The March 24, 2015 Fillmore City Council began with two Proclamations and three presentations. The majority of those in attendance came to comment on the first agenda item regarding the renewal contract with EJ Harrison for trash removal. Two other agenda items were a request to name a future park and a service contract to investigate the City's Fee Schedule.

The first Proclamation went to the many volunteers who donated their time and effort to build the Bike Pump Track. Present to receive their plaque was Greg and Grant Taylor, owners of MG Taylor Equipment, who donate approximately $25,000 of heavy equipment including backhoes, forklifts, bulldozers, loaders and also provided the volunteers to operate the equipment. During Public Comments it was mentioned that MG Taylor Equipment Company also volunteered in the building of Shields Park.

Also in attendance to receive a plaque was Rusty Cochran, owner of Grimes Rock Inc., who donated $9,832 worth of soil. Trucks worked daily nonstop for a week delivering the 99 loads and placing the 1,500 tons of sand and clay, which was over 2,000 yards of export soil.

Mayor Douglas Tucker commented, "It means a lot to have good neighbors like Grimes." Cochran replied, "Anything I can give back, I will."

Others receiving Proclamations, but not in attendance; Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chano Ibarra, Jason Foy and Vivian Madena who created the Ride Heritage Valley (RHV) organization; Pacific Coast Web Design (Danielle) who created the website and logo for RHV, and Hans Keifer owner of Bellfree Contractors Inc. out of Los Angeles who donated the finished plans to Fillmore which were estimated to be $12,000.

The second Proclamation given was to recognize Fillmore as a Purple Heart City and to honor our veterans. Receiving the plaque was Ventura resident Huge Clabaugh. Clabaugh, who is a member of Veterans Chapter 750 honoring Michael De Ramondo, received his Purple Heart serving in Viet Nam in 1965-67.

Aaron Farmer with Retail Coach, gave a presentation on what they have accomplished so far. Realty Coach is the company Fillmore contracted with to improve business in town. Farmer spoke of the Monday, March 23rd workshop where 24 local business owners attended commenting, "We're three month into the project and we're ahead of schedule." Retail Coach is exploring where Fillmore can grow with new redevelopment opportunities on existing sites and new sites, retail and restaurants, along with analyzing where businesses and customers are now in terms of buying power and shopping, and new business. Farmer explained that 20,693 potential customers live in the retail area and that growth in the area is good. He sited the average income is $72,000 with a (mean) medium income of $59,000 and presented a map showing most residents purchase out of town often going east toward Valencia.

Businesses use a customer profile before they invest. Farmer explained that they buy much of the information and data they use to profile potential customers from cable/satellite companies, supermarket rewards cards and other data bases. He said that large chain restaurants such as Chili's want a population of at least 50,000.

When surveying people in town the largest response from those asked was wanting a sit down/full service casual national restaurant, which Farmer sites as $9.1 million in lost revenue because they are not here. Next was retail clothing, which would be another $12.6 million that leaves Fillmore. Sports and entertainment was next and Farmer sited that created a $2.6 mil "leakage". General merchandise was next at $29.4 million, but consumers may fill that need with the two new businesses, Dollar General and Family Dollar.

Farmer explained that there are basically two groups, with half being kids and family and the remainder are singles and seniors, "Community development precedes commercial development" which is conducive to a growing population.

The evening’s first agenda item was putting the trash pickup contract out for bid to other companies besides EJ Harrison. A number of people spoke on this item, all in favor of keeping Harrison. Former Mayor Roger Campbell spoke of Harrison’s contributions to Fillmore such as helping after festivals and after the Northridge earthquake. Jesus “Chuy” Ortiz, owner of El Pescador Restaurant praised Harrison for the community responsibility in serving their customers. Mike Mobley spoke of Harrison's commitment to community organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, stating, "They always do more than their contract....You already have the best company out there." Others spoke of the environmental commitment by Harrison and that even with the tough government restrictions Harrison wins awards with their work towards the future on organizing waste and producing energy.

Owner Jim Harrison addressed the Council stating his company started in 1913 and came to Fillmore in 1970, adding that Fillmore was the first town in Ventura County to use recycle bins. Harrison commented that the company never imposed the increase for street cleaning and understood when the town had financial issues. He stated that he wants to help Fillmore to be in compliance with the new restrictions.

Councilman Rick Neal responded, "I'm in support of Harrison, but when it comes to spending other peoples money we owe it to them to make sure we're doing the best for them. I think we need to look into this a little further." Neal then commented that when the price-tag for trash pickup is a couple million dollars it needs oversight.

Councilman Manuel Minjares added, "We have a responsibility to our citizens, but then we should also consider all the things Harrison has done for Fillmore....But then we need to look at other contracts to see what others are offering."

Councilman Douglas Tucker stated the Council needed more information and that they needed an ad hoc committee "to do our due diligence."

The Council agreed that a consultant for the bidding process may not be needed, but instead would create an ad hoc committee to discuss what should be done going forward.

The next agenda item was brought forward by Planning Department's Kevin McSweeney who requested input on the new park being proposed in the Bridges neighborhood and what it should be named. The proposed park site, which was approved by the City Council in 2002, is 8.57 acres located just south of Heritage Valley Parkway between Central Ave. and Mountain View Street. McSweeney informed the Council that most of the area proposed is a retention basin with 32 parking spaces. He said he would prefer an official name to begin including it in future documents.

The Council gave five suggestions: Grizzly Park, Condor Park, Conaway Park, Carrillo Park, Gunderson Park. They suggested letting the citizens decide on one of the five or a possible write-in contest, as was held with the naming of Central Park and Two Rivers Park.

The last agenda item was presented by Finance Director Gaylynn Brien regarding all fees Fillmore is presently charging. The Master Fee Schedule for City Services has not been updated since the 90's and may be out of date with what other cities are charging. The Council agreed to contract with Willdan Financial Services to update the City on what are the appropriate charges for fees, such as Development Impact Fees, rental fees and service fees.

During Public Comments Campbell informed everyone that the Honey Festival and BBQ Cook-off is on again this year with judging on June 13th and that the trains will be running tours to the Bennett Honey Farm. Campbell also wanted to announce a new car club "Flashback". Returning are the classic cars on Central Avenue starting the 3rd Friday of April, once a month.