![]() A Message From Our CEO Nancy Lindholm The Oxnard Chamber's Board of Directors and Political Action Committee have both voted to oppose five local measures currently being circulated for signature gathering in our community. The Board believes each and every measure will have a negative impact on city operations, should voters pass them. Here are summaries and excerpts from the proposed initiatives. This is not the exact language of each initiative. Term Limits for the Mayor and Councilmembers; Extension of the Mayor's Term This initiative would impose term limits on the Mayor and members of the City Council. The proposed initiative states that once a person has served as the Mayor and/or as a member of the City Council for two consecutive terms or a combination of full and partial terms totaling seven consecutive years, that person could not be elected or appointed to be the Mayor or a member of the City Council. That prohibition would remain in effect for two consecutive years before becoming eligible again. This initiative would also change the length of time of the Mayor's term from two years to four years starting on November 8, 2022. Early Termination of Measure O Sales Tax; Extension of Measure O Sales Tax This initiative ties the condition of the city's streets and alleys to the Measure O Sales tax. It uses the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) to measure pavement. The proposal states:
Expansion of Duties of Elected City Treasurer By Appointing the City Treasurer as Director of Finance and Giving the City Treasurer Additional Duties City regulations currently provide for a Director of Finance to be responsible for city financial reporting, fiscal and accounting duties, budget management, grants, and risk management. The elected City Treasurer performs statutory duties assigned under state law and duties assigned by the City Manager. Under this proposed initiative, the City Treasurer's existing duties would continue and be expanded to include:
New Requirements Regarding the Way in Which City Council Meetings, Council Committees and Other City Legislative Bodies Are Run City meetings are subject to the Brown Act. This initiative would impose specific new local regulations regarding the way in which the meetings of the city legislative bodies are run.
Expedited Processing of Certain City-Issued Development Permits This initiative would add a new chapter to the Oxnard City Code that would set up a streamlined permit review and approval process for certain projects that meet specific criteria. The initiative calls for the city to develop a training program for specified licensed professionals (architects and civil engineers) in order to file project plans with the city.
The five ballot initiatives were drafted and brought forth by Aaron Starr, an unsuccessful candidate for city council and mayor. Mr. Starr was also the proponent of the attempted recall of the mayor and city council members that triggered a special election for Oxnard voters in 2018. The Chamber will continue to follow the progress of these measures as they are filed with voter signatures, the signatures are verified, and (if applicable) which ballot they will appear on. ![]() OXNARD, Calif., FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its endorsement of incumbent Kelly Long for Ventura County Supervisor in District 3. Her campaign is based on:
A resident of Camarillo, Long is currently serving her first term on the board in the District 3 seat, which represents Camarillo, Port Hueneme, Southeast Oxnard, East Oxnard Plain, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, East Lockwood Valley, and Eastern Portion of Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme. Long is an experienced businesswoman who holds six patents and a degree in mechanical engineering from California State University Long Beach. In the community, Long was president of the Pleasant Valley School District, and has been an active supporter of multiple PTA boards, the Pleasant Valley Swim Team, Channel Islands Rowing Club, and StemYes.Org. The winner of the District 3 race will be decided in the presidential primary set for March 3, 2020. However, if no candidate captures more than 50% of the vote, then the top two would face off in the November 2020 general election. For more information, please contact the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce at (805) 983-6118. ### ABOUT THE OXNARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders and influencers, and a champion for a stronger community. Founded in 1908, today the Chamber empowers 500 businesses and organizations that employ more than 30,000 people. It promotes the business and economic well-being of Oxnard’s diverse community to benefit enterprises, large and small, through advocacy, networking, education, services, business exposure and promotion. Learn more at OxnardChamber.org. The city of Oxnard will hold a special council meeting on March 25 to address short term rentals. This has been a hot topic over the past couple of years.
Emotions run high on both sides of the issue. Beach residents don't want loud parties in their neighborhoods, and homeowners rely on short term rentals to fund their investments. Families like to stay at the beach in a house. The Chamber Board took a position on this issue back in October of 2016. That position was to not ban short term rentals. However, the Chamber has given city staff a lot of input on the issue. They have done an enormous amount of research on what other communities do and how the California Coastal Commission rules on these rentals. The special council meeting on March 25 is a Study Session. Staff will make a presentation, the public will have their say, and the staff will ask the council for direction to draft an ordinance. The agenda can be found here. Since a large turnout from the public is expected, the meeting will be held at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Hobson Way. It will begin at 6:00 pm. ![]() The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce’s Business Advocacy Committee voted to recommend support the Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018, which would require the state to sell $8.877 billion in general obligation bonds to fund water projects across the state. Citing a need for safe and reliable water supply for drinking and industrial and agriculture uses that are critical to a healthy local economy, the Committee unanimously voted in support of the proposal. Improvements in water quality, local watersheds, and water supply diversification all allow our economy to group and flourish. The City of Oxnard’s public recreation and tourism industry would benefit from restoration funding including $135 million for the Coastal Conservancy and $10 million specifically for the Santa Clara River for water quality, public recreation, and restoration projects. Business in general would also benefit from Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (“SGMA”) implementation and groundwater desalination funding, as groundwater is a huge source of water for the City. When these projects are not funded through state bond grant funds, new projects critical for water suppliers either don’t occur or the bill is passed onto ratepayers. Oxnard will also benefit from investments in Delta fish habitat and water conservation to increase water supply flowing through the state water project. The Chamber Board of Directors will take up the issue at its June Board meeting to determine whether it will take a position. |