Golfers teed off about state of Ventura's public golf courses

Council members also rejected the staff recommendation to amend the Business License Tax Ordinance.

Golf

Numerous members of the public spoke out against conditions at the Olivas Links Golf Course, including subpar bathrooms and eating areas.

Olivas Golf Club Vice President William Gohlke said: “It is imperative that the City immediately invest in improving Olivas's infrastructure so that increased revenue can be generated to maintain the courses.”

Ventura Parks and Recreation Director Stacey Zarazua responded: “I want to thank our golf community for coming out tonight, taking the time to support and advocate for both courses —  Olivas Links, and Buenaventura Golf Course. In regard to Olivas Links, the trailer restrooms are unacceptable, and a cart barn is absolutely needed in order to protect our city assets. We do have the golf cart lease agreement on consent at our next council meeting.”

Mayor Joe Schroeder noted later in the meeting that by raising the cost of a round of golf at Ventura courses, the city could invest in more than stop-gap measures, even create destination facilities.

Councilmember Liz Campos's complaint

Council voted to receive and file the Feb. 15 investigation report on Councilmember Liz Campos’s allegation that she was “harassed and bullied” by a member of the city’s management team during the council’s May 10, 2023 closed session meeting.

As a result of the complaint by Campos last year, the city hired an “independent third-party investigations law firm” — EXTTI, Inc., (Expert Testimony, Training and Investigations), with an office in Bell Canyon) — whose report conclusion was that “the city employee did not harass or bully the city councilmember during the May 10, 2023 closed session City Council meeting.”

To view the staff report on the investigation of the complaint, visit: https://tinyurl.com/36ae73nz.

The report summary included a footnote by the lawyer, who wrote in the report, “When I used the term ‘harass’ in this summary, I do so in the colloquial sense, not legal sense.”

The attorney’s summary also includes, “The standard used to determine conclusions is ‘more likely than not.’ That is, I determined whether it was more likely than not that something did nor did not occur.”

The EXTTI attorney also noted that she was advised Campos “would not participate in the investigation.” As a result, the attorney wrote in her report to the council: “Accordingly, information about the council member’s concerns was taken from a recording of the June 5, 2023 City Council meeting, as well as from statements by the councilmember on a June 6, 2023 podcast which was subsequently uploaded to YouTube.”

City Attorney Andrew Heglund advised a vote be taken on the agenda item about Campos’ complaint. Councilmember Bill McReynolds (District 5) moved to receive and file, Councilmember Jim Duran (District 6) seconded his motion, and Ventura City Clerk Michael MacDonald announced one member abstained, one voted against, and the remaining five supported the motion, which carried.

Ventura resident Patty Overley said that Campos’ delivery at the June 5 meeting was calm, concise, and she was very careful not to violate any rules around disclosing closed session information.

Overly continued: “Additionally, and ironically, Councilmember Campos delivered her comments from the well at chambers, and the dais was not accessible to her. At that point in time, she had been on council for six months, and her wheelchair had been damaged beyond repair due to the lack of ADA-compliance in City Hall.”

KC Rodriguez said: “I find it intriguing city staff continues to expose negative bias in reports on council members. … With unwavering commitment, Councilwoman Campos is a shining example of a genuine public servant…. (She) stands strong for what’s right, even when it means often being the only one, and encourages citizens in all districts to find their voice and boldly share it.”

Council increases law firm's pay by $250K

In its consent calendar, the City Council authorized the city attorney to amend the legal services agreement with Best, Best and Krieger, LLP to increase the compensation to an amount not to exceed $1,025,000 — an increase of $250,000.

User fees

According to a 326-page staff report, “Each year it is the intent of staff to review and update the User Fees and Rates for the City of Ventura. On a biannual basis, a full cost-of-service study is undertaken, as was the case this year. … Ninety percent of fees are proposed to remain unchanged, decrease, or reflect only minor adjustments. … Forty-four fees are proposed to be restructured.

Ventura Chief Financial Officer Greg Morley and consultant David Schroeder explained that city fees cannot be used to generate profit, but rather are the means to recover costs incurred. The new fee schedule will take effect in July.

Affordable housing

An affordable housing development People's Self-help Housing Corporation is planning to build at 4300 Telegraph Road will provide 57 units and is expected to be move in-ready around February 2027, according to Housing Services Management Analyst Rachel Wess.

People's Self-help Housing Corporation Chief Real Estate Development Officer Veronica Garcia said: “The project will be affordable in that rents are designed not to exceed 30% of household income for households between 30% to 60% of area median income.

“So the actual proposed rents will range from approximately $700 to $2,000 compared to what our market study is showing for market rents, which are closer to $2,000 to $3,100 in rent (per month).… We do have a financing gap, because, as many of you know, construction costs are escalating. Insurance costs are just drastically increasing. So it’s becoming harder and harder to make affordable-housing developments pencil. So this proposed deferred impact fee loan will help us actually get into construction sooner.”

Watch the entire April 9 meeting at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnPNQy_9tF4

The next Ventura City Council meeting is 5 p.m. April 23 at 501 Poli St.