Agenda
[0:09]
CALL TO ORDER:
[0:16]
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
[0:41]
ROLL CALL:
[0:54]
PROCLAMATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS:
[0:58]
Recognition of City Manager Troy Brown upon the Occasion of His Retirement.
[1:05:09]
PUBLIC COMMENT: (Must be physically present in the Council Chambers to speak under this item.)
[2:07:53]
REORDERING OF, AND ADDITIONS TO, THE AGENDA: (Pursuant to Council Rules of Procedure, Section 2.9, Items to be withdrawn from the Consent Calendar shall be identified at this time.)
[2:08:07]
ANNOUNCEMENTS, FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS, AND REPORTS ON MEETINGS/CONFERENCES ATTENDED BY COUNCILMEMBERS AND MAYOR:
[2:23:11]
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
[2:23:13]
Consider Formation of Community Facilities District No. 2025-1 (Beltramo Ranch); Resolution of Formation; Resolution Calling Special Election; Canvassing of Results; Resolution Declaring Election Results; and First Reading of Ordinance Levying Special Tax. Staff Recommendation: 1) Open public hearing, take public testimony, and close the public hearing on formation of CFD No. 2025-1 (Beltramo Ranch); and in the absence of a majority protest, take the following steps: 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-4325, forming Community Facilities District No. 2025-1 (Beltramo Ranch); and 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-4326, calling a special election for qualified electors within CFD No. 2025-1 (Beltramo Ranch); and 4) Conduct the special election and canvass the ballots submitted and announce the results of the landowner special election; and 5) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-4327, declaring the results of the landowner special tax election; and 6) Introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 528, authorizing the levy of a special tax within CFD No. 2025-1 (Beltramo Ranch) and place the Ordinance on the July 2, 2025, City Council meeting for second reading and adoption. (Staff: Jeremy Laurentowski, Parks & Recreation Director) (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)
[2:30:34]
PRESENTATION/ACTION/DISCUSSION:
[2:30:35]
Consider City Manager’s Recommendation for Adoption of Resolution Approving Operating and Capital Improvement Budget for Fiscal Years (FY) 2025/26 and 2026/27; and Consider Resolution Approving the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program for FY 2025/26 - 2029/30. Staff Recommendation: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-4328, approving the Operating and Capital Improvement Budget for the FY 2025/26 and 2026/27; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-4329, approving the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program for FY 2025/26 - 2029/30. (Staff: Troy Brown, City Manager) (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)
[2:41:10]
Consider Proposed Strategies, Goals, and Objectives for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27. Staff Recommendation: Approve the proposed Strategies, Goals, and Objectives for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27. (Staff: PJ Gagajena, Assistant City Manager)
[2:47:45]
Consider Establishment of a City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Marketing and Appointment of Members to the Ad Hoc Committee. Staff Recommendation: Establish a City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Marketing and appoint two members of the City Council to serve on the Ad Hoc Committee. (Staff: PJ Gagajena, Assistant City Manager)
[2:51:14]
Consider Resolution Granting a Temporary Construction Easement to RWC Hitch Ranch, LLC to Enter Into and Perform Certain Construction and Improvement Work on Approximately 23.33 Acres of City-owned Property to Restore and Enhance Habitat for the Benefit of Sensitive Species in Compliance with the Habitat Conservation Plan for the Hitch Ranch Specific Plan Project and Making Findings of Consistency with the Certified Environmental Impact Report for the Hitch Ranch Specific Plan in Connection Therewith, and Rescinding Resolution No. 2025-4316. Staff Recommendation: 1) Consider and adopt Resolution No. 2025-4330, approving the Grant of a Temporary Construction Easement to RWC Hitch Ranch, LLC to enter into and perform certain construction and improvement work on approximately 23.33 acres of City-owned property to restore and enhance habitat for the benefit of sensitive species in compliance with the Habitat Conservation Plan for the Hitch Ranch Specific Plan Project and making a finding of consistency with the Certified Environmental Impact Report for the Hitch Ranch Specific Plan in connection therewith, and rescinding Resolution No. 2025-4316; and 2) Approve the Temporary Construction Easement substantially as to form and authorize the City Manager to execute the Temporary Construction Easement, subject to final terms as determined by the City Manager; and 3) Authorize the City Clerk to file and cause the Temporary Construction Easement to be recorded in the Ventura County Recorder’s Office. (Staff: Doug Spondello, Community Development Director) (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)
[2:57:49]
CONSENT CALENDAR: (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)
[2:58:09]
Consider Resolution Approving an Agreement with the Ventura County Human Services Agency, Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) for Senior Nutrition Program Services. Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-4336 approving an Agreement with the Ventura County Human Services Agency, Area Agency on Aging for the provision of Senior Nutrition Program services and authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement and all related documents, including annual renewals, subject to final language approval of the City Manager. (Staff: Chris Ball, Senior Management Analyst) (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)
[3:07:51]
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Designated Representatives: PJ Gagajena, Assistant City Manager and Carolina Tijerino, Human Resources Manager Represented Employee Organization: Service Employees International Union, ALF-CIO, CLC, Local 721
[3:10:25]
ORDINANCES:
[3:10:28]
CLOSED SESSION:
[3:10:39]
ADJOURNMENT:
Transcript
AI TRANSCRIPT
This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person — it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.
[0:08]
Good evening. I took all to order the regular meeting of the More Park City Council for June 18th, 2025. And Mr. Troy Brown, previously this in the project tonight.
[0:18]
We have to put
[0:21]
your light hand over your heart because
[0:25]
the flag of the United States and America,
[0:28]
and we will be called the Provost's Hand, the Omnination under God.
[0:33]
Give me the door to his song.
[0:34]
With liberty and justice for all.
[0:42]
Would clerk please take roll?
[0:44]
Good evening.
[0:46]
Council Member Barrett.
[0:47]
Present.
[0:47]
Council Member Castro.
[0:48]
Present.
[0:49]
Council Member Daga, a present.
[0:51]
Council Member Meens.
[0:52]
Present.
[0:52]
Mayor Innegrante.
[0:53]
Present.
[0:55]
Next item is four. Proclamation and commendations item 4A is a recognition of City Manager Troy Brown on the occasion of his retirement and recognition of seven years of public service to the city.
[1:06]
Troy, will you please join me in front of the diocese of the council?
[1:10]
Do you want to call it come down now, Dice?
[1:12]
All right.
[1:13]
You
[1:19]
can go off to the walk out of the manner.
[1:20]
There you come.
[1:21]
All right.
[1:49]
You can have it.
[1:52]
I'll retire.
[1:52]
How about that?
[1:54]
Okay, so the way it works is that since you're obviously a very important person, you have
[1:59]
the longest printed out whereas sheet, so we're going to do this, a proclamation honoring
[2:04]
Troy Brown city manager of Moore Park. Whereas Troy Brown has honorably served as a city
[2:09]
manager, the city of Moore Park from March 5, 2018 to June 27, 2025, becoming only the second
[2:16]
individual in the city's history to hold esteemed position.
[2:20]
And whereas during his seven-year tenure, Mr. Brown led the city through numerous transformative
[2:24]
initiatives and unforeseen challenges, including unprecedented in COVID-19 pandemic during
[2:30]
which he inserted the continuity of services and the safety of the more part community and
[2:34]
staff.
[2:35]
And whereas he cultivated the culture of service within City Hall, enhancing public trust
[2:39]
in community relations by prioritizing transparency, accessibility, and responsiveness by remaining
[2:45]
a visible and engaged leader in the community, or as Mr. Brown oversaw the acquisition and
[2:51]
tenant improvements for more parks new city hall for their modernizing and centralizing
[2:55]
government operations to better serve residents, and whereas he guided the development and
[3:00]
refinement of the city's long-term financial plan, ensuring fiscal sustainability for current
[3:05]
and future generations, whereas under his leadership the city completed the comprehensive
[3:10]
update to the city of more park general plan, providing a visionary roadmap for the city's
[3:15]
future growth, land use, and sustainability, and a long awaited Princeton Avenue project.
[3:21]
Whereas during his tenure, the city approved entitlements for over 2,500 new housing units
[3:27]
and spearheaded the revitalization of more park's historic downtown through the High Street Depot
[3:32]
mixed use project and the upgraded North Metro link parking lot.
[3:37]
Whereas Mr. Brown has dedicated over 30 years to public service, previously serving as a city
[3:41]
manager for the city of Tracy, assistant city manager for the city of Livermore, and
[3:46]
holding key roles in the cities of Riverside, Elk Grove, and Santa Clarita.
[3:51]
We're at Mr. Brown as a proud alumnus for the California State University of Northridge,
[3:55]
the BA in Political Science, and California State University, San Bernardino, MPA, and has
[4:01]
exemplified the values of lifelong learning and professional development throughout his career.
[4:05]
And whereas over the course of his distinguished 30-year career, Troy Brown has been steadfast
[4:11]
advocate for the council manager form of government, embodying the principles of ethical
[4:16]
leadership, accountability, and professional public service.
[4:19]
And whereas in 2020, he was elected as the 107th president to the International City County
[4:26]
Management Association, ICMA, exemplifying international leadership and commitment to excellence
[4:33]
and local government.
[4:34]
And whereas Mr. Brown was named the 2025 City Manager of the year by the California City
[4:39]
Management Foundation and recognition of his exemplary service and enduring impact on
[4:44]
the profession.
[4:45]
And now, therefore, the Moore Park City Council does hereby express their deepest gratitude
[4:49]
and admiration to Troy Brown for his outstanding service, visionary leadership, and unwavering
[4:55]
dedication to the residents and employees of Moore Park and wish him continued success
[4:59]
and fulfillment in all future endeavors.
[5:02]
members.
[5:02]
In witness where we have here to set our hands and cause a seal of the city of Moorpark
[5:07]
to be affixed this 18th day of June 2025.
[5:27]
I have the honor of presenting on behalf of every city council member that you have ever
[5:32]
worked with in the last seven years.
[5:34]
We present a map of Moorpark with our thanks.
[5:45]
We also got you a little something, don't open it now, but a little something to help
[5:52]
you on your way to your retirement and we wish you all the best.
[6:02]
So Troy, I wrote my thoughts down.
[6:05]
I'll try not to get choked up.
[6:08]
So Chris, thanks for letting me say a few words about our man here, Troy Brown.
[6:11]
Man of many titles, he's obviously our city manager, president of ICMA.
[6:16]
as mentioned, 2025 city manager of the year.
[6:19]
I know him as a walking encyclopedia of policy and law,
[6:23]
of budgetary wizard, and an occasional therapist
[6:25]
for staff and council members alike.
[6:29]
Troy, you are a pro at navigating difficult issues
[6:31]
with grace and empathy, and you do so without breaking a sweat.
[6:35]
In fact, the only time I think we've ever seen Troy
[6:37]
look even a little rattled is in one of us up here
[6:40]
on the dias, ask the question that has already been
[6:43]
asked and answered twice and what you'll get from Troy in that moment.
[6:51]
He'd clear his throat,
[6:53]
he'd adjust in his seat, he'd take a look and we'd all know we've done it. We hit a nerve.
[6:59]
He'd notice the subtle adjustments, there's a shift to the seat, he'd adjust the microphone
[7:05]
and he'd say what a great question council member and his body language would be like
[7:11]
Oh, what are you doing?
[7:14]
But Troy, as a council, when we got to that moment,
[7:18]
and you said, councilmember, as you may recall,
[7:22]
we knew that you had the situation handled.
[7:24]
We were in good hands.
[7:26]
You're always professional, always composed, always
[7:28]
caring yourself whether I could only describe as
[7:31]
tremendous decorum, and always always
[7:33]
dressed like you just stepped off the cover
[7:35]
of GQ City Manager Edition.
[7:38]
We joke about it, but the truth is, when you spoke, we listened.
[7:43]
We knew he had a good question because Troy would politely take the reins, lean in, and
[7:48]
not force our hand but guide us.
[7:50]
You didn't grandstand, you served.
[7:53]
And for me, and the night fellow public servants, as a person, it mattered a lot.
[7:58]
Troy, you've been a guide, an example of most of all a friend to me and to us.
[8:01]
Your credibility never came from your title.
[8:03]
It always came from your character.
[8:04]
And you've led with humility, intelligence, patience, and a quiet confidence that makes this work feel less overwhelming and somehow even more human and important.
[8:13]
You leave behind more than well run meetings and efficient agendas.
[8:16]
You leave behind trust, admiration, and probably one heck of a dry cleaning bill.
[8:22]
So on behalf of my colleagues and I, we thank you, we're proud of you, we're grateful for you.
[8:27]
And in closing, I want to repeat back to you something you taught me in my early days on council.
[8:31]
learn to count to three because three votes is a mandate.
[8:35]
As you head into your retirement without a council to consider anymore,
[8:39]
I encourage you to focus on counting to one because for the rest of your life only one vote matters and that's Tony's.
[8:46]
So congratulations Troy, may your inbox stay empty, your coffee stay hot,
[8:50]
your putt stay straight and may you never have to rock a tie again.
[8:54]
Thank you Troy.
[8:55]
Troy,
[9:04]
in the six short months we got to work together, you taught me more than I
[9:08]
ever expected. About leadership, about how a city really runs, and honestly about
[9:14]
how to show up with both strength and heart. Your calm, steady approach and
[9:20]
your willingness to guide and mentor, even when things got busy, made a huge
[9:25]
impact on me personally, and I know I'm not the only one. More park is better
[9:31]
because of your vision, your dedication, and the way you've led with both professionalism and kindness.
[9:39]
I feel really lucky to have learned from you and to carry these lessons forward, wishing you nothing but the best in your next chapter, you've earned it.
[9:48]
Thank you, Troy.
[9:56]
Careful with this, so this is the proclamation that the Mayor just read with our signatures.
[10:00]
I'll just add that you came to more park with a lot of history, a lot of knowledge, a lot of expertise, and I just want to thank you for growing along with us, helping us grow, helping the city grow.
[10:12]
You never strayed away from truly authentic dialogue.
[10:15]
You took the time to understand what drives us as a city, what this means to us, for those of us who've been here for multiple generations, as we heard you leaned into that.
[10:24]
And it's like everyone else, I just want to wish you the best going forward.
[10:28]
You're going to be here right along with us.
[10:30]
But it's meant a lot is the second city manager to have someone that cared about more
[10:35]
park as much as we did.
[10:37]
So thank you for your service.
[10:46]
Troy, what can I say?
[10:47]
It's been a great six and a half years, having an honor to work with you.
[10:51]
I remember the first time we met to go through the agenda, right before my first council meeting at Cafe Friendsay.
[10:57]
And I was so nervous trying to figure out what I got myself into.
[11:01]
But that night I learned two things, but you like lemon drops, is your favorite drink?
[11:06]
And that this guy knew everything about the city and he had been here for only six
[11:11]
months, every little drain, pothole street.
[11:14]
And it was absolutely unbelievable just to know that, wow, this guy knows what he's doing.
[11:19]
Listen to the community, the direction of the council, gave us great, well laid out information.
[11:25]
When things got to a political point in city policies, and you always tell me, good luck,
[11:30]
That's on you and I'm glad I'm not in your shoes
[11:34]
Your management style and city hall transform that place into a well-oiled machine that was not only productive
[11:39]
But just a fun respectable atmosphere to working they can be clearly seeing the eyes of employees
[11:45]
And it's something the public notices when interacting with the front desk. I
[11:50]
Can personally say it's been not only great working with you on city business, but also having a great friendship outside the city
[11:57]
I'll never forget discussing the agenda items while getting owned by eight year olds on Fortnite with my kids and that was just such a fun time just mixing city and pleasure at the same time there or just blasting through downtown long beach on scooters, the League of City, California City's convention made my experience as a council member and a mayor not only an honorable experience, but a fun one made a lasting impact positive impact in the city.
[12:25]
I'm so glad so proud of your project thus far and I want to thank you for
[12:29]
dedication to this city. It's a better place now than when it was when you
[12:33]
started. When we transition to a new city management I want to thank you for
[12:36]
being an excellent mentor to PJ and preparing him to take the helm and keep us
[12:41]
right on course. Congratulations on your retirement. I look forward to see you
[12:44]
around the community. Hope you can relax and enjoy yourself in this beautiful
[12:48]
community you help us all build.
[12:57]
I know we have a few other speakers. Do you
[13:29]
Would you like to call off the rest of the names and I'll hand this off to our first speaker?
[13:33]
Absolutely, we do have a number of dignitaries, elected officials, and
[13:37]
other service organizations here with us this evening.
[13:40]
Our first speaker on that list is Mr. Drill Price from State Assembly Member Jackie Irwin's office,
[13:46]
if we can ask Mr. Price to come on up.
[13:58]
Do you hear that I'm number one and I understand your number two city manager for no, just kidding, you're the number one city manager for 2025, right?
[14:11]
So I too wrote down some notes here and I should probably have my glasses on.
[14:17]
But I've got too many things in my hand.
[14:24]
All right, I am Joel Price, I'm here representing Assemblymember Jackie Irwin from the 42nd Assembly District who's currently in Sacramento doing what the Assembly does.
[14:35]
So she regrets that she cannot be here this evening and asked that I convey her heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of your retirement.
[14:44]
You're well-deserved retirement.
[14:46]
She's enjoyed working with you over the past many years and very much appreciated your pragmatic approach to issues that impacted
[14:53]
your city and your residents.
[14:56]
She specifically mentioned the issue that impacted your city.
[15:01]
Very significantly, and that is the issue of the 23 and 118 bridge that took a number of lives over the years, and she expressed her pleasure in being able to work towards a long-needed resolution to that situation. One that I understand is taking shape as you prepare to retire. She was also very appreciative for your attendance at her sidewalk session last December, and recalled how you so eloquently dealt with some of the residents that showed up to share the concerns, and in some cases their grievances.
[15:29]
it was great to have you there. On a personal note I too would like to thank you for your service
[15:35]
because still recall the first time we met and I don't know whether you do or not but I was
[15:39]
immediately taken by your your calm demeanor that runs throughout clearly and watch you grow into
[15:49]
an outstanding city manager here leading the city managers group. Your experience and professionalism
[15:56]
and we'll be missed, but now on behalf of, may I?
[16:00]
Thank you.
[16:02]
The Assemblymember Irwin, and I brought you this nice carrying case.
[16:10]
I present you with a
[16:15]
resolution from the California State Assembly.
[16:18]
I won't read it, it contains a lot of the same material that a lot of wear as is, but this is for you.
[16:25]
Thank you, thank you, and I welcome.
[16:27]
And
[16:44]
our next speaker who received that microphone is Supervisor Janus Parvin from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.
[16:52]
You
[16:58]
get to hold that.
[17:00]
Thank you.
[17:02]
And I'm joined by Dr. Syvette Johnson, she's our CEO at the county, I know you like her, so I asked her to come along.
[17:12]
Mayor Intervin, this is an awkward thing because usually Mayor Intervin, City Council, Troy Brown,
[17:18]
and the community of Moore Park.
[17:21]
Today we gather to celebrate a remarkable individual who has dedicated his life to service.
[17:27]
And as we honor Troy Brown on this special day every retirement, we reflect on the incredible
[17:32]
legacy he leaves behind and this is going to be very serious tonight.
[17:36]
Over seven years ago we hired Troy as our city manager.
[17:40]
I'll never forget all the resumes we got and your resume was just so much better than everyone
[17:45]
else.
[17:45]
So I thought if he's half as good as his resume he's probably going to be our next city manager.
[17:52]
We were looking for someone who would connect with our community, get involved in helping our community, and get us to the finish line on our
[18:00]
outstanding projects, right?
[18:06]
So we had aggressive goals for you, yeah, and he had the background and experience to move more park ahead, and we knew that.
[18:14]
Immediately after he began his employment at the city, he joined the Boys and Girls Club,
[18:19]
as well as the Kwanis Club.
[18:21]
You probably did a whole lot more than that, but that's where we're going right now.
[18:24]
Then I thought about Princeton Avenue.
[18:26]
It took 20 years to complete, but it wasn't your fault.
[18:30]
No, it wasn't your fault because you did get it done, so congratulations on that.
[18:35]
We also wanted to revitalize High Street.
[18:38]
You helped us push that project forward, and it's actually very, very beautiful.
[18:44]
You have been a guiding force in our city, you led with integrity, you continue to do that with vision and an unwavering commitment to making our community a better place for all of us.
[18:55]
You've been doing that since the day you got here. Your leadership has transformed our city in ways we will continue to benefit for years to come.
[19:04]
And throughout your tenure, we've seen improvements in our infrastructure, community programs, and economic development, and all the things that all the other council members have mentioned tonight.
[19:13]
It's easy to take your accomplishments for granted, but there are a result of your countless
[19:18]
years of hard work planning and dedication, and not just in Moorpark all the years that
[19:23]
brought you here.
[19:25]
You understand the needs of our community, and you work tirelessly to address them always
[19:29]
striving to find a middle ground to solutions.
[19:32]
That's my favorite part of you.
[19:33]
You always try to find it.
[19:35]
Whether we got there or not, you were always trying.
[19:40]
On a personal note, I want to express my gratitude for the support and guidance
[19:44]
so that you have provided me and so many others.
[19:47]
And I know one of the council members mentioned that as well.
[19:50]
One of my favorite memories is when you were elected
[19:52]
to be the president of the ICMA,
[19:54]
the International City County Management Association.
[19:58]
And let me tell you everyone,
[19:59]
this is a big deal to get that position.
[20:02]
It takes years of dedication.
[20:05]
And so I was just really proud when he actually invited me
[20:07]
to go speak at one of his big meetings.
[20:11]
When you were taking over, I think you were taking your oath.
[20:13]
I was so proud of him because he actually put more park on the map, not just in California,
[20:18]
but internationally, and it was a very big deal.
[20:22]
I'm very proud of that, and that kind of moment in leadership truly defines the person
[20:26]
that you are.
[20:28]
You're not crying or anything yet, so we're good.
[20:31]
As he invokes when the new chapter filled with his well-deserved rest and adventure with
[20:36]
his lovely wife, let's not forget the impact he's made.
[20:40]
His presence will surely be missed.
[20:42]
It'll be missed by me for sure, but your legacy will always inspire us to strive for excellence and commitment in our community.
[20:49]
Almost done.
[20:51]
But the most important part is you will no longer be able to blame your workload on your golf game.
[20:58]
At least that's what they said of the ICMA.
[21:01]
Thank you for your tireless service, your patience, your inspiring leadership, your unwavering passion for our city.
[21:08]
Enjoy this new journey ahead with Tony and the kids.
[21:11]
knowing you leave behind a city forever changed for the better because of you.
[21:16]
Congratulations on your retirement from your favorite county supervisor and from your favorite CEO.
[21:57]
And our next speaker will be Chief Tony Ocho Pinty from the Ventura County Fire Department.
[22:13]
It's not every day that you can walk into an organization and immediately feel the impact of its leadership.
[22:21]
And that's for sure been the case ever since I've started working with the city of More Park not that long ago.
[22:26]
It's evidence and evidence in the culture that you've built in this organization through every interaction I've had with your city staff.
[22:35]
And I think it's evidence by the way you interact with the community prioritizing their needs above all else.
[22:41]
I will tell you that your unwavering commitment to public safety, through times of duress, through
[22:48]
a pandemic, through the easy fire, through brush fires, through hazmat incidents, through
[22:52]
train remembrance, the list goes on, and you've provided that leadership.
[22:57]
I appreciate your frankness, your decisive actions, your empathy, your active listening,
[23:04]
and a willingness to create a mission-driven culture with very clear expectations for me.
[23:10]
On behalf of Fargeet Dustin Gardner, I want to first say thank you.
[23:13]
Thank you for the partnership that you've created with the Ventura County Fire Protection District.
[23:18]
And I want to congratulate you on a well-deserved retirement.
[23:24]
And we'd also like to present you with a nice plaque.
[23:28]
So thank you very much, Joy.
[23:42]
And our next speakers are Ventura County Sheriff, Jim Freihoff, along with former Chiefs of Police here in Morepark, John Riley, Darren Hendren, and our current Chief of Police, Nick Odenoff.
[23:56]
All right.
[24:03]
Mayor, council members, city staff, and the community of Moor Park. Troy, what can I say?
[24:10]
You've done us a solid by developing four chiefs in your seven-year turn here.
[24:16]
The sheriff's office takes great pride in our contract cities, and we give nothing but the best for opportunities for our captains to be chiefs of police in our cities.
[24:26]
And so every time we were able to give you several to choose from, they were able to interview.
[24:31]
We knew we were giving you the best that we had to offer.
[24:33]
And then you made a selection among that, a very tough selection.
[24:37]
And of course, you knew going into this, that they were likely to get promoted because they are the best that we have to offer.
[24:43]
And so you've seen a transition of several chiefs, one's not able to be here tonight, I don't know, I know you know why.
[24:49]
But you now have Nick, who I promised we'll stay here a little bit longer than two years as you had requested.
[24:57]
The timing of promotions is not always up to me.
[25:01]
When people decide that they've had enough and they're going to retire, some things are because of family illness.
[25:06]
Some things the family needs to move.
[25:08]
There are a lot of dynamics that go into when somebody chooses to retire, so that creates opportunities for us to make promotions.
[25:15]
But I know that the need to have stability, I know that you're leaving the city in great hands with another city manager who I will not force to pick another chief so quickly.
[25:25]
There's going to be a lot of moving parts here.
[25:26]
I have every faith and Nick doing a wonderful job for your community here, leading the way like you did.
[25:33]
And I just want to appreciate your friendship, your leadership here in the city, and yours is an all on great guy and I can't wait to go off with you again.
[25:39]
Cheers
[25:45]
Good evening council. I just wanted to say I was a chief of police here in 2017 when Troy first got here
[25:53]
So I'm like all right. I'm gonna show this guy the ropes and to help him out a little bit within a few months
[25:58]
I realized this guy's like the mr. Miyagi of city managers
[26:02]
He knows everything so the the student became the learner or the pupil real quick from the master
[26:07]
But anyway Troy was an excellent city manager and even a better man. So thank you Troy
[26:18]
Yes, look up, physically he looks up to me but really I'm always looking up to Troy.
[26:26]
Congratulations.
[26:27]
Thank you very much for all the patience and guidance that you provided me, allowing me to be successful during my time here in Moorpark.
[26:34]
I really appreciate it but above that, thank you for your friendship.
[26:38]
I really valued your opinions and I'll take a lot of the things with me moving forward.
[26:44]
I look forward to the adventures in your upcoming retirement over the next few years, so congratulations.
[26:58]
Well, Troy I've only had a chance to know you for a couple of months, but I remember when we first met,
[27:05]
I recognized you're a mover and a shaker and there's no doubt about that.
[27:09]
More park has been fortunate to have you here for seven years.
[27:12]
As a community member that's lived here during that time, I thank you for making this city better, because you have truly done that.
[27:22]
And this community is safe and productive and thriving because of the work that you've done, because of your leadership and guidance.
[27:30]
I have no doubt in retirement, your work is not going to stop.
[27:34]
you're going to be helping a lot of other city managers and other cities thrive and succeed like you've done here, so thank you so much and before we part, we did get you a plaque.
[27:49]
So it's got all four of us that had opportunity to work with you and says with sincere appreciation for your leadership, partnership and commitment to public safety.
[28:00]
from under Sheriff John Reilly, Assistant Sheriff Vic Fazio, Commander Darren
[28:06]
Hendren, Captain Nicodemeth. Thank you.
[28:33]
And our next speaker this evening is Dr. Julius Sokenoe from Morepar College.
[28:51]
Our council, Mayor, thank you so much for sharing Mr. Brown with us at Morepar College.
[28:58]
it is an honor to be here this evening celebrating my brother Troy Brown. Troy is a
[29:05]
servant leader who understands the value of being a thoughtful partner. He understands
[29:10]
the opportunity that is necessary for us to thrive in a society and he brings that to the
[29:16]
work that he's done with us at Moapa College. Prior to Troy, I have to say the relationship
[29:22]
between the college and the city wasn't great at times, and Troy and us, now Supervisor
[29:28]
Paave, when she was mayor of Paave, sought out an opportunity to build a relationship
[29:34]
that strengthens the college and strengthens the city and ensure to invest in the future
[29:39]
of this community. Collaboration means we'll listen attentively to one another and it means
[29:45]
that we share the vision and we share the hope for the future.
[29:50]
Mr. Brown-Troy has not only done that in such a way that it builds capacity from
[29:55]
up our college to better serve this community, but he has done that in such a way
[30:00]
Today, that elevates the community beyond the boundaries of our city and beyond the boundaries of the state. And we're very proud of that. We're proud of an partner in helping more part not only distinguish itself as it does as a college city that has the best community college in the nation, and I would like to say in the world. But it also has helped us to do that in terms of connecting us when the city is being promoted, more part college is featured always in that endeavor.
[30:27]
that tells us that we're valued, that tells us that we're a partner in building the city together.
[30:34]
Thank you on behalf of our students, thank you on behalf of our faculty and our staff.
[30:39]
We know that like you, we believe that hope is not only a feeling but a strategy.
[30:45]
And that strategy is to empower all those involved and in that empowerment,
[30:49]
take the very least and most vulnerable to the very best possible opportunities that they can have.
[30:54]
Thank you, Troy.
[30:54]
And
[31:18]
next I have the pleasure to invite more Park Unified School District Board of Education members, Robert Perez, Uttavendam, and Dan Burchfield.
[31:37]
All right, Troy, what can I say?
[31:39]
Seven years ago, you came to More Park, you established a wonderful relationship with our school district.
[31:45]
I think it's been one of the best relationships that the school district has had ever since we've started.
[31:51]
We're so thankful for everything you've done for us, the connection we have, we can call you whenever we have a problem, or we have a concern, or a parent has a concern, and you've worked well, you've worked well with the district, you've been accessible to the district, and you've worked well, most importantly, with our superintendent, and we thank you for that, and we appreciate all you've done for more part, and we look forward to seeing you afterwards.
[32:11]
Anyone else? Okay, thank you.
[32:35]
And now we get to invite some members who have come from some of our sister cities around the county.
[32:40]
I'd like to invite Council Member Elaine Litzter from the city of Seamy Valley to come on up.
[32:57]
So I am joined today.
[32:59]
I'm Council Member Elaine Litzter, joined today by Deputy C. Manager, Heather Sumagai-Sai.
[33:03]
And who is here representing, of course, our city manager, Samantha Argerbright, who wanted to be here but had another engagement can be here.
[33:09]
She's going to be the one to hold.
[33:12]
Anyway, I want you to know how important you are.
[33:14]
We were here just a month ago to celebrate this beautiful new building.
[33:18]
At that time, you received a certificate, but you get a proclamation.
[33:24]
So I want you to know in the scheme of things how important you are to, we understand, and
[33:28]
we are so grateful for the relationship Simea Valley has with more part.
[33:34]
It's interesting.
[33:34]
I mean, everyone's taught about all the one of the things you do and have done and continue to do.
[33:39]
It was fun for me to read about the things that you say you're going to do.
[33:44]
Things like, I plan to remain in the community, hope to lower my golf handicap and spend more time with my family here and in other states.
[33:51]
Is that true?
[33:52]
This is what's reported in the media.
[33:55]
In that order, goes on to say, I would love the opportunity to teach political science,
[34:00]
It's in the collegial level, which I thought was uncomfortable, and says, I would love to go on and help and work at Simea Valley.
[34:06]
Wait a minute. No, no, that's not fair.
[34:11]
Are you okay? Well, I've just thought I'd slip, slip it in.
[34:15]
Actually, I would love to read, I'm not going to read the proclamation, but I'm going to read the last paragraph because I loved if that's all right, Heather, if you don't mind. Thank you.
[34:23]
It says.
[34:24]
Now, therefore, the city of Simi Valley does hereby express their deepest gratitude and admiration to Troy Brown for his outstanding service, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to the residents and employees of Moorpark and wish him continued success and fulfillment in all future endeavors.
[34:46]
sign the mayor and the rest of us.
[34:50]
I'm going to conclude with one thought, which of course,
[34:53]
Simey Valley and Moampark, we kind of share the Reagan library
[34:56]
together, although Simey Valley likes.
[34:58]
You see, we like to claim it, but so in Simey Valley,
[35:02]
the Ronald Reagan library is part of our home collective home,
[35:06]
so it feels very appropriate to quote the previous president Reagan,
[35:10]
who stated, the greatest leader is not necessarily the one
[35:14]
who does the greatest things. He is the one who gets the people, who gets the
[35:21]
people to do the greatest things. And Troy, that's you. You've done just that.
[35:26]
And on behalf of Simee Valley, we are so happy to have known you, to have worked with
[35:31]
you, so sorry you're leaving. So glad you're coming over our side soon.
[35:38]
We're really
[35:38]
to say congratulations. Thank you, appreciate you.
[36:04]
And next I'd like to invite City Manager Drew Powers
[36:08]
from the City of Thousand Oaks.
[36:19]
Such a pleasure to be here to celebrate
[36:21]
a colleague, most importantly my friend, Troy.
[36:26]
Seven years ago, we sat down for breakfast,
[36:29]
just down the street here, and I knew immediately
[36:32]
that I had a stalwart colleague here as a relatively new City
[36:36]
manager at the time, a new choice pedigree, and he proved to be the most steadfast supporter
[36:46]
you could ever have in this profession.
[36:48]
We have had countless phone calls.
[36:52]
When we suffered the borderline tragedy, and I was dealing with a onslaught of leadership
[37:00]
in that moment, he was one of my first phone calls.
[37:04]
He called in to check in. He was there to support us in the funeral. He was there the time when covid hit we I was the chair of our city managers group and at that point not a lot of people knew and these were the very early days in March and we we met seven days a week.
[37:22]
All the city managers in the county and the county infrastructure and it was often Troy was the guy that I would call after the meeting to strategize with.
[37:31]
And because that's the kind of person he is, he's, he's the person you can workshop ideas with and he's a person that makes you a better leader because of his work.
[37:41]
Thousand Oaks is so incredibly proud to be a partner with more park and with Seamy Valley, our East County cities.
[37:50]
we have done so many great things over the course of this last stretch under
[37:55]
Troy's leadership. We've both passed the general plan over that same period of
[38:00]
time. I can't tell you how many times that Troy and I commiserated over the
[38:03]
challenges of adopting a general plan that was well antiquated but we got it done
[38:10]
and his his work here in this city hall it's amazing but perhaps most no
[38:15]
worthy for somebody that's 26 years in the public service profession his work
[38:20]
at ICMA, and Janice mentioned it, but it is a very big deal. This is an international
[38:26]
agency, thousands of members, and to have him not put more park on the map, but all of
[38:32]
Ventura County on the map was incredible. And then lastly, his succession planning,
[38:37]
to have PJ taking the helm here now, it's incredible. I was on the interview panel, lucky
[38:43]
enough to be there when PJ was hired for this job, and to have a colleague that Troy has
[38:49]
trained up and someone that is going to be able to take the baton.
[38:53]
That's the sign of a strong organization, a strong City Council, a place that has a lineage,
[38:58]
that has a long-term focus and strategy.
[39:01]
Congratulations on all you've done.
[39:23]
And our next guest is City Manager Greg Ramirez from the City of Camarillo.
[39:38]
Mayor, members of the Council, Greg Ramirez City Manager with Camarillo.
[39:42]
Troy, I do not remember the first time we met, but I do remember the first time
[39:48]
I saw you. It was down in Coronado. It was at a conference. You've got some big-shot assistant
[39:54]
award, assistant city manager thing. I knew at that time I'd be seeing you throughout the profession.
[40:03]
I want to thank you personally, not just as a colleague, but as a friend, for making this county,
[40:10]
this region better, making our state better, making our entire country better. I'm going to miss you.
[40:17]
I mean, generally, there's a little bit of sorrow that you're leaving, but enjoy it.
[40:24]
We'll get there, so thanks, but I
[40:30]
would like to thank
[40:48]
you.
[40:48]
And next from the City of Fillmore, I'd like to invite Deputy City Clerk, O'Reilly,
[40:53]
Renee, to join us.
[41:09]
Good evening.
[41:09]
Mayor, Council members, and more public residents.
[41:12]
I'm here on behalf of the City of Fillmore.
[41:14]
on behalf of our Mayor Cristina Villesignor and our on behalf of our real on behalf of Fillmore.
[41:24]
And so tonight I'll be issuing this proclamation on behalf of the City of Fillmore that states.
[41:30]
A couple of where as is that are pretty similar with with a little bit of a twist.
[41:34]
And at State City of Fillmore proclamation honoring Troy Brown for his dedication and service as city manager of Moorpark.
[41:40]
whereas Troy Brown has served as a city manager of the City of More Park from March 5th, 2018 to June 27th, 2025.
[41:48]
Showing his strong commitment to the growth, prosperity, and well-being of our neighboring communities.
[41:53]
Whereas, through his outstanding leadership, Troy Brown has valued partner, has been a valued partner to the Fillmore community.
[42:00]
He played a key role in the success of the Fillmore More Park Valley Express bus, dial a ride,
[42:06]
which created a vital transportation link between Fillmore and More Park destinations including the Metroling Station, More Park Marketplace, and More Park College with Service offered seven days a week, whereas Troy Brown has supported economic growth by helping attract new businesses to the region, creating job opportunities and straightening the local economy beyond the city of More Park, and whereas in recognition of his remarkable leadership and lasting contributions, Troy Brown was named the 2025 City Manager
[42:36]
year, city manager of the year of the city, California City Management Foundation, and
[42:41]
whereas Troy Brown's dedication to public service has a meaningful and lasting impact not
[42:45]
only to the city of Moore Park, but also on neighboring cities throughout Ventura County
[42:50]
and beyond.
[42:51]
Now therefore, be resolved that the city of Fillmore on behalf of its residents, employees,
[42:56]
and city council extend its heartful appreciation to Troy Brown for his years of outstanding service,
[43:01]
his leadership in local government and his positive influence in the community.
[43:06]
And on a personal note, as a more park resident, myself, I want to thank you for
[43:11]
allowing us here, the residents of more park, for creating this amazing community that we are able to live.
[43:18]
And I actually got the opportunity to enter it under your leadership, not too long ago.
[43:23]
And so I just want to say, thank you so much for being such an inspiration to future leaders to come.
[43:27]
Thank you.
[43:47]
And now we're going to move on to some of our community organizations.
[43:51]
So I would like to welcome Sherman Jason Flame and members of the Chamber of Commerce,
[43:58]
Board of Directors from the More Park Chamber of Commerce.
[44:08]
Good evening mayor, City Council, City staff, and residents of More Park.
[44:12]
Before I read what I wrote because almost everything that I've written has been said,
[44:17]
I want you to reflect on tonight and remember how much everybody sees you, your character,
[44:26]
the man you are, no bullshit, get the job done, and take care of our community.
[44:33]
And that's really who you are and no bones about it.
[44:37]
So on behalf of the More Park Chamber of Commerce, we'd like to extend our heartfelt congratulations
[44:42]
and deepest gratitude to you, Troy Brown, on your retirement as our city manager.
[44:47]
Your steady leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment have made a lasting impact on the
[44:51]
city of Moorpark and all who call it home.
[44:54]
Through your service, you have exemplified what it means to be a true, servant leader, dedicated
[44:59]
It had cl-
[45:00]
We are always putting the community first. We are especially grateful for your partnership with the More Park Chamber of Commerce and your efforts to help More Park thrive as a place to live, work, and do business. Your friendship and leadership will be some seriously missed, but your legacy will be felt for years to come. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter may be filled with joy, relaxation, and plenty of well-earned time on the golf course.
[45:58]
And I did quickly want to apologize to the city of San
[46:01]
Buena Ventura. They could not send representative this evening, but they did send one more
[46:07]
certificate. I should have gotten a bigger table for Mr. Brown. Our next speaker is
[46:14]
Leanne Alva from the Boys and Girls Club of More Park and Senior Valley.
[46:31]
Okay, I didn't bring my glasses. Today we gathered, I know, right? Today we gathered
[46:37]
to celebrate and recognize an individual has made a significant impact in our community
[46:41]
and had been a steadfast advocate for our youth, our city manager Troy Brown.
[46:48]
For a little over seven years, Troy has dedicated his time and energy to serving our city with
[46:54]
integrity and vision.
[46:56]
Since January of 2018, he has been a respected member of the Boys and Girls Club.
[47:01]
And his commitment to our mission has been nothing short of extraordinary.
[47:05]
there. Throughout his five years on the board, Troy has demonstrated what it means to be
[47:11]
a leader, his dedication to providing a safe, healthy and fun environment for our children
[47:18]
have been unwavering, and that word has been used a lot, by the way. Under his guidance,
[47:24]
we have successfully maintained our mission to inspire and enable our young people to reach
[47:30]
their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizen.
[47:35]
Troy, your passion for our youth and your belief in their potential have shaped the
[47:42]
experience of countless children in our community.
[47:46]
You have worked tirelessly to ensure that the Boys and Girls Club remains a year-round
[47:51]
haven, and for learning and growth, fostering an environment where our kids can thrive.
[47:57]
Your leadership and vision have not only benefited the Boys and Girls Club, but have also set a standard for excellence in our community.
[48:06]
You have shown us all the importance of investing in our youth, and your efforts will leave a lasting legacy for generation to come.
[48:15]
On behalf of the Boys and Girls Club and the entire community, I want to extend a deepest gratitude for all that you do, for you being you.
[48:25]
Thank you for your dedication, your passion, and your unwavering support of our mission.
[48:31]
We are incredibly fortunate to have you as a leader and advocate for our children.
[48:36]
Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for your commitment to making more part a better place for all.
[49:03]
And now I would like to invite Mr. Bruce Rokos and any Kiwana's club members that are here within this evening to come on up.
[49:35]
Well, Kuwani and Brown, the first thing we recognize is you don't have your badge on, so I'm certain that our next meeting will let you know about that.
[49:44]
But Troy has been an amazing volunteer within our community.
[49:48]
You may have seen him out at Country Days blocking the people from crossing the railroad tracks.
[49:53]
You may have seen him out at the Apricot Festival.
[49:56]
You may have seen him out picking up trash.
[49:58]
You may have seen him doing any number of community service things.
[50:02]
So beyond all the great things he does, he is a member of our community.
[50:06]
He's not just a figurehead of the community, he embodies the community.
[50:11]
He has been a friend to people that need it.
[50:15]
He has been an amazing giver in this community.
[50:18]
And the More Park Kiwanis does something fairly unique.
[50:21]
We give out the Terrific Kids Award.
[50:24]
And the Terrific Kids Award, we go out to six different schools four times a year.
[50:28]
and the teachers honor the children and we hand them certificates and cookies and
[50:33]
drink and for the very first time we're going to give you a terrific adult
[50:37]
award. So terrific is an acronym and that acronym stands for the very
[50:43]
things that he embodies. It stands for T for thoughtful, E for enthusiastic, or for
[50:50]
respectful, or for responsible, I for inspirational, F for friendly, I for
[50:57]
inquisitive and see for capable, and you embody and represent all of those in your daily life
[51:03]
with your life with Tony as a Coanian and just a good friend. We'll see you out at the
[51:08]
poker tournament, working it, playing it, and you'll see him around the community. And Mark van Dam
[51:14]
has written a very special little thing for you. And then we'll give you your terrific kids
[51:21]
Certificate.
[51:21]
And my apologies.
[51:23]
Thank you.
[51:25]
Mayor, City Council, and of course, our amazing city staff.
[51:29]
Nice tie.
[51:31]
PJ, thank you for setting a good example for staff and wearing a tie.
[51:36]
I had the pleasure of serving on our City Council in 2018, my last year, and have the privilege
[51:41]
of hiring Troy.
[51:44]
When we sat down for the interview, I think Janice would agree that when he first started
[51:48]
talking, we knew we had a city manager.
[51:53]
Maybe you didn't know, he has been the city manager of the year, seven years running in Warpark.
[52:02]
He did, and he's easily been one of the top two city managers we've ever had in the city.
[52:08]
He's that good, but seriously, I consider Troy a friend.
[52:13]
He has made Warpark a better place for students, for adults and for business.
[52:19]
and for our staff. And in your honor, I've written a poem.
[52:26]
In a city called
[52:27]
More Park, not too far away, lived a man named Troy Brown, who worked hard every day.
[52:33]
Since 2018, he's led with great might as city manager shining a true guiding light.
[52:39]
He's the second to serve in this top city role, with heart, charm, and charm and humor, and
[52:44]
his serious soul. He made folks feel seen, he'd made folks feel heard, and somehow he did
[52:51]
it, with many kind words. He dressed to the nines, sharp suits, and fine ties with energy
[52:57]
bursting like third of July. He zipped through the halls, a blur in nice shoes with a laugh
[53:03]
and a wink. And the best, said he news.
[53:07]
A golfer, you say, why yes, quite the fan, he can tee off at dawn like no other man.
[53:14]
If he wanted to, he gives back with great pride, helping kids, helping neighbors, always
[53:19]
hands open wide.
[53:22]
With his wife by his side, who chaired every feet, their partnership strong, supportive and
[53:27]
sweet.
[53:28]
He worked with the counsel, the staff, and the crew, making more perchine bright, beautiful
[53:34]
and true.
[53:35]
he tackles big projects no task to extreme yet somehow he found time for his
[53:41]
remarkable team. Hard worker, you bet. A friend through and through, there is simply
[53:47]
no limit to what Troy can do. But alas, now he's heading to golf, course and
[53:54]
son, to sleep past 630. Oh, won't that be fun? No meetings, no memos, no budget
[54:01]
reports, just polos, polos, soft putters, and comfy new shorts.
[54:07]
So raise up your voice and let out a cheer.
[54:10]
More Park says thank you for each awesome year.
[54:14]
Your leadership valued, your impact is wide.
[54:17]
We'll miss you, Troy Brown.
[54:19]
Now go golf with pride.
[54:55]
And on that note of former council members, we have former council member, Mr. David
[55:00]
public.
[55:07]
Well, you know, I had to say something. So it's I was among the council member that
[55:13]
hired you and I was at the table when we first interviewed you and then we would discuss
[55:20]
your attributes. And quite frankly, you're a unicorn. It's like, wait, this guy is fantastic.
[55:28]
Look, he's got all these credentials. He's well-liked everywhere. The only catch was,
[55:33]
Why would any city in their right mind allow him to escape?
[55:37]
And of course, you were too much of a gentleman and a professional to tell us what all happened behind the scenes in your prior employer.
[55:44]
But it was a leap of faith.
[55:47]
We just loved who you were and you've paid us back in that gamble many times over.
[55:54]
And truly, the city of Morpark's benefit is certainly the loss of your last employer and
[56:01]
And they're lack of good judgment.
[56:03]
So we're so glad that you came to Moor Park, and Moor Park has been set a number times
[56:08]
as a much better place because your presence here, and I hope your continued presence,
[56:13]
as you still live in Moor Park.
[56:15]
And I want to thank you personally, because you not only were a colleague, but a friend,
[56:21]
we've had you over for dinner, we've been at events together, and I value that friendship
[56:28]
of above all and hope to see a lot more of you now that you've got some free time.
[56:33]
Okay, thanks for that.
[56:45]
And our fightable speaker for this send-off to Mr. Brown is former council member Dr. Rosanne
[56:52]
Micas.
[57:06]
Hey, Troy.
[57:08]
What a day, huh?
[57:09]
What a day.
[57:13]
I'm one of the old guard people kind of know that I was on the council from 2000 to 2020
[57:20]
And like many of the other council, former council members said, I was on the committee actually the two heads of the committee.
[57:31]
And we are the ones who hired you and we are really glad that we did.
[57:38]
One of the things that we had told you was our number one priority was Princeton Avenue.
[57:45]
And there's some people here, or at least they were here, I don't know if they're still here.
[57:49]
But there are some people here who it's the one and only thing that they ever wanted to happen.
[57:55]
They've lived here since before we were a city and I've lived here since before we were a city.
[58:01]
And that was the number one priority.
[58:04]
And you got the message.
[58:07]
You got the message. Now you didn't do it all alone.
[58:10]
You know, you worked with our city engineer, Daniel Kim, and a variety of other people.
[58:16]
But you made sure that it happened and to me when I first got on the city council, that was the one thing I wanted us to do back in 2000.
[58:28]
And so it's really been, since before there's really been 30 years to get that to happen because the freeway connector happened in 1996.
[58:38]
And those of you who waited so patiently, I mean there were a lot of fits and
[58:44]
starts, all of them didn't happen on your watch, but you made it happen in the
[58:52]
end. And this past summer when it opened and when you drive there now, I think
[58:59]
everybody in town is so thrilled that you made that happen. And I personally have
[59:06]
a lot of gratitude for you for that, because it was something that was so, so important.
[59:11]
Of all the other many things that people have mentioned, the other thing that I think
[59:16]
is probably the next most important besides Princeton Avenue is the general plan update.
[59:21]
And I want to thank you for allowing me to work with staff during that process as well,
[59:27]
to bring some of the history that not everybody knows about, so that we could make it a better
[59:35]
general plan and so I will just leave it at that for those two main things
[59:40]
there's a lot of others of course but we did a good job in getting you you did
[59:47]
a good job in coming and we hope that you are going to continue to provide
[59:52]
leadership throughout the community over the years as a which I we say an
[59:58]
a meritist type person.
[1:00:00]
Okay. An emeritus type person. So thank you very much. Appreciate everything that you've done.
[1:00:19]
And I do apologize. I'm a spoke. Troy's not off the hook just yet. Jackie flame from the More Park Morning Rotary along with other Rotarians are welcome to come on up.
[1:00:43]
The More Park Morning Rotary Club congratulates you Troy Brown on your very well-deserved retirement.
[1:00:49]
About seven years ago, when we just six of us came to you with very little notice for
[1:00:54]
a tree lighting, you remember that?
[1:00:58]
I remember that meeting, and the meetings after.
[1:01:01]
You were open-minded and kind to us, always approachable, and now that has become holiday
[1:01:07]
on high street with upwards of 8,000 people, and we were grateful to you for that, for allowing
[1:01:13]
us that.
[1:01:14]
And we do it the right way now, and we do it with plenty of notice.
[1:01:19]
Like all of us up here, you have a mind for service, and it's with that that we think you've had the most success.
[1:01:26]
We're so grateful for you, so we wish you the best of luck.
[1:01:42]
And just like in the sports of that, everybody scoot in.
[1:01:57]
And that does indeed mark the last speaker that we have recognizing Mr. Brown, Mr. Mayor.
[1:02:05]
Thank you, Ms. Bangler.
[1:02:07]
Well, Tony, it looks like you're going to have to build a shrine at your house now or give up a bedroom or something.
[1:02:15]
Well, I can close our speakers for this item.
[1:02:18]
We do have a reception out in the lobby, so if everyone wants to take a 15 minute break, we can go meet outside.
[1:05:10]
Okay, welcome back, everybody.
[1:05:12]
We'll move on to our next item, which is five, that's public comment.
[1:05:17]
Before we ask for the speakers, I just want to lay a few point in ports of order here.
[1:05:24]
We recognize as a great deal of emotion and concern in our community right now, especially regarding the recent federal immigration enforcement actions.
[1:05:31]
These are understandably difficult and upsetting times for many.
[1:05:34]
I know that's a sentiment we all share up here.
[1:05:37]
That being said, anyone wishing to speak during public comment will be given up to three minutes to share the remarks.
[1:05:41]
When your time is up, I'll ask you to conclude so that everyone has a fair opportunity to be heard.
[1:05:47]
Please note that the City Council cannot engage in dialogue or answer questions during public comment.
[1:05:52]
However, if you have any questions or concerns or require follow-ups or city staff is able to and
[1:05:57]
willing to get back to you later on.
[1:06:00]
Finally, and importantly, we ask that everyone remain respectful,
[1:06:03]
profanity, personal attacks, or other destructive in the paper will not be tolerated.
[1:06:07]
We're here to listen and to ensure that every voice is heard in a constructive civil manner.
[1:06:11]
Ms. Cork, do we have any speakers?
[1:06:13]
We do, Mr. Mayor.
[1:06:15]
We have 22 speaker cards this evening.
[1:06:18]
Our first speaker is Rebecca Jacobs,
[1:06:20]
who will be followed by Mary Lee Torres.
[1:06:23]
I'm
[1:06:33]
Rebecca Jacobs, a Mayor in a grand minutes.
[1:06:35]
Council members, thank you for being here.
[1:06:38]
I've lived in More Park more than 15 years
[1:06:41]
and don't usually come to these meetings.
[1:06:44]
However, seeing this statement, the More Park Mayor
[1:06:46]
put out regarding the recent ice raids in More Park
[1:06:49]
to come here to speak because I cannot believe in 2025 a city official would be so insensitive and lacking compassion.
[1:06:58]
I believe if white people were the ones being kidnapped in the streets, the reaction would be very different.
[1:07:04]
Every member of our community deserves equity, care, respect, dignity, and a city that protects their rights to do process and safety.
[1:07:12]
For far too long, more parkers chosen to ignore issues of equity in our community.
[1:07:17]
We currently have a population that's 51.5 percent white.
[1:07:20]
That's changed since I got here, thank goodness.
[1:07:22]
That means 48.5 percent of our population are Latino, Asian and other races.
[1:07:29]
More Park is racially diverse, whether you choose to acknowledge this or not.
[1:07:33]
This quote from their immigrant is just wrong and deeply inappropriate.
[1:07:37]
Our role as a local government is not to escalate or politicize these events,
[1:07:41]
especially in ways that risk dividing our community further.
[1:07:43]
Public gestures, however well-intentioned, can quickly turn into virtue signaling
[1:07:48]
that inflamed tensions rather than heels them.
[1:07:52]
I believe the division intentions here in Mar Park are actually from the constant
[1:07:56]
experience of racism and inaction of our city around these issues.
[1:08:00]
Specifically, there's some tension right now in this moment over the fact that
[1:08:04]
federal agents who nobody knows who they are, who are masked and in uniform and
[1:08:08]
armed are tackling people in the streets.
[1:08:11]
I'm feeling tense because I have explained to my biracial child what to do if a group
[1:08:17]
of armed men tackle him on our street.
[1:08:21]
That makes me pretty tense, I don't know if you noticed.
[1:08:23]
I believe I'm so disheartened to see that 46 other mayors and city officials in our area
[1:08:29]
have signed a statement that was empathetic, meaningful, and action oriented, while more
[1:08:34]
perk put out this absolutely meaningless statement to justify their complete inaction.
[1:08:39]
My belief is that each of you sitting here were elected to represent all of Morpark.
[1:08:44]
In city government, I don't believe political affiliation matters.
[1:08:47]
What matters is that you listen to us, the people who live in the city, and that includes immigrants no matter their status.
[1:08:53]
Many other cities in southern California are taking action in some of the following ways.
[1:08:58]
They've put out statements that offer support and resources.
[1:09:01]
They've encouraged undocumented residents to stay indoors.
[1:09:04]
They've distributed know your rights cards, they've activated emergency operation centers,
[1:09:09]
they've lodged web pages, updating citizens, I see nothing, I saw one terrible statement.
[1:09:15]
Given the complete lack of response to this situation, I absolutely do not think you are presenting
[1:09:20]
any leadership in a moment of crisis, nor a shared commitment to community over conflict.
[1:09:25]
I would love to hear what is specifically involved in your commitment to public safety and
[1:09:32]
you are on the wrong side of history thank
[1:09:44]
you
[1:09:50]
our next speaker is Mary
[1:09:53]
Lunturas who will be followed by Lizette
[1:10:05]
hi mayor council members city of
[1:10:08]
more part community members I came with my own agenda of what to say but
[1:10:17]
following what was just said and following the awards that were just presented
[1:10:24]
from community organizations such as Boys and Girls Club,
[1:10:28]
Koana, all these places that were mentioned,
[1:10:30]
where I worked at, where children of immigrant status
[1:10:35]
that I did not ask them for, went to.
[1:10:39]
These are the groups you guys hailed Mary yourself
[1:10:43]
and asked for all this recognition for supporting
[1:10:47]
and providing, but do you really support them
[1:10:52]
beyond the building they're in, beyond checking off the marks that they've got the next test, the next goal.
[1:10:58]
Do you, because that's not happening?
[1:11:02]
Because in the city of Moorpark, when I, a community member on Facebook asked why trucks with DHS were parked at the mayor's business when the mayor himself had put a statement.
[1:11:20]
And that you all thankfully also read saying that there's no participation, no contribution
[1:11:30]
of any kind.
[1:11:31]
I find it very hard to believe that DHS parked their vans there for more than two minutes
[1:11:38]
without a business person of any kind, specifically a mayor, not notice.
[1:11:51]
Secondly, if you didn't organize, participate, know about this when you saw it, say something.
[1:12:00]
Hey guys, this wasn't me.
[1:12:03]
Silence is complicit, complicity.
[1:12:10]
So I did it.
[1:12:11]
I did it for you.
[1:12:12]
I put here, Mayor Montpark issue the statement about Montpark not being partners, here they
[1:12:18]
are.
[1:12:18]
Are these clowns plotting kidnappings?
[1:12:20]
Because that's what it is.
[1:12:21]
Kidnapping.
[1:12:23]
And where do I get from the mayor himself?
[1:12:26]
Here, I pointed in color.
[1:12:29]
Mary Luthoris, not community member, not any of that.
[1:12:34]
We're on a cool or one on one, name terms here.
[1:12:38]
None of us from the city knew that this was happening.
[1:12:41]
The fact that this group parked in our parking lot
[1:12:43]
and brewery being part of it is ridiculous.
[1:12:46]
They also parked in a bunch of places in town unknowing for business owners.
[1:12:52]
True. None of them are mayors. That may be true, but none of them are mayors.
[1:12:59]
So for you, our mayor, to come to us and say, I can't do anything about it.
[1:13:07]
Thank you, ma'am, your times are up. That's my question.
[1:13:21]
And our next speaker is Lizette who will be followed by Lizzie Mendoza or Lizzie on the day.
[1:13:31]
Hello, my name is Lizette.
[1:13:33]
I'm here to voice my concerns.
[1:13:35]
I am a first-generation American.
[1:13:38]
Raise here and proud more Park Citizen.
[1:13:40]
I wanted to thank you for this opportunity for letting me voice my concerns.
[1:13:45]
I'm very proud of my roots, very proud to be a Mexican American.
[1:13:50]
But lately, I've been feeling the need to hide who I am.
[1:13:53]
I do not wish our lovely city to be a place where my people are picked off the streets,
[1:14:01]
where my people are targeted, where our neighbors hide, and parents are afraid of leaving
[1:14:08]
their houses.
[1:14:11]
They're scared to be taken from away from us without a reason being scared and quiet, where
[1:14:18]
a place where we can't even celebrate our children's accomplishments.
[1:14:20]
For example, our high school graduations, our middle school promotions,
[1:14:26]
there was ICE presence in both of those areas.
[1:14:30]
We have, instead, we're in a constant fear of looking over our shoulders,
[1:14:34]
being scared, looking out for strange looking cars.
[1:14:38]
Our city needs to do better so our families do not feel threatened.
[1:14:41]
You say you understand our fear, our concerns and confusion among our neighbors,
[1:14:46]
especially within our immigrant communities.
[1:14:49]
but you have never been in our shoes. You have not experienced the fear we have.
[1:14:55]
Your children have not felt the terror. If our parents take a little too long to...
[1:15:00]
Get home. It results in anxiety or inspiring, overthinking, what's happening to them? Are they okay? Are my parents going to come home today? You have never had that experience. The sit-down talk where your family, your parents, siblings have to tell you to be brave that we will be choking back the tears, telling you and smiling and putting on a brave face, telling you and preparing you for what the next step might be if our nightmare comes true.
[1:15:30]
What it would mean to our family and how a child now has to set up and become the parent
[1:15:36]
and comfort our mother and our fathers.
[1:15:40]
You say you're only complying with the law and they state they're only taking criminals,
[1:15:44]
so may I ask why are they in our restaurants?
[1:15:48]
Why are they in our schools?
[1:15:49]
Why are they in our shops?
[1:15:57]
Why are our families any different?
[1:15:59]
We deserve the right to feel protected in our city.
[1:16:02]
We belong here just as much as all of our other neighbors do not let your privilege blur your empathy
[1:16:09]
Just because it isn't happening to you doesn't mean it's not real
[1:16:17]
Keep ice out of our town. So all of our residents feel protected
[1:16:22]
That's why all I have to say
[1:16:24]
And our
[1:16:42]
next speaker is let's sell Mendez or
[1:16:46]
Let's see Mendez I apologize can't quite read the writing
[1:16:49]
who will be followed by Jamal Borerat.
[1:17:01]
Good evening council members. My name is Lixie Mendez. I am a, I'm here tonight as a very concerned resident of Moore Park and an advocate for safety and dignity for all members of our community.
[1:17:13]
I am here to speak about and to speak against the recent ICE rates that have been occurring in our city.
[1:17:19]
These rates are not just immigration enforcement actions.
[1:17:23]
They are acts of intimidation, that tear families apart sore fear in our neighborhood.
[1:17:31]
And undermine the trust between our communities and our local institutions.
[1:17:37]
Parents are disappearing on the way to work.
[1:17:39]
Children are coming home to empty homes.
[1:17:42]
And residents are afraid to report crimes and seek medical attention and
[1:17:46]
10 school or 10 work.
[1:17:49]
Is this the kind of city that we are that we have become?
[1:17:54]
We must remember many of these people have been here for decades, years.
[1:18:01]
They are being targeted many for our skin color.
[1:18:05]
You can be a US citizen and there has been countless cases where you can tell them I am a US citizen and you are targeted on your skin color.
[1:18:19]
We pay taxes, we contribute to our economy and enrich our culture and they do not deserve
[1:18:27]
this.
[1:18:28]
They deserve to live in peace and indignity.
[1:18:31]
I urge the council to take action.
[1:18:35]
We must stop ice rates in our city.
[1:18:38]
Silence makes us a complex.
[1:18:41]
Our city should be a place of safety and due process for all.
[1:18:48]
Committing to non-corporate cooperation between local law and enforcement and I's,
[1:18:54]
our local resources should not be used to facilitate federal immigration enforcement, supporting
[1:19:00]
community-based resources for effective families, including legal aid, housing assistance,
[1:19:06]
and trauma counseling.
[1:19:09]
This is not just about immigration, it's about human rights, local control, and the
[1:19:15]
the sole of our city.
[1:19:16]
We cannot let fear divide us and just go and answer.
[1:19:22]
So please let's do something now, thank you.
[1:19:35]
And our next speaker is Jamal, and I apologize.
[1:19:38]
Borerat, I believe, is the last name.
[1:19:40]
He'll be followed by Melissa Calderon.
[1:19:46]
City Council, Mr. Mayor, and other members of city leadership.
[1:19:50]
My name is Muhammad Baraka, and I'm here to speak on the recent ice rays and
[1:19:55]
and advocate for the immigrant community.
[1:19:57]
My family immigrated to more park more than 55 years ago,
[1:20:01]
when less than a few thousand people lived here
[1:20:03]
by way of Palestine.
[1:20:05]
My grandfather, Adelberica, God rest his soul,
[1:20:08]
helped sponsor the United Farm Workers Movement
[1:20:11]
led by Caesar Chavez with a small grocery store
[1:20:15]
on high street way back when.
[1:20:17]
So when I speak about support of the immigrant community,
[1:20:20]
this is the rich history I come from in this wonderful town.
[1:20:26]
Seeing ice storm through our town is harrowing enough, reading your statement right after was made
[1:20:32]
it even worse.
[1:20:36]
You very well may be correct in saying that in saying symbolic condemnations
[1:20:43]
might not help, it may escalate the problem. But all of us right here today to say this is a problem,
[1:20:49]
and it needs to be escalated as a more serious concern from our elected leadership.
[1:20:57]
You ended your
[1:20:58]
Understatement by saying in challenging moments like these, we must hold on to what makes
[1:21:02]
more parks strong, respect, leadership, and community, not conflict.
[1:21:07]
I'm astonished I have to say that this community is in conflict and we are in a need of greater leadership.
[1:21:18]
We'll also make more park rate is our beloved immigrant community and in these trying times we must ask,
[1:21:24]
what are you doing to protect and serve our most vulnerable neighbors?
[1:21:29]
When you go home to your family,
[1:21:30]
Secondly, you don't have to fear the federal government snatching them off the street.
[1:21:35]
And that is what we call privilege.
[1:21:39]
Own your privilege, serve your constituents, and do better.
[1:21:43]
We are not asking you to rebel against the federal government.
[1:21:46]
We are asking you to exercise your basic humanity and make the effort your elected position calls for.
[1:21:51]
Thank you.
[1:21:52]
Our
[1:22:02]
next speaker is Melissa Calderon, who will be followed by Vivian.
[1:22:07]
Hello.
[1:22:09]
Good evening, Mayor Ennegrin, members of the City Council and fellow community members.
[1:22:14]
My name is Melissa Calderón Tamayo, and I'm here tonight to express deep concern and
[1:22:19]
opposition to the Mayor's June 13th statement regarding recent ICE activity in our community.
[1:22:25]
Mayor Ennegrin, in your letter you state that we should not do what harms more park most
[1:22:29]
turning on each other.
[1:22:31]
You urge unity and neutrality in the face of what you call a divisive issue, but with all
[1:22:36]
Well, to respect the decision to not take a stance on the militarized immigration enforcement in the safest city in the county is itself a political act and a harmful way.
[1:22:47]
You were elected by the people of this community to lead not to sidestep, declining to condemn aggressive immigration enforcement, actions that often tear families apart and strike fear into the hearts of our immigrant neighbors is not a neutral position.
[1:23:02]
It is a choice that sides with silence over justice.
[1:23:06]
It is a choice that condones the inhumane treatment and persecution of an entire group of
[1:23:11]
more park residents.
[1:23:12]
You write about more parks pride in being safe, welcoming, and respectful of human rights.
[1:23:17]
But when residents are afraid to adopt their children off at school, afraid to visit a park,
[1:23:21]
afraid to simply walk down the street, that is not safety.
[1:23:24]
That is not welcoming and refusing to acknowledge that fear and worse, refusing to take a moral
[1:23:31]
position against the actions that cause it, directly contradicts the values you claim to uphold.
[1:23:37]
I am not asking that you put yourself between ICE agents and more park residents.
[1:23:43]
I am simply asking this question, does the mayor oppose or support the recent ICE activity
[1:23:48]
in our community? That's it. Please answer, sir. What's more troubling is your stated fear of division
[1:23:56]
in the city we are to speak out but leadership is not about avoiding discomfort or controversy leadership
[1:24:02]
is about standing up for what is right even when it is hard a commitment to community does not mean
[1:24:08]
we stay silent when national political issues make their way into our own backyard it means we speak
[1:24:14]
up clearly and courageously against sir what is your position you urge residents to focus on what
[1:24:21]
unites us, but nothing divides a community faster than fear and silence.
[1:24:26]
If we want unity, it must be built on trust and protection for all Mar Park presidents,
[1:24:31]
documented or not.
[1:24:32]
Voters deserve to know your position on this issue now that it has affected us here in
[1:24:37]
our community.
[1:24:38]
I implore you, sir, to please be transparent, make your views on this issue known to us.
[1:24:44]
If you support the federal government's recent actions carried out in one of the safest
[1:24:48]
the cities in California, then please say so clearly.
[1:24:53]
You are a civic leader, and we are all here participating in a civic action.
[1:24:58]
To make informed decisions regarding civic leadership, we the people of more part deserve
[1:25:03]
to know how our democratic elected mayor feels about the events affecting many of our families.
[1:25:08]
I'm not asking you to agree with me or to hold the same opinion as I do.
[1:25:12]
I am simply asking that you articulate your position clearly and for the record.
[1:25:17]
Thank you.
[1:25:17]
And
[1:25:26]
our next speaker is Vivian who will be followed by Linda Demian.
[1:25:37]
Hello, my name is Vivian Garcia Mesa. I am here speaking on behalf of the Morapark youth and community.
[1:25:43]
I feel as a community and a young person, I have to make my voice heard because clearly no one is hearing our voices.
[1:25:50]
Or listening to the cries of our people that have been endured for the past two weeks or even before.
[1:25:57]
Morepec has always been a safe place for us, we go to school, we work here, we even create families here.
[1:26:04]
But instead we have been terrorized, harassed, and abused because of ICE.
[1:26:09]
We please ask you to have the compassion and respect we all have for community.
[1:26:14]
We are all living in fear and constant pain knowing one of our family members can be taken at any time, whether it's at work or at school.
[1:26:22]
I am tired of knowing you are using our voices for indifference instead of protection, have
[1:26:34]
allowed to cause you have allowed to cause this fear and pain on the people who are simply unable to stand up on their own.
[1:26:44]
I ask you mayor to do and provide the support and protection that are needed to fight to help our neighbors in reciting the pledge of allegiance it states with liberty and justice for all.
[1:26:57]
with everything going on it sure doesn't feel justice for all. My great grandpa came
[1:27:03]
here in the 70s protesting the same thing we are doing now. When will it stop?
[1:27:17]
He and along many other immigrants are the reason we have fruits and vegetables
[1:27:21]
on our table. Don't bite the hands that feed you. Thank you.
[1:27:38]
And our next speaker is
[1:27:39]
Linda Demian I believe is the name who will be followed by Liz Soda.
[1:27:48]
My name is
[1:27:49]
And I have lived in more park for 43 years.
[1:27:52]
On Monday I met with Mayor Erdogan and
[1:27:55]
Council Member Delgado along with the small group of concerned citizens.
[1:27:59]
Our purpose was to engage and open dialogue and
[1:28:01]
assist in creating an action plan for the residents of the city.
[1:28:05]
I want to speak about what led up to that discussion and what has transpired in the city just in the past week.
[1:28:11]
Basically to put a name and a face to what is happening but without revealing any names or places for their safety.
[1:28:17]
Last Wednesday, I learned that one of the clients of Morpark Pantry plus was detained
[1:28:22]
that day, leaving a family without any source of income.
[1:28:25]
On Thursday, an appeal went out on social media to remind everyone to stay for the entire
[1:28:29]
graduation ceremonies if they were attending as there would be students graduating whose
[1:28:35]
parents could not come because they were fearful of leaving their home.
[1:28:38]
On Friday, three day laborers were detained at their shelter on city property near the food
[1:28:43]
pantry.
[1:28:44]
There was also a protest at the intersection of L.A. and Spring that was organized by young
[1:28:49]
people, not an organization, not a political party, but young people who chose to raise
[1:28:54]
their voices and express their views and concerns.
[1:28:57]
They did this on their last day of school rather than going to the beach or having a party
[1:29:01]
because it matters.
[1:29:03]
On Saturday, I went to lunch at a restaurant in Moorpark.
[1:29:05]
The owner apologized for the slow service because most of his employees were afraid to
[1:29:09]
show up for work.
[1:29:10]
Also on Saturday, over 500 people of all ages and ethnicities showed up for a peaceful protest at the intersection of LA and spring.
[1:29:18]
Many were protesting for the first time.
[1:29:21]
Everyone was there because they felt they needed to say this is not okay.
[1:29:25]
One person I spoke with was representing her husband who works in construction and has been trying to become a legal citizen for years.
[1:29:34]
But the process is cumbersome and very costly.
[1:29:36]
On Sunday, I spoke with the owner of another restaurant here in
[1:29:39]
More Park. He said they're doing fine, but everyone is scared. On
[1:29:42]
Monday, my husband and I delivered food, diapers, and necessities to the
[1:29:46]
family of the pantry client that was kidnapped. Our honor way to the house, we
[1:29:51]
stopped in Mayflower Market to get some additional food for their children.
[1:29:55]
Thirty minutes after I left the market, another customer also was leaving the
[1:29:59]
the market.
[1:30:00]
Instead of going home, like I did, they were detained by ICE, as they descended on downtown
[1:30:05]
more park terrorizing families along Charles Street. Later that day, I learned that an employee at
[1:30:11]
another local well-known restaurant was driving other employees to and from work so that they would
[1:30:15]
feel safe going to their place of employment. Another small business in town actually locked their door
[1:30:20]
during business hours when ICE descended on their shopping center. The businesses that I am
[1:30:25]
referring to are in every corner of the city, not just one area.
[1:30:29]
So my call to you, actually my plea, is for you to go to our local businesses and not
[1:30:33]
just those that belong to the chamber.
[1:30:35]
Let them know you're here for them.
[1:30:37]
Let them know that the city can and cannot do to help them.
[1:30:41]
Go to the more park pantry, see what the needs are.
[1:30:44]
This is a place that people trust and you can hear about real people, human beings, and
[1:30:48]
what is truly happening within our community.
[1:30:50]
and just remember caring about people is not political.
[1:30:55]
And
[1:31:04]
our next speaker is Liz Soto, who will be followed by Janet Nockleby.
[1:31:11]
Good evening council members, mayor and community.
[1:31:15]
My name is Elizabeth Soto and I have lived in more part for close to 40 years.
[1:31:21]
I love this city.
[1:31:23]
Support my community and patronize every establishment that I possibly can.
[1:31:29]
Today, I want to talk about fear. Fear of being discovered during raids. Fear of what
[1:31:40]
will happen to families. Fear of loss and separation. Fear of not being accepted or
[1:31:49]
understood and coping with fear. These are all described in the Diary of Anne Frank written in 1944.
[1:32:01]
That's 80 years ago and here we are living it again.
[1:32:11]
I ask and challenge you as our elected leaders
[1:32:15]
to denounce the targeted raids happening now in more park and in all the
[1:32:22]
other communities across Ventura County. To work in unity quickly to issue a
[1:32:32]
statement condemning the inhumane treatment of those impacted and that
[1:32:40]
And dignity and respect are human rights, no matter one's legal status.
[1:32:49]
Our community and all of its residents are valued and will be protected.
[1:32:56]
Working together, we can make this happen.
[1:33:00]
Throughout all lives, we're teachers and we're students.
[1:33:06]
And I hope you look at this as a learning moment, where you are the students.
[1:33:13]
Thank you.
[1:33:24]
And our next speaker is Janet Nockleby.
[1:33:26]
Hope you follow by Janet Murphy.
[1:33:29]
Hello, my name is Janet Nockleby.
[1:33:31]
I've lived in more park for over 25 years.
[1:33:34]
I want to thank the council for this opportunity to share my comments.
[1:33:37]
And I want to thank Mayor Annagrin for meeting with a group of concerned residents
[1:33:40]
that included me a few days ago.
[1:33:42]
To be very frank, guys, we are not okay.
[1:33:48]
We know that the federal government is not only taking people that are dangerous criminals,
[1:33:53]
people with legal status and even citizens have been taken and detained.
[1:33:58]
There is no transparency about the status of these people detained and even our elected
[1:34:03]
officials are not allowed access to facilities as is legally required.
[1:34:09]
I say this not that you should have control over that, but you have to unknow and understand the fear in this group.
[1:34:16]
We are asking our local leaders to get in front of a local current situation and take proactive steps to protect our community.
[1:34:23]
All of us.
[1:34:25]
I'm sure that this will also, others will comment on the state of anxiety and the fear in this community, but I want to highlight some concerns I've heard or witnessed personally.
[1:34:34]
There are people in Moore Park who are afraid to loot leave their own homes.
[1:34:39]
There are businesses that are understaffed because their employees are too afraid to
[1:34:44]
come into work.
[1:34:45]
There are businesses that are afraid of potential vandalism should there be public unrest.
[1:34:51]
And I got to say, I can't, you know, that's fear.
[1:34:56]
And as a woman with daughters, I'm extremely worried that ICE and the people working with
[1:35:01]
them are covering their faces and not producing proper ID when challenged.
[1:35:06]
Indeed, there are several reports of women who have been abducted and assaulted by someone
[1:35:13]
coastflaying to be a law enforcer.
[1:35:16]
Just this last weekend, my home state of Minnesota experienced this first hand and the complete
[1:35:21]
horror because of that.
[1:35:23]
We have to recognize that there are people out there with bad intent and we don't know
[1:35:27]
for sure that our community is secure from this type of threat.
[1:35:31]
Sure, we can call 9-1-1 when we see this, but in the situations I named, that was not
[1:35:37]
an option.
[1:35:38]
I'm begging you, as community leaders, to rise up above partisanship and show this community
[1:35:44]
that we care about everyone who lives and works here.
[1:35:47]
We need to know that while you cannot control the situation at the federal or state level,
[1:35:53]
You will do everything in your power to ensure that the residents of this community know you have their backs.
[1:36:01]
This is your opportunity to show your constituents that you are strong leaders.
[1:36:07]
Please do that.
[1:36:18]
Our next speaker is Janet Murphy, who will be followed by Liz Soto.
[1:36:22]
I don't know if we have a second Liz Soto in the audience or not.
[1:36:30]
Good evening, City Council.
[1:36:32]
Staff and more part community.
[1:36:36]
As a resident of Moore Park, I have been active in our community for off and on for 35 years.
[1:36:42]
Some of the political campaigns I've been involved with has caused division amongst groups opposing and individuals.
[1:36:50]
But usually after the dust settles, we go back to living our good life in our fine city.
[1:36:57]
Currently, the good is not so good for many.
[1:37:02]
Many people from our community, as we've been said already, have been targeted, kidnapped,
[1:37:08]
detained, or deported, and or deported without due process.
[1:37:13]
Most would say this is alarming and terrorizing, they're terrorists in our community.
[1:37:21]
I have recently joined an organization called VC Defencia.
[1:37:25]
We are a people power all volunteer organization.
[1:37:29]
We are pushing back against the immigration and customs enforcement, ICE.
[1:37:35]
We have a hot line to call.
[1:37:40]
If you see ICE reported, we have volunteers that patrol areas.
[1:37:46]
And we also need more volunteers throughout our county.
[1:37:50]
Our focus is our county and we have groups in each city.
[1:37:54]
The phone number is 805-296-119.
[1:38:01]
Exercising our First Amendment rights, we use our voices and cameras to denounce the
[1:38:06]
actions and presence in our town.
[1:38:09]
And we tell them, ICE, you are not welcome here, get out.
[1:38:14]
And so we use our voices and we push them out and we use our cameras.
[1:38:19]
Last Friday, after ISIS was roaming and snatching people in our community and throwing them into the white vans,
[1:38:26]
they rallied behind target in the alley, about 15 to 20 armed mass men.
[1:38:33]
Myself and other members of UCI events, and people nearby shouted out them to leave, and within five minutes, they rolled out.
[1:38:42]
We got them to leave.
[1:38:49]
This didn't help the terrified people that were already in the vans, but maybe we stopped them from taking more from the community members on that day.
[1:38:58]
I tell you this, so everyone knows there is an organization efforts to push ICE out.
[1:39:04]
I'm not asking the city to help with the defense of the state defenses of work, but I'm asking each of you to denounce the actions of ICE.
[1:39:13]
today, find ways to help residents that are suffering and living in fear.
[1:39:17]
We need leadership from this council now, right now.
[1:39:20]
Lastly, I'd like to ask residents that are being targeted, that are not being targeted,
[1:39:26]
to stand up and please use your privilege to push ICE out.
[1:39:31]
No human is illegal.
[1:39:43]
So our next speaker will be Bernardo Perez, who'll be followed by Jesse Valerio.
[1:39:48]
Good
[1:39:52]
evening, Mayor Annagrin, City Council members, City staff, and my more
[1:39:57]
part neighbors. I am compelled to be here tonight by recent immigration and
[1:40:02]
customs enforcement activities that have brought devastating impacts to my
[1:40:07]
community neighbors, to our community neighbors, caused primarily by the heavy
[1:40:12]
handed horrendous and undeniably racially biased implementation of federal
[1:40:17]
immigration policy. I know the city is constrained by the limits of its legislative authority and can do little about federal policy.
[1:40:27]
However, any and every city's primary purpose is to provide for the health, safety and welfare of its residents.
[1:40:34]
The community is crying out for the City Council to do just that.
[1:40:41]
The city can protect us residents, it can support us residents including business owners
[1:40:47]
by informing and educating them of their rights.
[1:40:50]
It can work with willing community members, and imagine there's quite a few in the room
[1:40:55]
tonight, and community-based organizations in this effort.
[1:40:59]
In this regard, I want to thank Mayor Annagrin for making himself available to meet with
[1:41:05]
me and a few other community members about this.
[1:41:07]
I thank you and Mayor Pro Tem Renatal Gato for your positive and collaborative response
[1:41:14]
that I hope and trust will lead to positive, responsive and timely action by the entire
[1:41:20]
City Council.
[1:41:22]
This community is counting on you, and somebody earlier in the evening mentioned that
[1:41:27]
hope is not just a feeling, but it's a strategy.
[1:41:30]
I would be remiss if I didn't also address the matter of a certain photo making the rounds
[1:41:36]
on social media and was presented earlier in this evening.
[1:41:40]
It's the photo of ICE officers gathering in the parking lot at the alley,
[1:41:45]
ostensibly at Annagrin Brewery.
[1:41:49]
Some have used this photo to a ledge.
[1:41:52]
No, not a ledge.
[1:41:54]
They have predetermined without basis in fact or investigation that Mayor Annagrin
[1:42:00]
is complicit with or supportive of ICE activities against our neighbors.
[1:42:04]
Our group discussed this matter with Chris, and I have no reason to doubt his
[1:42:12]
veracity or sincerity when he says he had no prior knowledge that ICE would be
[1:42:17]
at the Alley property, property that he does not own or control outside of his
[1:42:22]
own business. Chris and I have our differences on a range of policy matters, but I
[1:42:29]
respect and trust in our open dialogue and appreciate that we can and do work
[1:42:34]
on matters of mutual interest.
[1:42:37]
No one deserves personal attacks such as he and his family have received.
[1:42:42]
Personal attacks only exacerbate an already tense situation and takes the focus off the
[1:42:49]
matter that brings us all here tonight.
[1:42:52]
I'll wrap up.
[1:42:54]
If we as a community are to work together at this or any other critical time, then we must
[1:43:00]
resolve to stay focused on the task at hand, and that is to do what we can, each in our
[1:43:07]
own way, to protect and support our affected and at-risk neighbors. Thank you.
[1:43:14]
The
[1:43:21]
next speaker is Jesse Valerio, who will be followed by Jane Strenfellow.
[1:43:26]
Greetings Mayor and fellow Councilman. First of all, I'd like to acknowledge all the young
[1:43:31]
people that are talking, standing up for their parents, their family.
[1:43:43]
I live here in
[1:43:44]
more park for 60 years and I worked at Lake City and that time there was a lot of
[1:43:51]
immigration but they weren't doing what they were doing now. I know we, me and my
[1:43:58]
My wife suffered,
[1:44:02]
you know, we felt what they were doing because one morning I was getting
[1:44:07]
ready to go to work.
[1:44:08]
My wife was making me my lunch, we heard her knock, we opened the door, it was the immigration.
[1:44:15]
My wife had, they reported her, she was at that time, she was illegal, but we were getting
[1:44:22]
our papers and she was getting her papers done, so we showed them to the immigration
[1:44:29]
and he said, okay, well, just get it done and they're not like right now that they go
[1:44:34]
and just, they don't even ask no questions, just get you and throw you on the ground and
[1:44:40]
handcuff you and then they don't even know where they are.
[1:44:52]
I'm just concerned by the way that they're doing it and I agree with everybody that's been saying that something needs to be done.
[1:45:00]
We're done. Thank you.
[1:45:09]
And our next speaker is Jade Scrinfollow, who'll be followed by Angelica Valencia.
[1:45:20]
Good evening, council members and community members. My name is Jade, and I've lived in more park for around 15 years now. I'm a volunteer with VC Defensa, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of immigrants and refugees in Ventura County. We provide know your rights workshops and we have a rapid
[1:45:41]
response hotline for reporting ICE.
[1:45:44]
In the past week, they have detained people here in More Park outside of Carla's bakery,
[1:45:50]
the gas station on Princeton's in spring near the 7-11 and on High Street.
[1:45:56]
Our community is scared and hurting.
[1:46:00]
Multiple businesses that I have talked to have had to close for the day because business
[1:46:04]
has been slow or they don't know what's going to happen.
[1:46:08]
And it's because these ICE agents have been using illegal and disgusting tactics.
[1:46:13]
They do not present warrants, they are masked up, and they refuse to identify themselves.
[1:46:18]
And they have not allowed our lawyers to speak to their clients.
[1:46:22]
You will see them geared up with their vest reading police.
[1:46:26]
They have detained citizens, workers, mothers and fathers, separating families and
[1:46:32]
traumatizing children, and in regards to the mayor's statement, the people employ our leaders here to make us another statement that you do not condone these actions.
[1:46:44]
You do not want ICE in our city, and you do not want them kidnapping people, and it is kidnapping because what these agents have been doing is blatantly unconstitutional.
[1:46:54]
There should be no division in creating, there should be no division created by making a political statement against the illegal tactics that have been used against our communities.
[1:47:12]
If you say you are protecting fairness for the people of Moorpark, the dignity of the constituents you represent, then stand with them, support them, and tell them you are against what ICE has been doing here.
[1:47:31]
Prioritize providing resources and true protection for our immigrant communities.
[1:47:36]
And listen to the people here today who have real and urgent concerns.
[1:47:40]
Thank you.
[1:47:50]
And our next speaker is Angelica Valencia, who will be followed by Gabriella Hoban.
[1:48:00]
My name is Angelica Valencia, gender pronouncing her A. I'm a first generation U.S. citizen.
[1:48:06]
I stay silent, so you sense that there is no peace here.
[1:48:12]
That's the peace that I wish to achieve from you all.
[1:48:16]
Make me believe that, my people.
[1:48:19]
I live here 32 years of my life.
[1:48:24]
In those 32 years, I have never felt unsafe until today,
[1:48:28]
until this week.
[1:48:31]
I'm a mother to two.
[1:48:34]
And thank God I'm a citizen, right?
[1:48:36]
Because I can protect my kids.
[1:48:37]
That's my privilege. What is yours?
[1:48:44]
I grew up in this community. I went to all high schools,
[1:48:48]
all elementary schools, all high schools here in Moore Park. I played soccer. I went to the
[1:48:52]
University of CSU and see these are all privileges.
[1:48:56]
Privileges that my parents sacrificed in order for
[1:48:59]
me to achieve these, have they not been deported back when they came to this country. The same opportunity
[1:49:05]
to me that all generations should have.
[1:49:08]
I'm not asking for a solution, but I'm asking you
[1:49:12]
to hear our concerns and our fears,
[1:49:13]
because they live within us every single day.
[1:49:18]
I could keep listing the privileges that I have,
[1:49:20]
but what good does that do?
[1:49:21]
Nothing.
[1:49:23]
Silence is violence.
[1:49:27]
I want to wrap up with the poem that I wrote.
[1:49:31]
I raised my voice so you can hear me loud and clear.
[1:49:34]
I'm standing tall because I do not fear violence is what you choose to be so we
[1:49:40]
resist because all we want to be is free free from a fact you use to
[1:49:45]
frame us in your mind but when you look at the record there's nothing you can
[1:49:48]
find you look deep in your soul to search us search for comfort of your own
[1:49:53]
actions but the truth is you discover that we are just a transaction truth is what
[1:49:58]
I am speaking right now and I have to ask myself if you hear me out loud so
[1:50:03]
So let me be so loud at echoes what you sleep and in the middle of the night your guilt
[1:50:07]
awakens you as you weak.
[1:50:09]
You live in a world where you shut your eyes and cover your ears while my people constantly
[1:50:13]
live in fear.
[1:50:14]
Fear in their eyes while they look at you in desperation, wondering what they did wrong
[1:50:19]
to end up in the situation.
[1:50:22]
When we are just trying to make a living but you have no empathy and you expect us to be
[1:50:26]
forgiving, forgiving is what God asks us to do when we sin but this is our life, the reality
[1:50:31]
within. Do you really think in the end that you will win respect? Your badge of honor
[1:50:35]
does this even exist with all this horror? But it's easy for you to live your life because
[1:50:40]
you hide behind the disguise ruining innocent lives protecting yourself with mass and armor thinking
[1:50:45]
will attack you because we are the foreigner. I'm going to skip down to the bottom because I
[1:50:50]
am running out of time. We are chasing the American dream. The one you want to rip from our hands so we
[1:50:55]
do not achieve. I thought we were all human on the same team and if fighting for what is right is a
[1:51:00]
crime, I will choose to be a Mexican every single time.
[1:51:18]
I think what's become blatant, oh I'm so sorry, Gabriella Hobern, I am here because I think
[1:51:24]
that it's becoming blatantly clear that we are underrepresented in this community.
[1:51:29]
I am seeing that a lot of people are completely unaware of the plight of the majority of
[1:51:36]
the citizens in this town.
[1:51:37]
I have seen and heard a different story from different people indicating that they're literally
[1:51:44]
taking citizens, they're not returning them to this state, they're taking them to other states.
[1:51:50]
They, it's unlawful, they're not giving them their due process.
[1:51:54]
You know, I think that when I saw that same letter that people keep kind of like bringing up
[1:51:59]
about the mayor, there is some sort of idea that the mayor is complicit because he's not speaking
[1:52:06]
out or acting out. What I've seen is that actions speak louder than words.
[1:52:11]
I don't know, and I guess, you know, like you were saying, you're not going to answer questions.
[1:52:17]
But I wonder how many people on this panel or in this community have actually gone to Ventura to go check on the citizens that are being taken from this city, whether they're residents or working on their status, whatever it may be.
[1:52:33]
Not their family, so they don't care.
[1:52:35]
Right.
[1:52:36]
So, I mean, at the end of the day, I think actions speak louder than words like another woman had indicated.
[1:52:41]
This is a learning moment.
[1:52:43]
We want to see what this panel is going to do for the community.
[1:52:46]
We are the people, and then that will just tell us that the next time that elections come up,
[1:52:52]
we're going to make sure that people are representing this community.
[1:52:58]
But like I said, I don't know if each of you can discuss amongst yourselves what actions or what plans from this point moving forward.
[1:53:08]
You're going to prove to us that you're working for the people. And I know that a lot of people here, you know, with this narrative like immigrants home a first time, you know, like generation immigrant.
[1:53:18]
I don't care. We're all immigrants. You're all immigrants.
[1:53:22]
So let's just kind of keep that clear, you're welcome to flag your German flag over at your, you know, brewery.
[1:53:30]
We're allowed to fly our Mexican flag because we're proud of our heritage.
[1:53:34]
And I don't think anybody should feel like they should feel ashamed of who they are.
[1:53:51]
And our next speaker is David Lopez Lee, who'll be followed by D. Millenian.
[1:54:00]
Good evening. My name is Dr. David Lopez Lee. Retired USC Professor of Public Policy, Public
[1:54:06]
Administration.
[1:54:10]
I've been in more park 18 years and this is almost as frightening as
[1:54:15]
when I was in the Rodney King riots in 1992. I gave testimony before the Christopher Commission.
[1:54:25]
And I told them that in front of my house the police had thrown me on the ground and spread
[1:54:30]
me and I was living in front of my house just changing a tire. So this reminds me of that.
[1:54:37]
And why did they do that in front of my house? Because I have a darker skin. That's what they're
[1:54:41]
doing here now.
[1:54:44]
And I'm just wondering, have you folks asked ice to give you their charge?
[1:54:51]
What are they charged with doing? All I can do is make an inference. They're picking up people that
[1:54:56]
are brown, different shades of brown, and throwing them in their vents,
[1:55:04]
and many of them
[1:55:05]
are citizens, some are elected officials, so I'm guessing, who are they going after?
[1:55:13]
It would be nice for you to get a written statement from them.
[1:55:16]
Then your attorneys here can determine, what are they legally constrained from doing?
[1:55:22]
What is the constitution allowed them to do and not to do?
[1:55:25]
Because some of you said there are federal constraints, no, no, they can't overstep constitutional constraints.
[1:55:33]
It would be very easy for you to find out what they are, what are the rights and responsibilities of people like me.
[1:55:40]
For example, when I'm driving, I'm wondering, is my driver's license enough?
[1:55:45]
Is my passport enough? I don't think so.
[1:55:50]
I don't think I would be able to prove that I was born here.
[1:55:54]
because I don't know where my birth certificate is. That's true of most of us, by the way, and the darker you are, the more difficult it'll be for you.
[1:56:03]
So again, I ask you, find out what their charges and in kind, find out what the legal ramifications mean for the residents of this city.
[1:56:12]
Thank you very much.
[1:56:13]
The
[1:56:23]
next speaker is Dee Mullen, who will be followed by Crystal.
[1:56:28]
Hello, my name is Dee.
[1:56:30]
I've lived in Moore Park almost all my life, and this is the first time I'm speaking before our city council.
[1:56:35]
And I'm doing so because our community needs you to take a stand against the racism, harassment, and
[1:56:41]
blatant kidnapping of our community members.
[1:56:44]
Immigrants are the backbone of Moore Park.
[1:56:46]
They are our friends, our family members, our neighbors, our co-workers.
[1:56:51]
They teach our kids.
[1:56:53]
They harvest the food on our table.
[1:56:56]
They make your beer.
[1:56:58]
Don't turn your back on them.
[1:57:00]
Our undocumented and immigrant community is being terrorized, brutalized, and dehumanized.
[1:57:05]
When will you take action?
[1:57:08]
Stop all cooperation with ICE.
[1:57:10]
Do not share data with them.
[1:57:12]
do not let them park at your brewery and take a stand against the people, take a stand against the
[1:57:20]
people who are tearing apart more park families. Please protect us. Provide alerts when
[1:57:27]
ISIS in more park, set up a pro bono legal services, share know your rights info, do anything other than
[1:57:35]
this cowardly lack of action you are showing now.
[1:57:41]
For the community members listening, don't forget
[1:57:44]
that we all have constitutional rights.
[1:57:46]
It encounters with ICE, remain silent, do not open your door,
[1:57:51]
and do not sign anything.
[1:57:53]
Sign up with VC Defensa and 805 in Dockyfund
[1:57:55]
to report ICE and receive alerts if they're in your area.
[1:57:59]
Para la comunidad que está escuchando,
[1:58:02]
no se olviden que todos tenemos derechos dados
[1:58:05]
por la constitución.
[1:58:07]
No digan nada, no hablen la puerta, no fierben nada,
[1:58:11]
y las animo a unirse a VC Defensa
[1:58:13]
and Ero 5 on Docky Fun to report to ICE and receive
[1:58:17]
your alerts if people are standing in Suaria.
[1:58:23]
Let's keep each other safe and keep ICE out of our community.
[1:58:27]
Solo el pueblo, salvo al pueblo.
[1:58:29]
Thank you.
[1:58:41]
Our next speaker is Crystal.
[1:58:43]
Who will be followed by Lisa Padilla.
[1:58:50]
Good evening, Mayor.
[1:58:51]
Good evening, Councilmembers.
[1:58:53]
I'd like to read an email that I sent to you, Mr. Mayor
[1:58:55]
on Friday night after your butter was passed around on social media.
[1:59:00]
As a lifelong resident of Morpark, I am deeply disappointed in your recent letter to the
[1:59:06]
community in lack of meaningful response to the concern facing our community this past
[1:59:10]
weekend.
[1:59:12]
Your letter to the community failed to address the real issue, the visible presence of
[1:59:16]
ICE in Morpark, especially those that were spotted outside of your place of business,
[1:59:22]
which instilled fear in many residents.
[1:59:25]
These are the very people who support your business and make up the fabric of this community.
[1:59:32]
When we protest in Morpark, we do so peacefully.
[1:59:35]
As you referred to them, our public gestures have not turned tense because this community
[1:59:44]
values mutual respect and safety.
[1:59:47]
That is the beauty of Morpark, something you seem to overlook.
[1:59:50]
Look, it is disheartening to see where you stand in this moment by choosing not to support
[1:59:55]
your constituents.
[1:59:57]
You have made your position clear.
[2:00:00]
Your action suggests a disconnect from the people you were elected to represent. And the customers
[2:00:05]
who support your business, we will remember this come election time. Good evening.
[2:00:27]
I am
[2:00:28]
disgusted by ice being here. I know I have white privilege. I have total. I admit it. I
[2:00:34]
have white privilege. I don't have to worry.
[2:00:39]
I don't have to worry about, you know, me being
[2:00:42]
snatched from anywhere. My husband is Mexican. He is now driving around with his passport.
[2:00:49]
He doesn't know if that's going to be enough. And to be honest, he's scared. We're talking about
[2:00:56]
the Constitution. I feel like this, going for the federal government, it's not following the
[2:01:02]
Constitution whatsoever. So that's a problem for me. But what I really came here, what I really came
[2:01:09]
here to say and not I know some of you personally I know where your heart stands I saw looks that
[2:01:19]
I was given when I went over and said hi or give you hug or because I know I just know you and
[2:01:27]
your heart. Do I or politics for for some of us are night and day? I am as
[2:01:36]
liberal as they come. I was there at the march. I was so proud of Morpark. They
[2:01:43]
were amazing and peaceful and you know I just I love that everybody came out.
[2:01:57]
So what I'm upset about, and honestly, this is what I'm mostly upset about, is people
[2:02:02]
jumping to conclusions.
[2:02:04]
I know that Mayor Integrans does not own the parking lot at Integrans.
[2:02:09]
I know that they got there at 6.30 in the morning when no one else was there.
[2:02:16]
I also know that he is not cooperating with ICE in any way, shape, or form.
[2:02:23]
I wish ICE would go to their own island and go away from every, the fact that they're
[2:02:28]
massed, the fact that they're doing everything illegal is disgusting to me.
[2:02:33]
I hated I'm a teacher, my kids are scared to come to school, parents are scared, but
[2:02:40]
I know that they are immigrant, Renee Delgado, all of the people here are not helping them,
[2:02:51]
They're not telling them where to go.
[2:02:54]
I mean, the fact that they're even going to workplaces,
[2:02:57]
like the people are working, people are going to school,
[2:03:00]
people are contributing.
[2:03:02]
One of the signs that is my favorite sign is,
[2:03:05]
you cannot be illegal on stone land,
[2:03:07]
and I truly, truly believe that with all my heart.
[2:03:11]
I'm also Jewish.
[2:03:12]
I also had family in the Holocaust.
[2:03:14]
This is a big reminder of being picked off the street,
[2:03:18]
and because of your religion, this has to do
[2:03:20]
with color of skin, it's, to me, it's the same thing.
[2:03:22]
It's disgusting and sickening.
[2:03:25]
But I truly know with all my heart, I'll just finish that.
[2:03:30]
These people sitting up here are not to blame
[2:03:33]
for what is going on in the federal government.
[2:03:36]
And
[2:03:44]
the last speaker card that I have for public comment
[2:03:46]
is from Dr. Roseanne Micas.
[2:03:55]
Good evening, Mayor and Councilmembers.
[2:03:58]
I want to thank everybody here for everything
[2:04:01]
that they've had to say.
[2:04:02]
But this has been hopefully for all of you, Saf, and the public, and I opener, and a learning moment, just like several of the people have said.
[2:04:14]
And I took down a lot of great quotes you probably did too, and we deserve better.
[2:04:22]
I don't think for a minute that Mayor Anninger intended his letter to cause something like this to happen.
[2:04:32]
I think he thought he was doing the right thing and he didn't realize how serious this situation is because, you know, the thing is, the thing is, what I am asking you to do as a counsel, and I don't know what your summer schedule is like or when your next meeting is, if it's not going to be before a recess, then I want you to have a future agenda item on a special meeting designed for this topic.
[2:05:03]
where you bring the city attorney, the police department, whoever are the ones that know the most about this kind of stuff, and the staff, if it can be a special meeting where you try to bring the public to have a reasonable conversation about this, so that you can develop a position different than what has happened to you.
[2:05:33]
so far, which is basically being quiet and saying, you know, you know, you
[2:05:38]
couldn't have meant. You probably didn't realize until you read it afterwards, you
[2:05:43]
know, after when people started complaining, you know, but it made it sound like
[2:05:47]
the people that were protesting shouldn't have protested. And I'm here to tell you
[2:05:52]
that that protest was the greatest protest that we've ever had.
[2:05:57]
Okay.
[2:06:00]
And there were, as somebody mentioned, there were over 500 people there, much fewer
[2:06:10]
than when I went to the Black Lives Matter protest years ago and took black from other
[2:06:15]
city council members for doing it. But it was the right thing for me to do then, and it
[2:06:19]
was the right thing for me to do now.
[2:06:24]
And while you may not have been there, chances
[2:06:30]
are some of you did drive by and see how powerful it was. And to be their arm in arm with people
[2:06:40]
that I have known, I've lived here 44 years since well before we were city, but to be arm
[2:06:45]
in arm with people of all colors and people that were there for the first time in their life
[2:06:52]
to a protest, they never protested ever before. A lot of the people there, a lot of young people,
[2:06:59]
I'll wrap up here quickly, they felt camaraderie, they felt camaraderie and we need you to start
[2:07:08]
to feel that too.
[2:07:11]
So let's get a future agenda item, maybe a special meeting, maybe not, and let's do something
[2:07:18]
about this.
[2:07:20]
That
[2:07:28]
was the last speaker card we have on public comment.
[2:07:30]
I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight, especially the young people.
[2:07:37]
This is a really tough time right now.
[2:07:39]
I know people say action speak louder than words.
[2:07:42]
Thank you.
[2:07:45]
I have some ideas that I think we could do to make things better.
[2:07:49]
We can talk about that in a minute.
[2:07:51]
We're going to get into the next item here, which is the reordering and additions of the agenda.
[2:07:56]
Does anyone have anything to pull right now?
[2:08:00]
Yes, I would like to pull item 10G.
[2:08:03]
Okay, we can send.
[2:08:04]
Noted?
[2:08:05]
Yeah.
[2:08:05]
Okay, thank you.
[2:08:07]
Okay, when I'll move on to announcements, future agenda items, reports, and meetings,
[2:08:10]
and conferences, attended by council members in the mayor.
[2:08:13]
I want to go ahead and go first.
[2:08:15]
As things to talk about here, I need to set some things straight.
[2:08:23]
Friday June 13th was a deeply unsettling day in Moorpark.
[2:08:28]
At 6am, I received a text from one of my brewers with a photo showing ICE agents at my breweries
[2:08:34]
parking lot.
[2:08:36]
When I went back to look at that camera footage, at 5 o'clock they were there before anyone
[2:08:42]
was there in that brewery.
[2:08:44]
My father-in-law met them out there, saw them at 6 o'clock, he told them they had to leave.
[2:08:50]
By 6.30 they were gone.
[2:08:52]
By 730, rumors were already spreading falsely, accusing me of coordinating the raids from
[2:08:59]
the brewery and alleging that our police were cooperating with ICE.
[2:09:05]
By 830, I was receiving demands for a statement while in the middle of writing one, trying
[2:09:10]
to clarify this is a federal operation entirely outside the city's jurisdiction, and that no
[2:09:16]
at the city or more park police department had any prior knowledge or involvement.
[2:09:22]
And if I could just write that statement over and over and over again, I could have gotten
[2:09:25]
it much better. I know that. By 9.30 a.m., I always be labeling things that I'm not going to repeat
[2:09:32]
right here. And by 11 a.m., my family and my business was being attacked, smeared accusations of being
[2:09:40]
align with extremist ideologies, which is not true, simply because the statement I issued
[2:09:46]
didn't take an explicit stance that some demanded, and the fact that the rumors of ice
[2:09:52]
collaboration had spread far too wide by that point.
[2:09:57]
And let me ask this, why didn't people pause to consider whether ice may have been terrorizing
[2:10:03]
my employees at the brewery, or one of our neighboring businesses in the alley?
[2:10:08]
But that kind of thinking doesn't fuel outrage, linking myself and the city to this federal
[2:10:14]
operation was an easy and convenient way for some to spread anger and division which
[2:10:20]
has served as only a distraction from the real things.
[2:10:22]
Hate in such tense times can turn violent.
[2:10:25]
That's what we've been witnessing recently in this country.
[2:10:29]
I have to say, it changes you a little bit when your six-year-old asks you when you're
[2:10:34]
going to get shot leaving work for the house today.
[2:10:37]
Let me be clear, you see that more park has no control or federal immigration enforcement.
[2:10:41]
We cannot stop or obstruct federal operations.
[2:10:45]
What side are you on?
[2:10:46]
Are you with them?
[2:10:47]
Are you against them?
[2:10:47]
Ma'am, please, we do not have the duty, we do have the duty for our residents to keep our
[2:10:53]
community safe, united and informed.
[2:10:55]
We are focused on things that matter most and more park, safer streets, better infrastructure,
[2:11:00]
new amenities, and supporting all of our residents, regardless of immigration status.
[2:11:06]
We will not let federal immigration policy divide our city.
[2:11:10]
But the question is, what can we do?
[2:11:13]
We can take action to empower our community with information.
[2:11:17]
And there's been a lot of comments tonight that actually have some really good points of what we can do as a city.
[2:11:24]
We can put on a community session here.
[2:11:26]
We can talk about knowing your rights with encounters with federal agents.
[2:11:30]
understanding what to do if approached, preparing family members with power of
[2:11:35]
attorney, keeping critical documents accessible, helping businesses know their
[2:11:40]
rights and responsibilities, and providing trusted contact numbers and resources.
[2:11:46]
This week I met with Councilmember Doug Otto and a couple of concern
[2:11:50]
residents. Together we explored hosting a community information session led by
[2:11:56]
knowledgeable organization to cover these important topics. We must acknowledge the fear that is
[2:12:02]
caused not only for undocumented individuals but also for illegal residents of many ethnicities
[2:12:09]
who wrongfully fear detention or fear wrongful detention. Everyone deserves to be treated with
[2:12:15]
dignity and respect. But unfortunately that's not what we're seeing right now. This is not right.
[2:12:22]
people don't agree with the way this is actually happening. I called ICE, I called
[2:12:28]
them on Tuesday. I tried to understand what was happening, what they were doing,
[2:12:33]
who they were going after. I got nothing. They wouldn't tell me anything. With
[2:12:39]
your support, the rest of the council, I'd like to direct the staff and getting
[2:12:44]
together some sort of information session as soon as possible to at least try to
[2:12:49]
make some progress on this.
[2:12:53]
I don't have to open that up to any other comments on that.
[2:13:01]
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[2:13:03]
Yes, I support that.
[2:13:05]
I wrote a statement and I know several of you are new to the City Council before I read my statements.
[2:13:14]
We're guided by the Brown Act.
[2:13:17]
Multiple City Council members beyond two cannot meet publicly.
[2:13:21]
So the fact that we could meet for the first time publicly as a group is a really important
[2:13:25]
thing and that's one of the reasons why I welcome that.
[2:13:27]
So I'm going to go ahead and read this.
[2:13:31]
So first I would like to share my support for the individuals directly and negatively affected
[2:13:37]
by recent ICE activity in more part.
[2:13:39]
As a result of ICE's actions, we have family members and business owners impacted by a
[2:13:44]
pervasive sense of fear and intimidation and an unjustified use of authority.
[2:13:49]
Members of our community and those they love as we've heard from many of your speakers tonight are less likely to seek health care, access support services, and in some cases report to work or take their children to school.
[2:14:02]
I want to acknowledge and share appreciation for those present, those viewing the meeting in anyone who stands in solidarity with the affected by recent ICE activity in more park, and I use the term solidarity because these incidents further bind us together as a community and not hopefully separate us.
[2:14:18]
Before I make my next statement, I want to call attention to the Ventura County Sheriff's
[2:14:22]
for their adherence to not not assisting ICE activities.
[2:14:33]
The VC Sheriff's Office has been steadfast in supporting safe communities for all, and
[2:14:39]
I want to thank our chief for a side conversation that I apologize for not having had time to
[2:14:44]
respond to one of our communities outreach, and I look forward to working with the Council
[2:14:48]
on staff to address community concerns.
[2:14:52]
With all of that said, we should not be surprised or placed blame when community member
[2:14:58]
spell isolated, scared, or...
[2:15:00]
We are distrustful of law enforcement or public officials when we cannot keep them safe from federal actions or directives. We should be mindful and compassionate to those portions of our community, for whom these ICE activities evoke past hurts and traumas. We should be sensitive to the fact that stories of abuses of power have passed through and across generations of our residents. These are historical hurts that are manifested in those present here tonight.
[2:15:29]
across our beautiful city and connected to a greater struggle.
[2:15:32]
That struggle is a desire for human dignity.
[2:15:36]
That regardless of one's background or lack of privilege,
[2:15:39]
that their ability to live a life of peace
[2:15:41]
and to build a better future for their families
[2:15:43]
should be valued and protected.
[2:15:46]
I want to thank all of those here present tonight
[2:15:48]
for seeking to uplift others
[2:15:50]
and particular those words and experiences
[2:15:52]
that can only be spoken by you.
[2:15:54]
And lastly, as already stated, any actions or processes that we as a council can take to further elevate these voices.
[2:16:02]
We should welcome and support without hesitation.
[2:16:05]
Thank you.
[2:16:12]
Mr. Means, would you like to go next?
[2:16:15]
Certainly.
[2:16:17]
At May 22nd, I attended the More Park College Commencement Ceremony, which was a great celebration from people that had earned a degree in an education.
[2:16:36]
I've heard from many members of the public and had the opportunity to have dialogues with many of you and I appreciate it.
[2:16:46]
So much has been said that I agree with and absolutely may or I think we should have an information session calling stakeholders together to further this conversation.
[2:16:55]
I want to acknowledge that fear is real.
[2:16:57]
I want to acknowledge that dignity is important and vital for all people.
[2:17:03]
And I want to acknowledge that protest is constitutional.
[2:17:06]
And I want to thank the people who have come out tonight, the people who have spoken up,
[2:17:10]
for their positions and the people who have come out into the community to start important conversations about these topics.
[2:17:18]
I think that it is our right, it is our obligation, and
[2:17:22]
good for each and every one of you for taking your time away from your evening and
[2:17:26]
and your families and your activities to be here today
[2:17:29]
and to move your message forward.
[2:17:31]
So thank you.
[2:17:36]
Mr. Barrett,
[2:17:45]
I have some meetings I attended on June 5th.
[2:17:51]
I attended the Clean Power Alliance Board Meeting.
[2:17:54]
On June 6th, I had a meeting with Dennis Hardgrave
[2:17:58]
from Hit Ranch regarding the conservation easement
[2:18:00]
and trails.
[2:18:02]
On June 6th, I also attended the Quantum Systems ribbon
[2:18:07]
on June 10th. I attended a meeting with Ken Razer and Morgan Kent regarding the High
[2:18:16]
Street Art Center 100-year plans. On June 11th, I attended the City Employee Briefing
[2:18:25]
and Farewell to Troy. On June 11th, I attended the Chamber Board Meeting and on June
[2:18:37]
In 2012, I attended a tour of the High Street Depot project with developers Vince Daley and Tim Daley.
[2:18:45]
I also want to acknowledge everyone for being here tonight.
[2:18:48]
I appreciate you guys coming out and sharing your voices.
[2:18:54]
We heard many people say this is the first time that they've been to a council meeting.
[2:18:59]
It's the first time they've been in City Hall.
[2:19:01]
And welcome, please.
[2:19:03]
this you know this is your place this is your home you know we represent
[2:19:09]
everyone and we need to hear from you and and we appreciate hearing from you
[2:19:15]
and we're not perfect so I can tell you that you know hearing hearing you I
[2:19:23]
haven't done enough and I I will try and do better so I appreciate you I
[2:19:39]
want
[2:19:40]
One is say thank you to everybody for coming out, and the fear is real.
[2:19:45]
My morning walks used to be just my dogs and I by myself, and now I have my passport,
[2:19:51]
my driver's license, and my cell phone with me.
[2:19:54]
So I get it.
[2:19:55]
I'm right there next to you, beside you, I feel it, and please know that we will be doing
[2:20:03]
everything that we possibly can to help as much as possible.
[2:20:16]
So myself, June 6, I attended the quantum systems opening.
[2:20:20]
Then June 12, I attended the Morpark High School graduation.
[2:20:23]
So congratulations to all the new graduates from Morpark High.
[2:20:27]
I want to make a mention of the protest that happened over the weekend.
[2:20:31]
And I just want to say that I'm proud that we have a city that keeps it very classy.
[2:20:37]
It was very well-run, there was no trash, there was no pro-fanity, there was no screaming at people, it was very well-run and very well-respected, and I think that does bring out some change here.
[2:20:51]
I think coming in tonight and offering points, it's hard to hear, it's hard to listen sometimes because it gets uncomfortable, let's be honest, we're all humans, but I think if we can come together, I think we can get some good things done.
[2:21:04]
And I'm really going to work together with our staff, our City Council, Mr. Perez.
[2:21:09]
Thank you for reaching out to us and making this something.
[2:21:12]
And I want to have something done.
[2:21:15]
And PJ, I just want to make sure we've got this on the direction here for.
[2:21:19]
Yes, ma'am.
[2:21:20]
Yes, ma'am here in Council.
[2:21:21]
It looks like there is a general consensus among you to go ahead and
[2:21:26]
organize a community session or meeting with organizations out there that can provide those resources information to our community.
[2:21:33]
and I'll go ahead and make myself available immediately after this just to get
[2:21:37]
contact information for those organizations that we can collaborate with.
[2:21:41]
Excellent.
[2:21:41]
And let us all know how we can help you out to move this thing as fast as possible.
[2:21:45]
Thank you.
[2:21:45]
Excellent.
[2:21:46]
Thank you.
[2:21:53]
And I have a few announcements here.
[2:21:57]
Don't miss the first summer skate night on Friday, June 20th.
[2:22:00]
Put on your quads or boys and join us for an evening of skating, music, contests, and more.
[2:22:04]
The fun takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Royal Vista Community Park, multi-use court.
[2:22:08]
Mission is free, for details, visit moreparkca.gov-slashskate.
[2:22:14]
Teens entering 6th, 3-8th grade can buy tickets now for the Animal Coco, Loco, Lual.
[2:22:18]
Kick off the summer with water attractions, games, shave dyes, music, and more on Saturday, June 21st at the Royal Vista Community Park.
[2:22:26]
For details and ticket information, visit moreparkca.gov-slashteens.
[2:22:31]
The summer's concert in the park series kicks off Saturday, June 28th at 6pm.
[2:22:35]
The concert will be held at the Royal Vista community park and features electric vinyl,
[2:22:39]
the ultimate rock tribute.
[2:22:41]
Mission is free.
[2:22:42]
For more information, visit moreparksca.gov-slash-concerts.
[2:22:47]
Take us for now on sale for the City of Moreparks annual 3rd of July fireworks extravaganza.
[2:22:52]
This fun family event is held at the Royal Vista community park and features food booths, games
[2:22:56]
and attractions and presentation of the American flag and aerial fireworks display.
[2:23:01]
For details and to buy ticket discount tickets in advance visit more parkca.gov slash fireworks
[2:23:10]
Next we'll move on to item 8
[2:23:12]
Public hearing item a a is to consider formation of a community facilities district number 25-1 the Beltramma ranch
[2:23:21]
Resolution of formation resolution calling special election can this in the results resolution declaring election results and first reading of the ordinance levying special tax
[2:23:31]
Mr. Lauren Talsky
[2:23:33]
Thank you, Mayor and members of the City Council.
[2:23:35]
This item has been before you before.
[2:23:37]
It's essentially a continuation of the agenda report
[2:23:41]
that was presented on May 7th,
[2:23:43]
at which time the City Council adopted a resolution of intention
[2:23:46]
to form more park community facilities district 2025-1,
[2:23:51]
and to authorize the Levy of a special tax
[2:23:53]
to fund the maintenance costs and services
[2:23:55]
associated with the bell trauma ranch project.
[2:23:58]
As a reminder, the base year maximum annual special tax rate
[2:24:02]
has been established at $350 per residential unit and is projected to generate $16,450 in annual special tax revenue to fund the CFD.
[2:24:14]
The resolution of intention was an initial step for forming the CFD pursuant to the Mele Rouge Community Facilities Act of 1982, which includes holding a public hearing and submitting the special tax to the land owner at a special election.
[2:24:31]
in accordance with the act.
[2:24:33]
A notice of tonight's public hearing was duly published
[2:24:35]
and mail to the sole land owner within the proposed CFD,
[2:24:39]
the sole owner of which is KB Home.
[2:24:42]
The purpose of the hearing tonight is to consider
[2:24:45]
the formation of the CFD and to hear public testimony.
[2:24:50]
So following the close of the public hearing,
[2:24:52]
if there is not a majority protest,
[2:24:54]
the City Council may proceed with the formation
[2:24:56]
of the CFD by adopting several actions.
[2:24:59]
and I'll summarize those real quickly.
[2:25:02]
First is that City Council will need to adopt
[2:25:04]
the resolution of formation to formally establish a CFD,
[2:25:07]
as well as adopt the resolution calling for a special election.
[2:25:12]
Next, a mayor will ask the City Clerk to open the ballots
[2:25:14]
and announce whether the ballot measure has passed.
[2:25:17]
Once the ballots have been opened,
[2:25:20]
the City Council will need to adopt the resolution
[2:25:22]
declaring the election results.
[2:25:24]
And finally, provided the special election is successful,
[2:25:27]
the city attorney will introduce the first reading of the ordinance letting this special tax and this concludes my report and I'm available for any questions.
[2:25:36]
Any questions or staff? No questions?
[2:25:42]
The public here and we'll go ahead and we'll open the public hearing. Do we have any speakers?
[2:25:47]
No, Mr. Mayor. No speaker cards for the public hearing.
[2:25:50]
We'll go ahead and we'll close the public hearing.
[2:25:52]
Mr. Mayor, just a point of information, there are no statements and there are also no protests that have been received.
[2:25:59]
About that was part, okay, I'm sorry.
[2:26:01]
So hearing is closed and there are no protests.
[2:26:03]
Decussion, sorry, discussion.
[2:26:12]
I think that's, that's did as we directed, so I would move staff recommendation, still second.
[2:26:23]
So, Mr. Mayor, we're going to need to adopt the resolutions individually by their topic.
[2:26:31]
So, I'm going to go ahead and read off these and I'll call for a motion and then we'll take them individually.
[2:26:38]
So, number one is to adopt the resolution of formation to formally establish CFD number 2025-1,
[2:26:44]
Establish and appropriations limit CFD 2025-1 and authorize the levy of the special tax subject to a special election
[2:26:56]
Motion motion from council member parent and a second. We'll need a roll call vote
[2:27:02]
Council member parent
[2:27:04]
I council member means I council member Castro. I council member Dada. I mayor in a grand. I
[2:27:10]
Okay, number two, adopt a resolution calling for a special election of the qualified electors within the CFD.
[2:27:17]
Will the city clerk please open the ballots and announce the results?
[2:27:21]
Mr. Mayor, just a point of order, a motion in the second to conduct the election first.
[2:27:28]
I'll move.
[2:27:29]
Second.
[2:27:30]
A motion in a second, we'll need a roll call vote.
[2:27:33]
Council Member Dullgotta.
[2:27:36]
Aye.
[2:27:36]
Council Member Castro.
[2:27:37]
Aye.
[2:27:38]
Council Member Mienz.
[2:27:39]
Aye.
[2:27:39]
Mayor Integrity.
[2:27:39]
Aye.
[2:27:40]
Will the city clerk now please open the ballots and announce the results?
[2:27:44]
I will be happy to open the ballot and the ballot is in favor.
[2:27:48]
Yes.
[2:27:49]
To form the special B Community Facilities District under the special election.
[2:27:55]
A lot of a sudden my microphone doesn't like me.
[2:27:57]
So the measure does pass with the required two-thirds voter approval.
[2:28:03]
Okay.
[2:28:03]
Thank you.
[2:28:04]
We'll adopt the resolution to clearing election results to confirm the outcome of the landowner's special tax election and I'll move I'll make a motion for that second the motion is second we need a roll call mayor
[2:28:19]
Mr. Annagrin?
[2:28:20]
Aye.
[2:28:21]
Council Member Barrett?
[2:28:22]
Aye.
[2:28:22]
Council Member Castro?
[2:28:23]
Aye.
[2:28:24]
Council Member Gatto?
[2:28:25]
Aye.
[2:28:26]
Council Member Means.
[2:28:27]
Aye.
[2:28:28]
Well, City Clerk, we've introduced the first reading of the ordinance.
[2:28:32]
I'm sorry.
[2:28:32]
That one.
[2:28:33]
City Attorney will do so.
[2:28:34]
This is ordinance number 528, an ordinance of the City of Morpark, California 11.
[2:28:40]
Special taxes within community facilities, district number 2025-1, Bell Promo Ranch.
[2:28:46]
A motion would be in order to wait for the reading to clear ordinance number 528
[2:28:50]
Introduce for first reading and place this ordinance on the agenda for July 2nd
[2:28:55]
2025 for the purposes of providing second reading and adoption of the ordinance
[2:29:00]
So moved it's the nice second motion in a second need a roll call vote mayor and event aye
[2:29:08]
Council member means aye council member Barrett aye council member Castro aye council member Delgado. Hi
[2:29:31]
We can move back to item seven which is reports and meetings attended by the council members in there.
[2:29:39]
Mr. Delgado.
[2:29:40]
I'm sorry for not about that.
[2:29:42]
On June 5, along with Assistant City Manager, Gagagina attended the Regional Defense Partnership,
[2:29:47]
which had Dr. Flores, a Science Technology Engineer and Math Coordinator for the Naval
[2:29:52]
Surface Warfare Center, who spoke, and it was truly inspirational to hear the stories
[2:29:57]
of all the kids that the program has helped.
[2:29:58]
And so
[2:30:00]
June 6, I, along with the fellow council members and city staff, attended the ribbon cutting at the new location of quantum systems, one of our largest businesses here in More Park, specializing in aerial intelligence. On June 11, I attended the More Park Chamber of Commerce Board meeting. On June 12, I attended the More Park Young Professionals Group. I was a great turnout, had a lot of new faces. On June 13, I attended the Kineho Semi More Park Association of Realtors Mayor's Luncheon, along with Mayor Underground and Council member means.
[2:30:29]
Thank you. I didn't mention those ones, but you did. Thanks so much.
[2:30:33]
Okay, we'll move on to item 9A as a consider city managers recommendation for adoption of resolution proving operating and capital improvement budgets for fiscal years 25 and 26 and 26 and 27.
[2:30:47]
To consider resolution proving the five year capital improvement program for fiscal year 2526 to 29 and 30, Mr Brown.
[2:30:54]
Thank you Mayor Erranger and Troy Brown City Manager, I very, very briefly, I am pleased to present to you the city's first two-year operating and capital improvement budget.
[2:31:05]
The two-year budget provides an opportunity for the council to look forward not only economically but into the impacts of many of the programs and services that we provide.
[2:31:16]
There's a best practice among cities, and I am pleased to let you know that even though
[2:31:26]
we're in a somewhat tenuous economic environment, both years of the proposed operating budget
[2:31:32]
are balanced.
[2:31:33]
In fact, provide for a surplus for the city if all things go to plan.
[2:31:38]
I want to thank Mr. Romy Dever, your finance director, Mr. Gagagana, and all of the department
[2:31:45]
It has managers in your organization for their hard work, and presenting this to your budget to you,
[2:31:50]
which will hopefully not only chart a very good course for the future, but also leave you on solid financial footing as you look ahead.
[2:31:59]
So with that, I'll turn it over to Mr. Dever.
[2:32:08]
Thank you, Mr. Brown.
[2:32:10]
Good evening mayor and council members.
[2:32:14]
Tonight I'm presenting as Mr. Brown mentioned.
[2:32:17]
This is the first by annual budget, which makes an important milestone in our financial planning process.
[2:32:25]
Moving to a two-year budget cycle allows us to take a more strategic, long-term view of our resources and operations.
[2:32:35]
It also improves efficiency by reducing the number of budget development cycles that free up staff time.
[2:32:43]
We begin by annual budget process back in January, beginning with an analysis of current
[2:32:51]
year budget, forecasting revenue, and preparing for projections for expenditure for next
[2:32:59]
two years.
[2:33:01]
Following the initial review by financial staff, multiple meetings are held in March and April
[2:33:08]
with the departments to review their budget, projects at revenue, and the capital improvement projects budget.
[2:33:16]
Based on the discussion from these meetings, finance staff prepared the city manager's recommended budget and
[2:33:24]
distributed to council members on May 15th.
[2:33:28]
The budget workshop was held on May 28th, staff presented a detailed overview and
[2:33:48]
The first item was intersearning for, for the 2014-16, for road maintenance and rehabilitation for fiscal year 25-26, that is corrected to 110,000 from 10,000.
[2:34:06]
Rent and concession for fund 1,000 for fiscal year 2627 is increased by 120,000.
[2:34:17]
There are no changes made to expenditures.
[2:34:22]
With these corrections, the general fund revenue for fiscal year 2526 is 25,903, that 25,
[2:34:34]
$25 million, $903,631, and $25,825,302 for fiscal year 2627.
[2:34:45]
The general fund surplus remains the same at the $319,953, and for fiscal year 2526,
[2:34:58]
it increased by $120,000 for fiscal year 2627 to $1.336,000.
[2:35:07]
667.
[2:35:12]
Looking at the city's revenue, not including
[2:35:15]
fiduciary funds, for the fiscal year 2526, total revenue remains unchanged at $55,776,218,
[2:35:28]
and total expenditures are $84,829,706. The large expenditure amount reflects major
[2:35:38]
capital improvement projects, particularly the construction of the new CD library.
[2:35:46]
If all capital projects proceed as planned, the total fund balance will decrease by approximately 32 million.
[2:35:58]
For fiscal year 2627, CD wide revenue is projected at the 53 million,
[2:36:04]
$1,54,298 with expenditure of $40,961,261 resulting net increase of $12 million to fund
[2:36:17]
balances.
[2:36:20]
The five-year capital improvement project was submitted to planning commission meeting
[2:36:24]
on April 22nd, and the Transportation and Public Works Committee meeting on May 5th.
[2:36:33]
This concludes the summary of the recommended buy-on-your-budget and the minor updates made after the workshop.
[2:36:41]
Staff is recommending approving the resolution, adapting the city manager's proposed operating and
[2:36:47]
capital improvement project budget for fiscal year 2526 and fiscal year 2067, along with a resolution
[2:36:57]
You should have adapted in the five year capital projects plan for fiscal year 2526 through fiscal year 2930.
[2:37:05]
This concludes my presentation and I'm available for questions.
[2:37:12]
Thank you.
[2:37:13]
Are there any questions to staff at this point?
[2:37:16]
No questions?
[2:37:18]
We have any speakers?
[2:37:20]
No, Mr. Mayor, no speakers on the side.
[2:37:22]
Okay.
[2:37:22]
All right, we'll move back to discussion.
[2:37:25]
I want to thank staff for putting together this budget, it's a very good look.
[2:37:31]
I know we got some really big items to spend money on in the future, and
[2:37:35]
that's still hanging up in there, and we'll see how that goes.
[2:37:38]
But I think this puts us in a good position, and I'm really comfortable with that.
[2:37:43]
There are comments?
[2:37:46]
Mr. Meens.
[2:37:47]
Thank you.
[2:37:48]
I do want to commend staff on the work that went into this, and for
[2:37:51]
We're being able to get a two year budget, that's going to help a whole lot for us to make sure that we're making longer term decisions,
[2:37:58]
getting projects in that don't have to be seen quite so biopically.
[2:38:04]
And Kudos to that and demonstrating a surplus, or at least a projected surplus in those years.
[2:38:09]
That's a big deal and financial responsibility to our citizens is important.
[2:38:14]
I will remind us and I know we know and city staff knows that there are some major projects out there.
[2:38:21]
like the pavement plan and what not, that we still have to figure out how to face.
[2:38:25]
It's not going to come out of this two-year budget, but we're also not going to have the surplus to be able to do everything that we want to do.
[2:38:32]
So as the actuals come in, and as we think about what we're trying to accomplish in this city,
[2:38:37]
I do challenge each of us to keep our eyes on those dollars that are getting spent and what it is that we're doing.
[2:38:43]
Because there are tweaks that can be made along the way as priorities clarify.
[2:38:47]
So thank you for everything, I'm excited for the direction that we're headed.
[2:38:54]
Just my commendation to staff, thank you for walking us through this, the preparation, the budget meetings.
[2:38:59]
Also just calling attention to the additional law enforcement support in that.
[2:39:04]
And then just in light of tonight knowing that maybe for future years, with this administration, we may see activities like this going on.
[2:39:12]
So I'll just look forward to the conversations that relates to this extra support and how it can be community oriented.
[2:39:18]
I know Chief, you've already stated as much in the look forward to that over the future years.
[2:39:28]
Thank you, Councilmember Castro.
[2:39:30]
I did have one element in there that I wanted to focus on and Councilmember Castro highlighted it.
[2:39:38]
I love that we have a further commitment to law enforcement, a further commitment to safety in our community.
[2:39:43]
It's a point of pride for our community and we deserve that.
[2:39:47]
But I do want to say and I'm excited to explore different avenues to continue to keep us safe.
[2:39:55]
I've had conversations with Chief Odinath about possible technologies and
[2:40:00]
ways that we can improve our community in that way while containing our costs.
[2:40:06]
And the collaboration with the Sheriff's Office as long as along with other possible vendors and
[2:40:12]
support is exciting to see where we go.
[2:40:14]
So thank you for bringing that up.
[2:40:16]
That was an important point for me too.
[2:40:18]
Well, with that, I'll go ahead and now I'll move the motion to adopt.
[2:40:24]
The motion in a second, we need a roll call vote.
[2:40:27]
Yes, Mr. Mayor.
[2:40:28]
And there'll be a second resolution after this one.
[2:40:31]
So Council Member, my apologies, Mayor Innebrin.
[2:40:35]
Aye.
[2:40:36]
Council Member Doggato.
[2:40:37]
Aye.
[2:40:37]
Council Member Barrett.
[2:40:38]
Aye.
[2:40:39]
Council Member Castro.
[2:40:40]
Aye.
[2:40:40]
Council Member Means.
[2:40:41]
Aye.
[2:40:41]
Okay,
[2:40:43]
then we need to also adopt the second resolution.
[2:40:47]
Number 2025, approving the five year capital improvement program for fiscal year 2526 to 29 and 30.
[2:40:55]
I'll go ahead and I'll move adoption.
[2:40:58]
Second.
[2:40:58]
The motion is second, we'll need a roll call vote.
[2:41:01]
Mayor Innegrin.
[2:41:02]
Aye.
[2:41:03]
Council member Delgato.
[2:41:04]
Aye.
[2:41:04]
Council member Barrett.
[2:41:05]
Aye.
[2:41:05]
Council member Castro.
[2:41:06]
Aye.
[2:41:06]
Council member Means.
[2:41:07]
Aye.
[2:41:10]
Exciting is 9B.
[2:41:11]
Consider proposed strategies, goals and objectives for fiscal year 2526.
[2:41:15]
26, and 26, and 27, Mr. Gaggahana.
[2:41:19]
Good evening, Honorable Mayor and Council Members.
[2:41:23]
On February 8th and April 9th of this year, the City Council met to identify goals for the next two-year planning cycle.
[2:41:30]
These goals provide a strategic pathway for the community and organization to understand the overall direction of the city.
[2:41:37]
Each goal connects the work of the organization to the city's mission statement of striving to preserve and improve the quality of life in more part.
[2:41:44]
The three goals identified by the City Council are goal one, more part quality of life.
[2:41:50]
More part is a community that values well being and happiness and is connected to its agricultural heritage while striving to maintain its unique livability and charm for current and future residents.
[2:42:00]
The more part quality of life is reflected in its welcoming small town feel with easy access to essential amenities and services.
[2:42:07]
Moor Park is a safe, prosperous community where families thrive and enjoy trails, open spaces, and a variety of recreation opportunities that promote healthy living.
[2:42:17]
Goal 2 is strategic economic development.
[2:42:19]
Moor Park will attract and support business leaders dedicated to developing a local economy that has unique business centers.
[2:42:26]
And is a desirable destination for a wide spectrum of shopping, entertainment, tourism, and employment needs for its current.
[2:42:33]
and future residents with a continued emphasis on high street.
[2:42:38]
Goal three, excellent city governance.
[2:42:41]
Moorpark is a hallmark of effective governance as it prioritizes transparent, equitable,
[2:42:46]
responsible management of the city's resources and services.
[2:42:49]
With an innovative, diverse, and sustainable workforce, the city ensures that its policies and
[2:42:54]
practices reflect the needs and values of its residents and businesses.
[2:42:59]
Through its dedication to excellent, friendly, and personal service,
[2:43:01]
More Park has earned the trust and confidence of its residents and continues to be a model city.
[2:43:07]
Staff developed a work plan on how to implement these goals and assigned specific objectives and tasks.
[2:43:13]
The staff will undertake during the next two year cycle.
[2:43:15]
These objectives and tasks are measurable and are intended to be accomplished within to your period.
[2:43:23]
For More Park quality of life, the objectives are evaluate public safety services,
[2:43:28]
construct new more park library, review the civic center master plan, forge relationships
[2:43:35]
and partnerships with organizations for community services, construct the terror hotda
[2:43:40]
inclusive playground, adopt parks and recreation master plan, adopt the aroya cmi trail master
[2:43:46]
plan, and open the campus canyon open space to the public.
[2:43:52]
For strategic economic development, the objectives are develop and implement to attract a high-end
[2:43:58]
hotel with conference space, development implement to attract manufacturers that generate
[2:44:03]
employment in sales tax, development implement to attract high sales tax generating
[2:44:08]
businesses, complete high street improvements in front of the high street depot, complete
[2:44:13]
high street improvements in other areas, evaluate downtown parking options, designate high street
[2:44:19]
as an entertainment zone, develop citywide branding and marketing program, adopt mural creation
[2:44:26]
policy, update the downtown specific plan, complete the Royal Avista Recreation Center Feasibility
[2:44:32]
Study, and complete the High Street Art Center Conditions Assessment. For excellent city governance,
[2:44:39]
the objectives are identified options for long-term financial sustainability. Consider parks and
[2:44:45]
recreation maintenance, improvement district revenue and enhancement measures, update the city's
[2:44:50]
legislative platform, implement the records management plan, dispose of remaining city
[2:44:55]
properties under the surplus land act process and implement
[2:45:01]
I do want to mention while these goals were identified by the council during the planning retreats this year, and it provides direction and expectations to the staff and community, the city council will be evaluating capital improvement projects and city owned properties during the next several months, which may modify some of the priorities listed on this work plan, and we will make those adjustments accordingly upon city council direction. Staff looks forward to begin working on these goals.
[2:45:29]
goals and we plan on providing you a regular update on the status of our progress.
[2:45:34]
That concludes my report and staff and I are available for any questions.
[2:45:38]
Thank you, do you have any questions to staff?
[2:45:43]
No questions, okay, excellent.
[2:45:45]
Do we have any speakers?
[2:45:47]
No speakers on the side and Mr. Mayor.
[2:45:49]
Okay, moving to the discussion.
[2:45:51]
I think it's a good set up so far, I think the goals make really good sense.
[2:45:55]
And once again, just like with our budget, which actually goes right with the goals, we're on a great track.
[2:46:02]
So I had paper-clipped two comments, one for the last item and one for this item.
[2:46:09]
So I will repeat my second comment from budget, which was absolutely a part of the budget, but really focused on goals.
[2:46:17]
Our goal task four, task four talks about engaging the Venture County Sheriff's Office and
[2:46:23]
potential additional resources offered to the city and discuss how those may be integrated to augment Venture County Sheriff's Office's contract.
[2:46:31]
And so I'm excited, I think we all know I'm excited to not only engage the Sheriff's Office with the resources they have, but the resources they may have access to and the resources that they may be able to partner with to bring an enhancement to what we're doing here in more part, so thank you for letting me talk about that twice.
[2:46:49]
Excellent.
[2:46:51]
It's a good idea.
[2:46:53]
I would just like to thank the city staff for your patience with us as we put this together.
[2:47:01]
I know it was a little bit longer of a process than expected to get to this point.
[2:47:06]
But I really appreciate you letting us voice things and PJ.
[2:47:12]
your statement about the future and the ability to change things as we look forward as well.
[2:47:22]
So, it's very appreciated.
[2:47:26]
Well, anyone like to make a motion?
[2:47:30]
Seeing none, I'll make a motion.
[2:47:31]
I'll make a motion to approve.
[2:47:34]
Second.
[2:47:35]
The motion is second.
[2:47:37]
All in favor?
[2:47:38]
Aye.
[2:47:39]
Any opposed?
[2:47:41]
Excellent.
[2:47:42]
Motion carries.
[2:47:47]
Okay.
[2:47:48]
9-C is a consider establishment of a City Council ad hoc committee unmarketing an appointment of members of the ad hoc committee.
[2:47:55]
Mr. Gaggenhenga.
[2:47:56]
Yes, good evening, Mayor and Council.
[2:47:58]
As I just mentioned earlier, the City Council goal to is strategic economic development.
[2:48:04]
One of those goals is 2.8 and this is to develop a citywide branding and marketing program.
[2:48:10]
The intent of this is to make more park a unique destination and create a sense of place as directed by Council.
[2:48:17]
Staff recommends forming a city council ad hoc committee on marketing to provide advisory input on updating the city's signage, branding and public facing design elements.
[2:48:28]
This committee, comprising of two council members, would collaborate with staff and design consultants to review and guide enhancements to items such as street signs, wayfinding signage, freeway and monument signs, gateway arches, electronic message boards, light and street pole banners, traffic signal cabinet wraps,
[2:48:47]
public art and other design features found throughout the community.
[2:48:51]
The committee will meet periodically to ensure design concepts aligned with council priorities and community values.
[2:48:58]
With recommendations eventually brought forward to the full city council for consideration.
[2:49:02]
This includes my report and I'll turn it back to the mayor to consider establishing this ad hoc committee and appointing two council members to serve on this committee.
[2:49:11]
Okay, let's talk about interest in this.
[2:49:14]
I'd be very interested as what I would be as well.
[2:49:19]
At our committee of five, I'll just say yes to and I'll say the typical thing that I say given my constraints and my schedule evenings and weekends and I know that would be a concern for everyone so I understand.
[2:49:29]
Well given the fact that I know Mr. Barrett used to be a marketing person if you didn't say your interest, I would have just dragged you into it.
[2:49:40]
Mr. Barrett, you're in, definitely.
[2:49:42]
Mr. Means, Mr. Delgado.
[2:49:45]
Good to pass you away.
[2:49:46]
You said you wouldn't be able to.
[2:49:48]
I just know that you all know my constraints
[2:49:49]
of my schedule in the later evenings
[2:49:52]
and weekends would be the time that I would be able to meet.
[2:49:54]
So any one of you all would have been great, anyway.
[2:49:56]
So between Mr. Delgado and Mr. Means,
[2:49:59]
you could say you made my-
[2:50:00]
I own the graphic design companies, so I don't know.
[2:50:04]
That's a good point.
[2:50:05]
Mr. Means, what do you have?
[2:50:07]
I buy graphics from people, my graphics, from my company.
[2:50:13]
I happily defer to Councilwoman Doug, to Mayor Pro Tem, Doug Gatto.
[2:50:19]
If for no other reason, because of the title, Mayor Pro Tem, Doug Gatto, I defer.
[2:50:25]
Just don't mess it up.
[2:50:27]
We'll all be there to vote on it, if it's good enough, so look at it.
[2:50:32]
We all in favor?
[2:50:33]
Is that all sound good?
[2:50:34]
That's a good group there.
[2:50:35]
all right make the city look good please so just to be clear you are establishing the committee
[2:50:44]
and you're appointing those to correct by consensus no committee and it's just me to need a
[2:50:50]
motion on this one I think it would be helpful just to have it for the record I'll make a motion to
[2:50:55]
have Mr. Delgado Mr. Barrett beyond the marketing ad hoc committee and I will second we have a motion
[2:51:04]
in a second. All in favor?
[2:51:07]
Aye.
[2:51:08]
Aye.
[2:51:09]
Motion carries.
[2:51:10]
Congratulations.
[2:51:14]
Next is presentation action discussion item 9D.
[2:51:16]
As consider resolution granting a temporary construction easement to Hitch Ranch, LLC, to enter into a
[2:51:23]
and perform certain construction and improvement work on approximately 23.33 acres of city-owned
[2:51:29]
property to restore and enhance habitat for the benefit of sensitive species and compliance
[2:51:34]
with the Habitat Conservation Plan for the HITRAN specific plan project and making findings of consistency with the Certified Environmental Impact Report for the HITRAN specific plan in connection therewithin.
[2:51:45]
And rescinding resolution number 2025-4316.
[2:51:51]
Mr. Spondela.
[2:51:52]
Thank you.
[2:51:53]
Good evening mayor, council members, and community members.
[2:51:56]
As you noted, on May 7th, 2025, the City Council adopted a resolution granting a temporary construction easement to RWC HITRANGE LL.
[2:52:04]
C. As part of the Council's resolution, staff was directed that the easement be modified
[2:52:09]
to maintain an existing trail connection at the Westerly portion of the proposed easement
[2:52:14]
subject to my approval. Following that action, the applicant has identified that these changes
[2:52:19]
would require reopening the Federal Fish and Wildlife process associated with the Habitat
[2:52:24]
Conservation Plan, and they further clarify that accomplishing this amendment is expected to take
[2:52:30]
a year or more to resolve. As a result, the area in question was re-evaluated. Staff believes
[2:52:35]
that the desired trail connection could be accommodated along the western edge of the easement area
[2:52:40]
without requiring changes to the originally proposed layout. And as a result, draft resolution,
[2:52:46]
attachment three, has been prepared to authorize the easement in its original layout,
[2:52:51]
which would allow the project to remain on track for development. The draft resolution is also set up
[2:52:56]
up to supersede the previous approval and maintain a clear record of the Council's action.
[2:53:01]
As part of the habitat restoration, the developer has agreed to construct specific trails within
[2:53:07]
the area that would lead into the project.
[2:53:10]
Those are indicated in the staff report and also as an acknowledgement in the proposed resolution.
[2:53:15]
With this action, we believe that the intention that the Council had can still be accommodated.
[2:53:21]
We have some commitments from the developers that will go to the further ends of trails and
[2:53:25]
And it will also allow the project to remain on track.
[2:53:27]
So with that, Ms. Harriet Zemla is in the audience to represent RWC Comstock.
[2:53:33]
And I'm also available if you have any questions.
[2:53:43]
Yes,
[2:53:50]
your question is the staff.
[2:53:52]
I do have a question of staff and this may hark back to another project where North Ranch in particular I got interested in looking at connectivity.
[2:54:04]
When I look at the map, this is not completely in conjunction with the trails that we had been talking about before, but when I look at the map, the northeast corner of the project, just northeast of it on Meridian lane, I can't read in hills, there is a parking lot and a potential trailhead and yet is PJ and I were looking at it together.
[2:54:30]
It doesn't look like it actually connects to the trail system.
[2:54:33]
Is there a connection there, and I'm just missing it?
[2:54:37]
No, that's actually the intent of the Hitch Ranch specific plan,
[2:54:41]
and it's also further implemented by the improved trails in this agreement.
[2:54:45]
That's a horse staging area, and my colleague, Mr. Lauren Towski,
[2:54:49]
can speak a bit further about the plans there.
[2:54:51]
Yeah, so the area that was constructed on Rainhill's Drive,
[2:54:55]
and it was constructed as part of the Rainhill's development,
[2:54:58]
is a question staging area.
[2:55:00]
Currently there will be, as Marin Hill's drives extends to the West through Hitch Ranch.
[2:55:07]
Obviously, those multi-use trails will extend along Marin Hill's drive.
[2:55:12]
This project, the Hitch Ranch project, is kind of out of the boundary of that development.
[2:55:19]
But we do have plans to develop a trailhead at the question staging area.
[2:55:24]
And we actually have funding to do that in the future as a future project.
[2:55:29]
So from that location, we will be able to connect into the trails of Hitch Ranch.
[2:55:34]
So that that is the ultimate goal.
[2:55:37]
That makes me nervous to remember, Council Member Barrett and I tried to step through there.
[2:55:42]
And we were able to get through, there's I think there's some easier options.
[2:55:45]
And the route we decided to take.
[2:55:48]
But that is the ultimate goal that we would actually have a trailhead that would connect to,
[2:55:53]
especially the Ridge Trail that we were really trying to preserve all along, especially with this
[2:56:00]
temporary construction easement area. And we wouldn't need any additional easements or you
[2:56:07]
were you were vital and we had an explanation I did before with North Ranch. Yeah that's
[2:56:12]
a city-owned property that the 250-odd acres it's all city-owned so we would have the ability to do that.
[2:56:20]
Great. That's goodness. Thank you.
[2:56:25]
Do we have any speakers?
[2:56:27]
No, Mr. Mayor, no, subordinates, speaker, cards on this item.
[2:56:31]
Good.
[2:56:31]
Move back to the discussion.
[2:56:34]
So I did go back up onto the trails and got to see once again, you know, with better maps of where this conservation easement is.
[2:56:48]
The area I was most concerned about is actually outside of the existing conservation easement, which is great
[2:56:54]
It does come fairly close to it where it would connect through
[2:56:58]
But I think we are we're definitely not sacrificing a
[2:57:04]
Major trail connection by by moving forward this agenda item and I certainly would not want to
[2:57:11]
Delay this project a year plus over
[2:57:15]
something of this nature, so
[2:57:18]
I'm very comfortable moving forward with this item.
[2:57:23]
I agree, it's a nice happy medium.
[2:57:26]
Yeah, or so.
[2:57:28]
So,
[2:57:31]
Brad, would you like to make the-
[2:57:32]
I'll make a motion, staff recommendation.
[2:57:36]
I'll second.
[2:57:37]
The motion in a second, we need a roll call vote.
[2:57:40]
Council Member Barrett.
[2:57:42]
Aye.
[2:57:42]
Council Member Means.
[2:57:43]
Aye.
[2:57:44]
Council Member Castro.
[2:57:45]
Aye.
[2:57:45]
Council Member Doug Gata.
[2:57:46]
Aye.
[2:57:46]
Mayor Integrated.
[2:57:47]
Aye.
[2:57:47]
All right, move on to item 10, which is consent.
[2:57:51]
We pulled item 10 G, so I'll entertain a motion for the balance.
[2:57:55]
I move.
[2:57:56]
Second.
[2:57:57]
The motion in the second will need a roll call vote.
[2:58:01]
Council Member Means.
[2:58:02]
Aye.
[2:58:02]
Council Member Delgado.
[2:58:03]
Aye.
[2:58:03]
Council Member Barrett.
[2:58:04]
Aye.
[2:58:05]
Council Member Castro.
[2:58:06]
Aye.
[2:58:06]
Mayor Integrated.
[2:58:07]
Aye.
[2:58:09]
Next item is 10 G.
[2:58:11]
And 10 G is a consider resolution approving an agreement with the Ventura County Human Services Agency.
[2:58:16]
the Area Agency on Aging for Senior Nutrition Program Services.
[2:58:24]
Mr. Vol.
[2:58:32]
Good evening mayor and councilmembers, I guess I just give you a quick overview of the item.
[2:58:40]
And then if you want to talk about specific items, I know councilmember Barrett can certainly do that.
[2:58:47]
So item 10G, for over 20 years, the More Park Active Adult Center has offered a senior nutrition program for seniors in the More Park community.
[2:58:54]
supported by grant funding from the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.
[2:58:58]
The program runs Monday through Friday, excluding holidays and provides a nutritious lunch to eligible seniors aged 60 and over.
[2:59:06]
Either in person at the active adult center or to homebound seniors through the home delivered meal program.
[2:59:14]
Funding for the senior nutrition program is provided through an older Americans Act titles 3C grant that's distributed by the California Department of Aging and
[2:59:23]
administered locally by the Ventura County Human Services Agency, Area Agency on Aging,
[2:59:30]
who contracts with local jurisdictions to provide senior nutrition program services for their local populations.
[2:59:36]
On June 3rd, the County Board of Supervisors approved contracts for senior nutrition program services.
[2:59:42]
In all Ventura County cities, the Moore Park contract provides a total of $140,000 and requires that the city provide a minimum of 10% matching funds.
[2:59:53]
or $14,000. The $140,000 contract amount is considerably more than
[3:00:00]
The city has received in the past. This is because for the coming fiscal year, the county is changing the way they manage the program. In prior years, local jurisdictions received funding that was intended for operations while the county paid for the wholesale food that the local service providers needed for their programs. But beginning in fiscal year 2526, responsibility for wholesale food purchasing is being transferred to local jurisdictions, along with a corresponding increase in the grant funding.
[3:00:29]
So, for example, last year the more part contract was for $65,100 while this year it's for $140,000.
[3:00:38]
The fiscal year 2526 budget includes a total of $158,120 in program specific costs and that includes $125,000 for the wholesale food.
[3:00:52]
Two, let's see, $24,620 for a part time senior nutrition coordinator who manages the kitchen and prepares the meals, and then additional $8,500 for supplies, equipment and other operating expenses.
[3:01:09]
So after the $140,000 in grant funding, that would leave $14,620 in net cost to the city, which would cover the 10% match requirements.
[3:01:20]
And staff recommendation is to adopt a resolution approving an agreement with the county area aid and see on aging for the provision of senior nutrition program services and authorize city manager to send the agreements and all related documents subject to final language approval of the city manager and of course I'm here for any questions.
[3:01:38]
Thank you. Any questions of staff?
[3:01:46]
Have we ever considered looking at this program by contracting it out versus having the staff member that we provide and looking at that?
[3:02:00]
It's my knowledge we haven't, I'm certainly not within the last decade or so.
[3:02:09]
Our model or the system that we have here in Moore Park is consistent with how most cities in the county operate it.
[3:02:18]
There are a few jurisdictions that have a separate non-profit or like 1,000 Oaks,
[3:02:29]
I'm sorry, the congregate in person service at the Global Center and senior concerns provides their home delivered meal service, so there are some few cities that have other organizations provide that it's nothing we've explored here.
[3:02:46]
I will say that our senior center runs a very lean operation over there.
[3:02:54]
You know, Janet runs the kitchen and then we have a dozen or so volunteers that are really the backbone of making that thing run and doing it at a very cost effective manner.
[3:03:06]
I looked it up, I think last fiscal year, our dozen volunteers, logs, some around 1,900 hours of volunteer service.
[3:03:18]
And that's in the kitchen making food or doing the deliveries to the homebound seniors.
[3:03:25]
So given that, you know, we have a lot of volunteer service there.
[3:03:31]
I would be surprised if we could contract that service out for lower cost, but it's nothing
[3:03:43]
that we've explored.
[3:03:46]
I guess on that note, something, another thing about this program that kind of gets overlooked
[3:03:51]
is that it does provide an important opportunity for volunteerism.
[3:03:56]
I mean, those volunteers get a lot out of participating and the folks working in the kitchen and the people that come in and do the deliveries.
[3:04:07]
I mean, they're all a family and they monitor how the people are doing at home and whatnot.
[3:04:13]
So, that's an important touch point for the staff that's trying the program as well, but I don't know if that answers your question.
[3:04:23]
but how do
[3:04:29]
you look into alternatives?
[3:04:34]
Yeah, so do we discuss that now or public?
[3:04:42]
Okay, perfect.
[3:04:44]
Yeah, so I did reach out to a more park resident
[3:04:49]
who also runs not the same senior nutrition program
[3:04:54]
but a similar one through a another government service providing meals and doing
[3:05:00]
doing the home delivery and they actually spent hours kind of going through
[3:05:08]
this and even talking to the county about some different things and you know
[3:05:12]
at the end of the day we need to move forward with this item and but but I think
[3:05:19]
I think that there may be some potential to look at future options and what that might
[3:05:28]
include as well if we change the use at the current senior center.
[3:05:36]
We don't currently have another commercial kitchen.
[3:05:39]
The Aerovistic Kitchen is not up to the standard of what that could handle.
[3:05:46]
So, you know, just kind of knowing what other options might exist if we didn't have that commercial kitchen and what might be available.
[3:05:54]
I would just love to, you know, take some time to explore those options.
[3:06:00]
Mr. Ball, so I know we still have the senior senior center here, or not here, over there. I forgot where we were.
[3:06:10]
Have we looked into the thought of what we would do if we decided to get rid of that building?
[3:06:16]
Or is that far down the road to where we haven't really discussed that yet?
[3:06:19]
Yeah, to my knowledge, it's something that hasn't been discussed, at least not at my level, I don't know.
[3:06:27]
But yeah, I think that's definitely a future thing that is at least worth looking into.
[3:06:32]
If we haven't looked into that in 10 years, it might be good to know what we could get.
[3:06:36]
maybe we can get different types of food, or maybe it was better quality even.
[3:06:41]
That'd be great to be able to provide that if it's more cost effective.
[3:06:45]
Yeah, Mayor, if I could just interject real quick.
[3:06:48]
I did spend some time with councilmember Barrett and his colleague discussing this.
[3:06:53]
And it's actually a really interesting idea.
[3:06:57]
We spend an incredible amount of time coordinating this effort.
[3:07:03]
And, you know, we have a part-time individual that basically runs that's
[3:07:08]
food program. That's 100% of our staff that do this. So when that one staff is
[3:07:14]
out, we've lost 100% of our staff. And as you probably all know, coordinating
[3:07:23]
volunteers to do this type of work is a lot of work. We've done it this way for
[3:07:31]
for that long because we are trying to get the most out of our buck because we know volunteers
[3:07:38]
are obviously free. And we are really only paying for a part-time staff person to kind
[3:07:43]
of run this program. But on the flip side, there might be other opportunities to look at
[3:07:50]
efficiencies and maybe improve the program. You know, Mr. Ball and I spoke about this afternoon
[3:07:56]
and we would enjoy doing that research and really looking to see, you know, for the future of the senior center.
[3:08:06]
We don't know, you know, what we're doing with the Civic Center is going to be on your agenda in this next year
[3:08:13]
and what does the future look like for that property? We don't know yet, but I think we need to kind of start thinking about it
[3:08:21]
and looking into a little bit because I think we both agree that boy, if we could contract this out it would save us a lot of time that we could really focus on senior programming aside from the meal program if we could have that contracted.
[3:08:37]
So we're definitely going to look into that over this next year and just see what the options are.
[3:08:46]
Any more questions of staff or questions for Mr. Barrett?
[3:08:51]
Do we have any speakers in this item?
[3:08:54]
Yes, speakers on this item.
[3:08:56]
Okay, I'll move into discussion.
[3:08:58]
So do you all think it's the best move to go with it as planned and look into this as a future thing or do you think we should?
[3:09:07]
Yes, yes.
[3:09:08]
Yeah, and I would like to acknowledge to what Mr. Ball said about the volunteers and kind of that camaraderie and what that has created, I would hate to lose that in this process.
[3:09:21]
So I think that there is good value there.
[3:09:24]
I think there maybe is a different use for a volunteer in a certain way if, you know, that maybe is less reliant on as heavily coordinated possibly.
[3:09:35]
maybe they still do the delivery but the meals are provided ready to go and there isn't
[3:09:41]
that same reparation in the kitchen or there could be other things to explore so I just
[3:09:48]
appreciate you guys taking the time to look at it.
[3:09:54]
Thank you Chris for bringing that up and thinking of outside the box so that we could do better.
[3:10:01]
That's a good idea.
[3:10:02]
That's good.
[3:10:04]
Okay.
[3:10:07]
We'll go ahead and I will move the staff's recommendation.
[3:10:12]
Second.
[3:10:13]
The motion is second.
[3:10:14]
We need a roll call vote.
[3:10:15]
Mayor Anagin.
[3:10:16]
Aye.
[3:10:16]
Council Member Barrett.
[3:10:17]
Aye.
[3:10:18]
Council Member Castro.
[3:10:19]
Council Member Gilgato.
[3:10:20]
Aye.
[3:10:21]
Council Member Mines.
[3:10:21]
Aye.
[3:10:23]
All right.
[3:10:25]
Next item is 11 ordinances.
[3:10:27]
They're none this evening.
[3:10:28]
Followed by item 12.
[3:10:29]
Close session.
[3:10:29]
Mr. Brown.
[3:10:30]
Thank you, Mayor Anagin.
[3:10:31]
We're going to staff requests that the council join a closed session for item 12A.
[3:10:36]
Okay.
[3:10:36]
Excellent.
[3:10:37]
Excited 13.
[3:10:38]
I'll make a motion to adjourn.
[3:10:40]
All in favor?
[3:10:41]
Aye.
[3:10:42]
Aye.
[3:10:42]
Thank you and get out more part.
[3:10:44]
Thank you, Troy.