[{"_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",6546491,"mediaKeyId","3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430","parentId",3648846,"title","Council OKs CS Legacy contract for Oxnard beautification and cleanup; staff reports likely Caltrans grant extension","audioSeconds",459,"startMs",10867000,"endMs",11326000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430&start=10867&end=11326","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430/thumbnail_10867000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546491/Oxnard-City/Ventura-County/California/Council-OKs-CS-Legacy-contract-for-Oxnard-beautification-and-cleanup-staff-reports-likely-Caltrans-grant-extension","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546491-d39e025ec6220b99ba34bde184dd49be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438922&Signature=hJCqJLAU5m~RnTAHoikP5rpgrHi-L4p70uuaUXqQSBfpy9T~w~vu5kqcPgulT47zmGPmYaM34OpyMHwiPBJ35d1OPD8glelHMq0iVV8MiTmOVWV8ESFvnyyG7k0qjnQxa7jdHPgaOy3p9c~L2zmOZH84AGIC3-u6O2wkdnORlEKDWJuobqntbTYAdyqayXvA1JU1tFWl-T4fPu1q2RZpkfZDRBei-NFIHugKIBC1vt5DYldRTtcOlh7OSonSoNeI3IevA84P2fJIZ4ph3yr2FzuxaNPrD8JHAtvao2JdF4xJFRyLXQ6Z5NP40oiP3y0UDndyDY4R1BVikEm~Ocbj6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Oxnard, CA","date","2025-06-04T05:43:53.51Z","article","The Oxnard City Council on June 3 approved a construction contract and associated budget actions for the Oxnard beautification and cleanup project and authorized staff to pursue a water‑agency turf‑replacement rebate, while reporting that state transportation staff had indicated they are likely to extend a grant deadline.

Contract award and dollars: The council authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with CS Legacy Construction for $2,506,996.79 and approved a project contingency of $129,314, for a total not‑to‑exceed value of $2,636,296.79. The council also approved related appropriations and transfers: a maximum $1,600,000 transfer into the capital outlay fund (funding mechanics in staff report), and a $1,074,578 appropriation for FY24–25 from a mix of American Rescue Plan Act funds ($870,000) and a tax‑allocation bond fund ($204,578).

Grant timing and extension: Grants staff told the council they received a phone call from Caltrans local assistance staff on June 3 indicating headquarters is likely to approve a one‑year extension for the grant deadline; staff had not yet received formal confirmation in writing at the time of the meeting. Staff recommended proceeding with award and said that if the grant extension is formally granted staff would not need to draw on the proposed $1.6 million transfer and would instead seek reimbursement under the Caltrans grant.

Other authorizations: The council authorized the public‑works director to apply for a Metropolitan Water District turf‑replacement rebate up to $638,500 and to accept and appropriate rebate funds if awarded. The project and the Del Sol Community Garden Activation project were incorporated into the FY25–29 Capital Improvement Program as part of the approvals.

Why it matters: The contract authorizes construction work to begin on a project intended to improve public right‑of‑way and appearance in targeted corridors. Staff cautioned that the schedule had been compressed by multiple bid rounds and delays, and that a written extension from Caltrans would reduce city risk by allowing reimbursement rather than an immediate local transfer.

Vote and next steps: The council approved the contract and appropriations 7–0. Staff will execute the agreement, continue grant communications with Caltrans and pursue the water‑agency rebate application.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 6/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a construction contract and associated appropriations for the Oxnard beautification and cleanup project and authorized staff to pursue a Metropolitan Water District turf rebate; staff said they had an encouraging, not-yet-written phone call indicating Caltrans may extend a grant deadline.","taxTitle","Oxnard City, Ventura County, California","taxId",3809,"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},6546495,"Council approves landscape district assessments after debate over scope, costs and recusals",669,10393000,11062000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430&start=10393&end=11062","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430/thumbnail_10393000.jpg","/articles/6546495/Oxnard-City/Ventura-County/California/Council-approves-landscape-district-assessments-after-debate-over-scope-costs-and-recusals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546495-1b72a1e675c2cd041e9e152e7cc494a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438921&Signature=M0bs7tLZzu3SmY54VKM6gbyyIkn7F-P~s-eShZuX0pUfM1000wO8csrWurop7E-22ZqaWAHt6jQ9wz1zlal8V1EPPYyWQTejGR86dpzCLo-meAS~a2JJlUlo6jXlvQnA7RdwwaOUjNGa1MHfoKuUGGFQTPsjbLLe3B4fL1cXm2RZNl71X3mI615r4lEKU-~CFBhw15FvRQlxWhuxOfarER53RJ5MlbKEmbm6opkw6OWKQrQuUUTkASq2wKoMAOsbRh0kio9UTIDmogvIhLsS0nLtDCHE3VyGRBko2IxHoYVZuxp0x4jghUSFi7ArlmqGLUU9EuZJUCm~AmFwemyPMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oxnard City Council on June 3 approved resolutions to proceed with fiscal‑year 2025–26 assessments for the city’s landscape maintenance districts (LMDs) and took related budget actions after extended public comment and staff responses on legal scope and cost increases.

What the council did: Acting as the legislative body for the LMD program, the council adopted resolutions initiating proceedings to levy assessments, approved a consolidated engineer’s report and declared the city’s intention to levy those FY25–26 assessments. The council approved the first package (resolutions initiating proceedings and the engineer’s report) by a 6–1 vote; Councilmember Aaron Starr voted no on the first package and recused himself on LMD 30. Councilmember Perallo recused himself on LMD 13. Later separate budget actions (returning reserve balances and a one‑time contribution for specified LMDs) passed unanimously 7–0.

Discussion points and costs: Residents and public commenters questioned whether some legacy districts meet state law’s special‑benefit requirement and asked for an audit and better disclosure of administrative costs. Staff noted the difficulty of small, piecemeal contracts and said that moving work to citywide production lowers unit costs. Public‑works Director Michael Wolf told council the approach being recommended \"is the most cost‑effective way for the property owners,\" and warned that breaking projects into smaller standalone contracts reduces economies of scale and can increase contractor costs.

Staff also noted recent cost increases between the Finance & Governance committee packet and the council packet: contractor line items rose by roughly $334,000 and total proposed levies increased about 12 percent from an earlier draft (the consolidated report shows $1,766,000 proposed levy vs. $1,579,000 previously). Staff attributed the change to updated contractor estimates and the addition of partial tree‑trimming work now included in district operating budgets.

Public comment and follow-up: Two residents urged dissolution or review of specific LMDs and asked for previously prepared audit materials to be released; staff said it would follow up and that GIS can provide parcel‑level maps for impacted residents. Councilmembers requested clearer itemization and suggested staff return with further documentation where legal eligibility or historical procedures remain unclear.

Ending and implementation: With the council’s vote to proceed, staff will publish assessment notices and hold the scheduled public hearing and protests as required by state law. The council approved the related reserve distributions and one‑time contribution to LMD accounts in separate roll calls.","The council adopted resolutions initiating FY25–26 levies for Oxnard landscape maintenance districts after debate over eligibility and rising contractor costs; votes split on procedural questions and recorded recusals were entered for two districts.",{"_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},6546499,"Oxnard holds public hearing on FY 2025–26 budget; staff presents balanced plan and flags future risks",266,5402000,5668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430&start=5402&end=5668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430/thumbnail_5402000.jpg","/articles/6546499/Oxnard-City/Ventura-County/California/Oxnard-holds-public-hearing-on-FY-202526-budget-staff-presents-balanced-plan-and-flags-future-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546499-19eb4117db44b7835b02bff7fef10dc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438922&Signature=D3ay-7ME1LBHrH-1LLTY-kK4HEkrIKH7xszLYqrNqm-tsMQ2QFLfJZmotO1nOV0Nv8id2ZJ9ZOi4eLwc5YNODuMc78oR3sDGZsqdcs~pEOcRijplwUJmiGsRRocdjW8d6jtd-nRsRIEOOKqudPbgZjhZd9tV5qoKiSxQXIQsXL71bpTLr2GMAAsYvqkyjI0S1OuRj5LT4wW5MGE4Op1AzpEnZGoE2IPA2Cp9-wQa82I3nHdXqL51qAzNfTUVBtIjrpCvgjLjEbBcqUfFGwPv9WaGIp3Ay3yrgdmuBnR~3mnLQhZjNpQkcUBqC6~xqT3Vq6gg1QKml-Iulgb7rlL8KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oxnard City Council conducted a public hearing June 3 on the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 city budget, during which staff described a balanced general-fund plan, restored reserves and steps to contain new spending while warning of looming revenue pressures.

Staff presentation and numbers: Assistant City Manager Eric Sonstegard and Chief Financial Officer Javier Chagoyen Lazaro presented the proposal. Sonstegard said the city’s multi‑year restoration efforts moved Oxnard from a roughly $9.2 million structural deficit in 2019 to a position of fiscal sustainability in 2025. He noted the council previously used nearly $20 million to pay down long‑term pension and OPEB liabilities and restored reserves to 16.6% of operating expenses, roughly two months of operating costs.

The proposed budget: Staff said city departments requested nearly $20 million in additional funding for FY 2025–26 but recommended approving roughly $2.8 million of those requests so the general fund remains balanced. Chagoyen Lazaro reported small rounding and technical corrections to the published staff report and noted two updates to be included with the June 17 adoption: an increase of about $300,000 in certain gas-tax revenues and an approximately $1 million appropriation to Assessment District 2001 to pay down outstanding bonds.

Fiscal context and risks: City Manager Paul Wynne urged caution, telling the council that while the city is in a stronger position than several jurisdictions it should plan for a possible downturn. Sonstegard and Wynne pointed to several risks: flattening sales tax growth statewide, the scheduled sunset of a Metro sales tax in 2029, potential state proposals affecting sales-tax allocations from large e-commerce facilities, competitive local labor markets and pending litigation.

Treasurer and staffing dispute: The hearing included an extended exchange about the elected city treasurer’s request for a standalone Treasurer’s Office budget and staffing. Treasurer Philip Molina told the council he filed a proposed budget that he said would separate treasurer functions and pay for deputies and monthly reporting duties; he said prior operating budgets were larger when collections were part of the treasurer’s office and argued the office helps generate net interest income. City staff and the city attorney, however, said the city had filed briefing in court describing the staffing and funding it believes are necessary to allow the treasurer to perform his remaining statutory duties. City Attorney Fisher and staff said Molina’s written proposal sought substantially more funding and staff than the city believes is required and that some proposed appointments cannot be made until the council adopts a compensation schedule. The council did not adopt a separate treasurer budget at the hearing; staff and counsel said the matter is the subject of ongoing court filings and stated they would provide further information to the council and the judge as required.

Public comment and next steps: Two callers addressed the hearing. Staff noted the budget preview presentations already posted online and said the council would accept public testimony during the hearing. The council closed the public hearing and directed staff to return with a final budget to adopt on June 17. No adoption took place June 3.

Ending: Staff and the council emphasized planning conservatively for near‑term revenue uncertainty while preserving core services; the council will consider adoption on June 17 after staff updates and published corrections.","City staff presented a balanced proposed FY 2025–26 budget at a public hearing June 3, citing restored reserves and paydown of pension/OPEB liabilities while warning of near-term revenue risks; a contentious exchange followed over the elected treasurer's proposed office budget and staffing amid ongoing litigation.",{"_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},6546504,"Oxnard council reports closed‑session direction to start litigation; two members recuse",2690,195000,2885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430&start=195&end=2885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430/thumbnail_195000.jpg","/articles/6546504/Oxnard-City/Ventura-County/California/Oxnard-council-reports-closedsession-direction-to-start-litigation-two-members-recuse","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546504-bbd2bb0e6fd2a0fdb279f670c7c36051/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438922&Signature=Vp7QlLTm502~9G422n3UpSITymDw2nl5FcsUJLsuklNbHGNzYTODNGUi5GQw~XsEJMnQkx7y9QI-2CRXvOELByAFR0E0c3ZRc9iXOwHcx6qEnNMgZ5i3M-QGaLHWPQPogVJX8ZKNvFDzoM9jPd7pLmlyBFsWS~dcQXEiN-Km6N971m-2Q79f22cjthRbtq770ArQWnAUrtO6tFUBjzCaqASFGTVv4GVMWZPUx7JPUQli5btGfXMZobYnUwSMo20DCRefVfNL0Cq5JecGQM22piv0nuseXoNZtLjCTUAt05D6pcNvNruZ4w-5LVN6XxcCoPVJLCP5U~4wAF-B6yYBoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oxnard City Council announced after a June 3 closed session that it had directed the city attorney to initiate litigation related to matters discussed in closed session and recorded recusals by two council members from separate items.

City Attorney Gregory Fisher told the council the closed session considered two items listed by government code and that the council \"by unanimous vote with Councilwoman Basuah having recused herself and not participating in the matter at all, has directed the city attorney to initiate an action,\" adding that the city will disclose defendants and particulars \"once formally commenced\" except where disclosure would jeopardize service or settlement negotiations.

Recusals: Earlier in the evening two members stepped aside. Mr. Straub (identified in the meeting as Mr. Starkew) recused himself from an item the transcript tied to litigation filed under seal, saying for the record that the City of Oxnard was not a defendant and that he was a qui tam plaintiff and therefore would not participate in that item. Separately, Councilwoman Basuah recused herself from a closed-session item C2 after being informed the case \"has to do with my employer,\" and she said she would not participate.

Why this matters: The council’s public announcement confirms two formal recusals were entered on the official record and that the city attorney received direction to begin a new action. The city attorney said limited particulars will be released later, unless disclosure would interfere with service or ongoing settlement talks.

What the council said publicly: Fisher summarized the closed session but did not provide details of allegations, defendants or timing. The meeting record shows the council moved promptly into regular agenda business after the announcement.

Ending: The instruction to initiate litigation and the recorded recusals were publicly announced; no further public action or details were disclosed at the meeting.","After two closed‑session items, the council announced it had directed the city attorney to initiate litigation and recorded recusals by two members who said the cases involve personal or employment connections.",{"_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},6546509,"Ventura County vector control details mosquito surveillance, urges backyard source reduction",538,2899000,3437000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430&start=2899&end=3437","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3648846-501865e6ab499d5c00054bc601bc0430/thumbnail_2899000.jpg","/articles/6546509/Oxnard-City/Ventura-County/California/Ventura-County-vector-control-details-mosquito-surveillance-urges-backyard-source-reduction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546509-604f29b5e8d9c676e4381877f6ff4424/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438922&Signature=PEBe56VPyErHfPAROh-2ebLATv-mudt6OtV~M3s688wezkJhY10oFmkBS1sbyCKJD6onuD95GMubCvnaBNffZiU9PdBrgX7-br5byitwrv7IGUAe565tzRdmHDvnv29kpX--OBmy9FxhGEY~Op9cWxTFaw0UssPUJCZ1~9EaXBy3ANFMFAIT4Aq0jm8aAxC06nkPEOWUEACcMnNavnQ5ntoznPXCqSK-VEq5HZtKqJYPOacZkYoXAlXrpyuOv~6VeYvdu4WFmkvNR1iX3Nm9E3FY-Os0UgfTu38uEWv7l0QaktJksvoS~U6uKAzdtZXH2W87apVrozGicEO1B-gOjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ventura County vector control staff told the Oxnard City Council on June 3 that county technicians carried out hundreds of inspections in the city last year and are preparing for a longer, hotter mosquito season in 2025.

\"A vector is an insect or other animal that transmits disease to other animals,\" said Cary Swoboda, supervisor of the County Environmental Health Vector Control Program, as he outlined the department’s public-health work. Swoboda and program lead Steven Solomon described routine surveillance, larval source treatment and public outreach the county provides to Oxnard.

Why it matters: Ventura County’s program focuses on preventing mosquito-borne disease and quality-of-life nuisances, including West Nile virus and locally transmitted dengue. In 2024 the county mapped about 300 mosquito sources inside Oxnard, conducted almost 2,500 inspections on those sources, and performed about 1,200 treatments, Swoboda said.

Program details: County technicians use dipper cups and traps, and the county runs dead-bird and chicken-serum surveillance to detect West Nile and other pathogens. The program also delivers free mosquito-eating \"mosquito fish\" to residents with ornamental ponds and investigates stagnant pools, occupied or abandoned pools, and complaint-driven sites. Solomon described a new field-data system that puts iPads in technicians’ hands and improves response and record-keeping.

Local dengue risk: Swoboda warned the council that an invasive Aedes mosquito species can carry dengue, chikungunya and Zika. \"Dengue is one of those diseases that about 60 percent of people infected won't show any symptoms at all,\" Swoboda said, adding that severe dengue can be life‑threatening for vulnerable groups. He cited rising locally transmitted dengue cases across Southern California — from two cases in 2022 to 18 cases in 2024 — and said joint planning is underway with county public health, the naval base and other partners.

Council questions and staff follow-up: Council members asked about mapped-color coding of inspection frequency and about specific waterways such as the J Street drain and Halaco Lagoon; Swoboda said color coding indicates how soon technicians must recheck a site and noted the district uses both point and polygon mapping for larger water bodies. He said the county will increase effort in areas such as the Santa Clara River mouth if stagnation behind berms increases breeding habitat.

What’s next: Swoboda encouraged residents to call the county’s mosquito complaint hotline for service requests and to adopt simple source-reduction steps at home (remove standing water, keep plant saucers empty, report neglected pools). The county’s outreach partners — UC Master Gardeners, farmworker programs and local community groups — will help amplify prevention messaging during the mosquito season.

Ending: The council did not take action; the presentation was informational and council members thanked the county for the update.","Ventura County Resource Management Agency vector control staff briefed the Oxnard City Council on local mosquito surveillance, rising dengue risk and free mosquito fish and other public services; staff said 300 mapped sources in Oxnard received about 2,500 inspections and 1,200 treatments in 2024.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council OKs CS Legacy contract for Oxnard beautification and cleanup; staff reports likely Caltrans grant extension

Council approves landscape district assessments after debate over scope, costs and recusals

Oxnard holds public hearing on FY 2025–26 budget; staff presents balanced plan and flags future risks

Oxnard council reports closed‑session direction to start litigation; two members recuse

Ventura County vector control details mosquito surveillance, urges backyard source reduction