Residents urge Ventura County Museum to keep Ag Museum open to public; council asked Crosswhite to raise concerns at VCTC
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Summary
Community members told council that the Ventura County Agricultural Museum plans to limit public access and convert the facility to an event center; speakers said that would violate a 99‑year lease and asked the city’s VCTC representative to object and seek enforcement.
Community members asked the Santa Paula City Council on Aug. 5 to intervene after the Ventura County Agricultural Museum signaled plans to close public access and convert exhibit space to events. Speakers said the museum occupies a public property under a 99‑year, $1‑per‑year lease administered by the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) that requires public access and programming.
Ginger Gerardi, who previously signed the VCTC lease documents on behalf of a local entity, told council the museum’s proposed operational change would contravene the lease terms and that the county and VCTC spent roughly $2.2 million to rehabilitate the museum building and additional funds on surrounding improvements. Gerardi said the lease includes a clause allowing the VCTC to withdraw the lease if the museum closes to the public for seven months.
Gerardi urged the council to instruct its VCTC representative — Council Member Crosswhite — to raise the city’s objections with the commission and to ask the county museum to accept city offers of programming assistance or partnership. City staff explained the two routes for adding a future agenda item: non‑urgent requests require a council member submittal form and a future‑agenda vote; time‑sensitive items may be placed by motion and second during the council’s “items for future agenda” segment and scheduled for a special meeting within 24 hours’ notice if required.
Council members asked staff to place the matter on a future agenda so the full council could consider a formal position and possible letters to VCTC and to encourage staff to coordinate with Crosswhite, the city’s VCTC representative.
Why it matters: the museum is maintained using county funds and public improvements; speakers said restricting public museum access would reduce educational programming and duplicate private event venues at public expense.
What’s next: City staff will follow the future‑agenda process and Crosswhite will raise the city’s concerns with VCTC as a representative of Santa Paula; council asked for an agenda item to consider a formal statement or letter opposing closure of public access.