Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Measure R Oversight topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Santa Paula council shapes Measure R oversight committee, directs staff to advertise openings
Summary
Council refined committee guidelines for Measure R oversight: district representation will be sought but not mandatory, category quotas were removed, ballot language will be included in the charter, terms will be staggered and members will serve until replaced. Staff was directed to advertise openings and return final language to council.
Santa Paula city council members on March 5 completed a lengthy discussion on the proposed Measure R Oversight Committee and gave staff direction on committee composition, operating guidelines and next steps, telling staff to advertise openings and return with final language.
The discussion followed public comments urging regular meetings, transparency and inclusion of community groups. A community organizer asked that the committee meet quarterly, include outreach to non‑English speakers, and produce annual, itemized reports showing Measure R revenue and spending. Another commenter, speaking for community leaders, said residents expected district representation and clear stewardship of Measure R funds for streets and sidewalks.
Council members agreed to several substantive edits to the draft guidelines: remove a prescriptive list of “category” slots (such as business, senior or civic organization seats), retain language that the council will “make every attempt” to identify members from each district but not require strict district‑based appointments, and allow the council flexibility to appoint qualified at‑large members if no suitable district candidate is available. Council also asked staff to add language referencing the actual Measure R ballot question so the committee charter explicitly echoes the voter language about streets, pothole repair and general government use.
Council also discussed term structure and staggered terms. Members directed staff to collect candidate preferences for two‑ or four‑year terms and to allow the council to set initial staggered terms at appointment so future cycles synchronize with the city’s budget and appointment calendar. Council requested that guidelines specify that committee members continue serving until a replacement is appointed to avoid lapses in oversight. The council asked staff to enable flexible scheduling — including allowing the city manager, finance director or committee chair to call meetings when needed — and to revisit the guidelines after the committee has two budget cycles of experience.
There was no formal roll‑call vote on the resolution at this meeting. Instead, staff said they had consensus from the council on the changes and will update the resolution and operating guidelines, begin advertising a call for applicants, and return the revised document for formal action at a future meeting. Staff indicated the city intends to begin outreach immediately and will target a February–March appointment window so new members are in place ahead of the next budget cycle.
The council’s direction clarifies several earlier items raised during Measure R’s campaign and by residents: the committee will emphasize transparency, include the ballot question language in its charter, seek geographic representation without rigid quotas, follow staggered terms, and produce reports to keep the public informed.
