Jim Duran

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.

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.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan

No direct cost to the city named; the plan is designed to unlock outside grant funding for mitigation projects.

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)

Item 12 — Parklet license agreement amendment

Objected to subsidizing private use of public right-of-way at roughly 70-80 percent below standard rates.

Adoption of 2025 Citywide Historic Context Statement and Survey (Item 19)

Sought removal of contested properties whose owners did their homework and appeared in person

Housing Element Program 19 ordinance — transitional, supportive housing, emergency shelters (Item 20)

Bid protest denial and Statewater Interconnection Pipeline contract award (Item 22)

Housing Element Program 19 ordinance (transitional/supportive housing, emergency shelters, group care)

Resolution placing a 1% general sales tax measure on the November 2026 ballot

The city has not done its homework on program cuts and efficiencies before asking residents for more money.

Future agenda — Victoria Corridor retail size ban ordinance

Future agenda — Main Street Moves special meeting in June

Wants discussion earlier than November given business concerns.

User and Regulatory Fee Schedule Update

Believed the 210% STR renewal fee increase was too abrupt for business partners

Resolution of Necessity — Eminent Domain for Ventura Water Pure (APN 138-0-230-700)

Not convinced good-faith negotiation was exhausted and questioned whether the site is truly necessary

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

Objected to the rushed, convoluted process of pairing adoption with an emergency amendment

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)

Concerned about enforcement in private homes and impacts on small businesses and pest control professionals.

Surfers Point Managed Retreat Phase 2 — Additional $1.5 Million Funding

Consent Agenda (5 items)

Annual Position Vacancy Update and Recruitment and Retention Efforts (Public Hearing)

FY 2024-2025 Audit Results and Related Financial Reports

Consent agenda (two items)

Approval of consent agenda (six items)

PLHA program amendment — down-payment assistance program

Consent agenda (10 items)

Consent item 2 — Open Main Street legal services amendment ($95,000)

Consent item 5

Award of construction contract to Onyx Paving — 2026 Slurry/Cape Seal street resurfacing (ST 15-1084)

Membrane Bioreactor UV Disinfection Project — contract amendments (WW 22-1215)

Praised staff diligence and transparency on the $302 million project