City Officials Travel to D.C. to Champion Critical Water Infrastructure Project

In March, Mayor Pedro Chavez and Deputy City Manager Jonathan Royas traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Brownley, and their staff to advocate for one of Santa Paula’s top infrastructure priorities — the Crosstown Pipeline Project.

During the trip, the Mayor and staff held face-to-face meetings to share about the progress Santa Paula is making and to request $2 million in funding to support the Crosstown Pipeline.

This vital project would connect key reservoirs within the city, improving the efficiency and reliability of Santa Paula’s water distribution system for both city residents and neighboring unincorporated areas of Ventura County. The meetings underscored the city’s commitment to securing federal investment for infrastructure projects that enhance long-term resiliency, public safety, and service reliability.

In addition, we ran into our Ventura County Supervisor Kelly Long, a supporter of this effort, and friends from Ventura County.

The City of Santa Paula remains hopeful that the advocacy efforts will help secure funding for this crucial project in the upcoming federal budget cycle.

Save the Date: 2025 State of the City “Feel the Progress” – June 5

Santa Paula is on the move — and you can feel it. From new investments in infrastructure and developments in housing to our new Sports Park and efforts to revitalize the downtown with growing local businesses, our city is embracing a new chapter of growth.

This year’s State of the City theme, “Feel the Progress,” captures the energy and momentum shaping Santa Paula’s future. Together, we’re building a more connected, resilient, and vibrant community.

On behalf of the City Council, thank you to our residents, business owners, and community partners for being part of this exciting journey. We invite you to join us on Thursday, June 5, 2025, to celebrate how far we’ve come — and where we’re headed.

Location and time to be announced soon.

City Council Approves Measure R Oversight Committee Guidelines

The Santa Paula City Council took an important step in ensuring transparency and accountability for Measure R funds by officially adopting guidelines for the Measure R Oversight Committee.

Measure R, the one-cent local sales tax approved by voters in November 2024, is expected to generate approximately $4.5 million annually to support city services. While the measure did not require an oversight committee, the Council had previously directed staff to create one to provide independent review of how the funds are spent.

The approved guidelines outline the committee's purpose, structure, and responsibilites. Key provisions include:

• A five-member committee, with one representative from each district (or at-large if needed).
• Oversight of Measure R spending, ensuring it aligns with budget priorities.
• Annual public reports and participation in budget discussions.
• Staggered terms for committee members to ensure continuity.

Interview are expected to take place the week of April 14. This new committee will help uphold the City's commitment to responsible stewardship of Measure R funds while maintaining public trust.

Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Accelerator (YARA) Program

🚧 Now Accepting Applications for YARA Cohort 3! 🚧

Are you 16-24 years old and interested in a career in the construction trade? This is your chance to gain hands-on experience, industry skills, and a pathway to a rewarding future!

✅ Learn from experienced professionals

✅ Build real-world skills

✅ Open doors to job opportunities

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to build your future.

Spots are limited—apply now! 

Santa Paula Cruise Night is Back! 2025 Season Kicks Off

One of Santa Paula’s most cherished traditions, Cruise Night, is officially returned this past Friday, for the 2025 season, bringing classic cars, great food, and community spirit to the heart of downtown. The Santa Paula City Council recently approved a sponsorship to help cover a portion of event costs, ensuring the continuation of this signature event.

Hosted by the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, Cruise Night will take place on the first Friday of each month from April through October along Main Street between 8th and 10th Streets. This event, which attracts thousands of visitors from across Southern California, has been a staple of the community since 1998 and continues to provide a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.

Sports Park Grand Opening - Saturday May 3rd, 2025!

Join us for the Grand Opening of the Sports Park on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 301 Harvest Loop, Santa Paula, CA 93060! 🎉

🎀 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

🎊 Celebration & Festivities: 11:45 AM – 2:00 PM

Enjoy live band music, 2-3 food trucks, inflatables, face painting for children, and Parks & Recreation activities.

Explore educational booths from Lewis Limoneira and drill demonstrations from Santa Paula Sports.

Come celebrate this exciting new space with food, fun, and community festivities! 🙌

🚀 Check out our video about the Santa Paula Trail Connectivity Project 🚲

An initiative expanding our bike and pedestrian pathways by up to 2.5 miles thanks to a $1.5M grant from the Ventura County Transportation Commission and Measure T funds.

🌉 New possible connections include:

✅ A bridge linking the Regional Sports Park & Harvest housing to 12th St.

🚴‍♂️ A path from N. Peck Rd.’s bike trail to the West End Business Park & Ventura College East Campus.

🌿 A northern trail along Santa Paula Creek, connecting underserved neighborhoods to downtown & the Youth Center.

These trails mean safer, healthier, and more sustainable transportation for everyone!

Sign up to learn more by clicking on the button down below:

Santa Paula Celebrates AmeriCorps Week and Honors Employees of the Year

At the March 5th City Council meeting, Mayor Chavez proudly proclaimed March 9-15, 2025, as AmeriCorps Week, celebrating the service and dedication of AmeriCorps members, especially the American Connection Corps (ACC) fellows. These fellows play a vital role in bridging the digital divide and fostering community growth.

ACC fellows in Santa Paula have supported impactful initiatives like the Santa Paula Trail Connectivity Plan, the Senior Master Plan for Aging, the Your Santa Paula Connection City Newsletter (the city’s first bilingual e-newsletter), and the Future Leaders Academy. Their efforts continue to strengthen our community, expand digital literacy, and improve access to essential resources.

Additionally, at the March 5th City Council meeting, the Council recognized the city’s Employees of the Year awardees: Commander Eric Starna from the Police Department as Administrative Employee of the Year and Javier Cancino from the Community Development Department as Field Employee of the Year. Congratulations to both for their dedication and service!

📣 Attention Santa Paula Residents!

Stay prepared and protect your home and loved ones. 🌿🏡

Check out this important video (available in English & Spanish) on safe grilling practices to help prevent wildfires.

💡 Learn how simple steps can make a big difference!

Protect Our Water, Santa Paula!

Did you know that self-regenerating salt-based water softeners are prohibited in Santa Paula? These systems release high concentrations of salt into our sewer system, which can increase the level of chlorides discharged by our Water Recycling Facility.

✅ Eco-friendly alternatives include:



🔹 Potassium-based water softeners – safer for plants & soil

🔹 Reverse osmosis systems – removes hard minerals without chemicals

🔹 Electronic descalers & magnetic conditioners – reduce scale without harmful discharge

🔹 Water softener tank exchange programs – easy, low cost service direct to your home which provides soft water.

Help keep Santa Paula’s water clean for future generations!

Learn more at www.spcity.org or contact the Public Works Department at (805) 933-4212.

Commitment to Exceptional Drinking Water Quality

The City of Santa Paula continues its commitment to delivering safe and clean drinking water to its residents. As part of this effort, the City participated in the fifth round of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) program, which requires public water systems to monitor emerging contaminants not yet regulated but which may impact public health.

As part of this initiative, the City’s source water was sampled and analyzed for 29 substances (PFAS'), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). These are synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer products like nonstick cookware (Teflon), waterproof clothing, and firefighting foams due to their resistance to water and grease. However, these chemicals, known as "forever chemicals", do not break down in the environment and have been linked to potential health risks, including reproductive harm, developmental delays, and certain cancers.

To illustrate the sensitivity of the City’s water quality sampling, PFAS were measured in parts per trillion (ppt), equivalent to identifying a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

We are pleased to report all sampled wells were below the detection levels for these contaminants, reaffirming Santa Paula's drinking water has exceptionally high quality. While it is naturally rich in minerals (hard), our water remains among the best for drinking.

The UCMR program is just one component of the City’s extensive water quality monitoring efforts. In addition to the specialized water quality monitoring, Santa Paula conducts hundreds of water quality samples throughout the year, going beyond regulatory requirements in some cases, to ensure the safety and reliability of our drinking water.

The City of Santa Paula remains dedicated to monitoring, protecting, and improving its water infrastructure to ensure the continued delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water for generations to come.

📸 Enfoque: Voces Indígenas Mexicanas del Condado de Ventura | In Focus: Mexican Indigenous Voices of Ventura County

The Santa Paula Agricultural Museum will be hosting the opening of this highly anticipated exhibition featuring over 40 stunning photographic portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer Diego Huerta.

These portraits celebrate the vibrant and resilient Mexican Indigenous communities of Ventura County—a tribute to culture, history, and identity you won’t want to miss!

📅 Exhibition Hours: Thursday–Sunday, 11 AM – 5 PM, every week until 2026



📍 Location: Santa Paula Agricultural Museum, 926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula, CA

This exhibition is made possible thanks to the support of Hofer Properties and Ventura Auto Center, the Busch Family Foundation, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Gabriella Navarro-Busch and Peter Busch, and Vida Newspaper.

For more information click the button down below:

FireSafe Council - Firewise USA Monthly Workshops

Join the Firewise USA® Live Monthly Workshop to learn how to protect your home and community from wildfires! This month’s session is all about New Year’s Networking!

📅 Next Workshop: April 18th

⏰ Time: 1:00 PM (Zoom)

👥 Facilitator: Stephen Watson, Executive Director, Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council

Connect with fellow resident leaders, share experiences, and gain insights on the Firewise process!

Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your wildfire preparedness network.

Hosted by the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council 🔗 venturafiresafe.org

📌 Register by clicking down below:

🐭 Did You Know? Rodent Control: Exploring Your Options 🏡

As we head into spring, if you're looking for ways to manage rodents around your home, there are several methods to consider. Some residents use glue traps, while others explore alternative approaches that may be more targeted or humane. Here are a few options:

✅ Snap Traps – A traditional method designed for quick results.

✅ Live Traps – Capture and relocate rodents away from your home.

✅ Prevention Methods – Sealing entry points, storing food securely, and using natural deterrents like peppermint oil can help reduce rodent activity.

Each method has its considerations. We encourage residents to research and choose the approach that best fits their needs while being mindful of potential impacts, sometimes unintentionally, on other pets and local wildlife.

For more information on best practices, visit:

🔗 EPA Rodent Control Guidance: epa.gov/rodenticides

🔗 CDC Rodent Prevention & Control: cdc.gov/rodents

📢 Santa Paula Residents! 💰

If you earned under $67,000 in 2024, you may qualify for FREE tax preparation & filing! 📄✨

🔹 What’s included?

✅ Federal & state tax filing

✅ Possible Earned Income Tax Credit

✅ Help for self-employed workers & ITIN holders

📅 Free assistance runs from February 1 – April 30!

📍 Get help in person:

Appointments available at multiple locations, including 957 Faulkner Road, Santa Paula.

💻 Prefer online? File virtually at GetYourRefund.org/vcunitedway.

📬 Drop-off option: Leave your documents at designated sites for assistance.

💲 Don’t miss out—get the refund you deserve!

Spring Cleaning! Pesticide Container Recycling Event

Pesticide Container Recycling Event

Attention growers! Don’t miss this FREE recycling event for pesticide containers.

Date: April 29, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Freedom Park

275 E. Pleasant Valley Rd.

Camarillo, CA 93010

APPOINTMENT ONLY—call to schedule:

Camarillo: 805-388-4222

Santa Paula: 805-933-2926

Recycling these containers properly helps protect our environment and keeps hazardous materials out of landfills.

Please do not drop off containers before October 22.

When are City Hall Offices Closed?

Please note that City Hall will be closed on April 18th and May 2nd, 2025.

City Hall's business hours are available on the City's website. Click the button below to check it out!