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Ventura Port District tells council sand management permit, urges help with Spinnaker Drive, storm drains
Summary
Port District leaders told the City Council about a newly issued five‑year sand management permit, requested the city reconsider repaving Spinnaker Drive and asked help with storm‑drain work at Harbor Blvd/Alivas Parkway after storm damage. The district also flagged harbor economic impacts and commercial fishing modernization projects.
Board Chair Mike Blumenberg and Ventura Port District General Manager Brian Pendleton gave the Council an annual update on harbor operations and infrastructure priorities.
Blumenberg outlined the harbor’s economic footprint—more than 110 businesses and an estimated $100 million in annual revenue tied to the harbor—and stressed visitor traffic and signature events such as the Parade of Lights. He asked Council to reconsider including repaving of Spinnaker Drive in the city’s capital improvement plan, calling it the gateway to the harbor.
Pendleton summarized beach and dune work: the Port District has managed the beach area for decades under a coastal development permit and, after emergency and temporary permits for storm cleanup in recent years, received a five‑year sand management permit this spring. He said the permit includes conditions staff are working through and provides the district authority to groom dunes, keep walkways clear and address ADA access issues; Pendleton noted portions of volleyball activity and a south‑beach volleyball zone under the permit.
Deputy GM Todd Mitchell described a commercial fishing modernization partnership with Port of Hueneme and work to expand commercial offloading and processing facilities along Spinnaker; the project is intended to increase regional fishing throughput and strengthen the case for federal dredging investments. Staff also highlighted recent and upcoming village and marina improvements, ADA investments and parking program revenue gains.
Pendleton announced a public workshop on Sept. 26 (9 a.m.–noon) at the Ventura Harbor Community Mobile Home Park community room to discuss harbor planning and sand management details with stakeholders and council members.
No formal council action was requested on the update; council thanked the Port District for the briefing and noted the district’s requests for pavement and storm‑drain assistance.
