Senior Center President Patti Walker. Photo Courtesy Bob Crum.

The public comments were the first order of business in what turned out to be a quick, but effective Fillmore City Council Meeting. Resident Jean McLeod wanted to bring up yet another instance with a tree in the city of Fillmore. She cited two incidents where a tree has fallen and totaled her car while it was parked on Orange Grove Avenue. She has requested numerous documents, but has not received all of the requested documents after a month. She also mentioned that the city was being charged for removing the tree that totaled her car over four years ago, even though that tree does not exist in the present day. Leslie Kinchuch, a part of the Chevron Environmental Management Group, wanted to let the Council know that her company was working on revitalizing land for beneficial reuse. She mentioned the conditional use permit that was just issued for a solar energy project in east Fillmore. Along with the solar energy project, Kinchuch brought up Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board’s request for Chevron’s help with constructing a plaque and monument to be located on Chevron’s property adjacent to the small park along Highway 126. In addition, Kinchuch stated that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released the final health consultation report. The report said there is no health risk posed to community members regarding the Pacific Coast Pipeline site in Fillmore.

The entirety of the consent calendar was approved by voice vote.

The first order of new business involved the approval of the amendment to the implementation agreement for the Ventura Countywide Stormwater Quality Management Program. City Engineer Roxanne Hughes gave a detailed presentation that provided an overview of the Stormwater Quality Management Program and the implications of said program on Fillmore. The amendment would change the existing agreement to allow that agreement to juxtapose an extension of the current MS4 permit regarding pollution. Hughes explained the logistics of the MS4 permit, which stands for municipal separate storm sewer systems. There are BMP’s (Best Management Practices) that are structural and non-structural. The structural BMP’s involve educational outreach about pollution prevention as well as street cleaning. Structural BMP’s involve any structure that was built to clean water. Hughes stressed the importance of these BMP’s as a way of focusing on the urban runoff of water leading to pollution. The pollution comes from various bacteria, which can be difficult to isolate and remove, as well trash and other debris. Councilman Douglas Tucker asked Hughes if she could do some further research on whether or not this bacteria is actually as harmful as suspected. Tucker highlighted the Sewage Treatment Facility in town as something the Council begrudgingly agreed to, and that this facility does not factor into the Santa Clara River at all. Knowing this, Tucker asked Hughes if she could relay a request for a credit for the facility. Councilman Rick Neal echoed Tucker’s sentiments, stating that the wildlife that produces the bacteria that resides in the Santa Clara River was there long before humans. He concedes that topic is troubling, but that the anti-development side of this issue may be creating more of a problem than there needs to be. Councilman Manuel Minjares noted that it is difficult to comply with these unfunded mandates, but that it is imperative to keep our city clean, and a middle ground needs to be found. Mayor Pro-Tem Carrie Broggie asked Hughes for recommendations and Hughes responded by encouraging citizens and the Council to become aware of the details of the permits and the situation as a whole. Mayor Diane McCall finished by agreeing that the numbers are staggering, but that it is difficult to mitigate the problems that they are not causing. The motion to approve the amendment was carried.

Next on the agenda was a request for the Council to waive the bidding requirements for the purchase of a use citizens patrol vehicle and other related equipment, and to authorize staff to move forward with the purchase of the vehicle and appropriate funds for the purchase. The car mentioned will be a Chevrolet Malibu that comes with a 4-year warranty. This waiving of the bidding would allow citizens patrol to get the car faster and utilize it. Councilman Neal added that the car needs proper lighting since it is not a SUV and that the cost will need to be taken into consideration. The car will be purchased from William L. Morris Chevrolet here in Fillmore. The motion to waive the bidding was carried.

Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola was next to speak on behalf of the acceptance of field inventory of properties requiring weed and rubbish abatement, instruction to the Fire Chief to notify property owners, and adoption of the City Council resolution NO. 16-3530 declaring said properties to be a public nuisance and setting a public hearing for abatement on June 14, 2016. Gurrola acknowledged that weeds and rubbish can cause a nuisance, but more importantly a fire hazard. He brought forth the possible issues of who was on the list, but assured the Council that any misunderstandings would be resolved promptly. The motion to accept the field inventory was carried.

Next was the review and initiation of proceedings for the annual levy of assessments for city of Fillmore landscape and lighting district. Approval of the engineer’s report involving the proposed increased assessments was sought out. There was also a request to set a public hearing regarding this proposal. A motion was carried regarding all subjects above.

There was a motion regarding the review of the annual storm drain maintenance assessment district report, declaring intent to levy assessments and setting of a public hearing. This motion was promptly carried.

Lastly, the ratification of the November 20, 2014 notice of termination of Fillmore Senior Center, Inc. use agreement was proposed. President of the Fillmore Senior Center Inc. (FSCI), Patti Walker, contended that the notice was not lawful, but thanked the council for a belated acknowledgement of the fact. The motion was then carried.

The final comments from the council members began with Councilman Tucker applauding the relationship that the planning commission has with Ameron, stating the work accomplished has been effective and efficient. He also wanted to review a possible refinancing situation with the Review Sewage Treatment Facility Bond that could see interest rates almost cut in half. Mayor Pro-Tem Broggie gave a brief overview of the Senior Center’s activities, stating the group has been very active. Councilman Minjares wanted to stress the importance of the Valley Express Public Transit and that the public needs to be aware when ridership is available and then utilize it accordingly. Councilman Neal announced Chris Tyson as the new president of the VRSD (Ventura Regional Sanitation District.

Announcements: There will be an FFA Pancake Breakfast on Saturday May 21st, as well as a meeting hosted by the League of Women Voters for candidates running for the third district on Thursday May 12th. Candidates will be present to take question from the audience.