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June Community Council Meeting Minutes

June 5th, 2008

JUNE 10, 2008 PIERPONT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

Vice Chair John Whitman called the meeting to order at 7PM in the
absence of Scott Carlson.

There was no Police Report.

Richard Rozelle the new Channel Coast District Supervisor was
introduced.  He has taken over the position held by Rich Rojas.  His
district includes all state parks and state beaches from Oxnard to
Santa Maria.  Richard started his career as a lifeguard in Orange
County.

The Governor has resurrected the state parks budget due to advocacy
groups that were very vocal.  What that means is that he does not
think that there will be draconian cut backs but he will not know for
certain until September of October when the completed budget comes
through.  There may be changes

Jack Futeron, Director of State Lifeguards, was also introduced and
general questions were asked of both guests.

They are already beginning to start staffing the lifeguard tower that
will be placed at Marina Park.  Additionally a tower will be staffed
at Seaward and there will not be a third tower.  Roving patrols will
work the area in between.

4th of July.  The lifeguards will partner with the city to try to
control beach activities.  Next week planning meetings regarding the
4th will take place.

If you see fires on the beach call the Police Department first.  If
there is a fire during the day call the lifeguards.

Beach Use Designation.  Mayor Christy Weir has asked for a change in
designation of Pierpont Beach from a Level 2 to a Level 1, highest
use.  Beach use designation is based on a formula of a specific number
of people per square meter and also existing resources.  Richard
Rozelle did not think the usage of Pierpont would warrant a change in
designation.  His responsibility is to find a balance between
recreation and wildlife.  Pierpont Beach has been under observation
for some time by the California Coastal Commission and activities that
have been allowed at other beaches such as Oxnard Shores will not be
allowed here.

The state beach that runs from the lifeguard headquarters south to San
Pedro is designated a Level 1.

Huntington Beach, where Rozelle had previously worked had six million
visitors per year.  In contrast McGrath State Beach has little
activity.  Soon he will be able to gauge the usage at Pierpont.

It was reported that families that have come to Ventura for years,
renting homes in the Pierpont area for the summer, are not returning
because of the conditions of the beach.  The arundo (faux bamboo) that
has washed down to the beach from the rivers and taken root or been
left on the beach become extremely sharp and cause numerous cuts to
beachgoers.   Rozelle said that any large debris that is hazardous or
an immediate danger would be removed.

Food vendors will be coming to the remodeled state beach.

Short Term Vacation Rentals.

Joy Berger reported on the current status of vacation rentals.  As of
this date 52 properties are being advertised as available for summer
rentals and only 30 have been permitted in our area.  Murray Robertson
was able to track them and get the information to Janey Dunn,
Supervisor in the Treasury Office.  If you are aware of homes being
rented you can log onto the city website to find out if they listed
with a response plan, address and name of someone to call or you can
call Janey at 658-4773

Sandy Bothman reported on a meeting between the city attorney, John
Whitman, Joy and himself regarding the new ordinance about permitting
and bonds.  The city attorney wanted to make some small changes to
what was passed by the Ventura City Council in June of 2007.  The
changes were small but for clarification purposes such as stating “…an
owner and/or agent…” and including the permit number in any
advertising.

The city attorney’s office is preparing some criminal complaints
against those refusing to comply

Conditional Use Permits and a Mello Roos district were part of the
original plan.  That was so the monies raised would stay within the
community.  The new city attorney has a different approach and wants
to incorporate the CUP requirements into the ordinance.   As an
additional consequence a homeowner not complying could lose the right
to rent.
The Mello Roos would require a vote with a two-thirds majority and
there is no assurance that it would pass.  A “Maintenance Area
District” is another possibility and that would require a majority
only.

Beach Committee Report.  There was no report.  A question was asked
regarding the status of the committee.  Because many of the members of
that committee are involved in the lawsuit against the city, the
committee activities have been hampered.  There has been an offer to
the city by a volunteer group called City Corp to sweep the stairs at
the end of the lanes.  The street maintenance budget was cut
significantly by the city council.

Thanks go out to Larry and Priscilla Jones for sponsoring this
evenings meeting.

Neighborhood Improvement Committee.

Anasazi.  Barbara Asbel reported that their HAP has been
resubmitted and the residential units now stand at 131 or 132.  The
main restaurant has been made smaller and the park-like area in the
center has now been relocated to a quarter acre space at the corner or
Harbor and Seaward to soften the look.  The entrance is now by the
Motel 6 and there will be another ingress from Harbor for trash pick
up only.  In three weeks or so they should have feedback on the
resubmitted HAP.

Tag Gilbert reported on other developments.  The development at the
site of the Thai Star restaurant is on hold while the owners seek
financing.

The other development of concern is within the Midtown District but
will directly affect us as it is at the lemon factory site.  It is
very early in the process but there are many issues of concern
especially about parking.

Additionally the city council is talking about requiring that
single-family homes used for rentals have annual inspections for fire,
code enforcement etc.  For questions about any of the above you can
contact Tag at tag@oaktreeproperty.com.

Monday, June 16th,  the city council will be addressing and possibly
voting on changes to the Vacation Rental Ordinance.  All Pierpont
residents are urged to attend.

The meeting was adjourned at 845PM.

Carmel Whitman, Secretary

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