02.04.2026 | City Council Meeting

The City Council of Santa Paula convened to discuss several key community and municipal issues. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposal and support for the Responsible Energy Council (RECC) to lease and professionally curate the Union Oil Building's petroleum museum exhibits, which would generate income for the city and preserve local history. The council also addressed community concerns regarding mobile home park rent increases, with public comments urging the council to adopt an emergency ordinance limiting rent increase applications to once per year to protect residents on fixed incomes. The city attorney presented recommendations for such an ordinance, emphasizing constitutional requirements for fair returns to park owners. Additionally, the council received a presentation on a new city branding and wayfinding initiative, outlining design elements and budget estimates for signage and promotional materials to enhance city identity and navigation. Infrastructure improvements were also discussed, including the Park and Orchard Street water, sewer, and pavement project, with plans to begin bidding and construction soon. Lastly, the formation of a Police Chief Advisory Committee was proposed to foster community engagement and dialogue on public safety, with discussions on committee composition, transparency, and roles. Future agenda items included potential regulation of nitrous oxide sales and a resolution on immigration to affirm the city's values and support for immigrant communities.