Ventura Commenter

VTA Council Meeting, February 13, 2012

Fifth grade student Sienna Long from the Sunset Elementary School presented her winning essay on the subject of cooperation. Principal Kelsey Simms and teacher Jennifer Bundy were on hand to support the young fifth grader upon her having submitted the winning composition in Ventura Unified School District’s Character Development Program, culminating in City Council's own "Mayor for a Moment" approbation ceremony.

The State of the City, 2012

VTA Council Meeting, February 6, 2012

"We could speak at length about things have changed in the city over the last 50 years," said Mayor Tracy after a few opening remarks, "but some of the luster associated with being the county seat during the boom years of Southern California has faded." The mayor, a lifelong Venturan, went on to say that in his earliest days back in the mid '70s with the Ventura Police Department, Ventura was one of the safest cities in the county, but that this is no longer the case.

The Bring America Home Act

The National Coalition for the Homeless – Co-sponsor, U.S. Congress

The Bring America Home Act (BAHA, H.R. 4347 in the 109th Congress) is a legislative proposal of the National Coalition for the Homeless. U.S. Representative Julia Carson (D-IN) was strengthening the bill when she passed away in late 2007. NCH is now preparing the bill for re-introduction in the 111th Congress.

The 100% Summit – A Tale of Two Counties

"Bridging the Widening Gaps in Ventura County"

Four speakers were slated along with Emcee and Steering Committee Chairman Doug Green who got the ball rolling by elaborating on the title selection, “The 100% Solution – A Tale of Two Counties.”

VTA Council Meeting, January 23, 2012

Councilman Neal Andrews reported from his position on the State Policy Committee on Employee Relations that discussions at the January meeting did not go far enough in moving toward defined contribution as the preferred method for funding public pensions, and also that the "restructuring" of retirement benefits for current public employees remains a top priority.

VTA Council Meeting, January 9, 2012

Fifth grade student Wyatt Meckelborg from the Juana Maria Elementary School presented his winning essay on the subject of punctuality. Principal Gina Walowicz and teacher Mr. Anderson were on hand to support the young fifth grader upon his having submitted the winning composition in Ventura Unified School District’s Character Development Program, culminating in City Council's own "Mayor for a Moment" approbation ceremony.

VTA Council Meeting, December 12, 2011

Awards were presented before Council to winners of the 8th Annual City Photography Contest, sponsored by Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships Departments. Winners were Tracy Lee, Robert Garvin, Michael Kims, Jim Sully, John Ferrito, John Osumi, John Witt, Jack Keogh, Kathleen Goode and Bethany Thankhauser.

VTA Council Meeting, December 5, 2011

Ventura's City Council voted Council Member Mike Tracy in as the new Mayor of Ventura. Voted in as Deputy Mayor was Cheryl Heitmann.

One City - One Meal 2011

The Fourth Annual Thanksgiving dinner held surprises not only for the scope of the event, but also for its elegance. White tablecloths with a metallic banderole through the center graced a seating area for 600 people, all able to be served simultaneously by a virtual “army” of wait-persons. The Ventura County Fairgrounds hosted the most successful "One City, One Meal" to date -- 1000 (or more) happy Thanksgiving campers arrived to kick off the winter holiday season with a real bang.

The Salvation Army spearheaded the event this year along with major assistance from the Rotary Club of Ventura. [...]

VTA Council Meeting, November 14, 2011

Library Strategic Plan – Jackie Griffin from Ventura County Library Services spoke offering perspectives. "Ventura County Library is pleased to be part of the process," said Ms. Griffin. It was claimed that a great amount service is being provided county residents vis-à-vis the amount of money that has been invested. In terms of the Eastside, conversations have been centering on the Saticoy area where services are dispensed out of a double wide trailer. A shopping center at Darling and Wells may see the opening of a retail center, which could support a library facility.

VTA Council Meeting, October 24, 2011

Council had previously instructed the staff to come back with specific recommendations for funding the third year commitment to carrying over the Fire Station No. 4 operating costs covered in the first two years under SAFER Grant funding. Council’s first hearing on the issue had determined that $1.2 million divided into three $400,000 segments plus additional revenue and savings measures in other parts of the budget could fund the contract obligation through an additional $1.2 million. The city manager said that as we spoke two weeks ago, the “options have severely narrowed.”.

VTA Council Meeting, October 17, 2011

Mayor for a Moment – The monthly segment where a VUSD fifth grader is selected to occupy the Mayoral Seat within Council Chambers and asked to read aloud his or her winning essay. Winner for this month, chosen by Principal Wes Wade, was Poinsettia Elementary School student Mason King for his essay on the topic of Self Control. Parents Everett and Shelly King were present, along with teacher Lisa Hardwell, to witness the presentation.

VTA Council Meeting, October 10, 2011

Fire Chief Kevin Rennie likened the city's latest grant acquisition to something like hitting the lottery. The SAFER Grant (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) has awarded the city – thanks to the proactive effort on the part of Chief Rennie and his staff – the entire amount requested, $2.4 million for two years with the city’s commitment to fund a third-year. This award funds the reopening of Fire Station #4. The facts in the case proved to be an outrageously compelling story to the grant reviewers. They found that Ventura Fire is providing service in 2011 with 1974 staffing levels [1974; 63 personnel; 2000 calls; 50,000 population] vs. [2010; 63 personnel; 11,500 calls; 100,000 population] and yet incredibly enough, it remains to be seen whether or not this City Council will accept.

VTA Council Meeting, September 26, 2011

On June 28 2011, Governor Brown signed into law AB 1X 26 (“Dissolution Act”) and the companion AB 1X 27 (“Voluntary Alternative Redevelopment Program”). Then on July 18th 2011, the League of Cities and California Redevelopment Association filed suit in California Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the bills. Before the council was the Remittance Agreement, only part of a much more complex item considering the California Supreme Court case which is pending. The law does allow the city to use its low income redevelopment funds to make those payments to the state, and with the city’s funds not being sufficient, a set of findings must be approved to show why those funds are not sufficient.

A Homelessness Manifesto

F. William Bracy

It's all about people. . .millions of them, now reaching into the billions. What are we going to do with them all? Will there be enough food and water? Who will live and who will die? Is prayer the answer? These are big questions, but are they the questions the vast majority of us care about? What we're about to do here is feed the faith-based community a little of its own medicine. How? It begins with what you have already recognized as Matthew 25:40.

VTA Council Meeting, July 18, 2011

The focus of the meeting was on the first reading of the "Granny Flat" Amnesty Ordinance, and the second reading of the Building Records Disclosure Ordinance, which was to be the final reading of that ordinance, and with Council being given the opportunity to vote on the associated user fees.

VTA Council Meeting, July 11, 2011

Safety Enhancements: U.P.R.R. /Hwy 101 R.R. Trestle - Rebecca Mendoza, Ass’t City Attorney, stated that issues have been discussed with respect to the so-called "NuGard" graffiti deterrent devices. The railroad may choose to remove the shields for reasons of maintenance or inspection, resulting in a $40,000 cost liability to the city. Another issue of concern would be indemnification of the railroad even at their negligence. The city would be required to concede to the power of federal law over local ordinances regarding graffiti, absolving the railroad of responsibility for cleaning or graffiti removal on a permanent basis.

VTA Council Meeting, June 20, 2011

Second Unit Amnesty Ordinance w/Code Enforcement Lien and User Fees Resolutions ~ Andrew Stuffler, Chief Building Official, was invited forward for the staff report, introducing Sue Taylor, Code Enforcement Supervisor, and Jeff Lambert, Community Development Director, returning to City Council upon request from the May 9 meeting. The resolution for the amnesty fees, however, was not up for formal action by the council. This will come back on July 11 if that is to be the direction delivered by council members.

VTA Council Meeting, June 13, 2011

Formal Item – The Parking Meter Removal Petition. Elaine of Staff said that on May 18 the city clerk received 400 signatures collected from valid, qualified voters, declared to make the petition significant and sufficient for a November election. With Council's approval along with a certificate of sufficiency, Staff is to agendize the item and resubmit to Council on July 11, 2011.

VTA Council Meeting, June 6, 2011

The first City Council Public Hearing on the new Urban Water Management Plan was unveiled as Water Department Director Shana Epstein opened the presentation. Susan Rungren, Principal Engineer Ventura Water, said that there has been a decline in Ventura River water due to environmental issues as well as drought conditions and this means working with others.

VTA Council Meeting, May 16, 2011

Solo Item: The meeting's focus was on California's Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) contract amendment provisions, allowing Council and Staff to proceed with an assortment of labor contracts including Police, Police Management, SEIU units (4) and all benefits resolutions covering the other unrepresented members and employees.

Urban Growth Management and Ecological Sustainability

Gabor Zovanyi

Growth management and Smart Growth initiatives in the United States represent an ongoing process of growth accommodation. Because growth by definition constitutes unsustainable behavior in that it is incapable of being continued or maintained indefinitely, ongoing growth accommodation must be recognized as activity incongruous with advancing the goal of ecological sustainability.

VTA Council Meeting, May 9, 2011

The meeting's focus was on the Second Dwelling Unit Amnesty and Legalization Ordinance. One public speaker said that her property was inherited through family members. The granny flat on the property has meant the possibility of losing the home through noncompliance and with family members who are ill with cancer it makes the situation untenable. The speaker was emotional in speaking of the family problems and was really not able to continue – helped along by a second speaker who stepped in to say that they will be charged $400 per day if the houses cannot be brought into compliance.

VTA Council Meeting, May 2, 2011

Council Member Carl Morehouse spoke on a subject that was said to be budget related, but that involved the city’s caseload situation – specifically, a lawsuit that may hit the city in terms of water. City Attorney Ariel Calonne responded saying that the council as well as the public needs to be aware of certain facts. The city was sued by a group called Wishtoyo Foundation, Ventura CoastKeeper under citizen enforcement sections of the Clean Water Act. The city's operation wastewater treatment is in violation of state and federal law, according to the plaintiff.

VTA Council Meeting, April 19, 2011

Buzz Bonsall, owner of approximately 6,500 acres of land in the Upper Ventura Avenue/La Cañada Larga Valley area, stated that while consultants have affirmed the highest net positive fiscal impact for the City of Ventura on the incorporation of La Cañada Larga Valley and the Upper Avenue ~ besides affirming that an estate tract of large homes would attract business activity ~ in addition to the fact that the valley area is within 5 minutes of downtown ~ that despite all these findings, the property owner recommended that Council proceed with the Westside Project Area Base Plan and return to La Cañada Larga as a separate adgendized item in the future, wishing not to in any way sabotage the development effort currently under consideration.

VTA Council Meeting, April 11, 2011

City Council and Staff deliberated trade-offs inherent in considering approval of a Solar Power Purchase (SPP) program for City Hall. The proposal is based on a 20-year lease – extendable after 20 years – which is an agreement to purchase electricity from the system just as currently purchased from Cal-Ed. Project Benefits, described as: (1) Reduced cost for electricity, $20,000 in year 1 alone – (2) Establishes known rates for 20 years – (3) Creates jobs, 25 minimum – (4) Promotes environmental sustainability/public education – (4.1) Supports the renewable energy industry – (4.2) 210 metric tons reduction in carbon emissions – (4.3) Cooler parking lot.

VTA Council Meeting, April 4, 2011

The General Fund Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget Revenue Workshop. Jay Panzika reported on a workshop on revenue options for next year's budget. A month ago [ March 7, 2011 ] a budget workshop was brought to the council with the request to bring forward additional items to close the budget revenue gap. At that meeting it was revealed that the current budget shortfall is still considered significant at $420,000.

Fixing Cal's Collapsing Hospital Corridor

Bracing for a Seismic Shift in Health Care

Anyone who has asked the question recently, “What’s the state of health care in America?” is almost sure to have been fed the answer, “You know, you just raised a very complex issue.” [Translation, “Sorry son, but you’re about to be hogwashed].”

But As Community Memorial Hospital rebuilds itself into a new, ultramodern medical arts complex, there are also complex questions. It’s nice, it’s new … but is our health care system as vulnerable to collapse as are 417 hospital structures along a North-South corridor that stretches from the San Diego/San Francisco coastline, then Eastward through parts of the great Central Valley? ...

"Achieving Our Vision" – Is it a Mirage?

Op-ed on the Goals of Leadership in Our City.

It would take a good deal of imagination to think that everyone's vision for the future – for prosperity … for growth … for opportunity – could somehow be brought into perfect alignment over a phrase like “Achieving Our Vision.” The first question out of anyone's mouth should be, “Whose vision?” We think that there are not many Venturans who understand what this vision is supposed to represent [...]

One City -- One Meal 2010

Presenting a video diary of "One City -- One Meal," Ventura's Third Annual Thanksgiving day extravangaza of food, fun and friendship among the homeless.

Anyone who may have been expecting a festival atmosphere, certainly wasn't disappointed. The band was kickin', the food was great and multicolored balloons were tethered to almost every child. It was Ventura's 2010 (and Third Annual) One City – One Meal Thanksgiving day extravaganza living up to – and surpassing – all expectations. [...]

The Diary of a Compleat Panhandler

An Op-ed on the Still-Missing American Rose Garden.

There will always be those among us who feel – due to lack of in-situ experience – that they are more enlightened on the subject of homelessness than they really are. Some even end up in positions of power and decision-making, bringing with them a kind of class warfare mentality that does nothing to ease the situation, but in fact has just the opposite effect.

Furthermore, one cannot travel anywhere in the world without encountering the poor, the downtrodden ... the panhandler. As we write this the U.S. economy is losing ground at an ever-faster rate to the economies of China and India [...]

Prop.19's Legal Pot – A Zero-Sum Game

How Marijuana Won't Save California's Economy.

Last week I picked up a newspaper that was lying about in public laundromat, and showed a particular headline to a rather bored-looking couple – the room's only other occupants – who easily could have passed for high school students.

The headline was part of a feature story titled, “How Marijuana Can Save the Economy.” As I held it up for them to read, I asked the question, “Do you think this is true?” They answered in unison,“absolutely!” [...]

Prop. 23's Obstructionist Roots--Koch Industries

Poll Shows a Dead Heat Among California Voters

A recent Los Angeles Times article (http://www.latimes.com) floated the following headline: “Proposition 23 Poll Shows a Dead Heat Among California Voters.” Fact is. . .you can obtain the same 50-50 result by flipping a coin, and yet this is hardly a coin-toss issue. In other words, doesn't hard evidence count for anything? What's happening here?

The Times goes on to say that “California voters [...] remain closely divided on a November ballot measure that would suspend the state's global warming statute,” referring to California's Global Warming Law passed in 2006 [AB 32] which was aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions by power plants, factories and vehicles [...]

10 U.S. Industries That May Never Recover

Jobs That May Never Come Back.

Most folks want other peoples' government to be smaller – not theirs. Well, they'd better be mindful of what they wish for. Like it or not, smaller government is coming to a town near them.

Oh, I forgot – they tend to think first of a smaller Washingtonian government, no doubt. If that means thinking that Social Security should be slashed, for example, wait 'till they see what state officials do with CalPERS, where municipal workers are prohibited from participating in the redundant federal program to begin with.

Float Like a Butterfly

Op-ed on the Rope-A-Dope Neocapitalist Plutocracy

Just when you thought you'd made a full recovery from the Bush Administration's era of sports metaphoria – well, not so fast.

Recovery experts will tell you that you must learn to face your demons, so for those who have forgotten what difficult days those were, think back on a classic from a member of G.W's diplomacy team, Christopher Hill, who said upon emerging from a nukular summit with North Korean officials in Beijing: “. . .it's always like 3 yards, 3 yards, 3 yards. And then it's always 4th and 1, and you make a first down and do 3 more yards.”

If there were boxing metaphors, I don't remember them. The real beauty behind Ali's rope-a-dope strategy, however, is the fact that just like his opponents, the “dope” always believed he was winning...

"Project 50" Helps L.A.'s Homeless

Innovative ways to help L.A.’s homeless

In 2007 Los Angeles County started up a new program with the goal of taking a different look and a different approach to the persistent problem of chronic homelessness in Southern California. The program was “Project 50,” which would identify the 50 most vulnerable and needy members of L.A.’s homeless population through a series of extensive surveys on the streets. The 50 have been identified, reviewed and provided with housing, services and support—but has it helped to keep them off the streets and brought stability back into their lives?

Embattled Public Pension Funds

In the Wake of Scandals, How Will CalPERS Fare?

There’s a class war coming to the world of government pensions.

The haves are retirees who were once state or municipal workers. Their seemingly guaranteed and ever-escalating monthly pension benefits are breaking budgets nationwide.

The have-nots are taxpayers who don’t have generous pensions. Their 401(k)s or individual retirement accounts have taken a real beating in recent years and are not guaranteed. And soon, many of those people will be paying higher taxes or getting fewer state services...

VTA Community Calendar 07/2010

Circus Vargas - July 01, 2010 - July 05, 2010 - Recurring daily.

America's Favorite Big Top Circus is returning to Ventura! Fun family entertainment, starring performers from all over the world, working together under a beautiful striped Big Top in a spectacular extravaganza! Breathtaking Roman Rings, sensational trampoline, brilliant aerial ballet, astounding Olympic high bars, an incredible contortionist, beguiling dogs & cats, Ringmaster and Snake Whisperer Ted McRae ...

"Libertarians" by Robert Slayton,
HuffPost Contributor

It Takes a (Village) Team

There are those who fight to make a city work and function properly … those who would make it work for all, not just a few. And yet as basic as this might seem there’s also a catch. It takes teamwork, and when a team is put in place two things have to happen—team leadership must show direction, and team membership must be willing to follow...

VTA Community Calendar 06/2010

Beach Cleanup Saturday, June 5th, 2010 ~ Volunteers are needed to clean up one of our local popular beaches on Saturday, June 5th, 2010, from 9am to 11am. Students, get those last-minute community service hours in! Join Volunteer Ventura! to help remove litter and clean up one of our most visible and heavily visited local beaches...

Cocktails at Four

The Central City Times, a San Francisco publication that both covers and opines on issues of low income and homeless individuals living in the downtown area, claims a documented statistical breakdown of the homelessness demographic...

One Man's Panhandling

What do you say to the person who holds a cardboard sign that says, “homeless – anything helps,” – one who may even have fought for your freedom...

Homelessness Around the U.S.

National Coalition for the Homeless Met in DC this last Week...