Ventura · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ventura public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Olivas Links golf course improvements
The consent calendar included the 30% design contract for Olivas Links upgrades — a small step golf advocates have waited 17 months for on a course that makes money for the city.
Camino Real tennis court closure and court allocation
Tennis players packed the chamber demanding the city reopen and rebuild the closed Camino Real courts. The budget includes $840,000 for design work, with about $4 million available in the parks fund for construction in FY 2028. Some speakers asked the city to reopen the cracked courts or open school courts in the meantime.
Camino Real Park tennis courts closure
Residents pushed hard to reopen the closed tennis courts, calling it a failure of social infrastructure. The council referred the issue to the Parks and Recreation Commission and added $840,000 in the budget for new court design.
Arts staffing and cultural affairs manager
Speakers including the Ventura Arts Alliance pressed the council to re-establish a cultural affairs manager position, arguing it would pay for itself by capturing grants other cities currently get, consistent with the general plan's economic vitality priorities.
West Park Community Center Youth Program Cuts
Residents said the after-school program at West Park was cut and a youth fitness fee rose from free to $55, hurting low-income Westside families where 28% of residents are youth.
Arts and culture master plan consultant contract
The council is hiring a consultant to turn the 2025 arts and culture general plan element into real policy. Supporters called it an investment in belonging; one skeptic asked why staff can't define Ventura's culture itself.
Arts and Culture Funding
The Ventura Arts Alliance — 12 organizations generating ~$2.5 million in event spending — asked the council to raise the cultural grant program again and restore a cultural affairs manager to chase state and federal dollars.
Parks, recreation and medians funding
Former parks commissioner Spencer Norn flagged that the five-year CIP includes under $1 million for parks and rec projects, arguing that's far below what constituents want, and asked for permanent golf course facilities to replace temporary trailers.
E.P. Foster Library closure for renovation
The downtown library closes March 23 for a major renovation including air conditioning, reopening fall 2027. Other branches and a mobile library downtown will fill the gap.