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Acting city manager outlines contracting plan for code enforcement, updates on encampment grant and economic‑development outreach
Summary
Acting City Manager Manuel told council staff will recommend contracting for code‑enforcement services while recruitment continues, reported progress selecting case‑management services for an Encampment Resolution Fund grant and introduced new public‑information staff member Angel Garcia.
Acting City Manager Manuel updated the council on staffing and program implementation and introduced new staff.
On staffing, Manuel said recruitment for a building inspector and code‑enforcement officer has not produced qualified applicants; staff will return to the council on Aug. 12 with a proposal to contract for code‑enforcement services until recruitment yields a qualified hire. The city will continue to use Bureau Veritas for plan‑check services in the interim.
On homelessness funding, Manuel reported progress implementing the Encampment Resolution Fund grant (the grant award was discussed as approximately $1.5 million in the meeting). Staff said they had met with potential service providers — Spirit of Santa Paula, Ventura County Behavioral Health and Turning Point Foundation — and that the city is adjusting budget line items and discussing a scope that likely centers on one full‑time case manager plus program supervision, rather than two full‑time case managers originally budgeted. Staff will work with the state Department of Housing and Community Development to amend the grant budget as needed and expects to begin case‑management services in August or September pending final contract and budget amendments.
Manuel also reported that the economic development ad‑hoc committee will host a business‑community meeting on July 11 to share the downtown economic development plan and solicit feedback from local businesses; invited stakeholders include the Santa Paula Chamber executive director and interested event organizers.
Manuel introduced new staff member Angel Garcia, who will support the City Manager's Office on legislative tracking, public information and business engagement. Councilmembers welcomed Garcia and emphasized the need to increase public engagement and timely distribution of city information.
Manuel said the police chief will present a full Fourth‑of‑July public‑safety report at the Aug. 12 meeting and invited councilmembers interested in a tour of the Gold Coast recycling facility to contact staff for scheduling.
