Santa Paula council adopts 2026 calendar changes, committee assignments and holiday facility closures

The Santa Paula City Council reviewed committee and liaison assignments for the coming year and approved adjustments to the 2026 council meeting calendar and short-term facility closures during the winter holidays.

Mayor Carlos Juarez announced liaison changes including moving the finance committee and a California Joint Powers Insurance Authority representation to the mayor’s rotation and proposed swaps for Parks & Recreation and the Santa Paula Unified School District 2x2 representation. City Attorney Monica Castillo confirmed the mayor has authority to ratify committee appointments and that mid-year changes would return to council for ratification.

City Manager Mr. Singer reviewed 2026 calendar options, noting the municipal code requires meetings on the first and third Wednesdays unless canceled. Staff recommended cancelling some first-month meetings in summer, shifting the December meeting so it does not conflict with election certification deadlines, and closing city facilities between Dec. 23 and Jan. 4 to provide staff a holiday period. Council discussed alternative summer schedules (options to shift July/August meeting dates) and ultimately moved to: cancel select first-month meetings in July and August (keeping mid-month meetings), move the December meeting one day earlier to avoid certification timing, and authorize closure of city offices from Dec. 23, 2026 through Jan. 4, 2027.

The motion to authorize closures and the adjusted calendar (moved by Mayor Juarez, seconded by Vice Mayor Crosswhite) passed by council voice vote.

Council and staff flagged scheduling conflicts involving regional meetings (SCAG, League conference) and asked staff to ensure key items are scheduled for January to allow time for business affected by election certification timelines.