District 2 Council Member· 2024-2028
Doug Halter
Ventura
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 19
- Total speaking time
- 5:56:02
- Avg per meeting
- 18:44
- Segments
- 4287
Want every word Halter has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Halter said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Proposed data center at Ventura County fairgrounds
Speakers warned data centers would drive up water and electric rates for residents.
Main Street Moves Closure Reconsideration
Downtown sales tax fell 7.5% in the fourth quarter, per Councilmember Duran; the vision plan remains unfunded.
Pro housing designation and affordable housing funding
$1,369,513 in federal HOME-ARP funding.
City Hall East Boiler Replacement and Electrification
Heat pumps cost about $2.5 million versus a far cheaper gas boiler swap; grants may offset the difference.
Housing Element Program 19 — shelters and supportive housing zoning
Camino Real Park tennis courts closure
$840,000 budgeted for design of replacement courts.
VUSD School Closure Process
The district loses roughly $3.6 million per year in state funding at current enrollment decline rates.
Wells/Darlow development gas station concerns
This lawsuit could cost taxpayers a bundle if the city has to fight it in court.
$302 million wastewater treatment plant rebuild
Project total is $302 million, financed by grants, WIFIA loans and bonds — expect pressure on water rates.
Flock Camera Security Breach
Speakers said Ventura has paid about $200,000 since 2021, including $71,000 this year, for leased cameras.
El Niño Storm Preparedness
The foul weather shelter contract is $100,000 per year for three years.
Foothill Tech High School solar array concerns
The district reportedly spent $186,762 to lower the arrays within a $40 million clean energy contract.
Victoria Avenue retail size cap
Staff estimates up to $82,000 a year in new sales tax revenue from a 20,000-40,000 sq ft store expansion.
Three-year parklet license terms downtown
About $600,000 rolls over for ADA drop-off parking, planters, curbs, and street furniture this year; the full vision will require grants, partnerships, and possible future financing districts.
Rivello Holdings / Vello Retreat Development Access Concerns
Development review process improvements (Matrix/grand jury)
About $900 per project mailing notice, a few thousand dollars a year, currently unbudgeted.
Nuisance abatement cost recovery ordinance
Potential savings on litigation costs; no direct new spending.
Beachfront surplus land parcels
The crumbling parking structure generates about $400,000/year; redevelopment could create significant revenue but the process timeline is uncertain.
November 2026 municipal election for districts 1, 4, 5, and 6
The election is estimated to cost $185,000, already in the proposed FY 2027 budget.
Williamson Act implementation within city boundaries
Would reduce property tax burden on participating agricultural landowners within the city.
Decisions during term (82)
Recorded while Halter was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent calendar items 1-9
Item 10 — Pro Housing Designation application resolution
Item 12 — Parklet license agreement amendment
Item 13 — Ventura River intake pipeline removal contract
Item 14 — Nuisance abatement attorneys' fees ordinance
Item 4 — Board and commission appointments (consent)
Consent Calendar (Items 1-9)
City Hall East Boiler Replacement — Option B
Consent calendar (items 1-9, including housing element project 19 ordinance)
Victoria Avenue drive-through banking ordinance (first reading)
Consent calendar (items 1-18)
Adoption of 2025 Citywide Historic Context Statement and Survey (Item 19)
Housing Element Program 19 ordinance — transitional, supportive housing, emergency shelters (Item 20)
Labor MOUs and salary resolutions (Item 21)
Bid protest denial and Statewater Interconnection Pipeline contract award (Item 22)
Consent agenda (24 items)
Housing Element Program 19 ordinance (transitional/supportive housing, emergency shelters, group care)
Planning, construction permit and parklet fee schedule revisions
Energy services agreement with FFPTM Solar (Item 27)
Technology disruption policy (SB 707)
Voting record (23)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Adoption of 2025 Citywide Historic Context Statement and Survey (Item 19)
Believed voting 6Z without evidence would be dishonest; wanted an opt-back-in window for owners
Housing Element Program 19 ordinance (transitional/supportive housing, emergency shelters, group care)
FY 2027 foul weather shelter budget (items 9A/9B)
Resolution placing a 1% general sales tax measure on the November 2026 ballot
Timing is poor for small businesses and the measure lacks a sunset clause; it is a stopgap without an economic vitality plan.
Consent calendar (Items 1-5, 7-8), excluding Item 6
Future agenda — Victoria Corridor retail size ban ordinance
User and Regulatory Fee Schedule Update
Questioned the drastic STR fee jump and wanted more investigation
Consent calendar (items excluding 4 and 6)
Item 4 — Harbor Sinclair fuel remediation update
Item 6 — Glue trap ban ordinance (second reading) with insect-trap amendment direction
Wanted humane protections on the books now rather than waiting
Item 13 — Adopt FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program
Item 15 — Main Street Moves vision plan, parklet timeline, RRM contract amendment, CEQA
Glue Trap Ban Ordinance — First Reading (Item 9)
Surfers Point Managed Retreat Phase 2 — Additional $1.5 Million Funding
Believed staff took the most appropriate actions given emergency conditions and the project's value.