City Council ~Genoa

CITY OF VENTURA CITY COUNCIL ~GENOA

Supplemental Information Packet

Agenda Item.- Father Serra Statue Posted July 15, 2020 (Input received by noon July 15, 2020)

Special Meeting of July 15, 2020

Supplemental Information:

Any agenda related public documents received and~istributed to a majority of the City Council after the Agenda Packet is printed are included in Supplemental Packets. Supplemental Packets are produced as needed. The Supplemental Packet is available in the City Clerk's Office, 501 Poli Street, Room 204, Ventura, during normal business hours as well as on the City's Website - www.cityofventura.ca.gov https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1236/City-Council-Public-Hearing-NoticesSuppl

Ventura City Council Agenda www.cityofventura.ca.gov Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 4:04 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Daniel Warnert

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/14/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Please keep the statue where it is. Those who are clamoring to have it removed are ignorant of his history. Reading available sources shows that he was anything but cruel or racist. He often stood up to the Spanish soldiers to protect the indians and taught them agricultural techniques to enhance their harvests.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 4:14 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

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Name Gwen Mulligan

Address

Phone Number _,______

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Comments

Written Comments How dare you 7 people vote in my endorsement of blm, you are a bunch of cowards! I would NEVER support this racist movement!!!!! I will NOT be voting for any of you in the future and am telling as many people as possible about your cowardly decisions. Just terrible, I am outrageously disappointed in my city. YOU DO NOT REPRESENT MY VOTE NOR OPINIONS!!!

1 Trae::y Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 4:25 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Marsha Lucero-Love

_Ad_d_r_e_ss______Ventura, CA. 93001

Ph_o_n_e_N_u_m_b_e_r-----~'------Email Address - - Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments This statue does not represent the values of our community. It is an outdated monument that is only a painful reminder of the lives that were innocently taken by this man and many others like him. It needs to be taken down immediately.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 4:35 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Mary Davis

Address

Phone Number

_Em_ai_lA_d_d_r_es_s ______

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

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Written Comments Padre Serra did what he thought was right at the time. He didn't know what would transpire. He didn't get up in the morning planning ways to destroy natives. However, Abuse happened. Years later, current natives say their hearts are destroyed by seeing this symbol of sad history. Let's place the Padre on holy ground and keep his many wise faces on the building (nobody's mad about those yet, are they?!). Let's leave

1 the base empty until native people's fund and build something they feel is appropriate. (Natives ideas, native funds, native effort.)

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 4:35 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Richard Esparza

Address

Ph_o_n_e_N_u_m-be_r______Email Address _ _ ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Comments

Written Comments I am Richard Esparza, former director of the Ventura County Museum. I have spent my professional life in the service of CA history. I also share Native American descent. I would like to register my opposition to the removal of the statue of Junipero Serra in the City of Ventura. A better choice would be to provide interpretive panels to place Serra and the conquest of the Americas in context. There was not a deliberate genocide ~------~--~------·---.,-·- ···-----·-··--·-·--~------·------

1 of the California Indians. The death of vast numbers of Native Americans was caused by the introduction of diseases unknown to this population. Serra got here in 1169, the theory of germs dates from the 1880's. Serra saw himself as an advocate and a protector of the Natives, he authored a Bill of Rights for the CA Indians and presented it to the Viceroy of New Spain ten years before the writing of our own Bill of Rights. Father Serra sought to protect the Natives from the Spanish Soldiers. Explain him, don't destroy him. Thank you.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 5:03 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serrfj Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Claire Kielas

Address ------Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The Serra statue should remain in front of city hall. It is a symbol of everything Padre Serra was able to accomplish, and by extention everything that we as Venturans and Americans can achieve. Father Serra is our heritage. And it's a Heritage we can and should be proud of. Siempre Adelante. Nunca atras

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 5:44 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date. I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Elizabeth Ortega

Address

Phone Number

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Hello, I would like to request more security to protect our beautiful Mission! Not only are Father Serra statues under attack in California, but the Missions are too! I do not approve of needing to move the statue to appease people who think he is like Hitler. They should learn history. I understand the emotions of many but a lot of this unrest in our society is being driven by mob mentality and feelings. Facts are important as

1 well as common sense. I am sure many people appreciate Ventura as it is and they have Father Serra to thank for that. Saint Serra helped many people and a lot of the terrorism attributed to him happened long after his death. There is a lot of terrorism happening in our modern day and we need to keep that in mind. Clearer heads are needed. Violence leads to more violence. Our statue, and even our Mission, are in danger. Stand up for what's right. Protect our statue and our Mission - don't hide them. Thank you.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 6:01 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item. ------Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by _1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Tanya Toutz-Hager

Address Ventura, CA 93003

Phone Number

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I support taking this statue down! It is time that our city stops glorifying a man that was responsible for the death and enslavement of the Chumash people. I was born in Ventura, I have lived here for 23 years, and I am a teacher at Blanche Reynolds Elementary School, and I find it shameful that this is what is in front of our beautiful city hall and on our city seal.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 6:06 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Diane Bertoy

Address

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Na me of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Please move the statue of Fr Serra to the mission as this may help many people heal. If moving is not fiscally responsible for the city, please suggest the organizers start a "go fund me account" ------~------·--·-· Upload Files Field not completed.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 7:16 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item. -----~------~~------Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form ------Name Flor De Liz Perez

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Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The statue of Fr. Junipero Serra stands in honor of the man who left the comfort of his homeland and following a higher purpose, lived to serve and to defend the dignity of his brothers and sisters in the native community, to protect them from those who had mistreated and abused.them. Seeking to nurture them physically and spiritually, Fr. Serra worked tirelessly, leaving behind a legacy which includes the founding of Los Angeles.

1 The tense debate of which players in history deserve to remain celebrated in the public square mounts. There are figures, like those of the Confederacy, which should be set elsewhere and not placed as heroes on a pedestal. Fr. Serra, however, stands in a unique position. Much of the negative treatment of the native population in the missions occurred after his death. To bring down his statue is to bow down to a false narrative of his life and work, which is being promulgated by those who would erase history and religious liberties.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 8:00 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Lola Brisco

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Comments

Written Comments Please remove the Father Serra statue. Put inside the missions where it belongs. This is a reminder of how the Catholics forced the native Americans into submission via building the homes they wanted them to have, Changing their religion, abuse, and controlling them. I am so glad that the Black Lives Matter movement has been in the spotlight because it made all things that are unjust spotlighted as well. Now us locals can -~ ------·------.. ------~----~------·--.,------·

1 have our voice heard on this matter. History will not be changed or deleted from the removal of this statue. The statue can just be moved. In its place can be something we ALL can appreciate. Art from our local artists. Thinking ocean themed.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: james mcdermott Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 8:0 To: Cheryl Heitmann; Erik Nasarenko; Matt LaVere; Christy Weir; Sofia Rubalcava; Jim Friedman; Lorrie Brown Cc: Andy Viets; Gregory Diaz; City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Stop Digging - Fr. Serra Statue Attachments: Evidence Referenced in Letter to City of Ventura July 14.pdf

Dear Council Members:

Please consider the new evidence and arguments discussed below when considering agenda item 12A at your July 15, 2020 meeting.

I will not recite the manifold legal defects that have been discussed in my prior correspondence, the correspondence of Mr. Alti and others. I will instead focus on factual issues on which the defective legal conclusions are based and briefly note the violations of due process.

"A Landmark Renewed" - Declaration of James Monahan

Throughout this entire process staff has repeatedly stated that there was is no evidence of what the council was thinking when it erected the 1989 statue and whether they understood the bronze statute to be a landmark. While this is obviously false to any resident who was here for any length of time, we are fortunate to have recently discovered the video (taken by City staff) of the formal dedication of the bronze statue in 1989 which was broadcast to the public as a "special council update.11 The video can be viewed and downloaded at: 11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo4XR4PN1pA ("Video ) and is hereby incorporated by reference into the record of proceedings for this matter.

Not only does the video make clear that the bronze statue was a massive community undertaking that is 11 significant in its own right (that's known as "history ), during the dedication of the statue at time stamp 33:53 the narrator noted to the public in attendance what we all knew at that time: we were "witnessing a landmark renewed. 11 This language is repeated by council member Bill Crew at 35:09: "a landmark renewed. 11 There is no hedging or ambiguity whatsoever about what they were doing - renewing a landmark. (Video). As is discussed below, such a method of preserving a landmark is widely accepted by experts as is discussed in the statements of Ms. Triem and Mr. Grumbine and others.

To accompany the video also find a declaration under penalty of perjury by then-Mayor James Monahan. Mr. Monahan's declaration not only authenticates the video but it states unequivocally what council was thinking at the time. Mr. Monahan explains the thinking as follows: "It was very simple: the old concrete landmark was a very important part of the city and since it couldn't be practically repaired we (with the help of experts including historic restoration experts) decided to continue the landmark with a bronze version. (Declaration of James Monahan, at ,i 4). We (the council at the time) knew that the bronze statue was a continuation of the original statue and that the landmark designation remained in place and followed the bronze statue. 11 (Declaration of James Monahan, at ,i ,i 4, 8-10). Mystery solved, you just needed to ask.

1 Mr. Monahan then explains that there was an official city ceremony regarding the dedication of the bronze statute where he spoke and "noted that the project was known as the 11statute restoration project" and that he formed a 11 Father Serra Statue Restoration Committee." (Declaration of James Monahan, at ,i,i 8-10). They were restoring the landmark. If there were any question it was resolved when the audience was told that they had witnessed a "landmark renewed." (Declaration of James Monahan, at ,i 9). Neither the Historic Resources Group report nor the City staff reports in this matter inquired into or addressed these facts confirming that the bronze statue is a continuation of the original statue for historic landmark purposes.

Unbiased Expert Testimony

Attached to this letter you will find a new thoroughly researched statement by Ms. Judith Triem. As you may know Ms. Triem is not only an expert in historic preservation but she served on the Ventura Historic Preservation Commission from 1975 to 1982 and she conducted the first Historic Resources Survey for the City of Ventura in 1983. She has also written a book on the history of Ventura County that many of us have. Her work is cited by HRG but unlike HRG she does not have a clear conflict of interest (discussed below) that clouds her judgment in providing a neutral opinion. Please take the time to review her statement, which confirms that the bronze statue maintained landmark status.

In addition to Ms. Triem's statement you will find a new statement by Mr. Grumbine. Like Ms. Triem, Mr. Grumbine does not have a financial interest like HRG that would cloud his juqgment. Mr. Grumbine is on the chair of the Santa Barbara Historic Landmark's Commission, is a noted author on the subject of architecture and preservation, and is involved professionally in the restoration of historic structures.

For your convenience I have also attached correspondence from Mr. Shafer who also served on the Ventura HPC together with that of Gabriel Zamora who is the president of the Santa Paula Conservancy. Again, they are noted experts in the relevant fields who explain in detail why the conclusions of HRG are flat wrong.

These four highly qualified diverse experts - all unpaid - come to the same conclusion that directly contradicts the authorless "report" produced by HRG who is operating under a clear conflict of interest discussed below.

Documentary Evidence

Historic Resource Group Report of 2007 - Your Experts Contradict Themselves

The only purported "evidence" stating that the bronze statue is not a designated landmark and that it lacks significance is the authorless June 25, 2020 HRG report. This report does virtually no investigation beyond cutting and pasting information that can be found on Wikipedia before it states the conclusion it was told to make by staff. To this date HRG still refuses to acknowledge who the author of the report is. Also, HRG and staff refuse to explain the blatant contradiction between this report and the much more comprehensive April 2007 HRG Historic Resources Survey Update https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1313/Downtown-Historic-Resources-Survey-PDF?bidld= ("2007 HRG Report") and is hereby incorporated by this reference into the record of proceedings for this matter, which actually identifies its authors. This 2007 report discusses the relevant factors in detail and concludes that the bronze Father Serra Statue on Poli Street is a designated landmark consistent with the laws identifying, designating and preserving historic landmarks. (see, pages 14, 71-76). But no doubt HRG knows who butters its bread. Although the City has still refused to provide records of payments to HRG documents indicate that in December of last year the City executed yet another contract with HRG where it provided it with $150,000 of taxpayers dollars to conduct a "Historic Context Statement and Survey" and then bestowed it with an additional $30,0000 through another contractor.

Mayor's Letter

2 On June 18, 2020 the Mayor wrote a letter as a representative of the City wherein he noted that the bronze statue was a "designated landmark" (Paragraph 2). At the time the mayor was so anxious to strike a "deal" that he did not consider that his language would trigger CEQA and thus the City was backed into a corner that required it to take absurd contradictory positions.

Downtown Specific Plan

The City's Downtown Specific Plan, located at https:ljwww.cityofventura.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9833/Downtown-Specific-Plan-PDF and hereby incorporated into the record by reference, identifies the existing Father Serra statue as a historic resource and even includes a map confirming the statue site at California and Poli Streets. Removing the statue's historic designation, or pretending that it never existed to begin with, is inconsistent with the Specific Plan, which governs the statue site directly and as a part of the City's Local Coastal Program.

Enforcement Actions

There are several enforcement actions where the City required developers to make their projects ''unified artistic expression that integrates into the context of the Father Serra Statue (Landmark No. 3") ... provide simulated photos showing the building with City Hall and Father Serra Statue in context." (HPC meeting minutes of August 1, 2018.)

City Inventory

On May 3, 2016, the City published its own inventory of Historic Landmarks & Districts and referenced the Father Serra Statue as landmark No. 3 and indicated the address as 501 Poli Street and noted that the original statue was "replaced by the present bronze one."

Due Process

This process lacks due process and violates the spirit and letter of the Brown Act and California Public Records Act. Rather than truly engage the public in a robust discussion you have used exceptions leveraged by extraordinary circumstances to make sure this decision occurred at a blistering pace with as little real public engagement as possible. Until the COVID pandemic it was unheard of to have a public hearing without the public being physically present wherever the council members were participating. What is worse, rather than allowing the public to participate in the same manner that the council can - with a video feed - you relegate them to make comments by voice only and you then you cut them down to 1 minute comments. Some dialogue. While this is bad enough it also completely excludes those who are more vulnerable members of the public who do not have access to a computer or who are not comfortable participating with such technology. (Attached public comments re participation).

Several weeks ago, I made a public record request that was narrowly tailored to the issues before the Council. Rather than work with me to provide the documents which are essential for an honest discussion, your staff first burned the statutory deadline and then demanded an extension that is conveniently times until after the hearing! Your staff has stated that they reviewed all the relevant documents regarding the Father Serra statue so it was clear the City had immediate access to them. Despite that, the City refused to provide them to a member of the public who wished to participate.

The speed at which this process is occurring is absurd. There is no fire or tsunami that is about to descend on the City necessitating prompt action, rather a statue that has been standing in one form or another since 1936 has

3 become a topic of discussion. In any attempt to remove the statue even if "temporarily" will cause irreparable harm to the statue.

Conclusion

It is obvious this process was a mistake. One cannot claim with a straight face that this project is categorically exempt under CEQA. Don't make this meeting a charade but instead treat it as a real opportunity to consider the evidence and salvage the disaster you have been given. But if you persist on the path paved by staff you will not only push your community further apart, but will waste taxpayer resources on unnecessary litigation.

Jim McDermott

on ay, July 6, 2020 1:29 PM To: [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; Christy Weir ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] Cc: [email protected] ; Peter Gilli Subject: Where is Serra?

Council Members & Staff:

On behalf of Ventura Coalition for Historical Integrity, an association comprised of Ventura residents, please find below comments regarding Item 12.A for the July 7, 2020 City Council meeting regarding a discussion of the Father Serra Statues.

As discussed in detail below, reports to the Council from City staff and City consultant the Historic Resource Group (HRG) state that the original, concrete Father Serra statue has been preserved in storage as the actual historic landmark. The Historic Preservation Committee relied on and adopted that factual predicate to conclude that the original Father Serra statue, and not the 1989 bronze restoration, is the actual historic landmark. However, that predicate assumption is apparently erroneous. The City's Public Art Commission concluded in 2018 (see the last page of the attachment) that the original concrete statue "was broken up and discarded years ago," thus undermining the bases of the HRG and City staff reports and the conclusions of the HPC. As you know once minutes have been approved they are presumptively accurate. If you have proof that your own minutes are incorrect and that the original statue is in city storage please provide that to me immediately.

Until recently, the City had a cohesive and consistent position regarding the Father Serra statue. In 1974, the City designated the then-concrete Father Serra statue as a local historic landmark. In 1989, due to the deteriorating condition of the original statue, Ventura restored the statue with a bronze Father Serra. Importantly, the City did not remove the landmark designation for the statue when the deteriorating concrete statue was restored with the current bronze version. To the contrary, the City repeatedly and consistently referenced the bronze statue as a continuation of the original statue and still a landmark. The plaque on the bronze statue stated the obvious: it "replaced" the concrete statute.

4 For example, in 2007, the Historic Resource Group-yes, the same consultant used by the City now conducted a historic resource survey for the City. HRG identified the existing Father Serra statue - not the prior concrete iteration- as the historic landmark "site" (attached). As recently as 2018, the City's Historic Preservation Committee required a condominium project on Poli Street to be designed to be respective of "the Father Serra Statue (Landmark No. 3)" and other nearby historic resources (attached). Until the end oflast month, then, the City for three decades identified the existing, bronze Father Serra statue as the historic landmark.

Of course, nothing in the law absolutely precludes the removal of a historic landmark. It may be done in compliance with State and local laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). But such compliance is extremely burdensome - as many property owners within the City can attest. And so the City has thus far chosen not to adhere to the same rules that it has applied to so many others. Instead, City staff has chosen to re-write history and omit key facts in order to evade compliance with applicable procedural and substantive requirements regarding the removal of the Father Serra statue.

One absolutely critical fiction told by HRG and City staff is that the standing Father Serra statue is, contrary to three decades of City conduct, not actually the designated historic landmark ( and thus not deserving of protection). Instead, HRG and City staff recently take the newly-invented position that the formal historical landmark designation attached to, and remains with, the original, concrete Father Serra statue. In support of this position, both HRG' s report and City staff inform the Council that the original has been preserved in storage as befitting a historic landmark (see attached excerpts from the staff report).

Relying on HRG and City staff, the City's HPC fell in line and agreed that the historical landmark designation followed the concrete statue. As noted at page 2 of your Council staff report, "The HPC concluded that the original 1936 statue, since it still exists, remains Landmark #3, and that the Bronze Statue did not qualify as a historic resource on its own." However, this factual predicate is directly contradicted by the City's Public Art Commission which after investigation concluded the original was destroyed. According to the attached October 9, 2018, minutes from that Commission, "Vice Chair Growdon spoke about the original concrete Father Serra statue. He was able to speak with the family that carved the wooden Father Serra statue used today and they informed him the concrete master was broken up and discarded years ago."

So a fundamental fact supporting the City's new position is, at a minimum, in doubt. For this reason alone at a minimum, the City Council should continue tomorrow's hearing in this matter until HRG and City staff have corrected their erroneous reporting to the HPC and now the Council. It would also be helpful to have your contractor HRG explain the glaring contradiction between its last two reports on this issue.

Also, the very fact that the City is confused about the whereabouts of the purported "landmark No. 3" or that it was sitting as so much scrap for decades lays bare the claim that it is "Landmark No.3." Presumably the City does not normally discard - or misplace in some obscure storage facility - its landmarks. Instead these actions support what we all have known since at least the late 1980's: the existing, standing Father Serra statue is Landmark No. 3.

Regards,

Jim McDermott

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5 Declaratio·n of James Mohahan Declaration of James Monahan

I, James Monahan, declare as follows:

1. I voluntarily make this declaration from my own personal . knowledge and ifl was.called to iestify, I could do so competently. 2. I was an elected member of the City of San Buenaventura City Council from 1977 .until l018. 3. I was the Mayor of the City of San Buenaventura from December 1987 until December 1989. 4. As a council member and mayor during the time when the bronze Father Serra statute was conceived, constructed, and installed I am familiar with the reasoning behind it. It was very simple: the old concrete landmark was. a very important part ofthe city and since it couldn't be practically repaired we (with the help of experts including historic restoration experts) decided to continue the landmark with a bronze version. We (the council at the time) knew that the bronze statue was a continuation of the original statue and that the landmark designation remained in place and followed the bronze statue. At the ceremony installing the bronze statue I ·spoke and noted that the project was known as the "statute restoration project." 5. From 1989 until May 2020 I had never heard any council member or staff member suggest that the bronze statute was not Landmark No. 3. It was obvious. 6. At the time (1989) the development ofthe bronze statue of Father Serra was a significant undertaking that involved many members of the community. 7. In 1989 the Father Serra statue was unveiled at an official city ceremony and the event was captured by a cify hired videographer which was broadcast as a "special Council update." I have had a VHS tape of that event in my .possession since about 1989. Attached to this declaration is a thumb drive containing a copy of the video which can · also be found at: httgs;//www.youtube,com/watch7 y=lo4XR.4PNlpA. The link and attachment are accurate . duplications of the original VHS tape and the video accurately represents what occurred and what was said at that ceremony. 8. The narrator in the above video notes at time 29:24 that " the complicated project to recreate this historic landmark" which is exactlv what W.A~ nr.r.nmno. ThP. na-rratn-r nnt~o that I (as mayor) appointed member of the public to the "Father Serra Statue Restoration Committee."

II II 9. At 33:53 the narrator noted what we all Imew at that time, we were "witnessing a landmark renewed." This is repeated by council member Bill.Crew at 35:09: "a landmark renewed." 10. The bronze statue standing outside the City HaJI is landmark No. 3.

I declare under penalty ofperjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed this /J~y ofJuly, 2020, at Ventura, ifomia. Expert Submission of Judith Triem (July 1, 2020) SAN BUENAVENTURA •. 'I KfSf ARCl=t ASS~CIATES ! NISTOfUC • ftES~UltCES · CONSULTING • l~U WOODLAND DIUVf • SANTA rAUlA CA ,~o&O.

Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council City of San Buenaventura 501 Poli Street Ventura, CA 93001

14 July 2020

Re: Junipero Serra Statue Landmark

Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,

I am writing to you as a historic preservation professional of over 40 years who also served on the Ventura Historic Preservation Commission from 1975 to 1982, including a term as chair. I conducted the first Historic Resources Survey for the City of Ventura in 1983 and wrote a book on the history of Ventura County. There fore I feel qualified to comment and offer a professional opinion on whether the present Junipero Serra stat ue is eligible as a City Landmark.

The historic report prepared by Historic Resources Group (HRG) concluded that the landmark was the statue designated in 1974, and that the landmark is still this original statue. This statue has been stored in a crate in deteriorated condition in a private industrial yard for 31 years. I don't believe anyone who was involved with the reproduction of the statue in 1989 felt the deteriorating statue being placed in storage was the landmark.

In fact concerned members of the community along with City Council member Russ Burns spearheaded the campaign to replace the original statue with an exact replica in a more durable material for the purposes of preserving the landmark. During the dedication ceremony in October 1989, it was announced to a huge crowd attending the event that the new statue was the "renewed" landmark. The Historic Preservation Commission and the City Council did not at the time delist the City Landmark. Rather everyone accepted the new statue as the landmark. It continued to appear on the city's list of landmarks on its website and in the Historic Re sources Survey update completed by HRG in 2007. To my knowledge, the only time the landmark status for the reproduced statue was ever questioned is when HRG prepared the recent report for the city. Consequently I take issue with the conclusion that the landmark is the statue in storage. This was certainly never the in tention of the many who were involved in the creation of the reproduction. Their explicit purpose was its preservation.

The HRG report also addressed the issue of whether the present statue meets the Historic Landmark criteria '- for City Landmark designation and found that it does not. I disagree with this findings on several points.

HRG found that the current statue is of insufficient age of to be designated, stating that it must be at least 40 years of age. I believe this to be an incorrect reading of the city's ordinance, which establishes no age restrictions for landmark designation. In fact the original Serra statue was designated as a landmark in 1974 when it was only 38 years old. I believe the present statue at nearly 31 years of age can qualify for landmark designation if it meets one or more of the landmark criteria. I have reviewed the City Landmark criteria and conclude that the present statue qualifies as a City Landmark under Criteria a, d, and e. The criteria are as follows:

Landmark means any real property such as building, structure, or archaeological excavation, or object that is unique or significant because of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship or aesthetic feeling, ,and is associated with: Junipero Serra Statue Landmark

(a) Events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community.

The six-year process that eventually lead to the project to replicate the deteriorating stone Serra statue in 1989 constitutes a meaningful event for the Ventura community. Expressions of concern over the deteriora tion of this City Landmark began in 1983 when City Councilman Russell Burns, a mechanical engineer, made a presentation to the City Council describing the severe deterioration of the statue and concluding that it might soon fall apart if action was not taken. This led in 1984 to the City Council commissioning studies by an art conservator, an engineer, and a concrete specialist. These studies lead to the conclusion that the stat ue was too fragile even to make molds from. Councilman Burns then proposed that an exact wood replica be made of the statue that could be used to make molds in which to cast a bronze replica of the original statue.

The City adopted this plan in 1986 and budgeted an initial sum of $15,000 to begin the project. Ventura mas ter carver Wilbur Rubottom and a team of carvers from the Channel Islands Carvers group supplied a team of 16 men who spent 10,000 hours over a 14 month period on the wood reproduction, which was completed in 1988. The work was done at the Livery in downtown Ventura, where hundreds of visitors watched the carvers at work. The huge block of wood was even moved to the Ventura Fairgrounds in 1987 allowing even more members of the public to witness the process. During this time $100,000 was raised from the community for the completion of the work. Thousands responded to the direct mail campaign and sales of Father Serra posters, caps, and t-shirts, as well as an 18-inch bronze replica of the Serra statue, to bring in the needed funds. Once the carving was compete the City of Ventura hired student artists from the California Sculpture Center at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, who made latex molds from the wood statue at the Livery, then casting the bronze statue using the lost wax technique. On October 20, 1989, the statue was dedicated on the site of the original statue in front of City Hall, an event attended by hundreds of citizens and digni taries. A film was made of this special event that talks about the effort to preserve the landmark.

The conclusion drawn from this history is the overwhelming support of the Ventura community led to the preservation of the John Palo-Kangas designed statue, a designated a City Landmark. This event was a mean ingful contribution to the Ventura community, as defined in Criterion (a) of the ordinance.

(d) Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction;

The statue should be considered eligible under this criterion because it embodies the distinctive characteris tics of WPA-era public sculpture. Artworks funded by the WPA's Federal Arts Project during the 1930s were typically abstracted, social-realist, or over-scaled in the heroic style. The artist John Palo-Kangas responsible for this sculpture was known for his works in this genre. The Serra statue is the only example of a Federal Art Project public sculpture in Ventura, and likely in the entire county.

(e) The work of one or more master builders, designers, artists or architects whose talents influenced their historical period, or work that otherwise possesses high artistic value;

The Serra statue is eligible under this criterion as an exact replica of the work of the artist John Palo-Kangas, with the exception of materials, a choice that was made deliberately to ensure its preservation. Palo-Kangas is a well known sculptor in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Federal Arts Project who has been cited in the art literature for his work of the abstract heroic style specific to this period. Palo-Kangas produced a number of exceptional sculptures during this time including a statue of Father Garces for the City of Bakers fied. For this work he used a single block of limestone from Indiana that weighed approximately 24 tons and was cut down to carve a likeness of the priest over sixteen feet high. Kangas achieved notoriety for his first

SAN BUENA VEN1\JM lffAROI ASSOOA TES Page 2 of 3 Junipero Serra Statue Landmark

work on the FAP by carving a father, mother and child from red sandstone. After these notable works he pro duced the heroic-scaled Junipero Serra. The present Serra statue has retained its integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and aesthetic feeling sufficient to convey its significance.

In conclusion, in my professional opinion, the current Serra statue should be regarded as City Landmark #3 as designated by the City Council in 1974. Should the city not make this finding, the reproduction should be regarded as eligible for designation under three criteria in the city's ordinance cited above. Either way I feel it is important for the statue to retain City Landmark status, whether it is retained in its existing location or moved, in order to ensure its future protection.

Sincerely,

SAN 6\JENA VCNTUKA ftfSEAR01 ASSOCIATES Page 3 of 3 Expert Submission of Judith Triem (July 1, 2020) Anita Mair

From: Judy Triem Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 2:54 PM To:· Cheryl Heitmann; Erik Nasarenko; Matt LaVere; Christy Weir; Sofia Rubalcava; Jim Friedman; Lortie Brown; City Manager Internet Email Subject: -EXT- Father Serra Statue Attachments: Serra Statue letter.pdf

Dear Council Members,

I sent the following letterto the HPC and wanted you to have a topy.

Thank you for all you do for the city,

Judy Triem CAUTION: This email ·originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Serra letter 7/1120, 1:33 PM

July 1, 2020

Dear Members of the Historic Preservation Committee,

It Is a difficult decision you have In front of you today, the decision as to whether the Father Serra statue, a Ventura City Landmark, should remain a randmark and perhaps removed from its public location in front of City Han.

I was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission ( as it was.then called) shortly after the Father Serra statue had been designated in 1974 as the third landmark In the City of Ventura. When I conducted the first survey In Ventura In 1982, I did some more research on the statue and Interviewed Shirley Weeks, daughter of the Finnish sculptor, John Palo-Kangas, who designed and created the statue. I spoke with Shirley in her office at the County of Ventura where she held the position as Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. Shirley was very. proud of her f~ther and told me that her father's first important commission was that of a CCC worker for Griffith Park. Itwas dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s. The family moved from Los Angeles to Meiners Oaks in 1942, where Kangas died in 1958.

I've done some additional research into who was involved when the statue was originally built and found some interesting history. The idea for the Father Serra statue began In 1934 and the original site was to be Garden and Main streets. A special committee of the Chamber of Commerce including John . Lagomarsino, George Power and J.E. Hirschfelder Interviewed several artists. At the time the cost of $10,000 was too high for the city. During this time the Federal Arts Program from the WPA became _involved and they paid the sculptor's fees while the City of Ventura paid $150, the County of Ventura paid $100 and a city councilman, George Power, donated $50, totaling the $300 required for materials. The site was moved to Its present location in front of what was then the Ventura County Courthouse. The statue was actually poured In place on the site in early November of 1936. The dedication was held at the end of November and the following from the Morning Free Press on Sunday, November 29th, 1936, tells about the ceremony: · \

Blessed by Father Patrick Grogan as a monument to forever become a part of modern civilization, a statue of Fray Junlpero Serra, founder of San Buenaventura Mission, today stands unveiled on California street, overlooking the Pacific ocean. Gov. Frank Merriam and Father Joseph Thompson, principal speakers at dedicatory ceremonies Friday aftemoon on courthouse hill, wrote a new chapter into the cherished history of the beloved Father Serra, as they spoke word of praise before a large crowd of Venturans. : •• As Adolpho Ortega, a direct descendant of Captain Jose Francisco Ortega, who.was with Father Serra at the founding of San Buenaventura mission, released the cord which held the white cloth surrounding the statue, a burst of applause arose from the crowd •••• Mayor George A. Newell, Jr., opened the ceremonies following selections offered by the WPA orchestra. Presentation of the statue and Introduction of the artist, John Palo-Kangas, sculptor, was made by Nelson H. Partridge, Jr., Southern California director of the federal arts project. Mayor Newell accepted the statue for the city."

The Serra statue, made of cast concrete, did not hold up over the years. In the late 1980s a number of people were concerned about Its deterioration and It was decided to create a replica of the statue in the exact dimensions and in a material that would last, bronze. Many local Individuals were involved including the Ventura County Woodworkers group headed by Wilbur Rubottom. This wooden statue was then used to cast the bronze statue that was carried out by art st~dents from the California Sculpture Center at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert using the lost wax technique. A special ceremony was held in 1989 for the new reconstruction of the statue. The Father Serra statue continues to be a city landmark.

I believe that removing its landmark status would leave the statue with no protections. I think It Is a mistake. Two county landmarks In Ventura County have been completely reconstructed and retained their landmark status. They are the Piru mansion in Piru and the Stagecoach Inn in Newbury Park. The Stagecoach Inn is also listed on the National Register. Both of these buildings had been destroyed by fire.

Page 1 of 2 Serra letter 7/1/201 1:33 PM

The Serra statue was reproduced because of its extensive damage. The new statue is an exact replica on the same site but With a different long lasting material, bronze and an outer layer of polished black granite from the Andes Mountains. When ft was reconstructed It was with the intention that it remain a landmark and to do otherwise wourd deprive Ventura citizens of the protections afforded by this designation.

Removing the statue of Father Serra Is to hide our history out of sight. That is what happened to our history prior to the 1960s when revisionist history became popular. Colleges began classes in Native American History, Women's History, Black History, Environmental History. We learned more about ourselves and our country by studying all of it and writing about it. From this movement, came more \. knowledge· about what happened to Native Americans during the Spanish colonization in Califomla and we are richer for that. However, it doesn't mean that we now hide or put away the earlier history of our country. We tell these stories side by side so that we have the whole picture and learn from It. I would hope that the Statue of Father Serra would remain and next to it or not far away Is a statue of a Native American that interprets their rich history and we can all leam together.

Thank you for letting me comment.

Judy Triem, historical consultant

Page 2of 2 · Expert Submission Of Anthony Grumbine (July 14, 2020 & July 1,. 2020) Dear City of Ventura Historic Mayor and City Council Members,

My name is Anthony Grumbine, and I write to you as a very concerned professional with the following credentials:

Current Chair of the City ofSanta Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission and Architecture Historian for the Commission

- Architect involved in restoration of numerous historic structures including City, State and National landmarks such as the Alhecama Theatre, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Park and San Gabriel Mission

- Author of many articles on the historic architecture of Southern California, and regular speaker on the subject

- Author of the City of Santa Barbara's Historic Architecture Style Guide

With the above credentials, I write to you as someone immersed in the field of historic preservation and very concerned with the direction the recent events have taken. In my mind, there are two key points to make.

1) The first is that the bronze statue is clearly a historic resource, a Landmark, and even a Historic Landmark. 2) The second point is that the Chumash, and others who have contributed to the history of the City of Ventura, should be recognized and celebrated through building planned, effective and POSITIVE new monuments and actions.

THE BRONZE STATUE, A HISTORC/C LANDMARK

The obviously rushed historic report (written in a week or so, when they usually take 1-2 months minimum so that they can be properly researched) that guided the Historic Preservation Commission's findings is, in my opinion, incredibly flawed. If this report came before before my commission, as the architecture historian, I would not be able to accept its findings for a number of reasons, including the following:

1) The historian used argumentation from the Secretary of the Interiors Standards, which are dated 8+ years after the project of the statue was begun, and 6 years after the statue was installed. They did not analyze the most obvious questions: Why was the City of Ventura so blatantly wrong in claiming for the last 31 years that the bronze statue was a historic landmark on every document it produced? How was this somehow missed when they installed the bronze statue? If they had researched the history (and there is even a book about it that they did not list in their bibliography!), they would have found the clear intent and transferal of Landmark status to the bronze statue. I have not researched it enough to know for sure, but it looks like there is also reason to believe the concrete and the wood statue were implicated as also being part of the landmark re-designation. This should be researched more to define tne nuances and implications for both the old concrete statue, and the wooden 1989 statue.

2) The creation of the bronze statue as a substitute/stand-in was - even by recent/current Secretary of Interiors standards - a valid form of treatment for a Historic Landmark as a Reconstruction as seen in the current Department of the Interiors Standards https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/four*treatments/treatment-reconstruction.htm Reconstruction is not the ideal choice (#1 Preservation, #2 Rehabilitation, #3 Restoration, and then #4 Reconstruction), but it certainly is a valid form of treatment for a landmark, even by current standards (1980s standards should have been, but were not discussed in the historic report). The change to bronze is a valid change due to the weathering that the previous statue underwent, and the desire to have the bronze statue last longer than its important setting. This reconstruction is similar to the rebuilding of other Ventura Landmarks, which were destroyed by fires.

3) The bronze statue, in its own right, is Landmark worthy both for its artistry/craftsmanship (it is not only the most famous artists in the country that get this finding) AND for its inventive and new method of creation that used both new, modern methods in combination with historic last wax methods. Either of these reasons alone make itlandmark worthy.

4) Aside from the statue itself, there is also a second clearly-missed analysis of the importance of a statue of Fr. Serra in relationship to its context/site. Ending the central axis of California Street and as the central feature in front of the Courthouse/City Hall, there is a very specific spatial relationship that has been a critical feature in one of the most obvious and important locations in the City. The prominent relationship of the statue of Fr. Serra, for over half a century in that exact spot in front of the A.C. Martin Courthouse/City Hall cannot be overstated, and was not analyzed at all.

There are many other facts about the statue's history that will be uncovered with a proper historic structures report. I know this from the little research I have done on this subject to write this letter. To confirm this, however, I spoke with very well respected historians that know about the statue, and who I regularly deal with on a professional level, and they agreed with my initial assessment, and the disagree with the previous written Historic Report.

It would be very easy for any number of local historians to write a full report that documents the important history of the bronze statue, which would have conclusions contrary to the report funded by the City of Ventura, and state the obvious fact that the City has known all along: The bronze statue IS a historic landmark.

The statue deserves a proper historic analysis. Please provide it before moving forward. A FUTURE FOR THE CHUMASH (AND OTHERS} RECOGNIZED IN THE LIFE OF THE CITY

This, I think, is the critical question at hand. How does a community move forward in a good and healthy manner which can be both critical of our history, and build to a better future.

Regarding positive ways to move forward, I wanted to share what the Historic Landmarks Commission in Santa Barbara is doing. A few weeks ago, we received hundreds of letters from Black Lives Matter regarding several buildings they wanted designated as landmarks. We welcomed the request (some of them were already in process and/or on-the-radar}. Several historian community members including one of our Commission members, pulled together to write the HSSR for one of the properties which was reviewed, unanimously supported, and moved on to City Council to be Landmarked.

Our HLC designation subcommittee also met with BLM the following week to discuss a more wholistic study/survey/context statement for communities that have been a part of the City of Santa Barbara's history, but which we have not been written about extensively, including the African American comrl)unity. It is a wonderful op'portunity to pull more up from the city's rich history of different communities. These structures and sites can then be identified for interpretation to celebrate the contributions of the various communities in the formation_ of civil society.

This will be a positive way in which, we can be part of building up all cultures that have been part of making our city great, rather than trying to find ways to tear down important monuments and sites from our city's history.

If you would like more information on what the City of Santa Barbara is doing, I encourage you to contact the Urban Historian,Nicole Hernandez. She is even looking into grant funding opportunities for these types of reports, so funding should not be an issue.

Sincerely,

Anthony Grumbine, AIA Expert Submissions by Steven Shafer ' Tracy Oehler

From: Stephen Schafer - SCHAF PHOTO Sent: Wednesday,July 1, 2020 9:55 AM To: City Clerk; Historic Preservation Committee Subject: -EXT- Landmark #3 and Landmark Ordinance comment for: HPC

You might call this comment a loophole* in our outdated Landmark Ordinance that could relate to the 1986 bronze Father Serra Statue (FSS). ·

• The bronze FSS meets the requirements in the Ordinance as a LANDMARK (not a historic landmark).

• City Landmarks Ordinance does not have a 40 year rule (or any date requirement 40yr applies only to reviews).

• Landmarks can be religious (like the Mission #10 or Cross #5 or Church of Religion Science #17).

• Landmarks can be moved.

• Landmarks do not trigger CEQA.

• The bronze FSS is not historic but is a LANDMARK. {I'd be happy to explain why based on the City's Ordinance ifsomeone wants the long version}

So the bronze FSS can remain IANDMARK #3 and move to the Mission (or another Ventura location) and the City's landmark list entry for #3 could be amended once again as follows:

Landmark 3. Father Serra Statue 501 Poll Street, Designated February 11, 1974

This bronze statue was designed by John Palo Kanges

and represents an id,ealized image of Father

Junipero Serra, the founder of Mission San

Buenaventura. Originally Located in front of Ventura's

City Hall on california Street, the original

cement statue, a WPA project, was unveiled

in November 1936. Due to weathering,

the original statue was placed in storage

in 1989 and replaced by the ,r:eseAt bronze

1 one. The wooden. statue u.sed to mold the

bronze statuei~·-Yi.as; located in the atrium of the

City Han.;·,,atj?O:t~_e_br~n.ze·_statu~ ~as'mov~d !O_,.._---,..,~- .. ·1

-Schaf (personal comment)

*It's not a "loophole" really but a 11safety net" that was written into the ordinance to make sure the city council had the ability to landmark anything in the c;:ity that was significant. ike the Ventura Sign, or the replacement Two Trees.

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City .of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking lin"5, especially from unknown ·senders.

2 Tracy Oehler

From: Jerty Breiner Sent: Wed nesday, July 1, 2020 9:57 AM To: Stephen Schafer - SCHAF PHOTO Cc: City _Clerk; Historic Preservation Committee Subject: -EXT - Re: Landmark #3 and Landmark Ordinance comment for HPC

On Wed, Jul 1, 2020 at 9:55 AM Stephen Schafer - SCHAF PHOTO rote: i You might call this comment a loophole* in our outdated Landmar Ordinance that could relate to the 1986 bronze : Father Serra Statue (FSS}.

• The bronze FSS meets the requirements in the Ordinance as a LANDMARK (not a historic landmark).

• City Landmarks Ordinance does not have a 40 year rule (or any date requirement 40yr applies only to reviews).

• Landmarks can be religious (like the Mission #10 or Cross#S or Church of Religion Sde,:ice #17).

• Landmarks can be moved.

• Landmarks do not trigger CE:QA.

• The bronze FSS is not historic. but is a LANDMARK. (I'd be happy to explain why based on theCity's Ordinance if someone wants the long version)

So the bronze FSS c:an remain LANDMARK #3.artd move to the Mission (or another Ventura location) and the City's landmark list entry for #3 could b~ c:1mendeq once again as follows:

Landmark 3. Father Serra StattJe 501 Poli Street, Designated February 11, 1974

This bronze statue was desigflt:!d l:>y John Palo Kartges

and represents an idealized image of Father

Junipero Serra, the founder of Mission San

Buenaventura. Origina.lly Located in front of Ventura's

City Hall on California Street, the original

cement statue, a WPA project, was unveiled

in November 1936. Due to weathering,

1 the original statue was placed in storage

in 1989 and replaced by the pFe~~~t-bronze

one. The wooden statue used to mold the

bronze statue;~ w~~ located in the atrium of the

-Schaf (personal comment)

*It's not a "loophole" reaUy but a "safety net" that was written into the ordinance to make sure the city council had the ability to landmark anything in the city that was significant. Ike tl:le Ventura Sign, or the replacement Two Trees.

CAUtlON: This email originated from outside ~he City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening f)ttachm~nts or clicking 1,nks, especially from unknown sender$.

2 Tracy Oehler

From: Stephen Schafer - SCHAF PHOTO Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 20201:33 PM To: City Clerk; Historic Preservation Committee; Peter Gilli Subject: -EXT- Ordinance Detail & Landmark Justification - Serra Stautue at HPC July-1-2020

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Ordinance: Chapter 24.455 Historic Preservation Regulations Sec. 24.455.110. Purpose. ·

This chapter is adopted pursuant to the·m J.micipal affairs provisions of the City Charter for the purpose of establishing Procedures for identifying, ti,t~1~}iitinn~~-h~~}P.:~·r,&c'.e~j·n~~.6,~tiit:Y6~ta:r.idtna¥-k~:/()lV,~Jdll10.f:Jti'f~cl~ that were the site of an historic event, that are con~;~d;ith~th!-iit=:~;;~i~·~rtat~tpe~;~~Jb.~~h;t~~;;:;i~,.~~b~i~ing, structure, or 9Jfi~ij ~I,j~!1J that is architecturally significant,fifj)l~!fP.l!\Jiii\ti~~J perioct"or particular method of construction, or is associated with a significant builder, architect, designer.or artist.

2. ~!~~rri~i~J~i~n~l6ir:;.~I property such as building, structure, or archaeologi~~I. ex~~!!!~!!!2! P.:~J~~J~~r~~:»~1.~~~~-:.: or significant ~e~~$~!>;!:!ij l9cation, design, setting, materials, workmanship P-f~_!~th~!!~J!~l~!!ll ~!l~~Jt~·~!~:~i~~!g~~!~~-~ (a) Events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state or community; · ·(b) Lives of persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history; (c) Reflecting or exemplifying a particular period of the national, state or focal history; (d) Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; (e) The work of one or more master ~uilders, designers, artists or architects whose talents influenced their historical period, WQ.rk ~11~~-:~i.her,w'fs~( •. S$e~$e$.·'.tiigh:·a·rt1stic valµ~; Cbr .-...... ,. •··•-· ••.••.. • .••• •·-..,,·-·•--·pq ~-- .,...... --·-·~ ·~~ ...... ·•·• ...... 1 (f) Representing a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or (g) Yielding, or likely to yield, information important to national, state or local history or prehistory.

Put those highlighted parts together and you have below the landmark justification:

,·.. ·•,· .. , ..... '·· ...... ·• ..... ,. - . ··s··• ~ ...... , .;•• •···: -•· ··-·· ·······"· ...... ··~··,·" ...... , ··:" .. •.· .. "':' . •· ...... , , ..... ·•• •..• • .....•.••..., ... ··•···::···"•:•· :,••.•·.· ··~ .. -~: , •.•. , .... ·.• _. .., .. •· :·-,.·••-,-: ;;J J,.ANDMAI\K·M~ANS·A~Y:~.Qe.iECfT.liA.T IS; UNJQUE -:e~CAuse·oF.IT$.~'.AESJlif~IC FEELIN(;;:AN~·:1~ ~$Q~•Areo·-wim:; ;:.·i i1.~.:wo:R~:TH~t~PQ.$s~ssts:~i~ij-~A~8r,s+1~\,Atui:·~···-·• _...... ·· •"•-····-··••·*•"-.. ·· --· -- .. ·-···-·.. -'

If the landmark status is maintained the City will have the ability to protect and preserve the bronze through HPC review and the ordinance allows the HPC to determine the text on the plaque on the statue. Otherwise it can be alte_red, . demolished or sold or moved again without any City input. And it remains on the City's register of landmarks as #3.

Sec. 24.455.720. lden,ffication of declared landmarks and points of interest. A. Upon declaration of a landmark or point of interest by the city council, the historic preservation committee may determine which landmarks or points of interest shall be ·marked with uniform and distinctive markers and specify the for:m thereof.

1 B. The historic preservation committee shall maintain and make available to the general public a list of all such declared landmarks or points of interest.

24.455.520. - Exceptions. Notwithstanding other provisions of this article, the demolition orffii6tatibn~!of a historic landmark shall not constitute a misdemeanor as prescribed in section ·

2.430.510 if prior approval of the action was received from the historic preservation committee or, on appeal, from the planning commission or, on appeal, the city council. CAUTION: This email origi'1a~ed-~rom outside the Cty of Ventura. Exercis_e.ca~tion when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

2 Expert Submission by Gabriel Zamora Tracy Oehler

From: Family Zamora Sent: Monday, June 29, 2020 7:06 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- HPCA MEETING 7/1/20 -AGENDA ITEM 1

Re. City of Ventura Historic Preservation Committee Agenda, Meeting 7/1/2020, Item 1.

I respectfully urge the Committee to reject staff's recommended action for this project, and to instead deny the Project #14599 outright and close thi~ -item in session.

The Project #14599 is entirely erroneous in its conception and its purpose. The heart of the problem is twofold:

1. The Applicant's submitted report, Attachments, Historic Assessment Report re. Junipero Serra Statue, Ventura, June 25, 2020, oy Historic Re~qurces Group, Pasadena, GA, asserts a crucial error, along with many true facts that' are all couched in professional language that have no relevance to the project. 2. The Applicant is the City, the very boqy with the sole authe>rity to declare landmarks, which maintains a de facto con~ictofinterestand established prejudice regarding the outcome of this projectthat disqualify itfrom acting as an applicant on such a project. .-

Fir~t-, the error: _Pc1ge t1 Of the Historic Assessment Report falsely claSSifie~ the bronz~ statue cl$_ areP.fica instead of a replacement, Wh~rt its own quot~tion, taken from the base of the statue in' question} clearly states that th~_bronze statue is a ''replacement';, not a "replica" or "simulation". Whether o~ not the proGe~~;for approving this replacement meet$ curr~nt standards is entirely abstract and Jrrelevc:mt because the r~placement w_a$ approved before any oUhe current rules invoked ht the report, from the City (2005) an~ National Park Service (1995), post~date th<3 replacementat hand (1989)!

Then, error compounded by confusion: pages 13~21 ofthe Histe>ric Repprt contain mc1ny assertions fronrthe. State of Californi~ Office 9f HJ~tpric Pre$ervation and the Us Department of Interior that are all ·appropriatefor aneVJ nomination for listili9 t>rt the National Register ofHistoric Pfaices, whi.ch is t1 li~ting entir~ly $~parat~ anq independent of tne City's currf:!nt list of local fandmarks; which list includes the bronze Serra Statue.

Another misleading assertipn in the HisJoric Report is on pc:1ge 4, tha.t ''The 1ij89 bronze replica has not been indhiiciyally design~ted btthe Qity council ancUs not part ofthe _1974 Landmark designauo·n. It_ does npt meet . the 40-year threshold generally regµired for hist9ric designation in;th~ Ci:ty of Ventura; A~ a commemorative statue that is a replica [. .. ] the f~89 statue is not potentiallysignificant in its own right"

The statement is misleading becayse (1) the statge is fa1$ely ciescribec:f as a_ replica and a commemorative s,atue, inst~ad of the, repl.acementthat it is, and was always intended to be,, of the defunct and unsustainable concrete statue that it replaced and; (2) also bec::ause the ~tatye n:ver needed to be individµaUy d,~sigoated - it i~ areplac,ernentof an artifact~ and it has always been ipso facto pa.rt ofthe 1974 landmark designation and, (3) ·the gemeral 40 year "requirement" cited is a notional standard that is, in fact, cont~ine~ nowhere in the city's Historic Pres.ervation Regulations.

Other misleading aspects to the Report include the statements ''the ori?inal 1936 cast stone sculpture remains ci~$ignated Ventura Landmark#3" (p. 4), when said designation also explicitly des_cribes the bronze replac.ernent statue as the landmark in replacement of the defy net concr~te originc1I in storage, and that the bronze replacement statue is "not a historical resource as define-d by CECA" (p; 4), which its lh,ting in the City Laodrnarks lists published hi 2014 and 2016 and maintained currently as official puolic Planning Guidance by the city as official City web-documents #2399 (5/5/14) and #7730 (5/3/16). 1 The appropriate action for the Committee is therefore Not to acknowledge that the 1989 Father Serra Statue in front of City Hall is not a historic landmark, and also Not to find that the project is exempt from CEQA under the "General Rule" exemption, but instead to simply remind the applicant, staff, and people of Ventura that the Bronze Statue of Father Serra in.front of City Half is, in fact, already a City Landmark as published most recently by the City in 2014 and 2016.

Furthermore, I respectfully urge the Committee to note that the applicant has not follow~d any of the rules in the City Municipal Code established for the removal or demolition of (its ownl) designated landmark and I reiterate, finally, that the applicant, who is the City, is the very body with the sole authority to declare landmarks, asserting in the project a conflict of interest a·nd an established prejudice regarding its outcome of this project that disqualify it from any action in this matter whatsoever.

Yours Sincerely,

Santa Paula, CA 93060 Ventura County . CAUTION: This email originated from out$id, the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachmen~ or clickJng links, especially fro.m unknown sende~.

2 Tracy Oehler

From: Family Zamora- Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2020 12:53 AM To: SP Conservancy; [email protected]; City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Please Preserve Bronze St. Serra Statue Landmark Masterpiece in Ventura Today Attachments: City-Historic-Landmarks_041018_201804181459195301,pdf; Designated%20Historic% 20Landmark%20Descriptions%20(PDF).pdf; 2020-07-01 _Agenda.pdf; 2020-07-01_1tem-1 · _PROJ-14599.pdf; FatherJuniperoletter6-2020-Eng-Span.pdf '

URGENT: Please note that on this Wednesday 1'The HPC will NOT be discussing whether the statue should be retained or removed. 11

Please contact the City of Ventura, the San Buenaventura Conservancy, and the Santa Paula Conservancy, to support the bronze Serra Statue Landmark Preservation before the next city meeting on Wednesday July 1, 2020:

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

The bronze Serra Statue's landmark status is defined by City of Ventura listings in 2014 and 2016:

"CITY OF SAN BUENAVENTURA HISTORIC LANDMARKS &DISTRICTS

3. Father Serra Statue 501 Poli Street Designated Februciry 11, 1974

This bronzerstatue was designed by John Palo Kanges and repres~nt§ an ideaUzed irt1a~e of Fc1ther J Unipero Serr~; the fr.>~nder of Mi§$iOn San Buenaventura. Located in front of Ventura's Citx Han on CaJiforniaStreet, the-original cementstatue, _a WPA project,wasunveiled in Novernb~r 19'36 .. Due to weathering; the_ original $tE1tue.'NaS placed in ijtorage in.1989 andreplaced bythe present bronze one. The wooden statue. used. to mold the bronze statue is lecated irrtne atrium of the City Hall;"

V~nturaforbig~ the demolition or relo_cation of a designated historic tahdtnatk.

C~liforni~ CIEQA law facilitates Landmark engagement thatis professionally certified and publicly found to create no detrimental impacts upoi1the Landmark priofto any ·actual er,g,agement.

None of the Ventura requirements for demolition or relocation of the Serra Landmark nave been enforced.

MGZ

CA.UTlON: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening ijtt,.u:hments or clicking link$; especially from unknown sender$.

1 CITY OF SAN BUENAVENTURA HISTORIC LANDMARKS & DISTRICTS

May 3, 2016

NO. HISTORIC NAME ADDRESS

1. Olivas Adobe 4200 Olivas Park Drive Designated February 11, 1974 . SUNRHP/CA VEN 815H I This two ..story Monterey style adobe was the center of San Miguel Rancho. Built in 1847 by Don Raymundo Olivas, a prominent cattle and sheep rancher, it was owned by the family until 1899. Restored in the late 1920's by ·millionaire Max Fleischmann, of Fleischmann Yeast and Margarine fame, for use as a hunting lodge, the· historic house was given to the City of San Buenaventura in 1961. Now a historic museum, it is dedicated to Ventura's rancho heritage.

2. Ortega Adobe 215 W. Main Street Designated February 11, 1974 CAVEN785H

Emigdio Miguel Ortega, grandson· of Josef Francisco de Ortega, discoverer of San Francisco Bay in 1734, and comandante of Santa Barbara in 1782, was born at Mission San Diego. Emigdio was appointed Sergeant of the Santa Barbara Company in 1811-.1818 and comisionado at Los Angeles in 1918.. He married Concepcion Dominguez at Mission Santa Barbara. Through the land grant of 1830 1850 for Rancho Ex Mission San Buenaventura from Govenor Pio Pico, he bought the 200 x 200 foot lot and built the adobe. in 1855 57. The west half of the adobe was washed away by the floods of 1862 and rebuilt using the original roof tiles from the Mission San Buenaventura. In 1897, Emilio C. Ortega, son of Emigdio and Conception, began and operated from the adobe, the now famous Ortega Chili Factory.

3. Father Serra Statue 501 Poli Street Designated February 11, 1974

This bronze statue was designed by John Palo Kanges and represents an idealized image of Father Junipero Serra, the founder of Mission San Buenaventura. Located in front of Ventura's City Hall on California Street, the original cement statue, a WPA project, was unveiled in November 1936. Due to weathering, the original statue was placed in storage in 1989 and replaced by the present bronze one. The wooden statue used to mold the bronze statue is located in the atrium of the City Hall. ...

CITY OF SAN BUENAVENTURA HISTORIC LANDMARKS & DISTRICTS

May 5, 2014

NO. HISTORIC NAME ADDRESS

1. Olivas Adobe 4200 Olivas Park Drive Designated February 11, 1974 SL/NRHP/CA VEN 815H I This two-story Monterey style adobe was the center of San Miguel Rancho. Built in 1847 by Don Raymundo Olivas, a prominent cattle and sheep rancher, it was owned by the family until 1899. Restored in the late 1920's by millionaire Max Fleischmann, of Fleischmann Yeast and Margarine fame, for use as a hunting lodge, the historic house was given to the City of San Buenaventura in 1961. Now a historic museum, it is dedicated to Ventura's rancho heritage.

2. Ortega Adobe 215 w.· Main Street Designated February 11, 1974 CA VEN 785H

Emigdio Miguel Ortega, grandson of Josef Francisco de Ortega, discoverer of San Francisco Bay in 1734, and comandante of Santa Barbara in 1782, was born at Mission San Diego. Emigdio was appointed Sergeant of the Santa Barbara Company in 1811--1818 and comisionado at Los Angeles in 1918. He married Concepcion Dominguez at Mission Santa Barbara. Through the land grant of 1830 1850 for Rancho Ex Mission San Buenaventura from Govenor Pio Pico, he bought the 200 x 200 foot lot and built the adobe in 1855 57. The west half of the adobe was washed away by the floods of 1862 and rebuilt using the original roof tiles from the Mission San Buenaventura. In 1897, Emilio C. Ortega, son of Emigdio and Conception, began and operated from the adobe, the now famous Ortega Chili Factory.

3. Father Serra Statue 501 Poli Street · Designated February 11, 1974

This bronze statue was designed by John Palo Kanges and represents an idealized image of Father Junipero Serra, the founder of Mission San Buenaventura. Located in front of Ventura's City Hall on California Street, the original. cement statue, a WPA project, was unveiled in November 1936. Due to weathering, the original statue was placed in storage in 1989- and replaced by the present bronze one. The wooden statue used to mold the bronze statue is located in the atrium of the City Hall. June 18, 2020 Letter from City of Ventura VENTURAC:ITY.OF Dear Gity of Ventura Residents anci Con,rr1un.fty-$takeholcters;

In the last few days, We have seen a .groundswell of support from sorne members ofthe community requesting thatthe City- ofVentura remove t.he stat1.Je of Father,Junipero Serra' from its location near GityHaU. To that endJ Ventura Mc1yor Mat.t Lavere organized a rnee,ting with representafives,from the sa·rbarerib/Vehtureiie>.Baoc.i qfM,issioff Indians (Chumash) and .Fathertom Elewautof Mission San Buenaventura. This me.efing resulted in a·friendly, collaborative, a.nd honest dialbgue. where everyone recognized thatthe time for action is now~

The threeofus ~re confid,en_t that cl peaceful. resolution regarding the Father Junipero Serra statue Caff be reached, withotJt uncivil discou,rse and characterassasslnation, .much less vandalism of a ~ . •t,;~~~ei Jltw1 ··. ,;,~ As· statec1 by Julie Tuma ma it Stenslie, theTribal 'Chair of the;Barbarefio/ Ventµrerjo Bandof.Mi.s~ion Indians: "True oonversation starts with an.open heart and mind. Change comes when there is nojudgemfJnt or assvmptions. To listen to and to be heardis crucial.'"

We have listened and we have heard the calls from those in the community andbelieve the tirne has come for the statue to be·taken down :and moved to a more appropriater,ort-publiClocatiort BUta historic decision such as this must involve the Ventura City Council·,_ the voices 1 of the ChumashJtibe c1nd residents of Ventura. It Js.:our prioritytd be receptive to community concerns and provide an environmentwhere all voices :are heard and respected. To honor the cultural heritag:e of Ventura and its earliest residen~s is :our ultimate goal.

:we a,11 t>elieve that the removal of the statue. should be accomplished without force, Without anger, and through a collaborative, peaceful process. This process has already cbmhlehced through ourlnitial meeting andwe look forward. to continuing the discussion with the community to he.Ip guide further act.ion onthis.

The public will be invited to engage ln this process and share their input When a community discussion has been scheduled to discuss the Father Junipero Serra statue, this information Will be shared openly ~nd transparently by the City of Ventura.

· .. ~~

Matt LaVere Father Tom Elewaut J.ulie Tumamait Stenslie Mayor, City of Ventura Pastor Tribal Chair (805) 643-4318 ext.101 (805) 646-6214

50 I Poli Street a. Ventura, California 9300 I • (805) 654-7800 • www.dtyofventura.ca.gov City of Ventura Landmark Inventory CITY OF SAN BUENAVENTURA HISTORJG LANDMARKS & DISTRICTS

NO. HISTORIG.,NAME ADDRESS

1. Olivas: Adobe 4200 Olivas Park Drive Designated February ft, 1974 SL/NRHP/CAVEN 815H

Thi~ two--s~ory Mopterey style ao~t>e w~s the ce.nter of San rylig,qel Rancho. Bl,filt in 1847by Don Raymundo Olivas, a pro.rninentcattle and sheepra·nc;her\ it was :owned by the family until t899~'. Restored in the. late 1920's by mill.ionaire Ma">

2. Ortega Adobe 215 W. MainStteef Designated February 1 t, 1974 GAVEN785H

Emigqio Miguel Orte_ga, grcmdson of Jos·e.f Francisco de Ortegc:1, discoverer of San Francisco Bay in -1734,: g,nd comandantel of Santa Barbara Tn "1782,. was born at Mission San Diego. Emigdid Was appointed Sergeant of the Santa: Barbara Company ln 1811,1818 and comisionado at Los Angeles· in 19t8. He married Concepcion Do~inguez at Misgion Santa Barb:ara. Thro.ug~th~ 18nd. grantof 183'0 ta50 for Rancho Ex Mis:sion San Buenaventura from Govenor Rio Pico, he bought the 200 x :200 foot lot and built the adobe in 1855 57. Th:e wesl half of the. a.dobe wc:1s washed away by· the floqds of 1862 c1nd rebu.ilt qsing the original r:oo.f tne:s from the. Miss'ion San Bµenaventqra. In t8~7, Emilio c. Ortega, :son of Emlgdio and Goncept,on, began a·nd operated from the adobe, the now famous :Orteg:a Chili Factory.

This bronze ,statue Was designed by Johil Palo Kangas and represents an idealized image of Father Junipero Serra, the founder of Mission San Buenaventura. located ln front e>f Ventura's City Hall on California Street, the original cern~nt ~tatue, a _WP~ project, was unveiled :~n. Novemp~r:J~,J-~~:)J,.~~.tp weatrering~ th~, original statue was placed in storage in t98~ anq,.::~lj~~·c·etctt1~~~i}lffi1~Lfffi'[~§f~~lt~tt.~ml~i[~~;~1~~iThe wooden statue used to mold the bronze statue is located in the atrium of the City Hall.

~: ~" .. ,,uZ..,E_ .20, b ~~,- \.J,.J~ Mr'AOtf-a;> ~ ~J.1ML.. 0~~ 1)-he, o~ t>AGe. ('~a.,o,~ ~ $~ SO'rf\)Er- cs 1,-..,C~ 'N ~ S pz,s, · -rr CIF~ Minutes re Enforcement re Father Serra landmark DRAFT-joint Historic Preservation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page a

RECUSED: . None

ABSENT: None

Ch~ir Brodersen deqlc:1red thE:1 motion carried A,.... 0 with Member Cline abstaining.

CONCEPTUAL ITEMS - HISTORIC·PRESER.VATION & DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE

5·. PROJ-10526- :Conceptual De$ign :Review pf a.- ,A\:,sed removal'. of a :2s·~space ·parkit19-lotan,:d:thf:ldeveJoprnent·of'a oew,mr · ~~.three story·proJect.witb:12 condominium units wit.b a~$oCiAted QQ, • _iQ spaces,. -a.nd 12: at~grade parking SJ;)c:\'C8S on ~pproximat~Jy 2Q' \: ·: .· . .· .. •.. ·. eet: (O.A6 act~l o:f vacctht pro~erty located.at46:2Pol_i :stree.t. T pplicanta. .. . r.oposesto make public improvements to•the·City•<>wnect ~ •l. .. cre_ l<>t di_rectl,. ·ta,e ea$t; :Khosh Sajad, DDS, applicant; .zoned Urban Core, & Parks and:C>p · . .~:ce•:(PQSJ,.Hi.llside Overlay.

Case No~:

SPEAK-~: · Staff: Seo Jann .. · ·on Nielsen, Associate Planner Applicc1nt: anchez ( JalArc· 1tects, Architect) 1 Members ofPu · :,; , ·• Alla.Ab j :(\le11tura); Shirley Can 0f entura); Vah Garver (Ve~turc1J; Martin C Vent 'Irene Cole(V~ntu(a); HayMulokag(Ventura}; StevenQ'uat (Ventura)~ entura); Stephen Schafer (Ventura - Spea.ker Card .a.nd Written Com .. _ evin Seelos (Ventura); John Stewatt(Ventura Speaker C~rd and Written Comment), and Bambi Ruebe (Ventuta). Documents: PowerPoint by Staff and AppHcant; Transmittal_ No. 1 with le~er from Sharon Marshall. Additional l,etter .submitteo at meeting from Ray Mulokos. Ex-parte Comrnunication: Member ·~chc1fe.r recused hers.elf as her company is a property manage forthe adjacent El Jardin Patio .Buildin_g .. (Landmc;1rk No. 63 located at451-461 East Main Street). ·

,<::i@~~;@:ftll;l\¥,i;~~.il[~}made a motion to continue the project to a date uncertain subject to the .· ·t:oiloWihtfco'mments.

• Study the historic context for inspiration/take cues from surrounding architecture and

DRC/HPC-8 DRAFT~ Joint Historic Preservation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August 1; 2018 Page9

Memf:>er Mercer seconded the motion.

~~1 Upon c~U of the roll, the votE? of the Historic PresElrvatio ·•· " ~'. mitteewas as follows:

AYES: M€3tnbers Huston, Mercer; Vic

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: None

RECUSE•:

ABSENT: None

Vice~Chair Ferrin date uncertain subjectto the following comments:

• ~ncorp.orc1tes.them into these comments; • .·. \ efficienfuse of space. Study the edge -- .. ,;ddress Poli Street; suburban model;

· _ider '1ing ln rear as slqpe ·is a .constraint; • • e buildings c1nd howit relate·s· with :adjacent buildings; • • •

Member Antelman seconded the motion.

Upon call of the· roU, the vote of the Design Review Committee was as follows:

AYES: Members Antelrnan, Cline, Dunne, Vice-Chair Ferrin and Chair Brodersen DRAFT - Joint Historic Preservation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page?

Vista del Mar Drive, and then would continue at City Hall in the Community Meeting Room with a time certain start at 5:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL- DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE-TIME CERTAIN START AT 6:11 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: None

AGENDA MANAGEMENT: None

CONSENT ITEM - HISTORIC PRESERVATION & DES ·, ~ EVIEW COMMITTEE

4. Approval of the March 7, 2017 Joint DRC.~

RECOMMENDED ACTION Approve, as presented.

Member Schafer made a motion to approve th Minutes as presented.

Upon call of the roll, th ·ttee was as follows:

AYES:

• Dn carried 4 - 0, with Vice-Chair Cline abstaining.

Vice--Chair Ferrin made a · . ,on to approve the Joint DRC and HPC March 7, 2018 Meeting Minutes as presented.

Member Dunne seconded the motion.

Upon call of the roll, the vote of the Design Review Committee was as follows:

AYES: Members Antelman, Dunne, Vice-Chair Ferrin and Chair Brodersen

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: Member Cline DRAFT - Joint Historic Preservation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August 11 2018 Page6

DISCUSSION ITEM

3. Nomination and Appointment of two Certified Local Government Subcommittee Members.

Staff: Scott Kolwitz, Principal Planner Dave Ward, AICP, Planning Manager

SPEAKERS: Staff: Scott Kolwitz, Principal Planner; Dave Ward, AICR nning Manager Applicant: City of Ventura Members of Public: Stephen Schafer (San Buena Documents: PowerPoint by Staff Ex-parte Communication: None

Member Schafer nominated Member Scha ·

Chair Huckins made a motion to hafer onto the

Certified Local Government Subc i

Upon call of the roll, t

AYES:

STAFF COMMUNICATIO

Dave Ward, Planning Manager, spoke about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and historical review. ADUs proposed in a designated Historic District or on a property with a designated Historic Landmark is subject to additional discretionary review on architecture and materials only {and not the ADU standards themselves). This means staff will not process 5-day Postings to the HPC for ADUs that are not affiliated with a designated Historic District or on a property with a designated Historic Landmark.

Scott Kolwitz, Principal Planner, announced the next HPC Meeting is scheduled on August 22, 2018 at 3:45 for site visit to the Pierpont Inn at 550 Sanjon Road, and 1471 and 1491

DRC/HPC-6 DRAFT - Joint Historic Preservation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page5

5) Encourage the applicant to consider filing an application to list the Mattie Gleichmann House (50's Flat) on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historic Places.

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT The project is Categorically Exempt, CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 - Information Collection.

Case Planner: Don Nielsen, Associate Planner

SPEAKERS: Staff: Scott Kolwitz, Principal Planner; Don Nielsen Applicant: Larry Pickell (DKN Hotels, Senior Proj . • .. ) Members of Public: Stephen Schafer (San · a Ventur servancy); John Stewart, (Ventura); Cynthia Thompson (V Documents: PowerPoint by Staff Ex-parte Communication: None

Vice-Chair Cline made a motion t ~ for a site visit (starting at 3:45 and

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: None

RECUSED: None

ABSENT: None

Chair Huckins declared the motion carried 5 - 0. DRAFT - Joint Historic Preservation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August1,2018 Page4

RECUSED: None

ABSENT: None

Chair Huckins declared the motion carried 5 - 0.

Member Huston made a motion to approve the HPC May 23, 2018 Meeting Minutes as presented.

Member Mercer seconded the motion.

Upon call of the roll, the vote of the Historic Pres

AYES: Members Huston, Mer

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: None

RECUSED: None

ABSENT:

Case No. HRA-7-18-45998 HPDR-7-16-35882

RECOMMENDED QUASI-JUDICIAL ACTION 1) Discuss the property owner's intended use of the building and how to approach exterior and interior modifications to the building; 2) Retain a qualified Landscape Historian to conduct a survey to establish or professionally estimate the ages of landscape features on the property, particularly for the larger landscape features (i.e. trees); 3) Encourage the p,roperty owner to revise the local Historic Landmark Designation

application per criteria A, B, D1 E and F; 4) Encourage the applicant to consider filing an application to list the Main Building on the California Register of Historic Places; and

DRC/HPC-4 DRAFT - Joint Historic Preservation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August 1. 2018 Page3

Upon call of the roll, the vote of the Historic Preservation Committee was as follows:

AYES: Members Huston, Mercer, Schafer, Vice-Chair Cline and Chair Huckins

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: None

RECUSED: None

ABSENT: None

Chair Huckins declared the motion carried 5 - O

Member Huston made a motion to appro presente.d.

1 Member Mercer seconded the ma ·

Upon call of the roll, the vote of the mittee was as follows:

AYES:

NOES:

n carried 4 - 0, with Vice-Chair Cline abstaining.

Member Huston made ~ on to approve the HPC April 25, 2018 Meeting Minutes as presented.

Member Mercer seconded the motion.

Upon call of the roll, the vote of the Historic Preservation Committee was as follows:

AYES: Members Huston, Mercer, Schafer, Vice-Chair Cline and Chair Huckins

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: None DRAFT - Joint Historic Preservation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page 10

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: None

RECUSED: None

ABSENT: None

Chair Brodersen declared the motion carried 5 - 0.

6. PROJ-11819 - Conceptual Review for th- i~struction of a three (3) story quadplex containing four (4) new uni.ts. a uti&:.acre lot that contains an existing 5,130 square foot two-sto~mercial lfi(ding located at 940 East Santa Clara Street; John Fenske, . • . :~nt; zoned Ur• ',. General 1 (T4.1 ).

Case Nos.:

RECOMMENDEDACTIO·· Provide comments.

California Environ Not required fo

SPEAKER · Staff: Sc - ·e1li, Associate Planner Applic nc., Architect); Jack Kiesel (Kiesel Design,

. ura}; Gerard Martinez (Ventura) . and ·pplicant hair Ferrin recused himself as-his office (Arketype Architects, , oject; Chair Brodersen spoke with the Applicant regarding ~e.

Member Schafer made a otion to continue the project to a date uncertain subject to the following comments:

• HPC accepts the design as submitted; and • The project does not pose adjacency issues with the contiguous Landmarks

Vice-Chair Cline seconded the motion.

Upon call of the roll, the vote of the Historic Preservation Committee was as follows:

AYES: Members Huston, Mercer, Schafer, Vice-Chair Cline and Chair Huckins

DRC/HPC-10 DRAFT-Joint Historic Preseivation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page 11

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: None

RECUSE•: None

ABSENT: None

Chair Huckins declared the motion carried 5 - 0. /./ ADJOURNMENT - HISTORIC PRESERVATION C ~

Member Cline made a motion to continue th following comments:

· d Chair Brodersen

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

RECUSED:

ABSENT: None

Chair Brodersen declared the motion carried 4 - 0, with Vice-Chair Ferrin recused.

CONSENT ITEM

7. Approval of the June 20 and July 5, 2018 Meeting Minutes.

RECOMMENDED ACTION Approve, as pr~sented. ~·- Member Dunne made a motion to approve the June 20, 2018 Meeting Minutes as presented. DRAFT - Joint Historic Preservation Committee & Design Review Committee Minutes August 1, 2018 Page 12

Member Cline seconded the motion.

Upon call of the roll, the vote of the Design Review Committee was as follows:

AYES: Members Antelman, Cline, Dunne, and Chair Brodersen

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: None

RECUSED: None

ABSENT: Vice-Chair Ferrin

Chair Brodersen declared the motion carri

Members Antelman and Cline ne Consequently, quorum was lost o Minutes. Staff continued the July 5, meeting.

xt meeting of the DRC will occur on August

ADJQ.

DRC/HPC-12 Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura, Catifornia

Downtown Specific Plan Area

Prepared by Hl[§TORJ[C lRE§OlGJRCES GROUP

April 2007 Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura, California Downtown Specific Plan Area

Prepared for

City of Ventura 501 Poli Street Ventura, CA 93002

Prepared by

HKSTORJrC RESOlL1RCES GROlGP 1728 Whitley Avenue Hollywood, CA 90028

April 2007 Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMM.ARY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1 I. INTRODUCTION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 PREVIOUS PRESERVATION EFFORTS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3 OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••, ••••••• 3 SURVEY AREA • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4 PREVIOUS DESIGNATIONS AND SURVEYS ...... , ...... 6 II. METHODOLOGY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••• 17 SURVEY PROCESS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 17 AGE THRESHOLD • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 18 SURVEY PHASES •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 18 PROPERTY DATA ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 19 PROPERTY NUMBERS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 21 MAPS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 21 DEFINITIONS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• , •••••••••••••• , •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 22 Ill. HISTORIC CONTEXT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 28 PURPOSE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 28 INTRODUCTION ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 29 DEVELOPMENT HISTORY AND ASSOCIATED PROPERTY TYPES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 30 SELECTED CHRONOLOGY •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 54 SIGNIFICANT PERSONS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 58 ARCHITECTS AND BUILDERS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 64 IV. SURVEY RES UL TS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 66 UNDERSTANDING THE SURVEY RESULTS ...... 66 CHARACTERIZING THE SURVEY AREA •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 69 LANDMARKS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 71 POINTS OF INTEREST ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 81 HISTORIC DISTRICTS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 83 HISTORIC SITES, OBJECTS, AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES ...... 89 NATIONAL REGISTER AND CALIFORNIA REGISTER PROPERTIES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 89 V. RECOMMENDATIONS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 94 CITY REGULATIONS: CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS AND CRITERIA ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 94 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: THE USE OF FINANCIAL INCENTIVES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 96 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER PROGRAMS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 100 FUTURE RESEARCH AND SURVEY EFFORTS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 104 CONCLUSION ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •.• ••••••••••••••••••••• 106 GLOSSARY •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 107 BIBLIOGRAPHY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 108

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area List of Tables

Table 1. Properties with National Register Evaluations •••••••..••••.••••••.•..••.•••••.. 8 Table 2. Designated Landmarks and POis in the DTSP Area •••••••••••••.•.•..••.••••.• 13 Table 3. Recommended Landmarks •••••...•..••.•••.•••.•••.•••••.••••••••••••••••••••••••• 72 Table 4. Recommended Points of Interest ••••.••••••.••••••••••.••••••••••...••••••.••••• 81 Table 5. Mitchell Block - Recommended District Contributors ••••..••.•.••••.•••.••••• 84 Table 6. Selwyn Shaw-Block· Recommended District Contributors •••.•.•••.•...... •. 84 Table 7. Main Street Historic District - Recommended District Contributors •.•••••• 86 Table 8. Recommended National Register and California Register Properties .•••.• 90

List of Figures

Figure 1. Survey Area • . . . •. . . •. . •• . •• . •• . •• • • . . • •• • • • •• •. •. •. •. •. •. •. •. . • . •• ...... • • •. . . • •• . 5 Figure 2. Designated Historic Properties .•.•••.•••••...••••••••.•..•••••••.••...•...... ••. 16 Figure 3. Survey Phase Areas .••.••.•••••••.••...•••.•...•.•.....••..•..•....•••..••••••.•••. 24 Figure 4. Property Numbers - West Survey Area •••••.•••••••••••••••••••••.•...•••.•..••. 25 Figure 5. Property Numbers - Central Survey Area ••..••.•...••.••••••••••..•••••.•••.••• 26 Figure 6. Property Numbers - East Survey Area .•..••••.••.••.•.•.•••....••....•.•..•...•. 27 Figure 7. Recommended Landmarks •••.....•••....•.•.••••••••..•.....•••.••••...... •.•••• 80 Figure 8. Recommended Points of Interest .•••.••.•.....•.••.•••.•.••.••..•.•.••••••.•.••. 82 Figure 9. Recommended Main Street Commercial Historic District •••••••••••••••.••• 88 Figure 10. Recommended Historic Designations ••.••.•.•.•.•.••••••.••••••••••••..••.•••. 93

List of Appendices

APPENDIX A: Downtown Specific Plan Area Map APPENDIX B: Phase One Field Survey Form APPENDIX C: Summary Listing of Recommended Designations APPENDIX D: Property Data Table

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the results of an historic resources survey update conducted in the City of Ventura, California. The survey update was conducted between October 2006 and April 2007 by Historic Resources Group of Hollywood, California. Participants included Christy McAvoy, Managing Principal; Kari Fowler, Senior Preservation Planner; and Paul Travis, Associate Preservation Planner; all of whom meet the Secretary of the Interior's qualifications for professionals in historic preservation. Additional assistance was provided by Rosie Klein.1 Project coordination on behalf of the City of Ventura was managed by associate planners Lilly Okamura and Nicole Horn.

With the notable exceptions of the San Buenaventura Mission complex and the Ortega Adobe, the survey area contains historic properties dating from 1869 through the early 1960s. Of the surveyed properties, approximately 12% are pre-1900 structures. The remaining properties were constructed in the 20th century, most of these built prior to 1930. ·

Few historic properties remain in the western portion of the survey area, due in part to the construction of the Freeway in 1962. The majority of Ventura's earliest remaining commercial resources are concentrated within the central portion of the survey area, described as the Main Street commercial corridor. The City's earliest extant residential structures are located in the foothills immediately to the north, and in residential neighborhoods immediately to the east, of the commercial core. Taken together, this population of buildings comprises the vast majority of the city's oldest historic resources. Similar concentrations will not be encountered anywhere else in the city.

This survey update identified and surveyed over 1, 100 individual properties within the Downtown Specific Plan Area. Of these, 221 are recommended for local Landmark designation, including 64 currently designated Landmarks and 157 undesignated properties. Thirteen properties are recommended for designation as Points of Interest, including 9 currently designated sites.

In addition to properties eligible individually as local Landmarks or Points of Interest, this survey update identifies three local historic districts. The Mitchell Block Residential Historic District, comprising 8 single-family residences in the 600 block of East Thompson Boulevard, is recommended for designation as a local historic district, with all 8 properties designated as district contributors. In addition, the Mitchell Block was previously determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The currently designated Selwyn Shaw Residential Historic District comprises a complete block bounded by Ann, Buena Vista, Hemlock, and

1 Federal Register, Vol. 48, No. 190, pp. 44738-44739, September 29, 1983.

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 1 Poli Streets. Within this block, 1O properties have been identified as contributors to the historic district.

Finally, this survey update proposes a third, currently unrecognized local historic district. The Main Street Commercial Historic District contains 98 properties, 53 of which have been evaluated as district contributors. This recommended district includes properties on the north and south sides of East Main Street between Figueroa and Fir Streets, and several properties immediately north and south of Main Street on Palm, Oak, California and Chestnut Streets. These blocks of Main Street form a contiguous and relatively intact grouping of buildings which functioned historically as the City's primary commercial corridor from the late 1860s through the 1950s.

This survey update identifies 50 properties as appearing eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, including 4 properties that are currently listed in the National Register. The update identifies 57 properties as appearing eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources.

As this survey update indicates, the Cf ty of Ventura boasts a substantial number of historically significant properties within the Downtown Specific Plan Area. With the information compiled in this report and associated appendices, the City will be well-prepared to pursue its ongoing efforts to protect and preserve evidence of its vibrant past.

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 2 o What is the current status of existing Landmarks and Points of Interest? Do these properties retain sufficient historic integrity to remain eligible for designation? o Are there any geographic or thematic groupings of properties that would comprise a potential historic district? If so, what would the boundaries of such a district be? Which properties within these boundaries would be contributors to the potential district? o Which previously identified properties, if any, are no longer eligible for designation, due to alterations or demolition? Which properties remain eligible despite alterations? o Of the properties that have not been surveyed or evaluated in the past, which are eligible for designation individually or as contributors to a potential historic district?

With these objectives in mind, the scope of the survey update was defined in consultation with City staff to comprise three main components: 1. A reconnaissance-level survey of all properties within the Downtown Specific Plan Area. · 2. An historic context statement of the City of Ventura, with particular emphasis on extant properties of the Downtown Specific Plan Area. 3. A listing of all surveyed properties, with local evaluations where appl fcable.

SURVEY AREA

The geographical boundaries of this survey update are those of the Downtown Specific Plan Area. Comprising approximately 445 acres and over 1,100 individual parcels, the survey area is bounded generally by foothills to the north, the coastline to the south, Highway 33 to the west, and Cabrillo Middle School to the east. 2 A map of the survey area is provided below (See Figure 1). This map was derived from a city-provided map depicting the Downtown Specific Plan Area (See Appendix A.)

2 The Final Draft Downtown Specific Plan defines the Downtown Specific Plan Area as · "bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south, the foothills and the Westside Planning Area to the north, the Ventura River to the west, and the Midtown Planning Area to the east."

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 4 Figure 1. Survey Area

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Histqric Resources 5urvey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plah Area 5 PREVIOUS DESIGNATIONS AND SURVEYS

As part of the process of identifying and evaluatf ng historic properties, it is necessary to determine which properties have previously been designated, surveyed, or otherwise evaluated for historic significance on the local, state, or national level. Past surveys and historic resources inventories were reviewed in determining local eligibility in this study.

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is "an authoritative guide to be used by Federal, state, and local governments, private groups, and citizens to identify the nation's cultural resources and to indicate what properties should be considered for protection from destruction or impairment ... The National Park Service administers the National Register program. Listing in the National Register assists in preservation of historic properties through: recognition that a property is of significance to the nation, the state, or the community; consideration in the planning for Federal or Federally-assisted projects; eligibility for Federal tax benefits; consideration in the decision to issue a surface coal mining permit; and qualification for Federal assistance for historic preservation, when funds are available.

To be eligible for listing and/or listed in the National Register, a resource must possess significance in American history and culture, architecture, or archaeology. A benefit of listing in the National Register is the availability of financial and tax incentives for property owners for rehabilitation.

Listing in the National Register is primarily honorary and does not in and of itself provide protection of an historic resource. However, projects that receive Federal funding are subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requiring Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. State and local laws and regulations may apply to properties listed in the National Register. For example, demolition or inappropriate alteration of National Register eligible structures may be subject to provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The criteria for listing in the National Register follow the standards for determining the significance of properties. Sites, districts, structures, or landscapes of potential significance are eligible for nomination. In addition to meeting any or all of the criteria listed below, properties nominated must also possess integrity of location, design, setting, feeling, workmanship, association, and materials:

A. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history B. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 6 C. Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction D. Yield, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history

The evaluation of integrity is grounded in an understanding of a property's physical f ea tu res and how these features relate to its historic significance. It is through the retention of original character-defining features that the significance of a resource is conveyed. The National Register recognizes seven aspects or qualities that, in various combinations, define the integrity of a property. They include:

1. Location - Location is the place where the historic property was constructed or the place where the historic event occurred. 2. Design - Design is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure, and style of a property. 3. Setting - Setting is the physical environment of a historic property. 4. Materials - Materials are the physical elements that were combined or deposited during a particular period of time and in a particular pattern or configuration to form a historic property. 5. Workmanship - Workmanship is the physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given period in history or prehistory. 6. Feeling - Feeling is a property's expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular period of time. 7. Association - Association fs the direct link between an important historic event or person and a historic property.

According to the State Historic Resources Inventory (HRI), 48 properties within the survey area have been previously listed on, formally determined eligible for, or evaluated as appearing eligible for the National Register. 3

3 State Historic Resources Inventory, update December 22, 2005.

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 7 aa/iforniEl Register o.f Historic§JlResoarces

The Califprnia .Regi'ster Qf f-fistorical Resources is an authoritative. guide. in CaliMrnia: used- by State and local agenciest private groups, and citizens to· identifY: the State'_s· histpfical resou.rces gndtQ indicate what. properties are to be. protected, to the extent prudent and feasible, from substantial adverse change.

The Californ'ia Re,gister·consists of reso.urces that are listed automatically and those: that must.be nominated through.an applicatfort..[i<:aLresourc~~-; .histqrical resoµrces. c:on'tri.butipg toJ1istoric:distdtt~, and historical tesources· desigt1ated or listed as. a Jocal landmark. 5 · ·

The criteria Jar el igi.bHit~ for listing in. the Califomia. Register are based upon National Register criteria and may include any resourcetbat:

1) Is associated with events that have rnade a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history or the cultural heritage of California or' the United 'States. 2) Is associated With the lives of persons important to local, C:alifornta or ncttiohal history. 3J Ernbodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region or method of cor1struction or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values·. 4) Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, inforrnatioh important to the prehistory or history of the local area, California or the nation.

The City of Ventura has established procedures Jor identifying, de$ignating, and preserving .historic resources. As outlined in section 24.455. 120: of the Municipal Code, an histortc resource rnc1y be a landmark, point of interest, or .district. The terms Landmark and Point of Interest ate defined as follows:

5 Technical As.sistance S~ries #3. California Registf!r of Historicql Resources: Questions .and Answers. California Office of Historic: Preservation, revised May 9, 2006.

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 11 Landmark means any real property such as a building, structure, archaeological excavation, or object that is unique or significant because of its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship or aesthetic feeling, and is associated with: (a) Events that have made a meaningful contribution to the nation, state .or community; (b) Lives of persons who made a meaningful contribution to national, state or local history; (c) Reflecting or exemplifying a particular period of the national, state, or local history; (d) Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; (e) The work of one or more master builders,. designers, artists or architects whose talents influenced their historic period, or work that otherwise possesses high artistic value; (f) Representing a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or (g) Yielding, or likely to yield, information important to national, state or local history or prehistory.

Point of Interest means any real property or object: (a) That is the site of a building, structure or object that no longer exists but was associated with historic events, important persons, or embodied a distinctive character of architectural style; (b) That fias historic significance, but was altered to the extent that the integrity of the original workmanship, materials or style ts substantially compromised; (c) That is the site of a historic event, which has no distinguishable characteristics other than that a historic event occurred there and the historic significance is sufficient to justify the establishment of a historic landmark.

These definitions are generally consistent with the criteria set forth by the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources. To date, the City has 97 designated Landmarks and Points of Interest. Of these, 76 are located within the survey area, including 66 Landmarks and 10 Points of Interest (See Figure 2).

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 12 81 NAnn St LMK#26 14ClN Ann St LMK #46 825 Ash St Jacque Roos House LMK #47 162:S Ash-St Frank).. Sifford House LMK#52 831 ·:auena.Vistp St Charles::f3 •. •C:.orcoran i-louse LMK #66 61-79'5 CaliforniaSt Bella Mi:lggiC>re .(J\.C Martin LMK #40 aµildfng;Jl Nfddo Hotel) 128 S California St Dr.C.F. Miller House LMK #39· .163.Cedctt St Charl~s: Cooper·H.oose LMK #67 42 N Chestnut St M<>tley-.G,aHenJfne Co. (Packard LMK #31 ~ar~ge) 26-54 s Chestnut St/608 E M~in St Venturn Tbeafre Llv\K #24 (South end Figueroa St) Shisholbp ViU~ge Site POl#l8 1.07' flg1,,1ero~ St LMK#33 n9 .Figueroa St LMk#73 14Jflgueroa St WilliamElwell House 92 N First Eliza J. Amold House LMK#97 121 N Fir St Elizabeth Bartl .·Memorial LMK #19 Hospital. 825 E Front St Robert c.. Sudclen House LMK #41 668 Harbor Bl :Ventura P1e:r .(Ventura Wharf) LMK#to 101 S Laurel St First Baptist Church (Stacy-:Judd LMK #17 Buildihg) (100 block£ Main St) Misslon Plaza Site LMK#6 John c.. FremontCamp POI #90 (100 block:E MainStJ Mor~on Bay fig Tree LMK#1'2 :(200 block E Maih St) ChinaAU~y POI #91 204-208.·E Maih:St Peir.ano's Grote,11 LMK#32 204-208 E Main St Mission Lavend¢ria L.MK #85 211 E Main St San :suenaventura Mission LMK 11.10 211 E Main St Mission Norfolk Pines LMK#8 304 EM,ajn St Chc1ffey &N\cKe~l:>,y Store·(site POl#4J of) 377-379 E Main St First PostOffic;:e Building LMKl/25 394E Main St Bank of Italy LMK#38 40,1 E Main St/16 NQak St First National Bank of Ventura PQl#36 451-461 EMain St El Jardin Patio LMK#63 494. E Main St/21 S California St Ffrst National Bank LMK#37

_Historic R~sourc~s Survey Up-elate City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Are~ 13 494EMainSt/21. S California St Erle Stanley• G:arner Office POl#86 592~598 .E Main St Ventur~ GtJar:~rtt~e B1Jilding and LMK #15 . Loan (Gro~n¢ BuiJoing) 692 EMain·St Ventgra Mut(Jat Fire lns4rance Compciny 717~721 E Main St David S. Blac:kburn House LMK.#59 835- E.Mairf St Blackstock House LMK #51 8.5.3 t Mahi St Nellie: Clover House LMK#53 896EMainSt SoLJthern /v\ethodist Episcopal 'LMKl/28 Cl1urch 902EMain:St FirstChristian Church/Alice LMK1'.27 Bartlett Club 932EMain-St Dunning: House LMK #55 953 E Mairrst Kate Duval House. LMK#74 Granger House, LMK#56 2~12'WMainSt Feraud Genen:1l Men:handise Store 8: Bak(;ry .38~so·w·Main st Arcade Building LMK#83 215 WMain St Ortega Adobe LMK#2 31 N.-QakSt EtnmanueL.Franz.House LMK:#Z1 34~52 N Palm St LiveryTheatre (OldTown Livery) 71 N Palm St 7l Palm Restaurant (Norton LMK#89 Ranch House)

331 Poli St John C. Morrison House LMK#57 411 Pali St Roberf E. Brakey House LMK#64 501 Poli St Ventura Co.unty LMK#4 courthouse/Ventura City Hall 605 Poli St Judge Fe\ixW~ EW1rig House LMK.#14 .637-.639 Poli St Hammond.:Reese- House LMKf/19 644 Poli St Theodosia Burr Shepherd POI #34 Gardens 755 Poli St J.A. D;iy House ~MK #70 1029 Poli.St Sheridan House LMK#42 1141 Poli St Bert Shaw House LMK#50 1157 PoliSt Sllyter House LMK#62 550 Sanjoh Rd Pierpont Inn LMK#80 E Santa Clara St/S Chestnut St Plaza Morton Bay Fig LMK#11

Historic Resources Survey Update City .of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area · 14 211 E Santa Clara St Landmark #78 Restaurant (Carlo LMK #78 Hahn House) 675 E Santa Clara St Post Office (Gordon Grant LMK#29 Murals) 754 E Santa Clara St Magnolia Tree POI #22 793 E Santa Clara St Mayfair Theater (site of) POI #95 958 E Santa Clara St Louis Rudolph House LMK#92 970 E Santa Clara St J. Hoover Love House LMK #75 235/259 W Santa Clara St Hobson Bros. Meat Packing Co. LMK#23 Building E Thompson Bl/S Palm St San Miguel Chapel Site POI #16 E Thompson Bl/S Palm St Coast Live Oak Tree LMK#96 557 E Thompson Bl Dacy Fazio House LMK#48 608 E Thompson Bl Conklin Home LMK#7 856 E Thompson Bl A. D. Briggs House LMK #81

The City's Municipal Code defines the term Historic District as follows:

Historic District means a geographically definable area possessing a significant concentration, linkage or continuity of site, buildings, structures and/or objects united by past events, or aesthetically by plan or physical development, regardless of whether such a district may include some buildings, structures, sites, objects, or open spaces that do not contribute to the significance of the district.

A historic district can generally be distinguished from surrounding areas (1) by visual change such as building density, scale, type, age, or style; or (2) by historic documentation of different associations or patterns of development. The numbers of non-significant properties a historic district can contain yet still convey its sense of time and place and historical development depends on how these properties impact the historic district's integrity.

There are two official local historic districts located within the survey area. The Mitchell Block consists of Plaza Park and 8 single-family residences on East Thompson Boulevard between Fir and Chestnut Streets. The Selwyn Shaw Historic District comprises a complete block bounded by Ann, Buena Vista, Hemlock, and Poli Streets (See Figure 2). 6

6 The Cfty's list of Historic Landmarks &. Districts, dated July 1, 2003, defines the area bounded by Santa Clara St, Poli St, Palm St, and Ventura Av as the Mission Historic District, although contributing resources were not identified. For the purposes of this survey update, built resources within this area are evaluated as individual properties •

Historic Resources Survey Update . City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 15 Figure 2. Designated Historic: Prop.erties

:?! :oE$J:G:NAT:E'D:f:lt'$f()Ritc· PR:OP.ER:TIES '1- Laiidill.c1rk * Point of.1 rite rest Historic. t>lstrlct trr:::1 MlssionComPOUl'ld Site and office buildings. Extant resources in the survey area from this period are characterized by the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles.

Development in Ventura surged during the Postwar Prosperity and the Freeway period (1945-1962). Following World War II, residential subdivisions and commercial centers were built in previously undeveloped areas of the city. Development within the survey area was characterized by infill and the renovation of existing structures. Very few examples from this period appear within the survey area. Extant examples include updated Modern storefronts, and a handful of civic and office buildings designed in the Mid-century Modern style.

Of the surveyed properties, approximately 12% are p~e-1900 structures. The remaining properties were constructed in the 20th century, most of these built prior to 1930. Few historic properties remain in the western portion of the survey area, due in part to the construction of the Freeway in 1962. The majority of Ventura's earliest remaining commercial resources are concentrated within the central portion of the survey area, described as the Main Street commercial corridor. The City's earliest extant residential structures are located in the foothills immediately to the north, and in residential neighborhoods immediately to the east, of the commercial core. Taken together, this population of buildings comprises the vast majority of the city's oldest historic resources. Similar concentrations will not be encountered anywhere else in the city. 81

LANDMARKS

This survey update has identified 221 properties which meet the criteria for local Landmark designation. This number includes 64 currently designated Landmarks and 157 undesignated properties (See Figure 7). 82 Properties evaluated as eligible for Landmark designation include those with good or fair integrity and at least one of the following:

o Has an historic association with important people or events. o Is a good or rare example of a particular building type. o Is a good or rare example of a particular architectural style.

81 Construction dates, buildings types, architectural styles, and other information that characterizes these historic resources are presented in the Property Data Table. 82 The Father Serra Statue (landmark #3), the Mission Plaza Site (Landmark #6), and the Morton Bay Fig Tree (Landmark #12) are not associated with individual parcel addresses and therefore do not appear in the Property Data Table.

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 71 Table 3. Recommended Landmarks ;; " ., .... , .. ., .,..,,,.. ""...... ·:,·: _. ··,: . '·. ,:?:\cff}T ·•·. ,,:y,,,_;,; ' ;; .. ;· : ·.• ;, . "· ";;: · .. C::' •; ·;:\'.::,''.\,,/'' :'. __ ,:: r'.![~,,)i> .,.,:!.) ·\.:· :i:;;j l;/il}'' . -= ·.c >.; .• -r, ,, ,,::· ·•· .. .. _.. .. ,· >W\>".:' H . .. """ .,.,,! ·< ;,:,,., ,·.>•

23 Ann St S I (None) 27 Ann St S (None) 45 Ann St S (None) 142-146 Ann St S (None) 168-170 Ann St S (None) 46 Ash St N Mosher-Bardill Clinic (Daly, Ross and Walker) 63 Ash St N Smith-Hobson Building 11 Ash St S Ventura BPOE Lodge# 1430 40 Ash St S Dr. W. Sterling Clark Office (Clifford E. Hey ft Co./ Becker Group) 82 Ash St S* Jacque Roos House 94 Ash St S Daisy N. Orr House 134 Ash St S (None) 142-148 Ash St S (None) 162 Ash St S* Frank J. Sifford House 230 Ash St S Frank Hobart House 244 Ash St S (None) 252 Ash St S D. Bogetti House 274·278 Ash St S Beronio House 697 Buena Vista St Merle J. Rogers House 787 Buena Vista St William Davis House 831 Buena Vista st• Charles B. Corcoran House 1142-1148 Buena Vista St (None) 1169 Buena Vista St Ernest Shaw House 1219 Buena Vista St LE. Mercer House

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 72 , , ";' ,:,, .. ·,:.; : ' .•· .. , ...... , ··

...... ' . "' ·: i,:,:r:; {:<• :.. • ., ...... ·•. . .. 61-79 California St s• Taft Hotel; El Niddo Hotel; A.C. Martin Building (Bella Maggiore) 101-107 California St S/466-482 E Masonic Temple Santa Clara St 120-122 California St S/500-522 E Seaside Gas 8: Service Station; Ventura Santa Clara St Bus Terminal (Seaside Plaza) 128 California St s• Dr. C.F. Miller House 144 California St S Congressman Vandever Residence 163 Cedar St* Charles Cooper House 42 Chestnut St N* Motley-Gallentine Co., Inc. (Packard Garage) 87 Chestnut St N Elsie Meiners House 26-54 Chestnut St S* Ventura Theatre · 145 Crimea St N (None) 159 Crimea St N (None) 37-39 Crimea St S (None) 107 Figueroa St* Peirano House 119 Figueroa St* Ada McCosky Love House {Spa/Love House) 143 Figueroa St* William Elwell House 57 Fir St N William B. Aplin House 69 Fir St N (None) 85 Fir St N Clay G. Knox House 92 Fir St N* Eliza J. Arnold House 121 Fir St N* Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital (Elizabeth Bard Professional Center) 36-38 Fir St S Henry Harrison Neel House 130 Fir St S (None) 144 Fir St S Carrie Newby House 158 Fir St S Joseph Fossati House 825 Front St E• Robert C. Sudden House 934 Front St E Ventura Mill Lumber Company (The Wharf) 40 Hemlock St N Thomas G. Gabbert House 69 Hemlock St N Boling Family House 81 Hemlock St N George Parker House

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 73 : '.-t:t.t~}.·=; .:, ·,:~~ \ · -W!~i~:;'~jt~ __ ·-- :; j>.r~1>.!rtS\~;~'!le

...... <:·.· : : . . \.-:•,···· ...... 239 Hemlock St S (None) 257 Hemlock St S Catherine and Michael Walsh House 264-266 Hemlock St S (None) 274 Hemlock St S John Pratt House 33 Kalorama St N (None) 41-47 Kalorama St N (None) 83-85 Kalorama St N (None) 93 Kalorama St N (None) 27 Kalorama St S (None) 122 Kalorama St S Emil A. Gratzky House

134 Kalorama St S (None) 144 Kalorama St S (None) 156 Kalorama St S Pierre Larramendy House 253-259 Kalorama St S (None) 269 Kalorama St S (None) 305 Kalorama St S Swift & Company (Ventura Star Rug) 38 Laurel St N Sherwood House 39-43 Laurel St N (None) 71 Laurel St N Beekman-McGuire House ·93 Laurel St N W. H. Russell House 101 Laurel St S* First Baptist Church (Church of Religious Science; Stacy-Judd Building) 153 Laurel St S (None) (100 block E Main St)* Mission Plaza Site (100 block E Main St)* Morton Bay Fig Tree 204-208 Main St E*t Peirano's Grocery/Wilson Studio (Jonathan's; J's Tapas) 204-208 Main St E*t San Buenaventura Mission Lavanderia (site of) 211 Main St E*t San Buenaventura Mission 211 Main St E*t Mission Norfolk Pines 213 Main St E San Buenaventura Mission Rectory 230 Main St E Nash Motor Sales Garage; Trueblood Thrift Shop (Animal Rescue Thrift)

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 14 315-321 Main St E Le Petite Theatre (Palermo) 353-355 Main St E Sanchez Brothers Hardware (Ventura Leather) 394 Main St E* Bank of Italy; Pacific National 404-410 Main St E Woolworth's (Nicholby's) 451-461 Main St E* El Jardin Patio 477-495 Main St E Hotel Ventura (Ventura Inn) 494 Main St E/21 S California St* First National Bank; Erle Stanley Gardner Office 512-522 Main St E Odd Fellows Temple (IOOF) 592-598 Main St E* Ventura Guaranty Building and Loan; Theodore Groene Building; Bahn's Jewelry Store 651 E Main St Ventura County and City Library (E.P. Foster Library) 692 Main St E* Ventura Mutual Fire Insurance Co. (Chicago Ribs) 695-697 Main St E Walter Jones Residence (Ema's Herbs) 717-721 Main St E* David S. Blackburn House (Elixir Technologies) 835 Main St E* Blackstock House 844 Main St E (None) 867 Main St E Roy A. Priest House 896 Main St E* Southern Methodist Episcopal Church (Victorian Rose Bed and Breakfast Inn) 901 Main St E Ventura Locksmith 902 Main St E* First Christian Church/ Alice Bartlett . Clubhouse (Apostolic Church/ Alleluia House of Worship) 929-931 Main St E Edwin lnsensee House (The Home Office Real Estate) 932 Main St E* William A. Dunning House (Gallery 932) 942 Main St E S. M. Willson House 943-945 Main St E Eugene W. Duval House 953 Main St E* Kate Duval House 1006 Main St E First Christian Church; Laurel Theater; United Pentecostal Church (Rubicon Theatre)

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 75 1031 Main St E (None) 1043 Main St E (None) 1081 Main St E (None) 1206 Main St E* Granger House 1209 Main St E Casa Vista Apartments 1224-1228 Main St E (None) 1347 Main St E Cemetery (Cemetery Park) 853-857 Main St E* Nellie Clover House (Mediation Center/Veterinary Clinic) 2-12 Main St W* Feraud General Merchandise Store; · 1903 Building (Paddy's) 38 Main St W* Arcade Building (Warehouse Antiques) 215 Main St W* Ortega Adobe 1057 Meta St (None) 1069 Meta St (None) 1108 Meta St (None) 1183 Meta St J.P. Rasmussen House 1212 Meta St (None) 1220 Meta St (None) 1242 Meta St Rose Baldwin House 1279 Meta St (None) 1293 Meta St (None) 31 Oak St N* Emmanuel Franz House 43 Olive St S Point Blank 34-52 Palm St N* Phoenix Stables Livery and Boarding; Ventura County Garage ( Old Town Livery, Livery Theatre, Tutti's) 71 Palm St N* Norton Ranch House (71 Palm Restaurant) 73 Palm St N* Fridolin W. Hartman House 84 Palm St N ·Charles D. Bonestel House 168 Palm St S J. V. Sanchez House 180 Palm St S W.J. Walton House (Poli St/California St)* Father Serra Statue 98 Poli St Water Filtration Building; Ventura Jail

Historic Resources Survey·Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area · 76 331 Poli St* John C. Morrison House 411-413 Poli St* Robert E. Brakey House (La Mer Bed & Breakfast) 501 Poli St* Ventura County Courthouse; Ventura County Sherrifs Office and Jail (Ventura City Hall) 605 Poli St* Judge Felix W. Ewing House (Edward Lasch er Law Offices) 637-639 Poli St* Harry Hammond/Reese House 656-658 Poli St (None) 688 Poli St Noble Hill Apartments 732 Poli St (None) 755-759 Poli St* J .A. Day House 793 Poli St Minnie P. Gales House 819 Poli St (None) 828 Poli St (None) 847 Poli St Richard N. Hayden Apartments 854 Poli St (None) 869 Poli St Andrew T. MacGregor House 932-934 Poli St (None) 1029 Poli St* Sheridan House 1043 Poli St (None) 1057 Poli St (None) 1109 Poli St (None) 1129 Poli St (None) 1132 Poli St (None) 1141 Poli St* Bert Shaw House 1157 Poli St* Suyter House 1169 Poli St (None) 1182 Poli St (None) 1194 Poli St (None) 1244 Poli St (None) 1257 Poli St (None) 1293 Poli St McCandless House 550 Sanjon Rd* Pierpont Inn

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 77 ·:-:, .. .. . • .. :· ,; :·:: . ... . :; ....., . -_.Address: -: ' ,·:. :PropertY:- N~rrie- ·•

'. 211 Santa Clara St E* Carlo Hahn House (Landmark #78 Restaurant) 540 Santa Clara St E Hotel Fosnaugh (The Somerset) 625 Santa Clara St E · Affinity Bank, Loan Origination Accounting 675 Santa Clara St E* Post Office; Gordon Grant Murals 720 Santa Clara St E Leewood Hotel 767 Santa Clara St E Wallace R. Gibson; George Harkey 830 Santa Clara St E Juan Camarillo House (Seaside Chiropractic Offices) 845 Santa Clara St E Robert Morgan House (Gillian's Therapy Center) 906 Santa Clara St E (None) 918 Santa Clara St E (None) 958 Santa Clara St E* Louis Rudolph House 970 Santa Clara St E* J. Hoover Love House 981 Santa Clara St E (None) 993 Santa Clara St E Harry Valentine House 1033-1039 Santa Clara St E G. W. Whitton House 1065 Santa Clara St E Dr. Stephen Bowers House 1120 Santa Clara St E Maggie Bard House 1156 Santa Clara St E William Vincent House 1164-1170 Santa Clara St E M.J. Ely House 1180-1182 Santa Clara St E Frank Kelsey House 1203 Santa dara St E Ernest E. Everett House 1285 Santa Clara St E (None) 1311 Santa Clara St E A. W. Barnes House 1338 Santa Clara St E First Methodist Episcopal Church Santa Clara St E and Chestnut St st Plaza (Plaza Park) Santa Clara St E and Chestnut St s•t Plaza Morton Bay Fig 235 Santa Clara St W* Smith-Hobson Building; Hobson Bros. Packing Company (Patagonia/Great Pacific Ironworks) 231 Thompson Bl E (None) 500 Thompson Bl E/200 S California St Firestone Tires (McNeil Bros., Inc.) 557 Thompson Bl E* Dacy Fazio House (Cherry Homes)

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 78 ., .. .., ; .. ,., ...... ,' ·. 585 Thompson Bl E Goodyear Building (Discount Centers) 608 Thompson Bl E* Conklin Home 620 Thompson Bl E William McGuire House 632 Thompson Bl E Earl E. Ba mes House 644 Thompson Bl E Joseph M. Riley House 658 Thompson Bl E Dr. J.J. Streets House 670 Thompson Bl E Mary Mitchell House 682 Thompson Bl E W. F. Sittel House 692 Thompson Bl E John Mitchell House 844 Thompson Bl E George T. McFadden House 856 Thompson Bl E* A.O. Briggs House (Kids and Families Together) Thompson Bl E/Palm St* Coast Live Oak Tree 296 Ventura Av N L. F. Webster House 99 Ventura Av S Southern California Edison Company Distributing Station 139 Wall St Miramar Apartments * Currently designated local Landmark. t Property contains two Landmarks.

Historic Resources Survey Update City of Ventura Downtown Specific Plan Area 79 Figure 7. Recommehded Lc:Jndmar:ks

I RECOMMENDED~AN·DMARK-S • Landhlark Handwritten note, by Busch, "residents of Ventura cannot attend meetings in person and not everyone has access to a computer" 'I. (

Submission by Laurie Mccory (daughter of Wilbur Rubottom, the master carver), bronze was a continuation of the concrete - community project Laurie McCoy Ventura California

·:: .. ~-.,,.:.. · .• , ...~ ?~··•_"_ .... ,,,. , -••. ..,.

July5;2020

Ventµra City Council

Dear Council Members:

Thank you for yo4r thoughtful considerptiC>n /Qfall of the l$sue$ and ,concerns r~l~tiog· to the Fr~JuniperoSerra,StatueJn Ventura.

liflriUl,~!t -,!~~t~~I~ ~~· ,~~ Ji~}:11i~:iv .,c, - -· '~a~r:iit~fg~;;~<· ~c1r,,ers in' 1987-1989. They were commissioned by the City .ofVentura to help ·replace the .original 19~61.COh<;rete :$tatye of Fr. Serra. I cl01 Writing clS his r:laughter, ·and asa lohg time residentofour beautiful city~ ' ·

In the late 198d's it became apparent thaHhe concrete .st~tue- ofSerra wa~,_ being badly dqn,agecl bY the:elements~ It was sinking, was-leaning back, and;hadbe9un to crumble afteryears of expo.sµre to thernarine erl\lironment. Tne sta.tLJe hEtd been sculpt¢d in ~lay arid .caslin concrete,.and by 1983: was cra·cking and ih danger of.fallrng .apart.

The .city commissioned studies ofthe statue t9 consider the art of conser:vadon, or the best w~xto 'preserve the statu .. ji~iq;~Xf'¥~'i'$i'.i~:i. . . ·- . . . 'ct'"l'\;~i.t~i~fP' :(d\~,, .

Councilman Russ Burns, .an engi,neer at1dwoodcarv¢r, .proposed the carving· Ofa wooden statue th.at would capture the likeness ofthe original statue and·.could be. used to create a moJdfora final btohze statue . . . . ~:,a~l:1)) ,;~;j~~l~~it~iWi§~~~~:\~t~'.( ...... _.,~:~. 1~~M1tZ!r:t .. ·...... · athet Serra .,,.,,_ ~ Restoration Cornmittee was ,fOrmed along with a Father Serra To.islFund. The c::ity rented the did Livery f:3uilding as the top~tioo for the e119rmpus carving project; ~hd comrn,uni\y membersbeganto donate funds.toward the project.

I have-vivid memories of my father .. then inhis mid seventies.., cUmbing the scaffolding plc1ced arouncl ttae concrete stc1t1Je, and_ using giant calipers. he ha<:I creat~d ior this project; began to measure everyfold and creviceinthe oldconcrete statue. Therewere months of measLJring, cha'rtiqg,. creating grids and drawings. sketching and planning. A huge framewor,kwas built to support the 1,200 pound rough basswo(?:q;{QI~Jf!!~ \VOUld be_come the Wooden statue and in mid 1987, the work of carving beganr4ffiffli~1t$e~i\iffi~~ffiV,exQJ1j,il\~t;:i ,:'JW:~p_ig2~~t~g~:;iey-Ji1~~~!~§•\~'!YZ _::·,-.-:> . . ---, ,,_._,__,. _,,:, ' .

. VENTURA CA 93004 The Oldlivery\was.open to visitors during the hours the carversw~re at wqtk~ Members Qf the community began to $te>p1~yregularlytq watch the process. Soon classrooms from our local schools appear ~i'lderthe tools of.6urWoodcarv.ers. 'Radio station KVEN be9antobroadcaslregularupdat~~·onthe projecta;;the c;ornrounity·tookgreatprideir1 s¢eirig the proces~ and progresstaking piac:e irlthe old historic building.

When the ca'rving was completedJn June 1989, molds were made from the wooden statue by The Calf.tornicl Sc:ulptqre Center in Palm Desert, where the bronze was cast using the lostWaxmethod of casting. The co,:npleted bronze·StcittJewastrGlJJ§Port~d tp Ven~~ra ~nd was plc1ceq on :a hew pedestc1l. Before the pedestal was sealed, my father placed a time-cc1psL1le in the.taYity under tfle stc1tueth.~f cqntaihecJ photographs~news articles and dty records from the process<--alcmg With a doUart)iltand sC>rnech9nge~ Th~ statµ;ewas l.Ji1veileo and, tl,eqicated•io an evenirig·.ceremony .. attended by about5oo· invited guests and members.of the ce>rnmuriitY on Odqber20, 198~- There wets music byfocc:11 artistsand a color guard wi.th Ughts'illurrlihating· the new ;bronze ·statµe. as ilwasunvei.led.•Mayor Jaines Mohaharrdedi¢atecfthe statue in hpnqr of our community's corrunitmentto the preservation of our heritage.·

I write this btief ~is~oryto grve you sorne perspectiVe on the enormoU$ project thqt this · r qurcity. - ·~[f~l]f'~ - - · a er.:-:1 ,wal'ifo opportunity to give· backfo the ·cJty thathe loved~. a.ntl to: use his. sl(Uls cis. 9n ijrtisfand master Wood carver to honor the :historic artthathad been created in 1936 •. It was not a political or a religious statement for him,Jt was a cyfn:,inatioh ofa life spent as a businessman, ah artist and member ofthis community.

My request to you as you consiqer the removal ofttiebrohze a.nd wooden statu~s, would be that you honor the heart,ofthe artists whose artistry was lovingly given to this prqtect I would ask that the.irwork be hp11ored ~rid valued, and that .the statue$ be presetvect~nd not defaced. The completion ofthis work was one of the great joys of my father's life.Jt Wa$ a magnifiteritwork.done by local v.~.r.ttura artisans. There is great honor in that

Sincerely yo~rs,

Laurie McCoy Submission by Lindsey Wurts, 1989 project was a significant community project Tracy Oehler

From: norepfy@cityofventura;ca~gov Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 20207:01 AM To: City Clerk subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agerida/Pllblic ComtnenfForm,

Electronic Agenda/Public Corntnent- Form

Disclosure: Pro.victing your.harne and contact information is: opUonal to participate in a Public Me.eting,. however byprovic;lin_g, it will al/Qw ·stafftoJollow-up with yoll on your item. YoLI mayon/ysµbmit one catnmentfbirtl pet agenda item.

Submission· Deadlines: Submit by houtJisted. below on Meeting. Date OR before Agenda .Item Concludes duringa.LiveM_eetihgfq be cpnslderecJparl oftbe record. City Council-by4pm on NJe.etingDatel Water.Commission-by 3pm on Meeting fjateIAdministrative Heafjhgs by 2'pm 01) Meetfqg.D.atef Pe$igfl ReviewGommifjee Qy -~ Pm on Meeting Pate lN!storicPres.ervation Committee ·by 2 pm on Meeting Daiei Planning.:.Corntnissidh by 4 P"} :onMeetingD.ateIParksand R~creation ._ ._ .. Commission. by 1 pm on M~et,ngDatelDowntown Patking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on f11eetingDateIEconomic Development StratfJ~yC011Jmlttee <9ouncil Committee):byNoon ·011 Meeting .. OF:Jtc lFinanc.e, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings .by 2 p.m. ori Meeting Date /Safe, Clean_ ~nd Homeless Committee by2 pm_:on Meeting DateIPubliQ.fi1put on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council tot.the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Lindsey Wurts

AddrE!ss Field notcomp(eted.

Phone Number Fleld.notcompleted;

Email Address Field notaompleted.

Name oflegislative body City Counqil

Meeting Date 7tl/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments /({~4:' ·'", ~,", .,>. ··• · ~:;p,i~¢,f,\t,jff~)W:Qiij_J,~~iw,J~gJ~,,{lll~:iit}1(~fi~l~~;dUt11~. / · ,:;tK~ieliEf ·a fci 6a~d11e(sfatue that~ sfts 'in front of city ·.. J;a,t\Mi:gM,¥.i!Mm r~itgD~.!~~-~eekends an? ~oqld t~~~:.m~ {:~~,ij~1!~itt~~; ... . . ,~\, ,:;,,.ffr!!?~~~. probably countless untold stories from people in our community related to the statue, of memories, feelings of home and --•-.---·------'---'------'------

1 community. I would urge you to think about who this statue truly represents. It doesn't represent one man, it represents generations of people who love this city and community. · Generations of people that want to teach our ch!ldren the truth and history of our beautiful home. I want to show my children ~ (ages 4 and 6) the contribution that their grandfather made to this community.

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Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. CAUTION:- This email _origina~d from o~tside the City of Ventu~a. E~ercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from ~nknown-se·ndets.

2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 8:31 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Laura Achee

Address

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I have lived in Ventura almost my entire life. This statue does not reflect the people of this town. He was not a benevolent master. This is a historically inaccurate memorial to a man that did great damage to indigenous people and as a religious figure does not belong on public land.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 9:05 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Rµblic Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name B. Gerard

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Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I was appalled at how, on July 7, the councilmembers passively listened to speakers make outrageous claims against Fr. Serra, the Franciscans, and the Catholic Church. The public has a right to speak, but had some speakers stated that the Chumash were thieves, rapists, and murderers, I suspect that many of you would have distanced yourselves from the remarks. But since it was just dead Catholics being slandered, ------

1 you were content to let it pass. A few days later, someone set fire to Mission San Gabriel. Is this surprising, since you are providing a platform to a bunch of fraudsters who are bent on destruction and only need a thin rationalization to recruit a lot of followers? It won't end with removing the Fr. Serra statue: "Now, Ward would like to see the missions transferred to Native people and be repurposed into cultural and healing centers." https://religion news. com/2020/07 /07 /we-have-a-story-to-tell ind igenous-scholars-activists-speak-up-amid-toppling-of-serra statues/

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 9:22 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

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Name Daniel Graham

Address Camarillo, CA 93012

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Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I support KEEP_ING the statue and feel that calls for its removal to be both racist but also derogatory to Roman Catholics in this county. For what it's worth, I'm from Oklahoma, I have Comanche Indian blood in my ancestry, and I have 2 children with CDIB cards from the Cherokee Nation. To call St. Junipero Serra racist against American Indians is grossly ignorant.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 9:25 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Nordskog family

Address

Phone Number

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/14/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments City Council should not have voted yet to remove Padre Junipero Serra and taking a stand without the vote of the residents in the entire City of Ventura. The best solution is to put the matter on the ballot this election season. It is the people's decision. KEEP THE MONUMENT. Nordskog family

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 9:32 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Brynna Gallagher

_A_dd_r_e_ss______Ventura Ca, 93003

Ph_o_n_e_N_u_m-be_r_____ llJIIIL__ Email Address - - Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I am a resident of Ventura and I want the Father Serra Statue removed from it's location in front of city hall. Father Serra, in the development of the mission system, enslaved and brutalized the native populations of California. He created genocidal conditions robbing indigenous peoples of their land, language, and lives. He should not be glorified in a public space.

1 The Ventura Historical Society has already deemed that the Serra statue is not actually a piece of historical value. Even if it was, it should be housed in a museum along with a description of the brutalities that he supervised. Even if you do not hold the belief that Father Serra was an organizer of genocide (though the historical record shows otherwise) having a Catholic saint prominently placed in front of the seat of our city government appears to go against the separation of church and state. The statue should either be removed and placed into non public storage or given to the mission or a museum.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 11:03 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm . on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Jack T

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Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments My name is Jack and I am a city of Ventura resident for 7 years living in district 6. Please keep the Father Serra statue in front of City Hall. We should be proud that Father Serra is the founder of our city and the values that he had. Father Serra was a constant advocate for the indigenous people. He stood for civil rights drafting a bill of rights for the natives, he stood against capital punishment, and his mission was to bring ---··--·------

1 salvation to all by preaching the Gospel. Please do not support a fringe group that is trying to slander Father Serra's name blaming him for the atrocities caused by the Spanish military and subsequently the Mexican and first California government. During the dark time of the early colonial period Father Serra stood as the light. Father Serra was the beacon of hope during the colonial time and he represents the beacon of hope for us today.

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•·; '·

2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 11:22 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council- by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council · Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Alex Conrad

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Written Comments I am a 19th-century United States historian, as well as an archivist, wishing to provide historical context for the Junfpero Serra statue, so I have written a short essay (approximately 700 words) that discusses California and the Spanish fantasy. The statue of Serra is a holdover from the Spanish fantasy and a time in which California's Spanish past was widely celebrated in ways that erased or demonized the land's original

1 Indigenous inhabitants. Please read the essay to better understand why the Serra statue is problematic. @ahistorycollector on lnstagram has a helpful 3-part post series on this subject for further reading.

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2 The Spanish Fantasy and Romanticizing the Past: Why Commemorations of Spanish Colonialism Are Problematic

Alex Conrad

As a historian and archivist, I believe it is important to understand the history behind the monuments commemorating the memory of Spanish California and historical figures, such as Junipero Serra, and why they are problematic relics of the past. These monuments and historical sites look back at the era of Spanish colonial rule in a way that actively erases the hardships and suffering that the Indigenous people of California experienced under colonialism and the mission system. In this short essay, I will explore the roots of California's nostalgia for its Spanish past, discuss how this romanticizing has historically erased the oppression of Indigenous peoples, and explain how this Spanish fantasy connects to the statue of Junipero Serra. In the late nineteenth century, domestic tourism in the United States was booming. Authors of travel books and articles wrote of a romanticized version of California's history, one that had been popularized by Helen Hunt Jackson's novel Ramona in 1884. By the late 1880s, the California missions had fallen into ruins, which added another layer of mystique to the past. Travel writers eulogized the landmarks, reminiscing of the time when "California enjoyed its perennial siesta." 1 Tourist attractions sprouted around Southern California during this time, I capitalizing on the yearning for Spanish California. These attractions included Ramona's Marriage Place in San Diego, now known as La Casa de Estudillo, which is a perfect example of white-washing history. In 1910, the attraction, based on the book Ramona, opened and over the next 50 years stood as "a relic of that unique California civilization nowhere else to be found and almost forgotten," creating a false, romanticized version of the past. 2 While tourists sought the idealized version of Southern California that was available to them at Ramona's Marriage Place, they were simultaneously erasing marginalized people's pasts. The Marriage Place presented a history that glossed over the Indigenous servants and laborers who built, worked at, and lived in the original Estudillo house. It also ultimately ignored the true aim of Helen Hunt Jackson's novel, which was to raise awareness of Indigenous suffering. This

1 Dydia Delyser, Ramona Memories: Tourism and the Shaping of Southern California (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), p. 33. 2 Dydia Delyser, Ramona Memories: Tourism and the Shaping of Southern California (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), p. 106. erasure was a major characterization of tourist attractions and monuments dating from this time. Fortunately, the house was renovated after it entered the California State Park system in 1968 and now more accurately represents the history of Old Town San Diego, including the Mexican, Yuma, and I

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 11:28 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Dan Red

Address / Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I am deeply concerned about the precedent that would be set if this group of ~100 very boisterous people get their way. I have been hearing the phrase "mob rule" "slippery slope"and "revisionist historians" a lot lately. I have talked to about a dozen people that had no idea about what these protesters are trying to do to this anchor of our community.

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1 1 Its my strong suggestion that this be an issue tha~ our community be able to vote. I am confident that the majority of voters have a much different view of who this man was and how he helped the native population against the government officials from Spain.

2 At least inform our community (like the way you do when a 1OK is scheduled to occur in our area) about what this group of people would like to do to this tribute to the founder of our community and beautiful Ventura mission.

Thank you, Dan Red

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 11 :35 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Sky Shapero

Address Woodside

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The statue of Father Serra represents Indigenous pain and celebrates the trauma and destruction of native culture caused by Californian settlers and catholicism. Please take down this horrific homage to colonialism and the enslavemenUtorture of indigenous people through the missions Father Serra founded. Stop glorifying a tragic point in our history and start supporting ------· ~------'------

1 indigenous people today by taking down this symbol of hatred and cultural cleansing.

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2 Anita Mair

From: Jamie Mccurdy Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 8:29 PM To: Cheryl Heitmann; Matt Lavere; Erik Nasarenko; Christy Weir; Sofia Rubalcava; Jim Friedman; Lorrie Brown; Council Subject: -EXT- It's Time to Take Down Serra Statue

To the members of Ventura City Council:

My name is Jamie Merritt (formerly Mccurdy), I was born and raised in Ventura and I have lived here most of my 38 years. I believe that it is time for the statue of Junipero Serra to be removed from its place of honor in front of City Hall and moved to a more appropriate location, such as the Mission or one of our museums. We are not asking for the statue to be destroyed and moving it in no way erases the history of our town. Statues are erected as a sign of glorification and Junipero Serra was not a man who should be glorified; he committed deplorable atrocities against the Chumash, who were already well established in this area. We can never change the history of how this town was established, but to continue to ignore the devastation that was done by Serra is a slap in the face to the Chumash Tribe.

Hitler is a part of Germany's history, but you will not find statues of him erected in honor there. Instead, they have museums and exhibits to honor his victims and teach the history as it really was, as a reminder to prevent these atrocities from being repeated. Perhaps we could have a statue made to honor the Chumash to replace the Serra statue, or commission John Mahoney to make another one of his beautiful carvings. That would be a better use of funds than to spend a quarter of a million dollars to try to get this matter put on the ballot this November. Ultimately, it is the voice of the Chumash people that should matter most on this issue and they have spoken loud and clear: it's time to take down the Serra Statue. Thank you, Jamie Merritt CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura~ Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 11:40 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item. ------·-·-·-·-·------Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm ·on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Eloise Kong

Address Ventura CA 93001 (homeowner)

_Ph_o_n_e_N_u_m_b_e_r___ ~_-.______

Email Address - --- ... '------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments PLEASE See Attached Full Comment - In the current "cancel culture" we must be realistic on what can happen to our city's beloved Serra Statue. In light of this, separate the man from the history and the statue itself is a beacon of welcome overlooking our beautiful and inclusive city. In the spirit of Serra, we must be forgiving and merciful and look "always forward." Perhaps as we focus more on saving lives and

1 preserving households in our city during the pandemic, the care and safehold of the statue should be given to Mission San Buenaventura for safekeeping until all this passed and we are ready to make rational decisions.

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2 City Council; In the current "cancel culture" we must be realistic on what can happen to our city's beloved Serra Statue. In light of this, separate the man from the history and the statue itself is a beacon of welcome overlooking our beautiful and inclusive city. In the spirit of Serra, we must be forgiving and merciful and look "always forward." Perhaps as we focus more on saving lives and preserving households in our city during the pandemic, the care and safehold of the statue should be given to Mission San Buenaventura for safekeeping until all this passed and we are ready to make rational decisions.

If not, PLEASE protect the statue. As an example the Venice High School statue of Venus (modeled by Merna Loy and featured at the beginning of the movie Grease), which for whatever reason over the years was vandalized (and I ask what did Myrna Loy ever do to deserve this? I guess ran sackers and disrespect cross all lines of society). For its protection in 1989 it was taken down then in 2010 it was returned, surrounded with prickly plants and in time the vandals moved on.

We are all living in an unusual time in history and when we safely resume life wouldn't it be comforting to go forward into the future with our city's familiar landmarks welcoming us?

Respectfully, Eloise Kong San Buenaventura homeowner (and former Venice resident)

Venite High School Venus Statue ------~------··------

Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 11:42 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date/ Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name TLaka TLeTzin

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Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Comments

Written Comments 1 -"Father Serra statue" I am of Chichimeka, Anahuaka, and Xikano bloodlines. I am not a "Made -Up Label"; Not Latino - Not Hispanic - Not Latin/X. The name that was given to me in a "MeXiKa" traditional/ancient indigenous ceremony "Tlaka TleTzin"( is Fire person keeping the flame alive of our ancient teachings). I was born in Ventura -raised my family here. I recommend we MOVE the serra Statue. Where will it be kept?

1 How about Gift it to Ventura Mission. Maybe a grave can be dug there for it. How about encasing it with a thick clear material? What about turning it into an interactive visual media experience that describes what serra really did with correct facts such as how serra's colonization actions had a negative impact with missionary native populations who were forced to comply or die? With this recommendation; perhaps both Yay and Nay Sayers could live with this current controversy.

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2 l-11Father Serra - 1 I am of Chichimeka, Anahuaka, and Xikano bloodlines. I am not a 11 Made -Up Label"; Not Latino -Not Hispanic - Not Latin/X. The name that was given to me in a

II ft.ll~XiKa 11 . tr~.dUiC>~.. al/~.nci:ntiindigenous. ceremony·· "r'afa .. rleTzin'!f is,· •. Fin~·.pe,rsor,.· ~eeping th ~la_ro¢:

We are living at the crossroads of an unexpected Global Pandemic/Corona Virus. There has been plenty of time for us to take two steps back to reflect about another Pandemic whose time is over: the racial inequalities and unjust systemic deadly police presence in America; as well as worldwide. Therefore, I see what's happening as a moment of reflection, gratitude, and a reminder that we are only visiting our Dear Mother Earth 11 Tonantlin Tlali" as sisters and brothers. I encourage you; !read the truth from the pas~: Especially those that favor keeping serra statue.

1. 11 11 from Southern California: An Island on the Land, By Carey McWilliams (New York: Duell, Sloan & Pearce, 1946; republished in Santa Barbara: Peregrine Smith, 1979). 2. : An O¥erview Indian Life at the California Missions ( Dr. Damian Bacich, professor, translator and researcher of early California who started the California Frontier Project htt s: www. 3. , by Alejandro Morales

Ir . ._ . .._ ...... · ·. ..- . ... . > ·. . ·.. · _ .... _ :;il~n~4l_ ~~ •. aUfcfrnia.missipnswere•bµilton.thelandof .lndigenous·.M~xik~ nation~ ~s\Ne.lLas,the na.tive.vi.llagesl of. the .th.·~_ma~h[}or~edlabor_thr9ugh: ensla,~emen.t.•was! normal .fo~ ~c3tiv~s-w,howalked_inshackles~L~en.ocide •. included de_ath frorr1me.asle~a.ndL ,syp_hilis. \A/ome~ had t~.eir h~ads shaved if the_y, had ~iscarriages from being rape~1;lother~ whipped on the1rwc1y to i;Jttend church!. Atrocious actions were common acts of violence towards these indigenous people. Some natives built missions survived beatings and tortures and included getting their hands chopped off for not processing enough gold. In 1783, Fathe Fages filed a ~on,plaintagalnst fatherserrafor his deadly actions of,seculc1nzation against the natives/indigenous populations for building the ninth Spanish mission' established in Altai ______

1California (Or Nueva California)l; 5- San Buenaventura mission was founded on March 31, 1782 by Father junipero serra ,··= ·""-.".:••''-';•••·-•/:.'--'·:·,:-·.. , I who used God and Christ to annihilate our native/indigenous sisters and brothers. i_, ij~i!h:~ ;: c,;,.;."··s·,;:.s.c•·• . • ill~;~• ,., ]if: ~--· JI:~:: l~'.:~,iL\ ·------.. L To all my relations -Aho Mita Ku Ye Oyasin (Lakota Language), Ha todas mis relaciones (Spanish), and NochTin Nome Kayotsin (Nahuatl). I am in FAVOR of Removing the Father Serra Statue in Ventura. This would not erase Her-story nor His-tory. Instead it will CORRECT the hidden and false narratives of our diverse ethnicities. It is time to take the lid off of Denial and Ignorance; Time to Face the Facts from our indigenous past. Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2020 11:55 PM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: . Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Tlaka Tie Tzin

Address

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments 2- Maybe these unique recommendations could result with increased tourism? Imagine bus loads of school children of all grades experiencing factual learning; they'll always remember visiting an outdoor museum in Ventura, California (instead of having children building replicas of missions). We are living at the crossroads of an unexpected Global Pandemic/Corona Virus. There has been plenty of time for us to take two steps ___ ...... ·•······--~-~---·-•······------

1 back to reflect about another Pandemic whose time is over: the racial inequalities and unjust systemic deadly police presence in America; as well as worldwide. Therefore, I see what's happening as a mo.ment of reflection, gratitude, and a reminder that we are only visiting our Dear Mother Earth "TonantZin Tlali" as sisters and brothers. I encourage you; read the truth from the past: Especially those that favor keeping serra statue.

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2 Anita Mair

From: bill short Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 2:48 AM To: Council Subject: -EXT- Fr. Serra Statue

Dear Council-members,

I grew up in Ventura County, and my wife and I recently bought a home in the city of Ventura into which we will move next weel<. I write to urge you to vote against removing the statue of Junipero Serra.

The argument for removing the statue is based on a bigoted hatred of Father Serra and the Spanish culture, language, and faith he brought to California. Marxists -- wrapped in the mantle of others' grievances -- pretend their problem is with the statue alone, but it does not end with the statue. The statue is just the beginning.·

Let us follow the argument against the statue to its unspoken logical conclusion. Father Serra was a bad man, they say, because he brought a foreign, alien culture and religion to these shores. He converted the Chumash to Christianity and taught them the Spanish language, culture, and agriculture, all of which ended up leaving the Chumash language, religion, and culture forgotten. Father Serra and his statue represent the Spanish empire's conquest, annexation, and cultural imposition in California. Accordingly, as the man responsible for Spanish religious, cultural, and linguistic dominance of California, a statue erected in his memory is grossly offensive to Chumash people and to anyone of moral sensitivity. This is where the argument ends.

But let us take the argument to its logical conclusion. What is more offensive than a statue of someone responsible for the imposition of Spanish culture? How about the cultural imposition itself? If the statue of a prominent Spanish immigrant from Mexico is threatening and offensive, isn't the Spanish culture that steeps Ventura to its roots even more threatening and offensive? The name of the town is Spanish, many of the streets are Spanish, the architecture of city buildings is Spanish Mission-style. The city makes public announcements, including about this meeting, in Spanish. If Spanish culture is wrong for the ancestral home of the Chumash, , the Council should take a holistic approach to removing Spanish cultural influence. Spain's continued cultural dominance of Ventura must be pulled up by its roots. Every Spanish name needs to be changed, perhaps to Chumash names. The city should alter the archiJectural style of the its buildings to something less distinctive, and thus less offensive, like that of the county·govemment center. The building codes should discourage Mission-style. No official documents or announcements should be in Spanish, the language of the imperial conquistadors and missionaries. As a basic act of decency, ALL these vestiges of Spanish imperialism must be removed.

You don't hear this argument, because the Marxists know no one wants to get rid of Spanish culture in California. The Marxists know their best chance for success is to focus on one symbol, and make it so polarizing that most people who like the statue will give up defending it for the sake of peace. What those people don't know is that giving injust fuels the Marxists' attack on the next target.

Marxists don't care about the Chumash. In fact, today's tear-it-down Marxists are the ideological heirs of the' atheist Mexican government that deported the Spanish friars and confiscated the Missions from the Chumash. They are the ilk that vandalize the graves of the Mission Indians themselves as they did at the Carmel Mission. (https ://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2015/09/27I carmel-mission-vandalized-after-pope grants-junipero-serra-sainthood/).

1 Marxists don't care about distinguishing public and private property. In just the last few days, the 249-year-old San Gabriel Mission Church has burned down in a case of suspected arson. (https://laist.com/2020/07/12/san gabriel mission fire catholics investigation suspected arson junipero serr ~).

Marxists don't care about distinguishing property and people. At almost the same time as the San Gabriel fire, a man lit a Catholic Church in Florida on fire with parishioners inside. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/florida-man-lights-catholic-church-on-fire-with parishioners-inside-81945

What is the value in leaving such a lightning rod for hate and vandalism in front of City Hall? Lightning rods serve a purpose. The bronze statue can take the abuse. He can take the periodic splashes of red paint and an occasional attempt to pull him from his pedestal. If the attacks ever do dent or chip him, there is no real loss since the bronze statue is not officially a city landmark, or historic, or even artistic, thanks to the tortured reasoning of the Historic Preservation Council. While the bronze statue stands, it draws to itself the abuse that the Mission itself would receive. Even in his replica, Father Serra continues to protect this city.

Very truly yours,

William M. Short CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

2 Anita Mair

From: Erin Berger Sent: Wednesday~ To: Council Subject: -EXT- Father Serra Statue

Hello Ventura City Council,

My name is Erin and I am a resident of Ventura. I am writing to urge you all to decide to take down the Father Serra statue outside of city hall. This statue is a symbol of the violent colonialism that led to the founding of this city and, yes, it is important to remember this history, but it is completely inappropriate and insensitive to have the killer of countless indigenous people lording over the city center. It sends a clear message that the city values the lives of white European Catholics over those of it's Black and Brown residents. If the statue was moved to the Mission or other museum space people could learn about the history of this city and Father Serra in an appropriate context. Having this overtly Catholic statue in front of Ventura's city hall is also completely inappropriate because it violates this country's commitment to the separation of Church and State. It needs to be moved to an appropriate setting, Father Serra cannot be the symbol of this city. I hope you all will be in favor of taking down this symbol of white supremacy and violent colonialism so that we can replace it with something that uplifts all the people of this city.

Thank you,

Erin CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 12:01 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it wHI allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Name Tlaka Tle Tzin

A_d_d_r_e_ss ______,______

_Ph_o_n_e_N_u_m_b_e_r ______.....______

_Em_ai_l A_d_d_r_es_s ______,______

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments 4- In the 1500's, Spain expanded its rule of European Colonization using Catholicism and Nazi like concentration camps California missions were built on the land of Indigenous Mexika nations as well as the native villages of the Chumash. Forced labor through enslavement was normal for natives who walked in shackles. Genocide included death from measles and syphilis. Women had their heads shaved if they had

1 miscarriages from being raped; Others whipped on their way to attend church. Atrocious actions were common acts of violence towards these indigenous people. Some natives built missions survived beatings and tortures and included getting their hands chopped off for not processing enough gold. In 1783, Father Fages filed a complaint against father serra for his deadly actions of secularization against the natives/indigenous populations for building the ninth Spanish mission established in Alta California (Or Nueva California);

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 12:04 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Tlaka Tle Tzin

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments 5- San Buenaventura mission was founded on March 31, 1782 by Father junfpero serra who used God and Christ to annihilate our native/indigenous sisters and brothers. Before the arrival of the euro colonizers; the word God or Jesus Christ did not exist in native and indigenous lands. To all my relations -Aho Mita Ku Ye Oyasin (Lakota Language), Ha todas mis relaciones (Spanish), and NochTin Nome Kayotsin (Nahuatl). I am in

1 FAVOR of Removing the Father Serra Statue in Ventura. This would not erase Her-story nor His-tory. Instead it will CORRECT the hidden and false narratives of our diverse ethnicities. It is time to take the lid off of Denial and Ignorance; Time to Face the Facts from our indigenous past. Remove serra statue to the church Buena ventura mission. This land belonged to Mexico - known as Aztlan. We are living on Occupied Amerika.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 6:07 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic ,Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Radheka Yenamandra

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Please take the statue down. I think it's horrible that our community would continue to honor someone who reminds any member of the community of the oppression of their ancestors. What happened in the past has happened and there's no way to change that, but we don't have to remind the victims' families and revere the person who committed such horrible acts against humanity. We have to be better than that as a -~-····--··------·------~------·------··

1 community. If anyone wants to learn about the history, all they have to do is open a history book. We should come together and celebrate people who have actually made a positive impact in the world. Thank you.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 6:52 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless .Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Erin Berger

Address Field not completed.

Phone Number Field not completed.

Email Address Field not completed.

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Dear Ventura City Council, I hope that you will decide to relocate the Father Serra statue this evening. Not only is it a symbol of the genocide against the indigenous people whose land we continue to occupy, but it is an explicitly religious symbol at the city center. Having Father Serra at in front of city hall openly defies America's commitment to the separation of , church and state. I, like many other Ventura residents, am not I . -··-······------····•-·· ··------·-·------·--·------~

1 asking for the statue to be destroyed just relocated to an appropriate space, like the Mission, where Father Serra's history can be properly explained and understood. I hope that you all will make the decision to move this symbol of white supremacy, violence, and colonialism so that we can replace it with something that uplifts all Ventura residents. Thank you

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 7:12 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Ronald Lawson

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Dear City Council,

Do not remove the city's history under the pressure of radical activists, taking advantage of a period of unrest, and motivated by a hatred of Christianity and our nation. St. Junipero Serra was a dedicated misionary who was only motivated by love to better the lives, both material and spiritual of the inhabitants of

1 California, and to remove a vital part of our historical past is to deface the city and your contribution to it. Regards, Ron Lawson

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: Ron Lawson Sent: Wednesday, Ju y 15, 2020 7:14 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Protect and Keep the Serra statue

Dear City Council,

Do not remove the city's history under the pressure of radical activists, taking advantage of a .period of unrest, and motivated by a hatred of Christianity and our nation. St. Junipero Serra was a dedicated misionary who was only motivated by love to better the lives, both material and spiritual of the inhabitants of California, and to remove a vital part of our historical past is to deface the city and your contribution to it.

Regards, Ron Lawson CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 7:22 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Hope M Schneir

Address'------

Phone Number --,------

Email Address -~------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments It seems there is much misinformation about Junipero Serra. The Catholic Church is very very cautious when it comes to the process of canonization (that is why there are so few deceased who are actually canonized). It is a very lengthy, in depth, expensive process. The church does a deep, historical study based on every witnesses and testimonies they can get their hands on. The word "devil's advocate" comes from this

1 process, as the Church hires a disinterested group of people to try to find objections to the person in question's virtue. Colonization was inevitable, and happening, with or without Junipero Serra. Padre Serra hoped that he would make it better by his presence, and that he did. He worked tirelessly for a better, more protected life for the Chumash, learned their language(!), and did not force baptism or participation in the Church/mission life. Corporal punishment was rare, and was a practice at the time even in schools and among the friars themselves. Please keep him!

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: Hope Schneir > Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 7:24 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Please Keep the Statue!

It seems there is much misinformation about Junipero Serra. The Catholic Church is very very cautious when it comes to the process of canonization (that is why there are so few deceased who are actually canonized). It is a very lengthy, in depth, expensive process. The church does a deep, historical study based on every witness and testimonies they can get their hands on. The word "devil's advocate" comes from this process, as the Church hires a disinterested group of people to try to find objections to the person in question's virtue. Colonization was inevitable, and happening, with or without Junipero Serra. Padre Serra hoped that he would make it better by his presence, and that he did. He worked tirelessly for a better, more protected life for the Chumash, learned their language(!), and did not force baptism or participation in the Church/mission life. Corporal punishment was rare, and was a practice at the time even in schools and among the friars themselves. Thank you for your consideration. CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 7:31 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Laura Hahn

_A_dd_r_e_ss______

Phone Number

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I am a 3rd Generation Venturan & can remember visiting & viewing Father Serra Statue since I was little. He is our Ventura! He watches over us & I do not feel it would serve any other purpose than to hurt your town by removing him. Please don't.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 7:32 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

, Name Jude Wilson

Address Ventura 93003

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The Father Serra statue should be removed from city property. It is a monument to racist and cruel treatment of the indigenous people in this area. To keep it in place is to endorse this cruelty and racism. Thank you for honoring ALL people of Ventura.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: Deanne Levine Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 7:47 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Keep Serra Statue

Please keep the Serra Statue at Ventura City Hall. I am a resident of Ventura County and appreciate seeing a monument to a man who dedicated his life to improving quality of life for people living in the area.

Not to mention the amazing artwork involved in casting the statue. The bronze work is beautiful! We need to support such art, not hide it away.

D Levine

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Trac Oehler

From: Jessica Lindie Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 8:00 AM To: City Clerk; Council Subject: -EXT- Please remove Serra Junipero statue

Ventura City Council,

Please stop hesitating, causing more trauma and charging for FREE SPEECH .... instead DO THE RIGHT THING, TAKE action and TAKE it DOWN. Before it goes onto a ballot to waste even more taxpayers money.

The opposition claims that were an "anti-American mob" but we're not at all. We care about all people and just crave the respect for Chumash indigenous people that they have yet to receive.

As a friend to Venturefio Chumash told me,

"Every minute they lag in removing the statue is a DISGRACE to my Venturefio Chumash people and I. All we are asking is to show us the RESPECT we deserve by being the ORIGINAL and RIGHTFUL caretakers of Ventura. In your heart I know you know the right thing to do is to TAKE IT DOWN NOW! Stop giving more and more time for hate to grow which will increase the chances of someone being hurt.. (as there have been multiple attempts by trucks and motorcyclist in the OPPOSITION groups to instill fear and danger to those in favor of its removal) We've came to you for over 20 years requesting for it to be removed and we WILL NOT STOP til it is down. "

PLEASE, remove Serra Junipero! He is no saint, nor deserving of this immortalized position ... and I think you ALL KNOW IT TOO. Please take it down.

Jessica Lindley Photographic Artist "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." Book of Romans CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: Neda layer Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 8:22 AM To: City Clerk Subject: FW: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 7:59 AM To: Luz Juachon ; Neda Zayer ; Development Services Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Deanne Levine

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

1 Written Comments Please keep the Serra Statue at Ventura City Hall. I am a resident of Ventura County and appreciate seeing a monument to a man who dedicated his life to improving quality of life for people living in the area.

Not to mention the amazing artwork involved in casting the statue. The bronze work is beautiful! We need to support such art, not hide it away.

Upload Files Field not completed.

2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 8:24 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee, by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date /Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Theresa Basolo

Address

Phone Number

_Em_a_il _A_dd_r_e_ss______

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I write in support of leaving the Fr. Serra statue in front of City Hall. It is impossible to rewrite history, and to take the statue down attempts to deny an historic aspect of the foundation of our city. We should consider adding a statue of a Chumash Indian to better represent the historic reality of these two cultures and the roles they played in our founding. -·-···-·--·-·~···-···•·-• .. ··•· .. ···-··-··--··.. ···----··--.. -•.-•--·--· ..------

1 Tracy Oehler

From: Brittany Gould Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 8:56 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Serra Statue

I have grown up and lived in Ventura County. I do not support Father Serra and would like it to be removed NOW!

Sincerely, Brittany Gould CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 8:57 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Shannon Fellers

Address urprise AZ 85388

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments My ancestors were placed in the many missions throughout California. These statues are a reminder of the trauma they endured. Abusers should not receive statues.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: Luz Maria Truqui > Sent: Wednesday, July 1 , 2020 9:04 AM To: Cheryl Heitmann; Erik Nasarenko; Matt Lavere; Christy Weir; Sofia Rubalcava; Jim Friedman; Lorrie Brown; Andy Viets; Gregory Diaz; City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Junipero Serra Statue

Dear Council members,

Because you are in the council, I am assured that you truly want what is best for Ventura; if you really do so, for the good of the citizens, for the good of your families, and for your own benefit, please leave Saint Junipero Serra's statue right where it is. I explain: The process of beatification in the Catholic Church is long, "painful" and very scrutinized. If the Church has named Fray Junipero a saint, it is because during his life he showed heroic virtue, and because now God has worked proven unexplainable miracles, through his intercession. Whether some people may choose to believe it or not, God is the Truth, and if Saint Junipero would not have been a man of proven virtue, kindness, generosity, and selfless love for the Chumash and all men, God would not have worked miracles on his behalf. Saint Junipero gave his life to bring faith, unity, and stability to a people who, though good, had to live as nomads, following their food, and living in precarious conditions. Saint Junipero honestly wanted to help them, and he left everything behind for them. He came to these lands for love of God and for love of others, to bring peace and stability, and it has been our loss to forget true history. If we continue to teach lies, if we take God and his saints out of our county, darkness will cover our land... Choose the truth, the Light, because God is stronger than any evil power and He will be the defender of those who are fa~_hful to Him!

Thanking you for your courage and wisdom, I reman yours, Luz Maria Diaz-Rubin CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:06 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

·oisclosure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Name Tricia Keen

Address Ventura

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I am in favor of moving the Serra statue to the mission grounds. It seems a more fitting place for it to be, and hopefully some more historical context can be provided. I realize he is considered a saint and is not the only one responsible for the mistreatment and effective genocide against our indigenous ancestors. But his place is not in front of our city hall. I hope when the time comes to consider a replacement, that we have ---·-···-·••··---·-·····-····-····-····------····-···-··-·•··-·-·--···------·-···-----·-·----·---··--·--··-·-·----··-----·--·-----···

1 a representation of the Chumash, preferably a woman. Let's hold up those that have been invisible, and teach our children about the history that has been erased by "the white man." Thank you!

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: Ana Pacheco Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:18 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Father serra statue

Hello Council, )·

I am writing today because I feel that the statue of father serra should be taken down. I have lived in Ventura County all my life. Most of my family lives in the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Fillmore & Santa Paula. We were all raised Catholic & we believe the statue needs to be taken down. Our beliefs in the lord is not based around a statue, but our catholic religion. I think that in these times it is very important to consider how everyone else in the world is feeling. The statue should come down.

Ana Pacheco

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:20 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Stephanie Karba

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Just take it down!! Have some respect for the native Chumash people.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:20 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name jane sievert

Address

Phone Number ------

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/16/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments It's time to remove/replace Father Serra. Let him find another resting place. Since I moved to Ventura over 35 years ago, every time I look at that statue, I think of the persecution and humiliation he inflicted on our First Nation people. Let's find someone more inspiring!!!

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:25 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Travis Mantych

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments We have an incredible opportunity, as a community, to come together for not only the Chumash people but all future Venturans, to stand together and decide to honor something other than Father Serra. He will always be remembered in many, many ways throughout California and in our town. Let us take this statue down and replace it with something that honors the people who were here before us and are still here now. Let ------·------.. __ .. ______. ______

1 us be community that stands together with the Chumash people and leads the way for others in this country!

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:28 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name LANA RASMUSSEN

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments As a Muscogee (Creek), Seminole and Lenni Lenape woman, resident and member of Ventura County's workforce, I demand you remove the statue of Father Serra. For us North American Indigenous people, these statues represent the embedded oppression our Nations have faced for generations and continue to face. We are still here and refuse to accept the worship such figures that tried to erase us. I stand in solidarity ··-·--·-·~· ...... - ...... ~------·------··-·-·-··-·····-··-·····--·--·------···--•····...... _. __ . ____ .,. ______. ____ ._·····-··---•· .. ··· ...... ___ ., ......

1 with the Chumash Nation and all Indigenous Nations and order you to remove this symbol of hate and genocide. Let's show our children that we know how to evolve and do our best to right or wrongs. It's the least we can do to heal our communities locally and globally.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:32 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Patrick M. Rea

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Hi. Could this coversheet and PDF for the PRO-Serra petition be made available to the City Council please? Thank you, Pat Rea

COVERSHEET:

1 Attn: Ventura City Council Meeting: July 15th, 2020. Item: Fr Serra Statue

Document: Petition to KEEP Fr Serra statue at city hall. (PDF) Started by Pat Rea on June 19th, 2020.

http ://ch nq. iUSG4L9bKKtx

5700 TOTAL signatures (830am, July 15th)

-CA (including VC) 3734 / 65.5%

-Ventura county (alone) 2467 / 43.25%

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Signatures

Patrick Rea us 2020-06-19

( ····· -· ,.. .. , ...... Harry Emerson Camarillo, CA 2020-06-19

paul cosgrove Pasadena,CA 2020-06-19

Janet Rea Ventura, CA 2020-06-19

Nelson Mendez Oxnard, CA 2020-06-19

Jonathan Clarke Madrid, Spain 2020-06-19

• • •.•. - .. -·•"· - ·~- .. '"'~··• ··-·,----· --~ .. .-.- .. --..-~ James Rea Ventura, CA 2020-06-19

Linda Maribel Chabolla Los Angeles, CA 2020-06-19

James ~ea Ventura, CA 2020-06-19

' -•• ...... ·•·-···• •"·"·····--~------··· ·---·- ··~--· ··- •..• ·--- ··-- • ··••' ~ Stacy Rea Ventura, CA 2020-06-19

Adam Guy Camarillo, CA 2020-06-19

Mary Dillon Ventura, CA 2020-06-19

Anna Murphy Oxnard, CA 2020-06-19

Monica Seeley Ventura, CA 2020-06-19

Kathleen Fontaine Santa Paula, CA 2020-06-19

•·····•·-···• •··•···· Margaret Mohun Ventura, CA 2020-06-19

Debbie Harvey Ventura, CA 2020-06-19

Christina Newman Santa Paula, CA 2020-06-19

Kyston Short Ojai, CA 2020-06-19

Nancy Gallaher Santa Paula, CA 2020-06-19 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:35 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Melissa Wadzinski

_Ad_d_r_es_s______------

_Ph_o_n_e_N_u_m_b_e_r ____... ______

_Em_ai_l A_d_d_r_es_s______

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I urge you to honor and preserve Ventura's history and collective memory by keeping the Fr. Serra statue in place. Instead of destroying our heritage, we need to strengthen ALL the threads that create the fabric of our City and County . Identify other prominent public areas in the City in which to erect statues and monuments of other leaders and cultural

1 traditions that have had an impact on the tapestry of Ventura's past, present, and future. Thank you.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:39 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm · on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on MfJeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date/ Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Dominic O'Reilly

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Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7115/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Far from a racist or predator, Father Serra was a defender of the native peoples and responsible for maintaining their material needs in difficult times. Any reputable history of the times clearly demonstrates this. We are all intruders on foreign lands in a sense, including the Chumash, and I doubt those who consider themselves living on stolen land would like to go back to living in teepees and mud huts. We have much to thank ------

1 the Spanish for, and the missions are part of California identity. Their history must be remembered and honored.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:45 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm -on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date. I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Alissa Charvonia

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The relevant parties have already agreed: move the statue. The Barbarelio/ Venturelio Band of Mission Indians and the representatives of the Mission have stated that moving the statue is the right thing to do. Do not equivocate because angry people who cannot empathize with the experience of others threaten to vote you out. Those of us who want you to do the right thing will support you. Remove this emblem of violence, ~------·-~----·-····------~

1 and do not permit people to rewrite history by denying our Chumash neighbors and friends their story. Be bold, be empathetic, be wise. Move the statue.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:45 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

--·······---····-·-···-·--·--·- Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I think it's a no-brainer that the statue should come down.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:47 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate· in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date /Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Dean Carter

Address

Phone Number

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Ventura City Council - we are a diverse community. the statue belongs in a museum, not in a public place where we make a hero and role model of someone that was not. times change and we grow. "We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors." - Thomas Jefferson

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:49 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Heather Lewis

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The Father Serra Statue represents a dark era in our history of colonization and enslavement. While, yes, it is a part of our history, and an important one to teach and remember (in full context - not the whitewashed version), this statue belongs in a museum or mission, not in a public area. It certainly does not belong in front of the entrance of our City.Hall. This statue represents oppression of the Chumash people. It is not a

1 _, symbol that should be greeting the public in front of our civic buildings.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:50 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by h9ur listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Elisia Stawiecki

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Respected Council Members,

I am writing to urge you to move the Father Serra statue to a private location where his supporters can visit anytime they wish. After listening to public comment at the last meeting, it was clear that many in the indigenous population feel great pain at having the statue placed in front of city hall. You could

1 hear it in their voice - many on the verge of tears while pleading for you to move the statue. I find it disheartening to heart my fellow Catholics profess their duty to their faith and the importance of the statue, then in the same breath pass judgment on the opposition and vilify them as a "mob." Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor, and I believe that respecting their pain is a part of that love. I don't believe that moving the statue would be "caving to the mob." I believe that moving the statue would be an act of love. It would show your ability to empathize with native people. Please make the compassionate choice. Thank you.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:52 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date /Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Kelly Mohun

Address - --- '------_Ph_o_n_e_N_u_m_b_e_r ______.______

_Em_ai_l A_d_d_r_es_s ______~------

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Please do not remove the St. Junipero Serra statue! It represents a significant part of California history, and especially Ventura history. Please do not try to erase the memory of our cities founding Father, who gave so much of his life for the native people.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: Gail Hubbs Sent: Wednesday, July To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Junipero Monument

As one who taught in public schools about the California Missions, I'm aware that like all human history, the Mission system was a mix of picture. However, like all monuments, wherever they are erected, they represent a vital part of our history, which helped to define how we have arrived to where we are today. Whether you have been taught the Missions were basically a positive or negative part of our past, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Let's not think we can topple some statue and somehow make this part of California history be erased. It has never, nor will trying to destroy parts of the fabric of any society just conveniently disappe·ar. Let's not forget that any past efforts to try and forget and wipe out a truth of history will simply cause us to repeat the same cycle. For those who adamantly wish to destroy the Junipero monument, stop and ask yourself, what history lesson and achievement of any person, alive or dead (excluding Jesus Christ) isn't a mix of, "the good, bad, and ugly?" What about millions of Catholic brothers and sisters today that consider their faith as central to their lives? Don't forget all the hospitals, academic institutions, charitable work going on right now of feeding and clothing the needy global that springs from Catholicism and whose roots go back to Junipero's bringing his faith to California.

Gail Hubbs Thousand Oaks July 15, 2020

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: noreply@cityofventu'ra.ca.gov Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:54 AM To:, City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: ii'~ · Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part 'of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on · Meeting Date I Historic Preservation (;ommittee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Peter Becker

Address entura cA. 93004

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The Serra statue is a public statue, placed on public ground, maintained with public funds. The public should have the final say on the future of the Serra Statue. Put this to a vote, let the public make the final determination. Thank you:

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:55 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: Providing your name and contact information. is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Name Hank Peterson

Address Santa Barbara, CA

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments To whom it may conc~rn I am in support of keeping the statue of St. Junipero Serra. After reading the kind words of Bishop Gomez about Saint Junipero .Serra, it would.not only be a disgrace taking it down but it would he a hypocritical insult to our hispanic population (being the first hispanic saint elected) and to the native americans since he was one of the few Spaniards that was -"--·--"------~··-----·------~------

1 actually good and kind to the Chumash Indians. I hope the council is educated and consider all the true facts before making an emotional decision. Thanks for listening. Hank

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 9:58 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public· Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless . Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for tt,e Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Francisco Zinkewich

Address City of Ventura

Phone Number Field not completed.

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Please preserve the Serra statue!! It is a great sight to see, my kids love it, I love it, most of the community love it. The outrage is coming from people outside this city, who should not have no sway on you, OUR elected officials. If, on the other hand, you truly believe the claims of genocide, rape, theft, etcj then I invite you to have a robust dialogue where you can win the hearts and minds of those of us who

1 love Serra BECAUSE he was PRO CHUMASH! Or, have your mind changed and join our side. Lastly, please know that we are mounting a financial effort to support any litigation against the city, since the removal of the landmark designation is clearly fraudulent. Peter Gilli should be removed from his post for that dishonest hatchet job. \

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:01 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: Prdviding your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Submission Deadlines: , Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Amelia Shank

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I support the removal of the Father Serra Statue as it is a symbol of the oppressive history of colonization, enslavement, and killing of the Chumash people. The recent demands to remove racist monuments and statues throughout the country has created a resurgence in appeals for Father Junipero Serra statue's removal, which the Chumash people have been demanding for a very long time.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:03 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Dis9losure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Name Austin Robbs

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Hello, I am writing to voice my support for the removal of the Father Serra Statue. Our rich history is one to be celebrated and the story of the Spanish settlers that so heavily shaped the region is very apparent from the nomenclature to the architecture. The specific history of one individual is important to be remembered, but with its contested history the space in front of

1 city hall could better serve the community with a more diverse message or imagery that tells even rr,ore of our shared history.

Thanks for your ~ime.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:05 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council- by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Lorena Towle

Address Camarillo CA 93010

Phone Number

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Keep the legacy of a great man, whose tireless and selfless dedication to the Chumash and all the souls entrusted to his care is an example to be remembered and honored, particularly by our County! Keep the statue of Padre Serra and keep his motto alive "Siempre Adelante" ... let us "move forward" the work that he championed and continue to grow in deeper

1 respect of each other as Brothers and Sisters-Children of God!

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I /

2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:06 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Cpuncil Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Maria Kuebler

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council ------··-----·--··-·------·---,.-····-•-·------·----•----·------.. ------·-····-····-·------Meeting Date 7/15/2020 ------·~--~·--·-----·------~ Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

------Written Comments please do not remove the statue of our city founder. We would not be living in this beautiful city if it were not for him

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:07 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2_ pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Joshua Collins

Address . San Diego, CA 92124

Phone Number

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I was a resident of Ventura from birth until 26. Then from 2008- 2011. Ventura is still my home despite moving away for work.

I want to speak briefly on the topic of cancel culture. There have been comments about how cancel culture is trying to wipe out our history and they are correct.

1 Anthropologists estimate that the Chumash or groups preceding the Chumash have lived in this area for approximately 13,000 years. Yet we discuss our town as having been established in 1782 with the founding of the mission.

That doesn't hold up to scrutiny though, as the missions were placed strategically for two reasons: 1) they are a days horseride for weary travellers and 2) they had a local population to evangelize.

Excluding any discussion of the treatment of the Chumash or what happened to their population after, this Eurocentric focus on Serra as the founder of the city wipes out 13,000 years of \ history in our region.

Compassion and understanding must outweigh nostalgia. ------·-·--·-···-·---·-·-·-···--·--· --··-·-······--·----•--···· ·····------. ··-·······--·-·-·-,-···•·· .... Upload Files Field not completed.

2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:24 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review, Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committ~e by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Anne Sinclair

Address

Phone Number

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The Father Serra statue must be removed from its current placement in front of city hall. This statue symbolizes the colonization of the Chumash tribe, and many other indigenous tribes throughout California. Father Serra, along with other members of the catholic church committed crimes against the Chumash people, that should not be celebrated. Nearly two thirds of the Chumash people died because of the mission

1 projects (site: Chumash, encyclopedia.com). Whether this be disease or murder, it is obvious that father Serra contributed to a complete disruption to their way or life and their communities, almost destroying their culture in order to force his own beliefs on them. Yes, father serra is a part of Ventura history, but he should be remembered correctly, he destroyed a way of life for people that had been in this area for thousands of years before him, and alm_ost wiped out an entire culture. As respect for the Chumash people living in Ventura, his statue should be removed.

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(:,

2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:29 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: . Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a' Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting D.ate OR before Agenda Item Concludes · during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm -on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council ·committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Tony Gonella

Address

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. Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Comments

Written Comments I support the removal of the Junipero Serra statue.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: ) Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:30 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date/ Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Lauren Moore

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments My name is Lauren Moore and I am a resident of Ventura. I am writing to express my strong support in the relocation of the Father Serra Statue. This statue represents a history of oppression and colonization against the California's native population. It is also an icon for a specific religion in front of a secular government building. This is not the appropriate place for this statue. I believe that we should listen to the voices of -··------······------··-··-·-----··------

1 the Chumash people in regards to where they would like to see it relocated. Thank you.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:31 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Morgan Visalli

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_Em_a_il_A_dd_r_e_ss______L------~-----

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: ·Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Dear City Council of Ventura,

My name is Morgan Visalli and I am a resident of Ventur~ County. I am writing to ask you to remove the statue of Father Junipero Serra from outside of City Hall. While Junipero Serra is often seen as a sentimental emblem of Californian history, the true history behind his Spanish missions is a history of ~------

1 oppression, racism, slavery, rape, and genocide.

I urge you, as city council officials, to stand for justice and against the oppression of indigenous peoples by removing the \ statue of Father Junipero Serra. To keep that statue up is to uphold the notion of white supremacy that represents a symbol of racism and systemic oppression. As we know, these ideologies are responsible for the continued and unjust killings, discrimination, and harassment of people of color today, and it must stop.

Thank you, Morgan Visalli

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:08 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Jennifer Lawlor

_A_dd_r_e_ss______

_Ph_o_n_e_N_u_m_b_e_r ______

Email Address ~------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I write in support of the removal of the statue of Father Serra. I believe it is of tantamount importance these types of statues be removed. While to some he may be a religious figure, to others he is a symbol of genocide and colonialism. I have heard people insist he is part of our "history," therefore the statue should remain. This is non-nonsensical. While he is a part of our history, history can be learned by reading a book. The

1 hope, I would think, is by learning of this dark time in our history, we would strive to do better. Statues should be reserved for figures we revere, figures we strive to be more like, figures who moved our country in a positive direction, not figures who led to the mass death and mistreatment of others. Hitler is a part of history, yet we do not erect statues in his honor to "remember" what he did. REMOVE THE STATUE AND REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING POSITIVE AND HOPEFUL. Thank you for your consideration.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:37 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on _Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Evan Schiller

Address

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Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting !;,ate 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Hello,

To start, I'd like to make clear I am a former Ventura Police Department employee (2005-2008).

Please take this statue down. Give it to the mission, or museum, if need be, but this statue should not be standing

1 proudly in front of a government building. This statue, which is a symbol of LOCAL oppression, enslavement, and killing of Chumash people, should not overlook the city as a constant reminder of colonization for our local indigenous citizens. There should be a Chumash Statue there instead.

Growing up in California, we all did a mission project in grade school. Though our history lessons left out the impact and abuse of Native Americans. This is more of the same and quite frankly sad that this is still a debate.

I grew _up in Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks is lame compared to Ventura. But Thousand Oaks at least has numerous statues of Chumash, acknowledging the area's history and indigenous population.

Please, we can be better.

Evan Schiller

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:39 AM To: . City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Dustin Larrieu

Address ______

Phone Number ------

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Taking down statues does not erase history. Was it a coincidence that my grade-school teachers failed to mention that natives were enslaved through kill-or-convert tactics when we learned about the construction of California missions? In the modern day, we call groups who use those same tactics terrorists. And, rightly so. History has been white-washed, sanitized, and written by the

1 victors. Taking down the serra statue will be 'a step toward honoring victims of genocide.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: norep·[email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:41 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm· on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meetirig Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Ryanne Bamieh

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/16/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I support taking down the Father Serra Statue!! As a self identifying Catholic & Religious scholar i see no reason why a man who represents oppression & death to the original Venturans (eg the Chumash) should be placed in a celebratory position in front of our city ~all. Please rectify this and take . down Serra!!

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:41 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Paul Graham

Address Oxnard CA 93030

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Please move the statue of Father Serra to Mission San Buenaventura. Father Serra is an important part of our local history and the mission feels like the best place to relocate his monument to.

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1 Anita Mair

From: Lauren Moore Sent: Wednesday, July , 2020 10:39 AM To: Cheryl Heitmann; Matt Lavere; Erik Nasarenko; Christy Weir; Sofia Rubalcava; Jim Friedman; Lorrie Brown; Council Subject: -EXT- Support in Removal of Father Serra Statue

Good morning,

My name is Lauren Moore and I am a resident in Ventura. I am writing in support of the removal of the Father Serra statue from City Hall. This statue represents the colonization and cultural genocide of California natives. It has no place in the front of a secular government building, especially in that it glorifies one specific religion. Placing these statues in a different, more appropriate location does not erase history. It shows the awakening of people in our community to the unheard voices and the desire to do justice by them.

Though I would like to see the statue thrown in the pacific ocean, I support con.suiting the Chumash people and allowing them to decide what it will be replaced with. I know that you all work so hard and it means so much to residents like me to see that you all really do listen. Thank you for all you do!

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:44 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Fa.rm

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on. Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Mary A Bagdazian

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I oppose the r~nioval of the Fr. Serra statues as they represent a man who is an important part of our heritage. The evidence from writings about him point to him as a benevolent presence in the life of the natives in this land. He wanted to protect the native peoples from the abuses by the Mexican and American governments. Since this is a very divided issue I propose that the decision to remove the statues be put to the public vote on

1 the ballot in November. I also propose that a monument or statue be built in tribute to the native peoples of our land and be placed in a prominent site in the city of Ventura.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 10:48 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on ·Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Home~ess Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Tessa Byars

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I would like to see this statue removed - there is no reason to celebrate racist, oppressive people in our country's 'history. we will not forget them or the things they did but they should not be celebrated and commemorated in a statue that is hurtful and damaging for the Chumash people.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: Lucky Lynch Sent: Wednesday, To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Serra Statue

I am a senior whose spiritual grounding and appreciation for faith comes from my Roman Catholic roots. I was an active member of the Archdiocesan Catechist community for over 12 years. Because of my intimate involvement in the church I was well aware of the ways that the California Missions were mythologized by Msgr. Francis Weber, who was pastor of Buenaventura Mission from 1975-1980. His articles and books were about "Serra's Evangelization of the indigenous communities in California. He also was a main spokesperson for Fr. Serra's canonization. He rewrote the history to favor the church and it's missionary efforts around the Doctrine of Discovery. It is time to take this statue down. It doesn't belong in this place and was not on the ballot for its installation, I .believe. We need to stop rewriting history. Lucky Lynch, Ventura 93003. , CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City ~f Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown: senders.

1 Anita Mair

From: Lauren Moore Sent: Wednesday, Ju y , To: Cheryl Heitmann; Matt Lavere; Erik Nasarenko; Christy Weir; Sofia Rubalcava; Jim Friedman; Lorrie Brown; Council Subject: -EXT- Support in Removal of Father Serra Statue

Good morning,

Though I would like to see the statue thrown in the pacific ocean, I support consulting the Chumash people and allowing them to decide what it will be replaced with. I know that you all work so hard and it means so much to residents like me to see that you all really do listen. Thank you for all you do!

Lauren Moore CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Anita Mair

From: Marilyn Kellar Sent: Wednesday, Jul To: Matt Lavere; Council Subject: -EXT- Fwd: Father Serra Statue

Dear Mayor and Council Member~: My vote is for a resolution to "Protect the bronze Father Serra Statue in its current location in front of City Hall." Perhaps wording could be added, "until the issue settles down, or until a viable alternative is found". (?) (OR ... place for citizen vote on the November ballot?) I'm going to repeat here, some suggestions I emailed to you before the last meeting on the ~ubject. I'd like to recommend surveillance cameras, AND a police presence, in the form of designating a police parking spot right at the edge of the adjacent public parking lot. (Well lit, for nighttime! Perhaps even have a restroom i'nstalled there for police use, so they could use that parking space for catching up on their police reports, etc. I suggest a "Police Parking Only": designated/occupied "round the clock"?) IF there ,is a "church/state" precedent, is it possibl~ to designate/DONATE that land to "private property"? Re: the "historical authenticity" of the present bronze statue, which, via exact measurements, replaced the deteriorating cement statue ... Could there possibly be a "City Council Resolution" to keep the bronze one where it is, for another 10 years, (?) and to vote if the bronze statue THEN ("officially") meets "Historical Status"? Also, I think it would be a travesty to "give the wooden statue, (in the City Hall Atrium), back to the carvers' family"!!!! (Unless they have reql!ested it.) I've heard that the family doesn't want it back! I'd love to see it possibly moved to "The Museum of Ventura County", where it might go perfectly in the glass "atrium" to the left of the entry lobby. OR, perhaps "on loan" to the The Ventura Mission, or the Santa Barbara Mission, Thomas Aquinas College, etc.? (Perhaps gifted to the Ventura Mission, if the vote is sustained to keep the bronze one in place?) As a former, VUSD, adult ed art teacher, and former art consultant, I want to underscore that since Ventura has been dubbed, "The New Art City", I strongly support that this "world class" Father Serra bronze statue should remain at its prominent place on the hill, in front of City Hall! NOT to "diss" the Chumash Indians, wanting more recognition for their heritage ... IF the wooden statue were removed from the City Hall atrium, that could be the perfect venue for carrying out the beautiful basket weave mural backdrop, to incorporate more of the "Chumash History", and to tie in with the City Hall Municipal Art Collection. I would like to underscore, listening to, respecting, supporting, the Chumash people, for some possible magnification of their place in Ventura's history. As you vote, I know you'll consider please the ·wishes of the maiority of Ventura residents, over the unsettled, turbulent times of dissenters, to try to overthrow a historical figure/landmark. Please don't lose sight of the fact that Father Serra is a prominent "founding father" of the City of San Buenaventura!. (To quote former Mayor, Carl Morehouse, on a major decision that ultimately benefitted my neighborhood in 2007, "Can it be done? Should it be done?") Sincerely, Marilyn Kellar Attached is an idea I'm sharing re: a recognition idea for possible local Chumash Indian ancestry.: (Perhaps for the atrium in City Hall to replace the wooden sculpture of Father Serra?) (OR down by the Promenade?) 1) https:ljwww.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!ls0x878137339669Seb9%3A0xeb8e709b447d7761!3m1!7e115!4shtt ps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipO85O1o9knrsBJmVXpZUxNW43SSVETJSgNxjllP%3Dw213- h160-k-no!Ssdignity%20sculpture%20south%20dakota%20- %20Google%20Search!1SsCglgAQ&imagekey=!le10!2sAF1QipO85O1o9knrsBJmVXpZUxNW43SSVETJSqNxjllP&sa=X&v ed=2ahUKEwjfofe6p7nqAhVJOq0KHWlzAnYQoiowJHoECBcQBg

1 My favorite view of Ventura is looking out from the steps of City Hall, down to the Father Serra statue, down toward the ocean! Sincerely,

~Ventura, CA 93003-3123 CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :00 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date/ Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Field not completed.

Address Field not completed.

Phone Number Field not completed.

Email Address Field not completed.

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments While 'it is important to know the history of our city, glorifying Father Serra with a statue does not appropriately acknowledge the violent, colonial legacy of that figure, and should be removed.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :02 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council · Committee· Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Tyler

Address McMullen

Phone Number ------

_Em_ai_l_A_dd_r_e_ss_____ ------

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue.

Written Comments I would like to comment in favor of the removal of the Father Serra Statue. I am not calling for the destruction of the statue but a relocation to a museum or church, as City Hall represents all of the people of this city, and this statue is far from a symbol of inclusiveness. Those in opposition to the relocation of the statue describe the current happenings as cancel culture, but ( there is undeniable hypocrisy in this message. Father Serra

1 was the epitome of cancel culture, which is clear in the fact that only vestiges of the once flourishing Chumash communities remain. The 18th century Spanish missionaries forced their religion upon the native peoples and attempted to erase their identity only to replace it with Catholic doctrine. I am not asking that we do the same and erase this chapter of history or make attacks on the religious freedoms protected by the Constitution, but it is clear that this figure should not stand in front of the center of the local government. Thank you.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :06 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Wyne Morgan

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I grew up in California and was taught about the missions and settlement of California in school. After reading many books related to the migration of Europeans to the New World, I realize that I wasn't taught the whole story -- Facts not always told and controversies often unmentioned and unexamined. Putting people on pedestals and making heroes of them leads to a superficial and often one sided view that many times •. ··-··-··------•-·-·--·--····-·-··-•-•--··~----····--·------·------·------·------··-···~---·

1 requires more understanding.

Because Father Serra is controversial as to his treatment of indigenous people and also the statue has religious affiliations inherently attached to it, I don't think it appropriate to have the statue remain where it is representing a public hero. I would like for the statue to be moved either to the Mission or an appropriate museum.

Thank you for your consideration.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :10 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Caitlin Cavanaugh

Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The statue represents a hateful, intolerant past. It should not be a part of our community's beautiful future.

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :12 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form )

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Deb Temple

Address

Phone Number --

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Comments

Written Comments Dear City Council members, In this time of revolt, destruction and violence, can we please remember the good Father Junipero Serra has done for our city and state? He is the founder of our beautiful city and you can't change that. There are a lot of people who are afraid to speak up because of the violent retaliation. Please try to "listen" to them too! Don't condone violence and destruction! Save our --··----··------·----·---·----·---···-----·-·-·------~---

1 statue! Don't erase our history ... good things have come from it! Respectfully, Deb Temple

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: Neda layer Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :16 AM To: City Clerk Subject: Fw: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11:00 AM To: Luz Juachon ; Neda Zayer ; Development Services Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - ,by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Anna Murphy

· -Address

Phone Number

_Em_ai_l A_d_d_r_e_ss______

Name of legislative body Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Date 7/15/2020 ------

1 Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments I am for KEEPING THE SAINT JUNIPERO STATUE UP where it is and what He Junipero Serra stood for. He was a holy man who brought his Love to the Indians and wanted to bring JESUS CHRIST to each of them and their families AND HE DID!!!

If the city/persons should decide to remove this statue THIS will have election consequences in the near future. Count on it!!!

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: Neda Zayer Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :17 AM To: City Clerk 1 Subject: Fw: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11:10 AM To: Luz Juachon ; Neda Zayer ; Development Services Subject: -EXT-.Qnline Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting• Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date/ Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Rina D Enriquez

Address lakewood, ca 90715

P-ho_n_e_N_u_m-be_r______Email Address ~ - Name of legislative body Historic Preservation Committee

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

1 Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments KEEP. Religious freedom needs to prevail.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :19 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

1 Disclosure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a Public Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date /Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Jefferson

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Written Comments I live and work for the city of Ventura. I am on board with removing the Serra statue in the name of the Chumash people. Verified and peer reviewed sources has explained Serra's despicably actions. No person of that nature should be idolized prominently in Ventura. History will not be forgotten by the removal of the statue but rather re-told. It will promote people to learn the full history of Serra, California and the entire Unites

1 States's history of oppression of those of a different skin tone. Only through understanding real history can we make sure these atrocities never happen again.

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Tracy Oehler

·From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :25 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Andrea

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments How many Catholics are in the city vs. how many of other denominations? You realize you are pushing aside the history and desires of a great number of your good citizens to follow a fad of removing statues?

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1 Anita Mair

From: Michaela Neuman

Sent: Wednesday, July 1 , • • • & • To: Council Subject: -EXT- Statue of Serra MUST GO

To the members of Ventura City Council:

My name is Michaela Neumann and I was born and raised in Ventura. I continue to live on the west end of Ventura and work in the school district.

It is time for the statue of Junipero Serra to be removed, even destroyed, and for the elementary school's name to be changed. The statue should not be in a place of honor, particularly not on city property. If the statue must be somewhere, it should be in an educational. exhibit the tells the full story, honoring the people and culture that were exploited and subject to atrocities. Removing such a statue does not deny our history but is an opportunity to tell an accurate history and to send a message that we today do not value expansion over human lives and humanity. So long as Serra's statue stands where it is, as it is, the city is sending a message that minorities are seen as expendable and undeserving of basic human rights in the name of "growth", expansion, and status quo.

It is time to do the right thing. It is time to remove the statue of Junipero Serra and change the name of the school. It is time to send such a message of recognition and dignity to Ventura's Native American community and other minority groups.

Sincerely, Michaela Neumann CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :28 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Disclosure: Providing your name and contact information is optional to participate in a PubHc Meeting, however by providing, it will allow staff to follow-up with you on your item. You may only submit one comment form per agenda item.

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date /Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Andrew Johnson I

Address Ventura, CA 93001

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Please remove the statue of Junipero Serra. It is a symbol of oppression, colonization, and enslavement, and does not belong in front of City Hall (or anywhere else in our fine county).

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1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :30 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

I Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Catherine Short

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Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The City Council should not move forward on this matter until such time as all Ventura residents can participate and be heard on an equal footing. It was evident at the meeting on July 7 that most of the speakers were on the younger side, probably under 40. This mode of proceeding via virtual meetings clearly discriminates against Ventura's older citizens, who also happen to be the

1 ones with the deepest connections to and understanding of the City's history. Also, the technology has glitches. I have heard from many people who attempted to speak at the July 7 meeting but were unable to, either because they could not log on, or they were never unmuted, or the clerk said they had hung up when they hadn't. As a matter of fundamental fairness, you should table this question until such time as the Council and citizens can meet in person. A decision to remove the statue now would carry the taint of your having used the pandemic as an opportunity to , circumvent the will of the people.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 202011:35 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Cara Chacon

Address , Ventura, CA 93003

Phone Number

Email Address ------Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments In order for our community to heal and to be fair and equitable the statue needs to come down and be replaced by one that promotes healing and unity. Through this critical action we can rebuild our local narrative with an understanding that horrible things were done to the indigenous people of California but also that this sad period is a part of our local history that we can't erase and that we--our state and local governments,

...... _.. ,_._...... _,,,...... ~------~------

1 community organizations and individual citizens--- need to learn, grow, evolve, heal and move on from that experience so that those types of atrocities never happen again. We also need an annual day of remembrance for all those who suffered during that time period with a strong emphasis on healing, forgiving and creating a brighter future. A "healing" approach through a new statue and day of remembrance is a big step forward in unifying the community again.

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. )

2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11:39 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting· Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Rachellah<0ff

Address

Phone Number

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Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments My family lives in Ventura County, and we work and shop in the city of Ventura. I am writing to ask that you remove the statue of Father Junipero Serra from outside of City Hall. The Indigenous communities of this region have expressed pain, frustration, and anger at the continued presence of this statue. I stand in solidarity with these communities in asking for its removal. Please do your part in dismantling this racist tradition ------·--·· ------

1 of displaying statue where it offends so many. Thank you, Rachel Lahoff - Ventura County resident

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: Michael J. Alti Sent: Wednesday, J To: Antoinette Mann; City Clerk Cc: -Council; Gregory Diaz; Andy Heglund Subject: -EXT- Support for the Father Serra Statues and Opposition to the Proposed Removal of the Statues Attachments: Ltr to Ventura Saint Serra Statue July 15.pdf

Importance: High

Dear Ms. Mann:

Please share the attached letter with the City Council in advance of tonight's meeting. Please confirm receipt. Please also confirm that you received a package from James McDermott yesterday, and that you have shared it with the Council.

Thank you.

Michael J. Alti, Esq.

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 T~ NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92663

July 15, 2020

City Council of San Buenaventura c/o Antoinette Mann, City Clerk [email protected] 501 Poli Street, Room 205 Ventura, CA 93002

Re: Supplemental Correspondence Support for the Father Serra Statues and Opposition to the Proposed Removal of the Statues

Dear Members of the City Council:

We represent the Ventura Coalition for Historical Integrity as well as James McDermott and Guillermo Perez, both residents of the City of San Buenaventura. We have already submitted several pieces of correspondence to the City about the Father Serra Statues, including a letter dated · to the City Council dated July 7, 2020. Our correspondence has highlighted numerous procedural and substantive errors made by the City in its unprecedented rush to remove the bronze and wooden statues. We appreciate that the City has acknowledged some of its mistakes, including recognizing that (1) the failure to identify the City's CEQA determination in the agenda for last week's City Council hearing violated the Brown Act, (2) removal of the statues does not qualify for a categorical exemption under CEQA Guideline Section 15331, and (3) Mayor Matt LaVere was required to recuse himself from any participation in the decision because of his demonstrated bias. 1 All of these mistakes, however, raise considerable questions about the City's credibility in its hurry to remove the statues.

We strongly believe that the City is continuing to make numerous and very serious errors that are exposing the City to significant liability. Most notably, the City is now seeking to rely on the commonsense CEQA exemption found in Section 15061, which again, clearly does not apply. As explained ,in detail below, "If legitimate questions can be raised about whether the project might have a significant impact and there is any dispute about the possibility of such an impact, the agency cannot find with certainty that a project is exempt."2

As previously noted, the Staff Report submitted to the Council and the draft resolution calling for removal of the statues are both devoid of actual facts and real findings. For instance, City has not provided any substantive information about the condition of the original concrete statue and whether it could ever be rehabilitated (most likely because it cannot be rehabilitated, which speaks to the fact that the bronze statue was intended to continue the historical designation of the

1 We also offered copies of Councilmember Brown's recent Facebook posts, clearly stating "I support the agenda item to seek the removal of the statue," but somehow Staff does not believe this rises to the same level of bias as Mayor LaVere's statements. This is rather troubling, particularly in light of Councilmember Brown's clear push at the meeting last week to have this matter considered and decided without any further delay. 2 See Davi don Homes v. City ofSan Jose (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 106, 117. original), and has offered contradictory information about the wooden statue. The City evidently has not done its homework regarding the applicable legal requirements for removing the statues as well as critical facts.

Once again, the Council's decision must not be taken lightly, and should not be based on vague and unsubstantiated information. Thus, we respectfully request that the City refrain from any hasty action, and take the time necessary to (1) comply with applicable laws and (2) offer the public a meaningful opportunity to consider the statues and provide independent information and facts about the historic value of the statues.

Finally, the City Council should seriously consider building a new monument to commemorate the contributions of the Chumash to the region and the City, as well as their over 10,000-year history here. We urge the Council to find a creative solution like that which would appease most parties involved while avoiding litigation and importantly, taking actions that unite, rather than divide the community. It should be clear by now that any decision to remove the Serra statue will generate more strife, tension and division in Ventura and likely offend a substantial majority of the residents of San Buenaventura. Allowing the statue to remain in honor of the City's founder, while building a new monument to honor the Chumash, would unite the Ventura community, just as the building of the bronze and wooden statues united the community in the 1980s.

Conflicting Information About the Wood Statue. The Staff Report states that new information has been learned since the publishing of the July 7 report including: "The City learned that the woodworking company that led the effort to carve the Wood Statue conveyed the statue to the City." This means that the City now owns the Wood Statue. However, this conflicts with the proposed resolution that the City Council is considering adopting. The proposed resolution states, "The Wood Statue, which was owned by a private entity and is on loan to the City, was created and used to mold the Bronze Statue." The proposed resolution also includes a proposed action item to "Return the Wood Statue to its owner." Since the City is the Owner of the Wood Statue, the resolution is simply wrong.

More importantly, this error, along with the countless other mistakes the City has been making, should serve as yet another reminder that the City needs to slow down the process, comply with all legal requirements, gather all pertinent facts, and perhaps come up with a better solution.

The City is Violating CEOA - Removal of Historic Statues Does Not Qualify for a Commonsense Exemption. .Last week, the City tried to rely on the Class 31 categorical exemption found at CEQA Guidelines Section 15331 in order to exempt the removal of the statues from CEQA review. We explained to the City that Section J5331 clearly does not exempt the removal of statues, and, in reading the City's most recent Staff Report, we are pleased that the City has come to its senses and recognized its prior mistake. Again, this does raise questions about the City's credibility.

Unfortunately, the City is again trying to rely on an inapplicable CEQA exemption in order to avoid meaningful environmental review. Without any data or explanation whatsoever, the Staff Report states, "This item is exempt from environmental review based on the commonsense exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) found in Section 15061 of the State CEQA Guidelines, because the determination to remove or relocate a non-historic statue will not have a significant impact on the environment."

Page 2 of6 For your reference, CEQA Guideline Section 1506l(b)((3) expresses the rule as follows:

"The activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant , effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEOA."

Here, the Staff Report recognizes that "the City Council received over 1,500 pages of emails and related documents and heard from over 140 public speakers." Staff recognizes that the City has received significant public comment both in support of preservation and in support of removal. In particular, the public has provided significant comment expressing that the bronze statue is indeed a historic landmark. On July 14, 2020, you received a letter from James McDermott providing the City with new evidence including, a declaration signed by James Monahan, who was the Mayor at the time the bronze statue waf dedicated, and he explained the clear intent that the bronze statue was to serve as "Landmark No. 3" because it was a continuation of the original statue which could not be repaired. This is confirmed by the City's inventory of Historic Landmarks & Districts dated May 3, 2016 (attached to his letter). Mr. McDermott also provided you letters from other experts in the field including Judith Triem, Anthony Grumbine, Stephen Schafer and Gabriel Zamora, who all opined that the bronze statue is indeed a historic resource as a reconstruction and continuation of the concrete statue - a feature not fully appreciated by City staff or the June 25, 2020, Historic Resources Group report. Even the Historic Resources Group viewed the Serra statue as a historic resource and referred to it as "Landmark No. 3" when it completed its Historic Resources Survey Update in 2007 (when the bronze statue was' 18 years old).

Thus, the City's assumption that the statue is "non-historic" is flawed to begin with, and conflicts with a plethora of available information about the statue from the last 30 years and the opinions of several experts. It even conflicts with Mayor LaVere's statement in his June 18, 2020 letter when he referred to it as a "designated landmark." It appears that the report prepared by Historic Resources Group on June 25, 2020 is the first time anyone claimed that the bronze statue is not a historic resource.

We point all this out to 'illustrate that the commonsense exemption in Section 15061 does not apply. We further call your attention to the decision in Davidon Homes v. City ofSan Jose (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 106. There, the City of San Jose adopted an ordinance providing for a geological study which required invasive techniques, including deep borings. The City found that the project was exempt from environmental review, relying on the commonsense exemption found at CEQA Gpidelines Section 15061(b)(3). The City was sued on the basis that there was no evidence in the record to support the CEQA exemption. The City lost, as the Court found that the City abused its discretion.

The Court discussed the commonsense exemption at length. The Court explained that "An agency's obligation to produce substantial evidence supporting its exemption decision is all the more important where the record shows, as it does here, that opponents of the project have raised arguments regarding possible significant environmental impacts." Id. At 117. The Court expressed that the burden lies on the City to produce such substantial evidence. Thus, "If legitimate questions can be raised about whether the project might have a significant impact and there is any dispute about the possibility of such an impact, the agency cannot find with certainty that a project is exempt." Ibid. The commonsense exemption only applies to "obviously exempt"

Page 3 of6 projects.

The Court held as follows: "We believe, however, that if a reasonable argument is made to suggest a possibility that a project will cause a significant environmental impact, the agency must refute that claim to a certainty before finding that the exemption applies." Id. at 118. The Court ruled: "By determining the ordinance to be exempt under Guidelines section 15061, supdivision (b)(3), without considering possible environmental effects or supporting its decision with substantial evidence, the city failed to proceed in a manner required by law. The city therefore abused its discretion."

Just as in the Davidon Homes case, legitimate questions have been raised about the impacts of the proposed removal of the statues, and there is a clear dispute about the possibility of such impacts (i.e., the historic nature of the statues). Mr. McDermott and others have certainly offered a reasonable argument with strong evidence that removal of the statues will cause a significant impact. Therefore, the City Council of San Buenaventura cannot find with certainty that the removal of the statues is exempt under the commonsense exemption found at Section 15061(b)(3).

Accordingly, the City must undergo full environmental review before taking any further action. Such environmental review must fully analyze the matters set forth under CEQA Guidelines Appendix G, including, without limitation, impacts on cultural resources, impacts on land use and planning (including full consideration of the General Plan and Downtown Specific Plan), and aesthetic impacts (aesthetics are very important to consider since the statues have been in the same prominent location for over 80 years - at no point has the City considered this).

Additional Information Provided by the City Supports the Bronze Statue as a Historic Resource. Attached to the Staff Report is a book entitled "The Replication of the Father Serra Statue, A Community Volunteer Project" by Catherine Antolino Mervyn. The Staff Report states that Historic Resources Group reviewed the book and "found no information that changed their findings that the original 1936 statue retains the 1974 landmark designation from the City."

We call your attention to the following:

• The preface to this book cites the inscription on the wooden statue: "To our knowledge no one has ever attempted to replicate a sculpture in this matter from stone [concrete] to wood to bronze." It discusses the "monumental task" of replicating a statue from concrete to wood to bronze. This monumental task itself is historic, as recognized by Judith Triem. • Councilman Russell Burns understood in the 1980s that the concrete statue would eventually disintegrate (Staff Report, p. 64). • Councilman Burns and his team came up with the concept "from concrete, to wood, to bronze" (p. 66). • Councilman Burns offered a motion to "endeavor to replace a crumbling 50-year old concrete statue," and the Council passed the motion unanimously in 1986. • Mayor John Sullard established the "Father Serra Statue Restoration Committee" in 1987 (p. 68). • Then Deputy Mayor Monahan expressed in a letter to the Council that "Father Serra is our 'Statue of Liberty.' He belongs to all ofus. We will work diligently to see that he remains in front of the City Hall, keeping watch over the city" (pp. 68-69). • The book further describes how this all was a historic event in Ventura, with a tremendous

Page 4 of6 fundraising effort and schools and businesses hosting "Father Serra Days." • During the carving of the wood statue, "the specialized activity became a tourist attraction. People from everywhere in the United States and foreign countries visited the Livery. Some, deeply impressed by the artistry, even wondered from where such artists had been . obtained" (p. 89). • Hundreds of guests attended the dedication of the bronze statue on October 20, 1989, when Mayor Monahan stated, "the statue represents our community's obsession and dedication to preserve our heritage" (p. 115). The location of the bronze statue was the exact same spot where the original concrete statue stood for 51 years.

Ms. Mervyn's book is significant. Consistent with the evidence James McDermott provided you, {his book shows that the City Council's clear intention was to establish a Father Serra Statue Restoration Committee, and that restoration meant that the new bronze statue would carry on the historic status of the concrete statue since it was disintegrating.

Ms. Mervyn's book is also relevant for highlighting Father Serra's tremendous positive legacy and contributions to the City of San Buenaventura. The book served as "a testimony to the rich cultural heritage of the Golden State and its founding father" (see xii, Staff Report, p. 48). Ms. Mervyn writes about the "most celebrated missionary who helped settle California" and his "love and dedication" (Staff Report, p. 49). She describes him as "an untiring, courageous and spiritual leader" and a "Gentle Giant" (Staff Report, p. 52). When California Governor Frank F. Merriam attended the ceremony dedicating the original concrete statue over 80 years ago, he paid homage to "the beloved Father of the Missions" (Staff Report, p. 59). Ms. Mervyn concluded as follows:

". . . the people of San Buenaventura have consistently shown a special love and admiration for their city's founding Franciscan missionary, Father Junipero Serra. Today, better than two centuries after the establishment of California's ninth mission, for which the city is named three similar statues of Father Serra, one of concrete, one of wood, and one of bronze, stand witness to a people's dedication and passion for their historical past and faith in their future."

Previously Raised Issues that the City Has Ignored. In our prior letter dated July 7, 2020, we raised numerous issues that the City has failed to address. These include:

• Removal of the Statues would conflict with the City's General Plan and the Downtown Specific Plan (which itself identifies the Father Serra bronze statue as a historic resource, consistent with Mr. McDermott's letter). Policy 9D in the General Plan serves to "ensure proper treatment of archeological and historic resources." The City has not addressed General Plan and Specific Plan consistency at all. • If the original concrete statue still exists, the City needs to provide specific and detailed information about its condition before making any determination as to its replacement. Is the City intending to rehabilitate the concrete statute? We understand the concrete statue was deteriorating and likely. cannot be repaired. • Since the concrete statue cannot be repaired, the City has completely failed to address (or even deny) the point raised at length that it was the intent of the City back in the 1980s for the bronze statute to replace it and carry on its status as Landmark No. 3. Please see the City's inventory of Historic Landmarks & Districts dated May 3, 2016 (attached to Mr. McDermott's letter) which specifically lists the bronze statue as Landmark No. 3).

Page 5 of 6 • The Staff Report is bereft of facts within the recor1 to support Staffs recommended resolution calling for the removal o( the 1989 bronze statue. The Staff Report merely refers to "extensive public comment on the issue~' without providing ,any discussion or verification of such comment. The proposed resolution for removal of the two statues merely refers to "extensive public input on the issue" and vaguely states: "it is apparent that the display of the Bronze Statue on public property is hurtful and offensive to a significant number of City residents and should be removed from its current location." The City's record made available to the public contains no other information about the City's determination on this matter, nor any studies, polls or expert testimony supporting the suggested action. Staff has not offered any evidence whatsoever that the statues are "hurtful or offensive to a significant number of City residents" (nor any evidence documenting the value and appreciation of the statues, which is extensive!). In fact, Ms. Mervyn' s book and other documents attached to the Staff Report describe the "special love and admiration for their city's founding Franciscan missionary, Father Junipero Serra."

Conclusion. Statues of Fr. Serra have been in their present location for nearly 85 years, rendering the City's present rush to remove the bronze and wooden statues as irresponsible, highly suspect, and not based on any substantial evidence or fact. Removing the statues is a discretionary administrative action which requires compliance with CEQA. Again, the City's reliance on a . CEQA exemption is misplaced, because the commonsense exemption found at Section 15061 does not apply to the removal of historic statues, as clearly illustrated by the Court in Davidon Homes.

Here, the City's rush to action and its lack of specific findings to justify its actions undermine the entire purpose of CEQA. It is clear that the City has thus far failed to "demonstrate to an apprehensive citizenry that the agency has, iri fact, analyzed and considered the ... implications of its action." The City must therefore refrain from any immediate action, prepare an EIR to analyze the proposed actions, and offer the public a sufficient and reasonable opportunity to review and consider the matter. The City Council has been elected to take actions in compliance with the law and with the best interest of its citizens in mind. The City Council cannot take actions that circumvent CEQA and its own Municipal Code, and which are based purely on emotion, unfounded opinions and an apparent political agenda, not substantial evidence and facts. Our clients will utilize any and all legal remedies and rights afforded to them if the City circumvents the process laid out in its Municipal Code and CEQA.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Very truly yours,

Michael J. Alti, Esq.

Page 6 of6 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :44 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes ·during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date/ Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Philip Levine

Address

_Ph_o_n_e_N_u_m_b_e_r_____ ------_Em_ai_l A_d_d_r_e_ss______

Name of legislative body City Council

,Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Comments

Written Comments Hello, I wanted to voice my concern in support of the Padre Serra statue in front of Ventura City Hall. It has been misrepresented by well-meaning people seeking to show

1 solidarity with native people and mislabeled by native people seeking to find a scapegoat for various crimes committed against them. The Padres of the missions helped and protected indigenous people in a situationwhere they would have treated -~------···----

1 far worse were it not for the missions and the sanctuary that they provided. This is a fact. Not an opinion. If people are trying to find someone to blame for atrocities committed, they needed to look into the soldiers occupying California at the time as well as the gold rush 49ers. Let's bring fact-based education back into the picture instead of heresay and conjecture and let's remember a man who spent his life trying to help the lndiginious people of this land.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :46 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative . Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by4 pm on Meeting Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Tessa Salzman

Address -

_P_ho_n_e_N_u_m_b_e_r_____ ,______Em_a_il_A_dd_r_e_ss______

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments Item 12A:

I am writing to recommend that the City Council removes the statue of Father Serra in front of City Hall. In line with the Resolution that passed earlier this week declaring racism as a putJlic health crisis, it only makes sense to remove the statue and thus acknowledge the way that its presence impacts the ------~------·-·-·····•·····-·-----·••--·----··---··------~---~-----

1 mental health and well being of the Chumash people and countless others who have spoken out against it.

The Resolution set an excellent foundation for the City Council to work from as you continue to acknowledge, analyze and improve aspects of our city that disproportionately and negatively impact people of color in Ventura. (Congrats on passing the Resolution unanimously!)

I feel that the only appropriate place for a historic statue of a religious figure is a museum or in another context where the history associated with the statue can be acknowledged and honored without celebrating the symbology as a City-wide message.

Thank you for your time and public service.

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2 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :54 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Name Bethany (Fankhauser) Laird

Address

Phone Number

_Em_a_il _A_dd_r_e_ss______i------

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments The Father Serra statue is an outdated, repulsive image of our history. Though we should remember the history of Ventura and California. we ought to elevate and honor the voices of indigenous folx and those that have lived on Chumash land for thousands of years.

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1 \ Anita Mair

From: Sent: To: Subject:

Or at least let the people vote on it in November. CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Ventura. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

1 Tracy Oehler

From: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 11 :59 AM To: City Clerk Subject: -EXT- Online Form Submittal: Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Electronic Agenda/Public Comment Form

Submission Deadlines: Submit by hour listed below on Meeting Date OR before Agenda Item Concludes during a Live Meeting to be considered part of the record. City Council - by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Water Commission - by 3 pm on Meeting Date I Administrative Hearings by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Design Review Committee by 4 pm on Meeting Date I Historic Preservation Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Planning Commission by 4 pm on Meeting· Date I Parks and Recreation Commission by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Downtown Parking Advisory Committee by 1 pm on Meeting Date I Economic Development Strategy Committee (Council Committee) by Noon on Meeting Date I Finance, Audit and Budget Council· Committee Meetings by 2 p.m. on Meeting Date I Safe, Clean and Homeless Committee by 2 pm on Meeting Date I Public Input on the Father Serra Statue - select City Council for the Legislative Body when completing this form

Name Pasha Whitmire

Address Santa Barbara, CA

Name of legislative body City Council

Meeting Date 7/15/2020

Select a Topic: Public Input: Father Serra Statue

Written Comments P_lease take the statue down. It represents the oppresive past of the Spanish and we do not need to glorify, respect or pay hommage to it today. ------·"--·-··----~------·-----·------·-----~---·-----~----- Upload Files Field not completed.

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