Pictured (l-r) are Rotary President Anna Reilley and guest speakers Danny Golson, John Munoz, Jane Munoz and Ernie Villages. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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At last week’s Rotary Club of Fillmore meeting Ernie Villegas was the main Rotary speaker who spoke about the Los Veterans of Fillmore and Piru Organization. Many in the group were in Vietnam and came home to anything but a positive welcome. Most didn’t tell anyone they were there and never talked about the experience. They kept it all inside which cause some to get into drugs, alcohol and worse. John Munoz said the main reason for the organization is to bring Vets together to share their experiences. John said in the beginning there were only about 12-13 members who came and today there are 70. It is a time to share and realize they are not alone. They need to share their stories and don’t have to keep it inside anymore. Danny Golson is also in American Vets of America and spoke of helping Vets with benefits and direction. Ernie said they meet for lunch once a month and host a dinner dance once a year. He is also the head of the Veteran’s Day Celebration and parade where Vets ride in classic cars and afterwards have a luncheon. Each branch of the service is represented.

Posted on: July 10, 2024, courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=127
Fantastic News, Fillmore! We’re thrilled to announce that the Two Rivers Dog Park is NOW OPEN! Bring your furry friends for a day of fun, play, and tail-wagging excitement. With plenty of space to run, a new installation of a drinking fountain, shaded areas for you and your pup to relax, it’s the paw-fect spot for your four-legged family members.
The Two Rivers Dog Park is designed to make every dog’s day brighter. Come explore and meet new furry friends, and enjoy a community built around our love for dogs. Whether your pup loves a good game of fetch or just wants to sniff around, there’s something for everyone. Hours of Operation: Sunrise to Sunset.

On Friday, July 12th, Fillmore Library hosted Ventura County Search & Rescue K9 Team (VCSARK9) Members Lisa Hammond and Virginia Feyh (and her K9 Huck) as they spoke with the kids enrolled in the Summer Reading Program about “Hug A Tree and Survive”. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.

On Friday, July 12th, as part of the Summer Reading Program at the Fillmore Library, Team Members Lisa Hammond and Virginia Feyh (and her K9 Huck) of the Ventura County Search & Rescue K9 Team (VCSARK9), came to talk to the kids (and adults) about the program “Hug A Tree and Survive”. VCSARK9 is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, training and deployment of high performance, volunteer canine teams which will in turn effectively assist in the search and rescue or search and recovery of missing persons.

Hug-A-Tree and Survive was developed in the United States following the search for Jimmy Beveridge in 1981 and was first adapted for Canadian use by the RCMP. It was updated by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) and the SAR Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) in 2015 with new videos and activities to support program delivery. Hug-a-Tree and Survive is an AdventureSmart program that helps lost children survive in the woods. It teaches children how not to become lost in the woods, and what to do should they become lost. If a child should become lost in the woods, hugging a tree can help them stay safe, and be found. Staying near a tree offers some protection from the elements, and keeps lost children in the same place, which makes it easier for searchers to find them. The presentation included a short video presentation, discussion about the 4 rules to help keep children safe, and a demonstration with one of the dogs training to be on the VCSARK9 Team, Huck, a Redbone [!@#$] Hound.

The Hug-a-Tree Rules

Hug-A-Tree and Survive emphasizes four key rules to keeping children safe:
Always tell your parents, or another trusted adult where you are going, who you are going with, and when you will be back. You can do this in person, over the phone, through a text message, or by leaving a note in a place they will see it.
HUG-A-TREE” AND STAY PUT

A tree can help protect you from the elements while you’re outdoors, and most importantly, keep you in one place. Depending on where you are, there may not always be a tree. Perhaps your tree” can be a large rock or bench at a park, or a sales counter at a mall. No matter what your landmark is, it is important to stay put, in order to stay safe.
KEEP WARM AND DRY

Temperatures change throughout the day and can drop at night. Even if you are warm during the day, keep your jacket handy for nighttime. If you get cold, put on an extra layer, pull up your hood or put on your hat if you have one, tuck your shirt in, tuck pant legs into your socks, and zip up your jacket. You can also keep warm by building a nest to keep you off the ground, or by using an emergency shelter.

Whether searchers are parents, police officers, or SAR volunteers, remember they just want to get you home safely. Answer back to their calls by making noise and signaling (remember that whistle!), so you can be heard and seen. Make sure to leave lots of footprints and clues, so searchers can follow your tracks to find you.

While designed for the outdoors, these rules are easily transferable to other places including sporting events, shopping malls, public parks, urban areas, and much more! Together, these core points work to ensure kids have the knowledge and training needed to safely enjoy the outdoors, and their communities.

For more information about the “Hug A Tree and Survive” program go to https://www.adventuresmart.ca/programs/hug-a-tree-and-survive/.

For more information about VCSARK9 go to www.vcsark9.org. This presentation was funded by a grant from the California Fire Foundation https://www.cafirefoundation.org/what-we-do/for-grant-seekers.

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All items passed 5-0

NEW BUSINESS

9.A CONSIDER RESTATED AUDIT CONTRACT WITH CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP TO COVER THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLETING FY 2022-23 FINANCIAL AUDIT AND EXTENDING THE SERVICES TO INCLUDE THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR AUDIT. RECOMMENDATION
Staff is requesting and recommends that City Council:

1. Approve a restated contract with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, to be substantially in the form attached hereto and subject to the approval of the City Attorney, for audit services effective from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 to authorize payment of additional costs associated with completing the FY 2022-23 Financial Audit and extending the services to– include the FY 2023-24 Financial Audit; and

2. Authorize the City’s City Manager to execute the contract.

9.B PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF OPIOID RELATED LITIGATION AGAINST THE KROGER CO. 01148.0001/992632.2 CITY OF FILLMORE CENTRAL PARK PLAZA2 50 Central Avenue, Fillmore, California 93015-1907(805) 524-3701 - FAX (805) 524-5707

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: David W. Rowlands, City Manager
Tiffany J. Israel, City Attorney

DATE: July 9, 2024

RE: PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF OPIOID RELATED LITIGATION AGAINST THE KROGER CO.
REQUEST

That the City Council adopt a resolution approving the City of Fillmore’s participation in the Kroger Settlement Agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) in connection with opioid-related litigation with The Kroger Co. and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute all documents related to the Settlement Agreement, to carry out all acts necessary to participate in and carry out settlement implementation, and to execute and participate in any future opioid related settlement agreements that the City Manager and City Attorney deem to be in the City’s best interests.
9.C CONSIDERATION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 24-4017, CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR CITY CLERK AND CITY TREASURER AND REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION OF THE ELECTION FOR THESE OFFICES WITH THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 GENERAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

9.D RATIFY FILING OF NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF PROJECT SPECIFICATION
NO. 23-05, DOG PARK ADA IMPROVEMENTS AT TWO RIVERS PARK
PROJECT.

RECOMMENDATION

That the City Council:

1. Accept the services provided for Project Specification No. 23-05, Dog Park ADA Improvements at Two Rivers Park Project (“Project”), performed by FS Contractors, Inc.;

2. Ratify staff’s June 13, 2024 filing of the attached Notice of Completion; and
3. Authorize the final payment to the contractors of owed retention and Release on Contract pending clearance of the 30-day lien period.