The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Cities of Fillmore, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, and Ojai would like to address our youth and young adults’ growing use of E-bikes, bicycles, and electric scooters. These vehicles can be useful in reducing traffic and allowing young people a means of transportation other than motor vehicles to school and other activities. However, we have seen recent increases in collisions involving our youth on e-bikes, bicycles, and scooters.
The increased speed provided by E-bikes and electric scooters requires increased care in their use. Traffic rules must be followed, and helmets must be worn at all times. Each type of the above-listed vehicle has specific rules for its use and operation. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has prepared two informational flyers outlining these rules.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the above-listed contract cities are collaborating with local schools, Community Resource Units, and School Resource Deputies to provide in-person education on the rules, regulations, and safe use of E-bikes, bicycles, and electric scooters in our communities.
Electric off-road motorcycles made by Sur-Ron, Talaria, Segway, and many other manufacturers are prohibited on public roads, sidewalks, or parks. These are off-road-only vehicles and are subject to impoundment if they are operated on public roads, sidewalks, or parks. The rider can be subject to citation and/or arrest.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will focus on education but will also consider enforcement of violations associated with electric motorcycles and their unlawful operation.
The goal is to reduce traffic collisions, ensure safe operation, and prevent injuries, protecting the youth in our communities.

Grand Avenue/Goodenough Road Fillmore Coalition has joined together in seeking assistance for the continued erosion, sediment build-up and debris in Sespe Creek, causing land-loss to property owners. Please sign the petition that Erika Morales has (DM her) and/or come to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting this Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 9:00a.m. at the VC Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Avenue to speak your mind--our voice matters! See page 2 Letter to the Editor, Cindy Jackson, for more details.

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026 6:30 PM CITY HALL AGENDA
Item 4 - Approval of Agenda - Villasenor motion, Garnica second, passed 5-0
Items 8A-8G - Consent Calendar - Villasenor motion, Broggie second, passed 5-0
Item 9A - Approval of Contract with Clifton Larson Allen LLP to provide auditing and financial statement preparation services - Garnica motion, Rodriguez second, passed 5-0
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A PRESENTATION BY INTERFACE CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES: CITY-SPECIFIC DATA
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, COMMENTS, COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, AND BOARD REPORTS
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
RECOMMENDATION FOR ITEM 8A. THROUGH 8G. IS TO APPROVE BY VOICE VOTE.
8.A CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-JANUARY 13, 2026 CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-JANUARY 13, 2026.PDF
8.B OCTOBER 28, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 28, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.PDF
8.C NOVEMBER 12, 2025 - CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES  NOVEMBER 12, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES.PDF
8.D DECEMBER 09, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 09, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.PDF
8.E FILING OF NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR URGENT REPAIRS TO WELL NO. 8 SR - NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR URGENT REPAIRS TO WELL NO. 8. FINAL.PDF
8.F CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 26-4090 FIXING THE COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF NON-REPRESENTED MANAGEMENT/ MIDMANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL, AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026, AND SUPERSEDING AND REPLACING RESOLUTION NO. 25-4074
SR MGMT MID CONF COMP PT AND BENEFITS RESOLUTION.PDF
8.G CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF AN UPDATED CALPERS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE
SR PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE 01.01.2026.PDF
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.A APPROVAL OF CONTRACT WITH CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, TO PROVIDE AUDITING AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION SERVICES
SR - AWARD OF AUDIT SERVICES.PDF
9.B DISCUSSION OF WHETHER TO INCREASE THE CITY COUNCIL SALARIES RECOMMENDATION
SR DISCUSSION ON CITY COUNCIL SALARY INCREASE.PDF
10. CITY MANAGER
CITY MANAGER VERBAL REPORT
11. CLOSED SESSION
11.A JANUARY 13, 2026 - CLOSED SESSION JANUARY 13, 2026 - CLOSED SESSION.PDF
12. ADJOURNMENT
MAYOR ALBERT MENDEZ ADJOURNS TO THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026, CITY HALL, 250 CENTRAL AVENUE, FILLMORE, CA 93015.

We’re proud to introduce the newest members of the Fillmore Police Department, who have successfully completed their 16-week patrol training program! Welcome Deputies Alisa Vargas and Anthony Bavero! These dedicated deputies have shown exceptional commitment and professionalism throughout their training and are now ready to serve and protect their Fillmore community. Please join us in congratulating them as they begin their journey as patrol deputies. Posted December 12, 2025, courtesy https://www.instagram.com/fillmorepd/.

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Two recent winter rainstorms brought heavy rains throughout Ventura County causing damage to the Fillmore area. Residents on Grand Avenue have felt the wrath of the mighty Sespe River flowing strong but also eroding property lines. Cindy Jackson, pictured above, is a lifelong resident of Fillmore and a proud graduate of Fillmore High School. For more than 40 years, she has faithfully volunteered in the community, including over 30 years with the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, as well as the May Festival and many other local events and organizations. Cindy has always been someone who gives her time, energy, and heart to others. Now she is in need of help herself. She is a single mom, self-employed, and runs a farm, which makes her time and financial resources limited. A GoFundMe has been started by a fellow neighbor to help Cindy. For more info visit: https://gofund.me/be1ba6b72. Photo credit Marcus Camp. See page 2 ‘Letters to the Editor’ for Cindy’s submission.

A tree fell at Old Telegraph Road/Landeros Lane last week due to high winds, with no damage to the seasonal/migrant worker housing. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/CountyOfVentura

Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/CountyOfVentura
Did the recent winter storms cause damage to your home, business, or other property? You may qualify for temporary property tax relief through the Ventura County Assessor’s Office.
What is it?
If your property has been damaged or destroyed by a disaster or misfortune such as severe storms, flooding, fire, or an earthquake, you may be eligible for property tax relief under California law (R&TC Section 170). To qualify, the damage must total at least $10,000 of the property’s current market value.
Taxable property includes:
▪️Land and structures
▪️Orchards
▪️Business equipment and fixtures
▪️Aircraft and boats
▪️Manufactured homes subject to local property taxation
How to File:
Complete an Application for Reassessment of Property Damaged by Misfortune or Calamity (AO-V 365).
What you need to do:
▪️Fill out all required sections
▪️Submit your application to the Ventura County Assessor’s Office
More info:
http://assessor.venturacounty.gov/.../disaster-relief/
Need help? Contact the Ventura County Assessor’s Office at 805-654-2181 or by email at assessor.info@venturacounty.gov or visit assessor.venturacounty.gov

Pictured is a drainage culvert on the east side of the Sespe River, at Old Telegraph Road, used to handle normal drainage. It was closed last week in anticipation of possible overflow from the Sespe River. The flap gate was installed on January 9th, 2023, by Ventura County Public Works. Aluminum slats were lowered into rails on the side of the culvert to create a barrier. The Sespe River has a riprap levee, a permanent layer of large, angular stone or boulders, mixed with cement, typically used to stabilize and protect the soil surface against erosion and scour in areas of concentrated flow. Stop logs are used for level control in open channels of the river. Logs are beams inserted in grooves cast in a channel wall; typically, nominal height of a stop log is in 6” increments, i.e., the log can be 6, 12, 18” in height, etc. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.

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Above are LUV to Dance Folklorico Dancers performing at the 47th Annual Piru Christmas Parade & Festival held on December 13, 2025, as mentioned on page 1. A fun filled day of festivities and music for all to enjoy.
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The 47th Annual Piru Christmas Parade & Festival was held on a beautiful sunny Saturday, December 13, 2025!
The parade had 25 entries and this year’s parade Grand Marshals were Salvador and Rosie Hurtado with Ramon “Mon” Medina as our parade MC and Luis Abrego providing the sound for the parade. Float winners were San Salvador Mission, the Piru Elementary School, and KiKi’s Adventures. Supervisor Kelly Long and our local representative Michael Durazo also participated in the parade. Festival included Fillmore High School Mariachi Los Rayos, LUV to Dance Folklorico Dancers, DJ Danny Ibarra, and the Torres Band. There was face painting for the kids, along with gifts distributed to all children from the Carnales Motorcycle Club. The Ventura County Mobile Library also offered crafts for families and kids as well as library services. Santa was available for picture taking during the festival. Multiple craft vendors were present.
Sponsors included:
• California American Water
• Income from various film shoots in Piru
• San Salvador Mission
• Piru Pizza
• Las Delicias de Puebla Restaurant
• Corazon de Piru
• Mountain View Inn & Restaurant
• Kona Ice
• Taco Zacapu Food Truck
• Carnales Motorcycle Club
• United Water/Lake Piru
• Piru Youth Services (PYS)
• Bob’s Barbershop
• Bella Estetica Salon
• Morelia’s Meat Market
• Super A Grocery – Poinsettia Flowers
• La Flor Bonita – Grand Marshal Flowers
• Nikki’s Restaurant
• Ventura County Parks
• Sheriff Department Explorers & Message Board
• CHP – Toys distributed at Piru Elementary School
These events can only occur with the support of sponsors and the countless hours of our devoted group of community volunteers. To them, we say a HUGE thank you!!!
• Piru Neighborhood Council (PNC)
• Piru CERT Team
• Martin Segoviano – Festival Set-Up
• Paul Perez Jr. - Parade Check-Ins
• Zoyla Alvarez, Maria G. Hurtado, Lupe Hurtado, and Araceli Ortiz – Parade Judges

As Fillmore Air Conditioning & Heating celebrates 30 years in business this year, I would like to take the time to thank all of you for supporting are family business. I wish you all a Happy New Year and a Great 2026!!!

On Monday, December 29, Santa Ana winds barreled through Fillmore with gusts ranging from 35-55 miles per hour throughout the day. Highway 126 had some Palm Fronds in the road early Tuesday morning. Photo credit Gazette staff.

Courtesy https://emergency.venturacounty.gov/
Last Updated: December 30, 2025 @ 8:13 AM
WEATHER SUMMARY
Moderate to strong Santa Ana Winds are expected to impact Ventura County Monday through Tuesday. Some isolated wind-related power outages have been reported due to damaged equipment or fallen trees. For additional information on power outages, please visit the Southern California Edison Outage Map: https://www.sce.com/outages-safety/outage-center/check-outage-status.
By Wednesday evening, the current wind event will give way to another round of rain storms. The first storm system is expected to deliver between 1.50 and 3.00 inches to coasts and valleys, while foothills and mountains may see 2.00 to 5.oo inches total. Average intensities for this first storm will range from 0.20 to 0.60 inches per hour, with peak rates anticipated overnight New Year’s Eve through noon New Year’s Day.
The second, lighter storm will bring cold and rain Thursday night into Friday, with total rainfall rates in the 0.50 to 1.00 inch range. The extended forecast is showing a break in the rain after this weekend into the middle of next week.
To follow the weather forecast, visit the National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/lox/.
For observed local rainfall rates, please visit the Ventura County Public Works Agency Flood Warning System: https://vcwatershed.net/fws/rain-map/.

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During the late weeks of November 2025, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) served a signed search warrant in the 200 block of South Glenn Drive in the City of Camarillo reference a felonious assault that had occurred in the City of Camarillo on 11/10/2025. During the warrant service, detectives located approximately 623 gross grams of cocaine, narcotics packaging material, and over $7,000 dollars of United States Currency which is believed to be direct proceeds of illegal drug sales. In addition, detectives located an unregistered loaded 9mm Ruger pistol.
Based on the evidence located, detectives were able to develop probable cause to arrest Leonardo Amador for California Health and Safety Code Section 11351 – [ Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales], California Health and Safety Code Section 11370.1(a) – [ Possession of a Controlled Substance with a loaded firearm] and California Penal Code Section 27545– [ Unlawful Transfer of a firearm].
On 12/13/2025, Leonardo was contacted in the City of Santa Paula by Fillmore Patrol deputies with his girlfriend who was later identified as Mariah Quintana. During the arrest, Fillmore patrol deputies located additional cocaine in Leonardo’s vehicle. As a result, Leonardo was arrested for the aforementioned criminal charges and additional narcotic related charges. In addition, Mariah was arrested for California Health and Safety Code Section 11550(a) – [ Under the influence of a controlled substance]. Both Leonardo and Mariah were later transported to the Ventura County Main Jail where they were booked on numerous criminal charges. During the booking process, Mariah admitted to possessing additional cocaine concealed on her person.
On 12/16/2025, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office (VCDA), elected to file one count of H&S 11351 and one count of H&S 11370.1(a), in addition the VCDA’s Office filed additional enhancements for the large quantity of illicit controlled substances seized.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.
Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
Prepared by: Senior Deputy Frank W. Corona
News Release Date: 12/17/2025
Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren
Booking Photo Release: NO
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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Nature of Incident: Large Narcotic, Cash and Gun seizure
Report Number: 25-149233
Location: 200 Block Glenn Drive, Camarillo South 10th Street, Santa Paula
Date & Time: 11/20/2025 – 1100 Hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), West County Special Enforcement Unit (WCSEU), Ventura County Combined Agency Team (VCAT), Fillmore Investigations, Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Leonardo Amador, Camarillo, 25
(S) Mariah Quintana, Camarillo, 23