9.A APPOINTMENT TO THE CULTURAL, ARTS, AND RECREATION COMMISSION

RECOMMENDATION: Pursuant to State law, the Mayor, Mark Austin, recommends the appointment of commissioners which nominations the City Council shall approve (or not). At this time, Mayor Austin recommends appointing Lani Farr to the CAR to fill a vacant position with a term through June 30, 2025.

Appointment approved.
9.B RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF EQUESTRIAN CENTER PROPERTY (308 CHAMBERSBURG).
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property and Joint Escrow Instructions (“Purchase and Sale Agreement”) between the City as seller and Mario Robledo and Vanessa Garcia (jointly as buyer) with Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, as the escrow holder, for the sale of the real property located at 308 Chambersburg in the City of Fillmore (Assessor’s Parcel Number 041-0-290-335) which consists of approximately 37.94 acres of land (“Property”).

Agreement approved.
9.C DISCUSSION OF THE RESTORATION OF THE DOG PARK AT TWO RIVERS PARK.
9.D JOINT FILLMORE, SANTA PAULA, VENTURA COUNTY TWO-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR OPERATIONAL FUNDING OF THE SPIRIT OF SANTA PAULA HARVARD SHELTER.

RECOMMENDATION 1. Authorize the City Manager to sign an agreement with the County of Ventura and the City of Santa Paula to share in the cost of the operations of the Spirit of Santa Paula Harvard Shelter at 1498 East Harvard Boulevard.
Spirit operates the only year-round homeless shelter located within the Santa Clara Valley and its 49 beds are filled on a continual basis. A cost-sharing agreement between County of Ventura, the City of Fillmore, and the City of Santa Paula ("Agreement") (Attachment A) has been developed in accordance with existing agreements developed between Ventura County and other County cities with shelters in their jurisdictions.
Agreement approved.

9.E STAFF UPDATE ON THE EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY’S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS AND CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF THE BALANCE OF THE FUNDS.

RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council discuss the proposed spending plan for the remainder of the City’s American Rescue Plan Funds (ARPA) funds and approve the proposed allocation of funds.
Discussion concluded.

On July 25, 2023, Fillmore’s Ralphy Avila competed in the USATF Jr. Olympics against 58 athletes, and placed 10th with a throw of 37-05.75 in the shot-put competition. Photo courtesy Angel Venegas.
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Heritage Valley Blazers athlete, Ralphy Avila, traveled to Eugene, Oregon on July 25th to compete in the USATF JR. OLYMPICS. Ralphy competed against 58 athletes from around the United States. He placed 10th with a throw of 37-05.75. Ralphy said “It was an honor and true blessing to compete in the JO’s. I will continue to work hard to make all my dreams become a reality.” The HVB organization is proud of Ralphy thank you for representing our organization and our small town of Fillmore.

The Avila Family would like to thank Coach Paul Riedmiller, Coach CJ and Beva Felix for all the time they put into working with Ralphy. They would also like to thank Heritage Valley Blazers, Central Station, Heritage Valley AC, Escalera Pest Control, Electric Remedy, Sublife, EXL Designing, Rancho Los Guerrero’s for their monetary donations and all the individuals who supported his raffle and bake sale fundraiser. This trip would not have been possible without all the support from our community.

Dear Fillmore Unified School District community,

I am excited to welcome you to the new 2023-2024 school year. I hope your family has had the opportunity this summer to spend quality time with loved ones and that you and your children are ready for the school year ahead. It’s going to be a great year!

The beginning of each school year is always a time for reflection, preparation, and new beginnings. We will continue to focus on strengthening communication, building relationships, and working together to ensure we have safe, welcoming, and student-focused schools.

The staff has been working all summer to prepare for this school year and will continue to expand academic, enrichment, and social-emotional opportunities for our students, such as:

• New bilingual college and career counselor at Fillmore High School
• New Wellness Centers at Mountain Vista and Piru Elementary Schools
• Adult Education Counselor
• Full-time bilingual community liaisons at all schools
• Free online academic tutoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Reading intervention teachers at all elementary schools and Fillmore Middle School
• New video production teacher at Fillmore High School
• Block schedules at Fillmore Middle School and High School with a built-in academic support period to provide extra help for students
• Field trips to universities and colleges to promote a university culture.
• Bridges after school program until 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday
• Expanded learning opportunities during winter, October and spring breaks

We will also continue to prioritize school safety at all schools. Each year, all staff receive training on safety procedures and response expectations for a variety of emergencies. Each school holds regular emergency drills, and we will continue to have school resource officers at Fillmore High School and Fillmore Middle School to build relationships and respond in the event of a school emergency.

Please also consider supporting our School Site Council, English Learner Advisory Committees, Parent Clubs, and other school/classroom volunteer opportunities. Connecting with these organizations and your child’s teachers, principals, counselors, and support staff is critical to your child’s success in school. I look forward to seeing our students back on our school grounds on Wednesday, August 16. I am confident that by working together, we can make this school year a safe and positive experience for our students.

Proud to be a part of the Fillmore Unified School District.
Chrissy Schieferle,
Superintendent

On July 12, 2023, West County Special Enforcement Unit (WC-SEU) detectives arrested a juvenile for a gang-related shooting that occurred in Fillmore in early May 2023 near the 1100 block of Meadowlark Drive. DA’s office filed a Felony Assault with a Firearm charge on July 25, 2023. Since then, Police have increased patrol and served multiple search warrants, and conducted probation/parole searches, which has led to multiple arrests. Above are photos of evidence collected by the Sheriff’s Department during their investigations.
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On July 12, 2023, West County Special Enforcement Unit (WC-SEU) detectives arrested a juvenile for a gang-related shooting that occurred in the City of Fillmore in early May 2023. On July 25, 2023, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony Assault with a Firearm charge against the juvenile in the Ventura County Juvenile Court.
On May 2, 2023, at approximately 7:20 PM, Fillmore Patrol and other Sheriff’s Office investigative units, responded to the 1100 block of Meadowlark Drive for a “shots fired” call. Investigators determined an adult male had been shot during a gang-related confrontation.

West County Special Enforcement Unit and Major Crimes detectives began investigating multiple gang incidents that involved Fillmore gang members and associates. Additionally, detectives served multiple search warrants, conducted multiple probation/parole searches, and increased enforcement patrol in Fillmore and other areas of Ventura County. Between May 2023 through July 2023, WC-SEU detectives made several arrests (18) and recovered three firearms, ammunition, and narcotics that were in possession of Fillmore gang members. Multiple subjects were arrested for crimes that included, but were not limited to, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Carrying a Concealed Firearm in a Vehicle, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Accessory After the Fact, and Street Terrorism.
During a traffic stop on July 12, 2023, at approximately 2:50 PM, WC-SEU detectives arrested a juvenile for the May shooting. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office subsequently filed a felony charge against the juvenile in the Ventura County Juvenile Court.

The investigation is on-going and additional arrests are expected. If you have any information about the shooting or Fillmore gang activities, please contact Senior Deputy Detective Matt Smith at 805-677-8771.
The West County Special Enforcement Unit is comprised of eight detectives whose focus is assisting patrol services with the investigation of various crimes including but not limited to violent crimes and illegal firearms. The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase in unlawful firearm activities in Ventura County, including illegal “ghost guns”. If you have any information about illegal weapons, please contact Senior Deputy Detective Matt Smith at 805-677-8771.

Nature of Incident: Multiple Fillmore Gang Members Arrested
Report Number: 2354794, 23-55655, 23-56574, 23-63566
Location: 1100 block of Meadowlark Drive, Fillmore
Date & Time: May 2, 2023 @ 7:20 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: West County Special Enforcement Unit, Major Crimes Unit Patrol, and Fillmore Investigations Unit.

(S)suspects,(V)ctims,(P)arty, (D)ecedent
(S) Multiple Juveniles
(S) Multiple Adults Ventura County
(V) Adult Male Ventura County 31

Prepared by: Sergeant Beau Rodriguez
Approved by: Captain Sean Britt

Two Oxnard residents who are convicted felons were arrested for identity theft involving numerous victims throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

During the month of July 2023, a victim residing in the city of Fillmore reported being the victim of an identity theft. A deputy assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station responded and an investigation began. The victim was alerted by her financial institution that numerous credit cards were obtained, purchases were made, and suspicious activity occurred with the use of the victim’s personal identifying information. These charges and activity were deemed to be fraudulent.

Fillmore station detectives conducted follow-up investigation and evidence was collected identifying Oxnard resident Jose Puga as a person of interest. In addition to the fraudulent activity, it was discovered that the suspect(s) also ordered approximately $1,400.00 worth of various merchandise which was delivered to a residence located at the 1900 block of Socorro Way in the city of Oxnard.

Fillmore detectives collected more evidence implicating Puga as the suspect. Puga has an extensive criminal record and he is currently on probation for crimes involving identity theft. During this initial investigation, Puga was subsequently arrested for a probation violation related to this case involving illegal possession of identity theft related documents. He was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

Detectives identified several victims of identity theft committed by Puga. On July 31, 2023, detectives conducted a probation search at Puga’s residence in the 1900 block of Socorro Way in Oxnard. During the search, detectives located and recovered numerous items that had been fraudulently purchased and delivered to Puga’s residence using a victim’s personal identifying information.

While at the location, detectives contacted resident Alonzo Rodriguez who is also on probation with a lengthy criminal record for identity theft related crimes.

Detectives located identity theft related documents implicating Rodriguez as an additional suspect in this case including additional victims and more stolen California driver licenses, stolen checks, cashier checks, and stolen gift cards. These victims resided throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

Rodriguez was taken into custody. He was subsequently transported and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention facility for felony identity theft, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime, and a no bail probation violation where he remains in custody. Puga was supplementally charged with an additional count of identity theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of stolen property. Puga remains in custody with a no bail probation violation.

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Ron Chips