Scott Lee addressed the city council during Tuesday night’s meeting in regards to the employee’s letter read back on September 28. On Wednesday the City of Fillmore released this memo: “The City of Fillmore is committed to addressing the concerns in the September 28, 2010 and October 26, 2010 letters submitted by employees to the City Council. In response to the letters, the City Attorney’s Office will provide grievance forms to the employees. An independent party will review the grievance forms and report back to the City. The intent of the process is to be fair to all concerned. The City is anticipating a quick resolution to this matter.”

With over 80 persons in attendance the October 26th Joint Fillmore City Council/Fillmore Public Finance Authority Meeting was standing room only. There was a great deal to cover, but most came about two items, the City Manager and the closing of the Aquatic Center. The meeting began with the Council Members asking City Manager Yvonne Quiring if she wanted a non-biased third party facilitator, which her contract states she has a right to, with Quiring at her evaluation. At first Quiring stated she reserved that right, but later stated the Council should go ahead with her evaluation. This evaluation has become a heated situation due to a Letter of No Confidence in the City Manager presented by the City Staff at September 28 City Council Meeting.

Vic Kamhi, Bus Transit Director for Ventura County Transportation Commission, was first on the agenda and gave a presentation regarding the proposed VISTA fare increase. VISTA was introduced in 1994 and has seen a significant increase in service with annual intercity ridership increasing from 150,000 to 800,000 today resulting in an annual operating costs increase from $400,000 to $2,000,000. These increases along with loss of state transit funding have resulted in the necessary fare increases. The proposed fare increases are projected to be; Base fare $1.25, Senior/Disabled/Medicare $0.60, Adult Monthly Pass $50, Adult Premium Monthly Pass $60. Senior/Disabled/Medicare Premium Monthly Pass $38.

Also affected by proposed increases will be the Haritage (Dial A Ride)DAR-Program which was also introduced in 1994 and has expanded significantly. Annual ridership has increased from 50,000 to 215,000 with annual operating cost increasing from $250,000 to $950,000. The current Monthly Pass which costs $16 will see a proposed increase to $20, cash fares to $1.75 with seniors paying $0.85 and DAR/VISTA Daily Pass to $3.50.

Another change being considered is raising the age for “Senior” eligibility from 62 to 65 years. The Ventura County Transportation Commission with be holding a public hearing on these proposals on November 5, 2010 at 9:00 am at Camarillo City Hall. Contact VISTAcomments@goventura.org or call (800) 438-1112 for more information.

Next was the Public Comment section which brought the subject of the City Staffs displeasure with the City Manager Quiring back to the forefront of discussion. Former Mayor and City Councilmember Scott Lee addressed the Council with another letter composed by Staff Members that addressed the previous Letter of No Confidence in the City Manager. It read:

Council Members,
The full time represented and unrepresented employees submitted a letter to you on September 28, 2010 describing poor morale in the workplace caused by a management style heavily reliant upon fear and intimidation. This poor morale seems to be emanating out into the community and the city employees desire to have the problem corrected.
We (the employees) are asking for your assistance to remedy this situation.
We encourage the formation of a Council committee to meet with the employees to ask questions and find solutions.

To the Community of Fillmore,
We love this town and are committed to you. Please understand that the letter is about the fearful management style, its impact on City staff morale and nothing else.

1. The letter is not about budget issues. City employees have experienced budget cuts before and are prepared to take further budget cuts.
2. The letter is not about the election. The employees have never endorsed any political candidate and will continue to remain neutral.
3. The letter is not about classification/compensation study especially because the employees are unaware of its status and its outcome.
4. The letter is not about the representative’s contract negotiation. This item is moving on its own separate path.

Please read the original letter if you are interested in the reasons why the represented and unrepresented employees approached the City Council with this issue.
We, the employees, want to more forward to find solutions and would like to meet with you the City Council.

Vance Johnson addressed the Council in regards to the City Staff’s problem with Quiring and stated “this has never happened in our regime” and asked that the council will take a supervisor role.

Up next to the podium was Mark Ortega with Fillmore High School Alumni Association to announced the sale of a DVD which features the history of the Santa Paula vs. Fillmore rivalry. The DVD was made in anticipation of the 100th game and runs 45-60 minutes. It is selling for $20 and can be ordered by calling 805 524-0416. Leave a message and your call will be returned. Mayor Patti Walker informed everyone in attendance that she had a bet with Santa Paula’s Mayor and the losing Mayor must where the rivals jersey to the next Council Meeting.

Shirley Spitler, came to speak to the Council on behalf of the Fillmore City Employees. Spitler, who worked for the City from Feb 1994 up to her retirement July 2002, read from a written statement that asked if the postponing of the issue was because of the election. “I hate to think you would make these employees suffer another week of unacceptable work ethics to win this election….I worked with most of the current employees or was friendly and knew their work ethics. I had the authority to write up an employee if they did not do their job. I never wrote up a single one of these employees because it was not necessary.” Spitler commented that the City Manager said these problems are due to stressful times because of the budget, and remarked that Quiring wants to hire an Assistant City Manager. “I can not believe there is that need anymore now than before” Spitler stated. Spitler reminded the Council the stress of the Northridge earthquake which destroyed a good portion Fillmore, yet “The Council and all the City employees put their nose to the grindstone and pulled together with the City Manager and Council and had this town back together in two years which was a record for FEMA.”

Bert Rapp, P. E. Public Works Director discussed the bidding process for the Two Rivers park backstops which are a proposed $450,000 project. The City has a $113,000 in grant funds, but Rapp stated the “possibility that the field will not be completed” and that community volunteers could help with up to 25% of the costs. Mayor Walker asked if maybe the Lyons Club, Rotery or Suroptomist could volunteer there services. The bid will be awarded December 14, 2010.

Cindy Blatt was one of the many in attendance that came to address the council about the Aquatic Center closing during the winter months. Blatt questioned the pool budget and felt there needed to be more oversight stating “someone needs to follow the budget.”

Annette Cardena, Fillmore’s Community Service Supervisor responded that budgets are never accurate and that they are always an estimate. “Things are as accurate as we have information at the time. The pool which has barely been open one year is running heavily in the red. ”Council member Jamey Brooks said he would like to modify his original recommendation and stated “I would like to see $35,000 come out of the general funds than close the pool.” Council Member Gayle Washburn reminded the Council and those attending that “Pools are never intended to pay for themselves, they always have to be subsidized.” Council Member Steve Conaway said that closing the pool was the surest way to bridge the $135,000 gap the city is facing.

Again, as with the last Council Meeting, Christine Hurst addressed the Council stating there was little information about the Aquatic Center or even a web link and some residents have no idea of where the pool was located, It was also mentioned that some kids don’t participate in other sports besides swimming and the closing during the winter would completely shut them out. One young attendee suggested turning the pool tempature down 5 degrees to save on operating expenses. To which the Council replied that turning down the temperature of the pool a few degrees had already been done. The Council asked how low the temperature could be lowered and still be usable and was told 75 degrees is as low as the pool could be reduced and still accommodate swimming.

Fund raisers were suggested as an alternative. Council Member Laurie Hernandez stated she would like to see more fund raising. Blatt informed the Council and those in attendance that there will be a fund raiser at the Santa Paula YMCA on October 30, 2010 between 10 am and 1pm to raise money for a pool cover. When asked if the pool cover could help with keeping the temperature of the pool warmer, the answer was no, not warm enough for swimmers.

The Council took a vote with Washburn and Brook voting no and Walker, Conaway and Hernandez voting yes to close the pool from November 1st to February 7th.

The Council meeting ended with a discussion on an article in the Monteca Bulletin which quoted Councilmember Hernandez. The Council asked Hernandez if what they quoted was accurate and if it was, Hernandez had violated the Brown Act confidentiality Section 4963 by revealing statements made in private session. Hernandez denied doing so and stated that Mayor Walker wanted to side with the other Council Members for personal gain. The discussion became heated with accusations coming from Hernandez directed toward the Mayor. Councilmember Washburn turned to Hernandez and told her that she was basically out of line with her accusations. The Mayor asked for an apology, to which Hernandez stated, “That ain’t going to happen.” It was quite an evening at the City Council.