City of Fillmore's Official Newsletter

April 2026

Welcome to the April 2026 edition of Fillmore Focus, the City’s quarterly newsletter designed to keep the community informed. In this issue, you’ll find updates on key City projects, including ongoing projects, economic development efforts, and recent City Council actions that continue to shape Fillmore’s future. We’re also highlighting upcoming events and important City Council meetings so you can stay engaged. We are proud to serve you and keep you informed every step of the way.

Thank you, Fillmore - let's stay connected, informed, and focused!.

April Newsletter Topics:

• Completed Street Paving Projects
• Fillmore Fire Foundation Celebration
• City Council Recognitions
• Pothole Repairs Update
• Community Updates
• Upcoming Events/Meetings

The Fillmore Fire Foundation Annual

end-of-year Celebration

Scouting America Fillmore Troop 406

& Cub Scout Pack 3406

🌟 At a February Council Meeting, the City of Fillmore is proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of Cub Scout Pack 3406 and Scouting America Troop 406 for their continued service and leadership in our community. Guided by dedicated leaders, these scouts have participated in a wide range of meaningful projects throughout the year—from food drives and coastal cleanups to flag ceremonies and community parades. We thank these young leaders and their mentors for their commitment to making Fillmore a better place for all. 👏

Completed Pothole Repairs

🛠️ 867 Potholes Repaired! You read that right—between January and March, our hardworking Public Works team repaired a total of 867 potholes across the city. 👏 This is an incredible accomplishment, and we extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated crew for their continued efforts to keep Fillmore’s streets safe and well-maintained.

We’re also excited to introduce a new way for residents to stay connected and report issues. 📲 Through our new “Report a Concern” tool, community members can easily submit service requests directly online. To learn more or report a concern, visit the Public Works page on the City’s website here.

Business Roundtable Meetings Update and New Meeting Format

🤝 Business Roundtable Meetings Continue! The City of Fillmore is proud to continue hosting the Business Roundtable Meetings, bringing local business owners together to share ideas, discuss needs, and stay informed on City initiatives. We extend our sincere thanks to the business community for your continued partnership and engagement.

👏To make it even easier to stay connected, the City has launched a dedicated Business Roundtable webpage, where business owners can sign up for upcoming meetings and receive agenda alerts.

📲 To learn more and participate in future meetings, you can visit the webpage here.



At our April 6th roundtable meeting, the Business Owners decided to transition to a Bi-Monthly meeting format, with one meeting led by business owners and the other led by City staff. If you are a business owners and want to participate and attend the business owner led meeting, please contact JMI Storage at jmistorage@yahoo.com

Public Works Updates

Well No. 10

🌟The drilling phase for our new Water Well No. 10 Project was completely at the end of March. We appreciate, and thank, the residents of north Fillmore area for their patience and understanding of this phase of the project that required 24-hour per day work. The next step in the process is to test the water quality and pumping capability of the well. We look forward to presenting on the performance of our new potable water well at the May 12^th City Council meeting. For more information on Water Well No. 10 Project, please visit Water Well No. 10 Project | Fillmore, CA.

Mountain View Street:

This summer Sierra Northern Railroad will be performing maintenance on its tracks that cross Mountain View Street, between Main Street and Santa Clara Street. The Railroad anticipates the work will take three days to a week to complete. While the Railroad performs this maintenance, a detour will be set up to direct southbound traffic on Mountain View Street westward on Main Street, and a detour will be set up to direct northbound traffic on Mountain View Street westward on Santa Clara Street. The City will be working with the Railroad to minimize the impact to our traveling public. 

New Report a Concern Tool Launched!

🌟New Report a Concern Tool is Now Live

See something in your neighborhood that needs attention? We’ve made it easier than ever to let us know.

From potholes to graffiti and other concerns — you can now submit requests directly through our new online tool in just a few simple steps.

How it works:

Visit the webpage

Submit a service request

Enter your info & location

Describe the issue

Upload a photo (optional)

Review & submit

That’s it — you’re done!

Your reports help us respond faster and keep Fillmore safe, clean, and running smoothly.

Community Update: Recent Bear Activity in Fillmore

A few weeks ago, the Fillmore community experienced an unusual wildlife encounter when a black bear was seen moving through residential neighborhoods. The bear appeared to be searching for food, which led to several calls from residents.

The situation was handled promptly and appropriately. The Fillmore Police Department responded by monitoring the bear’s movement, helping keep residents at a safe distance, and ensuring the area remained secure. In coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a wildlife biologist was brought in to assess the situation and safely assist with relocating the bear out of the neighborhood.

We are grateful that no injuries were reported and that the incident was resolved safely for both the community and the animal.

While encounters like this are rare, they serve as an important reminder that wildlife is part of our region—and that our actions play a significant role in whether these animals return. Bears are often drawn into neighborhoods because of easily accessible food sources. Even unintentional feeding—such as unsecured trash, pet food left outside, or food residue on grills—can attract wildlife and create repeat incidents.

As a community, we can take simple but important steps to help prevent this from happening again:

• Do not feed wildlife, intentionally or unintentionally
• Secure trash bins and avoid leaving food or scraps outdoors
• Remove or limit attractants such as pet food and bird feeders
• Clean outdoor cooking areas after use
• Stay aware of your surroundings, especially during early morning and evening hours
• Supervise children and pets when outside

If you ever encounter a bear, remain calm, keep a safe distance, and allow the animal a clear path to leave the area. Avoid approaching or attempting to interact with it.

The City remains committed to protecting public safety while working collaboratively with wildlife experts to ensure humane and effective responses. We appreciate the community’s cooperation and awareness, which are critical in preventing future incidents. By working together and taking these precautions, we can help ensure that both our residents and local wildlife remain safe.

Filming in Fillmore

The City of Fillmore continues to be a sought-after location for film and television productions, helping support local economic activity while showcasing our community on screen! 🎥

While filming activity has been a bit slower in recent months—with only a few applications, including student projects—we’re excited about what’s ahead.

🎞️ To date this year:

• 5 film permit applications received

• 2 of those were student productions

Looking forward, we have a tentative hold on several City parking lots at the end of June for an upcoming project. In addition, Big Indie Dawn Inc. is in communication with the City regarding filming for the Amazon series El Dorado, with a formal application expected soon.

We’re excited for what’s to come and will share more details as they become available! 🌟

Williams Homes Groundbreaking

On March 18, the City of Fillmore joined community partners and regional stakeholders to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Creekside Development, a new residential project that will bring approximately 134 homes to the community, including much-needed affordable housing options. Coverage by the Ventura County Star, the Fillmore Gazette, and other local outlets highlighted the project as an important milestone in addressing regional housing needs.

The Creekside Development reflects the City’s continued commitment to thoughtful and responsible growth. As housing demand continues to rise across Ventura County, projects like this help ensure that local families, seniors, and members of the workforce have access to housing within the community they serve. Expanding housing opportunities is critical to maintaining economic stability, supporting local businesses, and preserving Fillmore’s long-term vitality.

Mayor Albert Mendez shared his support for the project, noting, “This development represents an important investment in Fillmore’s future. It allows us to meet growing housing demands while continuing to build a strong, connected community for our residents.”

In addition to addressing housing needs, the project is expected to contribute to the City’s economic health by increasing local activity and supporting public services through new development. Strategic growth ensures that Fillmore can continue to provide quality services, maintain infrastructure, and create opportunities for future generations.

The City welcomes the Creekside Development and looks forward to the positive impact it will bring to the community.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Earth Day Celebration

Celebrate Earth Day with Us!

Join the City of Fillmore for a fun-filled day of sustainability, community, and hands-on activities for all ages!

📅April 25, 2026

📍Central Park | 250 Central Ave

⏰10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Enjoy activities like:

Coloring Station

Build a Bird Feeder

Planting Activity

Photo Booth

Bring your friends and family and help us celebrate our planet while learning simple ways to make a difference

🎉🏃‍♂️ Health & Wellness Fair + 5K/10K Run-Walk in Fillmore! 🏃‍♀️🎉

Join us for a fun, family-friendly day focused on health, wellness, and community! 💙

📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026

🕙 Health Fair: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Fillmore Unified School District Lawn

627 Sespe Ave, Fillmore

✨ Enjoy:

🎟️ Raffles

🏥 Community booths

💪 Health & fitness activities

🧠 Wellness resources

🎶 Music

🌮 Food vendors

🎈 Jolly jumper

🚒 Fire safety trailer

🏃‍♂️ 5K/10K Run-Walk:

⏰ 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM

👉 Register at runsignup.com (search “Fillmore”) or scan the QR code

Bring your family, invite your friends, and come learn about healthy habits while having fun! 🙌

Joint Meeting with Fillmore Unified School District

The City of Fillmore is continuing to strengthen its partnership with the Fillmore Unified School District to better serve our students, families, and the broader community.

City leadership and School District representatives—including two City Council Members and School Board Members—have been working collaboratively to align efforts and identify opportunities that benefit the community as a whole. Current efforts are focused on expanding joint events, increasing civic engagement, supporting youth programs, and building stronger connections between our schools and City services.

To further these efforts, the City and School District will be holding a Special Joint Meeting:

📅Date: June 23, 2026

🕙Time: 6:30 p.m.

📍Location: Fillmore City Council Chambers

Residents are encouraged to attend and participate. This meeting will provide an opportunity to hear directly from both agencies, learn about upcoming initiatives, and share input on how we can continue building a more connected and engaged Fillmore community.

We look forward to your participation.

Aquatic Center Opening🏊‍♂️

Pool season is almost here! ☀️



Mark your calendars:

📅 Opening Day: May 25

📅 Reservation System Launch (Rec & Lap Swim): May 13

📅 Swim Lesson Registration Opens: May 22

🏊‍♂️ First Swim Lesson Session Begins: June 8

📅 Closing Day: September 7

Get ready to make a splash this summer! Visit the Aquatics Center webpage for full details, schedules, and registration info.

Fourth of July Celebration

We’re excited to share that this year’s 4th of July Celebration will feature a fun-filled Kids Corner located in front of the Promenade restrooms! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

In partnership with Sespe Creek Events, we’ll be bringing classic, family-friendly activities for kids of all ages, including:

🥔 Potato sack races

💦 Water balloon toss

🏃 Wheelbarrow races

🎨 Coloring station

🎯 And more traditional yard games!

It’s the perfect spot for families to relax, play, and celebrate together. Stay tuned for more details! 🎆

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Join us April 28 & May 12 at 6:30 PM at the Fillmore City Council Chambers at 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore.

Can't attend in person? You can watch the City Council Meetings live by tuning into Spectrum Channel 10

You can also tune into the livestream of the City Council via Facebook Live or by visiting our YouTube channel.