Scout Chris Vargas, James Chandler, Jr. Escoto, Jared Fairall, Adrian Hernandez, Timmy Vargas, Matt Vandemheen, Tommy Vargas, Matt Henschel, Luke Larson, and Sammy Kafka from local Scout Troop 406 working to complete their Citizenship in the Community merit badge.

The May 26, 2015 Fillmore City Council Meeting contained a number of agenda items including the 2015-2016 Budget, Capital Improvements, Public Works Projects, North Fillmore Specific Plan, sewer and water rate increases and Aquatic Center fees.

The meeting began with the Boys Scouts of America leading everyone with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Council then introduced the new Active Adult Commission Members; Charles Richardson, Shirley Spitler, Bob Crum and Ernest Morales.

Shortly after having the new commission introduced, attorney Richard Francis, speaking during Public Comments, addressed the Council. Francis informed the Council he was representing the 501c3 nonprofit Fillmore Senior Center Inc. (FSCI). He stated in the past FSCI was run by volunteers and that now the City is paying $32,000 for part-time employees. He then proceeded to serve the Council with legal papers accusing them of a Brown Act violation. FSCI had previously tried to serve the Council with court papers, but those papers were found to not be legal. This recent court service requires the City Attorney Tiffany Israel to respond to the allegations within 35 days.

This is not the first time legal problems have been created between FSCI and the City. The City spent almost $130,000 defending FSCI to settle various claims of alleged sexual harassment and racial discrimination by two now former employees suffered while FSCI Board Members were in charge. Now, FSCI has taken the first steps in suing the City.

The first item on the agenda was adopting the recommended FY 2015-16 Budget presented by Finance Director Gaylynn Brien. When considering population growth, tax increases (sales and property), new businesses, building permit revenue and increase in water and sewer rates, Brien reported a 4.2% deficit of expenditures over revenue. This imbalance did not sit well with the Council. Mayor Douglas Tucker suggested applying for grant funding of various items and to place the cost of a grant writer in the Budget. Council Member Rick Neal commented, "Last year we had a surplus....I hate to start the year with an imbalanced budget." The Council then agreed to not approve the presented budget and asked Brien to work on it and return with a balanced budget.

The next agenda item was the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), FY 2015-16 to 2019-20 presented by Financial Analyst Frank Catania. A total of 17 projects in eight categories were presented; Municipal Buildings and Ground Projects, Park Projects, Technology Projects, Vehicles, Street Projects, Water Projects, Sewer Projects, Drainage Projects. The estimated cost is $4,047,826 for the five years. $987,798 of that amount was allocated to previous years with an expected to cost $1,157,364 for FY 2015-16. The balance of $1,902,664 is to fund FY 2016-17 to FY 2019-20.

The City currently has a backlog of capital projects due to the past recession and cuts to City Staff hours. Fillmore has not developed a CIP since FY 2009-10. At that time the CIP contained a list of 69 projects with an estimated cost in excess of $106 million for implementation over a 20 year period. Because of past city staff shortage, questions of where many of those projects stand today, such as which are completed and which ones are no longer needed, is in question. The City is replacing or repairing critical high priority items first. Tucker commented that the deferred maintenance should be high priority stating preventative maintenance is the way to save money. He also believes the Cooperative Use Agreement between the City and Fillmore Unified School District could save both the City and the District by sharing certain vehicles and other resources.

Another agenda item that Fillmore residents never look forward to is a rate increase in both water and sewer rates. The Council heard the first reading of a proposed water rates increase from $36.88 per 3/4" Single Family Residential Service to $37.99 (a fixed cost for service) a 3% increase of $1.11. The actual water used will also see an increase of $.11 per 100 cubic foot from $3.69 to $3.80.

The sewer service fee will increase 3% from $89.60 to $92.29 ($2.69 increase) and both are expected to take effect July 1, 2015. The increase will cover bond debt service and keep the City's credit rate in good standing.
There are a number of labor and maintenance costs associated with the sewer recycling plant such as the cost to replace the five membranes used. But to date the membranes have retained a positive lifespan and have yet to need replacing. They were expected to have a usable life of 6 to 8 years and cost $1.0 million to replace. So far they are holding up well.

The sewer plant portable potty dumping service is now generating revenue bringing in $87,000 a year and may continue to increase its revenue as more businesses sign up. The City is also selling 25% of the recycled water available each day with a goal of selling 100% in the future.

Annette Cardona presented the Council with the Summer 2015 Aquatic Center Program and Fees. Three new programs are being offered; Beginning Conditioning Class, Low Impact Aquacise for seniors and Junior Life Guard Class June 20 and June 27th (two Saturdays). Other classes; Swim Lessons Group rate $50 2 week session; Lap Swim $3 per visit, 10 visits $28, 20 visits $54; Conditioning Class $40/ 4 week session; Mommy and Me Class and Aquacise $4 per visit, 10 visits $36, 20 $72; Recreational swim $2 per visit, 10 visits $18, 20 visits $36; Family Night Friday (6:30-8:00 p.m.) $1 per person; Season Pass unlimited use $100.

Classes started May 25, 2015. For more information go to the City of Fillmore website or the City's Smartphone app.

The Council approved a new agreement with the County of Ventura for Animal Services. The County is now offering its Animal Services with an 'a la carte" menu which allows cities throughout the county to choose which offerings they want provided. The County is no longer picking up cats, but continues to process licenses for cats and dogs along with capture of abandoned and stray animals that are sick, injured or deceased. There will be little change in services to Fillmore with a cost of $82,542 most of which is returned to the City through the payments of animal licenses.