GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 18, 2024

VIA ZOOM

Call to Order at 7:04

Police Report: Cmdr Weeks was unable to attend and in lieu of a substitute, John shared the crime map. There were 46 reports of crime, which is consistent with the new reporting system. Assault offenses are mostly domestic violence calls. Fraud tends to be scams. Report it to the police if you get scammed. April is Distracted Drivers month. put down your cell phones.

April 23, Coffee with a Cop, supporting autism at the Moofish Café, Crown Plaza

Recognition of Board: Sara Ostrander, Dean Katz, Sheila Lowe, Dorothy Bailey, John Kunsemiller

Recognition of Guests: Dr. Jeanette Palacio Sanchez and Dani Brusius.

Minutes of Last Meeting are posted on website

Treasurer’s Report: April received $100 ($94.85 after fee) Grocery Outlet monthly donation. total: $2022.98

Announcements:

Clear the brush around your home. A fire hazard reduction program can be found on city website.

May 2 – Surfers Point Manage Retreat project at the Fairgrounds.

May 7 – block development grants. We may look into this.

May 7 – Music under the Stars, tickets go on sale.

Ventura Vibe newsletter on City website.

The City needs volunteers to serve on several commissions.

District 4 Council Member — Dr. Jeanette Sanchez-Palacios – this weekend is Earth Day. Big event on Saturday at Plaza Park. Come out and learn about climate change, etc., Fun for family. GPAC is collecting survey inputs until May 12. On Tuesday’s agenda, Water project, in the making for many years. Will revitalize East end. https://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/resources/surfer-s-point-managed-shoreline-retreat-project.html

District 5 Council Member — Bill McReynolds not in attendance due to family obligation

Old Business

Council Focus Areas

Marina Porter makes us aware of problems of safety around schools.
Community center for East Side under discussion.
Concern about Memorial Day and 4^th July fireworks. Dean is working with Cmdr Weeks.
Grocery story on the East Side — residents feel we are not well enough served.

Vision Planning workshop May 18^th, 10-2 EVCC will host this event at 11405 Darling Road Clubhouse. Our goal is to identify the most urgent issues that concern East Side residents and draw attention to them, and find solutions.

Kellye P – if we provide more info on this, she will reach out to friends and younger families who are new to the area.
Sara: More information will be forthcoming about the workshop. Members are invited to nominate comments.
Jeanette: is a virtual option possible (no wifi in the clubhouse)? Suggested putting flyers around, which is planned.

Last month we were contacted by Anthony Romero regarding the Wells Road Corridor and concerns about traffic/semis. Inadequate planning for development and Wells/Telegraph.

New Business

Sara and Dean attended Saticoy Municipal Council (part of the County, not the City). They are interested in cooperating with us to work for our mutual benefit, and will attend the planning workshop. Their Council is very involved with the community.

EVCC will have a booth with puppet show at Pollinator Palooza at Barranca Vista Park. May 18, 10-2. It was very successful last year. Volunteers welcomed.

Contact us if you know of events happening around town that we can join.

Guest Speaker

Dani Brusius, Master Gardener – creating a pollinator garden

UC Master Gardener program. 1/3 of all our food depends on pollinators. All pollinators are declining for several reasons. Not just honeybees. There are more than 1600 native bee species that don’t live in hives, and don’t produce harvestable honey but are pollinators. Loss of habitat, tilling destroys native bee nests.

Plant in patches of at least 3’ square same plant. Bees like consistency and are attracted to purple. Honeybees have their own jobs within the hive. Pollen and nectar is needed year round. Thus, when one flower type is fading, make sure a new one grows in its place so bees stay. Provide them with a shallow water source and bare soil. Provide wooden bee houses, but not redwood or cedar (they repel insects). Neonicotinoids are the most harmful pesticides. Canola oil is a pesticide. Go to www.ipm.ucdavis.edu for information about pesticides. Home Garden, Turf. Neem oil can be toxic to bees. Don’t use it when bees are foraging.

Breezes, bugs, birds, beetles, bats, butterflies are all pollinators. mgventura@ucdavis.edu for questions. Upcoming classes: https://ucanr.edu/sites/VCMG

Community Discussion

Sara: someone has requested flashing lights at Johnson/Hummingbird for safer walks to school. She has forwarded the request to public works and city council.

City requests input on Draft action plan for housing and community development. Block grant. May 7, 5:00 the grants will be discussed. Dean: City in midst of Phase 1 design – trail head in Saticoy. We are asked to participate. It’s already paid for. Zoom meeting next month online May 15^th, 5:30-7. 23^rd, Jose Flores Comm. Center, in-person meeting. Petit will have to be connected – railroad tracks.

Marina P: has noticed 2-3 RVs parked on Darling behind the golf course. What is the enforcement code? She noticed a student entering one of them. Are there safe parking areas for families living in RVs?

Sara: at the Saticoy Council meeting, they had assistance from Hwy Patrol and police for vehicles parked long term, and moved them out. A new ordinance has been passed in the City of Ventura regarding the parking of large vehicles. They can be reported to the police. We can email Cmdr Weeks. John will handle this.

Next Meeting: May 16^th – guest speaker TBA

Adjournment: 8:06 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Lowe, Secretary