Ari Larson updated the council on the upcoming Chamber of Commerce events.

This April 24, 2012 the Fillmore Senior Center Board of Directors joined the Fillmore City Council to report on the Center’s financial status. Also on the agenda was approval of a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission encouraging the Adoption of a No-Cost Opt-Out Provision for Smart Meters.

Fillmore Senior Center is feeling the pinch of a poor economy and cutbacks from just about all of its funding sources. In the past the Center had a $100,000 budget provided in part by Fillmore Redevelopment, the United Way and various other organizations such as the Lions and Soroptomists. Today the Center’s budget is $20,000 and much of that coming from the 4th of July Fireworks sales. This has resulted in an 11% cutback in the lunch program along with reduced home delivery of meals to seniors that depend on the service. There are many activities offered such as computer classes, yoga, various art classes such as sketching and watercolors, WII Bowling, various exorcise classes, Tai Chi Classes, line dancing, support groups, casino trips just to name a few. The Center is vital to many of the seniors in town with a monthly average of 750-800 participating in the various activities. The Center recently opened a boutique room offering handmade knitted and crocheted items for sale and has received a new pingpong table that had Mayor Gayle Washburn challenging anyone to a game. Washburn commented that Fillmore spent millions on a skate park, pool and a baseball field, adding that we need to take care of both our young and our old and that the old took care of us in the past, now it’s our turn to take care of them. The Center is a 501c3 Nonprofit and run by volunteers with only one paid part-time office staff that does most everything. The Board consists of seven members: Vivian Johnson, Neva Picketts, Alternate Scott Painter, Treasurer Iris Martin, Secretary Gloria Hansen, Vice President Don Murphy, and President Donna Voelker. The proceeds from the sale of fireworks will help keep the Center open and there is a need for volunteers this 4th of July to work the booth. Any extra help will go a long way.

Anna M. Frutos-Sanchez from Southern California Edison came to the meeting to address the Councils’ concerns over the swapping out from analog to digital meters that has many customers questioning safety and privacy issues. The new digital meters, called Smart Meters, use wireless technology to transmit encrypted information on electricity use. Last Thursday the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) made a final decision on the meters and customers options. Starting May 9, 2012 customers that want to opt out can call 1-800-810-2369 to enroll in the opt out program and those that are already on the delay list can do the same. Customers who have a smart meter, but would like to opt out, can have their meter exchanged for the type that was previously in place. The CPUC’s final decision requires customers who opt out of the program to pay a $75 one-time set-up fee and a $10 recurring monthly charge. Those customers that are on the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program pay $10 for the initial set-up and $5 a month. Although the CPUC has made a decision on the matter the Council went forward with submitting a letter the Commission encouraging an adoption of a No-Cost Opt-Out Provision for Smart Meters.

Something that was not on the agenda was an answer to a Revision Request submitted to Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) last month asking to reduce the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) which stands at 160 very low income units and 112 low income units resulting in 272 low income units that need to be planned for during the 2014-2021 Housing Element period to anticipate and prepare for future growth. Also, of the six counties and 191 cities that fall under the SCAG umbrella only 12 other cities and one county submitted a Revision Requests to SCAG by the March 14, 2012 deadline, with only four of those from Ventura County: Ojai, Oxnard, Fillmore and Ventura County. All request were denied except Ventura County which received a partial approval. The Council has agreed to file an appeal on the matter and discussed the possibility of trading housing
requirements with another city.

The pool and its problems have not gone away. Council Member Eduardo Gonzalez said there are numerous ideas that include increasing the programs being offered such as water exercise for seniors, water polo and teen night. His concern was how to advertise the programs and that if needed having volunteers go door to door. Washburn informed
the Council that the City Manager Yvonne Quiring has met with the YMCA that operates a number of pools, asking for suggestions on how to lower costs. Quiring was out of town and not available for comment.

Council Member Brian Sipes asked that the Film Commission start moving forward on the palm tree replacement down Central Ave. Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, responded that the Commission has wanted to move forward but there isn’t the money available and that removing the palms may require removing and replacing concrete which will bring the price up considerably.

Gonzalez wanted to remind the public to sign up for VCAlert. He would like the public to realize what a valuable tool it is when an emergency arises and the cost is free. Go to VCAlert.org or visit the Fillmore City website for a link to signing up.