectual disabilities.

“We are grateful to Ventura PD for their ongoing partnership and dedication to keeping our at-risk residents safe, including those with Autism,” said Ashley Pope, President of the Autism Society Ventura County. “The success of this program largely hinges on active participation and registration of eligible individuals, as emergencies can strike unexpectedly. Register now for this vital program, as it has the potential to inspire safer, more inclusive approaches across first responder sectors.”

All information submitted will be secured on an internal server. Updated personal information, changes to physical appearance, and diagnosis shifts should prompt family members to re-submit and update dependent information.

For more information about this program, please visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/AtRiskRegistration.