Santa Paula council meets Nov. 18 on labor talks, traffic grants and ARPA spending

SANTA PAULA - The Santa Paula City Council meets Wednesday, Nov. 18, with a 5:30 p.m. closed session on labor negotiations followed by a 6:30 p.m. regular meeting at City Hall, 970 Ventura St., according to the posted agendas.

The closed session lists talks with employee groups including SEIU Local 721 and the Santa Paula Police Officers Association. Special meetings are generally not recorded, the agenda notes.

On the consent calendar, the council is asked to accept two California Office of Traffic Safety grants totaling $108,200: $44,000 for selective traffic enforcement and $64,200 for a traffic records project, running Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027. Also listed are an ARPA update, an investment policy update, October warrants and minutes from Oct. 28 and Nov. 4. The city received about $7.1 million in ARPA money and must spend it by Dec. 31, 2026, a staff memo says.

Presentations include recognition of Isbell Middle School volleyball champions and retiring police reserve officers. Residents can attend, join by Zoom using the link on the agenda, or watch the regular meeting on Channel 10.

Source: regular meeting agenda; special meeting agenda; agenda packet, item 9.B ARPA memo.