The Oxnard City Council opened the April 1 meeting with ceremonial proclamations and a student presentation.

Student pledge and recognition

Jonathan Rosas, a junior at Pacifica High School, led the pledge of allegiance and addressed the council. Rosas told the council he was born in Mexico, raised in Oxnard, and described turning his school performance around after talks with a school staff member. "I learned from my mistakes that it's not always about the fights and problems, mostly to become better for yourself and your family," he said. The mayor presented Rosas with a certificate of recognition.

Library Week proclamation

Kathleen Ashmore, Oxnard Public Library Director, accepted a proclamation declaring April 6'12, 2025 as Library Week in Oxnard. Ashmore highlighted last-year usage statistics from the library system: "the Oxnard Public Library has had over 67,000 visits to our 3 locations," she said, adding the system delivered 947 programs attended by over 14,000 people and more than 80,000 item checkouts (physical and digital) in the past year.

Arts, Culture and Creativity Month

The council proclaimed April 2025 as Arts, Culture and Creativity Month. City cultural-arts staff and local artists attended the presentation. Speakers included Gabriel Islas, a teaching artist and curator, and Carolyn Marina Mullen, Executive Director of the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, who emphasized local artists' role in community-building and youth education.

Fair Housing Month proclamation

The council also proclaimed April 2025 as Fair Housing Month, noting the 57th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Rebecca Elliott, president of the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors, accepted the proclamation and described local efforts to highlight fair housing and announced a related event on April 23 in Santa Paula.

Why it matters: The proclamations recognize civic programs and community partners and publicize upcoming events and outreach such as library programs, local-author showcases and fair-housing activities.

Provenance: Ceremonial items and presentations are recorded in the transcript at the opening of the meeting and the several proclamation items (transcript segments ~s:3805.70's:5603.10 and subsequent ceremonial discussion).

Ending: The proclamations carry no legislative force but serve to publicize civic programs and upcoming events; attendees included library and arts staff and community partners noted above.