On Tuesday, January 16, crews were working on Santa Clara Street between Fillmore City Hall and east of Giessinger Winery on the city of Fillmore’s utility undergrounding beautification project.
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An overhead utility undergrounding beautification project is underway along Santa Clara Street between City Hall and east the Giessinger Winery. The Project will eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electric and telecommunications facilities. To carry out the undergrounding, the City created a utility underground district consistent with Sothern California Edison’s (SCE) Rule 20A tariff criteria and is using the City’s Rule 20A funding credits for the work. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulation, known as Rule 20, pertains to the conversion of overhead power lines and other equipment to underground facilities where there is a public interest to do so.

The project will remove four SCE poles (shown it the picture below) and place all the overhead wires underground in pipelines and vaults. The total cost estimate is $431,200, all of which is paid for using the Rule 20A funding available to the City. One pole removal will include a streetlight replacement to the decorative downtown style street lamp. There will be incremental traffic and parking control on Santa Clara Street this time. It is expected to be completed in March.

On January 10, 2024, the Fillmore Flashes Girls Soccer Team hosted AYSO Epic Night where the AYSO Epic Team attended a Meet & Greet with the team as well as run out on the field for the starting lineup in their game against Carpinteria. Pictured above are some of the kids smiling as they have their picture taken with the players. Photo credit Daniel Cruz. Lady Flashes Girls Soccer hosted AYSO Epic Team last week, giving kids the chance to talk with the players, take photos and do a team cheer to end the night. Photo credit Daniel Cruz.
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Article by Nancy Rodriguez Hernandez

Last Wednesday evening was very special at Fillmore High School; not only did Lady Flashes soccer team score two big wins against Carpinteria, but they hosted AYSO EPIC Night!

AYSO’s EPIC Team was treated to a night of fun, which included a Meet & Greet with the ladies and the chance to run on the field with the starting lineup!

This memorable experience was made possible by the coaches, Lady Flashes, and their Social Media Coordinator, Nancy Vaca.
AYSO EPIC (Everyone Plays In our Community Program) provides athletes with disabilities the additional support they need to fully participate in a quality soccer experience with the help of buddy volunteers.

The program has more than doubled in its second year thanks to the help of EPIC Coordinator, Nancy Rodriguez Hernandez, the AYSO board, led by Regional Commissioner, Arnold Muñoz, and buddy volunteers.

AYSO EPIC is currently looking for buddy volunteers for the 2024 season which starts in August. For more information please contact Nancy at (323) 385-1106 or aysoepicfillmore@gmail.com.

A 19-year-old Fillmore resident was arrested for spray painting gang graffiti on Fillmore City property and causing hundreds of dollars of vandalism damage within the city of Fillmore.

During the month of December of 2023, detectives assigned to the Fillmore Police Station noticed an increase in graffiti vandalism crimes throughout several locations in the City of Fillmore. Detectives coordinated resources and collected evidence in several “Hot Spot” areas that had been vandalized. Detectives were able to identify specific spray paint related to gang writings and monikers.

Over the course of the investigation, detectives identified Bryan Vega as the suspect involved in several vandalisms. On January 8, 2024, Fillmore patrol deputies and detectives contacted and arrested Vega in the 1900 block of Old Telegraph Road. Vega was in possession of additional evidence linking him to these vandalism crimes. Detectives obtained and served a search warrant at Vega’s residence located in the 1900 block of Old Telegraph Road. During the search warrant, detectives seized additional evidence related to the vandalisms.

Vega was subsequently booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for violations of Graffiti Vandalism and Participation in a Criminal Street Gang. Vega remains in custody with his bail set at $100,000.

Report Number: RB # 24-2197
Location: 500 Block of Telegraph Road Fillmore, CA
Date & Time: January 8, 2024 @ 1:00 PM

(S)uspects
(S) Bryan Vega Fillmore 19

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Leonardo Morales, 31, of Fillmore, Ca. Photo courtesy ktla.com, June 2021.
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A 31-year-old Fillmore resident was arrested for spray-painting graffiti on numerous businesses throughout the city of Fillmore and causing hundreds of dollars of vandalism damage to these private business owners.

On January 7, at approximately 10:14 PM, the employees of a Fillmore business located in the 900 block of West Ventura Street called Ventura County Sheriff’s Communication Center (SCC) to report an in-progress vandalism crime at the establishment.

Fillmore patrol deputies responded immediately to the scene and positively identified Fillmore resident Leonardo Morales as the suspect. Morales is currently on probation for similar vandalism crimes. During a search of Morales, deputies located spray paint cans on his person, which were used to commit the graffiti vandalism in question. Deputies arrested Morales for felony vandalism.

Following Morales’ arrest, deputies and detectives assigned to the Fillmore station located additional victims of vandalism crimes linking Morales as the suspect. These business locations were in the 900 block of West Ventura Street, 700 block of West Ventura Street, and Fillmore City property located in the 900 block of Old Telegraph Road.

Morales was subsequently booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for violations of felony Graffiti Vandalism and violation of probation. Morales remains in custody with his bail set at $20,000.

Report Number: RB # 24-2794
Location: Numerous business locations throughout the City of Fillmore
Date & Time: January 7, 2024 @ 10:41 PM

(S)suspects
(S) Leonardo Morales Fillmore 31

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Right is Jeff Wurm, Investment Division Director from the California State Treasurer's Office, who joined in virtually for Tuesday night’s City Council meeting to discuss the local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) along with Debra Cavaletto, Finance Director.
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All New Business items passed 5-0 (9.A-D)

5. PRESENTATIONS:

5.A WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES - VIVIAN
VASQUEZ, WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC STRATEGIES. SENIOR ASSOCIATE,
PROVIDING AN UPDATE ON BRADBAND CONSORTIUM PROJECT
5.B LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND (LAIF) - DEBRA CAVALETTO, FINANCE
DIRECTOR AND JEFF WURM, INVESTMENT DIVISION DIRECTOR FROM THE
CALIFORNIA STATE TREASURER’S OFFICE
AMEND FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 6.16 – FLOOD DAMAGE
PREVENTION.

SR - Second Reading of Floodplain Ordinance No. 23-960. Final.pdf
9. NEW BUSINESS

9.A ADOPTION OF SPECIFICATIONS FOR PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 22-04, THE CITY HALL ELEVATOR MODERNIZATION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS.

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council adopt the specifications for a modernization of the elevator at City Hall, known as Project Specification No. 22-04 (“Project”) and authorize the advertisement of the Project for construction bids.

9.B ADOPTION OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND COST ESTIMATE FOR PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 23-05, DOG PARK ADA IMPROVEMENTS AT TWO RIVERS PARK PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR CONSTRUCTION BID.
Passed 5-0

9.C DISCUSS ADOPTING A FACILITY NAMING POLICY.

RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council review the draft facility naming policy, discuss and adopt the Facility Naming Policy.

Passed 5-0

9.D FILING OF NOTICES OF COMPLETION FOR “C” STREET EMERGENCY SEWER REPAIR PROJECT.

RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council: 1. Accept the services provided for the Preliminary Phase of the “C” Street Emergency Sewer performed by Ferreira Construction Co, Inc. (“Ferreira Construction”); 2. Accept the completed improvements for Project Specification No. 23-01E – “C” Street Emergency Sewer Repair Project provided by Toro Enterprises, Inc. (“Toro Enterprises”); 3. Instruct the City Clerk to file the attached Notices of Completion; and 4. Authorize the final payment to the contractors of owed retention and Release on Contract pending clearance of the 30-day lien period.
Passed 5-0

Fabian Garibay, 31, of Fillmore. Fillmore Gazette stock photo, August 2019.
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On December 22, 2023, at approximately 11:30 AM, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Fabian Garibay in the City of Fillmore for felony street gang coercion reference the gang tattooing of a minor. On January 5, 2024, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed felony Street Gang Solicitation and misdemeanor Tattooing of a Minor violations against Garibay in the Ventura County Superior Court.

During the months of September and October 2023, a Fillmore Patrol Station Deputy initiated an investigation after learning Garibay had tattooed a juvenile male with gang symbols. The Patrol Deputy determined the tattooing occurred in Ventura County and likely was committed with the intent to solicit or recruit the juvenile into a Fillmore criminal street gang.

In late October 2023, West County Special Enforcement Unit (WC-SEU) detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and obtained a search warrant for Garibay’s Fillmore residence. Detectives served the warrant and located evidence related to the investigation, including additional evidence of Garibay’s affiliation with a criminal street gang. Detectives later obtained a felony arrest warrant for Garibay.

On December 22, 2023, at approximately 11:30 AM, Fillmore Patrol Deputies arrested Garibay during a traffic stop in Fillmore and he was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

The gang tattooing case against Garibay was presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, who subsequently filed felony PC 186.26(a) - Street Gang Solicitation and misdemeanor PC 653 - Tattooing a Minor violations against Garibay in the Ventura County Superior Court on January 5, 2024. Garibay posted bail on the matter and has a pending court date in February 2024.

The investigation is on-going. If you have any information about this case or Fillmore gang activities, please contact Detective Austin Whittaker at 805-654-3509.

Report Number: 23-136303
Location: Ventura County
Date & Time: December 22, 2023 @ 11:30 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore PAtrol Services and West County Special Enforcement Unit
(S)uspects,(V)ictims,(P)arty,(D)ecedent

(S) Fabin Garibay Fillmore 31
(V) Juvenile Male Fillmore 16

Prepared by: Sergeant Beau Rodriguez
Approved by: Captain Sean Britt