City Council - 11/3/2025 - Agenda Item D1 - PW Workshop

The City of Oxnard's Public Works workshop provided a comprehensive overview of the department's operations, focusing on utilities and enterprise funds with a $270 million operating budget and a $700 million five-year capital improvement program. Key discussions included water supply management, highlighting milestones such as maximizing recycled water use and ongoing capital projects like the groundwater dissalter upgrade and advanced meter infrastructure. Challenges noted were regulatory compliance, aging infrastructure, and funding constraints, leading to a recommended slower pace of capital project execution to maintain low rates. Wastewater operations were also detailed, emphasizing the need for certified staffing, capital improvements to support recycled water processes, and regulatory adherence. Stormwater management faces significant regulatory and funding challenges, particularly related to the MS4 permit and watershed management plans requiring substantial capital investment. Environmental Resources addressed solid waste management, focusing on infrastructure maintenance, transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, and compliance with state mandates. The Riverridge Golf Club enterprise fund was discussed, noting steady revenues, reserve buildup for deferred maintenance, and challenges including landfill regulations and homeless encampments. Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of capital project funding, regulatory compliance, staffing, and infrastructure maintenance across multiple public works divisions to ensure service reliability and community needs are met.