Rigo Landeros informed the Council that the Ventura County Alert System (VCALERT) had still not received the response from the County residents that they need to have a reliable responsive system in an emergency. To date only 294 Fillmore residents have registered their cell phones. Landeros wanted to remind everyone to sign up.

The City of Fillmore is about to become a Centurion, marking one hundred years since becoming incorporated. That was one of the items discussed at Tuesday night’s meeting. Another was the opening of the City Pool, which in the past drew many to the Council Chambers, but less than ten people attended the short March 12, 2013 Fillmore City Council Meeting which ended after an hour and twenty minutes. Other items on the agenda were the direction of the City of Fillmore Vision 2020 and Ventura County Alert System.

The Aquatic Center (AC) was once again on the Council's agenda. The AC is still running a deficit but has been reduced from $76,000 to $41,000 due to greater usage and more revenue than expected last year. As of February 28, 2013 the AC Fiscal Year 2013 operating expenses were $96,963 with revenue of $82,062 with a deficit of $14,901. The operating costs for utilities are estimated at $960 per week, staffing costs for lap swim and water exercise is $608 per week.

Looking for ways to control the costs Council Member A. Eduardo Gonzalez contacted the YMCA, an organization with a great deal of experience in managing a pool, asking for advice. The YMCA believes they can run the AC from April thru October and break even on revenue and costs, similar to what the City of Santa Paula does by leasing their pool out for the summer. Interim City Manager Rigo Landeros and Annette Cardona, Community Service Supervisor, have since been meeting with the YMCA about contracting the AC out. Besides the negotiations the City continues trying to find ways to open the AC as soon as possible, suggesting April 1st, but some said that was unrealistic due to having to hire staff so quickly. The Council began the evening discussion of what to do about the AC by stating that they were at a crossroads of whether to keep control of or share it. The YMCA is willing to take on the task but does not want a long contract, three years at the most with a 30 to 60 day to reconsider. This would mean YMCA would cover the utilities which ran $25,328 last April thru October. American Water has given a one year extension on covering the cost of chemicals.

Some of the questions asked were what would be the cost to swim, the hours the AC would be open and whether one would have to be a YMCA member to use it. The answer to cost is not known but the AC would have the same hours as last year and one does not have to be a YMCA member to use the pool, but YMCA members would receive some discounts. The Council agreed that everyone wants the AC opened as soon as possible, but it will have to be safety first to any date considered. The Council was unanimous that the AC reopen for public use, lap swim and water exercise as close to April 1st. And they will continue negotiations with the YMCA who will be given a contract this week and that contract will then be brought back to the Council for approval March 26th. If all is agreed to the YMCA would start staff training by April 5, 2013 and AC would reopen April 19, 2013.

Next year the City of Fillmore will celebrate its 100th year as an incorporated city with Council Member Gonzalez spearheading the effort to start planning the festivities. Gonzalez suggested that an ad hoc committee be formed soon and that the celebration take place either during the May Festival or just prior to and ending with the Fourth of July celebrations. He also stressed that the festivities be cultural, remarking three times that it be cultural. There were questions of resources to which Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Minjares asked Gonzalez if Fillmore Staff would be used. Gonzalez answered yes, to which Mayor Rick Neal added that the City would partner with the Chamber of Commerce. Minjares responded that it is an opportunity for the City, but his concern is that it meets the City's budget. Interim City Manager Rigo Landeros responded that funding would come from sponsors and from those that already do business with the City, so it would not be a burden on the taxpayers. Gonzalez reminded the Council that there are only 12 months left to get ideas and make arraignments in order to accommodate the dates suggested, so they need to get started on it. Council Member Douglas Tucker suggested it be put on the upcoming agenda and felt sure that the community will get behind it. Landeros reminded the Council that the Fourth of July is a very hectic day and added that he could not imagine adding to that, "It's a public safety issue" to which Police Captain Monica McGrath agreed. Gonzalez responded that it would not be just a one day celebrations and that it would begin days before.

About ten years ago the City of Fillmore wanted a written plan for the City's future and came up with the Vision 2020. Council Member Gonzalez told the other Members that he did not have a copy of Vision 2020 and needed to be updated. To which Neal responded that the Vision 2020 Steering Committee Membership List needed to be updated and it is no longer a complete committee. The Committee has not met for several years and the plan has not been revised since October 2006. Tucker suggested the issue be put on hold until a new City Manager is hired.

Minjares responded that it is a very important document and that Steve McClary, who is no longer with the City, did a great deal of the work on Vision 2020. Neal felt that at this time the staff is too small and "maxed out" to take on the extra work. Gonzalez responded that the Council should not wait to address it and that there are only six years left and that is not much time. To which Neal responded "I know how important 2020 is but we have bigger fish to fry" and referred to the budget being presented. Gonzalez then said, "I guess we're going to keep kicking the can down the road."

Landeros informed the Council that the Ventura County Alert System (VCALERT) had still not received the response from the County residents that they need to have a reliable responsive system in an emergency. To date only 294 Fillmore residents have registered their cell phones. Landeros wanted to remind everyone that in a major emergency such as an earthquake there is little hope that an emergency team could reach them in time; schools and convalescent facilities would receive first responses. It is easy to register and there are several ways to do it: phone, internet and by mail.