A newsletter for the Camarillo community
Mar - Apr 2021
Volume 27 | Number 4
Ready to Serve Your Community?

Have you ever considered sharing your knowledge and experience with your community by volunteering to serve on a City Commission, Board, or Committee?
The rewards can be gratifying! Your participation affords you the opportunity to meet other residents with similar interests, learn about the City and how it operates, and work together with other civic-minded community members to help shape the future of Camarillo.

There are volunteer openings coming soon!
Camarillo Council on Aging (4 positions)
Investment Committee (1 position)
Rent Review Mediation Commission
   Public Member (1 position)
   Residential Rental Complex Tenant (1 position)
   Mobile Home (Complex) Owner (1 position)
   Residential Rental Complex Owner (1 position)
Air Pollution Control District Advisory Committee, Ventura County (1 position)
Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, Ventura County (1 position)
Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee, Ventura County (1 position)

These committees meet either monthly or as needed. Check out the story on “Engage Camarillo” to learn what these committees do.

Now’s your chance to apply!
The deadline to submit applications is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021. For Applications, Applicant Requirements, and Committee information, please visit the City’s website here.

Questions? Contact the City Clerk: (805)388-5353 or send an email to cityclerk@cityofcamarillo.org
City is Adjusting Public Meeting Times
Camarillo is adjusting meeting times to begin earlier in the evening, in an effort to make them more convenient for the community. Camarillo City Council meetings will continue to begin at 5:00pm, however the public
comment and public hearing portion of the City Council agendas now begin at 7:00pm (formerly 7:30 p.m.). Camarillo Planning Commission meetings now begin one hour earlier at 6:30pm (formerly 7:30 p.m.). All City Council and Planning Commission meetings are livestreamed on the City’s YouTube channel and live broadcast on the City’s Local Government Channels:
Spectrum Channel 10 or Frontier Channel 29
New Ventura County Fire Hybrid CERT Training!
As COVID-19 continues to limit in-person meetings and trainings, the Ventura County Fire Department has created a new hybrid Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course. The course is offered, at no cost, to all residents who are at least 18 years of age. CERT training involves basic disaster response skills to assist those in need during an emergency. The hybrid course is completed in two phases: online learning and practical training, in-person. The training includes 12 hours of online learning at your convenience; followed by 16 hours of practical training, scheduled after the online course is completed. When both phases of training are finished, participants receive a Certificate of Completion. Participants will receive a CERT backpack, including personal protective equipment such as, helmet, vest, goggles, gloves and flashlight. Registration is expected to open in MARCH 2021. Please check the website to find out when you can register to begin the training: http://vcfd.org/CERT.

For questions about Camarillo CERT, please contact John Fraser at jfraser@cityofcamarillo.org or (805)388-5349, or Heidi Zahrt at (805)383-5688, hzahrt@cityofcamarillo.org.
RV Parking on City Streets Requires a Permit
On January 4, 2021, the Camarillo City Council reinstated parking
restrictions for Recreational Vehicle (RV) parking on City public streets. This means that an RV may only be legally parked on a City street by obtaining a permit. There are two types of permits available: COVID 30 Day RV Parking Permit (City Code Compliance) and Non-COVID RV Parking Permit (Camarillo Police Department).

Online applications and guidelines for obtaining a COVID 30 Day RV Parking Permit are available at www.cityofcamarillo.org/covid19, by contacting Code Compliance at (805) 383-5660, or via email at
codecompliance@cityofcamarillo.org. Please allow up to 24 hours for your permit to be processed after submitting all required documentation. Once approved, the City’s Code Compliance Division will deliver the permit. The permit must be displayed in the driver’s side front window for the duration of the approval.
For questions about these restrictions, or more details on how to obtain a permit, please call the Camarillo Code Compliance Division at (805) 383-5660, or email codecompliance@cityofcamarillo.org.

For all other RV parking, such as needing a temporary permit for a few days while visiting family, or other reasons not related to COVID, please obtain your parking permit through the Camarillo Police Department. For information, please call (805) 388-5100.
Maintaining the Historic Camarillo Ranch
Last repainted in April 2009, the historic Camarillo Ranch House is showing wear and tear. In order to repair fading and pealing paint, the house, gazebo and perimeter fence gates will be repainted, starting at the end of February. The new paint will match the current color scheme. Because of the COVID-19 closures, the work will be able to be completed with minimal disruption to the activities and events of the Camarillo Ranch House. On October 28, 2020, the City Council authorized bids for the work, which is projected to cost $41,815 and to take approximately four weeks to complete. Once the repainting is complete, and COVID restrictions have been lifted, we look forward to welcoming the community back to the Ranch!
COVID - 19 Resources
VenturaCountyRecovers.org | Ventura County’s website for all things COVID, including vaccines, testing, and updates.

WellnessEveryday.org | A Ventura County Behavioral Health website promoting Mental Health in Ventura County.

Frequently Asked Questions:
County of Ventura | venturacountyrecovers.org/faq
City of Camarillo | cityofcamarillo.org/covid19

Thank you, Camarillo, for continuing to do your part to help slow the spread.

We will get through this, together!
Help Keep Your Neighborhood Beautiful
The City of Camarillo strives to maintain a high quality of life for those in our community. Enhance your curb appeal and keep Camarillo beautiful by ensuring your property is well maintained.

• Store trash cans in areas that are not visible from public view.
• Keep debris, appliances, and other storage of items out of driveways and visible front/side yards.
• Store inoperable vehicles out of public view or off-site.
• Remove all graffiti as soon as possible.
• Park all vehicles and recreational vehicles only on approved surfaces (pavement or gravel; not grass).
• Maintain landscape to prevent unkept lawns, excessive/overgrown weeds into the public right of way.

Questions? Please contact the Code Compliance division at (805) 383-5660.

ODDS-N-ENDS | For a handy guide explaining how to dispose of household odds and ends, please visit the City’s website: Odd-N-Ends Guide.

BULKY ITEM PICK UP | Remember! If you receive a trash bill from the City, you are allowed two bulky items picked up—at no extra charge—per calendar year (not including special disposal). For non-City customers, E.J. Harrison charges $25 per bulky item, plus fees for special handling of discards such as Freon and cathode ray tubes. City customers who have used up their free bulky item service may request special handling, too, for the same fees. Contact E.J. Harrison at (805) 647-1414, for this service.
Pick Up After Your Pet
There is no poop fairy—pick it up! Pet waste contains harmful bacteria that, if not picked up, can make its way into our local watershed and, eventually, the ocean. Please help keep our watershed clean and beautiful by picking up after your pup. For more information about pollution prevention, visit www.cleanwatershed.org or call the City of Camarillo at (805) 383-5659.
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Camarillo Public Library Programs
During the closure of the Camarillo Public Library, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all regularly scheduled events and programs are cancelled. The Friends of the Camarillo Library Bookstore and Giant Steps Cafe are also closed until further notice. Digital services are offered (click here).

Patrons may contact the Library by any of the following methods:
● Phone: (805) 388-5222
● Online chat service (Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.): click here.

Curbside Pickup Still Going Strong!
Here’s how it works: Library patrons may place a hold on up to ten items, by phone (805) 388-5222 or online at www.camarillolibrary.org. Please allow one full business day to process requests. Once notified that the items are ready, patrons will park in a numbered parking space within the library parking lot, and call (805) 388-5222 to give library employees their name, library card number, and parking space number. Patrons are asked to remain in their vehicle and a library employee will deliver items to the vehicle. Library staff is
incorporating social distancing and protective measures into this curbside pickup process to keep employees and patrons safe.

For days, times and FAQs, please visit: www.camarillolibrary.org.

Learn more about the Curbside Pickup Program in this

Daily Drive Sidewalk & Gutter Replacement Project
Later this spring, the Daily Drive Sidewalk and Gutter Replacement project will remove and replace all sidewalk, curb and gutter, repave the street, and cautiously remove all the pine trees on both sides within public right-of-way throughout the entire span of E. Daily Drive between Calle La Roda and Las Posas Road. The project will consist of four phases to accommodate pedestrians and ensure access to the businesses at all times.

Catalytic Converter Thefts on the Rise -- Be Aware!
Just like other cities throughout the state, the City of Camarillo has seen an increase in catalytic converter thefts over the last year. In 2020, there were 65 catalytic converter thefts in Camarillo, and we are on pace to have even more in 2021. This crime is usually committed in the early morning hours when victims are asleep. The criminals, usually working in crews of two or more and wearing dark clothing, typically use a battery operated saw to cut out the catalytic converter in a matter of seconds, then flee the area.  The catalytic converters are stolen and sold to scrap yards for the value of the precious metals within the device. Since catalytic converters do not have a serial number, matching a stolen converter to a vehicle is nearly impossible.

To deter thefts, we recommend residents park their vehicles in their garages when possible. Additionally, having motion lights installed on the exterior of your home will help deter these criminals. Having some kind of video monitoring device that alerts homeowners if someone is near your home can assist responding deputies and detectives in identifying suspects. Notifying law enforcement whenever a resident detects this suspicious behavior is critical to apprehending the suspects.

If you are a victim of a catalytic converter theft, call the Camarillo Police Department at (805) 388-5100. Questions can be directed to the Community Resources Unit at (805) 388-5155.
CityScene TV
CityScene TV is Camarillo’s Community Channel:
Channel 10 (Spectrum Cable)
Channel 29 (Frontier Communications)

Learn about City projects, community activities, and resources. See interviews with City employees, community partners, nonprofits, and community members, sharing useful information.

What would you like to see on CitySceneTV?
We are seeking community input on how we can improve our program to better suit your needs. Take the survey in Open City Hall: SURVEY LINK.
Pharmaceutical Drop-Off
Camarillo Police Station Lobby
Monday - Friday
8AM to 5PM;
excluding holidays.

Questions?
Call Camarillo
Police Department
at (805) 388-5100.
Camarillo Police Department Victim Resource Cards
The Camarillo Police Department will soon be distributing Victim Resource Cards to victims of crime. The cards will not only list the attending deputy’s name and the crime report number, but will also include police department phone numbers as well as a QR code and a website address where crime victims may find information such as the Victim’s Bill of Rights, domestic violence information, identity theft resources, and scam prevention. For more info, call our Crime Prevention Officer (805) 388-5130.
MARCH 2021

6, 13, 20, 27 Camarillo Farmers Market | 8 a.m. - 12 noon |Camarillo Old Town

10, 24 Camarillo City Council Meetings | 5 p.m. | See Meeting Agendas
      
12,13 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off  | By appointment only
APRIL 2021

3, 10, 17, 24 Camarillo Farmers Market | 8 a.m. - 12 noon |Camarillo Old Town

14, 21, 28 Camarillo City Council Meetings | 5 p.m. | See Meeting Agendas

9,10  Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off | By appointment only
Programs for Adults 50+
OLLI at CSUCI

OLLI at CSUCI brings the excitement and stimulation of college learning to area adults (50 or better!) who wish to extend their learning experiences in a university atmosphere. Spring II Virtual Courses Offered. Registration Begins March 1.
OLLI is learning for the joy of learning!
Fifty and Better at CLU

Cal Lutheran’s Fifty and Better (FAB) Spring Session and March Lectures: FAB’s 6-week Spring Session begins on April 5th; registration opens March 2nd! Adults 50+ are welcome! FAB will host 2-hour lectures throughout March. Lectures are open to all ages, and registration will open in mid-February. For more information about FAB, visit: https://www.callutheran.edu/fab
The City is committed to keeping our community informed!

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