Fillmore approves $1.2 million line of credit to advance Veterans Memorial building repairs

The Fillmore City Council voted Oct. 28 to reinstate a $1.2 million line of credit to support renovations of the Fillmore Piru Veterans Memorial (VMD) Building. The council approved using $650,000 from general fund reserves and $550,000 from the general fund operating account, contingent on the availability of awarded grant funds for reimbursement.

Finance Director Deborah Caballero explained the request and the project background. "We are requesting the approval to reinstate a funding for the line of credit agreement in the amount of $1,200,000 with $650,000 coming from the general fund reserves and $550,000 from the general fund operating fund contingent upon the availability of grant funding," Caballero said.

Caballero told the council the VMD project has used grant reimbursements to pay for phase 1 roof replacement work and that a phase 2 scope remains, including a new HVAC system, electrical upgrades, seismic retrofits and ADA compliance measures. She said the building has served as a resiliency center during past emergencies, including the Thomas fire, and the upgrades are meant to preserve that capability.

Ernie Villegas, a board member of the Fillmore Piru Veterans Memorial District, described how the facility was identified for FEMA and county resiliency programs and said county and federal partners have been involved. "We are on the verge of getting additional monies from FEMA, from the county," Villegas said, and asked the council to help pursue additional funding from state and federal elected officials.

A resident who identified himself as Bill Morris spoke about the building's condition and repairs to artifacts outside the facility. "It has been repaired several times," Morris said in describing work on an artillery piece in front of the building.

Council then moved to approve the reinstatement of the funding and the related agreement, retroactive to Oct. 11, 2023, with a 36‑month term through Oct. 11, 2026 and the city manager allowed to extend the term up to six months. The motion carried unanimously.

The council action makes the funds available as a cash‑flow loan; actual use of city funds will be subject to grant reimbursements and eligible reimbursement rules. Caballero and VMD board members said they will return with further updates as repairs proceed.

The council’s approval does not itself change grant terms or create new grant awards; it authorizes the city to provide a line of credit so the district can begin or continue construction while awaiting reimbursement.