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City council endorses Community Benefit Fund priorities; directs staff and joint committee to proceed
Summary
Council reviewed 18 Community Benefit Fund applications, accepted the Citizen Advisory Commission priorities, adjusted one item and directed staff to coordinate further with the port; several project funding levels and a list of priority projects were noted for follow-up.
The Port Hueneme City Council on April 21 reviewed 18 applications for the Community Benefit Fund (CBF), the fund established under the port–city agreements to support projects of mutual benefit, and accepted recommendations from the Citizens Advisory Commission.
Deputy City Manager Charles Peretz told the council the fund is triggered when port gross operating revenue exceeds the threshold in the 2015 agreement; staff estimated about $135,000 would be available for the next funding cycle. The commission grouped applications into three priority tiers; seven projects received a Priority 1 recommendation and three projects were listed as Priority 2. Staff recommended deferring police‑department drone funding until the city received more detail.
Council reviewed Priority 1 requests and the CAC recommendations. After discussion, the council made one adjustment: an application to create a veterans “Heroes Walkway” was moved from Priority 3 to Priority 2 and the council set a $10,000 cap for that item (the applicant asked for $15,000). Council also signaled support for port‑city initiatives that staff proposed for the coming year (Banana Fest, Waimea Beach Fest, and a community 5K/Health & Wellness event), which staff estimated at $10,000 each.
Council voted unanimously to accept the staff report and guidance to the city’s representatives on the city‑port joint committee. Staff said it will return with additional details, refined amounts and any requested clarifications from applicants.
