This year’s Ventura County Fair Poster was presented to Council by Ashley Ruiz and Luke Sylvester from Santa Paula, and Chloe Richardson and Hannah Wishart-Saviers from Fillmore.

The drought continues to plague California as water becomes a scarcer natural resource and Fillmore is no different. Although Fillmore has a sufficient water supply to meet its present demands more water resources are needed for future residential and commercial growth. The July 14, 2015 Fillmore City Council addressed that issue while discussing the North Fillmore Specific Plan (NFSP).

Owners of property located east pf Goodenough Road and south of a future 7th St. in North Fillmore are requesting to move forward with the application process of the NFSP. This same developer submitted an application back in 2008 for review without architectural plans which is contrary to Fillmore Zoning Code. The Council at that time agreed to let the application proceed. In November of that same year Measure I was approved by Fillmore voters which reduced the number of residential units in the North Fillmore Plan to 350, half of the original 700, resulting in a density of 5 units per acre. The next month the applicant responded with a Tentative Track Map, but stopped moving forward with the project in February 2009.

The property is currently a citrus grove of 100 year old trees, which according to the developer are not producing fruit and stated the water lines are aged and will soon need repair He stated his doubts that the City will approve the repairs due to the tearing up of the roadway that it will require. Another problem is the orchards butts up to neighborhoods with bees from the orchard hives. Also there is noise from the pesticide spraying required to kill the Asian Citrus Psyllid.

The developer is prepared to move forward once again with the project which consists of subdividing 2, 10 acre parcels for 85 to 88 single family residential homes with 15% of those being affordable housing.

Ten of the acres are not in Fillmore City limits and designated Agriculture Exclusive by Ventura County. They will require annexing, which will not be a problem, but it cannot be done until the project has been approved.

The Environmental Impact Report is outdated and must be revised and the project itself is still in the development stage. The Planning Commission and City staff are in discussion on street size and design, alleyways, a 10 acre park and its irrigation along with what infrastructure improvement to do during construction. At present the developer has not presented architectural design plans, which are required.

It was the Council’s decision that the developer submit all required plans and all fees at the time the application is submitted. This will also allow time to update the Specific Plan and ensure both the developers plans and the City's plan are compatible. The Council also rejected a block wall along Goodenough Rd. and a turnabout on A St. to slow traffic.

An issue that must be addressed before any additional construction is approved is the need to provide potable water. It was determined at the initial 2008 Potable Water Demand Study that the City would require two additional potable water wells to meet the needs of building, both residential and commercial, planned for and especially the North Fillmore Specific Plan. Because of the severe drought the City needs to address the issue to stay ahead of demand.

Well No. 9 was drilled to provide for future water demands. Work began in 2008 just as the recession hit and suspended a short time later. The well was drilled by Bakersfield Well & Pump to a depth of 320 feet and initially revealed good flow characteristics, but a significant concentration of manganese and other naturally occurring particles which are above acceptable State drinking water standards.

A 2015 Potable Water Demand Study is being reviewed and indicates Well #9 is still needed along with an additional water source. Well #9 may still produce sufficient potable water if efforts are successful. There is question of letting the water continue to pump thus purging portions of the aquifer which may result in better water quality. Other ideas are to modify the pump rates, varying the pump setting depth, and/or portions of the well screen. There is also a question of blending the water with treated water to achieve the State standards.
There will also an additional well drilled within the City to meet future potable water demands. This well may or may not be an alternate well if the water in Well #9 cannot be improved. The site has not been chosen yet. The cost of the projects are funded through the Water Capital Project Fund, which will then be restored with funds by the developers of the projects receiving the water.

The Council also adopted their 2015/2016 goals. They were outlined by category, not by priority: Economic Development; Business Park, Retail Coach recommendations, Fillmore Theatre, downtown development, tourism, restaurants, purchase vacant land; Infrastructure; replace old infrastructure, repair sidewalks; Energy Efficiency; solar panels, reclaimed water sales; City Organization; all new/well maintained city vehicles, full city staff, competitive salaries, career development program, $6M cash reserves, 20% department savings used for 1 time items (training and equipment). Community; bus route to Santa Clarita and Moorpark, amphitheater, code enforcement /community cleanliness/reduced overcrowding, affordable housing-housing mix, gang issues, vocational learning center with training to work programs, Park and Recreation programs, fields and locations, graffiti removal program, enhanced public communication with use of internet and social media; Public Safety; Fire Department, Police Department.

Other items on the Council agenda were a Ventura County Fair Poster presented to the Council by Ashley Ruiz and Luke Sylvester both from Santa Paula and Chloe Richardson and Hannah Wishart-Saviers both from Fillmore; an announcement of the Grand Opening of the new Active Adult Center on August 8, 2015, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; and approval of a 2% pay increase for both union and non-union Fillmore City workers starting fiscal years 2015/2016.