After a month since the last city council meeting, the council was ready to knock out a small, but important agenda. The meeting started with a public comment from Carmen of Santa Paula. She provided an open invitation to a public hearing for the proposed power plant in Santa Paula. She urged the city of Fillmore to fight against this power plant due to her concern for the fumes and the effect the pollution would have on the community. The hearing is set for Thursday July 28th at the Santa Paula Community Center.

Next was a presentation from the Junior Fair Board. The Ventura County Fair starts August 3rd and continues until August 14th. The theme this year is “County Fair with Ocean Air” and the Fair Board encourages citizens to participate in the annual art contest pertaining to the theme. The Fair Board also wanted to enlighten the people of Fillmore of the special entry days. Dollar Day will be August 3rd. Feed the Need Day will be August 4th, and any person to donate 5 cans of food before 3 PM will receive a free return admission ticket. The ticket is valid from August 8th to August 11th. Youth Day is August 5th and all children ages 12 and under will be admitted free all day.

Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Day is August 9th and seniors age 65 and older as well as all persons with disabilities will be admitted free all day. $3 before 3 day is August 10th, which means admission to the fair is $3 before 3 PM. Military Appreciation Day is August 11th and all military with current, valid ID will be admitted to the Fair free all day. Last but not least, Carnival Wristband Days are August 4th, 8th, 9th, and 11th. The wristbands are sold until 6 PM for $30 and they are good for unlimited Carnival Rides until 7 PM. If anybody wants to attend the Junior Livestock Auction it will take place August 12th. Free Parking will be at various locations including the County Government Center, Ventura High School, and Harvard Boulevard. The concert schedule includes bands such as Styx, Third Eye Blind, and Joan Jett and the Black Hearts.

The first order of new business involved the proposed traffic signal bid advertisement at the intersection of Mountain View Street and Highway 126. The Cal Trans encroachment permit has been approved, and the signal is required to be in operation before 50% of units in phase 1b (83 units needed) are built. The funding for the project is partially impacted by fees, and there is currently a possible shortcoming of funding.

This shortage could disappear when the bid is done and authorization of building permits is finished. As for the signal poles required for the traffic light, they could take 6-8 weeks to obtain. The final bids will be analyzed by August 23rd and an evaluation will be done to figure out whether a possible advance from the building company will be necessary to move on with the project. Councilman Douglas Tucker is happy with how the process is moving, but would like to see a lighted crosswalk at the signal to reduce even more accidents. Mayor Pro Tem Carrie Broggie is concerned about the funding, but is excited about the possible reimbursement that could arise from the project. The motion was carried to continue with the project and get the signal poles as soon as possible.

Gaylynn Brien of the Finance Department discussed the financial analysis to refund the 2007 revenue bonds for the water recycling financing project. As of June 2007, 57 million dollars in revenue bonds were issued to finance the City of Fillmore water recycling project. 53 million dollars remains outstanding, but refinancing is possible starting May 2017. This is projected to save 9 million dollars after inflation is adjusted. However, Brien and the majority of the council want further study of Prop 218 before further action is taken. Prop 218 protects taxpayers by limiting the methods by which local governments can create or increase taxes, fees and charges without taxpayer consent. 14 million dollars of the bonds is not refundable and the final payment by the city is set for May 2030.

The plant financed by these bonds currently processes 1.7 million gallons of sewage a day and could increase to 2.4 million gallons. Councilmen Minjares and Tucker are both pleased with the savings provided by the refinancing, stating that every little bit helps. Mayor Pro Tem Broggie brought up her concern of prop 218 and highlights the fact she has received many complaints about the sewage and water bills. The Council hopes that the improved interest rates and refinancing will help the situation and make the taxpayers more content. The motion to go ahead with the planned refinancing was approved.

The Community Development Director for the Planning Department, Kevin McSweeney, summarized a report on the first six months of the humane living standards residential property inspection program. Of the 36 known units sold since January, 28 volunteered for inspection. 27 of those units passed the inspection. Councilman Minjares asked McSweeney if there were any complaints from the public, and he responded with a resounding no, citing the city’s tremendous record with building permits.

Lyle Elliot of the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors called for the Council to improve the efficiency of the process. Elliot suggested a city report so that the buyer is informed of the conditions of the property before the property is purchased. Cindy Diaz-Telly, a resident and realtor in Fillmore, implored the council to verbalize their definition of success for the program. Diaz-Telly stated that many of her sellers have opted out after not having a clear indication of what the intentions of the program really were. Councilman Minjares responded by saying this program is another step to ensure an additional layer of disclosure and that quantifying the success is difficult.

Councilman Rick Neal stated that the Council has worked with the Realtors association and that if one looks at the records, improvements have been made. Neal stated that some agents may not know Fillmore so a lack of disclosure could cause many problems. Councilman Tucker agreed that the success is hard to quantify, but if this program can find one house and create a safer living environment, anybody involved with that house in the present and future will be positively affected.

Mayor Pro Tem Broggie questioned the need for an 18 month plan, and McSweeney stated that a review of the plan could actually make it permanent. A review every 6 months is also available if the Council so chooses. The motion to move on with the program and send the report was carried. Mayor Pro Tem Broggie stated the success of the several county workshops she has attended recently. She believed hearing from different cities that experience similar problems will only help Fillmore in the future. Councilman Tucker thanked all the charities that worked the firework booths, but was worried about the multitude of fines for illegal fireworks. Minjares echoed Tucker’s sentiments stating that many people are trying to compete with the official show. Councilman Neal wanted the
community to know about the Coppers and Choppers event in Camarillo on July 18th. There is free lunch and he is excited about the interaction between Search and Rescue and the community. Mayor Diane McCall ended the Council’s reports by encouraging the community to join in solidarity with Dallas and to be thankful for the safety of Fillmore.

The meeting ended with City Manager David Rowlands discussing a July 25th forum regarding marijuana that will take place at 6:30 PM at the City Council chambers. Rowlands is excited about the organizations that will be there and the educated discussion that will ensue. Lastly, there will be franchising workshops on August 13th in the City Council chambers that will help anybody looking to learn more about businesses and how to get started. The workshops will take place at 10:00 AM.