Ventura City Council Meeting
February 7, 2011
Ventura City Hall - 501 Poli Street
It was that time again – time for the State of the City Address to be delivered by the mayor. Council Chambers was bursting to hear Mayor Bill Fulton speak about "The Way Forward" and acknowledge the good works of local organizations and individuals while stating that the city is in good financial shape and that the budget is balanced. On a slightly less optimistic note, however, he articulated the fact that our current reduced level of public service expenditure is not sustainable. We have not made as full a range of tough choices as we might have, stated the mayor. It was his claim, on the other hand, that future cuts will not be as painful as will be those of cities that have not attacked the problem as aggressively as we have. A brief reception was held at the conclusion of the address, followed by the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
The mayor graciously expressed his appreciation to City Manager Cole, Police Chief Ken Corney, Fire Chief Kevin Rennie, Community Development Director Jeff Lambert, department heads and all Staff members who contribute and appear regularly before Council. The mayor said that because of increased pension costs we may not be able to resume the level of services that we are accustomed to enjoying. Sacrifice on the part of employees is essential, according to the mayor. He thanked John Snowling and Dawn Taylor, along with Joe Herreras from Public Works, Doug Mizer of the firefighters and Director of Human Resources, Jenny Rony.
The mayor continued by claiming that it is not possible for the “city council seven” to solve all the city’s problems in keeping with the expectations of residents and voters, then quickly moving on to praise the Ventura Chamber of Commerce for having “reinvented itself.” He recognized the chamber members’ level of effort, asking Marty Grupp and Sandra Burkhardt to stand and be acknowledged.
“In these tough times,” the mayor said, “volunteerism is essential,” noting that the First Volunteer Summit was held this past year in the atrium at City Hall. A corps of 200 new volunteers by year’s end was realized. The city is working with nonprofit organizations to pool resources, said the mayor. Urban Encore is an example of an organization that helped save a senior program in Ventura, with the mayor then thanking Dave Armstrong for his efforts.
The Ventura Botanical Gardens was mentioned along with recognition of Doug Halter for his work in helping to bring the plan to utilize Grant Park into fruition. The nonprofit Sustainability Center has provided us with10 nonprofits as organizations, and has helped maintain their services. Focus on the Masters – The Ventura Film Society – Turning Point Foundation, all were recognized, including Donna Granada, Lorenzo de Sefano and Clyde Reynolds for their services along with congratulations for their success.
A wide variety of buildings has been opened along with the Kingdom Center, phase 1 of the Ventura County Museum’s expansion project, the Smith Events Center, the E.P. Foster Library, El Canto Del Mar and People's Self-Help Housing – all eliciting praise as outstanding over the course of a single year, with the mayor going on to characterize the accomplishment as “remarkable.”
An excellent holiday shopping season was had during 2010. Yet another event of note – the Ventura Deep Six Open Water Relay Team swam over 200 miles in the Pacific Ocean, beating the world record formerly held by the Australians.
Ventura’s defining moment was 2010, according to the mayor, but changing the way forward shall be the new mantra for 2011. We must focus on two interrelated goals – we must work with all of you to gain an enduring prosperity – we must use that prosperity to maintain and enhance our quality of life. Then in speaking to the specifics, the mayor spoke of prosperity thusly: “Prosperity must reinvent itself continually in order to remain vibrant.” The goal will be to prosper while retaining our small-town feel, the mayor said.
We tend to talk about arts and creativity, the mayor said, and yet we wonder if this will create prosperity. The fast-growing creative and innovative economy must incorporate elements such as the creativity of performance, publishing, and fashion to name a few – all fast growing sectors – and it is our duty to create and nurture these artistic outlets. We’ve increased our visibility with Hollywood through our own Ventura Film Festival and the production of a world-class feature by Meredith Pollack, a local artist. We are home to a growing number of writers and producers with the potential to help us in our efforts to prosper. The mayor mentioned the highly respected Brooks Institute as a school dedicated to videography and filmmaking. The President of the institution was feted, Susan Kirkland.
Other business leaders including Larry Rasmussen of Rasmussen Associates were praised for their contributions to Ventura's reputation in the area of architectural design. “The creative economy is important but not all important,” said the mayor. The worldwide “innovation economy” is equally if not more important, serving as the engine of the global economy. Strong local innovators must be encouraged, the audience was told. The city doesn't have to be big to prosper, said the mayor, as many of our leaders in this area hail from the small city model.
So far, 19 startup businesses have sprung from this incubator that we are sponsoring here in Ventura, according to the mayor. One of the most successful is Trade Desk with Jeff Green, the founder, who has helped to raise his business from the third floor all the way to the fifth floor at 505 Poli. All the entrepreneurs in the incubator were also thanked, as a reception invitation went out to the visiting public and all the participants in the prosperity group.
Businesses must be financed locally within the entrepreneurial process, said the mayor. John and Dan Peet of Peet Ventures were mentioned as being the financial eyes and ears of Ventura. Another sector of great consequence can be found within the medical and biotech fields which, it must be noted, rank high in our community through the advanced medical care available in our two fine hospitals. The mayor mentioned the Community Memorial Hospital renovation project, which will help revitalize business in the Five Points area. Biotech entrepreneurs will bring jobs and wealth to Ventura through these efforts. Gary Wilde, CEO of CMH, was mentioned and thanked.
“The purpose of building prosperity is to put public, private and philanthropic money together,” it was said. Our long partnership with the Ventura Unified School District helps create high performance in the school system. The mayor also promised that the Westside pool will get built.
“Here we have the city council,” said the mayor, which has been “forced” to reduce services to the neighborhoods, recognizing that this is counter to the needs and desires of the public. A neighborhood summit is planned for this coming Spring, which will be a first ever.
“We must be inclusive,” it was said, ensuring that all persons are included in the plan for prosperity, including Americans With Disabilities. The mayor thanked Sharon Minkler for being an inspiration to those who are disabled.
We are a city of history incorporated in 1866 – among 481 cities in California where only 22 are older. We will celebrate our sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) 1,180 days from today, we were reminded. April 2, 2016 will see a city that has successfully integrated its creativity and fulfilled its dedication to education, making it the best small city in California.
The mayor asked for things to be done – form a group of community leaders to fulfill the effort toward 2016 – what are the things we must do – every single day getting those things done and crossing items off the list until Ventura becomes the greatest place to live in Southern California. Make every day count, the mayor said. The mayor completed his address by thanking all the citizens of our community.
A recess was called with retirement to the third floor of 505 Poli Street, where there was a short half-hour reception.
Special Presentations and Announcements – the monthly Mayor for a Moment was Kaylee Dolan, a fifth-grade student from Elmhurst Elementary, who delivered an essay on “Cooperation.” Kaylee took the dais escorted by her father, Bill Dolan, a Ventura City police officer. The young essayist began by saying that when you cooperate you can help others in need. When a young friend had cancer, there were people who cooperated to help through hard times. People also cooperate to solve problems. A “stop-the-bully” program was instituted at her school and was a success. Many things can happen if we cooperate, she said, and we can make the world a better place for everyone.
The mayor also presented young Kaylee with a key to the city and a personal pin for her to wear. Council Member Monahan observed that her address was perhaps even better than the mayor's State of the City address.
Lynne Jacobs, former Chair of the Planning Commission and who had served Gov. Schwarzenegger in the state Housing and Development program, was honored before the council. The mayor thanked Lynne for service to Ventura and the state of California. She spoke briefly saying that funding for 100,000 houses throughout the state and other state projects occurring on her watch, along with the passage of SB 375.
As a dedicated volunteer and this month’s recipient of Community Motivator Award, Dave Armstrong, the mayor said, has done great volunteer work for the betterment of our community in the last year or two – taking over and running the DVO under recruitment – also working with Urban Encore. The mayor presented Dave with a plaque and thanked him for his service. Dave spoke boosting the mayor's comments on the efforts toward the 150th anniversary of the city.
Mr. Brennan went on to say that the city is partnering with agencies to raise awareness for solar energy, where on February 17 a free class will be conducted at City Hall emphasizing programs for rebates that are available for solar installation projects. Details of the event can be found on the City of Ventura website – www.cityofventura.net.
The mayor mentioned the monthly meetings of the Midtown Community Council, which are on Thursday nights at Grace Methodist Church, with this Thursday night featuring at City Manager Cole as guest who will talk about next year’s budget which the city manager will put forth in May.
Regional Boards, Commissions and Committees – the mayor attended the Regional Transportation Committee meeting on Friday last, taking over as the chair of that body, and reporting on the proposed name change from the current Montalvo Metrolink station to become the East Ventura station. The action will become official upon a printing of the new schedule, according to the mayor. State sales taxes will be up “a lot” for public transportation in the coming budget. March 9 will see a public hearing on transportation for the city with the public being encouraged to respond.
On news from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Council Member Morehouse stated that there was a lot of discussion centering on the governor's plan to eliminate redevelopment agencies. An interesting item – the one time $1.7 billion one-time basis general fund money will be directed toward Medi-Cal and trial courts. He thought that was a bit frustrating and perhaps posturing. The transportation issues were raised by the councilman including transit rider issues, the continuing delay for the renewal of safety laws ( a.k.a., Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act, or SAFTEA) – A Legacy for Users – or SAFETEA-LU). Citizens were urged to contact either Gallegly or Capps, mentioning House Rule 21, where this could amount to $600 million of funding, meaning that money we need will be coming out of federal and state budgets. “Help us help you,” the councilman said, by finding our what is happening to “safety-lu” and tracking what is happening with HR 21.
Public communications – there will be 13 speakers, meaning that there will be approximately a half an hour of public comment.
Council Member Brennan thanked her for bringing up the issue, with the speaker then noting in response that there will be 24 apartments reserved specifically for farm workers which have been approved by the city as a project to address the need. Council Member Morehouse joined in his praise of the farm workers tour, saying that “there will be jobs here but not real high paying jobs. There will be service jobs and jobs within the agricultural community, but unfortunately, not high-paying.
Consent Items – there were four items on the agenda: the Minutes – the Monthly Report Back Schedule – the Resolution of Intention to Abandon Glen Street, Portions of Cabrillo Drive, and Unnecessary Utility Easements in the Community Memorial Hospital District Area – and the Market Street Area Waterline and Callens Road Sewer Replacement Project Advertisement for Bids. The mayor asked for items to be pulled – Council Member Brennan moved that the council approve the items. With a second having been obtained the roll was taken and the motion passed unanimously.
There were no public speakers remaining in Council Chambers, it was noted, thus affording Councilman Morehouse the opportunity to offer a small correction to Council Member Andrews, who neglected to say that the Chinese “Lunar” New Year is what is approaching, and that it is the Year of the Cat … not the Rabbit as was alluded to earlier.
Council Member Weir noted that at the Sidecar Restaurant (available for the next 45 minutes) there was to be a fundraiser for the Music Festival along with entertainment and good food.
The mayor stated that with no further items for the evening, Council would stand adjourned.