CityScene Newsletter | July - August 2021 Issue

A newsletter for the Camarillo community

www.cityofcamarillo.org

July - August 2021

Volume 27 | Number 6

Fireworks are back!! Please join us Sunday, July 4, for Camarillo’s 2021 Fireworks Show!

This year, PARK & WATCH the fireworks with family and friends from the Camarillo Premium Outlet parking lots.

Fireworks will also be visible from the surrounding areas, so we encourage you to find a safe location to view the show. The 20-minute fireworks display begins promptly at 9:00 p.m.

Parking is first come, first served. Parking spaces cannot be reserved, so arrive early for best selection. If you choose to view the show from the Camarillo Premium Outlets parking lots, please understand that no entry will be permitted after 8:45 p.m. when road closures go into effect. Admission is FREE; no ticket is needed. There are no additional activities planned.

Please, for your safety and the safety of others:

No large picnic setups (blankets, chairs, E-Z Up, etc.).
No smoking, alcohol or cannabis allowed.
No personal fireworks allowed. Personal fireworks are illegal throughout the city.
For their safety, no pets are allowed.

For more information about the fireworks show, please visit the City’s website at cityofcamarillo.org/fireworks2021 or call (805) 383-5696.

Thank you to the Hiji Family and the Camarillo Premium Outlets for making this year’s location possible, and to the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation and

95.1 KBBY for providing the soundtrack LIVE over the air!

The City of Camarillo wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

Fireworks Pet Safety Tips

While we are thrilled for the opportunity to host a fireworks show this year, we recognize that fireworks can cause fear and anxiety for animals. Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) recommends pet owners to follow their Pet Safety Tip sheet to help reduce fear and anxiety in companion animals during the 4th of July season.

If a pet should go missing, please visit VCAS’s Lost and Found webpage at: vcas.us/LostAndFound.

Think Before You Drain

As summer pool season approaches, the City of Camarillo would like to remind our residents of proper pool maintenance and draining regulations relating to swimming pool discharges. We always want to ensure that pool waste pollutants don’t end up in our waterways which can be very harmful to our creeks and the ocean.

If you own or maintain a swimming pool, please review the following pool maintenance and draining protocols.

Properly maintained pools should require draining no more than once every 10 years. It is illegal to discharge the water from salt-water chemistry pools into the storm drain or sewer systems. This water must be hauled to an ocean-discharging disposal facility.
Prior to draining a fresh water pool, ensure water is clean of algae, mosquitoes, leaves and debris, and reduce the chlorine level to .1 ppm and pH to 7-8. Clean the drainage path (curb/gutter/street) to remove any debris that may wash out to the storm drain with the pool water.
Pool filter backwash (diatomaceous earth) should never be washed into the street, gutter or storm drain system; bag it wet and dispose of it in your trash receptacle.
Follow the directions before using any pool chemical.

Before draining your swimming pool or if you have any further questions,

Please notify the city's Stormwater Division at (805) 383-5659 or (805) 388-5373.

Volunteers Wanted: Camarillo Ranch

Camarillo Ranch Foundation (CRF) is seeking volunteers to share the legacy of Adolfo Camarillo and the CRF mission with our community!.

Currently, Administrative Volunteers are much needed for specific and various tasks on a regular and recurring basis. All volunteers will receive training.

Administrative Volunteers:

Work in CRF office for scheduling and outreach to arrange school tours and public tours, weekly volunteer shifts. (Total time: approx. 9 hours per week, including Saturday and Sundays. This job could be covered by a team to share the schedule and responsibility.)
Support the Docents while they are at the Ranch House with tours.
Other support includes: Answering and reviewing emails and voicemails, archiving of CRF Documents, volunteer recruitment drives, staff the CRF booth at public events, and assist with historical research and more.

Docent volunteers:

Give tours of the historic 1892 Camarillo Ranch House for education and enjoyment, weekly volunteer shifts as tours are scheduled.

To apply, contact info@camarilloranch.org | (805) 389-8182 camarilloranchfoundation.org/contact-us/#volunteer

The Ranch House Exterior Preservation Project has been completed. The project included painting the exterior, repair work to the exterior wood deck and ceiling as well as the floor of the 2nd floor balcony.

Secure Paper Shred Event

Saturday, August 14, 2021

8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

1605 Burnley St., Camarillo

Open to all City residents & businesses. The cost is $5 (cash) per vehicle, payable when you enter the event area.

Access Corp will shred documents with a per-vehicle maximum of 10 boxes (15”x12”x9”) or 12 grocery bags. When shred trucks are filled, collection will stop.

All proceeds benefit the Camarillo Council on Aging to support senior education and senior needs.

Opt In For Paperless Billing

Save time and paper by signing up for paperless billing and Autopay! When you pay your City of Camarillo utility bill online, it's free, safe, saves time and you’ll never have to worry about a late payment!

Click Here to register for an online account. For further assistance, please call Customer Service at (805) 388-5325.

New Weekly Residential Recycling

Beginning Monday, July 5, 2021, E.J. Harrison & Sons will begin weekly curbside collection of all three carts: trash, recycling, and yard waste.

Previously, Camarillo, trash and yard waste carts were collected curbside on a weekly basis, while recycle containers were serviced bi-weekly.

There has been a notable increase in cardboard due to deliveries during the pandemic, which has contributed to the push in this direction because recycle carts appear to fill up before the scheduled pickup day.

Weekly service will replace the alternate-week recycling service that has been standard in Camarillo the past few years. For further info, call E.J. Harrison & Sons at (805) 647-1414.

More info on City Trash & Recycling Services at cityofcamarillo.org (Residents / Trash & Recycling).

September Residential Property Inspections

If it’s tough to see the address of your home or property from the street, this can cost first responders valuable minutes when responding to a medical emergency or police call to your home. This is the main reason why Building and Fire Codes require every house and building have its address visible from the road so the Police and Fire Departments are able to easily see your address in case of an emergency.

Every Spring and Fall, Code Compliance conducts Residential Pro-Active Inspections citywide. During these inspections, Code Compliance Officers drive every street within Camarillo’s city limits to ensure properties are in compliance with the Camarillo Municipal Code. In preparation for the Fall 2021 pro-active inspections, the City’s Code Compliance team asks you to Help Us Help You.

Here are some common items to check your property for, prior to September inspections:

Is your address easily visible? Numbers must be visible on the house and be at least 4 inches tall and ½ inch wide.
Do you have an inoperable vehicle on your property? The vehicle must be repaired or removed from the property.
Are your lawns and landscaping maintained? Lawns must be mowed and plants and trees trimmed back 10 feet above sidewalk area.
Is a basketball hoop blocking the sidewalk? Relocate the hoop to a designated location on your property to allow for clear passage on the sidewalk.
Are recreational vehicles/trailers/cars parked on the lawn? Recreational vehicles and cars must be removed from lawn and parked on an approved surface or at another location.
Do you have visible discarded furniture, boxes, scrap wood? Dispose of trash and debris properly or contact EJ Harrison at (805) 647-1414 to arrange bulky item pickup.

City Code Compliance Officers will begin the Residential Pro-Active inspections in September. If violations are found, you will receive a letter requesting you make the necessary corrections within 14 days.

By simply taking a few minutes to look at your property and correct any noted violations, you are doing your part to help keep Camarillo the safe, clean city you are proud to call home.

If you have any questions, please contact Code Compliance at (805) 383-5660 and we'll be glad to help answer them. Thank you for helping us keep Camarillo beautiful.

Planting Bright Ideas

The severe drought that our state has experienced over the years has left no one untouched in Southern California.

When the Governor’s Executive Orders prohibited the irrigation of ornamental turf in street medians, the City of Camarillo complied. We decided this was a great opportunity to do our part to save water at City Hall by installing water efficient landscaping and irrigation.

The drought tolerant & water efficient landscaping included planting dozens of resilient and water-efficient varieties of plants around City Hall with wonderful color, texture, and visual impact. These plants are such a pleasant addition to our community. In our brochure, we share more about the varieties we chose in hopes that this will inspire you to plant your own water-wise landscaping!

Learn more at CityofCamarillo.org (Departments / Public Works / Water Conservation / Drought Tolerant Plant Brochure).

Camarillo Public Library Programs

Summer's here! How about trying a new reading app for students. Sora offers the ability for Pleasant Valley School District to explore age-appropriate digital books from the Camarillo Public Library! Go to soraapp.com and select Pleasant Valley School District. Under your Profile, add Camarillo Public Library and you’re ready to access the digital materials. Avoid the summer slide and sign up for the Summer Reading Club which starts on June 19th.

Library Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Curbside service Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Current State and County health and safety guidelines have allowed the Camarillo Public Library to reopen with modifications to building capacities, gatherings, physical distancing, cleaning, and disinfecting protocols.

Details at camarillolibrary.org

Patrons may contact the Library by any of the following methods:

Phone: (805) 388-5222 | Email: askus@camarillolibrary.org

Facebook: facebook.com/camarillolibrary

Online chat service (Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) available directly from camarillolibrary.org

Digital services are offered at camarillolibrary.org/content/digitalresources

Coyotes In Our Community

Ventura County has an abundance of wildlife, including mountain lions, bobcats, foxes and coyotes. These predators roam our hills along with skunks, opossums, and raccoons. Many of these visitors are frequent guests in our neighborhoods. Coyotes in Camarillo are becoming a more common occurrence.

Coyotes are drawn to urban and suburban areas for several reasons:

Food. Coyotes can be attracted into suburban neighborhoods by human-associated food such as pet food, unsecured compost or trash, and fallen fruit in yards. To reduce food attractants, feed pets indoors; or if feeding pets outside, remove the bowl and any leftover food promptly. Maintain good housekeeping, such as regularly raking areas around bird feeders and fruit trees, to help discourage coyote activity near residences.

Water. Urban areas provide a year-round supply of water in the form of storm water impoundments and channels, artificial lakes, irrigation, pet water dishes, etc., which support both coyotes and their prey. In dry conditions, water can be as alluring as food. Removing your pet’s outdoor water bowl and making watering cans unavailable can be helpful.

Access to shelter. Parks, greenbelts, open spaces, golf courses, buildings, sheds, decks and crawl spaces, etc., increase the amount and variability of cover for coyotes. They allow coyotes to safely and easily remain close to people, pets, homes and businesses without detection. In the spring, when coyotes give birth and begin to raise young, they concentrate their activities around dens or burrows in which their young are sheltered. Coyotes may inhabit spaces under sheds or decks for use as a den, bringing them into closer contact with people and pets.

Unattended pets. Pets are a normal part of an urban landscape. Within their territory, coyotes may consider pets as potential prey or potential competitors. Free-roaming pets, especially cats and sometimes dogs, may attract coyotes into neighborhoods. The best way to minimize risk to pets is to not leave them outside unattended.

To better understand what attracts coyotes, take action with pet safety tips, and learn how to react in an encounter with a coyote(s), visit vcas.us/wildlife and click on Coyote Management Plan (from the left menu options).

Ventura County Animal Shelter responds only to calls of injured or at-risk wildlife. They are prohibited by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife from picking up and/or relocating healthy wildlife.

If you have questions or need further info regarding wildlife near you, contact (805) 388-4341 or info@vcas.us.

Programs for Adults 50+

Fifty and Better (FAB) at Cal Lutheran University

Mid-Summer Lecture Series (2-hour lectures)

The FAB program was designed for individuals 50 and above, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses for the sake of learning and social engagement.

More details and to register at:

callutheran.edu/fab or email fab@callutheran.edu

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSUCI

Taste of OLLI Summer Session, June 14 - July 16th

“Taste of OLLI” consists of 25 two-hour, one-day courses that will enable adults aged 50 or over to sample OLLI”s university level courses taught by faculty and experts from many different walks of life.

See the list of courses and register at: go.csuci.edu/OLLI or

call (805) 437-2748, Option #2

Community Calendar

JULY 2021

3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Camarillo Farmers Market| 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Camarillo Old Town

camarillofarmersmarket.com | (805) 987-3347

14, 28

Camarillo City Council Meetings | 5 p.m.

601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo

See Meeting Agendas: cityofcamarillo.org

9, 10

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

By appointment only | (805) 987-0717

Or, online: cityofcamarillo.org (Residents/Utility Svcs)

A Taste Of Camarillo | 1p.m. - 4 p.m.

Hosted by Meadowlark Service League

Tickets at: atasteofcamarillo.festivalsetup.com/tickets

AUGUST 2021

7, 14, 21, 28

Camarillo Farmers Market | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Camarillo Old Town

camarillofarmersmarket.com | (805) 987-3347

Camarillo City Council Meetings | 5 p.m.

601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo

See Meeting Agendas: cityofcamarillo.org

7, 8

Camarillo Art Center's “Raise the Roof” | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

3150 Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo

Info at: (805) 445-7061 | camarilloartcenter.org

Community Shred Event | 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

PVRPD Community Center, 1605 Burnley Street, Camarillo

13, 14

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

By appointment only | (805) 987-0717

Or, online: cityofcamarillo.org (Residents/Utility Svcs)

21, 22

Wings Over Camarillo Air Show

Camarillo Airport, 555 Airport Way, Ste. B, Camarillo

Gates open at 9 a.m. Flying begins 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Tickets at: wingsovercamarillo.com

Summer Concerts Are Back

Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District and

City of Camarillo are pleased to announce

Summer Concert Series 2021!

Enjoy free live music from Rock & Roll, Pop,

Country, to Rhythm & Blues.

Mark Your Calendars

For These Saturdays

July 24 | August 7 | August 21 | September 4

Concerts begin at 5pm at Constitution Park

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic to enjoy at the show. Attendees may setup chairs in the park as early as 8am the morning of the concert to save a space.

Bands to be announced, and more details coming soon at www.pvrpd.org.

COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place to protect the health of our community.

SCAM Alert - Avoid These Common Scams

SOCIAL SECURITY

SCAM: Imposter will call you and tell you your social security benefit will be frozen and you'll be arrested if you do not make payment immediately or provide personal information.
REALITY: Social Security Administration will never threaten you or ask for your bank information.

FAILURE TO PAY TAX WARRANT

SCAM: Imposter will identify themselves as federal agent and warn you they will arrest you if you do not make a payment immediately. Imposters will demand payment by gift cards.
REALITY: IRS doesn't call without first mailing an official notice. IRS employees won't threaten you with being arrested.

ROMANCE SCAM

SCAM: Imposter will befriend you, sound like the person of your dreams; tell you he/she needs some money in order to get back to the US or to visit you.
REALITY: This person is your next NIGHTMARE!! DO NOT SEND MONEY to anyone you meet online!

NEVER PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE UNLESS YOU INITIATE THE CALL TO A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS.

ANYONE WHO ASKS YOU TO PAY WITH A GIFT CARD IS SCAMMING YOU!

Visit cityofcamarillo.org (Departments/Police) for Camarillo Police Department updates. For more scam / fraud protection and advice, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.ftc.gov.

For more crime and home safety prevention tips, contact the Camarillo Police Crime Prevention Officer, Senior Deputy Virginia Tinoco at (805) 388-5130 or email Virginia.tinoco@ventura.org.

The City is committed to keeping our community informed!

Check out Engage Camarillo! to learn about Camarillo's Community Engagement platform and share your input through Open City Hall.

Find City information on the City’s website at www.cityofcamarillo.org.

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Please send inquiries to:

CityScene Editor

601 Carmen Drive

Camarillo, CA 93010

cityhall@cityofcamarillo.org

Please stay updated with local COVID-19 updates.