SANTA PAULA |

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1. Candidate Documents

Pedro Chavez
- FPPC 410- Chavez 7.25.22
- FPPC 410 Chavez 09.08.2022
- FPPC 460 Chavez 1st Pre-election 09.29.2022
- FPPC 460 Chavez 2nd Pre-election 10.27.2022
- FPPC 460 Chavez Semi-annual 01.31.2023
- FPPC 501 Chavez Candidate Intention Sheet
- FPPC 497 - Chavez 10.05.2022
- FPPC 700 - For Candidate - Chavez

Jenny Crosswhite
- FPPC 410 - Crosswhite 08.12.2022
- FPPC 410 - Crosswhite 08.15.2022
- Form 410 - Crosswhite - Termination 01.10.2023
- FPPC 410 - Crosswhite 09.20.2022
- FPPC 460 - Crosswhite - 1st Pre-election - 09.29.2022
- FPPC 460 - Crosswhite - 1st Pre-election AMENDED 10.25.2022
- FPPC 460 - Crosswhite - 2nd Pre-election 10.25.2022
- FPPC 460 - Crosswhite - Termination 01.10.2023
- FPPC 501 - Crosswhite 08.10.2022
- FPPC 700 - Crosswhite 08.10.2022

Carlos Juarez
- FPPC 410 - Juarez 08.10.2022
- FPPC 410 - Juarez 08.22.2022
- FPPC 410 - Juarez Termination 01.31.2023
- FPPC 460 Juarez 1st Pre-election 09.29.2022
- FPPC 460 Juarez 2nd Pre-election 10.25.2022
- FPPC 460 Chavez Termination 01.31.2023
- FPPC 501 - Juarez 08.10.2022
- FPPC 497 - Juarez 10.14.2022
- FPPC 700 - For Candidate - Chavez

Judy Klement
- FPPC 470 - Klement 08.12.2022
- FPPC 501 - Klement 08.12.2022

Manuel Minjares
- FPPC 410 - Minjares 09.29.2022
- FPPC 410 - Minjares 08.12.2022
- FPPC 410 - Minjares 01.03.2023
- FPPC 460 - Minjares 1st Pre-election 09.29.2022
- FPPC 460 - Minjares 2nd Pre-election 10.27.2022
- FPPC 460 - Minjares 01.03.2023
- FPPC 497 - Minjares 10.13.2022
- FPPC 501 - Minjares 08.11.2022
- FPPC 700 - Minjares 08.11.2022

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1. 1. Why are my trash rates changing?

All current trash rates are increasing as a result of the expiration of the expiring solid waste franchise agreement and the negotiation with Athens Services of a new franchise agreement.  The new agreement is in compliance with all State mandated solid waste programs, including SB1383. SB1383 is intended to reduce the emissions of climate pollutants (greenhouse gases) by 1) diverting 75% statewide disposal of organic waste from landfills; 2) recovering at least 20% edible food instead of throwing in the trash by commercial food generators by 2025; and 3) procuring recycled organic waste products for use within the City. In order to achieve these requirements, the law imposes obligations that will affect trash collection in the City of Santa Paula, its franchised hauler operations, City program compliance reporting, and therefore increases costs for all residents and businesses.

To find out more about SB1383 watch this video:  

2. 2. Is SB1383 a State mandate?

Yes, as a result of SB 1383, the City must require residents and businesses to separate organic waste (food waste and green waste) from other trash to be managed at a facility other than the landfill. To accomplish this, all property owners, residents, and businesses, will be required to enroll automatically in collection services for trash, recycling, and organic waste. Failure by the City to comply with the law can result in penalties of up to $10,000 per day.  In order to facilitate these new requirements, a new franchise agreement with new service rates has been negotiated.

 

If a business believes they qualify for an exemption from this requirement please contact City’s solid waste consultant at (805) 495-7521 or by email at info@sws-inc.com, or contact Athens directly at 888-336-6100. The City’s solid waste consultant will review the form and determine if your business is exempt from the requirement of AB 1826/SB 1383.  The City will follow up with an e-mail notification of the review and advise if the waiver is approved or if organics program enrollment service is required.

3. 3. When will residents and businesses be required to separate organic waste?

In October 2022, every resident and business will have three trash carts or bins --- trash, recyclables, and organics (landscape/food scraps).

4. 4. When will the new trash rates go into effect?

Effective October 1, 2022, all trash monthly rates will increase.

5. 5. What will my new trash rate be effective October 1, 2022?

TABLE 1
Service Level	Proposed Rate:
32-gallon Single Family Residential Cart Service	$26.65
64-gallon Single Family Residential Cart Service	$29.55
96-gallon Single Family Residential Cart Service	$33.39
32-gallon Multi Family Residential Cart Service	$57.95
64-gallon Multi Family Residential Cart Service	$61.25
96-gallon Multi Family Residential Cart Service	$64.55
Multi-Family Commercial Bin Service 3-yd bin, collected 1x/wk	$279.47
32-gallon Commercial Cart Service	$54.76
64-gallon Commercial Cart Service	$57.90
96-gallon Commercial Cart Service	$61.04
Commercial Bin Service 3-yd bin, collected 1x/wk	$265.88

6. 6. What new services are residents entitled to?

In addition to normal waste collection services, the new agreement will fund new colored carts for residents and new bins for the commercial sector, electronic waste collection events, bulky item drop-off events, and two free bulky item pickups per household per year.

7. 7. What new services will benefit the community under the new franchise agreement?

• Abandoned bulky waste pickup in the public right of way;
• 10 City Clean-up events;
• Downtown City can collections;
• Edible food recovery program support;
• Newer eco-friendly CNG-powered waste trucks which can never be older than 13 years to help save our roads and support clean initiatives;
• A portion of franchise fees will be used to fund street improvements and pavement maintenance projects throughout the City;
• An allocation of at least $50,000 to school and/or community projects on an annual basis;
• No cost to the City for roll-off containers to assist during community cleanups, homeless encampment support, illegal dumping, etc.

8. 8. Can Athens automatically assign or sell off this agreement to another hauler?

Unlike our old agreement which was sold automatically on three separate occasions, to do so under this new agreement would require City consent. 

9. 9. How do I protest?

If you wish to protest any of the above increases, you must submit a written protest, signed and in writing, by including your name and service address or assessor parcel number to the City Clerk of the City of Santa Paula at 970 Ventura Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060, provided written protests are received prior to the close of the Public Hearing, which will occur when the public testimony on the proposed increases and adjustments is concluded. Any written protest must: (1) state that the identified property owner or tenant (i.e., customer of record) opposes the proposed fee increases to the Solid Waste Collection Rates; (2) provide the location of the identified parcel (by street address or assessor’s parcel number); and (3) include the name and signature of the property owner or tenant submitting the protest.  On the envelope please note:  Attn:  Public Hearing of Solid Waste Rate Changes. A protest letter can be done by any property owner or tenant (i.e., a customer of record) directly responsible for the payment of solid waste collection fees. Only one protest will be counted per identified address/parcel.

10. 10. Is there an opportunity for public comment?

At the public hearing to be held on September 28, 2022, at 6:30 PM at 970 Ventura St., Santa Paula, CA 93060 (Council Chambers), public testimony may be shared.

11. 11. What happens if 51% of property owners oppose the Prop 218 process?

If 51% of property owners oppose the Prop 218 process, then the City Council cannot act on the proposed rate change. In the event that the City is unable to approve the proposed rate change, Athens will have the right to request that City negotiate in good faith regarding reductions in programs, services, or fees to compensate for any negative impact from the unapproved or invalidated rate increase. If City fails to commence negotiations in good faith or negotiations are not completed within forty-five (45) days following the date of receipt of Athens's request, either party may terminate this Agreement no earlier than one hundred and eighty (180) days after written notice to the other.

12. 12. Why a 25-year agreement? Why not 10 or 15?

Rates for 10 to 15 year agreements were unsustainable and would come with severely high cost burdens to the residents and the committee found that unacceptable. With SB1383, major investments will be required to meet State mandates and recover costs for initial investments. A longer agreement allows large initial capital costs associated with the new agreement services, including unfunded SB 1383 state mandates, to be spread out over a longer period of time.

13. 13. How will the City ensure high customer service levels?

The City will conduct monthly performance meetings and an annual evaluation with Athens focusing on the following items: vehicle safety, solid waste volume, street sweeping service, public complaints and concerns, customer service call volume, diversion rates, AB341 & AB1826 compliance, community outreach and education efforts.

14. 14. How will the City ensure rates stay relatively low compared to other cities?

Beginning on the 10th anniversary of the agreement, and each year thereafter, the City may conduct a survey of rates in Ventura County.  If the City finds that net rates for similar services are greater than the fiftieth (50th) percentile within Ventura County, the City may meet and confer with Athens Services to negotiate competitively similar rates as those for other agencies in Ventura County.

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1. What are the City's rules about short-term rentals (AirBnB, etc.)?

The City does not currently allow short-term rentals (STR).  There are no plans to adopt an ordinance or program for STR as it was determined that there is insufficient current demand to justify the cost.  If this changes in the future, the City may pursue it.

2. What are the City’s rules about Cannabis/Marijuana?

For more information about the City's rules regarding Cannabis/Marijuana, please review the helpful Cannabis Handout (PDF).

3. Do I need a Home Occupation Permit?

The City has provided a helpful document with more Home Occupation Permit Information (PDF).

4. What is a Conditional Use Permit?

For more information, view the Conditional Use Permit Information (PDF) document.

5. Can you provide me with more information on Sign Application Submittal?

Yes! Please review a helpful guide (PDF) the city has provided regarding Sign Application Submittal.

6. What is Design Review?

More information can be found in the Design Review Guide (PDF), provided by the City.

7. What is Concept Review?

Learn more about Concept Review by accessing the Concept Review Guide (PDF).

8. Can I build a swimming pool or spa?

To find out if you can build a swimming pool or spa, please review the Swimming Pool / Spa Information (PDF) document.

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1. Is the City administering Coronavirus tests?

No, the City is not administering coronavirus tests. Please visit the http://www.vchca.org/ for more information about testing, or call 2-1-1.

2. Does the City have information on specific coronavirus cases in city limits?

No. Due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance, the city does not have access to resident information about coronavirus. For up-to-date information about COVID-19 cases in the area, please visit the http://www.vchca.org/.

3. Are there COVID19 Cases in Santa Paula?

Yes. There are currently two case of COVID-19 in Santa Paula. Please practice social distancing to help slow the spread of coronavirus in our community.

4. When will programs and events restart?

The City is closely monitoring and assessing the situation, but has no scheduled date for resumption of activities. Governor Gavin Newsom announced a statewide ‘Stay at Home’ order on March 19, which asks California residents to stay at home except for essential purposes (visiting gas stations, pharmacies, food stores, banks etc.) This order is in place indefinitely, and we do not anticipate resuming most programs and events before mid-May at the earliest. Please do your part to distance yourself and stay healthy! You can visit the California Department of Public Health website for the post up-to-date information.

5. How is the current situation impacting local schools?

As a result of this declaration and in the interest of the health of our community, the Santa Paula Unified School District has decided to close all schools as of Monday, March 16. The decision to close schools was made collectively with all other public school districts in Ventura County. The current reopen date for schools is May 4. This date is subject to change. The district is currently working on methods to provide remote learning for students.   

The Santa Paula Unified School District and its Child Nutrition Services Team will be providing "Grab n Go" meals for families to pick-up, Monday through Friday, from 10:30 am-12:30 pm. For more information and FAQs, please visit the SPUSD Webpage.

6. Does the City determine whether schools remain open?

No. The City coordinates closely with schools, but the decision to close ultimately comes from the district.

7. Does the city have a health department?

No, the City (like most other municipalities) has no healthcare agency. For local health information, please visit http://www.vchca.org/.

8. Additional FAQ Resources

For additional Frequently Asked Questions, please visit:

Ventura County Healthcare Agency FAQ

Centers for Disease Control FAQ 

Santa Paula School District FAQ

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1. What is CWWAPP?

The California Water and Wastewater Arrears Payment Program (CWWAPP) was created to provide financial assistance to community water systems to help customers who incurred past-due water and wastewater bills during the period of March 4, 2020 to June 15, 2021 (the COVID-19 pandemic period) in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code (California Health and Safety Code 116773.4). The program prioritizes the water portion of a customer’s bill; wastewater charges may be covered if the state has sufficient funding. This funding was provided through the CWWAPP with funding from the California State Water Resources Control Board using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

2. I’m behind on my utility bill and heard on the news about $2 billion in state assistance. Can this funding help me?

The state recently established the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) that will help pay customers’ electric utility bills that went unpaid during the pandemic, anytime between March 4, 2020, and June 15, 2021, incurring a past due balance of 60 days or more.

Additionally, the state also established the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program (CWWAPP) to help pay customers’ water and wastewater bills that went unpaid between March 4, 2020, and June 15, 2021. This program prioritizes the water part of your bill; wastewater charges may be covered if the state has sufficient funding.

These programs are not income-based programs, so if you are eligible, we will apply funds directly to your account and notify you by mail if and when we do so. These programs will prioritize assistance per state guidance and are subject to state funding.

3. Do I need to apply for CWWAPP?

No. City staff has reviewed the state guidelines of these programs and determined which customers are eligible. Customers who were eligible were notified and a credit was applied on April 7, 2022.

4. Can CWWAPP pay my entire bill?

The amount credited to the account is only the past due amount eligible per the CWWAPP. If you still have a remaining balance after your account has been credited, you may request a payment plan. 

5. I haven’t been able to pay my bill in a while, so I might have late charges and interest. Are late charges and interest covered under the CWWAPP benefits?

CWWAPP does not cover or allow receiving agencies to assess late charges or penalties during the relief period, however the City did not apply late charges or penalties during the relief period.

6. I had trouble paying my bill in 2019. Will CWWAPP help me?

No, it will not. CWAPP was established specifically to help with economic issues caused by COVID-19. The programs only cover the relief period from March 4, 2020, to June 15, 2021. 

7. I’m behind on my bill and am worried my water and/or power will be shut off. If I receive utility bill assistance from CWWAPP, will you still shut off my utility service(s)?

While the City has yet to determine a date to resume traditional billing operations and utility service disconnections for non-payment, it is on the horizon.

The California Arrearage Payment Program provides consumer protections. If you’re eligible for the program, a shutoff cannot occur if you have signed up for a payment plan within 30 days and have not defaulted on the payment plan. It is still your responsibility to pay your bill after that in full for bills due before and after the relief period.

8. I received bill assistance from another state program and I still have a past-due balance. Am I still eligible for CWAPP?

Receiving other types of bill assistance does not exclude you from eligibility for CWWAPP benefits. However, you must meet qualifications for each program which are also subject to state funding received.

9. I had to close/deactivate my account, but still have an unpaid balance. Am I still eligible to receive relief from CWWAPP for my unpaid balance?

Yes, the CWWAPP programs covered both active and inactive accounts that had unpaid balances during the relief period.

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1. Where can I find details on current youth recreation classes offered?

Please visit the Youth Classes page for information, schedules, etc.

2. How do I reserve the community center for a meeting or event?

Check the Community Center facility calendar for availability, and then contact the Administrative Assistant, Laura Andrade, for reservation information.

3. How do I reserve Recreation Park by Boys and Girls Club?

Check the Recreation Park facility calendar for availability, and contact Administrative Assistant, Laura Andrade for reservation information.

Costs

Rental deposit is $200, and rental fee is $70.

4. How do I reserve a park for a birthday party?

All of our public parks are on a first come basis with the exception of Recreation Park by Boys and Girls Club. Recreation Park has a rental deposit of $200 (refundable), and rental fee of $70. 

Check the Recreation Park facility calendar for availability, and contact Administrative Assistant, Laura Andrade for reservation information.

5. How much is a jolly jumper permit?

Jolly jumper permit fee is $38. Please check out our jolly jumper application.

6. Where can I find details on Preschool classes offered?

Please visit the Preschool page for information, registrations, etc.

7. Where can I find details on Main Street Banner?

Please visit the Main Street Banner page for information, scheduling, etc.

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1. How do I get a copy of my police/crime report?

To obtain a copy of a filed police or crime report, you may either call the Records Unit at 805-525-4474, ext. 136, or come to the Police Department front counter at 214 S 10th Street and fill out a records request form. 

When will it be ready for me to pick up?

One of the Records clerks will call you when the report is ready. 

Motor Vehicle Accident Reports

It should be noted Motor Vehicle Accidents report could take up to 4 weeks. This is due to state requirements that a certified accident investigator conducts the report review. With only two supervisors holding this certification delays are common as result of their review requiring additional follow-up before the report is cleared for release.

2. How do I contest a parking ticket?

There is a form available for you to pick up from the cashier at the front desk at City Hall at 970 E Ventura Street and at the front desk at the Police Station located at 210 S 10th Street in Santa Paula. 

The form must be filled out completely, and a copy of your ticket attached. The Chief of Police reviews all such appeals and provides a written response of his findings.

3. How can I file a restraining order?

Restraining orders are filed through the courts. You can go on the Ventura County Superior Court website to get more information. If it is an emergency situation, you can speak with an officer who can try to get a 7-day Emergency Protective Order.

4. What is a non-emergency number?

A non-emergency number is available to the public in the instance they do not have an emergency to report but would like to speak with an officer or dispatcher. Our non-emergency number is 805-525-4474.

5. How do I go about speaking to or making an appointment to see the Chief?

The Chief regularly meets with community members on any concerns or issues. Feel free to contact his secretary at 805-525-4474, ext. 123 for an appointment.

6. Who do I report graffiti to?

The Police Department has a specific hotline for reporting graffiti. 

If you are reporting graffiti that you have found, call the graffiti hotline number at 805-921-1668 and leave a detailed message about the graffiti location. The graffiti will be taken care of as soon as possible.

If you see graffiti being done, please call 911.

7. Does the Department have a Public Information Officer?

No. The Chief can respond to media inquiries of a general nature; in addition, all police supervisors are available to discuss specific events occurring on their shifts.

8. I’m thinking about moving to Santa Paula. How can I check for crime activity in the neighborhood I might move to?

We would be happy to speak to you directly to address any potential concerns within a neighborhood. This could include going over crime statistics within the past year or answering any other specific questions you may have. Contact the Chief's office for this information at 805-525-4474.

9. How can I file a complaint against an officer?

You can come into our lobby during regular business hours to fill out a complaint form in person or you can find a PDF version on our department's home page.

10. How do I get a “Fix-it” ticket signed off?

You may come to the Police Department front counter and request an officer to verify the correction on the back of the citation.

11. I am thinking about purchasing a car. Can you check if it is stolen?

We are not able to find this information for you. Call or visit the DMV for this concern. 

12. I have prescription drugs I want to get rid of. How can I do that?

You can safely dispose your prescription medication in the container located in our lobby.