Bob Stroh addressing the council about SOAR (Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources).

The meeting on April 26th was originally scheduled to be a joint meeting with the Fillmore Film Commission, but was rescheduled to a later date. Captain Dave Wareham, the Chief of Police for the city of Fillmore, started off the meeting with a presentation that summarized the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sherriff’s Department. Wareham was very proud of his role with the City of Fillmore and said of his vision for the city, “If we can fulfill this, I feel like we can make Fillmore the last, best small town.” Wareham had high praise for the benefits of contracting with the Ventura County Sherriff’s Office. Among the benefits stated were: cost efficiency, labor negotiations and relations, and the recruitment and hiring of applicants. Wareham acknowledged that safety is his first priority. He admitted that officers do make errors, and that there is a disciplinary process that will be used if necessary. Fillmore boasts the lowest budget in Ventura County, just behind Ojai. Fillmore also has one of the most cost efficient usages of their budget in the county. Wareham applauded the School Resource Office (SRO) as being very helpful with solving and preventing crime. Without the SRO, major incidents would tie up the Sherriff Department and cause inefficiencies. Wareham praised the VSCO Major Crimes Unit and Western County Gang Unit for logging over 6,000 hours and achieving a successful 85 arrests and a seizure of 50 guns.

There are also plans for station upgrades that will allow the citizens to take greater pride in the local police station. That means better technology, safety, and an overall aesthetic appearance. The public will also have access to the mailbox of each deputy, providing better relations between the department and the public. Wareham brought up the fact that Fillmore was voted the 17th safest city of 2014, and that we are getting back to that this year. The plan to do so is backed by a desire for more effective patrols and preventative measures that will decrease the amount of crime altogether. Councilman Douglas Tucker commended Wareham on his hard work and credited the success in part to Wareham’s successful implementation of data to help give an accurate representation of what is going on in Fillmore. Wareham agreed with his sentiments and wanted to mention his goal to “reach out and make contact with those uncomfortable with men in uniform”. Mayor Pro-Tem Carrie Broggie gave the police department her full confidence and asked Wareham what he would change if he could. Wareham asked for more patrol officers which would lead to a better quality of life. He mentioned, “Crime is at an understandable, but not acceptable level”. Both Councilmen Manuel Minjares and Rick Neal noted that they have always felt safe in town. Neal would like the volunteer patrol to garner more support as he believes they are an underutilized resource. Finally, Mayor Diane McCall stressed the importance of how efficient the department is being with the money and translating that to effective safety in the community.

The public comments opened with the Community Relations Manager of Area Housing Authority stating that the Section 8 vouchers, a rent-assistance program, are being opened for applications. These applications will be available at City Hall and at the Area Housing Authority website. This will allow for increased transparency for the program, which is also taking applications for the commissioner position for Fillmore within the Area Housing Authority. Former Fillmore City Manager Roy Payne came up again for the second consecutive meeting wanting to express his gratitude for the support of the housing tract extension that was granted last week. A preliminary site plan was handed out and the conceptual tract plan is moving along well. David Estrella represented the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program as well as the Bike and Hike program. Estrella wanted to be put on the ticket for next meeting with the topic of safe routes to school as the main issue. David Moorman brought up the issue of the tree in front of 633 Fillmore St. and whether or not it was a certified city landmark. City Manager Dave Rowlands checked on the tree and it will be investigated further on what will happen with it. It was also brought to the Council’s attention that the comprehensive financial reports were put up on the City website.

The first act of new business was the report and the direction of the city council regarding medical marijuana. The ideas of commercial cultivation facilities, personal cultivation, and delivery and dispensaries were all brought up so that there would be a plan intact if the city voted in favor of said topics. It was deemed that the commercial cultivation facilities would need further research and that there is a possibility of tax revenue, but not without the negatives of possible black market sales. It was widely agreed, especially by Councilmen Minjares and Neal that delivery options need to be made available to those who need it with proper license and registration. Councilman Tucker as well as Mayor Pro-Tem Broggie agreed that there are justifications to a certain degree, but cautioned that further research needs to be done and that this issue is complex and will require careful thought. A member of the public named Dawn stressed the need for the marijuana facilities and the access for the public. She said she believes the public views of medicinal marijuana are skewed and that those views are inhibiting the success of medical marijuana. A resident on Grand Avenue chimed in and mentioned that there is a co-op cultivating medical marijuana that has been causing excessive noise and activity near her home. There was a motion to approve the recommendations of the Council to conduct further research on the subject.

Councilman Minjares advocated for a public arts program that will hopefully have a policy adapted by July of this year. This program will allow clear guidelines for those who want to pursue public projects. Mayor Pro-Tem Broggie stressed the importance of promoting local, passionate artists. A motion was approved to seek out a commission and to put out applications for a Public Art Commission.

A motion to approve the petition for SOAR (Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources) to extend until 2050 was granted. Jamie Brooks and Bob Stroh assured that SOAR doesn’t stop growth; it gives people the right to vote on it. There will be alternatives to SOAR addressed next meeting.

City Attorney Tiffany Israel explained that there were some inconsistencies involving the tract maps from last meeting. She clarified that the planning commission was to refer to the Council to make the extension. She proposed there be revisions to chapter 6.08 to make it consistent with the zoning code, chapter 6.04, and the state laws. The motion to approve was granted.

Minjares briefly mentioned that VCTC has agreed on a 50% share to help the streets around the city.

Lastly, the City Manager highlighted a safety zone that will be established for e-commerce in front of the police station. There will be 24 hour cameras that will establish a safe commerce zone where people can make transactions in a proper environment.