September 3, 2025
VENTURA PORT DISTRICT
BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
Michael Blumenberg, Chair
Elizabeth Howell, Vice-Chair
Anthony Rainey, Secretary
Chris Stephens, Commissioner
William Anderson, Commissioner
Brian D. Pendleton, General Manager
Todd Mitchell, Deputy General Manager
Tom Bunn, Legal Counsel
Jessica Rauch, Clerk of the Board
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025
VENTURA PORT DISTRICT OFFICE
1603 ANCHORS WAY DRIVE
VENTURA, CA 93001
CLOSED SESSION – 6:30PM
OPEN SESSION – 7:00PM
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPTIONS MEETINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN A HYBRID MODEL WITH BOTH IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION. WATCH THE MEETING LIVE https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83276329300 Webinar ID: 832 7632 9300 1-669-900-6833
PUBLIC COMMENT VIA ZOOM To request to speak on an item, use the “raise hand” button to notify the Clerk. The Clerk will announce public speakers and unmute participants to speak. Please be mindful that the meeting will be recorded, and all rules of procedure and decorum apply for in-person attendees and those participating virtually.
SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT VIA EMAIL To submit written comments on a specific agenda item, please do so via email by 4:00PM on the day of the meeting. When sending an email, please indicate in the subject line, the agenda item number (i.e. General Public Comment or Consent Item A). Written comments should be no more than 1,000 characters in length. Written comments will be distributed to the Commission and will be posted as a supplemental packet on the District’s website at https://venturaharbor.com/board-meeting-documents/. Please submit your comment to the Clerk of the Board at jrauch@venturaharbor.com. |
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CLOSED SESSION 6:30PM |
CALL TO ORDER: By Chair Blumenberg.
ROLL CALL: By the Clerk of the Board.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS (3 minutes)
The Public Communications period is set aside to allow public testimony on items only on the Closed Session Agenda. Each person may address the Commission for up to three minutes or at the discretion of the Chair.
| CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION |
CLOSED SESSION AGENDA
- CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS – PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8:
| a) Property:
District Negotiators: Negotiating Parties: Under Negotiation: |
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Suite #205
Brian D. Pendleton, Todd Mitchell, Tom Bunn Monette Paz Insurance Agency Inc. Price and Terms of Payment for New Office Lease Agreement |
| b) Property:
District Negotiators: Negotiating Parties: Under Negotiation: |
1559 Spinnaker Dr., Suite 201
Brian D. Pendleton, Todd Mitchell, Tom Bunn John Howard dba Power & Process Engineers Price and Terms of Payment for Office Lease Amendment |
ADJOURNMENT
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OPEN SESSION 7:00PM |
CALL TO ORDER: By Chair Blumenberg.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By Chair Blumenberg.
ROLL CALL: By the Clerk of the Board.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Consider and approve, by majority vote, minor revisions to agenda items and/or attachments and any item added to or removed/continued from the Port Commission’s agenda. Administrative Reports relating to this agenda and materials related to an item on this agenda submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public review at the Port District’s office located at 1603 Anchors Way Drive, Ventura, CA during business hours as well as on the District’s website – www.venturaharbor.com.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Minutes of July 16, 2025 Port Commission Regular Meeting will be considered for approval.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
The Public Communications period is set aside to allow public testimony on items not on today’s agenda. Each person may address the Commission for up to three minutes or at the discretion of the Chair.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Closed Sessions are not open to the public pursuant to the Brown Act. Any reportable actions taken by the Commission during Closed Session will be announced at this time.
BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
Port Commissioner’s may present brief reports on port issues, such as seminars, meetings and literature that would be of interest to the public and/or Commission, as a whole. Port Commissioner’s must provide a brief summary and disclose any discussions he or she may have had with any Port District Tenants related to Port District business.
STAFF AND GENERAL MANAGER REPORTS
Ventura Port District Staff, Legal Counsel and General Manager will give the Commission updates on important topics or items of general interest if needed.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Matters appearing on the Consent Calendar are expected to be non-controversial and will be acted upon by the Board at one time, without discussion, unless a member of the Board or the public requests an opportunity to address any given item. Approval by the Board of Consent Items means that the recommendation is approved along with the terms set forth in the applicable staff reports.
A) Approval of Out-of-Town Travel Requests
Recommended Action: Voice Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners approve the out-of-town travel requests for:
a) John Higgins, Harbormaster, to attend the JPIA Risk Management Educational Forum from September 30 – October 3, 2025, in Carlsbad, CA.
b) Sarah Clancy, Administrative Services Manager, to attend the JPIA Risk Management Educational Forum from September 30 – October 3, 2025, in Carlsbad, CA.
c) John Higgins, Harbormaster, to attend the California Division of Boating – Coastal Boat Operator Course October 20 – October 24, 2025, in Pillar Point Harbor, California
d) Deputy General Manager, Todd Mitchell to attend the CMANC Officers Trip from October 19-21, 2025 in Washington, DC.
B) Adoption of Resolution No. 3538 Accepting the Work of Garland/DBS, Inc. for the 1583 and 1575 Spinnaker Drive Lower Section Reroofing Project
Recommended Action: Roll Call Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners adopt Resolution No. 3538:
a) Accepting the work of Garland/DBS, Inc. for the reroofing of the 1583 and 1575 Spinnaker “Lower Roof Section.”
b) Authorize staff to prepare and record a Notice of Completion with the Ventura County Recorder.
C) Award of Bid for the Ventura Harbor Village and Port District Outdoor Holiday Decorations and Lighting
Recommended Action: Roll Call Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners award the Ventura Harbor Village and Port District Outdoor Holiday Decorations and Lighting Contract to Holly Workshop in the amount not to exceed $79,310.
D) Approval of a New Office Lease Agreement with Monette Paz Insurance Agency Inc.
Recommended Action: Roll Call Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners approve a new Office Lease Agreement between the Ventura Port District dba “Ventura Harbor Village” and Monette Paz Insurance Agency Inc., for the premises located at 1567 Spinnaker Drive, Suite #205, Ventura, California 93001, consisting of approximately 267 square feet.
E) Approval of a New Retail Lease Agreement with Feel Good Beauty, Inc. dba The Lash Lounge
Recommended Action: Roll Call Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners approve a new retail lease agreement between the Ventura Port District dba “Ventura Harbor Village” and with Feel Good Beauty, Inc. dba “The Lash Lounge” for the premises located at 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Suite #104A, Ventura, California 93001, consisting of approximately 500 square feet.
F) Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Office Lease Agreement with John Howard dba Power & Process Engineers
Recommended Action: Voice Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners approve Amendment No. 1 to the Office Lease Agreement dated October 1, 2023 (the “Lease”) between the Ventura Port District and John Howard dba “Power & Process Engineers” for the premises located at 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Suite #201 (“Premises”), consisting of approximately 350 square feet.
G) Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Retail Lease Agreement with Katherine Sparks-Jones dba Ventura Fresh Fish
Recommended Action: Voice Vote.
The existing tenant Katherine Sparks-Jones dba “Ventura Fresh Fish” is seeking to add a business partner to the lease. Valerie “Katie” Brodofsky has been the primary employee operating the fish market for some time. Staff is recommending a first amendment to the lease to add this individual to the lease.
H) Adoption of Resolution No. 3539 Authorizing the submittal of an Application for Port Infrastructure Development Program in the amount of $11.25M
Recommended Action: Roll Call Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners adopt Resolution No. 3539 authorizing the General Manager to submit an application to the U.S. Maritime Administration for the Port Infrastructure Development Program in the amount of $11.25M.
I) Authorization to Procure Electric Vehicles for the Ventura Port District
Recommended Action: Roll Call Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners:
a) Amend the FY25-26 Budget to reallocate funds within the Capital Improvement Project budget as well as increase the total budget, as to enable the following procurements.
b) Authorize the General Manager to procure 2 electric vehicles in the amount of up to $117,000 for Facilities.
STANDARD AGENDA:
1) Parcels 20 and 14 (1644 and 1404 Anchors Way) Redevelopment Project Update
Recommended Action: Voice Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners:
a) Receive a report and provide comments regarding Parcel 20 and 14 redevelopment project modifications resulting from City of Ventura and California Coastal Commission approvals.
b) Authorize the General Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with Rincon Consultants to complete a Second Addendum to the California Environmental Quality Act Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration in an amount not to exceed $35,000.
2) Update Concerning District’s Application for Sand Management Coastal Development Permit
Recommended Action: Voice Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners receive:
a) Update concerning the District’s coastal development permit (CDP) for sand management activities
b) Ventura Harbor Beach Volleyball Alternative Site Analysis & Report
c) Provide staff direction concerning the District’s proposed approach with Coastal Commission (Commission) regarding the CDP and Beach Volleyball Program.
3) Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP and Appointment of a New Audit Liaison
Recommended Action: Voice Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners:
a) Approve the Professional Services Agreement with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP to conduct the annual audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 in the amount not to exceed $55,768.
b) Appoint an audit liaison to work with staff and the audit firm awarded throughout the fiscal year audit process.
4) Adoption of Resolution No. 3540 Approving the Financial Statements and Checks for April through June 2025
Recommended Action: Voice Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners adopts Resolution No. 3540 to:
a) Accept the financial statements for the Quarter ending June 2025.
b) Review the payroll and regular checks for April through June 2025.
5) Approval of Amendment to 2025 Port Commission Meeting Schedule
Recommended Action: Voice Vote.
That the Board of Port Commissioners consider an amendment to the 2025 Port Commission meeting schedule to change the regular start time of Open Session Meetings for the Board of Port Commissioner meetings to 6 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
This agenda was posted on Friday, August 29, 2025 by 6:30 p.m. at the Port District Office and online at https://venturaharbor.com/board-meeting-documents/.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Ventura Port District at (805) 642-8538 or the California Relay Service at 711 or (800) 855-7100. Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility. (28 CFR 35.102.35.104 ADA Title II)