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Council Meeting Minutes

May 18th, 2008

PIERPONT COMMUNITY COUNCIL    MAY 13, 2008 AT THE MARRIOTT

Chairperson John Whitman called the meeting to order at 705PM

Ventura City Mayor Christy Weir was in attendance, introduced and
spoke to the group.  She stated that our council has been helpful to
her and to the Ventura City Council as a whole with our organization
and willingness to work with them rather than against them.  The city
plans to assist the homeowners whose homes are in imminent danger to
get permits for sand removal.  She has a meeting with Pedro Nava in a
couple of weeks; he was a member of the Coastal Commission at one
time, for some insight into a potential solution to the sand issues.
She is also hopeful that the potential Transient Occupancy Tax income
would be used directly in the Pierpont community for such improvements
and maintenance.  The tax is not now being collected and no clear path
to identification of unregistered short-term vacation rentals or
collection processes has as yet been determined which means that as we
go into the busiest season no income will be generated.

Barbara Asbel presented information about a service organization
called City Corps of the Central Coast, which has offered to assist
the city in cleaning the stairs and the end of the lanes.  For more
information on City Corps you can google  “City Corps of the Central
Coast”.

CRIME REPORT

Lt. Ray Vance came to offer first hand factual information about the
raid on the Shores Motel.  The nighttime manager was arrested for
letting people stay in the hotel without paying or registering.  The
raid took place on April 11th and included the Narcotics branch and
street crimes division.  Search warrants were issued for 33 of the
rooms and four people were arrested for drugs and one for
prostitution.

During the search code enforcement inspected the premises and the
hotel was shut down pending corrections for the code violations.

Lt. Vance met with someone who claimed to be the new owner but many
members of the community were skeptical as to a true change in
ownership.  Kioren Moss, being a professional in real estate and
title, volunteered to research the ownership of the hotel.

Several members asked if vouchers were being accepted at the hotel for
parolees.  Lt. Vance was not aware of that being the case at the
Shores Motel or anywhere in the Pierpont area.

Gang Activity:    All of the major players in the local gangs claiming
Pierpont as their turf are currently incarcerated.  But with the
school year ending soon there will be more activity.  If you see
groups of youths, or others, congregating in a way that makes you
suspicious call Dispatch at 650-8010 or Bill Dollan, the local gang
expert, at 339-4439.

Reports of tagging behind Von’s were made.  Also the curfew for those
less than 18 years of age is 10PM year round.

Lt. Vance reminded us that ticketing would begin for those not wearing
seat belts.

Fourth of July:  Eight extra officers will be available over the
holiday weekend and detectives are being redeployed.  Fireworks fines
are $125.  The Fire Department will also be on duty the 4th and 5th of
July.

Due to budget cuts the Neighborhood Watch campaign has been scaled
back and also the police storefronts will not be as active.  The
Volunteer officer program has been a big success allowing officers to
be more active outside and allow the volunteers to handle office work.

The Guardian Angels have met with the police about volunteering.  They
are a citizens group and are entitled to make a citizen’s arrest and
hold a suspect until officers arrive but there is no formal working
relationship between the two entities.

TREASURES REPORT

Rosemary Icardo gave the report.  The April statement was cash on hand
of $2,162.08, a deposit of $50 was made on 5/13/08 and a check for $75
was written to the Marriott for $75, leaving a balance of $2,137.08.
Jim McCaslin sponsored April meeting and the May meeting was sponsored
by Gary and Leslie Persell.

NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE

Dan Clarke was not in attendance and there was no report.

VACATION RENTAL COMMITTEE Report

Sandy Bothman and Joy Berger could not attend.    Twenty-four or
twenty-five vacation rentals have registered, about half of what we
think is being rented.    As stated earlier, there are no mechanics in
place for the collection of the TOT.  At one time Coldwell Banker was
collecting a TOT but now claims to have refunded the monies.  Those
that rent out their homes have already collected money from their
tenants and do not feel it would be fair to go back and ask for
additional monies now.    No one, including the mayor, had any idea when
the collection process would begin.

BEACH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Scott Carlson handed out an informational paper on what we had
recommended, what was adopted by the City Council on April 4th and an
article from the “Ventura County Star” by Kevin Clerici on the $4
million dollars the city has to cut for a balanced budget.  Scott,
Sandy Bothman and John Whitman met with Rick Cole and staff.  Ariel
Colonne, city attorney, was in attendance as well.

Lifeguard towers will be placed at Greenoch and Seaward, depending on
the state budget cuts to Parks and Rec. Lifeguard service will begin
on Memorial Day weekend.

As was unanimously voted upon at the April meeting we will continue on
the path of a collaborative approach with the city.

Those beachfront homeowners seeking an injunction in the courts in an
action against the city did not get approval of the injunction but the
city was ordered to assist them in the permitting process.

VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU

Oscar Pena, of the Port District, a member of the Visitors and
Convention Bureau spoke of the difficulty of the economy and that
impact on the budget of the VCB that markets Ventura as a tourist
destination through a five-year contract with the city.  City Manager
Rick Cole has proposed a $61,000 cut in their budget.  25% of visitors
to Ventura are European.  The occupancy level of the local hotels is
running at 67% to 68%.

ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS

John Whitman announced that he and Scott Carlson had discussed the
possibility of trading positions on the Pierpont Community Council.
Scott’s experience in the world of government and its processes makes
him the better leader in dealing with the city regarding the unique
problems in the Pierpont community at this time.

Scott Carlson was nominated and elected to the position of
Chairperson.

John Whitman was nominated and elected to the position of Vice
Chairperson.

Rosemary Icardo does not want to continue in the roll as Treasurer.
As there was no one present to be nominated, as required by the
bylaws, that position is vacant.

Carmel Whitman was nominated and elected to the position of Secretary.

The meeting was adjourned at 830PM.

______________________________________________________________________

Pierpont Community Council
2419 E. Harbor BL, Suite #166
Ventura, California 93001

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