VENTURA : Council Backs Capital Improvement List

The Ventura City Council on Monday backed a six-year, $117-million list of capital improvement projects that includes a new sewage treatment plant, water wells and a bike path between Ventura and Ojai.

The council unanimously adopted the city’s capital improvement program, which sets forth 111 projects that would improve or maintain the city’s roads, water and sewer system, and recreation facilities.

Before the council vote, three residents came forward during a public hearing to urge the council not to siphon off any of the $3.8 million set aside for a proposed public swimming pool. Council members reassured them that they were not considering such a move.

After the hearing, council members gave tentative approval to the list with little discussion. A final vote on the program is scheduled in June.

Among improvements included in the program are sewage and sanitation projects totaling about $28.5 million and the new treatment plant, estimated to cost $8.9 million. About $6.1 million would go toward improvements to the city’s parks and other recreation facilities, including $1.8 million to construct a 5.5-mile-long Ventura River bike trail, $1.7 million for future park projects and $495,000 for replacing playground equipment.

The $117 million to fund the projects comes from several sources, including sales, property and gas taxes, developer contributions, and sewer and water fees.