City receives Gold Level Conservation Award. Tuesday night’s City Council meeting began with a presentation awarded to the City of Fillmore. A Gold Level Conservation Award was given by Energy Analyst Javier Saucedo with the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance and Edison’s Public Affairs Anna M. Frutos-Sanchez to the City of Fillmore in recognition of energy savings by more than 10% since 2006 through retrofitting light fixtures and upgraded heating and air-conditioning. Fillmore is only the 2nd city in Ventura County to receive that high level of achievement. Mayor Manuel Minjares is pictured center.

There were three agenda items discussed at the November 18, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting; Adoption of a City Communication Plan, End of Fiscal Year 2013/14 General Fund carry over, and an agreement for a retail market and consumer analytic study.

The meeting began with a presentation given to the City of Fillmore. A Gold Level Conservation Award was given by Energy Analyst Javier Saucedo with the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance and Edison's Public Affairs Anna M. Frutos-Sanchez to the City of Fillmore in recognition of energy savings by more than 10% since 2006 through retrofitting light fixtures and upgraded heating and air-conditioning. Fillmore is only the 2nd city in Ventura County to receive that high level of achievement.

Next, was a Certificate of Award to the Fillmore Women's Service Club and the Fillmore Ebell Club. The Ebell Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary, Ebell Club its 50th Anniversary. Accepting the Award were Jeanne Klittich, Susan Banks and Mimi Burns. Klittich joked that the Ebell Club's main goal is to raise money and give it to Fillmore; which includes the Police and Fire Department, Senior Center and park benches to name just a few.

The last Proclamation was given to Council Member Steve Conaway. Conaway was first elected to the City Council in 2004 and served eight years, including two years from 2007 through 2008 as Mayor. He was appointed to the Council in May 2013 to complete an unexpired term after another Council Member stepped down. Conaway served on many committees including the Finance, Water Recycling Plant, and Primary Council Liaison to North Fillmore Neighborhood Committee. He also served as Senior Center Board Liaison, Parks Commission Liaison, Veterans Memorial District, Animal Control Commission, Ground Water Committee, the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau Board, Library Service Commission and President of the Fillmore Raiders for many years along with supporting many youth activities. Conaway spoke from the heart as he addressed those in attendance stating, "It's been an honor, I find it rewarding, but it would not have been possible without the support of my wife Camilla and family. These last two years have been rewarding. Thank you."

The Council then addressed the first agenda item; the adoption of a City Communication Plan. The Plan was proposed earlier this year to improve communication and distribution of information between the City and its residents. The Plan was unanimously approved by all Council Members.

The next agenda item came with some very good news; the General Fund has a net positive of $2,430,000 with revenue exceeding expenditures by that amount! After adjusting for a negative carryover of a $218,000 shortfall from the fiscal year 2012/13 is deducted, Fillmore is left with an estimated $2,210,000 in the General Fund.

The goal of the City Council is to maintain 40% of the General Fund Expense Budget in a reserve account. With some of this added surplus and if the economy and those factors that generate revenue for Fillmore continue to keep the City in the black, the goal of 40% will be reached in a few years. The present revenue surplus is allowing for some items that were not included in the latest Budget. Those items include funding the Towne Theatre ($20,000), Recreation ($80,000) and the Community Pool ($200,000). Also included, and with a great deal of discussion by the Council, was capital investments and one-time-only-funding projects. Projects to be funded include; information technology equipment replacement ($95,000), new website ($45,000), retail/economic study ($43,000), vacation/compensation time buy back ($120,000) and rescue squad (4230,000).

The City must upgrade its outdated phone system and network backup system to be compatible with the most resent technology systems, provide a firewall to protect residents information and add Wifi to City Hall. The City's website also needs updating.

The vacation/compensation time buy-back is a significant liability for the City if paid back at the time an employee either resigns or retires due to their increase in pay at that time. Employees will be encouraged to sell back their time at their current pay saving the City a larger liability later on.

The final item is an analytic study to develop a Retail Economic Plan for Fillmore. The company chosen is Retail Coach. They will analyze the area and evaluate retail markets in surrounding communities. The information will provide City planners which businesses will be most beneficial to Fillmore.

Council Member Diane McCall responded to the funding by saying, "We have to update as a regular business would do...the website is embarrassing" and suggested, for the safety of the community, the house address numbers be painted on the curbs.

Conaway remarked that the baseball field needs to be completed and that it would give Fillmore Little League a place to play besides Shields Park.

Mayor Manuel Minjares stated he wanted a better discussion on exactly what the City was getting for the cost of the rescue squad vehicle. Council Member Rick Neal was also concerned and cautious on spending that large of an amount without greater consideration of the choice and if that great of an upgrade was needed. He also suggested a vehicle replacement fund. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council the many of the items the Fire Department has purchased have often been paid for through grant monies. The rescue squad is a truck used by Fillmore Fire Department. The present rescue squad is 15 years old and was purchased used in 2000 for one dollar. It has a small gas tank of 12 gallons and has had numerous problems.

Regarding continuing projects, Planning Department Kevin McSweeney reported that the consultant is revising the plans for based upon Caltrans comments and the light signal on Highway 126 and Mountain View is still scheduled to be in by August 2015. The revisions include handicap curbs, drainage and a light signal synchronized with the nearest light signals.

In other news, Conaway reported the pump track is about 80% completed and very close to operational. It was built using only donated equipment and labor.

Police Chief David Wareham reminded everyone that the Fillmore Community Health Fair 2014 presented by Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation, Ventura County Health Care Agency, Food Share and Fillmore Police Department will be held this Saturday November 22nd from 9-11:30 a.m. at the North Fillmore Police Storefront, 642 Lemon Way. Admission is free and groceries will be given to the first 100 families who participate in the health fair activities. There will also be blood pressure testing, flu shots, mammography screening information for women over 40 and high school internships and student scholarships information.