The Public Works and Transportation Committee of Oxnard convened on September 9, 2025, to discuss key agenda items, including a significant donation from the Harbor Island Homeowners Association (HOA) and the procurement of heavy equipment for the Public Works Water Division.

The meeting began with a proposal regarding the Harbor Island HOA's donation of $17,400 to the Waterways Maintenance Assessment District Zone 2. This donation aims to support landscape maintenance and on-call services within the Harbor Island Linear Park. The committee recommended that the city council approve the acceptance of this donation, authorize an agreement between the city and the HOA, and approve a budget appropriation to recognize the donation revenue and authorize expenditures for the specified purposes.

Anthony Miller, the special districts manager, provided context for the donation, explaining that the Waterways Zone 2 area has faced funding difficulties. The assessment rates for this district have not increased since the passage of Proposition 218 in 1996, leading to a significant gap between current funding and the amount needed to maintain the area. The HOA's donation is intended to cover costs for additional projects and higher service levels, although it does not fully address potential major expenses.

Committee members acknowledged the HOA's previous contributions, noting that this is not the first fiscal year the HOA has made such a donation. In the past five years, the HOA has contributed approximately $5,000 in 2021 and over $15,000 in the 2023-2024 fiscal year for similar purposes.

The committee also clarified that the policies developed for Landscape Maintenance Districts (LMDs) do not apply to this particular district due to its different governing requirements.

Following the discussion, the committee unanimously voted in favor of the recommended actions regarding the donation.

The meeting proceeded to the next agenda item, which involved the approval of purchase orders with Gibbs International and the Charles Machine Works for heavy equipment for the Public Works Water Division. The committee recommended that the city council authorize the purchasing agent to execute two purchase orders, including one for a 2026 truck with a not-to-exceed value of $300,000.

In conclusion, the committee's discussions highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the city and the Harbor Island HOA to maintain community standards, as well as the city's commitment to enhancing its public works capabilities through necessary equipment purchases.