There were four items on the agenda at the September 9, 2014 Fillmore City Council meeting. First was a budget adjustment for the Mountain View/Highway 126 traffic signal; then approval of supporting an increase in Medically Needy Only Beneficiaries; next a report on the status of the Fillmore Redevelopment Agency/Successor Agency; and last were discussions on what priorities to put forward to the Ventura Council of Governments.

The meeting began with Public Comments as three Fillmore business owners addressed the Council on the crackdown of advertising "bootleg/sandwich boards" signs discussed at the last Council Meeting. The business owners complained about the signage removed stating they all struggle to be successful and need signage. Some stated the ordinance prohibited signs but not banners and flags. Minjares responded later that banners are ok and the Council agreed to discuss the issue directly with the business owners on Central Avenue and Sespe Street.

Norma Amaro said the foot traffic on Central Avenue is less than it has been in the past, stating it might be due to less tourism and the question of the train continuing. She asked for better communication between the City and business owners which would dampen the gossip and everyone would be informed, adding.
"Before any decisions are made, talk to the business owners."

Another question Amaro raised was if the Council had considered the possible loss of foot traffic on Central Avenue if the Chevron project is built. She also asked if the Mayor had voted against keeping the train, to which he responded later that the train was not financially feasible.

The Council wants the light signal on Mountain View and Highway 126 as a priority project. The cost of design, construction management and construction of the signal was not included in the original FY 2014/15 Budget. The Council agreed to adjust the budget allowing the project to move forward. Willdan Engineering will handle design, manage construction, and submitting the plans to Caltrans for permits. Their contract is for $100,300 plus $15,000 to cover the cost of research and applying for grants to fund the project. The total cost is expected to be $547,730. Funding will come from the anticipated advanced payment of Transportation Development Impact Fees (DIF) for approximately 48 units Hearthstone will build, other DIF and grants from the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Active Transportation Program. At this time the grants have not been applied for.

The second agenda item was a discussion to support Mayor Manuel Minjares writing a letter to Medicare and Medicaid Services and the League of California Cities in support of an increase in the stipend to Medically Needy Only (MNO) recipients. The MNO option provides a pathway to Medicaid coverage for people who have extensive health care needs yet start out with too much income to qualify for cash assistance and therefore Medicaid. Elderly living in nursing homes and children and adults with disabilities who live in the community and incur high health care costs comprise a large portion of the MNO. At present MNO recipients with income above $1,029 per month are allowed to keep only $20 each month as a personal spending allowance. Council Member Douglas Tucker, who works at an Assisted Facility, explained that those on SSI and pregnant women on Medicaid are allowed to keep $128 each month and would like the MNO to keep that same amount.

Each state addresses the issue with their own criteria on qualification and spending. California is one of the 34 U.S. States that provide MNO access to Medicaid, while 16 states have no such access.

All Council Members agreed that a letter to increase the stipend was a worthwhile effort.

The third item was a report by Financial Analyst Frank Catania on the dissolution of the former Fillmore Redevelopment Agency (RDA). As a result of the dissolution Fillmore no longer receives property tax increment revenue that funded removal or upgrade of blighted properties and conditions, affordable housing, and economic development. The replacement, the Successor Agency, was created to administer the enforceable obligations of RDA. The report ended with the State legislation requiring Fillmore sell two RDA properties, but Catania did not reported which properties.

The last agenda item was the Councils "top five" Program of Priorities list of regional issues to be presented to the Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) meeting next month. VCOG represents the County and its 10 Cities with a goal of cooperative regional planning. There were a number of items that could easily have fit into the top five items. Tucker suggested transportation connection with Santa Clarita and Moorpark along with tourism. Council Member Rick Neal said housing issues such as overcrowding.

"We have houses with 30 people in them......not just funding for more houses, but actually deal with overcrowding,” stated Neal.

Neal also wanted more Charter Schools and economic development.

Council Member Diane McCall suggestions were tourism, development projects, draw bus line to Fillmore, and criminal justice realignment to keep crime going in a downward direction.

Mayor Minjares added his important issues as transportation, drought and watershed runoff, housing, economic development, and schools.

Council Member Steve Conaway mentioned watershed issues, the Navy Base and infrastructure, and questioned how funding support would come, asking, "How are we going to fund these large state mandated projects?"

Fillmore resident and Council candidate Tim Holmgren addressed the Council on what he sees as needed, stating infrastructure and high bandwidth.

Mayor Minjares announced he and City Manager David Rowlands, Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, Building and Safety’s Michael McGivney met last Monday to discuss Fillmore's long range water supply. At present our water supply is sufficient, but due to the severe drought California is experiencing there will be a collection of data on future supplies and ways to address the drought issue. The data will be presented next spring.