Committees | Moorpark Chamber of Commerce

The Government Relations Committee would like to invite all to attend our monthly meeting to discuss the topics that concern our community on an Economic and Government level.  Representatives from local official’s offices will be in attendance to update us on actions that concern the business community of Moorpark.

Please see our calendar for our meeting schedule.

Meeting Overview

On December 4th, the Multi-agency community update and coordination meeting addressed various local developments and initiatives. Personnel changes were highlighted, including Heather Hoglund’s introduction as the new Captain of the Moorpark CHP effective January 1, 2025.  This is following Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Key’s retirement on December 20, 2024. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a reduction in fatal crashes over Thanksgiving and detailed recent DUI statistics, with five fatal crashes occurring in the Moorpark area. Community support efforts were emphasized in response to the recent Mountain fire, alongside ongoing retail crime initiatives that resulted in significant arrests and recoveries. Updates on Waste Management due to legislative changes and customer satisfaction were discussed, along with the introduction of Moorpark’s first Economic Development Strategic Plan, focusing on local manufacturing and business impacts. Finally, law enforcement initiatives, including staffing updates and community engagement events like “Shop with a Cop,” were shared. Action items for further follow-up were designated among attendees to ensure continued collaboration and communication on these key issues.

Reports from the following Committee Members:

STATE

CA Highway Patrol, Lieutenant Jeremy Key

Personnel Changes and Introductions

• Heather Hoglund introduced as the new Captain of the Moorpark CHP effective January 12025
• Captain Hoglund will be taking over after the Retirement of Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Key’s retirement on December 20, 2024.
• Thanksgiving MEP reduced fatal crashes by 15-16% statewide
• 1,113 DUI arrests made across the state
• Five fatal crashes in Moorpark area from Oct 22 to Nov 1
• 17,500 citations issued for speed, 852 for seat belt violations, 1,871 for distracted driving
• CHP worked with sheriff’s department during mountain fire
• Toy drives organized to help affected families
• 25 pounds of methamphetamine seized in King City
• Retail crime enforcement: 1,200 arrests, 677 investigations, $10 million recovered

Assembly Member Jaqui Irwin’s Office, Joel Price

Mr. Price Reported on the following:

I just came back from Sacramento last night. I was up there for what will, what was Jackie’s, the assembly woman’s final swearing in. I have received a few complaints regarding the outage of the traffic lights at Spring St. and Los Angeles Ave. I just forwarded a request to Caltrans. I understand there’s a long-term project or solution to this issue.

The only other thing I had is that we are working on different bill ideas if anybody has anything in particular they are interested in for next year.  I know that there’s some discussion about the ADA. They did limit the number of bills that each office can put forward to from it was reduced from 50 to 35. Still far more than any assembly member needs to put forth in a two-year cycle. Her office got 13 bills on the governor’s desk. We think he may have been a little bit mad at her because he didn’t sign anything until the last week of the legislative session.  However, she got every one of them signed. So legislatively it was a good year, good win. And of course, 1779 being at the top of that list, in my opinion.

VENTURA COUNTY

Supervisor Janice Parvin’s Office, Mike Kort

Mr. Kort reported on the following:

November was dark for the board so there’s not a whole lot to report from that standpoint. A few things as a reminder, tomorrow is another blood drive at Moorpark and there’s a few spots left if anybody wants to donate. That’ll be at Arroyo Vista Park from 1 to 7. And you can check Janice’s site or social media to sign up. What’s going to be kind of cool is next Tuesday the Board of Supervisors meeting is going to be in Simi. They are refurbishing the chambers at the government building. Therefore, the meeting is going to be at the City Council Chambers in Simi Valley, the government center. Janice will be doing a few honors, but the agenda doesn’t look too long, so I’m guessing probably go till about 4 o’clock. But if anybody wants to see the government in action, come on out. It is exciting to have the meeting local.

Ventura County Council of Governments, Hugh Riley

Mr. Riley reported on the following:

There is not a lot going on for us either because our November meeting got canceled due to the fire threatening the campus. One thing that I did pick up that everybody needs to be aware of, businesses and residences, wildfire preparedness, the hazard maps. Updated hazard maps are coming out in January. Watch out for them because there will be a lot of pushbacks. There’s no appeal, there’s no comment, there’s no public review, nothing. Bottom line is it isn’t worth trying. Yeah, it’s just like the federal flood hazard boundary maps. Unless you get it a year ahead of it, you’re not even going to make any difference. Bottom line, people are going to wake up in the morning and find out their insurance is doubled because they’re in this house fire hazard area. And some of it probably makes sense. They haven’t been updated since 2008, so.  What we heard was there’s no public comment in practice.

Brian Chong, Assistant to the City Manager of the City of Moorpark responded to this with comments as follows:

What the law actually says is you must have a public hearing to collect comments and you must share that information in local jurisdictions, which we of course will do because we can. However, the rules say you’re only allowed to make comments to add areas to their proposed zones not subtract from them. No matter what the data is, you cannot subtract from them.

Anyway, technically there are comments allowed.

Mr. Riley commented, “Joel, if Jaqui is looking for new legislation to take up next year, this is government code 51178 that basically takes away any real public access to this process”.

CITY OF MOORPARK

Brian Chong, Assistant to the City Manager

Mr. Chong reported on the following:

City and Community Updates

• Solid waste franchise agreement amendment discussion
• Changes in waste collection due to SB 1383
• Customer satisfaction concerns with waste management changes
• Discussion on RFP process for waste management services

John Bandek, Economic Development Manager

Mr. Bandek reported on the following:

Economic Development and Business Updates

• First Economic Development Strategic Plan for Moorpark presented
• 22 manufacturing firms for car/motorcycle parts, 23 for aerospace/defense in Moorpark
• 80% of Moorpark residents work outside the city
• Urgent Care Adventist Health closing, affecting 14 employees

Moorpark Police Department, Captain Darin Hendren

Captain Hendren reported on the following:

Law Enforcement and Community Events

• Sheriff’s office staffing update: three new patrol trainees starting
• Shop with a Cop event at Target in Cambria on Saturday
• Toy Drive for Spark of Love with Ventura County Fire Department
• CHP recruitment efforts ongoing
• Chamber of Commerce shop local campaign and organizational changes

Moorpark Chamber of Commerce, Chairman Chris Barrett

Mr. Barrett announced that Donna Borzone, CEO of the Chamber would be leaving the position at the end of this year to relocate to Seattle, Washington.  He also introduced Cody Tucker at the new office manager for the Chamber.

Upcoming Chamber Events:

• Shop Local Holiday Campaign going on now through December 24^th
• December Networking Breakfast, Friday December 20^th @ 8:00am at Tierra Rejada Golf Club

Meeting adjourned at 1:15pm

Due to the New Year’s Day Holiday, our next meeting will be on February 5^th at 12:00 noon at Moorpark Chamber offices

Ambassadors help with Chamber events and get extra exposure for their business. This Committee is lead by board member Eric Arnaud.  To learn more or to become an ambassador please call the office.  Click Here to see current ambassadors.

Please see our calendar for our meeting schedule.

We have not had a recent meeting, but plan to start regular meetings soon.  Please reach out to the Chamber Office if you want to be on our list to be included.