City receives Gold Level Conservation Award. Tuesday night’s City Council meeting began with a presentation awarded to the City of Fillmore. A Gold Level Conservation Award was given by Energy Analyst Javier Saucedo with the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance and Edison’s Public Affairs Anna M. Frutos-Sanchez to the City of Fillmore in recognition of energy savings by more than 10% since 2006 through retrofitting light fixtures and upgraded heating and air-conditioning. Fillmore is only the 2nd city in Ventura County to receive that high level of achievement. Mayor Manuel Minjares is pictured center.

There were three agenda items discussed at the November 18, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting; Adoption of a City Communication Plan, End of Fiscal Year 2013/14 General Fund carry over, and an agreement for a retail market and consumer analytic study.

The meeting began with a presentation given to the City of Fillmore. A Gold Level Conservation Award was given by Energy Analyst Javier Saucedo with the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance and Edison's Public Affairs Anna M. Frutos-Sanchez to the City of Fillmore in recognition of energy savings by more than 10% since 2006 through retrofitting light fixtures and upgraded heating and air-conditioning. Fillmore is only the 2nd city in Ventura County to receive that high level of achievement.

Next, was a Certificate of Award to the Fillmore Women's Service Club and the Fillmore Ebell Club. The Ebell Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary, Ebell Club its 50th Anniversary. Accepting the Award were Jeanne Klittich, Susan Banks and Mimi Burns. Klittich joked that the Ebell Club's main goal is to raise money and give it to Fillmore; which includes the Police and Fire Department, Senior Center and park benches to name just a few.

The last Proclamation was given to Council Member Steve Conaway. Conaway was first elected to the City Council in 2004 and served eight years, including two years from 2007 through 2008 as Mayor. He was appointed to the Council in May 2013 to complete an unexpired term after another Council Member stepped down. Conaway served on many committees including the Finance, Water Recycling Plant, and Primary Council Liaison to North Fillmore Neighborhood Committee. He also served as Senior Center Board Liaison, Parks Commission Liaison, Veterans Memorial District, Animal Control Commission, Ground Water Committee, the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau Board, Library Service Commission and President of the Fillmore Raiders for many years along with supporting many youth activities. Conaway spoke from the heart as he addressed those in attendance stating, "It's been an honor, I find it rewarding, but it would not have been possible without the support of my wife Camilla and family. These last two years have been rewarding. Thank you."

The Council then addressed the first agenda item; the adoption of a City Communication Plan. The Plan was proposed earlier this year to improve communication and distribution of information between the City and its residents. The Plan was unanimously approved by all Council Members.

The next agenda item came with some very good news; the General Fund has a net positive of $2,430,000 with revenue exceeding expenditures by that amount! After adjusting for a negative carryover of a $218,000 shortfall from the fiscal year 2012/13 is deducted, Fillmore is left with an estimated $2,210,000 in the General Fund.

The goal of the City Council is to maintain 40% of the General Fund Expense Budget in a reserve account. With some of this added surplus and if the economy and those factors that generate revenue for Fillmore continue to keep the City in the black, the goal of 40% will be reached in a few years. The present revenue surplus is allowing for some items that were not included in the latest Budget. Those items include funding the Towne Theatre ($20,000), Recreation ($80,000) and the Community Pool ($200,000). Also included, and with a great deal of discussion by the Council, was capital investments and one-time-only-funding projects. Projects to be funded include; information technology equipment replacement ($95,000), new website ($45,000), retail/economic study ($43,000), vacation/compensation time buy back ($120,000) and rescue squad (4230,000).

The City must upgrade its outdated phone system and network backup system to be compatible with the most resent technology systems, provide a firewall to protect residents information and add Wifi to City Hall. The City's website also needs updating.

The vacation/compensation time buy-back is a significant liability for the City if paid back at the time an employee either resigns or retires due to their increase in pay at that time. Employees will be encouraged to sell back their time at their current pay saving the City a larger liability later on.

The final item is an analytic study to develop a Retail Economic Plan for Fillmore. The company chosen is Retail Coach. They will analyze the area and evaluate retail markets in surrounding communities. The information will provide City planners which businesses will be most beneficial to Fillmore.

Council Member Diane McCall responded to the funding by saying, "We have to update as a regular business would do...the website is embarrassing" and suggested, for the safety of the community, the house address numbers be painted on the curbs.

Conaway remarked that the baseball field needs to be completed and that it would give Fillmore Little League a place to play besides Shields Park.

Mayor Manuel Minjares stated he wanted a better discussion on exactly what the City was getting for the cost of the rescue squad vehicle. Council Member Rick Neal was also concerned and cautious on spending that large of an amount without greater consideration of the choice and if that great of an upgrade was needed. He also suggested a vehicle replacement fund. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council the many of the items the Fire Department has purchased have often been paid for through grant monies. The rescue squad is a truck used by Fillmore Fire Department. The present rescue squad is 15 years old and was purchased used in 2000 for one dollar. It has a small gas tank of 12 gallons and has had numerous problems.

Regarding continuing projects, Planning Department Kevin McSweeney reported that the consultant is revising the plans for based upon Caltrans comments and the light signal on Highway 126 and Mountain View is still scheduled to be in by August 2015. The revisions include handicap curbs, drainage and a light signal synchronized with the nearest light signals.

In other news, Conaway reported the pump track is about 80% completed and very close to operational. It was built using only donated equipment and labor.

Police Chief David Wareham reminded everyone that the Fillmore Community Health Fair 2014 presented by Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation, Ventura County Health Care Agency, Food Share and Fillmore Police Department will be held this Saturday November 22nd from 9-11:30 a.m. at the North Fillmore Police Storefront, 642 Lemon Way. Admission is free and groceries will be given to the first 100 families who participate in the health fair activities. There will also be blood pressure testing, flu shots, mammography screening information for women over 40 and high school internships and student scholarships information.

Mimi Burns presenting to Dorothy Hunt & Plate to recognize 47 years continuous service to the Fillmore Women’s Service Club.
Enlarge Photo

Past and present members, guests, and educational scholarships recipients were invited to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Fillmore Ebell Club and the 50th Anniversary of the Fillmore Women's Service Club. The event was held at the Memorial Building for an evening with dinner and dancing to recognize the wonderful work and dedication these two clubs have provided the community of Fillmore.

The Fillmore Ebell Club's objective was the promotion of culture, education, art, literature, music, and other fine arts. The first club meetings were held in homes, and in 1916 the meetings were held in the new Masonic Hall. In April 1929 the Club became interested in having their own clubhouse, which was completed in 1931. In 2000 the Clubhouse was sold. The Ebell Club ceased operations this year with its remaining assets being distributed to organizations in the community.

The Fillmore Women's Service Club started in 1964 when a group of young women formed the Fillmore Junior Women's Club, a Federation. In 1970 the group became the Fillmore Junior Ebell Club. In 1979 the group officially became the Fillmore Women's Service Club, a non-profit organization whose objective is the pursuit of educational, philanthropic and civic work in our community. Over the years the FWSC has donated money from fund raisers back to the community, to groups and individuals, and the support of our museums and libraries. The making of over 4,000 baby hats for newborns at Santa Paula Hospital, the first group to sponsor Bicycle Safety, purchased the first resuscitation machine for the Volunteer Fire Department, support for the schools, including money to every teacher in the school district for supplies and so much more.

Brad Hudson representing Congresswoman Julie Browning, Patty Quiroz representing Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Shelly Johnson representing Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long, and David Wilde and Lucy Rangel representing the Fillmore Unified School Board presented Certificates of Recognition to Mary Ford, President of the Fillmore Ebell Club and Jeanne Klittich, President of the Fillmore Women's Service Club accepting on behalf of the clubs.

Mimi Burns, Committee Chairwoman, made a special presentation of an engraved plate to FWSC member, Dorothy Hunt, who has been a continuing member of the Fillmore Women's Service Club for 47 years.

Since 1970 Fillmore Women's Service Club has been supporting our graduating High School Seniors with Scholarships, Susan Banks, Youth Chairwoman, introduced the High School Educational Scholarship recipients, who were present. The Club also is currently giving Community Scholarship and an Adult Womens Scholarship, Susan also recognized those recipients who were present. Since 1970 The Fillmore Women's Service Club has given $251,850 in scholarships to Fillmore Students.

The Anniversary Celebration was a wonderful way to acknowledge the community service these two clubs have given the city of Fillmore. Many displays of photos, scrapbooks and newspaper articles were on display. Many FWSC scholarship winners wrote testimonials that were touching and inspiring about what their scholarships meant to them.

These motivated and generous women, have touched our community, and the lives of many individuals. With their hard work and dedication they have made our community a better place.

The Fillmore Women's Service Club is open to any woman over the age of 21 who would like to help the community. Membership fee is $15 a year and the club meets once a month for eight months of the year. For more information you can go to www.fillmorewomensserviceclub.com.

Fillmore Fire Department

The Annual Toy Drive Sponsored by City of Fillmore Fire Department is underway! Unwrapped toy donations are currently being accepted at Fillmore Fire Station 91 located at 711 Sespe Place, Fillmore. All residents who donate a new unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more, or make a $10 cash donation will receive a ticket for one BBQ chicken dinner. The BBQ will take place on Sunday December 14th, 2014 between the hours of 5:00PM – 7:00PM. Dinner will be served at the Fire Station or you may take advantage of our convenient drive thru service.
Toys will be distributed to Fillmore children on Saturday December 20, 2014 at 9:00pm at Fillmore Fire Station 91. Hundreds of families in Fillmore struggle to put food on the table and pay rent each month leaving many without money to buy gifts during the holiday season. With your assistance you can help bring a smile to a child’s face this Holiday Season!
Toy Drop-off
Fillmore Fire Department
711 Sespe Place
Fillmore, CA 93015
805-524-0586

SACRAMENTO – With the influenza season now upon us, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, today urges Californians to get a flu shot. While flu activity in California remains low with no laboratory confirmed outbreaks or deaths, now is the time to get immunized.

Influenza can cause severe disease across all age groups. According to the California influenza surveillance report recently published, there were 404 influenza-associated deaths reported in persons under 65 years of age in California during the 2013-14 influenza season. This was the highest number of deaths reported to CDPH since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza and related complications are the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, associated with thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year in the U.S.
“Influenza is much more serious than the common cold and has the potential of causing serious illness and death,” said Chapman. “But there is something we can do about it - getting vaccinated now is the best way to protect ourselves and our family against influenza and its complications.”
CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women. Healthy people between two and 49 years of age, who are not pregnant, may opt for the nasal spray flu vaccine instead of a shot.

All 2014-2015 flu vaccines protects against an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus and an influenza B virus, and some also protect against a second influenza B virus. This year’s flu vaccine contains the same strains that were part of the 2013-14 flu vaccine.

To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, Californians should also:

• Stay home when sick.

• Cover a cough or sneeze by using your elbow or a tissue and properly disposing of the used tissue.

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding contact with your eyes, nose and mouth.

Dr. Chapman encourages Californians to contact their health care provider, physician office, clinic, or pharmacy who are now offering flu vaccines. Some local health departments may also offer low or no cost flu immunizations. For more information about influenza visit the CDPH influenza web page.To find a flu vaccine location near you, visit www.flu.gov.

www.cdph.ca.gov