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1. How can local businesses become more involved with the X-Games?

The City of Ventura loves how welcoming the Ventura business community is to the X Games, and they do too. The City's travel and tourism bureau, Visit Ventura [LINK], is partnering with local businesses that are embracing the X Games through themed products and/or services by highlighting their business on social media. For more information, read the Visit Ventura press release on how local businesses can get involved. Learn more about the X-Games on the Visit Ventura website.

Businesses interested in offering services to support the X Games are encouraged to email the Economic Development Office at [email protected] with your business name, business type, contact, and how you want to be engaged with the X Games. The City's Economic Development Team will ensure that you get on the list compiled by Visit Ventura staff and shared with the X Games organizing team.

2. What steps are being taken to ensure better flow during the X-Games in July?

The City has received numerous community concerns on this topic and want to assure residents that a few actions have already been taken: 

• City Staff is coordinating with the County Fairgrounds to assess the impacts from the Strawberry Festival, debrief on lessons learned, and continue working together on traffic planning for these types of large-capacity events. 
• To add context to the Strawberry Festival impact and projected X Games impact, City staff has learned that the Strawberry Festival brought over 50,000 visitors, the annual Ventura County Fair typically brings in 20,000 people, and he X Games are slated to bring in 15,000 visitors.  
• X Games messaging and local messaging will also lean heavily into encouraging alternative transportation. 
• Finally, in collaboration with partners at the Visit Ventura, City staff have been working tirelessly with Gold Coast Transit, Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner management agency to provide adequate alternative travel options for X Games attendees.  A comprehensive plan to encourage bus and train travel to Ventura will be announced in June or early July in a press release and consumer-facing marketing. 

3. Are there plans to improve the Fairgrounds, including the restrooms, before the X-Games?

There are no current plans to improve the Fairground restrooms prior to the X-Games. If residents attended the Strawberry Festival, the City understands that lines for the restrooms were lengthy. After connecting with Fairgrounds staff, staff has learned that during the Strawberry Festival, a few of the Fairgrounds in-house restrooms were out of order for the weekend, likely contributing to long lines. They've also shared that there were enough portable restrooms on site to accommodate an event of that size, and there will be for the X-Games as well.

4. When will the Ventura Unified School District begin allowing the public access to their playgrounds and fields after school hours?

The City is working with the Ventura Unified School District to discuss the use of its facilities during after-school hours and on non-school days. The City and VUSD are exploring ways to provide residents with as many recreational spaces and opportunities as possible.

5. Are there any plans in place improve east end services for seniors?

Through various community partnerships, collaborations, and grant opportunities, the Parks & Recreation Department is working on expanding senior services citywide, including the east end. To learn more about the City's Senior Strategic Plan, visit the Parks & Recreation Department website.

6. Is there an update on the status of the Main Street Moves street closure becoming permanent? What is the City’s plan for mitigating the increased traffic and speeding surrounding streets due to this c

The current Main Street Moves program and semi-permanent street closure is part of a short-term program. Currently, studies are underway to learn about the potential long-term impacts of the program. The study includes an environmental analysis, California Environment and Quality Act (CEQA) analysis, and design guidelines for the parklets.  Additionally, as a part of the environmental report, transportation impacts are being studied on the surrounding streets. Based on the analysis, recommendations will be made to the City.

The City hired Rincon Consultants (RRM) to prepare an environmental review document necessary for all future long-term iterations of the Main Street Moves program. The final report should be completed by end of 2023 or early 2024. RRM has valuable experience in Ventura and developing design guidelines for other cities, including Long Beach’s outdoor dining program

The City is in the process of gathering background information and meeting with stakeholders. With this input, the City can provide reasonable guidelines that fit Ventura and further improve on economic value Main Street Moves brings to Downtown. The final guidelines document is anticipated to go to the City Council for consideration in the fall of 2023.

7. Will the units at the La Quinta Inn truly be affordable and able to help those in need?

Units at the La Quinta Inn project will be set aside for qualified low- or very low-income individuals making around 50% of the Area Median Income or less. A certain number of units will be reserved as permanent supportive housing for priority populations as well.

For more specific information about affordability guidelines for applicants, please connect with the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura. Nellie Jasso is the direct contact for Rental Monitoring and can be reached at [email protected], or by phone at 805-648-5008 ext. 2247.

8. The Planning Commission reduced public comment time at the May 24 meeting. Can you please provide clarification on what the rule is for reducing time for public comment?

The Planning Commission has different protocols from those utilized at City Council meetings. The Planning Commission has separate protocols that are adopted by the Planning Commission per the Municipal Code. Per the adopted protocols, the Chair may reduce the speaker time to allow for more speakers.

The Planning Commission Adopted Protocols are available on the City's Planning Commission webpage.

9. What the City is doing to address vagrancy and the increase in RVs lived in on City streets?

The City has an Oversized Vehicle Ordinance that prohibits most RVs from being in residential areas from 10am - 4pm, Monday through Friday. Read the Municipal Code and learn more about Oversized Vehicle Permits.

It’s difficult to address this type of activity if it’s not reported immediately. The Police Department prioritizes complaints and takes appropriate action as authorized by the Municipal Code. We urge you to call the 24/7 non-emergency line at 805-650-8010 to report suspicious or illegal activity.

10. How is staff working to reduce illegal dumping of human waste, camping in public spaces, and in holding people accountable for their actions?

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in the Martin v. City of Boise case that enforcement of ordinances that prohibit sleeping or camping on public property against individuals is unconstitutional when those individuals do not have a meaningful alternative, such as a shelter space or a legal place to camp. According to Martin v. Boise, current law does allow people to sleep in and live out of their RVs. It is not illegal to be homeless, however, dumping illegal waste is not permitted. Officers will respond if reported at the time of occurrence, but cannot issue citations without a witness on site or evidence upon arrival. 

To report suspicious activity, please call the 24/7 non-emergency line at 805-650-8010.

11. What is the City doing to address various safety concerns associated with homelessness, like random attacks, thefts, overdoses, and urinating and sleeping in public?

The Police Department's Patrol Task Force is a team of officers dedicated addressing homelessness and the illegal activities that are often associated. This team does an excellent job engaging in street outreach and offering services to individuals in need. In 2023, the number of officers on the Patrol Task Force has increased and the Police Department remains committed to working with residents, business owners, partner organizations, and other law enforcement agencies to keep City streets safe. 

The Community Development Housing Services team, in partnership with the Patrol Task Force, is working to reduce the number of encampments, the number people experiencing homelessness, and overall vagrancy throughout the City.  

 

Housing Services has also partnered with Ventura County and the cities of Oxnard and Thousand Oaks to create a comprehensive and strategic homelessness plan which will allow us to identify gaps in the current system and ensure that we are funding the necessary programs and services that make a noticeable impact. The City currently funds several initiatives to combat homelessness, including having social workers through the Ventura County Human Services Agency and Downtown Ventura Partners who regularly provide people in need with resources and services.  

 

The City and County of Ventura also fund a year-round, low-barrier shelter that can house 55 people. At this shelter, operated by Mercy House and often referred to as The ARCH, homeless individuals can receive case management, and assistance with behavioral health, physical health, and substance abuse issues. 

Ventura does need additional emergency and transitional shelter beds if we want to see a significant decrease in people experiencing homelessness. In March 2023, the Housing Services Division applied for the Encampment Resolution Funding, which will allow the City to increase the number of emergency and transitional shelter beds while ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness are provided with necessary assistance and resources to transition into permanent housing.

12. Are there any plans to add a dog park amenity at Kimball Park?

The City appreciates and encourages public input on the amenities residents would like to see in City park spaces. It helps the City with future planning, especially when grant opportunities or funding becomes available. You can share your input with the Parks and Recreation Department leadership, by phone or email, or you can attend one of our monthly Parks & Recreation Commission meetings. These public meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm. Learn more on the Parks and Recreation Commission website.

13. What will be done to make it safer to ride a bike in Ventura?

The City is nearing the completion of an Active Transportation Plan to create a roadmap for priority projects and programs that will support our community by making walking, biking, and taking public transit great choices for all. Many of the projects identified through the process look to bridge the gaps caused by both freeways and rail.

14. How does the City plan to address various freeway on- and off-ramps that were built for less-populous times? How can the City work to improve the safety of the 101 and 33 ramps at Johnson, Seaward,

As far as freeway on- and off-ramps are concerned, the City has asked Caltrans to look into improvements of the 101 ramps at Johnson Drive. The first step in this process is for Caltrans to complete an initial project study report that will look at high level design concepts and costs. The same request will be made of the 33 at Stanley. Some preliminary work has been completed at Stanley, but a full Project Study Report needs to be completed. 

 

Finally, the City is currently in the environmental phase of relocating the NB US 101 off-ramp at California Street. The environmental work and 30% of the design plans are anticipated to be complete and approved by Caltrans by spring of 2024. In the meantime, City staff is looking for funding opportunities for final design and construction.

15. What's happening with the Olivas Parks Specific Plan?

The extension of Olivas Park Drive expands the roadway and utilities approximately 4500 feet from Golf Course Drive to Auto Center Drive, and an approximately 5400 feet of new levee and floodwall.  

 

Council adopted a development agreement that’s long been talked about between property owners in the City. There’s a lot of promise for what this area can mean for economic development.

16. How will the City support and work with the Native community?

In order to support the Native community, City leadership has met with leaders from the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, a self-governing band with a territory that spans Ventura County and parts of Kern and Los Angeles counties to build a relationship, and are committed to having an open and honest dialogue about their needs. The City is looking forward to learning and growing together while exploring partnership opportunities for upcoming future projects, cultural awareness, and cultural resources.

In addition to growing these partnerships, the City is launching a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Evaluation in late 2023 to better understand where the city is when it comes to meeting the needs of all constituents regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.  This work will be done by local scholar and educator, Dr. Lori Santamaria, who has experience working with indigenous communities and is of indigenous Choctaw descent. Dr. Santamaria will help identify organizational strengths and gaps and recommend priorities, strategies, objectives, programs, and initiatives.

17. How can the City go about redirecting future taxpayer dollars to support a local firm capable of the same work?

The City of Ventura’s Purchasing Policies and Procedures and Procurement Manual provides guidance on how goods and services can be purchased. In addition to preventing fraud, corruption, and waste, the purpose of the Purchasing AP&P and Procurement Manual is to promote transparency, accountability, competition, and to safeguard public interest. Solicitations are sent to businesses in Ventura, as well as throughout the Southern California region. Although preference is provided to Ventura businesses, other factors, including cost are factored into the final award. 

Implementation of the new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system slated for summer 2024 will enhance the City's ability to offer solicitations to a broader number of potential businesses through added media resources.

18. Will the City reconsider the 2026-27 FY plan to repave Cedar St. near Seneca?

The City does not currently intend to move the Cedar Street resurfacing project up in the schedule. If residents notice safety hazards, or would like to request maintenance along any City street, please call the Pothole Hotline  at 805-652-4590 or submit a maintenance request through the City’s Streets & Sidewalks webpage. Public Works staff mobilizes regularly to address pavement maintenance needs throughout the City, and this is one of the best ways to let staff know of any safety concerns.