Oxnard council approves multiple contracts, funds park restroom work and honors longtime senior-services commissioner

The Oxnard City Council on Feb. 4 approved a bundle of procurement and capital items and adopted a ceremonial resolution recognizing community volunteer Clark Owens’ eight years of service to the Senior Services Commission.

Consent approvals: The council adopted the information consent agenda without objection, a roll-call vote recorded as 7-0. Items approved included multiple public-works contracts and capital allocations. The council authorized a contract for the College Estates Park restroom improvement project and allocated project funds. Public Works staff reported total project funds of $458,160, with a construction contract to At Your Service Construction and Energy Inc. for $381,800 plus a 10 percent contingency of $38,180 (total not to exceed $419,980) and a separate $38,180 allocation for engineering, inspection and project management.

Procurements approved on the consent agenda included a two‑year agreement with County First Fire for fire‑extinguisher services (not to exceed $200,000), a three‑year contract with Langkills Fire Protection Inc. for maintenance and inspections of fire-suppression systems (not to exceed $700,000), and multiple on‑call engineering agreements for water, wastewater and recycled-water systems (initial one‑year terms with four one‑year extension options). The agenda also included the Housing Department’s proposed amendment to a HUD Choice Neighborhoods planning‑grant consulting agreement; staff said the planning phase runs for the required HUD timeline and is intended to position the city to seek an implementation grant in the next funding round.

Council discussion acknowledged operational constraints. Public Works staff and the City Attorney discussed market conditions and low bidder turnout on some solicitations; the City Attorney cautioned about ex-parte communications with bidders and legal risks if elected officials were to contact potential vendors directly. Councilman Aaron Star asked staff to review bid outreach to improve future competition.

Ceremonial resolution: The council unanimously adopted a resolution commending Clark Owens for volunteer service to Oxnard seniors. The resolution recognized Owens’ role on the Senior Services Commission and his participation on the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging advisory council. The motion carried 7-0.

Housing Authority: The Oxnard Housing Authority likewise approved its consent items; the board vote was recorded as 8-0.

Why it matters: The contracts fund routine capital improvements and maintenance services that affect parks, public‑safety equipment and water systems. The College Estates Park restroom project was flagged by council members as long overdue for the neighborhood. The ceremonial resolution recognizes sustained community volunteer service.

What happens next: Purchasing and public‑works staff will finalize and execute contracts authorized by the council. The College Estates Park restroom project will proceed to construction and inspection under the stated not‑to‑exceed amounts. The housing planning work will continue under HUD timelines as staff prepares materials for any future implementation grant application.

Quote: “Clark has just been a gem, he's a gentleman, he follows through, he gets things done,” Mary Sue Eastlake, senior services supervisor, said while introducing Mr. Owens.