Tuesday’s special joint meeting of the Fillmore City Council and School District aired serious concern about funding the School Resource Officer (SRO) for the high school and middle school. The District has been paying $100,000 of the $135,000-plus cost of the SRO position, with the city picking-up $35,000. The Sheriff’s Department also helps by paying for two months of the SRO’s salary.
This position is recognized as being “absolutely critical” to the effective operation of the school, according to Sergeant Dave Wareham. The grant having expired, Fillmore High School is seeking continued financial support from the city to fund the job. A response, according to School Superintendent Jeff Sweeney is needed within the next couple of weeks.
The Council voiced strong support for the program.
A public hearing was opened by City Planner Kevin McSweeney concerning the appeal of builder Mike Sarahang from a Planning Commission denying a modification of permit 03-5 for construction under way at 341 Central Avenue. The appeal was denied in a 3-1 vote, Councilman Scott Lee dissenting. According to McSweeney, the applicant’s application of unapproved material (rough slump stone) for the lower, outside wall covering was not approved. The applicant had also ignored other plan regulations by painting the building a different color, and using other, unapproved, materials on the roof. After much discussion, Council decided the material in question was dangerously unsupported and posed a threat to pedestrians in the event of an earthquake. It also failed to confirm to the traditional design required in the downtown area.
Council voted to have the applicant remove the siding and to comply with the Downtown Specific Plan.
Oddly, and without explanation, Councilman Scott Lee was the only vote against this outcome. Staff was complimented by Council for having done its job in halting construction for non-compliance.
Council approved an easement for the Pool Complex, also approved the Pool Complex Construction Agreement (materials), and for Recycled Water Sub-Surface Drip Capital Improvements Project Schedule (materials).
Council also gave its approval for School/City Coordination of and Mitigation of Construction Impacts.
Discussion was undertaken concerning the enormous impact upon the city of the recycled water project from the new water treatment plant. Assistant City Manager Bill Bartels described the impact as something like the Northridge earthquake, in terms of disruption of traffic, rescheduling of sports events and other needed city-wide reorganization to facilitate the construction.
City Planner Kevin McSweeney summarized the city’s development activity list. He mentioned the 98-lot SunCal tract for north Fillmore, with its approved EIR and tract map. The project has not started.
Also mentioned were: the 3-acre, 51 unit north Fillmore Reider project, which has a petition circulating for a referendum to halt the plan; the Griffin “Bridges” tract, with 20 of 81 units remaining unsold. A 10-acre school site awaits phase 2.
The KD company’s approved 110 unit tract, south of River Street, will come on line 6 units at a time. Cabrillo’s 29-unit railroad tract is expected to begin construction this year. A two-story building at the old Masonic Temple site, 400 Central Avenue, will have medical offices and lower retail space, with 19 parking spaces.
Construction of the swimming pool complex should be completed in December of 2009. Grass playing fields should be available for the new 22-acre ark in June or July.
A major reorganization and rescheduling of sports programs, city-wide will be necessary as the water treatment plant construction brings water lines to the High School, Middle School, and Sespe School. This construction will severely impact all summer sports, and the traditional fireworks display will not be held at the football field. This will probably be moved to another park.