[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6308739,"mediaKeyId","2419132-a00cbf5816003298dc319415b89c148b","parentId",2419132,"title","Council asks staff to study scholarship and naming options; directs criteria research","audioSeconds",5266,"startMs",9069000,"endMs",14335000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2419132-a00cbf5816003298dc319415b89c148b&start=9069&end=14335","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2419132-a00cbf5816003298dc319415b89c148b/thumbnail_9069000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6308739/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/Council-asks-staff-to-study-scholarship-and-naming-options-directs-criteria-research","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308739-d6d232d3d8cf2ce6efd09db80697cf1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179733&Signature=oFmzUf6N5D7Vfds1JYxiAc2xivA9JYFzNbtYKz30ooIkmIVYXDH1BjLsg9YrSWBwGYnG~5hxqayNNZ0nIxMsnXbocUZD3APeTYyZyA4~v7mSPNXwCflOsAsM8YoYzqNwtmEzIcxF~loZlTEQ8nRFWWRFkurXAPCHYWH7qLYO2jvzFDlSqKee4xautc3I7JjdCE4RyrZwQwGnDL3AsAY1h52ONjsLY3yqgPl26JINXm90zxMb5GKHDT0CuYoSs6XlqBM0bIf5ezqdlZ2qbwyQ3BnjWhjRr18GCN~dYHoUu3rXd68seXa01m722aJmJfCT7Qbz-Bi6efI144PXeQDO3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Thousand Oaks, CA","date","2025-02-26T06:13:33Z","article","The Thousand Oaks City Council unanimously directed staff to research and evaluate a possible scholarship program and to return with suggested policy options and qualifying criteria for limited naming recognitions and honors.

Deputy Cultural and Community Services Director Melissa Hurtado reviewed existing recognition mechanisms: seat dedications in the council chamber (a practice dating to 1984), philanthropic naming opportunities at the Civic Arts Plaza that fund the plaza endowment, certificates and commendations issued by the mayor and the city’s street-renaming process (which requires an application fee and signatures from 80 percent of affected properties). Hurtado and Cultural and Community Services Director Jonathan Sarat told the council that some past naming decisions outside formal policy were brought forward by council members and approved on a case-by-case basis.

Speakers including Sally Hibbetts, co‑president of AAUW Thousand Oaks, urged the council to adopt a formal recognition framework and to specifically support the Larry Horner legacy project. Staff noted that both Larry and Betty Horner already have seat dedications in the council chamber but that requests for other assets would require policy guidance and council direction.

Council members debated whether to formalize a broad naming policy or to keep existing practices with limited additions. Several councilors said they preferred not to create perpetual, in‑perpetuity namings without guardrails; others preferred retaining council discretion in rare cases. Council member Adam proposed using a scholarship or similar ongoing program — administered by an outside nonprofit or foundation (for example, Ventura County Community Foundation or a local group such as AAUW) — as a recognition vehicle that would create an enduring community benefit while honoring a person’s legacy. Council member Gutierrez urged an objective policy and stressed that any new pathway allow community nominations rather than only council‑sourced requests.

After extended discussion the council voted 5-0 to: (1) keep current naming programs in place; (2) direct staff to research and evaluate a scholarship program option and related policies; and (3) ask staff to consider the council’s discussion and present suggested criteria for qualifying individuals for rare, ad hoc honors and what it would mean to use a scholarship as a recognition asset. Staff said it could return with a report and options within roughly two months and would include sample criteria and examples from neighboring jurisdictions for council consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Thousand Oaks City Council Meeting - February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After months of ad hoc honors and seat dedications, the council directed staff to research a city-linked scholarship option and to return with policy options and qualifying criteria for rare, ad hoc honors and naming recognition, including consideration of council comments and existing naming policies.","taxTitle","Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California","taxId",4670,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6308743,"Council approves $900,000 loan to avert default at Hillcrest Villas supportive-housing project",3470,5540000,9010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2419132-a00cbf5816003298dc319415b89c148b&start=5540&end=9010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2419132-a00cbf5816003298dc319415b89c148b/thumbnail_5540000.jpg","/articles/6308743/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/Council-approves-900000-loan-to-avert-default-at-Hillcrest-Villas-supportive-housing-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308743-bb37df2925c91c6f3762c91bbafbccad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179733&Signature=OBcPSVpU2hk7050NWX5WEOs94SgO1Q9iVoef48EbUAyEZciTs6esMDmHGBsTvJ4rI3cD8BT3NIzxuVo5W4SS7KKxI2ELKxVN7Dg-3BNuSUl0bxL~M51Q3Xa4pMZ7h7PXsuvpfesMS9mQyMZ320Wq8ksB~t4lLRxjeliU8s-I-wYNLvc3I0CimWErX9Uotujv19wGgXdcltBjkU7a~afHBlYuy7cME4gMGGMOC21ZzlxfDwrnTsfuBSQqxrGVklrdSV2vzNssa3-Ezl6yJbrWom1anxd3v2UISBTkRK1EglqMmv0hWIP4Z5X9bpwXftEeBRo~snYBOZxSBPaYiB1hqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Thousand Oaks City Council voted 5-0 to authorize a one-time, $900,000 loan to Many Mansions to stabilize operations at Hillcrest Villas, a 60-unit mixed supportive affordable-housing complex.

Finance Director Jamie Boscarino told the council Hillcrest Villas — completed in 2013 — houses very low- and extremely low-income residents and provides supportive services for about half its residents. The project was initially financed with multiple sources; the city still holds a $7.1 million residual-receipts loan on the property. Boscarino said the property failed to meet the required debt-service-coverage ratio (DSCR) for two consecutive years, prompting U.S. Bank to issue a notice of default on the remaining permanent loan balance (about $944,000). Many Mansions sought partner financing to cure the default.

Boscarino described the principal cause of the cash-flow squeeze as rapidly rising property-insurance costs after the Woolsey Fire and changes in the insurance market. She said property insurance jumped from under $20,000 annually to more than $275,000 in recent years; subsequent negotiations and a switch to the California FAIR Plan reduced that exposure to roughly $166,000, but operating costs remain elevated. The supportive-service model (services for formerly homeless residents and others) constrains rents and increases operating expense, Boscarino said.

Staff described a negotiated approach: Many Mansions asked for partner loans and proposed a plan in which the city would provide $900,000 to pay off the U.S. Bank balance and remove bank-enforced debt service. Montecito Bank had proposed a junior loan but staff advised against adding a private bank in a superior lien position. Boscarino said the city’s proposed loan would carry a 55-year term, 3% simple interest and be repaid from residual receipts (excess cash flow) and require payoff upon any future syndication. The city would likely be in second lien position behind HCD if payoffs and HCD priorities are finalized.

Many Mansions President Rick Schrader told the council the nonprofit had already spent about $500,000 in cash preserving the property’s operations and expects fewer insurance costs going forward after moving to the FAIR Plan. He said the organization has been current on debt-service payments to U.S. Bank but drew down reserves to cover operating shortfalls.

Council members questioned the current DSCR, the project’s reserves and long-term sustainability. Staff said the project had been designed with operating reserves intended to last about 20 years; Hillcrest is roughly year 12. Boscarino said residual-receipts payments had been made in some earlier years but not recently because of insurance-driven negative net income. Staff said HCD approval would be required for a loan restructuring and that the city would pursue the best possible lien position consistent with HCD requirements.

Mayor Pro Tem Taylor and other council members emphasized the project’s community value, noting Hillcrest houses vulnerable residents and works in partnership with the city’s navigation center and regional supportive-housing efforts. Council member Engler and others asked for improved early-warning communication between Many Mansions and the city; Many Mansions’ leadership agreed to closer coordination.

Council member Taylor moved to follow staff recommendations to provide the additional loan; the motion passed 5-0. Staff said the loan is not a project under CEQA and authorized the city manager to execute any necessary agreements with HCD and other parties to implement the financing.","The council unanimously authorized a $900,000 loan to Many Mansions for Hillcrest Villas to pay off a bank debt after insurance and operating-cost increases pushed the development below required debt-coverage covenants. The loan carries a 55-year term at 3% simple interest, repayable from residual receipts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6308749,"Thousand Oaks council adopts ordinance to align ADU rules with new state law",2819,2691000,5510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2419132-a00cbf5816003298dc319415b89c148b&start=2691&end=5510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2419132-a00cbf5816003298dc319415b89c148b/thumbnail_2691000.jpg","/articles/6308749/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/Thousand-Oaks-council-adopts-ordinance-to-align-ADU-rules-with-new-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308749-51089daca99ec843e6916e6c5c93de36/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179733&Signature=gAXE9xIY-xK9Hw~8weqrCPtlM-wTMvhvERu8IaxrCHLIUELphiC20cISbG~UNJY95c5wEsTT0h0LbIvNhbBVFySfAz01DmsbsdEc7TOyWj32fi7VUXWmh6PlT-J7G7IdD26RtFyC5mwMSRULMV8aw-uRNb0GJhD5NAERX-b969Sd9BuBJ3t9cdiL8y7jZxkAj-bZvsX62ZvV3Bvy~tzH1TgxFHAAyKMF5bmUiFskYZUJtaBzlbDs-ytnzMespcmqRtdXp7lUsRUntyQCHjUuEMspRwEqTPNaucjGZ8AGBVgnDdFswh~WbALjPC5LQkjAv4~~aW8K0nQh0IvT4FVcpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Thousand Oaks City Council on Tuesday voted 5-0 to amend the city’s ADU regulations to incorporate recent state law changes and clarifications, including provisions of Assembly Bill 2533 and Senate Bill 1211.

Senior Planner Justine Kendall told the council the ordinance updates definitions, the permitted-use matrix and several development standards in Title 9, Chapter 4 of the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code so the city’s rules conform with state ADU law that took effect Jan. 1. “The proposed updates address inconsistencies between the city's local ADU and junior ADU development standards and the amended state laws,” Kendall said. She noted the city’s ADU webpage (toaks.gov/adu) had been updated to reflect new state-required public disclosures.

Kendall and city attorneys walked the council through key changes required by state law: AB 2533 expands the timeframe and procedural guidance for legalizing unpermitted ADUs and requires agencies not to penalize owners seeking legalization; SB 1211 restricts replacement-parking requirements (expanded to include uncovered parking) and expands the number of detached ADUs allowable on some multifamily lots (raising a prior limit of two to as many as eight or equal to the number of existing units, whichever is fewer).

Council members asked detailed questions about how the state changes would play out locally. Council member Adam sought clarification on the “eight-unit” change; staff said the increase applies only to existing multifamily developments and that single-family lots remain governed by the usual two-ADU limit. Council member Engler asked whether parking loss would be regulated; staff said state law limits when the city may require replacement parking and the update adds uncovered parking to that list. Mayor Newman and councilors pressed staff on preemption and whether the city could vote “no”; the city attorney told the council it could, but doing so would create conflicts with state law and likely require processing ADU applications under state standards if local rules were out of compliance.

Two members of the public — John and Nan Chu — addressed the council during the public hearing. John raised constitutional concerns related to CC&Rs and state law; Kendall and the city attorney advised that California Civil Code Section 4751 and related legal issues are matters in active statewide discussion and litigation, and that the city must apply state law as written. Chu offered a list of neighborhood-protection suggestions (for example, construction limits and nuisance controls); staff said many of those protections are already available through the city’s nuisance and code-enforcement rules, but that state law forbids ministerial ADU approvals from being conditioned on neighborhood hearings.

After discussion, Council member Adam moved to introduce the ordinance as drafted and place it on its reading and adoption path. The council voted 5-0 to approve the municipal code amendment, read title only and waive further reading. The ordinance language as read amends definitions and multiple sections of Article 45 (ADU standards) to implement MCA 2024-70005.

The ordinance update was presented as exempt from CEQA and staff and the city attorney said the changes are primarily ministerial updates required by state law rather than new discretionary policy. The council directed staff to continue outreach and to post clarifying materials for applicants about required inspections and the city’s legalization process for unpermitted ADUs.","The City Council unanimously approved an update to Title 9, Chapter 4 of the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code to incorporate state changes to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) law, including provisions from AB 2533 and SB 1211 and clarifications required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council asks staff to study scholarship and naming options; directs criteria research

Council approves $900,000 loan to avert default at Hillcrest Villas supportive-housing project

Thousand Oaks council adopts ordinance to align ADU rules with new state law