Norma Amaro, representing the Fillmore Downtown Merchants Assn., pleaded for assistance for merchants who have been financially devastated by storm drain construction which has closed Central Avenue for months. An emergency meeting was scheduled to seek a remedy.

Fillmore City Council held a well-attended meeting October 14, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Council will have a special meeting this Friday to address concerns raised by business owners, including schedule conflicts over possible further construction on Central Ave. The Council approved a final budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009.

Norma Amaro spoke movingly on behalf of the Downtown Business Merchants. This holiday season will be critical for their businesses. She said, "In the last fifteen months, nine businesses have had to close on Central Avenue due to little or no foot traffic." Over the past two years, the Merchants have repeatedly emphasized the importance of "Significant Signage". Significant Signage means large permanent attractive signs located along the promenade next to the train tracks and at the gateway entrance to Central on Highway 126. The Merchants have been tracking the activity of train-riding tourists and have concluded that when signs directing those tourists are placed near the promenade, then sales go up on that day. Deputy City Manager Bill Bartels remarked that some signs have been approved and purchased, but are not installed because their hangers cannot stand up to the Santa Ana winds. There are extra train rides scheduled from now through December because the Railway offers pumpkin patch and Christmas tree trips. Amaro noted that several businesses are in danger, and requested a special emergency meeting. The Council granted a special meeting for Friday, October 17th, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The Council engaged in intense discussion regarding a potential change order with Lash Construction to incorporate the extension of the Central Ave. storm drain from Sespe Ave. to First St. The controversy arises from the potential damage further construction could do to downtown businesses. The proposal called for additional construction along Central Ave.: from Sespe Ave. to Kensington Dr. during November and from Kensington Dr. to First St. during the high school's winter vacation. The City and the Merchants had agreed that there would be no construction downtown from November 1st until January 1st, so that holiday shopping would not be negatively impacted. All parties agreed that the Merchants have been exceedingly patient, and the Council does not want to cause them any further hardship.

The change order is time-sensitive because it would take three weeks to obtain the appropriate pipe, and a delay until January could both increase construction costs and make construction around the high school difficult. The proposed cost could be covered by unused contingency funds from the project. In the relevant memo, Public Works Director Bert Rapp stated, "The Lash bid price is very cost competitive and it is doubtful the City will ever obtain this low a price again for this section of storm drain or have this good a quality of contractor to do the work." The additional length would more than double the amount of floodwaters being captured by the storm drain (from 40 cfs to 95 cfs). In the past, those floodwaters have flooded homes along Lemon Way.

The Council decided to gather more information before making a decision at the special meeting on Friday, October 17th. The Council heard from Merchants Alex Mollkoy and Carol Askren, and directed City staff to investigate alternatives. Mollkoy said that holiday shopping would be less impacted if the construction were finished by Thanksgiving.

Finance Director Barbara Smith presented the City budget and the Redevelopment Agency budget. After much discussion about the City budget, both budgets were approved. The Final Municipal Budget is based on the preliminary budget that was approved in June, but was changed because outstanding expenses and revenue have been reconciled, ending cash balances have been realized, and the State's new budget has been incorporated.
There were twenty-seven changes from the preliminary budget, and fourteen were specifically mentioned in the discussion. The budget was calculated in a very conservative manner; for example, the sales tax revenue was decreased to 2006-2007 levels. There is a million-dollar increase in property tax revenue due to State policy and 2004's Prop. 1A. A $100,000 grant for the motorcycle cop returned $100,000 to the budget's general fund. The new park would have been underfunded, but a $60,493 grant was received for that. City Hall has a sewer problem which could cost $8000 to repair, and the money has been allocated, but Smith hopes that insurance will reimburse part of that cost. Jamey Brooks reported on city upper management salaries, and requested a salary freeze. Council Members Scott Lee and Cecilia Cuevas stated that the Council has worked hard to reduce sewer fee increases. Lee asked that the Council continue that effort. The City is in the black, as it has been for the past several years, and has a 36% reserve. Mayor Steve Conaway commented, "I wish my home finances were as good as the City's."

The Council approved a response to FEMA's offer of Provisionally Accredited Levee (PAL) Status for Levee Segment # 46 located on the east bank of the Sespe Creek. FEMA has determined that the two Fillmore Segments of the Sespe Creek Levee (# 46 and # 101) are hydraulically independent. Segment # 46 meets PAL requirements now. Gerard Kapuscik, of the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, explained that with the Council's approval he could proceed with submitting a certification packet. FEMA is likely to accredit the certification.

Interim Fire Chief Bill Herrera provided a fire update. The Sesnon fire had burned 10 acres and 800 firefighters were on the line at the time of his update. The fire is not expected to affect Fillmore, but he reminded residents that it is important to be prepared in case of fire or other disasters. Fillmore will participate in the Great Southern California ShakeOut earthquake drill on November 13th.

A private party has offered to sell the City some river-bottom land around a Highway 126 bridge just outside the city limits. The land owner has a buyer for the north row-crop portion of his parcel and is hoping that the city will divide the parcel and purchase the south river-bottom portion. The owner would sell at below market price, there is a rock mining lease involved that might provide revenue, and the City could get greater control of the area around the bridge. Rapp explained that the City could possibly facilitate FEMA approval of the area levee by ensuring that sediment was removed from the river. Water flow under the bridge is partially obstructed by dirt and rock. The Council directed City staff to investigate the relevant issues.

Marie Wren announced that the Senior Center will have an open house with entertainment for the public on Saturday, November 1, 2008. The Center is starting a Wii-based electronic bowling league. The Center needs a comfortable chair that is easy to get out of for the reading room, a lamp, and a big TV for movie nights. Gloria Hansen has donated a piano.

"Ramona Days" will be at Rancho Camulos Saturday, October 18, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.ranchocamulos.org has more details.

Rose Zellmer spoke out against a corner commercial property on Highway 126 near E St. She said that the property is an eyesore, and harbors a stinking pile of dirt, a burned-out smelly trailer, and cars in various states of disrepair. The property is up for discussion at a Planning Commission hearing on October 22nd at 6:30 p.m.

The Council approved a Right-to-Farm Ordinance to protect commercial agriculture from nuisance claims and to provide for mediation of disputes.

Conaway announced that the National High School Skateboard Association wants to hold a competition at Fillmore's new skate park when it opens.

Gloria Hansen complained that the city-wide traffic study contracted in September 2007 is not on schedule. To the best of her knowledge, the study was delayed because the city focused on the business park instead, and the contracted consultant has not been receiving the information necessary to complete the task. She is concerned that the consultant may be able to charge on an hourly basis if the project is not finished by December 4th, which is an impossible-to-meet deadline at this point. She also said that a meter examiner informed her that customers with old water meters were charged less than customers with newer water meters.

Dave Roegner used public comment time to campaign against Conaway and Cuevas. He blamed them for El Dorado not getting rent control. Conaway indicated that many people contributed to that decision.

Roger Keller, who owns property in North Fillmore, praised Conaway for doing a good job. He believes development would have a positive effect on the city, and that Measure I would blight Fillmore and decrease his property's value.