Mayor Diane McCall

The City of Fillmore kicked off the holiday season just before the City Council meeting on Tuesday night with about 50 people attending the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in front of City Hall. Drifting snow came down (provided by a small bubble machine) creating a playground for children who attempted to build a small snowman. Hot chocolate, hot cider and cookies were provided making it a very festive scene.

The City Council meeting which followed also celebrated the appointment of a new mayor and mayor pro tem.

There were a number of other items also on its agenda; Appointments of City Council Member to Committees, Commissions, Liaison, and Outside Agencies, Proposed Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) petition to extend expiration to the year 2050, a new ad hoc committee Fillmore Development Council (FDC), and a Drought Update were just some of those items.

Diane McCall was installed as the new Mayor of Fillmore by unanimous vote. Mayor Pro Tem required some discussion. Council Member Douglas Tucker put forward Council Member Rick Neal for Mayor Pro Tem, but both Council Member Manny Minjares and Mayor McCall put Council Member Carrie Broggie for nomination. There was a small bit of discussion resulting in a unanimous vote for Broggie as the new Mayor Pro Tem.

Fillmore Supervisor David Smallwood gave an update on the drought's impact on the city stating Fillmore's water basin is "fair to good" compared to other areas of the state and with the expected heavy rain fall of El Nino the fast-filling aquifers will be brought up to a "more comfortable level." Smallwood informed the Council that from January to June of this year Fillmore received 8.36" less rain than previous year averages before the drought and "...from optimum aquifer levels during a wet season to now we have dropped an average of 35 feet in three wells....dropping one foot in the last 30 days."

On the conservation side, 6 million gallons of reclaimed water is now used per month for irrigation with the number of reclaimed water users coming on board continuing to increase.

Smallwood gave a big thank-you to the town residents for the great job they have done responding to the City Council drought regulations and guidelines for conservation. Residents cut back water use by a low of 24% to a high of 34% from June through October of this year compared to the same months of 2013.

An item brought to the Council for approving by Planning and Community Development Director Kevin McSweeney was a contract with the consulting firm Meridian Consultants to undertake the environmental review that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires. Rotocraft Helicopter Repair and Maintenance proposed the building of a new facility within the Fillmore Business Park Master Plan. It would consist of 122,204 square feet building on approximately 10.5 acres. Noise considerations would be addressed by Meridian with suggested flights entry and exit coming from the south and operations limited to daylight hours Monday-Saturday.

McSweeney also brought forward for discussion the Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (Soar) petition that would extend the expiration to the year 2050. SOAR, which applies to other Ventura County cities through 2020, was voted down by the residents of Fillmore. Fillmore is the only city in Ventura County that did not approve SOAR. Fillmore, which is unique to other cities in the county, adopted its own version called City Urban Restriction Boundary (CURB). CURB was approved by the Fillmore City Council, but not by Fillmore voters, through the General Plan Land Use Element in 2005. This latest SOAR petition, if it makes it to the ballot and is approved by Fillmore residents, would have a 30 year impact on where new development can occur in town. There is presently a signature gathering around the County to have SOAR put on the 2016 ballot. If voter approved, the City will require an amendment to the General Plan to be consistent with the updated SOAR.

The Council Members were not very receptive to this latest SOAR proposal. Neal commented on the impact it might have to the Housing Element the State requires and the increasing amount of low income housing added each year, explaining that what could happen is more apartments and housing density if the town is not allowed to expand. "It puts huge challenges to protecting our neighborhoods."

Council Member Douglas Tucker spoke of whether the need for SOAR is really required when there are other ordinances on the books that protect excessive growth with green belts, etc. All members thought that putting something into effect that stretches out 30 years is far too long into the future and could be restrictive. They wanted more information on the exact impact of SOAR on Fillmore.

The meeting began with a presentation by Ventura County Animal Services Deputy Director Donna Gillesby asking the Council to adopt a Ventura County ordinance requiring dogs be licensed, but the main goal of the ordinance is to spay and neutering most dogs in the County and implant an identification device on dogs that are not spayed or neutered. The notice is given to owners with puppies at four months with a 60 day waiting period that gives a total of six months for owners to have the procedure completed. Failure to comply with the spay/neuter requirements could lead to a $25 per day civil penalties after 61 days of receipt of the notice of violation. The ordinance restricts dog owners from breeding their pets without obtaining a breeding permit. Legitimate breeders can seek exemptions.

The proposed ordinance did not sit well with some members of the council. Mayor McCall and Councilman Tucker both informed Gillesby they had received citations of violation, while not at home, with the citations left on their door.

Fillmore contracts with Ventura County for 18 hours of Animal Services per month which residents feel may not be enough and complain about service. Council members asked if the hours driving from Camarillo to Fillmore are counted in the 18 hours of service. Gillesby responded, the time traveling one direction is counted and that most of the service hours are taken up dealing with aggressive animals. Neal spoke of the complaints by Fillmore residents about the length of time needed to pick up an animal and voiced his concern that with the ordinance more time and effort will be used checking on spayed/neutered animals, due to the money it generates, instead of picking up they stray dogs around town. Tucker questioned if punitive damages are the best way to deal with the problem and wanted to see data that backed that approach.

Gillesby in an effort to convince the Council of the need for the ordinance, informed the Council that Animal Services has contact with spay/neuter business/organizations who have portable service trucks that will come to Fillmore offering services at reasonable prices. McCall asked, "Are you only bringing the spay truck if we agree to the ordinance?" Gillesby responded "No" and tried to convince the Council the ordinance was a positive move for Fillmore, with no real downside. Neal retorted, "I do see a downside, time wasted on tickets," and stated he wants more information before approving the ordinance.

McCall ended with saying she feels there are more critical issues presently addressing the Council and the City and when time and money permit she would like to readdress the ordinance. The remaining members agreed and thanked Gillesby for her presentation.

The Holiday Season has already started in Fillmore. City Manager David Rowlands mentioned the many events already completed and those taking place in the next few weeks. The Fillmore Citizens Patrol sponsored a free Christmas movie Elf Buddy's Musical, at the Towne Theatre for all children Saturday, December 5, 2015. There were two showings at 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Popcorn and water were provided.

Christmas lights went up around town in preparation for the lighting of the City Christmas Tree.

The Fillmore Fire Department's Annual Toy Drive is scheduled for Sunday, December 13, 2015, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Fire Station located 711 Sespe Place, Donate a new unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more or make a $10 contribution and receive one BBQ chicken dinner.

The Active Adult Center's Christmas Luncheon will be held Tuesday, December 15, 2015 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
The Knights of Columbus New Year's Eve Celebration will be on Thursday, December 31, 2015 starting at 7:00 p.m.
On December 12th from 9:00 a.m. to noon the Fillmore Fire Department will be teaming up with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and various sponsors for a Community Bicycle & Skateboard Safety Rodeo. All kids (17 and under) are invited to bring their bikes, trikes and skateboards to River St. between C St. & D St. (near the BMX Park) in front of Two Rivers Park. Being offered at this event are an obstacle course (parents must be present) and kids can learn the rules of the road. Participants will receive free; bicycle identification license, safety inspections, proper helmet fittings (new helmets for those in need) and a bicycle and skateboard raffle.