The County Board of Supervisors and City of Oxnard Councilmembers have both unanimously approved a cooperation agreement for major improvements in the Channel Islands Harbor. The agreement covers areas of land use and shared cost of maintenance and infrastructure.

“This reflects a major milestone and serves as a launching pad for future cooperation with the City of Oxnard and the community in terms of Harbor development and projects going forward. I am grateful to the City Council, City leadership, Board of Supervisors and City and County Staff for their work in getting us here today,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “We look forward to the enhancements that will come to the Harbor.”

The County and City entered into a 50-year agreement in 1963. The agreement allowed for the City to annex the land portion of the Harbor into the City while committing to maintain sewer services, streets, and parks areas. The agreement came to an end in 2015 and since then the City and County have been working to come to a new agreement.

In the new agreement the City and County will work jointly together to facilitate key redevelopment efforts for the benefit of the public and address the water quality issues in the harbor.  Also included in the agreement is the renewal of a 1983 master tax sharing agreement between the County and the City that expired in 2018.

“This is a great step forward. We look forward to working with the City and community on the visioning process to identify development goals for the Harbor,” said Ventura County Harbor Department Director Mark Sandoval. “The Channel Islands Harbor is a gem on our California coast with 310 acres of land and water, with approximately 2,150 boat slips, as well as marina facilities, restaurants, sportfishing facilities and shops. This agreement will help make this beautiful area even better for our community members to enjoy.”

In the spirit of cooperation, the County and the City will share in the maintenance costs of the public areas of the Harbor with the City contributing 50% of the maintenance costs in a not to exceed amount of $200,000 annually, for a three-year period starting on July 1, 2021. The City will also contribute 50% of the maintenance costs for an additional two years if the Hyatt Hotel Project on Peninsula Road has not been issued a certificate of occupancy by June 30, 2024.

Additionally, the City will share in the construction of specific one-time public projects within the Harbor that will benefit community members throughout the County and other visitors to the Harbor. Over the next 5 years, the City will help fund the replacement or repair of the following projects, contributing the estimated funding below towards the improvements:

• Repair of public parking lot and replacement of the bathroom at Kiddie Beach, $475,000
• Repavement of public parking lots adjacent to Harbor Boulevard, $1,000,000
• Enhancement of light poles and fixtures along Harbor Boulevard, $120,000
• Replacement of the public restroom at Peninsula Park, $162,500
• Repavement of Peninsula Road after the Hotel Project is completed, $506,000.

The agreement also extends the City Fire Station lease. This extension provides for fire protection services to the Harbor area and to nearby City and County residents.

“I look forward to a brilliant future for this beautiful gateway to the American Galapagos, the Channel Islands National Park, a beautiful ocean sanctuary. I am so pleased that we are here now and want to thank everyone, from the City, County and community that brought us to this point,” said District 5 County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez.

Editor’s Note: this story was published on May 19, 2021.