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School Choice Not the Right Choice for All Students

TRICOUNTY COUNTY TRI

ENTRY ENTRY VOL. XXVI NO. 35

Council appoints Jesus Nava as interim City Manager By Chris Frost Special to the Tri County Sentry The Oxnard City Council has appointed Assistant City Manager Jesus Nava as interim city manager at it’s June 12 meeting, replacing Police Chief Scott Whitney.

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AVA will serve until a permanent replacement can be found. City Attorney Stephen Fischer told the council that Whitney can only serve as interim city manager for a specified period of time under the current government code provisions. “It limits out of class service when recruitment for a vacancy is

n See page 5

JUNE 15 , 2018

Homeless shelter possible in Oxnard By Chris Frost Special to the Tri County Sentry

pending,” he said. “Chief Whitney is coming up on that limit, which is 960 hours in a fiscal year.” He said the change needs to questions late at night, Mr. Nava said. Mayor Tim Flynn occur by June 22, and Whitney sends an email back before 7 a.m. in the morning. I’m not expecting complimented Police Chief Scott recommended Nava for the job. Councilman Bert Perello said him to do that, but he’s Johnny on Whitney for his work as interim city manager. he wholeheartedly supports the the spot.” “The council has action. supported him in everything “I appreciate the fact he has tried to do, and I think that we got clarification that in the short time that from the State of ail with Chief Whitney has been the California directing our When I send an em ava N r. M t, h ig interim city manager, one staff to clarify these things n t a questions late 7 of the things we have seen about interims,” he said. re o ef ack b sends an email b is one of the frankest, most “Unfortunately, in the past, I’m not . g in rn o m e th direct discussions about we’ve had interims serve for in a.m. t u b t, a th o d city finances," he said. "I multiple years." ecting him to p ex really thank him for that He said there are rules e spot he’s Johnny on th and thank Mr. Nava for in place that need to be serving as an interim city followed. manager and hanging in there.” “There are Mayor Pro Tem Carmen During public comments, Pat not rules just for the residents and separate rules for Ramirez thanked Nava for his Brown said Mr. Nava has always been there. the City of Oxnard officials,” he service to the city. “I appreciate your work,” she said. “When I send an email with n Jesus Nava, see page 7

Caption: The United Way of Ventura is holding its annual “Stuff the Bus” fundraiser. The goal is to provide backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies to 900 students from low-income households in Ventura County. To find out how to help, go to vcunitedway.org.

One of the more ambitious goals during the June 5, Oxnard City Council budget workshop was the establishment of a year-round homeless shelter in the city. Interim City Manager Scott Whitney said the city would fund approximately $500,000 annually for operational costs. He said the county is willing to match funding with cities that are willing to address the homelessness issue. The latest estimate is there are between 450-500 people who are homeless and unsheltered in the city. Mark Alvarado with the Oxnard Housing Department told the council they have embarked on a plan that will change the game, regarding homelessness. "The core of the five-year plan to address homelessness is the shelter, but it's not just the shelter," he said. "It's also a navigation center, an outreach center; it's a place where they will provide social services, mental health services, medical referrals, workforce training opportunities, and education, as well as lodging hygiene and nutrition. The goal is to build a one-stop shop, so our homeless will have an option. Right now, there is no option." He said they have been trying to enforce their way out of the issue, and that is not the right approach. Alvarado said they would use the Measure O funding on the table for leverage. "Where the county has stepped up to help match that, so we can put together a package," he said. "We're looking at building or acquiring a facility anywhere from 10,000 square feet or a little bit more so that we can have adequate space to house a minimum of 150 beds." Alvarado called it an ambitious task. "It's what we have to do," he said. "We need to provide more options and some more trust in what we're trying to do." He said they also need to help the business community. "We hear it from all angles," he said. The key to the plan, he said, is even if they build the hub, the other piece of the idea is the comprehensive outreach and working with the service providers. "So we use that Federal money, the HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) money, the ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) money to help do the outreach," he said. Alvarado said they would also work with the mental health and the police departments to build relationships with chronic homeless individuals. "So they will be able to find shelter and use the navigation center and develop a pathway," he said. "On the opposite end is the housing, the bridge housing or the sustainable housing n Homeless, see page 7

Oxnard Chief Financial Officer resigns Throop accepts position of city manager for Lompoc, CA By Staff Reports Jim Throop, the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Oxnard, has accepted a position as city manager in Lompoc, California. His last day at Oxnard is July 17, 2018. In his position at Oxnard, Throop has been responsible

for implementing financial policies and standards, as well as overseeing the preparation of financial reports and projections. Other accomplishments include the removal of the qualified finding on the city’s annual audit, completing the fixed asset inventory and valuation,

cleaning up of the city’s former redevelopment report submissions to the state, and many other financial clean-ups. “Though it has been challenging, given the number of financial issues facing the city, I feel that the Finance department has made incredible progress in just the last

two years,” said Throop. “The city and its citizens should be proud of the dedicated Finance staff who will remain, and of all the changes they have been able to accomplish. I am leaving knowing that the Finance team will be able to carry on and complete its mission of further n Chief Financial, see page 2


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