Category Archives: News and Notes

California Congresswoman Brownley visits Ventura Port District to celebrate the Federal appropriation

Harbormaster John Higgins, Board Chairman Chris Stephens, California Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Sr. Business Operations Manager Todd Mitchell and Board Vice-Chairman Mike Blumenberg at the presentation.

California Congresswoman Julia Brownley, U.S. representative of California 26th District, recently visited the Ventura Port District to celebrate the federal appropriation of $5,516,000 for the maintenance dredging of Ventura Harbor. This is one of the Congresswoman’s ten Community Funded Projects which was included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus and was supported by Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla. The Community Project Funding supplements the funding made available for the project in the President’s Budget and ensures that the entrance to Ventura Harbor will be well cared for through the next dredging cycle in early 2023. The check was presented to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Ventura Board of Port Commissioners, Chris Stephens and Michael Blumenberg.

“Since first being elected to Congress, I have been tireless in my work to secure funding for the dredging and maintenance of Ventura County’s harbors. The dredging of Ventura Harbor is essential to ensuring continued operations of this critical West Coast fishing hub,” stated Congresswoman Brownley. “The annual funding is vital to ensuring that the harbor’s federally authorized channel remains open to those who rely upon the harbor, including the commercial fishing industry and supply chain businesses.

Brownley stated. “This funding will support operations at the harbor, support local businesses that rely on these waterways, and ensure the preservation of our coastline and beaches. The dredging efforts also help keep our local tourism and recreation industries thriving to provide recreational opportunities for everyone throughout the region. This is a real win-win-win!”

Ventura Port District General Manager Brian Pendleton stated, “The ongoing support of Congresswoman Brownley at the federal level has been exceptionally important to our region. Ventura Harbor has benefited from her support since her first year in office and we cannot thank her enough.

The dredging of the entrance channel is performed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Congresswoman’s efforts ensure that sufficient funding is provided to the agency to complete the project. Maintaining this deep draft navigation channel ensures that the nearly 1,500 harbor vessels, including the Channel Islands National Park ferries, commercial fishing vessels, and private boaters have unrestricted access between the open ocean, Ventura Harbor, and the Ventura Keys.

In addition to keeping the entrance safe and navigable, the high-quality sand is redistributed onto adjacent beaches. This beneficial reuse of the sand renourishes the beaches after the winter season erosion, providing a secondary benefit. This in turn helps to provide an accessible and safe beach going experience for the public, while defending protected species habitat.

 

 Channel Islands National Park receives funding to rehabilitate and improve safety on trails

Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland visits Ventura. Photos by Michael Gordon

During a visit to Channel Islands National Park today, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland celebrated the Department of the Interior’s commitment of close to $100,000 in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The park’s ecosystem restoration project will rehabilitate and improve safety on trails, as well as protect archeological and natural resources on Santa Cruz Island. The project will be carried out in partnership with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

“Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are advancing partnerships between the federal government and Tribes to support access to clean air, clean water and a better environment for future generations,” said Assistant Secretary Newland. “As we make essential investments through this transformative law to conserve ecosystems, mitigate the risk of wildland fire and maintain our national parks, the support and ingenuity of local partners and Tribes who know these natural treasures best is critical.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $1.4 billion for ecosystem restoration efforts over the next five years, building on proven projects, programs and partnerships that conserve our cherished wildlife and natural resources critical to supporting local economies, creating jobs and strengthening communities.

The project funding announced today will be carried out under a Task Agreement with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, engaging their Fire Department in trail construction and their Cultural department in resources protection. The project will work to protect natural and archeological areas and enhance visitor experience and public safety by improving corridors and trail conditions on three miles of the park’s most heavily used trails as well close and restore approximately 1,000 feet of unapproved trails. The project will also protect native plant communities and areas with archaeological resources while adapting existing historic routes for accessible and safe public access.

Daily lifeguard service will be provided

As the summer season approaches, daily lifeguard service will be provided at Ventura Harbor beaches along Spinnaker Drive.

In a unanimous vote the Board of Port Commissioners authorized Brian Pendleton, General Manager of Ventura Harbor, to contract with State Parks to provide the lifeguard service from May through September 2022 at Harbor Cove, South Beach, and Surfers Knoll beaches. The approved 2022 lifeguard contract of $140,131.07 will provide adequate coverage to each of the three Ventura Harbor beach areas over a five-month period.

“The Port District has taken great pride in supporting enhanced beach safety by way of seasonal lifeguards on the Harbors beaches,” said Pendleton.

For over 60 years, State Parks has provided professional lifeguarding services along California’s coastline. The Ventura Port District took the lead in securing summer lifeguards at the Harbor in 2011.

For questions on lifeguard times, call the State Lifeguards Dispatch at 805-648-3321 and for Ventura Harbor beach details visit VenuraHarborVillage.com.

The project will provide a safe affordable place to call home

Ventura Springs will provide housing for homeless veterans. Photos by Patricia Schallert

Ventura Springs, located on 10 acres of land previously owned by the City of Ventura located at 10900 Telephone Rd. in Ventura will be a new community made up of 122 apartments for formerly homeless veterans as well as for low-income veterans and their families. The 11 buildings that make up Ventura Springs will be primarily two-story walk-ups with two three-story buildings, and will be surrounded by vibrant courtyards with a variety of uses and activities. The $62 million project will provide Ventura veterans safe, affordable place to call home and the resources and community needed to build stable futures.

California Secretary of Business, Consumer Services & Housing Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Ventura Mayor Sofia Rubalcava and other city council members and Supervisor Matt La Vere joined A Community of Friends (ACOF) and U.S.VETS to celebrate the groundbreaking of Ventura Springs.

As the first supportive housing development for veterans in the City of Ventura, Ventura Springs will provide residents with service-enriched housing, and comprehensive onsite supportive services including case management, mental health counseling, career development and life skills training. The project, built in a campus-like setting, will encourage healthy living, resident engagement and a sense of belonging through outdoor gathering spaces, recreational areas, community garden, fitness center, computer lab and more.

The goal of Ventura Springs is to create a community that will enrich the lives of local veterans and their families that may have a disability, and or experienced homelessness or economic challenges which have made it difficult to afford quality housing.

More than 50,000 veterans are estimated to live in Ventura County. From 2018 to 2019, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness in Ventura County increased by 68 percent, with more than 90 percent over the age of 45, and more than 50 percent reporting a chronic health condition, a physical disability or both.

Financing for Ventura Springs was provided by Bank of America, California Department of Housing and Community Development, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, City of Ventura, Community Housing Capital, Home Depot Foundation, Housing Authority of the City of Ventura, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, LISC, Nonprofit Finance Fund and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In December, the Ventura City Council unanimously voted to give the project $74,100 from the city’s Successor Housing Agency Fund to get the project going. In May 2021, the council approved another $545,000. In total the city will give $3.2 million using funds and deferred fees. The project should be completed by the end of 2023 with a grand opening in early 2024.

A Community of Friends has been the leading nonprofit permanent supportive housing developer in Southern California since 1988. U.S. VETS is the largest nonprofit organization with boots on the ground to combat America’s veteran crisis head-on.

Successful ending of the Ventura River Action Network (V-RAN) Program with awards for students

Finalists at the Awards Ceremony at the Museum of Ventura County.

After six months of involving 750 students from Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) in the monitoring and restoration of the Ventura River and its tributaries in support of the work of many environmental organizations, the last three months of the V-RAN program focused on students conducting energy, water, or waste audits of their school campuses, or researching the issues around the removal of the Matilija Dam, then crafting and submitting project proposals to reduce the environmental footprint of their schools or advocating for the removal of the dam.

Students submitted 78 projects which were reviewed by a judging panel for the first phase. The top 16 finalists moved on to present their proposals in person for the second and final phase to an expert panel of judges at the 7th Energy Efficiency to Mitigate Climate Change and Ocean Acidification (EECCOA) Challenge Award Ceremony on May 5th, 2022 held at the Museum of Ventura County.

The young authors of the top environmental business proposals in each category were awarded cash or in-kind prizes by the Ventura Unified School District. Cash prizes ranged from $500-$200, and in-kind prizes included tickets to the Channel Islands.

The MERITO Foundation would like to thank V-RAN program partners and sponsors that including UC Davis Center for Community and Citizen Science, and Ventura Water for their support, and all the event sponsors that helped with our culminating event. We are ready for the launch of the 2022-2023 V-RAN program!

Brownley presents $5.5 million to Ventura Harbor for maintenance dredging

Funding will help meet the dredging needs and navigation depths of the Ventura Harbor.

On Monday, June 6th , at Harbor Cove Beach in the Ventura Harbor, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) presented a check to Chris Stephens, Chair of the Ventura Port District Board of Commissioners and to Ventura Port District and Harbormaster John Higgins. The check for $5,500,000,00 was signed by President Joe Biden on March 15th, 2022 and will be for maintenance dredging of the Ventura Harbor. This funding will help meet the dredging needs and navigation depths of the Ventura Harbor which is instrumental in keeping the harbor safe and open for industries which include the fishing industry, tourism and recreation and the supply chain for local businesses. Ventura Harbor is the leading harbor for the squid market due in large part to the infrastructure and commercial fishing fleets in Ventura Harbor as well as home to a thriving visitor economy with hotels, restaurants, retail shops with coastal access on both on and off the harbor.

Presen were Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26),,Chris Stephens, Ventura Port District, Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners, Mike Blumenberg, Ventura Port District, Vice Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners, John Higgins, Ventura Port District, Harbormaster,

Todd Mitchell, Ventura Port District, Sr. Business Operations Manager and others.

On March 9, 2022, Brownley announced the inclusion of nine community projects totaling $27 million in the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2471) that passed the House of Representatives by a 260-171-1 vote. The historic government funding package will help working families with the cost of living, create good-paying jobs, and make direct investments in community priorities throughout the country, such as dredging are harbors to protect downcoast federal and municipal infrastructure and operations and keep key industries that rely on the harbor in business.

New Developments Happening in Ventura

The bi-weekly highlight of some of the new developments being proposed, approved or under construction in Ventura

by Carol Spector and Eileen Shaw, Livable Ventura

Sanjon Village (formerly The Pearl)- a 3+ story residential building with 33 condominiums under construction on the corner of Sanjon and Thompson

Thompson Village (formerly Brisa 29)- a 3 story building with 29 condominiums on the corner of Thompson and Chrisman.

Cora Apartments- 3-4 story mixed use development 140 apartments under construction at the corner of Santa Clara and Ventura Ave.

Villa San Clemente- a 3 story mixed use building with 10 condominiums under construction at the corner of East Main and San Clemente.

2200 East Main- a 3+ story mixed use development with 26 condominiums under construction at the corner of East Main and Coronado.

11101 Carlos Street- 3 story mixed use building with 43 apartments under construction near Wells and Telegraph.

For more information go to www.LivableVentura.com or access the city development map at www.cityofventura.ca.gov Permit Services “button” or Development Map Permit Services | Ventura, CA for projects Under Review, Scheduled for Hearing or Entitled (Approved) and Under Construction.

Continuous improvements are being made at the Trail

Ventura is a bronze-rated bicycle friendly community. Photos by Michael Gordon

Ventura Mayor Sofia Rubalcava, local officials, the City of Ventura, and Caltrans held a community bike ride on Saturday, May 21, at 9:00 a.m. at Westpark Community Center, located at 450 W. Harrison Ave. The bike ride celebrated the $5 million Clean California Grant awarded for the Ventura River Trail.

“May is National Bike Month and this is an opportunity to celebrate the many supportive efforts to renovate and reinvigorate the Ventura River Trail,” shared Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “We hope everyone can join us in celebrating this important win for our beloved Ventura River Trail.”

“For many years this trail has provided community members access to their local schools, places of work, and recreation facilities,” said Ventura Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “It also serves the community as a circulation corridor to our beautiful Ventura beaches, and up into the hills of Ojai.”

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of Ventura celebrated a nearly $5 million Clean California grant during the community bike ride along the Ventura River Trail. The money will be used to transform a two-mile portion of the trail and is made possible through Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.1 billion, multiyear clean-up effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs and engage communities to transform public spaces.

Continuous improvements of the Ventura River Trail include repaving the bike trail, adding solar lighting, and removing and replacing trail fencing. Targeted improvements include accessibility improvements to access the trail, public art, trail monuments, environmental and ‘no litter’ signage, native and drought-tolerant shrub and tree planting, wayfinding to the trail, and other various trail user amenities.

Other improvements will repave two miles of the bike trail, replace fencing, add drought-tolerant landscaping, a water-refill station and a bike repair station. The project will also include art murals on the trail floodwalls that highlight the cultural significance of Ventura’s westside and the greater community. In addition to the trail improvements and public art, the project will include new trash cans and “no littering” signs to reduce trash and debris along the trail.

“All Californians deserve access to clean, beautiful and safe pathways,” said Caltrans Acting Director Steven Keck. “The Ventura River Trail is an invaluable part of California’s transportation network, and Caltrans is proud to fund this project that will beautify this trail and ensure that the trail serves Ventura’s community and visitors for decades to come.”

The Ventura River Trail was built in 1989 and extends approximately six miles along State Route 33. The path connects to the Ojai Valley Trail to the north and the Omer Rains Trail to the south. Together, these three trails comprise the greater Ventura River Parkway.

Through trail infrastructure upgrades, the Ventura River Trail Improvements project is expected to extend the life of the trail by 15 to 30 years. In addition, the project aims to reduce the amount of waste and debris on the trail, beautifying the space for public enjoyment and providing a more equitable space of recreation for the community.

With more than 60 miles of bike lanes, 35 miles of bike routes and paths, and over 400 bicycle lockers for riders to use, the City of Ventura is designated by the League of American Bicyclists as a bronze-rated bicycle friendly community.

Officer Mercado will receive approximately 120-160 hours of pre-training instruction

Pre-training instruction for Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit held in Ventura. Photos by Patricia Schallert

Officer Emerson Mercado was selected as newest member of the Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit, a specialty assignment whose primary function is to decrease the number of property damage, injury, and fatal traffic collisions in the City of Ventura. Officer Mercado is currently training to prepare for the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) 80-hour motorcycle certification that every motor officer attends and needs to pass before being able to move out into the field as a solo Motor Officer.

Officer Mercado will receive approximately 120-160 hours of pre-training instructed by current certified Motor Officers under the supervision of Traffic Unit Supervisor Sergeant Mike Brown, before moving on to the 80-hour California POST certification course. Pre-training and certification training will acquaint Officer Mercado with techniques and principles that can be utilized to maximize skills which are necessary for the safe and effective operation of the police motorcycle.  Officer Mercado will develop coordination, balance, control, and the confidence necessary for the proficient operation of the police motorcycle.

Ventura College Foundation distributes over $750,000 in scholarships

Alyna Zarate is a multiple scholarship winner.

The Ventura College Foundation presented scholarships to 240 students for the 2022-2023 academic year during its 33rd Annual Scholarship Awards ceremony, May 13, at the Ventura College Athletic Center. There were 446 scholarships awarded, including nine new scholarships, totaling $756,908. Last year’s distribution amount was $652,758. 

Scholarships ranged from an average of over $2,400 for continuing students to an average of $4,200 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the Fall. Many students received multiple scholarships.  

“Students are still feeling the impact of the pandemic and scholarships can make the difference between being able to stay focused on education or having to scale back,” says Ellyn Dembowski, chair of the Ventura College Foundation board of directors. “Ventura College Foundation has over 400 available scholarships. Students can apply for scholarships in specific areas of study or general scholarships. We urge students to take advantage of this valuable financial resource when the scholarship applications window opens again.” 

For multiple scholarship winner Alyna Zarate, 19, her career goal is to become a lawyer or political science professor. She originally studied biology, but after she became involved in student government at Ventura College, her interests shifted. 

“The scholarships showed me the potential in myself, that I can do anything in this world,” says Zarate. Besides her involvement in student government, Zarate volunteers with the Coalition for Literacy, which helps adults and students struggling to read. “Growing up, my parents always told me to give back to the community. At the end of the day, I want to make a difference in someone’s life.”  

The Ventura College Foundation is grateful for the continuing support of scholarship event sponsors. They include Edison International, HZ Main Events Design & Consulting, Miracle Mile Advisors, Citizens Business Bank, Searle Creative, Bank of the Sierra, L&T Catering, Ohana Pet Hospital, and Trinity Wheeler Photography. 

Scholarship applications will be accepted for the next academic year beginning in the Fall. For more about the Ventura College Foundation and donation opportunities, go to https://venturacollegefoundation.org.