New PD SUVs, LAFCo update,
fast-tracking solar on Council agenda

October 02, 2015
Santa Paula News

The City Council will consider purchasing three new police SUVs and hear a report on the recent hearing held by the state land-use agency to consider the status of canyons slated for development.

The October 5 meeting will start at 5:45 p.m. in the City Hall Administrative Conference Room so council members can interview three candidates for the city’s Recreation Commission. The candidates for the three open seats are Edd Bond, Karen Berry and Tim Hicks. 

At 6:30 the council will move to City Hall Council Chambers where the meeting will be broadcast live on Time Warner Cable Channel 10 and replayed according to schedule. The city will also be streamed live on the city’s website and archived for viewing on demand.

The light business agenda contains three items including a public hearing on creating and implementing a fast-track process for small residential rooftop solar systems.

The council will also be asked to approve the purchase of three Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs and equip them with necessary law enforcement bells and whistles for the Santa Paula Police Department. 

According to the report Patrol K9 Units will use two of the Tahoes and the third assigned to the Watch Commander/Mobile Command Unit.

The cost of the vehicles — about $107,000 for the base cost — and retrofitting them with needed equipment and accessories will be split between the Santa Paula Police budget and the Limoneira grant. The city will kick in $87,000 and Limoneira Co. $88,800 for the total $175,000 purchase. The city is involved in a purchase agreement with the City of Ventura for the vehicles which are being bought in Folsom.

Planning Director Janna Minsk will update the council on the September 16 LAFCo hearing when the Local Agency Formation Commission reviewed the city’s sphere of influence specifically Adams and Fagan canyons.

The commission was considering leaving the sphere as it is, taking Adams out of the sphere of influence or eliminating both canyons from the sphere.

After a lengthy hearing the commission voted 4 to 3 to leave the city’s sphere of influence alone for now, with several commissioners noting the city has begun the General Plan update process to include canyon land-use planning in the expansion areas.

Minsk’s report notes that LAFCo is scheduled to conduct a five-year review and staff is asking for direction on dealing with LAFCo as well as creating a “more concrete” plan or even requesting legislative changes to laws governing LAFCo sphere review.

    





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