President Darin opened the meeting reminding us that next month is the last month of this Rotary year. He commented that the way things are going, we’re going to have to redo the budget for the Sunshine Committee, and to reach out to those who are struggling right now with health issues.

 

Inspirational Moment – Keith Wintermute talked about an article in The Atlantic written by his favorite author, David Brooks. The topic was “Discussing Humanism – A Worldwide View.”  To sum up this very meaningful article, beauty, justice, love and truth, when cultivated, bring a lifelong humanism, knowledge, and force of character. After Keith led everyone in the Pledge, Nelson Buss led the group in song.

 

Introduction of Guests by Steve Stanley - Guest of Matt Lallo- wife Teresa

 

and started by saying her son graduated from kindergarten. Shoutout to teachers. They are amazing.

 

Mike Ladd – The American Red Cross was founded on May 21,1881.

 

Trevor Tyloch – Thanks to all who volunteered to read for Reading is Fundamental. All spots were filled.

 

Steven Stanley was in Sedona for his son’s mountain biking event. Dorothy Sullivan did a great job as coach. They also had a successful Manna food collection for the event.

 

Louis Hirsh had a successful knee surgery last week.

 

Paul Dryman– No longer a docent-in-training. He is a full-fledged docent at the Reagan Library. His graduation is in July.

 

Ken Warner thanked Trevor for being the chair of the Reading is Fundamental Program. He read to 4^th graders and knew all the words! He also said that the majority of the children participating probably have never had a book of their own, or have owned anything that wasn’t a hand me down. This means a great deal to them.

 

Dorothy Sullivan thanked Steve Stanley for volunteering for the mountain biking event. They also collected 214 pounds of food for Manna.

 

Sommer Barwick thanked everyone who helped her son, Connor, start up the TOHS Interact Club, experience RYLA, and so much more. Hopefully everyone read his beautiful message Sommer sent to members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This has been 10 years in planning and will have the final meeting at the City Council meeting to be held on June 23^rd. The initial effort actually began in 1987. Most surrounding cities have a  designated downtown and destination center, including Ventura, Moorpark, Santa Paula, and Fillmore. Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, and Port Hueneme have yet to accomplish this.

 

The effort was restarted in 2018 with the goal to put prime investment into the areas between Erbes Rd. and Conejo School Rd. 

 

There will be vehicular and pedestrian portions, a 3-level underground parking garage, and a reimagined Carpenter Park. The goal is to compliment, not renovate the theaters. There will be a new entrance to the Scherr Forum Theater. Carpenter Park will be the new town square. A public market will be on the ground floor, as a hub for entrepreneurs. There will be a hotel in the downtown complex as well. The Kavli Terrace will be a single level, with all space being used in productive ways, other than stairs, ramps, etc., currently being used just for getting from one place to another. The hope is to be able to use the complex for farmers markets, events such as the Street Fair, and other events that would make the events possible without having to block off major streets. Akbar said the idea is to raise revenue without raising taxes. The revenue will help support the school system, fire protection, and the CRPD. Additionally, there will be a children’s play area, splash pad, and sculpture garden. They have taken into consideration the needs and clearance space of the existing oak trees and will build around the large trees. The project will be completed in phases, with the first one set to begin in 2028 and completed in 2031. Vertical space use will begin in 2031. The traffic impact study has been completed and met all criteria.

Akbar also presented interesting facts about the property valuation of where the mixed use project now stands across from Tarantula Hill, which was originally a parking lot. At the time it was valued at 3 million but now it’s valued at 83 million with the new project and all the land improvements.

 

At the end of the program President Darin presented Akbar with a book to sign to be gifted to a local Title 1 school. He then adjourned the meeting.