Council delays approval of access deal for 360-unit Somis farmworker housing after safety, liability concerns

The Camarillo City Council on Tuesday declined to finalize a joint-use agreement and quitclaim deed tied to the Somis (AMCAL) farmworker housing project, asking staff to return with a revised agreement clarifying safety, maintenance and financial protections.

The council said the agreement, as drafted, left unanswered questions about how the project's two access points will be used, whether a planned direct pedestrian path to Rancho Campana High School will be completed, the safety of a shared driveway used by the city's desalter facility, and financial guarantees if a power pole relocation forces the desalter offline.

City staff said the developer, AMCAL, built the southern entrance and the project is currently using a shared driveway the city constructed for its desalter. Michelle Gluger, assistant to the city manager, told the council the county-approved project requires two points of direct access and a safe-route-to-school pathway, but the city had not been kept fully informed of later permit adjustments and on-the-ground changes.

"There have been significant gaps in communication with the city," Gluger said. "Several aspects of the project happened without the city's awareness." The council heard detailed technical and safety concerns from Public Works Director David Klotzel, who singled out three items: the gate at the northern driveway (currently exit-only), placement of a regional bus turnout on the southern approach, and a short left-turn storage pocket at the southern/common driveway intersection.

AMCAL representatives said they support completing off-site roadway improvements and opening the northern access once the traffic signal and left-turn pocket are built. Ramin Kienfar, director of development for AMCAL, said the company “is eager to commence the planned improvements” and urged the council to approve the quitclaim and agreement so work could begin. Maureen Burford, AMCAL’s director of construction, added, “First and foremost, I don't think anybody has held the safety of this project in higher priority than AMCAL.”

County and regional staff also participated. Greg Strackelouse of the Ventura County Public Works Agency said the county has secured a $3.2 million bond from the developer to ensure required off-site road improvements proceed and that the county will remain engaged in permitting and construction oversight.

Council members repeatedly pressed for specificity in the paperwork. Council Member Tremblay said the draft agreement used language such as "consider" measures to encourage use of the northern access, rather than requiring them, and questioned insurance and bond levels and the absence of surety language to guarantee maintenance or reimbursements. Dave Klotzel said the proposed agreement would require the developer to reimburse the city for imported water costs if the desalter is forced offline by the pole relocation, with a $10,000-per-day payment after the first four hours, but council members sought stronger, more immediate financial assurances.

After discussion the council did not vote on the draft agreement. Instead members asked staff to return promptly with a revised, more prescriptive agreement addressing the five outstanding items listed in the staff report: how the two access points will be used; whether CEQA conditions have been satisfied for those accesses; traffic and safety measures for the short left-turn pocket; the final bus-stop location; and delivery of the direct safe-route-to-school pathway to Rancho Campana High School.

Staff said the item could not be ready for the council's June 11 meeting but suggested returning at the June 25 meeting. Council members also asked staff to coordinate with the county, AMCAL and the Oxnard Union High School District and to brief the county supervisors on the city's outstanding concerns.

Why it matters: the project provides 360 affordable units targeted to farmworkers and their families and is now occupied in parts. Council members said safety for residents — including children, older adults and people with disabilities — and the protection of city infrastructure (the desalter) require clear, enforceable commitments before the city completes the quitclaim and joint-use agreement.

What’s next: staff will seek revised legal language, clearer maintenance and indemnity terms, and stronger financial assurances and return to council in late June for further action.