The Citrus Packing House, a repurposed creative campus at 341 A St. in the Ventura County city of Fillmore, CA, has traded for $1,420,000.00, according to Matt Benwitt of Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura, who represented the seller in the transaction.

The 79,000 square foot property at A Street and Sespe Avenue was built as a packing house in two phases in 1917 and 1925 and eventually was used by Sunkist. Under the ownership of the seller, David Storrs, it was repurposed as a group of workshops for craftspeople known as the Packinghouse Creative. Tenants include makers of musical instruments along with Funky Junk Farms, a company that specializes in restoration and preservation of vintage trailers and RVs used for props and filming, and a memorabilia collector. It is located in an Opportunity Zone. The buyer, Brad Vernon, is expected to continue to use the property for creative tenants.

Fillmore Unified School District

Approve Start and End Dates for 2020-2021 School Year
The Governing Board approved a start date for staff to be on Monday, August 17, 2020, followed by a first student day held on Thursday, August 20, 2020. Pending collaboration from both employee units, the last day for students would be June 3, 2021, followed by a teacher workday on June 4, 2021.

Approve Resolution 19-20-12 Regarding Census 2020 The Governing Board approved Resolution 19-20-12.

Approve Tentative Agreement between the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) and the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD)
The Governing Board approved the Tentative Agreement reached during the last mediation session.

Approve Certificated/Certificated Special Education/School Psychologist/Coordinator/Nurse/ROP/Vocational Salary Schedules
The Governing Board approved the Certificated/Certificated Special Education/School Psychologist/Coordinator/Nurse/ROP/Vocational salary schedules.

Personnel Recommendations
The Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations, and leaves.

Bob Crum

My previous column concluded with notes about SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) photography. Briefly, I wrote that some say that SOOC is stupid! Others say that photographers who use Photoshop (or some other photo editor program) simply don't know how to use their camera. Conversely, others say that SOOC photographers simply don't know how to use Photoshop. To wit I add: no image straight of the camera is as good as it can be. Which begs the question: How much better does the image need to be?

SOOC purists claim that pristine unprocessed photos are superb. (sigh) Fact: All photos get processed in the camera. Light is converted to a digital file that is then processed by the camera's computer according to algorithms programmed by the camera engineers. Also, selecting a camera's 'picture style' setting will significantly affect the photo. An unprocessed SOOC image is a myth!

If the SOOC photo is a snapshot in the JPEG format and destined only for social media, i.e., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and email, it will most likely be satisfactory. At best, such photos will only get a nano-second glance anyway. Image quality is of little or no consequence because we know that snapshots made day in and day out aren't what could be considered 'creative' photos. Right?

However, photography affords a high degree of creativity. But this creative aspect is not easily defined. In no quarter is there an agreed description or one that separates the craft from other mediums. But we can agree that through the application of various techniques both in-camera and in post-processing, creativity is integral. Mermaid boudoir photography is an extremely creative genre of photography in which I specialize. But I digress.

The photographer begins the creative process by programming the camera. Beyond the essential fundamentals-focus & composition-options include aperture and shutter speed determinations. For instance, determine a shutter speed to blur a fast-moving subject or blur the background. Also, to create a stop-action waterfall or blur the flowing water for a silky look. Depth-of-field considerations and more. Beyond the technical aspects of a camera, a creative photographer sees things that most others overlook. The ability to see things, and see them from a unique perspective, is a significant component of creative photography.

Composition is a foundation for creativity. Placement of the subject, including the decision to include negative space, often helps to separate the subject to draw attention to it. The use of color is another significant creative element. Think about using back-lit subjects to create a silhouette. Changing the perspective can create an uncommon and potentially interesting photo. If you're standing - kneel. Lay on the ground/floor. Or extend the camera high overhead. Note: Attaching your camera to your dog's tail as it walks down the street is not creative street photography: It's dogography!

Though this is an abbreviated discussion on creative photography, there's one more important element: Intention. Intentionally capture the image as mentally envisioned to the best of your abilities and that of your camera. For example, the photo of the week is an old oak tree that I came upon as the sun was lowering in the south-western sky. Regular readers know I brake for sunstar photographic opportunities. Although the lower background is replete with vegetation and thus a tad busy, it's OK. All the other components make for a captivating photo. Observe it again. See the enchanting lichen creating texture on the tree trunk & limbs? How many see the Spanish moss? Aha, I thought so. It's on the lower left tree limbs. I instantly saw all of these eye-catching elements. I then programmed the camera to create the sunstar rays and intentionally made the photo. Ah, such is the ecstasy of creative photography. Say again? Did I do any post-processing? Stay tuned!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Fillmore City Council selected the 2020 Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem at Tuesday night’s meeting. The City Clerk asks the Council to nominate a Councilmember to serve as Mayor via a motion.... Fillmore City Council unanimously voted Councilman Tim Holmgren as Fillmore's new Mayor for 2020.

5. The Fillmore City Council meeting began with a presentation by Mr. Charles Richardson. Mr. Richardson apologized to City Manager David Rowlands and to Public Works Supervisor David Smallwood, for his previously mistaken accusation that the city was responsible for water quality at the El Dorado Mobile Home Park. Richardson subsequently learned the city had no part in determining water quality at the Park. He praised Rowlands and Smallwood for their handling of the issue.

See further discussion of issue on Fillmore City Council agenda: by Roxanne Hughes, PE, City Engineer.

8.A The City Engineer's recommendation that the City Council approve Final Map Tract No. 5520-5, authorize the Mayor to sign the map, and direct the City Clerk to record the maps with the County Recorder's office was approved unanimously.

8.B That the City Council adopt the plans and specifications and approve the advertisement for bids for the construction of the State Route 126 and State Hwy23 Utility Cover Adjustment Project, Spec. No. 18-01. DISCUSSION Caltrans recently completed asphalt concrete paving projects on State Route 126 (Ventura Street) and State Route23 (A-Street) that covered the manhole and valve covers that serve as access points to city owned water, sanitary sewer, and storm drain utilities. The Caltrans design team did not coordinate with City staff during that project’s design phase, however, the construction team did invite City Staff to the preconstruction meeting. Unfortunately, Caltrans did not include any adjustments for any “non-highway facilities” in their scope of work, nor did they coordinate with the utility owners, prior to beginning construction of the project. As a result, the utility covers are now below grade. The City, as the utility owner, is now required to raise the covers to match the new grade as a City project under an encroachment permit from Caltrans.

Staff will bring the construction bid analysis to Council with a recommendation for contract award, including a proposed final budget request and request for the required budget allocations and/or appropriations.

Recommendation approved.

8-E ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 19-3741 AMENDING THE CITY’S COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS RESOLUTION FOR NON-REPRESENTED MANAGEMENT/MID-MANAGEMENT AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES TO REFLECT NEW HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CLASSIFICATION AND THE NEW MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES.

The City Council adopted Resolution 19-3741 unanimously as recommended.

8-F CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 19-3741 ADOPTING A FURTHER REVISED THE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE FOR ALL CITY OF FILLMORE EMPLOYEES.

Approved unanimously by Council.

8-G REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE INCOME AND EXPENSES PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 66006 AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 19-3742 MAKING FINDINGS REGARDING UNEXPENDED FEES.

City Council approved Resolution No. 19-3742 to accept the DIF income and expense report and make the findings required by state law with respect to a portion of DIF funds that are unexpended and were collected over five (5) years ago.

8-H REVIEW AND APPROVE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 19-922, REPLACING FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.36, WITH A NEW TITLE 16 “WATER DEPARTMENT” TO INCORPORATE NEW WATER SHUTOFF PROCEDURES AS REQUIRED UNDER SENATE BILL 998 – THE WATER SHUTOFF PROTECTION ACT AND ADOPTION OF AN EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.

Ordinance approved.

8-I APPOINTMENT OF TO THE FILL ONE OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE’S SEAT ON THE CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE/SOCIAL SERVICE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (CTAC/SSTAC). The purpose of the Committee is to act as an advisory board to VCTC for purposes of transportation planning and identification of unmet transit needs.

The Council appointed Aaron Todd to the position, and thanked him for volunteering for the position.

8-J COMMENT ON AND ADOPT PROPOSED CITY POLICY FOR PARKS AND RECREATION SPORT FIELD RENTALS.

No action taken.

8-K Council considered THE ADOPTION OF INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE 923 TO PROHIBIT THE CULTIVATION, MANUFACTURING, TESTING, STORING, AND CERTAIN SALES OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP IN THE CITY OF FILLMORE, DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF AND THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65858, 36934 AND 36937, AND MAKING A DETERMINATION OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.

Following discussion of health and safety issues relating to this discussion, Council voted 4-1 in favor of the interim urgency ordinance, with Councilman Lynne Edmonds dissenting.

The decision was taken after a lengthy discussion of contemplated action. Mr. William Steiger and Charles Steiger delivered thoughtful scientific reasons why the issue of growing and processing hemp (not marijuana) should be considered with reasonable controls to protect public health and safety. The ordinance mounts to a temporary moratorium on the processing of hemp.

8-L PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 921, ADDING SECTION 6.04.42 OF THE FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS AND FINDING OF EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.

Council followed Planning Commission's recommendation to introduce Ordinance No. 19-921 and add Fillmore Municipal Code section 6.04.42 regarding affordable housing requirements and finding of exemption from CEQA.