The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has notified seller’s permit holders that new sales and use tax rates will take effect beginning April 1, 2019. The new rates are the result of voter-approved initiatives.

To find the correct rate for your home or business location, visit www.cdtfa.ca.gov and click the Tax & Fee Rates button. Please note that the new rates will not be available online until April 1, 2019, when they take effect.

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) administers California’s sales and use, fuel, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis taxes, as well as a variety of other taxes and fees that fund specific state programs. CDTFA-administered programs account for over 25 percent of all state revenue. California’s essential services, such as public safety, transportation, health, libraries, schools, social services, and natural resource management programs, are directly supported by these taxes and fees.

Note: This news release may discuss complex tax laws and concepts. It may not address every situation, and is not considered written advice under Revenue and Taxation Code sections 6596 and 55045. Changes in law or regulations may have occurred since the time this news release was written. If there is a conflict between the text of this news release and the law, decisions will be based upon the law and not this news release. For specific help, please contact the CDTFA at 1-800-400-7115.

As severe weather continues to beat up much of the country, U.S. blood centers are struggling to maintain adequate supplies. Wednesday’s historic bomb cyclone in Colorado, which reached as far south as New Mexico and Texas, caused sustained hurricane-force winds and blizzard conditions. Vitalant closed multiple donation centers and canceled blood drives in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota resulting in a loss of nearly 1,000 blood donations. Additional Vitalant locations were unable to transport blood samples to our laboratory for testing, delaying the release of units to hospitals, due to extreme high winds and canceled flights.

Other parts of the country are now experiencing or bracing for dangerous conditions from Winter Storm Ulmer—tornadoes, snow, flooding and impassable roads are impacting an estimated 105 million people.

Donors are strongly encouraged to give blood today through next week to immediately rebuild the community blood supply. To schedule an appointment to give blood, go to vitalant.org or call 877-258-4825. Walk-in donors are always welcome.

“We’re strongly urging our donors here in the Central Coast to give blood now in support of those areas severely impacted by this storm and to rebuild the blood supply,” said Susan Noone, Regional Director at Vitalant. “The severity of this issue has the potential to negatively impact patient care. It’s imperative that every person who feels healthy and is eligible gives blood now.”

There is a critical need for all blood types. Locally, Vitalant needs to collect approximately 1,225 donations of all types per week to replenish the supply and meet the needs of area patients. Our team can assist you in determining the most optimal donation based on your blood type and other factors.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 and 17 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.

About Vitalant
Vitalant is the nation’s second largest community blood service provider, supplying comprehensive transfusion medicine services for nearly 1,000 hospitals and health care partners for patients in need across 40 states. Vitalant inspires local communities to serve the needs of others and transform lives through the selfless act of donating blood. Every day, almost 5,000 blood donations are needed to meet the needs of people throughout the country, and Vitalant’s 780,000 donors supply 1.8 million donations a year. In addition to blood products, Vitalant offers customers transfusion services, medical consulting, quality guidance, ongoing education, research and more. For more information and to schedule a donation, visit vitalant.org or call 877-258-4825 (877-25VITAL). Join the conversation about impacting the lives of others on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Highway 126 RV applicant Don Duncan filed an appeal of one condition of approval requiring applicant to underground existing utilities in connection with the construction of a recreational vehicle sales, service, and storage facility at 245 E. Telegraph Road. City staff recommended that the City Council deny his appeal and uphold the decision of the Planning Commission. Council granted the appeal unanimously.

Fillmore Police Chief Eric Tennessen presented information concerning a Public Safety Academy in Spanish. The Academy session is scheduled for April 7, 2019, and will be held at Ventura State Beach. It is also partly supported by the Fillmore Rotary Club.

8. The City Council is requested to provide direction to staff on whether to make a new change to the recently adopted Development Impact Fees.
This report addresses the City Council’s goal to encourage development. The RECOMMENDED ACTION, that City Council provide direction to staff on whether to pursue a change in the multi-family categories from > 700 SF and < 700 SF to > 900 SF and < 900 SF was unanimously approved.

8.B REQUESTS: The Applicant, Spring Road LLC, has filed an appeal of one condition of approval requiring Applicant to underground existing utilities in connection with the construction of a recreational vehicle sales, service, and storage facility. City staff recommends that the City Council deny this appeal and uphold the decision of the Planning Commission.
Staff recommended that Council grant the appeal and remove the requirement to undergrounding the existing utilities. The new project is seen as a significant benefit to the City of Fillmore, perfectly fitted to the narrow property involved. Council granted the appeal unanimously.

8-C REQUEST: City Staff requests that the City’s Municipal Code be amended to implement a program to regulate sidewalk vending pursuant to State law. The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt Ordinance 901, Zoning Ordinance Amendment 18-07, to Implement a Sidewalk Vending Program and Finding of Exemption from CEQA. The Planning Commission's recommendation was approved to adopt Ordinance 901.

8-D REQUEST: City Staff requests that the City’s Zoning Ordinance be updated to comply with State laws regarding Accessory Dwelling Units ["Granny Flats"] Accessory dwelling units.

City Staff requests that the City’s Zoning Ordinance be updated to comply with State laws regarding Accessory Dwelling Units.

RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and introduce the first reading of Ordinance 902 approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment 19-01, to Update the City’s Zoning Ordinance to Comply with State Laws Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and Finding of Exemption from CEQA.

Council approved the Zoning Update.

8-E REQUEST: City Staff requests that the City’s Zoning Ordinance be amended to remove certain findings which are required before either Development Permits or Conditional Use Permits may be approved.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve the introduction and first reading of Ordinance 903, approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment 19-02, Pertaining to Findings Required for Development Permits and Conditional Use Permits and Findings of Exemption from CEQA.
City Staff's recommendation to approve Zoning ordinance Amendment 19-02 was unanimously passed.
8-F REQUEST: City Staff requests that the City’s Zoning Ordinance be updated to clarify the appropriate review authority for land use and planning items.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:SECTION 1. Section 6.04.0215(1)(F) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fillmore is hereby amended to read, in its entirety, as follows:“F. AUTHORITY The Commission shall have final decision-making authority over or make recommendations to the City Council as designated in Section 6.04.5001, Table IV-1, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fillmore.”SECTION 2. Section 6.04.8025 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fillmore is hereby amended to read, in its entirety, as follows: et sec.
8-G REQUEST City Council authorize purchase of a new backhoe to replace current backhoe in the Public Works Department.

RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council approve (1) the reallocation of $37,000 from line item 302-4850-0051-538 to line item 302-4850-0051-539, (2) the execution of a contract signed by the City Manager to purchase the John Deere backhoe for $97,147.05, and (3) the sale as surplus of the Ford backhoe to offset the purchase cost of the new one.
8-H City Council members serve as official representatives of the City to various intergovernmental agencies. The California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) Board of Directors is made up of an elected official from each member agency. The last four years the Council has appointed a Councilmember as the Primary and Human Resources Director (Risk Manager) Diana Impeartrice as the Alternate. The Risk Manager attended as the alternate all four years and has found the meetings to be informative and relevant to the Risk Manager position.

City Council appointed Council member Lynn Edmonds to position of Primary Director.

On May 9, 2019, the Fillmore Police Department will begin its Public Safety Academy, tailored toward the Latino community, by offering a ten week course in Spanish. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has long recognized the importance of building relationships in all of our communities. By providing a Public Safety Academy instructed in Spanish, the Sheriff’s Office hopes to continue to create trust and foster positive and lasting relationships.

The course is designed to give participants an overview of the Police Department’s function and operational procedures. There will be presentations by Ventura court representatives, narcotic and gang officers, demonstrations by SWAT and the Bomb Squad, and many others. There will also be tours of the Fillmore Police Station, the Pre-Trial Detention Facility (Main Jail), the Communications Center and the Sheriff’s Heliport. Participants will also have the opportunity to go on a Ride-Along with a patrol deputy. The sessions will be instructed by Spanish speaking veteran deputies.

Anyone interested in attending, may get an application at the Fillmore Police Station or Fillmore’s City Hall. Potential candidates must be at least 18 years of age, live or work in Fillmore or the surrounding unincorporated areas, have no felony arrests or convictions, no misdemeanor convictions within one year of applying, and be Spanish or a limited English speaker.

The sessions will meet on Thursday evenings beginning May 9th, 2019, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for ten weeks, at the Fillmore Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Avenue, Fillmore.

For additional information, contact Senior Deputy Javier Chavez via e-mail, javier.chavez@ventura.org, or by telephone at 805-524-2233 (Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm).

Prepared by: Senior Deputy Javier Chavez
Approved by: Eric Tennessen, Chief of Police

By Sue Zeider

On Monday, March 11, PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization) Fillmore Chapter GY installed their new officers for the 2019-2020 year in the Depot at the Fillmore Historical Museum. Installed were: Jan Lee, President; Mary Ford, Vice President; Carmen Zermeño, Recording Secretary; Susan Hopkins and Susan Cuttriss, co-Corresponding Secretaries; Martha Gentry, Treasurer; Barbara Peterson, Guard; and Bethany Carpenter, Chaplain.

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Written by Jan lee

This year, it will be 100 years since the Fillmore Flower Show began. However, there have not been 100 Flower Shows. There were a few years the show did not go on because of war. Another few years, there just weren’t enough workers to put the flower show together.

Linda Nunez shared the following information about how the Flower Show came back to life after a few years’ hiatus.

“In 2008, members of Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee began to talk about the Fillmore Flower Show which began around 1919 just after WWI had ended in November, 1918.

Some members knew that this long standing annual event had continued into the late 1990’s under the sponsorship of the Fillmore Garden Club, until leadership waned and expenses climbed.

The committee searched for people who had been involved, records and albums that would describe all the planning necessary, as well as props, banners and bottles for the cut flowers that were supposedly stored in local barns.

We discovered a treasure of information in the meticulously kept scrapbook belonging to Conway Spitler, who had been a chairman of the event, working years with his wife Tillie, to produce this valued community event with the Garden Club members. We learned that the event was so well thought of, that Sunset Magazine even sent a photographer and writer to gather information for an article that was published in their magazine. And we fostered a new “friendship” and enthusiasm with another former flower show chairman and former president of the Garden Club, Joanne King.

She had a beautiful scrapbook and left over ribbons and props in her barn! As the word spread, we had many others contact us with vases in their barns and a desire to help bring back this well loved event!

This gathering enthusiasm enabled us to collect bottles (thanks Cindy Klittich and the Boy Scouts who washed them), to obtain judges’ commitments, to create brochures which Patrick Maynard formatted, to secure the Senior Center (Active Adult Center) and to line up helpers for all the many tasks from publicity, to set up, and clean up. Otto & Sons Nursery provided rose bushes for decoration and for sale which gave us a donation for each sale. Asher Smith, a local student, added ambiance with lovely melodies on the violin and mandolin for the 2009 & 2010 shows.

Through these last years, hundreds of gardening enthusiasts, young and old, have enjoyed displaying the “fruit” of their labor and creative skills in arranging displays, bouquets, and carefully groomed single stem cut flowers at the flower show. Live music continues to add ambiance.

Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee is proud to have revived this tradition that helps people learn the pleasures of gardening, the pride of entering a show and the sustaining power of valuing the beauty around us.“

As you walk around the Flower Show this year, notice everything that is in the room. There is a dedicated group of volunteers who store, clean, haul, set up, take down and just generally work to make sure everything is ready for people to bring their flowers, plants and other creations to share with the public. It is truly a labor of love. And it is not just the Flower Show. The Civic Pride Committee also makes sure the planters around town have plants. They try to coordinate with the City if there are areas that needs to be “spruced up”. Fillmore is a beautiful city for many reasons. We hope many of you will join your neighbors at the Fillmore Flower Show, April 13 and 14, 2019 at the Active Adult Center on Santa Clara Street. Go to fillmoreflowershow.org for rules, times, divisions and photos.

Bob Crum

After camera talk, time to delve into the idyllic delectation of philosophy. Fear not; it's much better than fruitcake!
I've previously written about 'photographer's eye,' the ability to 'see' beyond merely looking, even without eyewear! But there's another important aspect of photography that I have not yet addressed. So let's embark on a journey into the esoteric realm of 'Mindfulness Photography.'

I recently ventured to a secret destination on the coast. The Fillmore sky looked promising for a glorious sunset. Off I go camera in tow. Phooey! Excessive cloud cover on the horizon prevented the sun from lighting up the sky. Another conspiracy! Though a glorious sunset was not in the offering, I nevertheless made a few hundred photos. Like always, to the story there's more so let's explore.

Regardless of the destination, a mindfulness phenomenon is unavoidable.

Mindfulness is the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of the surroundings on a moment-to-moment basis. Said otherwise, mindfulness is awareness while resisting the adverse instinctive normalcy of conceptualizing.

John Suler presents his interpretation in his essay ~Photographic Psychology: Image and Psyche. “Even though they may not specifically use the word “mindfulness,” many of the great masters talk about photography as awareness of the present moment in which we forget ourselves. We let go of the goals, desires, expectations, techniques, and anxieties that make up who we are in order to immerse ourselves into the experience of seeing more fully. We open up our receptive awareness to what the world offers us. Rather than being some objective observer trying to capture something, we become the being that is in communion with the environment, that is IN the world. We’re not looking for anything in particular. We’re not going anywhere in particular. We’re not expecting or trying to control anything in particular. Instead, we’re wandering, perhaps rather aimlessly, without a goal or purpose. We’re fully and naively open to the possibility of the unexpected, the unique, the moment when things come together… to the flow of life. Under these conditions, when we let go of the self, “it” appears to us. We don’t find and take the picture. The photograph finds us. It takes itself. We unite with the scene not so we can see a shot we want, but rather what the scene offers. The experience comes to us, and the photograph is simply the icing on the cake.”

That's what I experience, and enjoy, when I'm engaged in recreational photography. I don't flirt with superfluous goals. I prefer to be open to the exciting possibility of the unexpected because the unexpected always happens anyway. (Think weather!) Communion with the environment (sans gnats) is ecstasy! Easier to understand once experienced.

With patience, awareness and serendipity, photos inevitably find me. (The hawk!) I need only show up! The only mental interloper allowed is the intellect required to program the camera. Enough for now. Watch this space for more on this exciting topic.

The feature photo is another example of 'seeing' with a photographer's eye. The instant I saw it, I immediately recognized a photo op. I made this photo on a recent outing right here in Fillmore. It took several positional changes to get the right perspective. Care to guess how I made this photo? Contest! The first email I receive with the correct information about how I shot the photo or correctly describes the photo wins a single-scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream. Clue: Think perspective! Hurry! I'll be watching my inbox! Happy photoing.

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

Eric Manzano, 32, of Fillmore.

On March 2nd, Sheriff’s deputies and detectives from the Fillmore Police Department identified and arrested 32-year old Eric Manzano after determining he was responsible for setting at least one fire in the city of Fillmore.

During the last three months, the city of Fillmore has experienced a rash of fires to trash cans, porta potties, a shopping cart and three structures. These incidents occurred during the late night and early morning hours. The incidents were deemed to be suspicious in nature and all resulted in minor damage.

In the early morning hours on March 2nd, another fire was reported to a building at the Fillmore Historical Society, located at 350 Main Street. Detectives responded to investigate and discovered video footage captured a subject approach the building at approximately 3:30 AM. The images captured the suspect’s face and distinctive attire. Additionally, the surveillance video captured the suspect’s attempt to light a fire in several places on the building.

The surveillance video was shared with patrol deputies assigned to the Fillmore Police Department. Later that evening, an observant deputy saw Manzano in a public place and noticed he appeared to match the description of the suspect in the video. The deputy initiated a conversation with Manzano and detectives who were in the area investigating the arsons responded to assist in the contact and confirmed Manzano was the subject captured in the video. Furthermore, a search of Manzano found him in possession of items that linked him to the crime. Deputies also noticed that he displayed signs of drug use and they determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested for arson and drug related charges.

The investigation into the previous arsons is ongoing and Manzano remains a suspect in these crimes. The Fillmore Police Department is seeking the public’s help with information concerning the fires that occurred throughout the city between December and March.

Anyone with any information about these crimes is encouraged to contact Det. Meixner at (805)
947-9391.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for these crimes. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved: Captain Eric Tennessen

Jared Perez (Heritage Valley Blazers Track Club Rep) addressed the Fillmore Unified School District Board on Tuesday night regarding their decision to ban Easy-ups from sporting events. Easy-ups are standard equipment at outdoor events, providing shade relief from the sun, and weather relief from the rain. A first-aid station is also designated under an Easy-up canopy with ice, water, and medical supplies for treating heat exhaustion and other sport-induced injuries. FHS’s first swim meet of the season was cancelled on February 27th; timing sheets must remain dry, and Easy-ups were not allowed. Swimmers can compete in the rain providing lighting is not present.

Approve Amendment No. 2 to Employee Agreement with Dr. Adrian Palazuelos
The Governing Board approved Amendment No. 2 to Employee Agreement with Dr. Adrian Palazuelos.

Approve Second Interim Report through January 31, 2019, Including Amendments to the 2018-2019 Budget
The Governing Board received a presentation and approved the Second Interim Report through January 31, 2019. Presentation made by Assistant Superintendent, Andrea McNeill.

Award Bid for Site-Wide Roofing Restoration at Mountain Vista Elementary School
The Governing Board awarded the bid as follows:
Project#: 2019-022
Project Description: Site-Wide Roof Restoration
Contractor: Midstate Sheetmetal, Inc.
Amount: $799,450

Adopt Resolution No. 18-19-11 to Approve Elimination of Classified Positions
The Governing Board adopted Resolution No. 18-19-11

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

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

In 2018, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office saw a 16-percent decrease in Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) crime statistics for Part 1 crimes (Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Theft and Arson) as compared to 2017. The data represents the information collected from the five contract cities and the unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff’s Office provides police services for the cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, and Thousand Oaks.

Only homicides had an increase from 2017 to 2018. This was due to the Borderline shooting where 12 people lost their lives at the hand of a lone gunman. The Sheriff’s Office had five reported homicides in 2017. However, that number rose to 18 in 2018.

Aggravated assaults had a 26-percent decrease, and there was a 24-percent decline in robberies. There were 236 aggravated assaults in 2018, which was down from 317 reported in 2017. Reported robberies fell from 117 in 2017 to 89 in 2018. Overall, violent crime across the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office jurisdictions saw a 21-percent decrease with a total number of 423 incidents, compared to 536 reported incidents in 2017.

Property crimes (Burglary, Theft, and Arson) continue to be our most common type of crime reported, and accounted for 89-percent of the reported crimes. In particular, there were 1578 reported petty thefts and 1017 reported grand thefts. Although both the reported grand and petty thefts number dropped from 2017, these reported crimes account for the greatest percentage of crime within our jurisdiction.

Grand theft was down 17 percent, and petty theft saw a 13-percent decrease in 2018. Arson had the greatest percentage decrease at 51 percent, with only 17 reported crimes compared to 35 in 2017.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind residents they can partner with us to reduce crime by reporting suspicious behavior or criminal activity by calling 9-1-1 or our non-emergency line at (805) 654-9511. We would also like to remind residents to lock their vehicles and not leave valuables visible inside.

For a copy of the full report go to https://www.venturasheriff.org/public-resources/crime-stats-public-info/

For questions on specific patrol area crime statistics, please contact:
Camarillo Police Department:
Commander Dave Murray: 805 388-5102
Fillmore Police Department:
Captain Eric Tennessen: 805 524-2233
Moorpark Police Department:
Captain John Reilly: 805 532-2705
Ojai Police Department:
Captain James Fryhoff: 805 646-1414
Thousand Oaks Police Department:
Commander Tim Hagel: 805 494-8265

Prepared by:
Captain Eric Hatlee
Approved by:
Assistant Sheriff Chris Dunn

By Jan Lee

In his February 26, 1981 column “As I See It”, Charles A. Mozley wrote: “Every American community has certain things about it that are very distinctive and so it is with our little town. And of all of our distinctive features, surely none is more special than the annual Fillmore Flower Show.”

Division X in the Flower Show is Youth Composition. Youth who live within the boundaries of the Fillmore Unified School District are invited to enter an original poem or short essay on a single page, with or without illustration, on the theme of the Flower Show, “100 Years Celebrating Flowers.”

Last year, writing on the 2018 theme, “Fillmore Blooms”, Mary Nunez won the Youth Composition division. Her poem appears to concur with Mr. Mozley’s opinion of Fillmore.

“If you walk down the road in Fillmore
you will see many kinds of beauty
you will see people helping people
that’s beauty
you will see flowers
planted because someone cares
that’s beauty
you will see love for everyone around them
that’s beauty
Fillmore is truly in bloom!”

The Fillmore Flower Show, April 13 and 14, 2019 will again offer opportunities for Fillmore Youth to demonstrate their skills. Division IX is Youth Arrangements. Youth bring their flowers and other supplies to the Active Adult Center the morning of the show. They create an arrangement without adult help other than the youth show supervisor. Flower displays are limited to 20” X 20”.

Division X is Youth Composition. Division XI is Youth Art which is non-competitive. There are photos of the divisions on our web site: fillmoreflowershow.org.

Please plan to participate in the Flower Show this April. There will be many beautiful flowers and other plants and it is a lot of fun!

Starting Monday, March 11, multiple aircraft will be arriving at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu, in support of a Large Force Exercise (LFE). NBVC Point Mugu will host aircraft to include FA-18 aircraft home based at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, Calif.

LFE aircraft are expected to operate during daylight hours out of NBVC Point Mugu from March 11 to March 23. The purpose of this exercise is to provide unit-level training for pilots and aircrews on the Point Mugu Sea Range.

Communities in the Camarillo and Oxnard area may experience increased jet activity and noise during this time.

For more information, please call the NBVC Affairs Office at 805-989-9234.

Bob Crum

Hark phonetographers! I have interesting cellphone news. In my last column, I discussed three cellphone photographic limitations, i.e., specifically: optical zoom limits, DOF (depth-of-field) limitations and low-light issues. Well, I should have waited a week. I have since received a 'White Paper' from Corephotonics. Oh my!

Corephotonics is the pioneer of multi-aperture cameras for mobile devices. Their primary mission is to perfect the mobile camera photography experience and to provide superior image quality. Corephotonics states that “we develop and deliver end-to-end multi-aperture solutions supporting the most professional photography capabilities, such as optical zoom, superb low-light performance, bokeh, depth features, and optical image stabilization, all in an incredibly slim form factor.”

Although dual-camera smartphones have become a commodity in the high-end market segment, there are yet new dual camera topologies to be, announced Corephotonics. For example, the folded camera architecture provides dramatically improved zoom factor and low light performance. Next is a three-camera cellphone. Triphone? Seriously?

However, not yet a done deal. The White Paper highlights three challenges which I'll paraphrase. Challenge 1: The expanded camera configuration occupies more room at the expense of other technologies that could be integrated into the mobile device. Challenge 2: Calibration; To achieve a seamless user experience and avoid artifacts during fusion or bokeh, the cameras have to be carefully calibrated. Challenge 3: Firmware, algorithms and power is the biggest challenge. Three cameras will require more processing which will substantially ding battery power. Furthermore, algorithms must assure reasonable processing run time while eliminating artifacts from multiple cameras.

Three-camera cellphones are of course going to cost more! Present high-end duel-camera cellphones cost $800 to $1,100. Are you willing to pay $1,300, or more, for a high-end cellphone featuring three cameras?

Cellphones are great for quick snapshots for email and social media. But I dare say that P&S (Point-and-shoot) dedicated cameras produce better overall image quality in most levels of light and provide more 'creative' control over your photos while remaining just as easy to use. Yes, just as EASY-TO-USE!

A few outstanding P&S small cameras: Canon IXUS 185, Sony Cyber-shot WX220, Canon PowerShot SX730 HS, Canon PowerShot SX430 IS, Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II, Panasonic Lumix LX15/LX10, Sony RX100 II, and for the adventurous, the Olympus TG-5, an everything-proof compact camera. Choose and enjoy!

They all retail for less than $600! A Google Pixel 3 cellphone: $400. The unlocked 12-megapixel dual-camera Moto G7 cellphone with a zoom lens retails for $200! Let's do some math.

Even today, if you bought a TG-5 for $350 and a Lenovo Moto G7 for $200, you'd have an excellent cellphone for snapshots, phone & text, and a much better all-around travel camera for $550. High-end cellphone costing $1000 minus $550 = $450 saved which is substantial! Think about it!

Changing topics, note that I have not given up on establishing a Fillmore Photography Club. Think fun and educational! However, I don't own a projector that's essential for projecting photos on a screen for discussion and critique. I need approx $750 to buy a refurbished Epson projector and a portable screen. Ideas for a fundraiser will be appreciated. Put your thinking caps ON! Email me with your ideas. Or send a check!

The photo of the week proves a camera's advantage. Bright areas of the sky and creek shadows below presented an extensive dynamic range of light. Such extremes are a challenge to photograph with any camera. Blown highlights and dark shadows illustrated the dynamic range of light exceeded my cellphone camera's capabilities. Cameras rule! The proof is in the photos!

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

David W. Rowlands, City Manager.

General Plans are a physical statement of a community’s vision (principally in physical terms) and consist of policies governing land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise and safety. Each city is required to have an adopted General Plan and new developments must be consistent with the General Plan or they may not be approved.

A city’s Housing Element is a highly detailed component of a city’s General Plan, designed to ensure that each city recognizes its responsibility in contributing to the attainment of state housing goals. A Housing Element must consider economic, environmental, and fiscal factors as well as community goals in establishing a housing program and must contain all of the features required by the statute to be found by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to conform with state law. This is required because the legislature has declared that designating and maintaining a supply of land and adequate sites suitable, feasible, and available for the development of housing sufficient to meet the locality's housing need for all income levels is essential to achieving the state's housing goals.

Each city is required to update its Housing Element every 8 years. In adopting that Housing Element, the City Council determined that it substantially complied with all applicable regulatory requirements. HCD did not certify the City’s Housing Element because HCD did not think it did enough to identify adequate sites with appropriate zoning to accommodate the City’s assigned share of regional growth for lower-income households.

Housing Elements have been in the news recently as the new governor has made it a priority for all cities to receive HCD approval of their Housing Elements. Diane McCall, the Mayor of the City of Fillmore, will be attending a meeting with Governor Newsom and the HCD on Thursday February 28th to discuss the status of the City’s non-compliant housing element. The City recognizes the importance of affordable housing and has been working with the HCD for several months to obtain HCD certification of our Housing Element.

To achieve HCD certification for our Housing Element the City has proposed the following:

Proposed Affordable Housing Project

The Housing Element will include a discussion of a proposed affordable housing project currently under review. An application has been submitted by the developer and we anticipate that this project will be presented to the City Council by mid-2019.

Accessory Dwelling Units

The Housing Element will be revised to add discussion to the effect the City complies with the State ADU law and that the City Council will be considering an ADU ordinance in March 2019.

15 % Affordability Requirement in Former RDA Areas

The Housing Element will be revised to include a description of previously-approved housing projects in the City that have been required to provide 15% affordable housing units. This includes all projects in former RDA areas, which encompasses approximately 90% of the City.

Current Projects and Ongoing Efforts to Approve Housing

The Housing Element will be revised to add a list of housing projects that are currently being reviewed that are near the approval stage. The intent of this discussion is to demonstrate the significant efforts the City has made in the last 4-5 years to increase the City’s housing stock for all income levels.

Density Bonus Ordinance

The Housing Element will be revised to add discussion referencing the City’s adoption of a Density Bonus Ordinance as required by State law.

Emergency Shelters/Transitional Housing/Supporting Housing Ordinance

The Housing Element will be revised to add discussion referencing the City’s adoption of an ordinance that authorizes these housing choices within certain zones of the City as required by State law.

Staff will submit this updated Housing Element to the HCD by the end of February.

Let’s work together to keep Fillmore the “Best Last Small Town.”