Pictured (l-r) Jonathon Richmond and Mayor Patti Walker. Richmond named the new city park, Two Rivers Park and won $50.

Fillmore City Council met Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall to cover a brief agenda. The Council congratulated Jonathan Richmond in person for winning the Park Naming Contest.

The Council made several appointments. It appointed Aude Barragan to fill the vacant seat on the Parks & Recreation Commission, and Elizabeth Wareham to serve as Student Advisor on that Commission. It appointed Todd Gernheuser to serve on the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District Board. It appointed Nancy Bowlin and Catherine Frias to fill vacant seats on the Film Commission.

Norma Amaro spoke out against people-bashing in a short impassioned plea to the entire community of Fillmore. She asked that people support one another, disagree like polite adults when necessary, and refrain from nasty comments, negative asides, and casting blame, but give praise where it is due.

Sheila Duckett, supported by the presence of four other Fillmore school employees, asked the City to fund the School Resource Officer (SRO) position. At recent School Board meetings, various Board members have said that they do not want to spend educational dollars on the SRO, but that having a police officer dedicated for school use is valuable. The District spends approximately $100,000 per year on the position. Duckett noted that the School District had reduced the positions of over 50 classified staff, and explained that most classified staff live in Fillmore, vote in Fillmore, shop in Fillmore, and many are raising families in Fillmore. Money saved on the SRO position could help school staff.

Public Works Director Bert Rapp provided an update on Two Rivers Park. The City had planned for the park to open in August, but the project has been delayed and the park will be open by the end of September. Grass will be planted in the first week of August. The park will include the skatepark (which is already open), fields, a bike path, fencing, a restroom, a snack bar, a parking lot, and safety lighting. The City cannot afford other amenities at this time, but will revisit the issue after the current contract is complete. Contingency funds might eventually be used to improve the baseball fields. Other desired amenities include a tennis court, basketball court, and second restroom.

The Council requested updates from staff on attempts to obtain stimulus funds. Bert Rapp reported receiving $200,000 for transportation improvements, which he is hoping to augment with another $200,000 in stimulus funds to use toward the Mountain View/A Street overlay which is estimated to cost $500,000. Rapp said Fillmore and Santa Paula are jointly applying for energy funds to cover solar electricity at their water treatment plants. Rapp noted Fillmore is also collaborating with 8 other cities in Ventura County on an application for funds to cover 25% of the replacement cost for a new lift truck. Bill Bartels said the City is looking into stimulus funds for expanding the library. Police Chief Tim Hagel reported that he is reviewing notifications of available stimulus funds weekly. He has applied for $26,000 in public safety funds, and for $100,000 per year for four years to maintain a peace officer position. Nine hundred applications have been submitted nationwide for the peace officer funding; although more than one $100,000 will be awarded, the competition is fierce. Council Member Laurie Hernandez suggested that if the City receives the money, it should consider using the funds to pay for the SRO.

Michael Walden requested parking accommodations for downtown employees. He noted that the parking lot behind the building supply store is not well lit, explained that the new three-story building has reduced the availability of parking spaces, and said time limits on street parking are inconsistently enforced. He suggested that the City issue exemption stickers for affected employees.

The Council awarded a $124,184 bid for the purchase of one new trash truck from Gibbs International Inc. According to the relevant memo, "The old trash truck is 19 years old and in need of major repairs." Council members thanked local dealer William L. Morris Chevrolet for also placing a bid, but its bid was too high and its proposed truck did not match the City's specifications as well as Gibbs' proposed truck. The City was legally obligated to accept the lowest qualifying bid.

The Council ordered abatement of all weeds, rubbish, and refuse remaining on approximately 60 private properties listed by Fire Chief Bill Herrera. This is an annual process to reduce fire hazards, and the property owners will be notified by mail. All weeds should be removed by June 1, 2009.

The Council ordered an inflationary adjustment to all Development Impact Fees (DIFs). The rate of adjustment was matched to a construction inflation index. The Public Facilities DIF, Parks and Recreation DIF, Sanitary Sewer System Improvements DIF, Storm Drain System Improvements DIF, and Transportation Improvements DIF were all increased by 6.73%. The Potable Water System Improvements DIF was increased by 4.96% for reasons other than inflation, including a capital improvement update. The new DIFs will take effect in 60 days.

The Council initiated proceedings for the Annual Engineers Report and Levy of Assessments for the City of Fillmore Lighting and Landscape District No. 2 and Heritage Valley Lighting and Landscape District 2007-1. The Districts are responsible for maintaining trees, lights, and landscaping within certain areas of the city. City Engineer Tom Scott presented the initial report, which the Council preliminarily approved. The report shows some tract budgets with negative balances, and, after prompting by the new Transitional City Manager Larry Pennell, the Council agreed that City staff should present some scenarios showing the possible impact of cutting services within those Districts so that all budgets' end balances are close to zero. The Council will be asked to decide whether to cut services, reallocate funds, increase assessments, or lend money to the Districts from the General Fund. There will continue to be a public hearing on this matter.

The Council reviewed the annual budgets and assessment for the City of Fillmore Storm Drain Assessment Districts, and declared its intent to levy the annual assessment. The assessment will be used to build reserves so that when expensive repairs are needed the money will be available.

The Council discussed CalTrans' refusal to approve a stoplight at the intersection of Mountain View and Highway 126. According to Rapp, the refusal was based on traffic numbers, and might be reconsidered after half of the Heritage Valley development is complete. The Council is concerned that accidents may occur in the meantime.
Laurie Hernandez said that the North Fillmore storefront project is almost finished, but more volunteers are needed. Work will continue at 9 a.m. this Saturday and Sunday. Lunch will be provided.

Two jurors from the Ventura County Grand Jury reported to the Council that no one from Fillmore had applied to be on the Grand Jury for the upcoming year. They suggested that Fillmore citizens apply next year in February, explained how important the Grand Jury’s work is, and noted that it is appropriate volunteer work for retirees because it is a full-time job that only pays about $25 per day.