Category Archives: News and Notes

Meter parking regulations

The Ventura Police Department will not enforce meter parking regulations in Downtown Ventura until January 2, 2018. Drivers are not required to pay the meter fee at time of parking.

Oversized vehicle parking restrictions are also lifted and will not be enforced until January 2, 2018. During normal conditions a permit is required to park an oversized vehicle for up to five consecutive days. An oversized vehicle means any vehicle which exceeds 25 feet in length; or exceeds 80 inches in width; or exceeds 82 inches in height.

Drivers must continue to follow posted parking signage and colored curb regulations. The California Department of Motor Vehicles Driver Handbook on Parking provides information on parking regulations that will continue to be enforced: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/hdbk/parking.

Thousands of acres of wildlife habitat were also lost

by David Goldstein, Ventura County Public Works Agency, IWMD

Residents eager to return to a normal life following the fires may be tempted to begin cleanup immediately. Instead, additional preparation can save money and reduce risks.

In declaring a local health emergency the Ventura County Board of Supervisors enabled state agencies to launch a program providing free testing of disaster debris and free property clean-up if homes were completely destroyed by the Thomas Fire. Even if your home was not built with asbestos or originally painted with lead-based paint, substances from a wide variety of other building materials may make your ash a hazardous substance.

Consequently, countywide, fire debris can be legally removed only after an inspection by state designated personnel and, most likely, a County approved debris clean-up plan. Details of this program are still being developed and will be posted at venturacountyrecovers.org. Information is also available at 981-5101.
In addition to the many homes lost in recent fires, thousands of acres of wildlife habitat were also lost.

Fortunate people have insurance policies and public agencies to help with rebuilding, but it will take years before vegetation grows back to sustain eco-systems. The web of life on wild lands, from plants and insects, to birds and bobcats, will strain to cope with new circumstances.

One way people can help is to switch away from toxic substances and to mechanical and exclusion methods of rodent control. Following a fire, fleeing mice and rats tend to infest new areas. If homeowners near burn areas react to rodent problems by using poison, they risk posing new dangers to wildlife. Anti-coagulants kill mice and rats through internal bleeding, but poisoned pests take a long time to die, and in the meantime, they often become food for wildlife ranging from mountain lions to birds of prey, potentially spreading the poison up the food chain.

Methods of pest control designed to avoid infestations in the first place are categorized as “exclusion” methods, which include sealing off potential home entry points with wire mesh. Trim trees overhanging your roof and avoid dense growth capable of sheltering rats. Keep pet food secured and clean up pet dropping promptly.

Mechanical methods of pest control range from simple, classic snap traps to newer traps using electric shocks to kill pests. Some people mistake plastic bait traps for a mechanical trap, but generally, the large, plastic boxes with holes for rodents to crawl into are bait stations. The rodents do not die inside. Instead, they leave after consuming poison, potentially becoming prey for animals not targeted for poison.

If your mechanical traps are not catching rodents, rather than switching to poison, consider optimizing the traps. Set traps in pairs along a wall with the trip pads pointing in opposite directions, and use a proven effective bait, such as peanut butter. Also, since mice nibbles do not always trigger traps meant for rats, use both sized traps if you are not sure which type of infestation is in your home.

County working on plans for property tax relief for fire victims

The offices of the Treasurer-Tax Collector, Assessor and Auditor-Controller are working on a plan to streamline the application process for property tax relief due to damage caused by the Thomas Fire.

In some cases, penalties and fees on late payments will be waived for fire victims, but taxpayers are still encouraged to make full payments on their first installment. The County will adjust the tax bill on a future installment. Tax relief will be available for any type of property that is assessed by the County, including but not limited to, homes, commercial and industrial buildings, and mobile homes.

More information will be released on tax relief as the plan is developed. Fire victims can get a head start on the process by filing a calamity claim. Information and a claim form can be found on the Assessor’s website at htpp://assessor.countyofventura.org.

To learn more:
Steven Hintz, Treasurer-Tax Collector, (805) 654-3744
http://www.ventura.org/ttc

Dan Goodwin, Assessor, (805) 654-2181
htpp://assessor.countyofventura.org

Jeff Burgh, Auditor-Controller, (805) 654-3152
http://www.ventura.org/auditor-controller

Immigration help available to those affected by wildfires

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds the public that they offer immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters.

The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:

  • Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States. Failure to apply for the extension or change to your J1 or eqivalent visa before expiration of your authorized period of admission may be excused if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control;
  • Re-parole of individuals previously granted parole by USCIS;
  • Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
  • Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
  • Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where appropriate;
  • Consideration of fee waivers due to an inability to pay;
  • Assistance for those who received a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny but were unable to submit evidence or otherwise respond in a timely manner;
  • Assistance if you were unable to appear for a scheduled interview with USCIS;
  • Expedited replacement of lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as a
  • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card); and
  • Rescheduling a biometrics appointment.

To learn how to request these measures, call the National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283. For customers with disabilities: (TTY) 800-767-1833, (VRS) 877-709-5797, or (VCO) 877-709-5801.

Insurance protection for all Californians

Top Ten Tips for Wildfire Claimants

1. Obtain a complete copy of your residential insurance policy, including your declarations page.

The law requires your insurance company to provide this to you free of charge within 30 days of
your request. Ask your agent or insurer representative to explain your relevant coverages.

2. Take note of your Additional Living Expense (ALE) limits and manage your ALE expenses in
recognition of a long rebuilding process.

3. Track all of your additional expenses that arise from having to live in another location away from
your home.

4. Document all of your conversations with your insurer/adjuster about your claim and policy
limitations. Ask the adjuster to point out the specific provision in the policy being cited.

5. Get at least one licensed contractor’s estimate or bid on the cost to rebuild your home just to get
a reasonable sense of the actual cost as compared to your coverage limits (for more
considerations on contractors, view the CDI’s electronic brochure Don’t Get Burned After a
Disaster and check the website for California’s Contractors State License Board.

6. Call the Department of Insurance Hotline for help at (800) 927-4357. Consider insights from
consumer advocates.

7. Understand you can purchase at another location, and still receive full replacement cost

benefits. You also have the right to rebuild using your own contractor. In order to reduce the cost
of rebuilding, you might also consider a community wide development.

8. Assess your situation, do not rush into any decision about contractors, lawyers or public
adjustors – consider your mortgage/employment/financial situation, your age, children’s schools,
your willingness to deal with construction issues (no matter who your contractor is). Of course,
move forward if you have obtained multiple bids from reputable licensed contractors, are certain
you want to rebuild, are sure of the rebuilding costs and your insurance limits and want to be
sure you are a priority for your selected contractor to start the rebuild. The Contractors State
License Board (CSLB) has publications that can help you identify and avoid problems before
they occur. Contact CSLB at 1-800-321-2752 to obtain a free copy of their publications and/or
verify the licensing status of a contractor.

9. Do not assume you have inadequate coverage based on general information you are hearing
about building costs or other general comments. The adequacy of your limits needs to be
addressed on a case specific basis to determine how much it will cost to rebuild your home
and whether your limits, including extended replacement cost coverage if applicable, are
adequate.

10. Evaluate whether you will need a public adjustor or attorney to help you with your claim. Note
that for long rebuilding processes you are likely to use your entire ALE limits and if you are also
reimbursed by your insurer for your entire personal property loss or your full personal property
limits, then there may be no need for the assistance of a public adjustor or lawyer to help you
obtain full settlements for either of these coverages.

Public adjusters require a percentage of the claim settlement for their services. Make sure you
understand what they charge and the services you are paying for before you sign a contract.
Also, a public adjuster cannot charge a fee for payments already received from the insurance
company, so you should consider getting as much advance payment as possible from the
insurance company (without signing a final release) before hiring a public adjuster. This way the
fee may only be charged for the additional moneys the public adjuster gets for you, Public
adjusters are required to be licensed by the California Department of Insurance. To verify a
public adjuster’s license, call us at 1-800-927-4357 or check the status online by name or by
license number. Practicing without a license is against the law.

Erosion and ash control product applied to burn areas

The Public Works Department has hired Galion Erosion Control to spray EarthGuard onto residences and other areas burned by the Thomas Fire. The application is a public service to help keep hazardous material from getting into the storm drains by keeping it in place and preventing it from going onto other properties, as well as preventing the material from becoming airborne.

The product will not impact sifting of personal materials and will not affect the ability to seed properties. EarthGuard is a non-hazardous, non-toxic product and will not cause any issues with the watershed or the replanting or re-growing of plants. It is used on construction projects throughout the nation for dust control. The product is mixed with fiber and is green in color in order to show where it has been applied. The application of EarthGuard began on December 12 in the homes where hazardous material burned.

The spraying began in the Clearpoint neighborhood and will proceed to Ondulando east, Ondulando west, Skyline, Hidden Valley and continue west. Other areas to be applied with EarthGuard include water facilities and parks citywide that were impacted by the Thomas Fire. The spraying of EarthGuard is slated for the next few weeks.

Free masks are available

N-95 masks require a tight seal to be effective.

Due to continuing unhealthy air conditions resulting from the Thomas Fire, free particulate respirators (N-95 masks) are being distributed as part of a coordinated effort of the Ventura County Public Health Department, Emergency Medical Services Agency, various County agencies, City government and multiple community based organizations. To date, over 500,000 face masks have been distributed throughout Ventura County. The sites that will distribute masks are available and update routinely on readyventuracounty.org and current locations are listed below.

  • Ventura County Fair – Red Cross Shelter, 10 W. Harbor Blvd
  • EP Foster Library, 651 E. Main St. Ventura
  • Beth Torah Temple, 7620 Foothill Road
  • Barranca Vista Center, 7050 Ralston Street
  • Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street
  • Hill Road Library, 1070 S. Hill Road
  • Saticoy Library, 1292 Los Angeles Avenue
  • San Jon Yard, 336 San Jon Road
  • City Hall, 501 Poli St. (entrance at back parking lot)
  • Academic Family Medicine Center, 3291 Loma Vista Road, Building 340, Suite 201
  • West Ventura Medical Clinic, 133 W Santa Clara St
  • Ventura County Health Care Agency, 5851 Thille St
  • Ventura County Health Care Agency, 2323 Knoll Dr # 414

Please note that the N-95 masks require a tight seal to be effective and as a result the available adult sized masks will provide only limited protection for most children. N-95 masks when fitted properly provide some protection from the fine particles in smoke. Ordinary dust masks and surgical masks do not provide this protection. Limited quantities of small masks are being distributed to locations that are more likely to have a concentration of children. When properly worn, these masks should provide a tighter seal for a child’s smaller face. Please note, that only limited quantities of these masks are available. Masks are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be available as supplies last.

New Kaiser Permanente grand opening celebration

County and City dignitaries helped Kaiser staff in cutting the ribbon at new facility.

Article and photos by Richard Lieberman

The new Kaiser outpatient clinic held a grand opening for the 57,000 square-foot building alongside of the 101 Freeway in Ventura. The complex officially opened to patients on December 11th 2017.

Originally scheduled to open early next year Kaiser pushed up the opening date to December this year ahead of the original schedule. The construction project began with a ground-breaking ceremony in September, 2016.

The new clinic is Kaiser’s answer to the need for additional space in West Ventura County. The new facility will serve as an outpatient center. The clinic features optometry, orthopedics, obstetrics-gynecology, cancer infusion, gastroenterology, podiatry, laboratory services and additional specialties.

Dr. Justin Kane, a hand surgeon will serve as the clinics physician-in-charge, “we have all the medical and surgical specialties under one roof,” said Kane. Kane will serve along with 22 other physicians based at the new site. If you’re not fortunate to live in California or on the west coast and therefore don’t have access to the new centre but are still in need to see a hand surgeon then go to handsurgeonsnyc.com it’s a great clinic especially if the east coast is better for you.

A pharmacy and an urgent care center are scheduled to be added in the second half of 2018. Kane added “there won’t be outpatient surgery, but some office procedures for certain types of skin cancer removal procedures will be available at the site.”

The new Kaiser building has caught the attention of residents and those traveling along the 101 Freeway by its brightly lit lines running across its exterior. Dr. Kane noted that the “lighting is like a beacon and that is exactly what we want.”

Taking advantage of modern interior design techniques, the facility features self-tinting windows, solar panels and other technology designed to be energy efficient. The brightly lit exterior lines compliment the design of the interior.

Kane added “it’s a billboard” referring to the lighted exterior. “We wanted the building to look like the innovation and technology that we have included in its interior.”

Volunteering with the Red Cross/Thomas Fire

by Jill Forman                To volunteer with the Red Cross: redcross.org/volunteer.

“Welcome to the ‘Amazon of Hope,” says the sign above the makeshift desk in a deserted ex-bus barn in downtown Ventura, now filled with bags and boxes and pallet of donations. The community had come forward and given food, toiletries, paper goods, clothing, water and so on.

And the trucks and cars keep rolling in, with thousands more items to be downloaded, sorted, and distributed. It is an incredible sight. Red Cross personnel from all over the USA, along with community volunteers, work continually to handle this outpouring.

I had spent Saturday at Orientation the Red Cross headquarters in Camarillo, then stayed there to field phone calls, talk to folks coming in the front door, run errands, whatever needed doing. Sunday things were quieter in the office, and we heard that this collection and distribution center was open and desperately needing help. So I signed up. The Red Cross has an amazingly efficient computer system for volunteers, letting them know what is needed and allowing them to sign up online.

After a brief morning meeting, we get to work. And work we do. In addition to the donation management, clients start coming in needing items. Yours truly ended up running that end of things for the next three days. Clients come in, fill out a list, then wait for the “pickers” to find their items. We give the folks snacks and water, try to find things to entertain their children, and talk to them.

The Red Cross personnel are incredibly patient with us “newbies,” smiling, giving us positive feedback and thanks at every turn. I have never felt so valued. And the community volunteers, they are amazing; working whatever hours they can manage, taking time off from their jobs, filling their school vacations with helping others. Pretty much everyone was on their feet, walking around the warehouse, lifting, sorting, doing some hard physical labor for up to 8-9 hours at a time.

We get fed every day also by local restaurants. One day it was a gorgeous spread by Command Performance Catering, another was from Mai’s Café. I was unable to find out the names of the restaurant or group that put on the taco bar, or the one that gave us bag lunches with sandwiches and the best soup ever. And people show up with trays of cookies and bags of fruit. I was sorting a pile of donations and found a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies perched on top. Whoever you are, thanks, they were delicious (and yes, I shared them.)

I obviously could go on and on, but just trying to give an idea of what it is like to be a part of something, a little piece of helping out in this difficult time. Most of us can’t fight a fire, or rebuild a house, or give a home to a burnt-out family. But almost everyone has something to give. The people at the collection and distribution center are giving their time, their hard work and their hearts to this part of the effort. This has been a significant time in my life.

Declaration of local health emergency

On December 8, due to potential widespread toxic exposures and threats to public health and the environment that exist in the aftermath of a major wildfire disaster, the Ventura County Public Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency to limit the public’s exposure to hazardous substances.

This Declaration enables the State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to survey damaged properties and remove household hazardous wastes at no cost to property owners. It also enables property owners to participate in a voluntary Fire Debris Clearance program administered through the State Office of Emergency Services (OES) and CalRecycle.

The Declaration applies in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Ventura County impacted by the Thomas Fire and provides the following:

  1. No removal of fire debris shall occur from properties without a hazardous material inspection conducted by either the EPA or DTSC. This does not include the removal of personal property from residential sites.
  2. No debris bins shall be provided to property owners for the purposes of fire debris removal without the authorization of the Ventura County Environmental Health Division.
  3. Property owners that opt out of the Fire Debris Clearance Program must obtain permission from the Ventura County Environmental Health Division before beginning the removal of fire debris to ensure the private debris removal, transport, and disposal is conducted in a manner that does not endanger the community.

The public is advised that the combustion of building materials such as siding, roofing tiles, and insulation can create dangerous ash and dust particles that may contain asbestos, heavy metals, and other hazardous substances. Household hazardous substances such as paint, gasoline, cleaning products, pesticides, compressed gas

cylinders, and chemicals may have been stored in homes, garages, or sheds that may have burned or released in the fire, also producing hazardous substances. Exposure to these substances when residents search through debris for personal items, and during fire debris removal activities may lead to acute and chronic health effects, and may cause long-term public health and environmental impacts.

The County Environmental Health Division is currently working with the DTSC to gather more information about the state program and the timing of its operation in Ventura County. As information is gathered, it will be posted along with other recovery

information on the County’s venturacountyrecovers.org web site. In addition, if property owners with fire debris on their property would like to receive debris removal information directly as it becomes available, they may register via the venturacountyrecovers.org web site.