by Venturans for Efficient & Responsible Government

The 505 Poli building adjacent to City Hall exemplifies why the City of Ventura should not be in the property rental business.

When public money is used to buy rental income property, citizens have a right to expect the city will manage the investment wisely, and that includes when it comes to selling rental property. The City Council makes the decisions, and they rely on the City Manager and city personnel for sound, knowledgeable advice on how to acquire and operate such property.

Here’s the rub. Ventura city personnel have demonstrated that they do not have the knowledge or experience needed to assist the City Council in making decisions in such matters.

505 Poli Confirms That Ventura Is Bad At The Property Rental Business

Appraised for $3.55 million in Sept. 2005, the City of Ventura acquired it in November 2006 for $4.03 million. To fund the purchase $1.23 million in General Funds were used together with another $2.8 million from the Workers Compensation Fund. The use of the Workers Comp funds should have been a warning to the City Council. Later, the interim City Manager, Johnnie Johnson, exposed that budget manipulation.

Then there is the building itself and the adjacent crime laboratory. Both are asbestos-filled, old Ferro-cement structures. The removal of asbestos and hazardous material remediation in the crime lab alone was estimated to cost $500,000-$700,000. The list of deficiencies abounded-seismic conditions, old air conditioning systems, old electrical systems and a 60-year-old elevator that hinders tenant usage.

In 2006, City staff advised the City Council that the city would get a return from the investment in 6.3 to 8.8 years. History proved them wrong. By our simple accounting, the City of Ventura has spent or is obligated to pay an additional $4.6 to $5.0 million with no net rental income to justify the investment over the last 12 years.

Spending More Money Won’t Fix What’s Bad About Ventura’s Property Rental

The latest proposal put forward by the Public Works Department recommends the city sink another $2 million for tenant improvements for just the 4th and 5th floors.

City staff suggested in the report that if the City Council spends the money, 505 Poli will rent for $3 a square foot because of its downtown location. There was no rental comparison survey to support the plan. There was no vacancy survey included. The report also ignored the fact that vacancy is running at 25% citywide on commercial property. Perhaps the city should find out how to value a commercial property and sell it to private companies so that they can at least benefit from the buildings. The entire argument assumes that if “we build it, they will come.” The recommendation also suggests our city would receive a monthly income of $53,413 after the improvements at 100% occupancy. Great promise, but it lacked facts and is unrealistic.

Recommendations

The City Council should follow up on how much taxpayers have spent to acquire, improve and maintain 505 Poli. The total amount may surprise some of them.

The City Council should hold the city staff to a higher level of thoroughness and professionalism before recommending spending taxpayer money.

City government should get out of the property rental income business and find a qualified, reputable real estate company to lease and manage all city-owned rental property.

The theme of this year’s ISD is “Protect & Enjoy”.

Every day, the Surfrider Foundation and the volunteer activist network, work hard to protect our coasts. This year on, International Surfing Day (ISD), we pause to celebrate and enjoy the beaches we all love. While we band together to enjoy the stoke of surfing, we also aim to raise awareness of threats to our precious coastline.

The theme of this year’s ISD is “Protect & Enjoy” on June 16^th from 10am-2pm prarticipate at Surfers’ Point Cove for a very special event!

A Walk on Water (AWOW) will be demonstrating Surf Therapy from 10-12. AWOW works closely with their local communities to help those most in need experience the calming and therapeutic effects of the electrifying, living ocean.

From 10-12, Ohana Surf Camp will be giving beginner surf lessons. Ohana’s Surf Camp mission is to inspire the next generation to become stewards of the ocean.

On shore activities, snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the event.

Discounts on wetsuit and surfboard rentals from Seaward Surf and Sport and Rip Curl will be given when you mention ISD!

As if that wasn’t enough! From 2pm on, join in at Leashless Brewing at 585 E. Thompson for 25% off their craft beer, live music and a raffle fundraiser for your local, beloved Surfrider VC chapter!

On June 9, at noon, members of the community will peacefully gather at Plaza Park to commemorate the anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting and to discuss how gun violence affects people of minorities such as the LGBTQ+ community. The intent is to bring people together and encourage people to get educated and involved with the issue that is gun violence in America. The event will be hosted by the National Association of Students Against Gun Violence. People will gather to have an educated discussion about how gun violence affects people of minorities and how to improve gun detection.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 marks the 2-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in which 49 people were killed and 53 were injured. People of the LGBTQ+ community were specifically targeted in this shooting, and they continue to be victims of gun violence to this day. This is why citizens of Ventura will gather to talk about gun violence and its effect on minority communities.

Guest speakers will include students, elected officials, and members of organizations that work to protect people of minorities. This will be a peaceful event for the community to discuss gun violence, its causes, and possible solutions. Everyone is welcome.

The National Association of Students Against Gun Violence is working across the U.S. to empower students and advocate for common sense gun laws. The President of the Ventura County chapter is Eric Martinez, the head of the Foothill Technology High School chapter and the organizer of this event is student Hannah Yale.

CAPS Media’s Digital Storytelling Summer Program kicks off on June 26 at the CAPS Media Center. Designed for students ages 10-15 the program provides young videographers and storytellers hands-on training with cameras, audio, and editing equipment plus teamwork and production skills needed to produce commercials, documentaries, news reporting, comedy shows and more.

Crew members collaborate to create original productions and stories the team want to tell. CAPS Media professional staff direct the activity packed camps utilizing the complete resources of the CAPS Media Center. No prior experience is required for the three-day sessions on June 26 – 28, July 10 – 12 and July 17 – 19. The program runs from 9:30am to 1:30pm each day and the program fee includes use of pro gear, instruction, snacks, a t-shirt and a CAPS Media membership for a year. To learn more about the Digital Storytelling program or to sign up call 658.0500 or go to www.capsmedia.org/events.

CAPS Media recently wrapped production on the City’s Mayor For A Moment 2017-18 season. The inspiring series recognizes outstanding 5th graders throughout the school district’s elementary schools. Each month students submit essays on a theme such as kindness, responsibility or sportsmanship. School principals and staff select the young mayor based on the creative work and other individual criteria.

A video, created by CAPS Media, is shown at the City Council meeting to introduce the young Mayor prior to the student presenting her or his essay, poem or other work. The young mayor is also recognized at a Ventura School Board meeting. The 2017-2018 young mayors were: Braydon Rocco at Portola, Olivia Blomquist at Poinsettia, Vivian Ryan at Will Rogers, Allison Cabeza at Citrus Glen, Isabella Coleman at Sunset, Tlahuy Goitia at Montalvo, Adriana Perez at Sheridan Way and Holland Kemble at Lincoln. The individual video profiles and a compilation video of all the school year’s mayors are posted at capsmedia.org/videos.

The comprehensive Thomas Fire Stories project continues with new first-person stories from firefighters, first responders, officials and members of the public airing every Friday evening at 6pm. The Thomas Fire Stories are produced by CAPS Media in collaboration with the Museum of Ventura County and are supported by photos and videos contributed by the public, firefighters and news agencies. Every Friday evening a new 20-30 minute story premieres at 6pm on Channel 6, on CAPS Radio KPPQ LP 104.1 and online at capsmedia.org.

The extraordinary and inspirational personal accounts repeat throughout the week and can be viewed at any time online at capsmedia.org/videos.

CAPS Media extends congratulations to graduates throughout Ventura. CAPS crews recorded and streamed the Ventura College ceremony and will record and broadcast ceremonies for El Camino High School (June 8) and Foothill Technical High School (June 14).

CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. To learn more about CAPS Media, the public is invited and encouraged to go to capsmedia.org or call 658-0500.

On Sunday April 29th a group of volunteers gathered at Restore Ventura for a quick meeting and then out into the community to plant a total of 21 trees along Ventura Avenue.

After a few months of planning and meetings with the city of Ventura, Restore Ventura was able to fundraise all the money needed to purchase the trees.

The Westside Community Council played a big role in helping facilitate the project.

Gerardo Gallegos was the project coordinator.