Wynwood Neighborhood Council kicks off first meeting in two years with fire safety focus

The Inter-Neighborhood Council Organization (INCO) held its General Membership Meeting on February 5, 2025, in Oxnard, California, focusing on community engagement and upcoming neighborhood initiatives. The meeting commenced with introductions and a brief overview of the agenda, which included presentations from city officials and discussions on various neighborhood issues.

City Manager Alex Nguyen was scheduled to present alongside the fire department, emphasizing fire safety and disaster preparedness. This was part of a broader effort to enhance community awareness and readiness for emergencies.

Larry Stein, chairman of the Wynwood Neighborhood Council, announced the first neighborhood meeting in over two years, set for February 20. This meeting will feature speakers from El Concilio, who will discuss immigration services and address community concerns related to immigration issues. Stein encouraged participation from residents outside the neighborhood, highlighting the importance of understanding the services provided by El Concilio.

Ronald Arguejo, chair of the East Village Neighborhood Council, reported on a successful neighborhood election meeting held on January 22, which saw the highest attendance in five years. Arguejo shared that a full board was elected, and he outlined upcoming events, including a bulky item drop-off scheduled for March 15 and a neighborhood meeting in May.

Chris Bissedant from Blackstock South shared updates from their January 15 meeting, where discussions included shopping cart retrieval and crime concerns. He noted an upcoming meeting with Assembly Member Bennett to discuss local issues and mentioned a neighborhood cleanup planned for April 12.

The meeting also included a segment for executive board reports, where members discussed various topics of interest. Rajapuri, chair of HubSpot Park East, expressed gratitude for the meeting's agenda and suggested future discussions on successful neighborhood initiatives, particularly focusing on community engagement strategies.

Concerns regarding water management were raised, with discussions about the ASR wells and a proposed bond measure by the United Water Conservation District to address infrastructure needs. Members expressed interest in future presentations on water issues and the toxic plume affecting certain neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for joint discussions to address these environmental concerns.

The meeting concluded with a call for additional future agenda items, encouraging members to propose topics that would benefit the community. Overall, the INCO meeting served as a platform for neighborhood councils to share updates, collaborate on community issues, and foster engagement among residents.