Santa Paula Blog

A press release from Caltrans:

State Route 150 (SR-150) between Santa Paula and Ojai, will open Sunday May 1 to traffic. Both directions of traffic will share a single lane in four different locations that will be controlled by signalization.

State Route 33 (SR-33) from Rose Valley Road to Lockwood Valley Road, will remain closed until the end of May. Once the route opens it will also share two way traffic on a single, signalized lane at a yet to be determined number of locations.

Extensive damage was caused to SR-150 and SR-33 during the winter storms. Repairs have been underway since damage was sustained. Complete restoration of the two routes is estimated for winter of 2005/06.

Replay of Monday, April 25 Council Meeting:
Thursday, April 27, 6:00 PM
Sunday, May 1, 1:00 PM

Replay of Tuesday, April 26 Council Meeting:
Wednesday, April 27, 6:00 PM
Sunday, May 1, (at conclusion of replay of Monday's meeting approximately 6:00 PM)

Meetings are televised on Adelphia Cable in Santa Paula on Channel 10.

Santa Paula Mayor Mary Ann Krause unveils new Senator Arnold Vinick Presidential Campaign Headquarters today. For more pictures check out the campaign website.

1. Update from Dr. Sam Edwards on re-opening of Santa Paula Memorial
Hospital.

2. Consideration of Draft Environmental Impact Report on new water
recycling facility and public works yard. Approval of the EIR is an
important step in this $65 million project which must be completed by end
of 2008 in order to comply with order from Regional Water Quality Control
Board.

3. Updates from the Police Department on implementation of management
audit, new Police Department quality of life program to enhance enforcement
on "quality of life" issues and discussion of future of storefront at Las
Piedras Park.

The Santa Paula City Council and Planning Commission will be having a special meeting on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers to receive a presentation on the proposed housing development by Comstock Homes behind Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. For further information, contact the City at 805-933-4208.

The City of Santa Paula will open the Senator Arnold Vinick Presidential Campaign Headquarters on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 11 AM at Santa Paula's historic train depot at 10th and Santa Barbara Streets.

Santa Paula has claimed Senator Vinick (a character on the NBC television program, "The West Wing") as a resident of Santa Paula and is celebrating his campaign for President of the United States with the opening of a campaign headquarters. Santa Paula Mayor Mary Ann Krause will officiate at the opening ceremonies.

For further information, see the campaign website.

The annual Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce Carnival is scheduled for this weekend (Friday, April 22-Sunday, April 23) at Teague Park on Harvard Blvd. The carnival was moved this year from Veteran's Parl to accomodate the new improvements (skate park, new landscaping, etc.) that have recently been installed there.

Tonight's City Council meeting is at the Community Center beginning at 6:30 PM. It is a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on design elements of the proposed Fagan Canyon development. No other business is scheduled.

1. Approved request of Santa Paula Society of the Arts to serve alcohol at their Chamber of Commerce Mixer at the Depot.

2. Approved $58,760 in budget reductions and revenue enhancements to supplement $115,591 in budget changes approved in December, 2004 to create fund for potential salary increases and to help balance a projected $300,000 deficit in the next fiscal year. The City Council did not make any staffing changes in the Police Department.

3. Directed the City Manager to begin investigating a possible public safety tax measure to be placed on a Santa Paula election ballot no earlier than March, 2006.

The City will begin work on Friday, April 8 installing truncated domes
along the platform area of the Depot. These domes are required for ADA
compliance of the Depot. The City's contractor will be working from 7am -
5pm, seven days a week and anticipate completing the job in 2 1/2 weeks.
Please be aware that it may get quite noisy. The Contractor will be using
the empty parking lot adjacent to the Depot to stage their equipment.

1. Consideration of disposition of $115,591 previously identified for public safety enhancements and consideration of an additional $58,760 in budget reductions and revenue enhancements to supplemental these funds. Cuts include a reorganization of the Finance Department and new revenues include increases in fees for athletic field lights.
2. Consideration of an election for new taxes for Police and/or Fire Department enhancements.
3. Consideration of contract for $48,500 to revise City Parks Master Plan, adopted in 1972.
4. Discussion of benches in the downtown.

The Federal Bankruptcy Court in Santa Barbara today approved plan for reorganization of the hospital. This is the final step in moving forward with the County of Ventura purchase and reopening of the hospital.

The City of Santa Paula is looking for volunteers to assist with the
presentation of the Santa Paula Armed Forces Day Dinner on Saturday May 21,
2005 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Masonic Lodge, 102 N. 7th Street.
Armed Forces Day is the annual single holiday for citizens to come together
and thank our military servicemembers for their patriotic service in
support of our country. The event will focus on the men and women of Santa
Paula currently serving in our armed forces. All proceeds from the dinner
will be used to support the City's annual 4th of July fireworks dispaly.
To volunteer to assist with the event, please contact the City of Santa
Paula at 933-4208.

I have heard from a couple of people about an old photo labeled Santa Paula on the cover of today's Los Angeles Times Business Section with a story about the merger of the Union Oil Company with ChevronTexaco. People said no way was that Santa Paula. Turns out the photo was actually Newhall (according to the history book of Union Oil Co., "Sign of the 76.") LA Times has been notified.

County Fire advises they are planning controlled burns during the daytime
hours in the Sisar Road area of Upper Ojai this week.

Tomorrow, April 6, 2005, Santa Barbara Street between Palm Avenue and
Blanchard Street will be closed for asphalt repair work between the hours
of 6:00am until 4:30pm. The North and South bound traffic lanes of Palm
will be pushed towards the east side of Palm using cones. The work zone is
the West side of the Palm Avenue at the Santa Barbara Street cross gutter.

Meeting is "on the road" at Santa Paula High School Auditorium
1. Conducting a "Town Hall" meeting to allow questions and comments from the public on any issues related to the City.
2. Consider co-sponsorship of a Labor Day Parade to be held here on Saturday September 3, 2005.
3. Receive a presentation from Police Chief Bob Gonzales on Police Department's new "Quality of Life" initiative.
4. Consider sponsorship of a Armed Forces Day Dinner on Saturday May 21, 2005 with proceeds going to City's 4th of July Fireworks display.
5. Consider claiming Senator Arnold Vinick as a resident of Santa Paula and directing the City Manager to do following to support his election as President of the United States (on the NBC television program "The West Wing"): creation of presidential campaign headquarters at the Depot; creation of website and create campaign t-shirts and buttons for sale).
6. Consider creation of volunteer maintenance team program. This program would match homeowners in need of assistance in maintaining their property with volunteers who would help with these efforts.

"No Bull Baby" took home the $86,250 prize at the Santa Paula Stakes Saturday at the Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia. This was the 20th running of the Santa Paula Stakes which is for three year old fillies. This is the second win for trainer Bob Baffert, who won the Stakes last year with the horse "Friendly Michelle."