Algae Cleanup

Share your tips and observations!

What started this page…

July 28, 2019

Dear Friends,

I am learning a lot first hand about the CI Harbor Water degradation from nitrates (fertilizers) and pesticides.  The attached photo from our docks and rip rap, taken today is not mud – it’s a stagnant water growing field of all sorts of algae as a direct result of the post NRG power plant era.  On one hand, the Clean Water Act and the related shut down of power plants up and down the Coast of California sought to save the marine life at the outflow to the sea.

Now the NRG plant’s mandated shut down has a direct impact on all marine and bird life that resides in and around our harbor. The lack of flushing of the sea water through the Edison Canal rolling through our harbor allows growth of things that are not good for the health of our harbor – namely algae.  The scientists tell us that the long summer days directly impact the growth rate of the algae and the dropping of oxygen levels in the harbor.  No oxygen – marine life dies.  We’re not the only harbors experiencing algal blooms, it’s global impacting both fresh and ocean water.

So here is what I am doing to clean up my little part of my dockside paradise and it only took me about 30 minutes today, a laundry basket with some extra holes drilled into the bottom by my terrific husband Werner and a small rake. (You Tube video is not required for this experiment.)  Put on a hat, sunscreen and some gloves.  Head out to your dock with a friend and rake out everything that looks like green algae floating material.  Today my “catch” is primarily sea lettuce which feels like waxed paper. It’s amazingly hearty and grows wide and deep.  Pull out everything you can (nothing with fins, feathers or flippers please) and dump it into the laundry basket with holes.  My first attempt at collection was with black trash bags, which broke through quickly.  My laundry basket filled to the top with sea lettuce weighs in at just under 28 pounds.  I’m going to leave it on my dock to drain for a few days.  Before hauling it off your dock to the trash, consider doing it on your trash day, because it really smells bad!     

Share your own dockside clean up pictures and You Tube videos with me, of your dockside algae clean ups.  Be safe and careful on the water!

PS:  Hope to see you this Thursday, August 1st at our Channel Islands Neighborhood Council meeting.  CINC’s Marine Advisory Comittee will give you a full report on everything else we’ve been learning about C.I. Harbor Water Quality.

Make it a great day on our harbor,


Audrey Keller

Chair, Channel Islands Neighborhood Council

(818) 292-0447

Visitwww.cineighbors.com

North Shore Development Meeting TUESDAY SEPT 24 2019 @ 6pm

Hello friends and residents of the Channel Islands Harbor,

The developer of North Shore at Mandalay Bay will be present along with City Planners to discuss our concerns about the approval of such an old permitted project circa 1999 on the former oil field dump. It is located at 5th Street and Harbor Blvd.

The City feels their hands are tied as this old permit does not have to take into account that the NRG Power Plant closed, the pumps were sealed shut as was the outflow of the canal to the sea.

Let’s ask for the developer to work with the community in a neighborly way and NOT DUMP or DRAIN anything off their property into the canal. Keep all water/storm or otherwise contained on their own site. We know the best science methods could be highly effective in protecting the canal and harbor’s water quality.

Come with an open mind and let’s give them the chance to do the right thing.

Bring your own water. Parking is available in the structure and on the street.

WHERE:
The Human Resources Activity Room located at 300 West Third Street on the ground floor of the 4-story City Hall building. The entrance is on B Street across from the parking structure.

Tuesday Sept. 24th 6pm Across the street from Council Chambers in the City’s H/R room

City Planning Manager Lambert & Staff explain why it’s a good idea to let developer dump 1 million gallons of water per day during a lengthy construction into the harbor and then build drains that also dump into the harbor.

Let the developer do their thing, BUT KEEP ALL THE GROUND WATER and THE RUNOFF IN THEIR OWN BIOSWALE.

Interesting that this developer has 3 pipes draining
directly into the Edison Canal AND they have a 2.5 acre Bioswale on the site. We must insist this developer keeps their water from this former toxic waste dump site on their LAND, not in our harbor.

CINC has requested from the City the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for this development. The MOU shows an agreement with this developer and the future residents to pay for stuff – like Harbor Water Quality.
The City has produced no MOU – what happened to transparency and ‘sunshine’? Is this part of the PLAN that this developer gets to dump into the harbor without having to contribute to Harbor Water Quality.

What is else wrong with this plan… ?
The Planning Manager, City Attorney and Council will also state that this is not their fault, it is the fault of the State of CA and that we must ROLL OVER and let this developer build with the plan regardless that the power plant closure has
impacted the harbor and every visitor that wants to swim or play in the harbor. The City is afraid of a lawsuit from the developer who has over the time period 2015 to now 2019 already changed their name from SunCal to MPL Property Holdings.
The developer will also say the had public viewings and showing this development as SUNCAL. I was in attendance in 2015/2016 and walked away thinking ‘who the heck wants to buy a home on top of this old dump and
in clear view of the now abandoned NRG power plant’. The local realtors are wondering how many disclosures the buyer will have to sign that they know they are living on a toxic site under watch of the DTS?
The developer will claim they complied to public viewing requirements of their planned community except they didn’t show anyone their intent to dump into the canal with pipes going off their property.
The developer also intends to dump storm water runoff “on the sandy shoulder of the roadway” — hello Mr. Planner I believe the developer is referring to Harbor Blvd. and 5th St. – both major access roads to our beach community.
So the developer plans to flood Harbor and 5th. Great news right?

We had a hard enough time finding the plan showing these plans illustrating, pipes but we found them, literally buried. (We’ve attached the plan showing the dumping into the canal and their own 2.5 acre bioswale.
— Note any other public agency reviewing this plan and not knowing there is a canal directly adjacent to this development, would have to have a microscope to see the tiniest type on the entire document labeling the Edison Canal.)
Edison canal…hidden but in plain site.

The DTS (Department of Toxic Substances – an agency meant to protect us) will attend this meeting and tell us they’ve approved this plan and it’s ok for the developer to dump into the canal and harbor. Except they didn’t
consider the impact of the NRG plant closure, the flow of the canal to the sea closed and the harbor degradation that is considered a state of emergency by sister agency LARWQB. (LA Regional Water Quality Control Board)
LAWRQB is working with us to require an extensive testing plan for the storm water runoff. We are asking that these two key agencies work on over-site together.

fyi — Bioswales are linear channels designed to concentrate and convey stormwater runoff while removing debris and pollution. Bioswales can also be beneficial in recharging groundwater.
Bioswales are typically vegetated, mulched, or xeriscaped. They consist of a swaled drainage course with gently sloped sides (less than 6%).

These slides are what DTS showed the public in 2018. They will probably show them again on Tuesday night.

WHEN: Tuesday Sept. 24th 6pm
WHERE: 300 West Third Street
The Human Resources Activity Room located at 300 West Third Street on the ground floor of the 4-story City Hall building. The entrance is on B Street across from the parking structure.
NOTE: This is across the street from Council Chambers in the City’s H/R room
Do they illustrate any pipe draining into the canal — NO!
Bright green area on the map shows the WORST SOILS were moved here – directly adjacent to the canal. Do you see the pipe draining into the canal — NO!
Check this image out – from DTS – the worst polluted area @ top right – SE Corner. There is NO illustration showing their intent to dump into the canal.
NOTE – THE NRG POWER PLANT STOPPED PUMPING MARCH 2018 AND CLOSED THE OUTFLOW TO THE SEA WITHIN 30 DAYS OF DTS closing public comment.

Look at this… We’ve supplied some sunshine (no secrets) about this development – as attached – the developer’s plan to dump into the Edison Canal is attached.

PS: Thank you for following us and if you’ve made it this far, join us on Thursday, Sept 26th at PCYC for our CINC meeting @ 6pm.

Keeping Watch,

Audrey Keller
Chair, Channel Islands Neighborhood Council
Serving 1,900 residents on Channel Islands Harbor
(818) 292-0447

Ready and Resilient

Thank you City of Oxnard Fire Department

The Oxnard Fire Department presented at the August 2019 CINC meeting

Ready and Resilient

Disaster Preparedness

Are you ready for a disaster?

The City of Oxnard has two questions to ask you…are you ready and are you resilient?

In a major disaster that affects a large number of people at the same time, the excellent public safety resources we enjoy every day will be taxed. That’s the reality for any community.  Are you ready to be self-sufficient for an extended period of time when those police officers, firefighters and paramedics are unable to get to you right away?  Are you resilient and able to recover quickly?

The Oxnard Fire Department wants you to be prepared, self-sufficient and able to recover quickly when a disaster occurs.   To assist you, the Department’s Disaster Preparedness Division offers a variety of resources and training as follows:

The “Simple Steps to Disaster Preparedness” Guide will walk you through the process of knowing how and where to get help. It will teach you about emergency alerts and warnings, how to make a disaster kit, and the importance of having a family disaster plan. It will also assist you in your efforts to get informed by offering up helpful websites on many of the topics covered in the booklet.  You may download from here or pick up a hard copy at the Fire Administration Office locate at 360 W. Second Street.

Sign up to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone. Text VCALERT to 313131.
See more: https://www.oxnard.org/disaster-preparedness/

March 28, 2019 CIYC – Channel Islands Yacht Club

AGENDA

  • I. WELCOME
  • II. BEAT OFFICER’S REPORT
    Officer Mike Kohr
    & Fire Alarm Permit Regulations
  • III. GUEST SPEAKERS:
    City of Oxnard Manager, Alex Nguyen

    Oxnard Fire Dept., Chief Darwin Base
    Are you prepared for an emergency?CINC Leadership Committee Formation

    Short Term Rentals – an update
  • IV. QUESTIONS / COMMENTS
  • V. ADJOURN

SAVE THE DATE

NEXT MEETING: May 30, 2018 ***

PACIFIC CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB
*** Election of CINC Board ***

Abandoned Vehicles 1-805-982-7001
Affordable Housing 1-805-385-7400
Animal Control Complaints 1-805- 385-7640
Animal Control Service 1-805- 385-7786
Building & Construction Inspections 1-805- 385-7936
Building Permits 1-805- 385-7925
Business Tax Certificates
(formerly Business Licenses)
1-805-385-7817
Carnegie Art Museum 1-805-385-8157
Child Abuse Hotline 1-805-654-3200
City Corps 1-805-385-8123
City Council 1-805-385-7430
City Council Agenda 1-805-385-7803
City Manager 1-805-385-7430
Code Enforcement 1-805-385-7940
Community Affairs/Public Info 1-805-385-7593
Community Development 1-805-385-7407
Disaster Preparedness 1-805-385-7717
Economic Development 1-805-385-7444
Fire (Non-emergency) 1-805-385-7722
Garage / Yard Sales 1-805-385-7940
Graffiti Hotline 1-805-385-8010
CITY HARBOR WATER QUALITY 1-805-385-7578
COUNTY HARBOR PATROL 1-805-973-5959
COUNTY HARBOR MASTER 1-805-973-5961
COUNTY HARBOR EMERGENCY 1-805-382-3000
Housing Authority 1-805-385-8097
Job Hotline 1-805-385-7580
Library 1-805-385-7507
Licenses (Business/Cat /Dog) 1-805-385-7817
Mosquito Hotline 1-805-658-4310
Neighborhood Services 1-805-385-7424
Oxnard Beach Reservations 1-805-385-7946
Parks 1-805-385-7950
Passports 1-805-385-7509
Performing Arts/Convention Ctr 1-805-385-8147
Performing Arts Ctr Box Office 1-805-486-2424
Planning & Zoning 1-805-385-7858
Police (Non-emergency) 1-805-385-7600
Recreation Programs 1-805-385-7995
Recycling 1-805-385-8060
Senior Services 1-805-385-8019
Sewer Service Problems 1-805-488-3517
Shopping Cart Retrieval 1-800-252-4613
Solid Waste Service Problems 1-805-385-8060
Street Lights (Edison) 1-800-655-4555
Street Maintenance 1-805-385-8051
Traffic Signals 1-805-385-7812
Tree Trimming 1-805-385-7950
Utilities Start-Up
(Sewer / Water / Trash)
1-805-385-7816
Water Bill Questions 1-805- 385-7816
Water Service Problems 1-805-385-8136

Meeting Thursday, January 31, 2019 6 PM Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club

MEETING
Thursday, January 31, 2019
6 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club
2600 South Harbor Blvd.

 

DOWNLOAD FLYER: 013119_Channel_Islands_Neighborhood_Council.pdf

REVISED AGENDA II

I. WELCOME
II. BEAT OFFICER’S REPORT
    Officer Mike Kohr
III. GUEST SPEAKERS:

     CLEAN POWER ALLIANCE
     KAREN SCHMIDT
     CPA Regional Affairs Manager

     CLEAN POWER: Cost & Choice
     WERNER KELLER, CFA

     HARBOR PATROL
     MARK SANDOVAL
     Ventura County Harbor Director

IV. QUESTIONS / COMMENTS
V. ADJOURN

NEXT MEETING: MARCH 14TH @
CHANNEL ISLANDS YACHT CLUB

Add Your Name

Email requests to be added to the contact list:
cineighborhoodcouncil@gmail.com
Visit our website: www.CINeighbors.com
Notices also posted in your neighborhoods and on
NextDoor.com
Help us be your neighborhood ambassador!
Host a meeting sign?
Call us: (818) 292-0447

Abandoned Vehicles 1-805-982-7001
Affordable Housing 1-805-385-7400
Animal Control Complaints 1-805- 385-7640
Animal Control Service 1-805- 385-7786
Building & Construction Inspections 1-805- 385-7936
Building Permits 1-805- 385-7925
Business Tax Certificates
(formerly Business Licenses)
1-805-385-7817
Carnegie Art Museum 1-805-385-8157
Child Abuse Hotline 1-805-654-3200
City Corps 1-805-385-8123
City Council 1-805-385-7430
City Council Agenda 1-805-385-7803
City Manager 1-805-385-7430
Code Enforcement 1-805-385-7940
Community Affairs/Public Info 1-805-385-7593
Community Development 1-805-385-7407
Disaster Preparedness 1-805-385-7717
Economic Development 1-805-385-7444
Fire (Non-emergency) 1-805-385-7722
Garage / Yard Sales 1-805-385-7940
Graffiti Hotline 1-805-385-8010
CITY HARBOR WATER QUALITY 1-805-385-7578
COUNTY HARBOR PATROL 1-805-973-5959
COUNTY HARBOR MASTER 1-805-973-5961
COUNTY HARBOR EMERGENCY 1-805-382-3000
Housing Authority 1-805-385-8097
Job Hotline 1-805-385-7580
Library 1-805-385-7507
Licenses (Business/Cat /Dog) 1-805-385-7817
Mosquito Hotline 1-805-658-4310
Neighborhood Services 1-805-385-7424
Oxnard Beach Reservations 1-805-385-7946
Parks 1-805-385-7950
Passports 1-805-385-7509
Performing Arts/Convention Ctr 1-805-385-8147
Performing Arts Ctr Box Office 1-805-486-2424
Planning & Zoning 1-805-385-7858
Police (Non-emergency) 1-805-385-7600
Recreation Programs 1-805-385-7995
Recycling 1-805-385-8060
Senior Services 1-805-385-8019
Sewer Service Problems 1-805-488-3517
Shopping Cart Retrieval 1-800-252-4613
Solid Waste Service Problems 1-805-385-8060
Street Lights (Edison) 1-800-655-4555
Street Maintenance 1-805-385-8051
Traffic Signals 1-805-385-7812
Tree Trimming 1-805-385-7950
Utilities Start-Up
(Sewer / Water / Trash)
1-805-385-7816
Water Bill Questions 1-805- 385-7816
Water Service Problems 1-805-385-8136

City of Oxnard Neighborhood Services
300 West Third Street, 4th Floor ▪ Oxnard, California 93030 ▪ Telephone: (805) 385-7424 ▪ Fax: (805) 385-7595

Oxnard City Council Committee meeting structure, effective in January 2019

The City Council voted 4 -1 (Perello dissenting) in November 2018 to adopt Ordinance No.2949, establishing the new Council Committee meeting structure, effective in January 2019.

The City Council will have full Council meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings of each month, and the Council Committees will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, beginning January 22, 2019.

COMMITTEE TIME MEMBERSHIP
1. Finance & Governance 9:30 – 10:45
  • Flynn - Chair
  • Perello
  • Basua
2. Public Works & Transportation 11:00 – 12:15
  • Perello – Chair
  • MacDonald
  • Flynn
3. Public Safety2:00 – 3:15
  • MacDonald – Chair
  • Ramirez
  • Lopez
4. Housing & Economic Development4:30 – 5:45
  • Madrigal – Chair
  • Flynn
  • Lopez
5. Community Services6:00 – 7:15
  • Ramirez – Chair
  • Basua
  • Madriga
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