Pictured above Carolyn Mescher, with Ventura County Fairgrounds Publicity Dept., and Mayor Patti Walker displaying the VC Faire Poster 2010.

City Attorney Ted Schneider reported that the City has won a legal dispute in which the owner of the El Dorado mobile home park sued the city for denying its application to convert to condominiums. The City maintained that the application was incomplete, and Judge Bysshe has ruled in its favor. Schneider noted that this is the first case of its kinds in the county, if not the state, in which a city has won such a suit. The City will wait for the application for conversion to be complete.

Presentations
Ventura County Fairground’s representative Carolyn Mescher presented the City Council with this year’s Ventura County Fair poster, which features an oil pastel illustration featuring a merry-go-round and Ferris wheel beneath a moonlit sky filled with fireworks. Mescher noted that 14-year old Kayalin Akens-Irby of Ventura’s artwork was chosen from over 80 entries poster contest submissions illustrating this year’s theme, “Western Nights and Carnival Lights.” The fair will run from August 4 to Sunday August 15. For more information visit www.venturacountyfair.org

Public Comments
Fillmore Resident Lynn Edmonds spoke on behalf of the Fillmore-Piru One Step, an after school program for teens that operates on an annual budget of $300,000 and employees six staff members. Edmonds noted One Step’s efforts to counter crime by providing teens with various mentoring and enrichment programs, and reported that the program is now also working with youths from juvenile justice. With 40-50 participants at the center, One Step has outgrown its current space and is looking for support to acquire a new location to continue its work. Acknowledging, “it’s a hard time,” Edmonds appealed for help, saying One Steps hopes to “look forward to some action.”

Special Projects Manager Linda Papas-Diaz announced an upcoming workshop in early August targeted to those involved or interested in home-based businesses. Papas-Diaz mentioned the success of the small business workshops organized through the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County, noting that Mimstar, a local personalized merchandise business, recently received a loan (see Gazette story). Papas-Diaz encourages the community’s participation to promote economic growth in Fillmore by networking and accessing untapped resources in the county.

Marie Wren from the Fillmore Senior Center announced that Donna Volker is replacing her as president, while Wren herself is now secretary. She reported that June attendance at the Center was about 300, slightly less than usual due to the fewer classes running in the summer. Regular programs still in session include daily nutrition, book club, tai chi, knitting and crochet, and computers. Wren announced that the Braille Institute was held this week, and further vision impairment workshops are planned for the benefit of everyone in the community.

Wren also announced the Treasure Box for Food program, which entitles participants to buy 25-30 lbs of frozen food for $30. Shipments are delivered the fourth Saturday of the month, starting in September. Wren noted that 80-90 people have expressed interest so far, and she stressed that there are no age or income limits to participate. Call the Senior Center at 524-4533 to place your name on the list.

Moving on to the Senior Center’s budget for next year, Wren stated that the bi-weekly Salad Bar and daily morning coffee amounts to roughly $5,000 annually. The Center is in need of general maintenance, new chairs for the dining room, and especially the installation of automatic doors for seniors with walkers and wheelchairs “I hope there’s a grant out there for that,” she said. Wren stated that the Senior Center employs two part-time paid workers, while City workers go in to set up tables and clean floors. The rest of the is taken care of by volunteers. She asks that the council “consider some of our needs” when making the next fiscal year’s budget. “It’s been great fun working with the seniors,” she said.

Fillmore resident John Pressey notified the Council of the need to create a four-way stop at the corner of B-street and Santa Clara. He stated that the slope of Santa Clara Street limits visibility, and there are no crosswalks although students and others in the neighborhood “walk there all the time.” Noting that he has the support of 12 residents in the area, Pressley recommends the City install two stop signs at the intersection to improve the safety of both pedestrians and drivers.

Councilwoman Laurie Hernandez announced that three of Fillmore’s girls’ softball teams, the 10-and-under, 12-and-under, and 14-and-under, have all made it to state championships. For the first time, the games will be held in Camarillo. Hernandez encourages the community to go out and show support.

During the brief Fillmore-Piru Veterans Memorial District Board meeting, board member Dwight Magness suggested introducing a parking limit in the parking area adjacent to the library so that school use doesn’t overtake use of the lot. Magness said the two handicap parking spaces within walking distance to the Veterans Memorial Building was “intuitively inadequate” to accommodate visitors.

City Adopts Sewer Rate Increase
The Council adopted Resolution 10-3254 for the Annual Fee Adjustment Rate Increase for the Santa Clara Valley Disposal Services to become effective September 1, 2010. Due to an increase in the direct haul rate to the Toland Landfill by $3.54 per ton (new rate $35.44 per ton), the Standard Residential service will increase from $24.12 per month to $24.52 per month, a 1.6% increase. The 1.7% increase in Commercial service raises the monthly rate from $148.57 to $151.14. Mayor Walker noted that this will cost the City an extra $77 per year. Resolution passed 5-0.

A combined report of the Budget Workshop is forthcoming.