Fillmore Patrol Deputies arrested a suspect who fled from the scene of an accident after crashing
his vehicle into a business.

On the early morning of April 15th, 2023, a patrol deputy observed a vehicle driving in a reckless
manner in the city of Fillmore. The patrol deputy attempted to catch up to the vehicle to conduct
a traffic stop and observed the vehicle lose control and crash into the side of a business in the
1300 block of Ventura Street. The collision caused several thousands of dollars of damage to
the business and city property. As the deputy was driving up to the scene of the collision, the
male driver fled the scene on foot. Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the
suspect.

Multiple residents in the nearby area provided surveillance video to the Sheriff’s Office from their
homes, capturing the suspect fleeing on foot from the traffic collision. The surveillance video,
along with other evidence collected at the scene, was used to positively identify the hit-and-run
suspect as Fillmore resident, Reynaldo Estrada, who is currently on California State Parole
for 28002(a)-Reckless Evading in a Vehicle.

On the afternoon of April 15th, 2023, deputies located Estrada at a residence in the 700
block of Fourth Street. Estrada was arrested for a parole violation, hit and run driving, reckless driving, and resisting/delaying a peace Officer. Estrada was booked at the Pre-Trail Detention Facility in Ventura. Estrada remains in jail awaiting his court appearance without bail.

Nature of Incident: Reckless Driving, Hit-and-Run Suspect Arrested
Report Number: 23-47357
Location: 700 Block of Fourth Street in Fillmore
Date & Time: April 15th, @ 5:50 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Serivces
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent
(A) Reynaldo Estrada, 28, Fillmore
Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Senior Deputy John Schnereger

Courtesy https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/fillmore-unified-school-district-blog/2...

After 12 years of service, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy John Schnereger has been promoted to Senior Deputy and will no longer serve the Fillmore Unified School District as a School Resource Officer.

Deputy Schnereger has a diverse background through his education, military, and law enforcement experience. Deputy Schnereger has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies – both with an emphasis in archaeology from the University of Southern California, and has a Masters of Arts degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma.

After graduating from college, Deputy Schnereger served six years in the military before starting his career with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. He has worked assignments in the jail, Ojai, Moorpark, and Headquarters stations.

Deputy Schnereger said, “I’ve enjoyed my time over the past 2 years working with Fillmore Unified School District staff and students and appreciate the opportunity to impact student lives. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to use my passion for mentoring and developing youth throughout my career and will continue my work with the Boys & Girls Club and R.M. Pyles Boys Camp.”

This past week was the 2023 Fillmore Flower Show. This year’s theme was “Garden Treasures” and there was something for everyone to enjoy. This year’s winners are pictured above: (l-r) Julie Latshaw, Colleen Chandler, Carmen Zermeño, Jean Westering, Bene Ambrosio, Michelle Smith and Lupe Garcia. Inset, some of the submissions for this year’s show. Photos courtesy Jan Lee. Teacher Doris Nichols’ Fillmore Middle School students’ artwork was also on display at the Fillmore Flower Show. Also, a café was created for visitors to sit and chat as well as snack on some tea and treats, something they hope to continue for next year. Photos courtesy Jan Lee. Above are more Flower Arrangements from this past weekends Flower show. Photo courtesy Jan Lee.
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By Jan Lee
Once again, local gardeners brought their “Garden Treasures” to the Fillmore Flower Show. The Active Adult Center was lovely with all the flowers and plants on display. Otto and Sons Nursery brought many yard decorations, plants and roses to further beautify the show.
It takes many people to plan and organize the flower show. The Civic Pride Committee would like to thank those who donated door prizes:
- Civic Pride volunteers
- Diamond Realty and Investments
- El Pescador Restaurant
- Green Thumb Nursery
- Houry Meguerditchian at Tracks Store
- King and King Ranch
- La Flor Bonita
- Los Altos Estilo Jalisco Restaurant
- Nancy Cope
- Otto and Sons Nursery
- Roan Mills Bakery
- Santiago Ranch
- The Scented Path
- The Treasure Station
- Vallarta Restaurant
- Yani’s Best Restaurant
- Sandi Ward’s Train Stop
Music on Saturday, April 15 was provided by Miss Faustina Walenski and Sunday by Barry Cooper. The music added to the enjoyment of the flower show.
The Committee would also like to thank everyone who brought flowers and plants. So many people went into their garden to select the best blooms to share with their community. Some of the dish gardens and potted plants have been growing for many years and seem to be family friends. Also, many of the participants took the extra care to make their entries reflect the theme, “Garden Treasures”.
The judges had a tough job. Each year the two judges volunteer their time to rate everything on display. They are professionals, but love coming to Fillmore so never let us pay them for their expertise.
Who were the 2023 winners?
Julie Latshaw won Best of Show with her gorgeous single stem cut iris (Division II). Michelle Smith won (Division I) Single Stem Cut Rose with her pink rose, “First Prize”. Michelle Smith also won (Division III), Other Single Stem Cut Flower with her Cymbidiums. Michelle told the crowd that she learned to grow flowers as a member of the Ventura Garden Club and encouraged others to join in the fun. Bene Ambrosio won (Division IV), Bouquets with her beautiful white watsonia. (Division V), Arrangements, was won by Colleen Chandler with her dramatic peach blossoms artistically arranged in an Asian vase. (Division VI), Miniature Arrangements and Bouquets has two categories and two winners. Carmen Zermeño won for Class B not to exceed 10 by 10 inches. Jean Westering won Class A not to exceed 4 by 4 inches. She said the vase for her arrangement was brought from Japan by her father at the end of World War II. (Division VII), Potted Plants, was won by Lupe Garcia, with her red Crown of Thorns plant. This was Lupe’s first year to enter! (Division VIII), Dish Gardens, was won by Carmen Zermeño, with a great succulent garden.
The Youth Arrangements were especially good this year. The young people really tried to follow the theme. (Division X), Youth Arrangements, was won by Dorie Klittich. The Youth Composition, (Division XI), was wan by Alice Klittich. Thank you to our talented Youth who entered. Thank you to their parents and teachers who encouraged them.
Ms. Doris Nichols brought her Fillmore Middle School student’s art work which added to the show. Regina Nuñez created the cafe for visitors to sit and chat and have a homemade cookie and a glass of tea. The plant boutique was popular again this year. All in all, it was a wonderful event. It will return again next year, so get cultivating!

Concerned citizen Tracey Stewart spoke at Tuesday’s regular Fillmore City Council meeting, asking for help from the city to have Sierra Northern Railway move their graffiti-covered railcars from the present Grand Avenue-7th Street railroad tracks.
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Items 9.A-D approved 5-0

Item 9-E continued to April 25 with 5-0 vote.
9.A REQUEST: That the City Council adopt Resolution Number 23-3933 declaring a real property at the northeast corner of Mountain View and Santa Clara Streets in the City of Fillmore (“Property”) to be surplus, authorizing offers for the purchase of the Property pursuant to the Surplus Land Act, and finding these activities to be exempt from CEQA. RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve Resolution No. 23-3933 declaring the Property to be surplus, authorizing offers for the purchase of the Property pursuant to the Surplus Land Act, and finding these activities to be exempt from CEQA.

9.B SUMMARY: Staff is requesting the City Council to the Council initiate annual proceedings and review the FY 2023-24 proposed assessments for the City’s Landscape and Lighting (L&L) Assessment Districts. In order for the City to proceed, the City Council must also approve the Preliminary Annual Engineer’s Reports for Fiscal Year 2023-24, adopt the attached resolutions, and set a public hearing date for May 23, 2023.

RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommends the City Council take the following actions: 1. Adopt Resolution 23-3931 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Initiating Proceedings for the Annual Levy of Assessments for the Heritage Valley Landscape and Lighting District No. 2007-1 for Fiscal Year 2023/2024, Pursuant to the Provisions of Part 2 of Division 15 of the California Streets and Highways Code; 2. Adopt Resolution 23-3925 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Preliminarily Approving the Engineer’s Annual Levy Report for the Heritage Valley Landscape and Lighting District No. 2007-1 for Fiscal Year 2023/2024; 3. Adopt Resolution 23-3926 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore, California Declaring its Intention to Levy and Collect Annual Assessments for the Heritage Valley Landscape and Lighting District No. 2007-1 for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 and Setting a Public Hearing to Consider This Proposal; 4. Adopt Resolution 23-3927 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Fillmore.

9-C REQUEST Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 23-3932 declaring its intention to levy the annual assessment, approve the preliminary Annual Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2023-24, and set a Public Hearing for May 23, 2023, to receive public comments on the proposed assessments.

CITY COUNCIL GOAL This addresses the City Council’s goal to strive to ensure that Fillmore has the necessary components for new construction and maintenance of all infrastructure. RECOMMENDATIONS City staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions: 1 Adopt Resolution No. 23-3932 Declaring the Intention to Levy the Annual Assessment for FY 2022-23 for Fillmore Storm Drain Maintenance Assessment District Nos. 01, 01A, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07A, 07B, and 07C.
9.D REQUEST The owner of property located at 461 Central, LLC (Alex Glasscock, “Owner”), is requesting that the City Council approve a second amendment to the Property Remediation Agreement (Attachment 1) for the property located at 461 Central Avenue (“Property”). The requested amendment to the Agreement will allow the Applicant until October 20, 2023 to complete the last two items required pursuant to the Conditions of Approval. Currently, under the Agreement and the time extensions previously granted, these last two (undergrounding utilities and installing benches) tasks are required to be completed by April 20, 2023.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that City Council: 1) Approve the Second Amendment to Property Remediation Agreement with 461 Central, LLC to extend the deadline to October 20, 2023.
9.E RE: PROPOSITION 218 HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER RATES FOR 2023 THOUGH 2027 REQUEST Staff recommends that City Council conduct the Proposition 218 hearing for the sewer and water rates and accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2027 water rates by adopting Resolution No. 23-3914. Further, staff recommends that City Council accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2027 sewer rates by adopting Resolution No 23-3915.

RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that City Council accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2027 water rates by adopting Resolution No. 23-3914. Further, staff recommends that City Council accept the results of the Proposition 218 Hearing regarding the City’s 2023-2027 sewer rates by adopting Resolution No. 23-3915.