Ventura City Council Meeting
July 26, 2010
Ventura City Hall - 501 Poli Street
Council learns of a dangerous pest that could be coming to Ventura County -- the Asian Citrus Psyllid; Main Item -- Council approves Public Works recommendations for improving water conservation and coping with groundwater issues, while also finding that Ventura is at an environmental crossroads with stakeholder groups including watershed coalitions and partnerships.
To view a list of agenda items for the July 26 meeting, go to http://www.cityofventura.net/meeting/city-council-meeting-4
Mayor Fulton called the council meeting to order with the city clerk calling the roll – Council Member Morehouse was not present. Spectators were then invited to join the council members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. There were no special presentations or announcements.
The closed session report yielded no reportable actions. City Council Communications – Mr. Monahan announced that the Fair Parade would be held on August 7 beginning at Cemetery Park with the reviewing stand taking place at Dargon's Restaurant. Music Under the Stars at the Olivas Adobe featured reggae music, and a good time was had by all.
A representative of the Southern California Edison Company's Direct Install program for small businesses came under discussion as small businesses were inspected in the downtown area. It was also noted that the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall on August 26 will be set up in Ventura at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park. Information is available by calling 649-3283. It was also requested that Former Mayor Dora Wright of Port Hueneme be remembered at the close of the meeting.
Council Member Weir is on the board of the Ventura Music Council, and reported on events from the Oxnard Salsa Festival. The councilwoman also reported on progress in the 2-1-1 information hotline system.
The mayor announced a blood drive to be held in the Topping Room at the Foster Library this coming Thursday and Friday, the 29th and 30th from 2:00 p.m to 8 p.m, – either a commemorative T-shirt, a concert ticket or a Chili's skillet appetizer will be offered as incentives. A book sale this Saturday outside the Wright Library building will also be held.
Regional Boards and Commissions – Council Member Andrews reported on the Strategy meeting of the Community Advanced Partnership, stating that an essential component of the Naval Base is the test range – range operations has been compromised by actions and rule changes by the California Air Resources Board. The board adopted a rule in 2009 affecting all ships traveling within 24 miles of the coast. Tests at the range must be called off during specified hours due to the loading of oil and crude on passing ships. The Air Resources Board recognized their error and modified the rule through additional rulemaking. The council member stated that rulemaking affecting cargo ships will directly affect jobs in Ventura County.
SB 375 was designed to ameliorate greenhouse gases, and a workshop on the issue is to be held in Ventura. Council Member Brennan spoke concerning the county being out of compliance with the amount of particulate matter is being added to the atmosphere.
Consent Items – there were six to be discussed, these corresponding to Agenda Items Nos. 1 through 6. There were no public speakers and so the council was asked for a motion. Council Member Tracy moved that Agenda Items 1 through 6 be approved. Roll was taken with all members voting yes – the items passed unanimously.
New policy – the Asian Citrus Psyllid problem was discussed – a dangerous pest. John Krist was invited to speak on the subject both as a specialist and as CEO of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County. The threat is ongoing and represents a problem to both farm and homeowner. The threat takes two forms – a bacterial agent and also the carrier … the Asian Citrus Psyllid which feeds on plant juices, thereby transmitting the bacterial agent to the next plant. The pest is currently in Mexico and is moving toward California. The most recent infestation was in Van Nuys and had been transported there through careless commercial activity.
In 2005 the disease was found in Miami Florida and is now thought to be established in the state. Florida has lost one quarter million acres of citrus to the pest. Florida may be out of the citrus business by 2015, according to Mr Krist. Citrus products in Ventura County account for 25% of the irrigated acreage. Quarantines will be required once the psyllids become established. A public awareness program, including the distribution of brochures, has been instituted, and the public is being asked to cooperate.
Council Member Monahan asked whether or not there is a private inventory of trees locally such as within small orchards in backyards. The answer was that there are none. A slide presentation showed a photo of the pest along with a view of the infestation. The public is urged to call the Farm Bureau at the first sign of a population. 1-800-491-1899.
The mayor moved that the council help the Farm Bureau in their efforts. A voice vote followed with the “ayes” having it.
Item No. 8 – a workshop on the state of water resources in Ventura – City Manager Cole introduced Ron Calkins, Public Works Director for Ventura, who coordinated the presentation and suggested that prevention is the best medicine. A new comprehensive look at wastewater and storm water planning was the intent of this introductory discussion.
Ron further introduced Public Works Staff members Rick Raives, Susan Rungren and Wastewater Supervisor Dan Pfeifer, – with “their efforts since the last drought having served us well,” according to Mr. Calkins. State regulatory agencies are pushing for trade-offs, and Ventura is committed to cooperate.
Point number one, “Lay of the Land” – point number two, “Threats and Challenges.”
Ventura's water system is local – no imports, full-service and has a complex infrastructure. Ventura's wastewater system is also a full-service plant. The extensive storm water runoff is not treated before reaching the ocean. Accomplishments include reliable $90 million water services, $30 million waste water services and $7 million storm water services.
Water conservation was shown in five-year increments with population being plotted against usage, showing also that current water usage as compared to past usage has been dropping. Business efficiencies were shown as a function of energy conservation – operational efficiencies and external operations audits had saved one and a half million dollars in energy costs.
Ventura is at an environmental crossroads with stakeholder groups including watershed coalitions and partnerships, it was said. A determination of the threats and challenges include water rights, groundwater quality, wastewater effluent and infrastructure stability. These must be dealt with as individual challenges.
The water supply from the Ventura River contains issues of Steelhead protection and storm damage. Storms have damaged intake facilities and the Steelhead must be treated as an endangered species.
The groundwater supply has issues brought up by the Oxnard Plain basin, the Santa Paula basin and the Mound basin. Pumping allocations are controlled by issues surrounding volume limitations and pump charges. The lake Casitas supply has issues involving limits of 6000 AFY.
The first recommendation involved resource policies that originated in the 1990s. Recommendations were developed under new water resources policy documents. It was said that we should not charge ratepayers for improvements in ground water policy. The second phase included water rights involving conversion of land usage and rights from new development, with recommendations that include the development of ordinances to protect water rights.
The third challenge involved pumping rights and fees which are now $740,000 a year. It was said that disruptions in service to the public could occur.
The fourth challenge centered around groundwater quality. Ventura's water is often complained about because of dissolved solids and minerals. The degree to which taste and scale is a problem depends upon location. West Ventura uses the Ventura River – Mid-city uses river resources plus groundwater – East Ventura receives treated groundwater only. The minimum groundwater mineral content is sometimes exceeded, and groundwater quality will be undergoing further study.
Challenge number five deals with state water. Ventura has never used state water but it was said that “maybe we need to anticipate partnering with the state.”
The sixth issue was wastewater effluent, wherein a $1 million special study has looked into assessing the impact. Two environmental groups have questioned Ventura's practice of discharging into the estuary.
The seventh item involved infrastructure stability. Water pipes in Ventura are aging with many pipes now reaching 100 years old. Ventura should be spending $500 million over the next 50 years to replace aging pipes, and new financial planning will be critical for the future.
Focus for the future – water conservation. The state reduction of 20% should occur by 2020. A water efficient landscape ordinance should be forthcoming as an adopted measure. Another opportunity relates to cleaner storm water. The last relates to waste management and collection systems from businesses having large amounts of food waste and grease being introduced into the outflow.
A recommendation would be to direct further investigation into a new waste-to-energy program for grease and food wastes. The summary included five points – environmental sustainability, water efficiency, infrastructure stability, financial viability and community understanding and support.
It was said that the preceding were “macro” goals. “Micro” goals would include developing new water resources policies – “water efficiency,” along with “financial viability” and “environmental sustainability.” The workshop presentation ended with the speaker thanking the city council.
The mayor reiterated that this is only the beginning of a conversation as an introduction to the city and its residents over the issues.
Council discussion – Council Member Weir remarked that water usage has declined but it was unclear whether agricultural use was included. The answer – agricultural water was not considered. The United Water Conservation District does the bulk of that work, whereas the city does not participate. The point was made that grease trap waste is being captured in some cities and sold at a profit. Ventura will go farther by including food waste as well. Council Member Weir also asked about rainwater collection and cisterns. Rainwater collection was not specifically addressed in the current conversation.
Council Member Monahan, noting that the city is divided into roughly 3 sections, asked which section is most affected by the aftertaste within the groundwater – the answer was the East end.
Council Member Andrews commented on the state water program, noting that there are contractual obligations that would be difficult to terminate. The question was asked concerning the capacity of the well at the East end, and it was whether or not contractors obligations are meeting that which has been promised. Council Member Andrews expressed concern over further conservation measures that may be required over and above 20% in the next 10 years, and the answer came as a measure of the degree of success – or lack thereof – that can be achieved through extra conservation outside the home.
Council Member Brennan noted the unusual spike in water usage in Y 2000, but there was no definitive answer to the question other than to note that the area had experienced drought conditions during the runup to the period.
Two public speakers were available – the first being Melody Baker – with her suggestion that we are still watering concrete. Sprinklers in the parks are not functioning efficiently, and her concern was mainly on water waste issues.
The next speaker, Dan, was concerned over the 8000 acre feet of water available from Casitas which has been reduced to 6000 acre feet. He wondered about the differential. He further questioned the lapse in detection of water quality issues as the well is being drilled.
“Putting in water wells is as much of an art as a science,” was the Ron's reply to Dan as an explanation for the lack of quality control prior to drilling. Ron stated again that our water use has dropped 20% per person over the past 10 years, representing residential use for the most part.
Council Member Andrews spoke again talking about the Montalvo plant and the fact that it is obsolete, and that a new plant should be put in while also wondering about the feasibility for replacement. The answer was that the location is not the most optimal for rebuilding. Mr. Andrews commented on the reclamation process, and believed that we've been drinking “toilet water” for centuries – even millennia – and that a new thinking is required in order to overcome obstacles to the solution.
Council Member Andrews moved that the staff recommendations be adopted – a seconding followed. City manager Cole asked to be recognized, commenting on the fact that constituents and retail customers need to be brought on board, and the city has the obligation to make clear the objectives and goals before asking them to pay.
Mr. Monahan asked of the city manager whether North Ventura Avenue customers were currently part of Casitas water, and if so, whether they would be brought into the Ventura system. The answer was that Ventura would be serving customers from the North Ventura area.
Council Member Weir spoke about landscaping water, and echoed Melody Baker's point about waste over lawn watering in the parks. The answer was that adjustments are to be considered for the future. She also noted that the Visitor Center at Santa Clara and California offers visitors water that has been collected from the air. She indicated she would support the motion.
The Mayor appealed to the audience to continue their excellent self-sustaining conservation Policy
The roll was called on Item No. 8 – all voting yes with passage of the measure.
Item No.9 – New Quarterly Measures – City Manager Cole introduced the item, but not wishing to discuss extensively to an empty council chamber – while hoping to cover the essentials in a workshop setting. Goals and roles for the quarterly measures issue can be, and has been, difficult to manage properly through cuts in budget and other issues. Mr. Cole noted that this issue has not been the best this year. The Mayor suggested that Staff could be directed to study the issue further.
Melody Baker spoke regarding the performance measures, commenting upon police response times in the downtown area. Her view was that slow responses are not due to reductions in staff but in lax attitudes on the part of the police.
Council Member Monahan expressed concern over prioritizing the safe housing collaborative. This issue was dropped.
Council Member Andrews asked about the creative environment community and Elena answered, citing an activity poll that yielded 3.4 library books per capita prior to the closing of Wright Library. Mr. Andrews was concerned about fleet fuel usage, inasmuch as targets were missed. Ron responded by explaining that new tools were being used by managers to regulate fuel usage. More miles traveled factored into the answer as well.
The city manager requested information on fuel consumption for nonservice vehicles, with the response indicating that increased hybrid vehicle usage has helped the situation. Mr. Andrews continued with energy use numbers that were also missed. The answer included the fact that the closing of buildings during certain working hours is contributing to additional savings. Another issue – disruption in water services – was questioned in relation to water main breakages and other failures. Ron responded that the aging water system is contributing greatly to the problem. Mr. Andrews also questioned the off-target number in storm drain budgeting.
Council Member Weir asked about transit ridership and the numbers compared June 2009, with the mayor claiming that those riderships are up. Mr. Cole noted that the only numbers not showing are from June 2010, but those will be forthcoming. The “downtown” signage off the 101 has not been resolved, with Jeff answering that the sign is under construction. Then on Volunteer Ventura it was noted that a new budget is required.
Deputy Mayor Tracy moved that the Council accept Staff recommendations, with a following second. The Mayor had a question for Elena – her answer – the Library Commission does report an increase in traffic at the Saticoy Library, The Mayor recognized Council Member Andrews who wanted to express concern over police and fire response times.
It was noted that Former Mayor Tinkstrom suffered a stroke this weekend, who personally expressed to Mr. Monahan his dismay over the slow response time by paramedics in his own case.
The city clerk called the roll on Agenda Item No. 9 – the the issue passed unanimously.
A public speaker session was opened with Patti Thomas addressing the council – she asked that the council consider re-opening Wright Library. Her suggestion was to move operations from the Saticoy Library into Wright. Another issue concerned an informational step or procedure to help the public submit agenda items for the council to consider.
In closing Public Communications Melody Baker spoke again reminding the council and all present of the Ventura County Homeless Veterans Stand-down, which will be held at the Ventura Armory this weekend, Friday through Sunday.
Dora Wright, a former council member, was remembered at the close of the meeting.