Monica McGrath was recognized by the City Council Tuesday night as the new Ventura County Sheriff’s Captain in Fillmore. She began her duties last week. McGrath, who lives in Ventura, stated “I’m very impressed with your town…I’m very happy to be here.”

But there was a somber feel to the April 26, 2011 Fillmore City Council Meeting as budget matters continue to take a toll on services. One item on agenda was ballot measure Proposition 218 which will have a direct impact on some property owners by increasing the assessment amounts on six separate tracks in Fillmore’s District 2. Also included with that item was a discussion on the annexation of Central Station Townhomes and Perry Ranch to the City’s Landscape and Lighting.

Other items on the agenda included a proclamation, the Council’s desire to withdraw from the County Library Memorandum and remain in the reformulated Ventura County Library system, the adoption of the Temporary Use Permits to allow Christmas tree sales to begin the day after Thanksgiving, a request by Williams Homes to reassess the Impact Fees on Heritage Valley Specific Plan and support for two State Assembly bills and resolutions.

There was a great deal of discussion between the Council and City Staff regarding the proposed ballot proposition. Several areas in Fillmore are presently not paying enough in assessment fees to cover ongoing maintenance for lighting and landscaping. Those properties assessment fees must be increased or current levels of service will have to be reduced and some may have to be cut altogether.

A proposition and balloting process is required to increase assessment amounts on property which is a lengthy process and takes preparation. The process requires creating an engineer’s report, approval of levy amounts and an election that includes mailing of ballots to the property owners. A public hearing is then scheduled to receive the public comments, determine the election results, approve levy amounts if any and order submittal of the data to the County Assessors for collection of assessments with property taxes. The added assessment costs to the property owners if approved will range from $4-$24 per month per property. The cost to the City for the ballots is $14,500.

The areas in question are: Sorrento Track 4498 & 4505, Country Fair Track 4535 (Does not include park), Traditions Track 4447, Intercal Track 5075, Hometown Track 5160, Parkview Court Senior Apts, Central Station Townhomes Track 5099, Perry Ranch Track 5785.

Any new areas added to the City’s Lighting and Landscape requires the same process of assessment; adding the annexation of Central Station and Perry, which are new areas, to the previous mentioned item, will save the City on costs.

Typical ongoing maintenance costs are items such as weekly mowing of lawns, the cost of water for landscape areas, tree trimming and energy cost for street lighting. But funds are also needed for unexpected emergency items, increase in cost of electricity, replacement as items age or are damaged and upgrades as better more efficient equipment becomes available.

Fillmore’s City Engineer Tom Scott suggested the City might consider having a neighborhood meeting before the ballots go out, but time was running out to do that. There is a 45 day notice required before a public hearing can be held. Next week Scott is expected to send a letter with more information to those property owners affected. May 13th notices and ballots will be mailed out and a public hearing will be held June 28th. Council’s vote (Council Member Steve Conaway was not in attendance) was 3 to 1 with Council Member Jamey Brooks being the only no vote to the proposition. Brooks stated “You have to give people more time to make these decisions…If we had extended it, I’d vote yes.” Council Member Patti Walker added “I agree with you Jamey, but right now there’s no money to keep the street lights on…and the landscaping, that’s the problem.”

Fees were another Council item with Williams Homes, a 16 year old family owned business out of Santa Clarita, addressing the Council for an estimate of the Development Impact Fees (DIF) on the Heritage Valley Specific Plan. This property was originally approved in October 2002 and went into foreclosure from Griffin Homes. In January 2010 the City was notified Williams Homes was interested in purchasing 31 vacant lots and three model homes in the detached condo area known as Oak Haven.

Council Member Walker reminded those in attendance the she was on the Council at the time and the only one who spoke out against the original project. Williams Homes asked the Council if the DIF could be lowered, stating that other municipalities have lowered their DIF due to declining property values. The developers also added that they are ready to build, but others, who may just be investors, could be years away from building. Council Member Walker reminded the developers that those other municipalities, unlike Fillmore, didn’t have to build a new sewer plant. Council Member Brooks spoke to the developers stating “I want you to prosper…this is a financial decision for the betterment of the City.” Council Member Brian Sipes added that the City was promised things in the past that will never come true.

The developers informed the Council that they plan on building the same style home as originally submitted and the selling price would range from $250,000 to $290,000. The Council unanimously voted to suspend the agreement and not to lower the fees.

A proclamation was awarded to Fillmore Building Official Michael McGivney declaring May 2011 as Building and Safety Month in the City of Fillmore. Building and Safety protects America and safeguards against natural disasters; the people and measures that save lives. Next week McGivney will provide handouts on safety issues that will be available in the lobby at City Hall.

Captain Monica McGrath, who started last week, was recognized by the council as our new Ventura County Sheriff’s Captain. McGrath, who lives in Ventura, stated “I’m very impressed with your town…I’m very happy to be here.”
The Santa Clara Valley Boys’ and Girls’ Club CEO Sheila Tate addressed the Council wanting to encourage Fillmore residents to attend the 6th Annual Taste of the Valley fundraiser on May 7th between 2-5pm at the Fillmore City Hall Courtyard. The event entrance is $35 in advance or $40 at the door. The event includes gourmet foods many of Santa Clara Valley and Ventura County’s finest restaurants and wine tasting from local, regional and statewide wineries. This year they will be adding tequila tasting along with a silent auction and entertainment by The Tune Bandits. For more information call Carole Power Director of Resource Development at (805) 525-7910 or emailcpower@bgcscv.org.

Fillmore resident Allen Hair addressed the Council about a rumor going around town that the Senior Center was going to close due to budget cuts. Hair asked the Council to put an end to such gossip and added that it took a lot of work building the Center up to the membership and activity level it is today and he didn’t want this gossip to do damage to all the efforts and hours many had invested.

The Fillmore Library’s budget was another item discussed. The Council considers the 32 hours the Fillmore Library is currently open per week a priority and wants those same hours to continue. The Library’s base budget is $280,577 per year with $144,010 coming from the County General Fund, Public Library Fund and unincorporated county areas. Most of the balance ($143,567) comes from Fillmore resident property taxes, fees, fines, donations and interest. Of this amount, the City of Fillmore General Fund contributes $7,000 per year to eight additional Library hours per week bringing the total hours of operation to 32. The Council unanimously voted to continue the $7,000 contribution and keep the 32 hours.

There was some good financial news. Council Member Walker, whose recent push to have Fillmore join the Ventura County Energy Alliance (VCREA), announced that the effort has already paid off. The (VCREA) is a Joint Powers Agency (JPA) composed of public agencies working in collaboration to approach the availability, reliability, conservation and innovative use of energy resources in the Ventura County region. Walker informed everyone that a recent grant from the (VCREA) replaced many of the lighting fixtures in public areas such as the Senior Center, City Hall, Police and Fire Stations, and will provide a savings to the City of $23,000 annually and reduced energy use by 167,400 kilowatt hours.

Council Member Sipes announced a Dog Park Trust Fund has been set up. Information is available in the lobby of City Hall. A meeting will be held at Morris Chevrolet on May 5th at 5:30pm. For more information call (805) 727-0524.