Oxnard Council Approves Homeless Plans; Many New Fee Increases; Addresses Terrible Internal Controls;
By George Miller
The 7-24-18 Oxnard City Council Meeting was the last one before the August break: Accepted the Police & Housing Departments’ plans on homelessness and anti-vagrancy efforts; Approved many new fee increases; Accepted Treasurer’s investment report and Finance’s new internal controls policy; Rice and 5th RR crossing progressing with funding, design, approvals; awarded contract for Auto Center street resurfacing.
Ventura County Fair is August 1-12. Salsa Festival This weekend.
| Council Meeting | Jul 24, 2018 – 04:30 PM | Agenda |
Item D-1-Homelessness and Anti Vagrancy Efforts. (10/10/10)
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council receive and file a report from the Police Department and the City Attorney’s Office regarding efforts to address homelessness and vagrancy, and provide feedback to staff
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Scott Whitney Phone: (805) 385-7624
D-2- Partnership to Address Homelessness (5/5/5)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of intent expressing the City’s support to partner with the County of Ventura on the development and operations of a year-round homeless shelter; and
2. Direct the City Manager and Housing Director to work with Ventura County to develop a detailed agreement to be scheduled for City Council consideration as soon as possible.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Arturo Casillas Phone: (805) 385-8094
Housing Director Arturo Casillas appreciates police dept. efforts. Partnership of Oxnard, Ventura and County of Ventura, on things such as warming shelters . Working now on full service shelter/navigation center, working with PD, govts and other stakeholders. An RFP to do this is in process. Each city to have agreements with county and shelter operator. $1,000,000 voted for acquisition and $500,00 for annual operations, plus $200,000 CDBG funding, October, 2018 is target for shelter opening, or default to foul weather temporary operation as in previous years.
Christine Madden, County Community Director was introduced.
Public Comments
Walter Schneider- Wants committee of schools, churches, homeless to gather input. Mentioned incubator program again.
Pat Brown- Have shelters away from downtown. Tourism threatened.
Barbara Macri-Ortiz- Totally supports this item. Likes regional approach. Thanked participants.
Julia Pena- Suggested facility may not be available for a year. Could any money appropriate be used for wintertime warming shelter if needed?
Woody Thomas- Don’t want to house unsafe people. Need homeless census. Locals should get priority. Ned manpower- clean- not on drugs
Council/Staff Comments
Casillas- Would need approval to reallocate funds for winter warming shelter
Perello- Council has already approved the $1.2 million for year round shelter
Madrigal- great first step, hopefully find permanent site soon.
Approved 4-0 (Flynn absent)
CEREMONIAL CALENDAR
F-1- SUBJECT: Presentation of a Resolution to Tammy Gutierrez for Over Twenty-Nine Years of Outstanding Service to the City of Oxnard.
Document: F-1 Resolution
| G. | PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA |
Walter Schneider (who is black)- There is discrimination in Oxnard- The “Spanish” (Latinos) control the jobs/housing. He was terminated all the blacks. Housing program head “terrorizes all the blacks. He has been [prevented from filing court documents
Carl Lawson (President of Oxnard Middle Managers Association)- Membership has elected new slate. He will continue on board of directors. Mr Jeff Link (Public Works)mentioned.
Mr Link- Look forward to working with city and members
Woody Thomas- again asked for a compromise offer on alleged discrimination, injuries sustained. Police have suggested that this is groundless. No legal action we know of is active.
Peggy Rivera- Running for City Council- District 5
Caroline- running for City Council Dist 6
Claire- Dept of Transportation- New program for Comm. College students to ride bus for free. Just show college ID. Goventura.org
Jackie Tedeschi- Do more posting in some neighborhoods.
Larry Stein- re: Budget hearing. Never received answers to his questions or even a date when they will be answered. Traffic Dept seems focused on ticketing poor neighborhoods. Meanwhile, speeding goes unchecked, running stop signs.
Armando Vazquez- Thanks for City letting people use vacant buildings. Made an announcement in Spanish which was not translated. Re: Gang injunction: same things said about homeless can be said of gang members.
Rich Rollins- Concerned about Oxnard Tennis Center- Saddened by reduction in hours (Sunday eliminated, Saturday shortened) and access as well as poor physical conditions
Ashley Clendinin- VC Fairgrounds. Fair is Aug. 1-12. Shuttles available, didn’t know where.
Raymond Bolhowski- Piggyback on Rich Rollins comments on Tennis Center.
Peter Rey- Tennis Team- same views. Cut hours will eliminate weekend tournaments. Court conditions are hazardous.
Carolyn Mullin- New PACC events coordinator- Sight and Sound Film Festival; Aug 16- Preview Party of upcoming events; Film Festival- august 2019; Kickback at the PACC series coming up-= see website.
Julie Kolbacher- When Property north of Jolly Roger is developed, they have to open up the gate, but a retaining wall will block them.; Why can’t her neighborhood also block off her neighborhood to avoid unwanted commercial traffic?
Daniel Kolbacher- re: gang injunction. Police are subject matter experts on this. Gang injunctions just don’t target random kids, but real gang members.
Nancy Kotza- “Butterfly Lady” – mentioned upcoming Monarch Butterfly Festival
Elizabeth Singer (?)- Working at Pleasant Valley historical cemetery. Want to wort with city members to replant native plants in the area to support the pollinators such as Monarch Butterflies.
Warner Keller- Re: Fisherman’s Wharf. Former Harbor Director and current consultant Lyn Kreiger attempting to amend local coastal plan to permit proposed apartments. Public is very much opposed to the project. No 400 unit complex – wrong for that parcel.
Pablo Ortiz- Director Of Oxnard Salsa Festival THIS WEEKEND! Free concert this Friday by Pancho Sanchez. Bands, dancing, salsa, community exhibits, vendors.
Martin Jones- Says gang injunction is unconstitutional. Some judges agree with him. His name was on gang injunction list. Sheriff Dean sent him a letter saying he had a low moral character. He says he has an 825 credit score.
Lupe Andiamo- Salsa Festival is one of her favorites. Wants Chief Whitney to be one of the dancers.
Pat Brown- Rewove industrial garage doors and iron security gates down and pain structures of businesses on Oxnard Blvd.
Dan Pinedo- Condolnces to Branson, MO drownings.
| H. | REPORT OF CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY |
I-1- Ballot Argument for Measure G — Cannabis Business Tax (5/5/10)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council determine if either:
1. The City Council as a whole; or
2. One or more Councilmembers designated by the City Council will file the written argument in support of Measure G, which would impose a cannabis business tax.If the City Council determines that the City Council as a whole will file the argument, then the City Council should designate one or more signatories for the argument if all members of the City Council will not be available to sign the argument by the filing deadline of August 2, 2018.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Stephen M. Fischer Phone: (805) 385-7483
Document: I-1 Staff Report
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council determine if the City Council wishes to file written arguments against:
1. Measure F — Reduction of the maximum special tax for CFD-4 (Seabridge at Mandalay Bay);
2. Measure H — Reduction of allowed overhead for CFD-3 (Seabridge at Mandalay Bay); and
3. Measure I — Reduction of portion of special tax used for Harbor Patrol services for CFD-4 (Seabridge at Mandalay).
If the City Council determines that it wishes to file a written argument against one or more of the ballot measures, then the City Council should designate one or more signatories for the argument (on behalf of the City Council as a whole) if all members of the City Council will not be available to sign the argument(s) by the filing deadline of August 2, 2018.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Stephen M. Fischer Phone: (805) 385-7483
Document: I-2 Staff Report
City to submit opposition statements against these measures. Perello- yes and explain it to the public. Impact is totally unknown. Could be extremely expensive. Staff will draft.
| J. | REVIEW OF INFORMATION/CONSENT AGENDA |
Approved 4-0
L-6- SUBJECT: Revision of the Housing Authority of the City of Oxnard’s Procurement Policy.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Oxnard adopt a resolution approving the revision of the Housing Authority of the City of Oxnard’s Procurement Policy in accordance with new policies and procedures set forth by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance from 24 CFR Part 85 to 2 CFR Part 200.
Legislative Body: HA Contact: Arturo Casillas Phone: (805) 385-8094
L-7 SUBJECT: Award Agreement No. A-8093 to Aquatic Bioassay & Consulting Laboratories, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council award, and authorize the Mayor to execute when finalized, Agreement No. A-8093 with Aquatic Bioassay and Consulting Laboratories, Inc. in the amount of $453,888 for receiving water monitoring services.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Rosemarie Gaglione Phone: (805) 385-8055
M-1- SUBJECT: Fee for Service Update and Adoption of New Fees (10/10/5)
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council hold a public hearing on the proposed new and adjusted service fees, and adopt a resolution establishing new fees and adjusting current fees for the services identified in the attachments and appendices to said resolution.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Jim Throop Phone: (805) 385-7475
Barbara Macri-Ortiz- Claims Stein comments are all irrelevant. Development Services not following the law, not laying out in advance all these things that have to be done. City people going around in circles, doing things three or four times. If we are paying for services, then you should have all the tools. They keep adding items after the fact. Especially if we’re paying by the hour.
Woody Thomas- Want to minimize costs,. taxes had to be done because of the cost to live and operate. Public and city has suffered a lot due to mismanagement, misappropriation of funds, stealing.
N-1- Unclaimed Funds Escheated to the City’s General Fund. (5/5/5)
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt a resolution transferring unclaimed funds from their respective fund(s) to the general fund pursuant to California Government Code Sections 50050 et seq.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Phillip S. Molina Phone: (805) 385-7808
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1.the reversion of property to the state, or (in feudal law) to a lord, on the owner’s dying without legal heirs.
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1.(of land) revert to a lord or the state by escheat.
N-2- SUBJECT: City Treasurer’s 4Th Quarter FY 17-18 Investment Report (5/5/5)
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council receive, accept and file the Annual City Treasurer’s Investment Report for the period ending June 30, 2018.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Phillip S. Molina Phone: (805) 385-7808
N-3- SUBJECT: Internal Control Integrated Framework (ICIF) Policy (10/10/10)
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council direct staff to prepare resolutions to adopt Management Partners, Inc.’s recommendations for City Council internal control policies in their report “City of Oxnard, California Internal Control – Integrated Framework Council Policies and Administrative Implementation Guidelines.” This report was prepared to address critical audit findings by the City’s independent auditor in connection with its work on the City’s Single Audit.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Deanne Purcell Phone: (805) 200-5400
Former Finance Director and current consultant Dave Millican made the presentation. The city was dinged badly for lack of internal controls by the City’s financial and operational audit (by one of his employers, Management Partners, as well as city staff,. in the past. The State Controller got involved, audited the City’s Auditor’s approach and now demands regular reports.
There rally wasn’t much of an internal controls system in place
Dave Millican-
City has struggled with high employee turnover, systems and other problems. It needs to rebuild its reputation.
Sponsoring organizations of the Treadway Committee were used. These are recommended internal controls, the structure recommended by the State Controllers Office. Avoids reinventing the wheel, are widely accepted and training/expertise is more readily available. Needs a competent, ethical and accountable staff to work successfully. He said i these were in place the last ten years, they would have avoided the troubles the city went through (with Finance).
He recommended relevant performance standards for the City Manager and financial executive.
Public Comment
Gerard Kapuscik- Supports proposal. The real aspect of govt is to steer. Not just insurance or financial risk- but operational risk. Need stds of performance, continuous operational improvements. Require s top down and bottom up approach. Nee performance assessment- top on Council’s priorities.
Council Comments
Perello- Re: Treadway Commission. Performance of City Mgr and atty. He is happy that will be included.
Ramirez- has general anxiety about natural disaster risk preparedness. Need reserves, training, but can’t totally prepare. Also cyber security. Staff- turnover. Excellent proposal.
Madrigal- This, Kapuscik, is just “public policy 101”. He majored in this. Need to do it.
(City Mgr.) Nguyen- Lot of work to be done.Thanks to Milliken. Read original Management Partners report. Performance integrity, ethics, professional pride most important. We are asking you (Council) to improve policy. Action plans will follow.
Approved 4-0
N-4- SUBJECT: Award Contract for Auto Center Commercial Neighborhood Street Resurfacing Project PW 17-07 (5/5/5)
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Award and authorize the Mayor to execute Agreement A-8088 in the amount of $1,560,856 for the Auto Center Commercial Neighborhood Street Resurfacing Project PW 17-07 with Toro Enterprises, Inc.;
2. Approve $156,085 for Project contingency for the Auto Center Commercial Neighborhood Street Resurfacing Project PW 17-07;
3. Approve $156,085 for construction engineering, inspection, survey and project management for the Auto Center Commercial Neighborhood Street Resurfacing Project PW 17-07; and
4. Approve an appropriation of $92,000 from the Street Maintenance Fund (105) for the Auto Center Commercial Neighborhood Street Resurfacing Project PW 17-07.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Rosemarie Gaglione Phone: (805) 385-8055
Public Comments
Pat Brown- definitely need that street fixed- it is getting sooo bad.
Approved 4-0
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N5- Rice Avenue at Fifth Street Grade Separation Design Contract (5/5/5)
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Award, and authorize the Mayor to execute when finalized, Agreement No. A-8094 with WKE, Inc. to complete the plans, specification and estimates (PS&E) for the Rice Avenue at Fifth Street Grade Separation Project in the amount of $5,354,840; and
2. Approve the attached budget Appropriation in the amount of $13,929,000, recognizing grant $12,406,000 from State TCEP grant funds and $1,523,000 from Federal Transportation Multi-Year Grants Fund 275 to Project #133101, Rice Avenue at 5th Street Grade.
3. Authorized the City Manager or his designee to amend the budget of TCEP grants funds based on actual award by phase of work once grant agreement is fully executed.
Legislative Body: CC Contact: Rosemarie Gaglione Phone: (805) 385-8055
Sufficient grants were received to do much of the work to improve intermodal access to the Port of Hueneme. Total cost will be $79 million. Only one bidder, WKE. Millions more in grant applications pending. Council discussion stressed convincing voters that SB1 is needed and shouldn’t be repealed without violating the law on advocacy.
SHOW FUNDING SLIDES
Public Comment
Dan Pinedo- Ask Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin to try to acquire funding to widen critical artery Rice Ave. get support of other govt. entities.
Steve Nash- “Safe transportation of energy” reminds him of big oil. Will accepting their grant be making a deal with the devil and signing away our ability to regulate cargoes. Answer: we have little leeway on specifying what can happen but can improve safety with the money.
Pat Brown- Disagree with taking Rice interchange money and transferring it to Rice Road. Want to re-route through traffic passing through downtown to Rice Ave. Need Rice Ave Interchange regardless.
Approved 4-0
Final public comment not on agenda.
Steve Nash- Objects to public domain release of 3D printing of guns.
George Miller is Publisher/Co-Founder of Citizensjournal.us and a “retired” operations management consultant, active in civic affairs, living in Oxnard.
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