[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6261832,"mediaKeyId","3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd","parentId",3117944,"title","Fillmore council delays decision on joining Clean Power Alliance, directs staff to seek Edison data and presentations","audioSeconds",5645,"startMs",664000,"endMs",6309000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd&start=664&end=6309","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd/thumbnail_664000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6261832/Fillmore-City/Ventura-County/California/Fillmore-council-delays-decision-on-joining-Clean-Power-Alliance-directs-staff-to-seek-Edison-data-and-presentations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261832-ebc0b467dba9c1a00fc660cd597ec2c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189044&Signature=ZIaUoO5fCsxaDGWb0asMNfTEd3Da6GuwOakxfMQWvFnIVhKwmRKdglB4STJ0p6MkmbRs1qd27mWneRCjPRzwFNRgGSMNsr2hM573bzWf2cVxfRMk2PgocJI1neb4acw8l3S6rOxkzHlZjYA28bg841oOZLdIl5NVjuvMIuPWLjd8EQ4MUMxqZeVwfCanEJAfGnYnq4liQfTq-GNlOJQkKD-TMzz~x4heNKZIJkfVt2yvSFoxhywew6i2hiLKJ7QAUmkCsTitGrAlSsBRYGwkEdH06FHM79bBTjJy2irpgOP1AkfVwrWows6~GQJ~2SiNtMHBHz3hSAzU0UwKHQzJyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Fillmore CA","date","2025-04-23T17:31:20Z","article","The Fillmore City Council on Tuesday stopped short of committing to a Clean Power Alliance feasibility study and instead directed staff to request customer data from Southern California Edison and invite an Edison representative to present so councilors can hear both sides before deciding whether Fillmore should join the community choice aggregator.

Clean Power Alliance (CPA) representative Karen told the council CPA is a publicly owned electricity provider and community choice aggregator that purchases cleaner energy while Southern California Edison (SCE) continues to deliver it. Karen said CPA offers three product tiers — 100% green, a 50% clean option and a 40% lean option — and that customers may opt out at any time. She also described CPA programs, including solar-plus-storage rebates, a $300 room air-conditioner rebate for low-income customers and community benefits grants.

The feasibility-study request on the agenda would have asked Fillmore to pay a $10,000 fee to have CPA evaluate the local impacts of joining. Karen said the study mainly looks at the impact to existing CPA customers, greenhouse-gas reductions, and a city’s own electricity accounts; she noted the fee is refunded if CPA’s board decides not to invite a city to join. Karen summarized the hypothetical timetable: a board decision in September, two ordinance readings by the city council, a CPUC addendum, and a CPUC review the following March, with service starting the year after CPUC approval.

Public comment was strongly in favor. Faviola Gomez, who identified herself as a Santa Paula resident representing local community groups, urged Fillmore to “seize the opportunity” and move toward cleaner, renewable energy to protect public health and the local economy. Brooke Walthaser of the advocacy group Sea Frog said joining CPA would be “one of the biggest actions that a city can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” and highlighted potential benefits such as resilience programs, EV charging and workforce development. Several other residents and local leaders — including Pedro Chavez, mayor of neighboring Santa Paula — urged the council to pursue the CPA option.

Councilmembers repeatedly asked technical questions about how CPA service would work with SCE service interruptions. Karen responded directly to a question about public-safety power shutoffs: “That is correct. SCE still owns, maintains, operates the lines and wires,” meaning CPA service would not change SCE’s operational control of distribution and PSPS decisions. On rate comparisons she said CPA aims to set stable annual rates and that relative comparisons with SCE can fluctuate during the year because Edison changes rates more often.

Council debate focused on process and information needs rather than the policy merits of community choice. Several councilmembers said they favored fuller information before spending city funds: the $10,000 fee is intended both to cover some study costs and to demonstrate the city’s commitment, Karen said, adding the fee does not cover the entire study expense. Councilmembers asked staff to obtain SCE account-level data for Fillmore, to invite SCE to present its programs and constraints, and to contact several similar-sized cities that have joined CPA for their experience.

Outcome and next steps: councilmembers did not vote to enter CPA or to pay the $10,000 study fee tonight. Instead they directed staff to submit a formal data request to SCE (a process Karen said typically takes several weeks), invite Southern California Edison to give a presentation to council, and gather experience statements from several comparable cities; the council also asked CPA to remain available for follow-up. Any formal decision to proceed with the feasibility study or to join CPA would return to council for later action.

Why it matters: joining a community choice aggregator would change who supplies the electricity generation portion of local utility bills, potentially increasing renewable generation and enabling locally tailored programs. It would not alter SCE’s ownership or operation of distribution lines, and customers would retain the ability to opt out.

Public-source notes: CPA described its three-product structure, its program investments and the mechanics of opt-out windows; members of the public and neighboring elected officials urged the council to move forward; council asked staff to collect SCE usage and assistance-program data and to invite SCE to brief the council before any commitment.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fillmore City Council Meeting - 4/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fillmore City Council on Tuesday stopped short of committing to a Clean Power Alliance feasibility study and instead directed staff to request customer data from Southern California Edison and invite an Edison representative to present so councilors can hear both sides before deciding whether Fillmore should join the community choice aggregator.","taxTitle","Fillmore City, Ventura County, California","taxId",71920,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261824,"City demonstrates AquaHawk customer portal as AMI meter rollout reaches 4,228 replacements",410,6776000,7186000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd&start=6776&end=7186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd/thumbnail_6776000.jpg","/articles/6261824/Fillmore-City/Ventura-County/California/City-demonstrates-AquaHawk-customer-portal-as-AMI-meter-rollout-reaches-4228-replacements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261824-6e80f142ce16b53c877fccbab191c9ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189044&Signature=OuSJUfGujwOkSXV2fnXxJE6c1iUKE96znm~Ty-UamWutlhXR74Ws867~Y2o1JspY5~stOGfRzSCaH72MnC2UqlqxJ8WOHY4DFUuH6896GdyzhBrwgJCbew6srTCjUrCOmiHBr1A0oxI9TgPTOTqSfkMoRaRYifpvTaq65qyM8lahLp-oqcqkBkp4X-NVwmr1dkUiMwmHy~Q6KHMTXQACko6Phj1F8RDiOkAV5ZVU24STtmANcO8vxEQmZqk4GZNW4nvSJ3n9yxMo-t0WL1E7d4wyL3wC9rq7GQvTzYBJ89B3-WazehQw7SGPdPFOLaLXYcAk4W12eEI88VQjbWZPjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council received a demonstration of the city’s new AquaHawk advanced-metering customer portal as part of an AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) project.

Staff said the city contracted with Willdan Energy Solutions and AquaHawk through a performance contract approved in December 2023 and a subsequent equipment lease-purchase (Resolution No. 243988) that funded the meter replacements. The finance technician reported the city has installed 4,228 new meters and completed beta testing of the AquaHawk portal. Willdan and AquaHawk consultants joined the council meeting by video to answer questions.

Staff described the customer benefits: account registration with a utility account number, access to hourly, daily, monthly and annual usage, projected vs. estimated bill amounts, and usage thresholds that trigger notifications by text, email or phone. Staff said the contract guaranteed a 10.2% accuracy improvement on billable consumption and that the project included training for finance and public-works staff. City staff noted approximately 457 customers are currently signed up for electronic billing and about 2,500 customers use the city’s online bill-payment portal monthly.

AquaHawk staff said their application is used by more than 100 U.S. utilities and that the city would use the portal to notify customers about leaks and unusual consumption quickly. Staff said outreach will include social-media posts, billing inserts, a web page and mass notifications when the portal goes live to encourage residents to register and set thresholds to reduce surprise bills.

Financial note: staff reported no new fiscal action was needed at the meeting; the system and meter replacements were paid through the earlier-approved lease/purchase agreement and performance contract.

Why it matters: AMI meters and a customer portal let residents monitor usage and act to prevent waste and property damage from leaks, and the metering accuracy improvement can increase recovered revenue from previously under-registering meters.

","The Fillmore City Council saw a demonstration of the AquaHawk customer portal after the city completed a large meter-replacement program of 4,228 AMI meters funded under an earlier-approved performance contract and equipment lease.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261828,"City adopts updated Cal Fire fire-hazard severity map; council approves ordinance to incorporate new 'very high' zones",830,4438000,5268000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd&start=4438&end=5268","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd/thumbnail_4438000.jpg","/articles/6261828/Fillmore-City/Ventura-County/California/City-adopts-updated-Cal-Fire-fire-hazard-severity-map-council-approves-ordinance-to-incorporate-new-very-high-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261828-f9452f71db3a886041507bb5d5ee046c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189044&Signature=Kt6-of79I46uoBBP0suRah08ydXuGcUklthXGyNoz2~xCnS9~~bfZfS1tVUNpMqSIJeSIqb6MyF9DWvgvWTaxFqzZtaEgoC-8rRsnCrhkxJJfs7rNrF5tyISVIGC7795NQTgVxflwYABRNiW8IF0fM2P0077etcREPXYRWyE3-ybnR~lZTiK3LVxIUcmFYJqJDyi5DtfjxVwlUzLkeX0qbuBTp9IYBnxt3FYKVWI4tUHIHHAp~x1lv9yfMsoU9bl3fWxFHLYclflF9bJrp5hJPuhDKM7nlSESvcVqvw67-mB3ofczgqGvpplmdzTDc12IvoG3y1dNNjeypop3Y5EsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fillmore City Council adopted an ordinance updating the city's fire-hazard severity zone map following a statewide Cal Fire map update that added or expanded areas now classified as very high, high and moderate fire hazard.

Fire Department staff told the council Cal Fire issued revised maps on March 10 and provided a 120-day window for local governments to adopt the updated map. The new mapping adds portions of the city — including parts of the Heritage Valley/El Dorado area and additional land along the Santa Clara River and the Sespe side of town — to the “very high” and “high” hazard classifications. Staff said wind modeling is a key reason some southern and eastern areas were newly included.

The chief explained the practical implications: the update will require stricter building and landscape measures in newly designated areas, not prohibitions on development. New requirements discussed include updated building standards that reflect state fire-code rules, enforcing defensible-space inspections (notably a “0 zone,” the first five feet from the structure), ensuring multiple interior and exterior access routes for evacuation and fire apparatus, and heightened attention to materials and vegetation in immediate proximity to homes. The chief emphasized the goal is risk reduction through abatement and construction standards.

Councilmembers asked specifically about impacts to ongoing projects such as Creekside and whether retroactive inspections would be required. Staff said homes in affected tracts will need to meet the updated mitigation and building measures; retroactive evaluations of affected areas are likely. The chief said the city may work with the Ventura County Fire Safe Council and is planning a “chipper day” and other outreach events to help residents reduce fuels and comply with defensible-space standards.

Council approved the ordinance (listed in the staff motion as Ordinance No. 25‑92) at the meeting’s vote. Staff also outlined next steps for outreach and enforcement: making permit and code guidance available to developers and homeowners, staging public workshops, and coordinating a hazardous-vegetation chipper/collection event to help residents remove fuels.

Why it matters: The update reclassifies additional parcels inside the city as higher fire hazard, tightening building and landscaping expectations where the risk has increased. The changes affect permitting and construction and could influence insurance, though the chief said insurance impacts would depend on insurers’ decisions. The city will run public education and abatement assistance to reduce risk for residents in newly designated zones.

","After Cal Fire issued updated fire hazard severity maps that add ground inside Fillmore to 'very high' and 'high' zones, the council adopted an ordinance updating the city's map. Staff described building-standards implications, defensible-space requirements and outreach steps including a proposed chipper/weed-abatement program.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261815,"Votes at a glance: Fillmore City Council actions, April 22, 2025",5161,6426000,11587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd&start=6426&end=11587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd/thumbnail_6426000.jpg","/articles/6261815/Fillmore-City/Ventura-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Fillmore-City-Council-actions-April-22-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261815-99af77c96b9a7e6abe2f19c22641632a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189044&Signature=XaVxgywO-q4vAtDnsjD1asI4n5IjNBYci9dHsWNOXLgZMCToTXJ61DaGcXB7BxqwCzzFC-pqNnrw58ACUqO2huQVdJk5FjEUgorNyE1srycG2fNR8nAr6kPRo30jTUXmUGt2V6KVJ0eLCq3DlUY1~DAzzI5KpXZ1do-kKqqs2asNYCgeZ8GyHMCXn3xWDQ41Cj8~IFHV5pHn-Ew-PckpDKJAivL~QXqETVThbB5Y-K9CHJ~AzQtxl6sfsKQk~ZYi-GgxWi~cqG9MVzylD0Wnwf3zCt3uwlTQdabjSZBF8OTd6wSDKGdmJQYkufPfp8HhAasGbo3I3DeIoXQUC-4-fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 22, 2025 meeting the Fillmore City Council took the following formal actions (summaries below). Where a formal roll-call tally was not read into the record council recorded voice votes of “aye;” no recorded dissents were reflected in the transcript.

Summary of formal actions and outcomes:

- Consent calendar: Approved (motion carried by voice). No roll-call votes recorded.

- Appointment: Approved Mayor’s recommendation to appoint Alex Flores to the Planning Commission to fill the vacancy through January 31, 2027. (Motion carried by voice.)

- Ordinance: Adopted an amendment delegating to the City Manager authority to execute regional agreements that do not require city funding (Ordinance No. 205‑983 as listed on the agenda). Motion carried by voice.

- Fire hazard map ordinance: Adopted (Ordinance No. 25‑92) to incorporate Cal Fire’s updated fire hazard severity zones into the city’s map. Motion carried.

- School Resource Officers: Approved a one‑year extension of the agreement with Fillmore Unified School District to continue two school resource officers (pass‑through cost billed to the district via the county sheriff monthly statement). Motion carried; district to continue funding via LCAP and other district sources.

- Pole Creek Basin maintenance: Approved a facility maintenance agreement with Hearthstone and authorized task orders for debris‑basin clean-outs to be reimbursed from Storm Drain Maintenance District No. 7 where funds are available. Motion carried.

- Crimson pipeline franchise: Adopted a resolution declaring the city’s intent to grant a new franchise to Crimson California Pipelines LP and set a public hearing process for the franchise (motion carried).

- Annexation / Lighting & Landscaping: Initiated proceedings to annex the Nova Storage parcel into Lighting and Landscape Assessment District No. 2, Zone 3 and ordered the engineer’s report; set public hearing for May 13, 2025. Motion carried.

- Annual assessments / storm drains: Initiated annual proceedings and preliminarily approved engineer’s reports for the city’s Landscape & Lighting Districts and for the seven Storm Drain Maintenance Districts for FY 2025‑26. Public hearings were set for May 13, 2025. Motions carried.

Key follow-ups: staff will schedule the public hearings on May 13, 2025 for assessment-related matters and for the Crimson franchise; staff will finalize task-order and reimbursement procedures for Pole Creek maintenance work and will return procurement/implementation details as needed; the planning-commission appointee will assume the seat and serve through 01/31/2027.","The council approved a series of routine and project-specific actions including appointments, ordinance and resolution adoptions, and contract extensions. Item summaries, outcomes and follow-ups are listed below.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261819,"Council directs staff to implement downtown economic development plan; branding, beautification, and business outreach prioritized",1369,9539000,10908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd&start=9539&end=10908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3117944-a6c1228ed9304e5b4c98a55ffe6bf2cd/thumbnail_9539000.jpg","/articles/6261819/Fillmore-City/Ventura-County/California/Council-directs-staff-to-implement-downtown-economic-development-plan-branding-beautification-and-business-outreach-prioritized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261819-3ea764592681034618d7401c7f37b9d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189044&Signature=UiKZ~Awt2n7WS-Gr8MY1e8~ymcfTcmz7IUpANOXptsgyEuRcCfjWJSqiyaBQTENqa0BVbrGIIrUjxjxoqczwFw2jcR6IMtw8ztPoHfbWf4KgEX3LLr2ZmKB2ON0MgfpwEjQCilyxbrM-ZprP3XfeIzDLzvcRpe-faOgESnwyWWWpeV0mE68qK9ka2pg1WEBGcV441a2GKLzqXV1KhDEm-g-o-bsjZQoRyd2TMmppc17wVXcLjw6vRqjDCE4hvcoejY62MpcYN6Au0p3T-7qWXIGdThKWGhuD~n45NAALIX4ZIo6pq2AAlQj90McjWjE~7BLg~ke2Yq6Qsl-gVgHoow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fillmore City Council directed staff to implement a downtown economic development plan that staff described as a short-, medium- and long-term framework to revitalize the city’s historic central corridor while preserving its small-town character.

Staff said short-term items include downtown beautification, updated planters and flowers, a proposed mural contest and a business-spotlight program using brief social-media reels. Medium-term work includes targeted outreach to prospective business owners and investors and continued collaboration with county economic development agencies. Long-term priorities include updating the downtown-specific plan and design standards to guide 20-year revitalization.

The plan builds on a 2022 marketing/strategy study that staff said the council paid for. Councilmembers praised the 2022 marketing document and encouraged the city to budget for the plan’s recommended investments. Staff said some elements — wayfinding signage, marketing and beautification work — are already included in the proposed fiscal-year budget and that small-cost items such as social-media spotlights can be produced in-house.

Councilmembers discussed the role of local business organizations and chambers of commerce; staff and council asked for outreach to business owners identified by the ad hoc committee and recommended quarterly downtown-business meetings. The mayor and council also discussed alignment with the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau and neighboring jurisdictions to broaden promotional reach.

Outcome: Council voted to direct staff to implement the plan’s priorities as presented and to convene business stakeholders for ongoing quarterly meetings. Staff will return with a schedule for near-term beautification and outreach tasks and will coordinate with regional partners on tourism and business support.

Why it matters: The plan combines branding, physical improvements, event programming and business outreach to try to increase economic activity and foot traffic in Fillmore’s central business district, and it recommends modest near-term investments with larger planning work to follow.

","The council gave staff direction to proceed with an economic development plan for downtown Fillmore that emphasizes short-term beautification and marketing, mid-term business recruitment and quarterly stakeholder outreach, and a long-term update to design standards and the downtown plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fillmore council delays decision on joining Clean Power Alliance, directs staff to seek Edison data and presentations

City demonstrates AquaHawk customer portal as AMI meter rollout reaches 4,228 replacements

City adopts updated Cal Fire fire-hazard severity map; council approves ordinance to incorporate new 'very high' zones

Votes at a glance: Fillmore City Council actions, April 22, 2025

Council directs staff to implement downtown economic development plan; branding, beautification, and business outreach prioritized