East Ventura Community Council Meeting Minutes
East Ventura Community Council Minutes, May 18, 2023 General Meeting Via Zoom
The meeting was called to order by Sara Ostrander at 7:02 PM.
The Police Report was given by Commander Mike Brown. The Ventura Police Department is now using the NIBRS application and the crime statistics are different because more types of crime are shown.
There were 58 total incidents in East Ventura. There were a couple of residential burglaries, including one person they captured inside the home. There were also a couple of catalytic converter thefts. The police department events include the Strawberry Festival at the Fairgrounds, the Mountain to Beach run, the Dahl golf tournament, the Special Olympics Torch Run on June 8. He also mentioned they are seeking Explorer applicants between 14 and 18 years old.
The minutes from the April meeting are available online.
The treasurer’s report was given by Norene Charnofsky. The current balance is $654.04. We are receiving $100.00 per month from Grocery Outlet for which we are grateful. We also received from Blackbaud Giving Fund a $100 grant made on behalf of Medtronic Foundation Volunteer Grant Program and its donors. We paid out $1407.00 to McDaniels Insurance to purchase Liability and Directors and Officers Insurance.
It was announced that Sara Ostrander has resigned as Recording Secretary and has been appointed by the Board of Directors as Chair for the remainder of 2023. This has allowed us to move forward in correcting paperwork with the State of California and to obtain liability insurance for the board.
Mark Gibbs has generously offered his assistance with our website. The membership was asked to contribute ideas for updates.
Volunteers were requested to fill the Recording Secretary position and the Treasurer position. No volunteers or nominees were forthcoming.
Ventura Fire Marshall Bill Reed gave a presentation on the Fire Hazard Reduction Program. This includes clearing a defensible zone around structures, and home hardening. The installation of vents which keep out embers is strongly recommended. He discussed using stones as mulch instead of combustible materials, especially “gorilla hair” mulch. The department is responsible for inspection of 6,200 parcels but there is no longer a fee charged for the inspections.
During a question period, he noted that while the city works closely with So Cal Edison on fire reduction, they have no input on power safety shut offs. They receive the same advance notices as residences. He also answered questions concerning the “wealth of fuel”; in the Harmon Canyon and Brown Barranca.
Marshall Reed also discussed the fire potential in orchards, the evacuation of the Brown and Harmon Barrancas. He also mentioned that Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) for Ventura city residents is being discussed with Steve Lazenby.
There was a Community Discussion time. It was noted that the Zoom link on the website was incorrect.
Concern was expressed about the homeless in our city, the quality of our park services, and the influx of people for the X Games. The City Council has received a grant to add 12 pickleball courts and repair some tennis courts. There is a sense that the requests for road repairs is unheard, especially of concern is Bristol Road. There is no focal center for East Ventura, and the suggestion was made that a community/senior center is a part of the Kimball Park plan. The Park Department would like to make a presentation to our council. Also, the marking of red curbs was mentioned that the Traffic department should mark more clearly.
Suggestions for upcoming guests were made, including Traffic and Engineering, Public Works, Shea Homes (regarding their newest development on east end), Cal Trans (regarding school areas).
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sara Ostrander, Acting Recording Secretary
East Ventura Community Council Minutes, April 20, 2023 General Meeting via Zoom
There were 3 Board members in attendance, Norene Charnofsky, John Kunmiller, Sara Ostrander
There were 40 attendees, including 3 city representatives, and 1 county representatives
The meeting was called to order at 7:03pm by presiding officer, Sara Ostrander.
The police report was given by Commander Brown of the Ventura City Police Department. There were
21 crimes in the last 28 days. 2 aggravated assaults, 2 motor vehicle thefts, and two catalytic converter
thefts (these were local suspects). There was a question about a stabbing in another district. This was
committed by a recently released prisoner and the people involved were not related. Commander
Brown talked about the volunteers with the department, and recognized the Dispatcher of the Year,
Christine Lindsay. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Commander Brown discussed the
law and the dangers he has seen on patrol. Any questions can be sent to brown@venturapd.org.
The Minutes of the March meeting were approved
The Treasurer’s report was given and accepted. Our current balance is $1,768.00. We must keep a
minimum balance of $500.00 in the account.
Announcements:
Rising from the Ashes home tour on April 22.
- Music under the Stars tickets will be available May 5.
- April 29, Council members Jeanette Sanchez-Palacios and Bill McReynolds will be at
- Terry’s Berrys for a meet and greet from 11:30 to 2:00
Dean Katz was nominated as Vice-Chair to serve the remainder of the term. The election was
unanimous.
The 2023 Budget was approved as presented.
County Supervisor Matt Lavere presented information on the county priorities. They include Climate
Action and Sustainability, Equitable and Inclusive Economic Vitality, Mental Health and Wellness,
Housing and Homelessness. He discussed the 2 year projects of repaving of the Rincon Parkway, and
improving access at Mondos Beach. He is working with a group in Saticoy to form an advisory council
and a teen center. A Farmer's Market should be opening in August 23. He warned that the pop-up food
vendors are being brought here by organized crime from Los Angeles and should be avoided. The
county has a target of 1300 new housing units in 2023 with most of them as “affordable”. Improving the
economic climate requires meeting the needs of existing businesses and recruiting new business. A
question was asked about the Fairgrounds, and Matt stated that the County has no jurisdiction; the Fair
Board is solely responsible.
The input received from members on the Economic Development survey was highlighted. The input was
compiled and a document was sent to the Economic Development Department and the council
members. Dean Katz and Sara Ostrander participated in an online discussion on April 17 and presented
the main points of input. Thanks to all for participating.
There was a discussion about the needs of the East End including better transportation with a transit
center on Wells Road one suggestion. There is a need for a community gathering space. The new
homes being built near Telegraph and Wells will be opening soon and the problems will continue to
multiply. The General Plan Advisory Committee is still taking recommendations. It was suggested that
Kimball Park might be able to have some room for a community center.
Kelly Brown from the 211 Call Center made a presentation about their services. They receive many calls
a year for assistance with social services. They can assist with referrals, tax preparation, 211
transportation, etc. A great number of their callers are homeless or about to become homeless.
Keeping families together is a problem because some shelters will not take boys over 13 years old.
People living in RVs have no specific places available. There is a great problem of homelessness among
18 to 29 years old, including many college students. This is from the local population, and there is no
evidence of homeless people being shipped in from other areas.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 pm.
Previous Meetings: