Two Council members received numerous complaints for attending the One Step A La Vez Drag Queen production a few weeks ago. Mayor Mark Austin made a point of stating this was not a Council sponsored event.
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July 11, 2023
All agenda items approved 4-0
9.A NEW BUSINESS 9.A PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE EXTENDING FOR 10 MONTHS AND 15 DAYS A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OR EXPANSION OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLE STORAGE AND SELF-SERVE STORAGE FACILITIES WITHIN CITY LIMITS, DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF, AND FINDING AN EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
9.B 1. Adopt Resolution 23-3949 to extend the declaration of a local emergency arising from the collapse of a sewer manhole which rendered the downstream pipeline unusable.
9-C REQUEST: That the City Council provide staff direction on the preferred style and color to allow staff to prepare a bid specification and bid a project to construct new shade structures over the tot-lots at Two Rivers Park and Dolores Day Park.
9-D RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve using American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds in the amount of $150,000 to support the Spirit of Santa Paula in Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
9-E RECOMMENDATION: Provide direction on the request to sponsor up to $25,000 for the County of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary Celebration.
All agenda items approved 4-0

Courtesy https://explorelakepiru.com/

Dear Lake Piru Visitors:

It’s been an unprecedented year for rainfall throughout the state and there is an abundance of available water. In addition, the coming year’s forecast is shaping up to be a second straight wet year. To help other regions prepare for significant flood mitigation and to take advantage of the opportunity of the excess available water that can be put to beneficial use here in Ventura County, beginning on July 10, 2023, we will begin drawing down the reservoir level in Lake Piru, using the water to recharge groundwater basins in the Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and Oxnard areas. This recharge operation also helps to fight seawater intrusion along the coast, another extremely beneficial use of this water.

The draw down will take several weeks/months so that swimming, fishing and boating will still be possible at Lake Piru through summer. We fully anticipate, however, that come November, we will once again be filling the reservoir as excess State Water from Northern California becomes available and winter storms bring more runoff. For information on how the water in Lake Piru benefits the region, please visit the United Water Conservation District (owners and operators of Lake Piru and the Santa Felicia Dam) website at www.unitedwater.org.

Personal watercraft (PWCs) will be limited to no more than 20 units on the reservoir at any given time. No vessels will be permitted past the 5 mph buoy line at the Reservoir’s South End near Santa Felicia Dam. This area will remain closed until further notice.

Civic Pride names Fillmore’s Juanita & Ray Morales as the July 2023 “Yard of the Month” award winners. Above are the two in their beautiful yard filled with red Yucca in bloom with Lantana, several Lavenders, Impatiens, Petunias, Dusty Miller, Delphinium, yellow Dutch Iris, Asparagus Fern & Mystic Spires Salvia around the Yucca. Photo credit Linda Nunes.
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By Linda Nunes

We meet the nicest people while presenting the Civic Pride Volunteers’ Yard of the Month award! The July award was presented to Ray & Juanita Morales at 951 Oliver St. They have lived in this home for 40 years and are now retired (Ray from working for the City of Fillmore), so both can enjoy working on the yard. When water conservation became a big issue, they removed the grass, built beautiful brick pathways, and are now in the process of adding weed barrier, with a brown rubber mulch to lower maintenance and prevent their dog from eating the regular mulch. Juanita admitted that she likes “rescuing” plants that look a little “sad” and are on sale. They have used these plants in a raised central area with pathways around the planted areas.
This side yard has a beautiful red Yucca in bloom as the focal point, with Lantana, several Lavenders, Impatiens, Petunias, Dusty Miller, Delphinium, yellow Dutch Iris, Asparagus Fern and Mystic Spires Salvia around the Yucca. Plumeria is in a large pot, and Star Jasmine on a trellis. They are preparing to plant a silver dollar Eucalyptus tree and roses for a border.
The front yard has wonderful “curb appeal” with Salvias, blue & white Bachelor Buttons, Gaillardias (blanket flowers), and flower-filled window boxes.

Juanita showed off a large tulip shaped coil pot that she made in the ceramics class that she attends in Ventura. She is in the process of making larger pots to create a fountain.
Ray and Juanita went to Otto & Sons Nursery to view the gardens recently and were so pleased to receive the $50 gift award to the nursery! Civic Pride Volunteers appreciate Otto & Sons Nursery for making this award possible for all these years!