Tag: Ventura County Public Works Agency

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency recognizes 2026 Employees of The Year

by Community Contributor • June 13, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is proud to announce the recognition of its 2026 Employees of the Year. These exceptional individuals have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, dedication, and innovation in their roles, contributing to the Agency’s ongoing success. The awards were presented on Tuesday, May 19th, during the Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Ivan Gonzales, honored with the Operations & Maintenance Employee of the Year award, has been with VCPWA for 19 years, playing a key role in the Roads and Transportation Department. His major duties include coordinating emergency response efforts during storms, floods, fires, and landslides; supervising road maintenance crews and field operations; managing budgets and projects; overseeing personnel, training, and development; and responding to resident and roadway concerns to help keep the community safe.

Ventura County Public Works Agency welcomes Earthea Nance as new watershed protection director

by Community Contributor • July 2, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is pleased to welcome Earthea Nance, PE to the role of Watershed Protection Director. Watershed Protection serves to provide control and conservation of flood and stormwaters, and to protect and maintain watercourses, watershed, life and property in the geographic County. Nance brings over 20 years of leadership experience in government, academia, and the private sector.

Ventura County Public Works Agency completes El Rio Pedestrian Improvements Project. Ribbon cutting on June 2

by Community Contributor • May 29, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Supervisor Kelly Long’s Office and the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the El Rio Pedestrian Improvements Project on Monday, June 2 at 12:00 p.m. The event will take place in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of El Rio, 2857 Cortez St., Oxnard.

The pedestrian improvements – which began in July 2024 — closes sidewalk gaps within the El Rio community, providing accessible pedestrian walkways along three residential roadways: Stroube Street, Walnut Drive and a portion of Cortez Street.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura names Gregg Strakaluse as Public Works Director

by Community Contributor • July 1, 2024 • Comments Off

“Gregg’s distinguished engineering background, complemented by his profound skillset across all facets of public works and specialized disaster response experience, ensures seamless service continuity,” stated Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “His appointment reinforces our commitment to advancing from a robust foundation, poised for sustained growth and excellence across our Public Works Agency. Gregg’s wealth of expertise promises to continue to elevate the level of quality service to our residents throughout the county.”

Ventura County Public Works Agency will welcome 1,200 students on Public Works Day

by Community Contributor • May 16, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — More than 1,200 Ventura County students are expected to attend Ventura County Public Works Agency’s (VCPWA) annual National Public Works Day event on May 21, 2024, at the Ventura County Government Center.

VCPWA invites K-12 students throughout the county to immerse themselves in the world of public works, getting up close and personal with VCPWA staff and equipment. Arriving in staggered groups throughout the day, each class will be paired with VCPWA tour guides, who will lead the groups through the many agency booths and heavy equipment setups that will take over and transform the “G” and part of “F” parking lots for the day.

Ventura County Public Works Agency contracts with Abound Food Care to support SB 1383 Compliance

by Community Contributor • March 12, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Responsible for managing SB 1383 compliance on behalf of unincorporated Ventura County, the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has contracted with Abound Food Care, an Orange County-based food recovery organization, to implement a regional food recovery program on behalf of the County of Ventura and the cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley and Ventura. In addition to compliance management, VCPWA is also responsible for preparing countywide capacity studies and supporting the area with regionally beneficial programs such as edible food recovery.

California State Senate Bill SB 1383 was passed to address food insecurity and reduce unnecessary food waste, and requires, by 2025, that California recover at least 20% of edible food that would have otherwise been sent to landfills.

Bilingual report — VCPWA Water and Sanitation Ensures a Greener Ventura County with SB 1383 Solid Waste Regulation Compliance

by Community Contributor • November 18, 2021 • Comments Off

Ventura County Public Works Agency, Water and Sanitation (PWA-WS) went before the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on November 16th to ensure the County of Ventura complies with new state solid waste laws and regulations, as prescribed by the state enacted Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383).

SB 1383 is the most significant waste reduction mandate to be adopted in the state of California in the last 30 years and becomes effective January 1, 2022. The statewide effort was enacted to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP’s), which contribute to climate change and resident health. SB1383 requires the state to reduce organic waste by 75 percent and increase edible food recovery by 20 percent by 2025. The bill also aims to reduce methane, a greenhouse gas emission far more detrimental than carbon dioxide.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency Recognizes 2021 Employees of The Year

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2021 • Comments Off

Yunsheng Su, PhD, Luis Negrete, and Matt Maechler were recently named 2021 Employees of the Year for their outstanding job performance at Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA).

“We are so honored at VCPWA to have so many talented, hardworking individuals on our team that are devoted to excellence,” said Agency Director Jeff Pratt. “Our award recipients and nominees are essential examples of VCPWA’s mission to be leaders in providing effective, innovative and sustainable public works services.”

Celebrating 3 years at VCPWA, Matt Maechler was named Manager of the Year for his work with the Design & Construction team within the Roads & Transportation department.

Bilingual report — Treatment to Local Wellhead will bring safe water to Somis Residents

by Community Contributor • June 29, 2021 • Comments Off

Residents of Somis will no longer have to deal with discolored, but safe, water. The Ventura County Public Works Agency has started installing wellhead treatment to filter out the excess naturally occurring minerals that cause the discoloration.

Somis is in the Ventura County Water District No. 19, which provides water supply and distribution services to area customers. District No. 19 currently has approximately 1,051 monthly service accounts, comprising 781 residential accounts, 235 agricultural accounts, and 35 commercial and industrial accounts.

The water supply in Somis comes from local wells, supplemented with water purchased from the Calleguas Municipal Water District in Thousand Oaks.

VCPWA Encourages El Rio Residents to Fill Out Survey for Essential Community Projects

by Community Contributor • July 28, 2020 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Public Works Agency, Roads & Transportation (VCPWA-RT), which is responsible for maintaining roadways and safety within the county road right-of-way, needs feedback from the El Rio community to secure Active Transportation Program?funding from the State of California.

These funds support projects that encourage active transportation which includes biking, walking, and safe access to public transportation (buses and trains), sidewalks for safer walking and biking as well as to build facilities that reduce greenhouse gases.

Bilingual report — New Online Portal to Make Bill Pay Easier for Customers with User-friendly interface

by Community Contributor • July 9, 2020 • Comments Off

Residents in Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Water and Sanitation’s four water districts can look forward to an easier way of paying their utility bills with the launch of its new online portal on July 1.

Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Biggest Educational Event of the Year Goes Virtual

by Community Contributor • May 20, 2020 • Comments Off

While Ventura County Public Works Agency’s (VCPWA) most exciting and educational event of the year, Public Works Day, is no longer able to conduct in-person tours, students and the community can look forward to an interactive virtual tour and activities right at their fingertips.

VCPWA will be providing a virtual tour of its favorite experiences, demonstrations, and materials to be utilized as an educational or social connection piece for students to learn more about the latest innovations in technology, careers, and science at VCPWA while also making it available to the whole community.

Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Employees Continue to Strive Further in Helping Community

by Community Contributor • January 24, 2020 • Comments Off

Ventura County Real Estate Services Employees Recognized inInternational Right of Way Association VENTURA COUNTY — Three employees from Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Real Estate Services (RES) have been recognized by the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) for their commitment…

Bilingual report: Ojai Independent Study students get to the bottom of improving recycling methods with VCPWA for America Recycles Day

by Community Contributor • November 15, 2019 • Comments Off

Ventura County Public Works Agency to encourage community on waste management solutions at collection event, Nov. 18-19 VENTURA COUNTY — Small changes make a big difference in the environment, especially with regards to waste management and the way the community recycles.…

Bilingual report: Kanan Shuttle to offer additional stops and changes to service effective Sept. 30, 2019

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2019 • Comments Off

Local shuttle changes services, adds stops, while remaining free to the public VENTURA COUNTY — Beginning Sept. 30th, the Kanan Shuttle, operated by the City of Thousand Oaks, will change its services in an effort to improve the efficiency and cost…

Bilingual report: U.S. EPA chooses local stormwater expert to join national task force

by Community Contributor • September 10, 2019 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Stormwater Program Manager, Ewelina Mutkowska was invited by the federal government’s Stormwater Infrastructure Financing Task Force to be an expert consultant to the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB). Joining a total of 20…

Bilingual report: Ventura County Public Works Agency Announces 2019 Employee of the Year Winners

by Community Contributor • July 19, 2019 • Comments Off

County agency awards winners at the Board of Supervisors meeting VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Public Works Agency awarded the Employee of the Year accolade to three veteran personnel who have been selected for their skills and efficiencies for a great…

Bilingual report: Ventura County Public Works Agency study to save millions by improving storm basin efficiency

by Community Contributor • April 17, 2019 • Comments Off

Over the next 10 years, Ventura County Public Works Agency has projected that it will save more than $6.7 million by eliminating the removal of 330,000 cubic yards of excess sediment generated during Ventura County storm events. VENTURA COUNTY — The…

Ventura County Public Works Agency prepared for the worst during annual disaster simulation training

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2018 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — When a natural disaster hits such as a fire or a flood, preparation is always key to the survival of life and property and it’s never too early to start. The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA)…

Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Transportation Department Puts SB-1 to Work With County-Wide Projects Improving Safety and Extending Road Life

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2018 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is celebrating critical sidewalk safety improvements and road repairs impacting students and pedestrians in Ventura County. Under a new Senate Bill (SB-1), spearheaded by VCPWA’s Transportation Department, both Camarillo Heights and…

Ventura County Public Works Agency Launches New App to Address Community Issues

by Community Contributor • July 19, 2018 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is excited to officially launch VCPWA Connect! – A mobile device and web-based system that streamlines how community members report issues within the unincorporated areas of the County of Ventura and in…

Ventura County Receives Multiple Accolades for Committing To Natural, Environmentally Friendly Treatment of Local Wildlife

by Community Contributor • June 8, 2018 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has discovered that hawks and owls may be more effective than rodenticide anticoagulants for controlling rodent damage to dams and levees.. In the Ventura County area, there is heightened awareness…

Ventura County Public Works Agency Announces Employee of the Year Winners

by Community Contributor • June 8, 2018 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — 2018 has been a great year for Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA). After their highly successful VCPWA Public Works Week event on May 22, they are excited to share the news about their outstanding VCPWA employees…

Ventura County Public Works Agency Hosts Tour of Santa Clara River at Future Site of New Rio School District Academy

by Community Contributor • August 23, 2017 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — On Aug. 8, the Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection District (VCPWA WPD) hosted a tour of the Santa Clara River for the Rio School District (Rio) Superintendent’s office. Rio is building a new 11-acre, K-8…

Ventura County Public Works Agency awards 2017 Employees of the Year

by Community Contributor • June 29, 2017 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) awarded three veteran personnel with Employee of the Year awards at the Public Works Week resolution on May 23. Mariann Kovats, a Supervising Accounting Technician who works in the Central Services…

Ventura County Public Works Agency receives grant funding to capture stormwater for groundwater recharge in Piru

by Community Contributor • February 8, 2017 • Comments Off

PIRU — The Ventura County Public Works Agency Watershed Protection District’s (VCPWA WPD) proposed Piru Stormwater Capture for Groundwater Recharge project was selected for funding of $455,837 by the State Water Resources Control Board under Proposition 1 Storm Water Grant Program,…

Ventura County Public Works Agency projects receive top honors at American Public Works Association award ceremony

by Community Contributor • January 11, 2017 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY – The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) can add three more recognitions to its list of notable accolades. This month, the American Public Works Association (APWA) Ventura County chapter announced its Projects of the Year awards, honoring three…

Ventura County Public Works Agency earns top honors at American Society of Civil Engineers awards

by Community Contributor • December 19, 2016 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY – The Los Angeles Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has selected Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Happy Valley Bioswale Meiners Oaks Urban Low Impact Development (LID) Retrofit as 2016 Environmental Engineering Project of the Year. The…

Ventura County Public Works Agency gives lessons on Ventura County water use at CSUCI’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2016 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) can add college educators to its impressive body of work. The agency has been invited to lead an 8-week course for California State University, Channel Islands’ Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLL)…

Ventura County Public Works Agency announces Chris Cooper as new Director of Engineering Services Department

by Community Contributor • August 14, 2016 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has named as the Director of the Agency’s Engineering Services Department (ESD). Cooper succeeds Herbert Schwind who served VCPWA for over 4 years and retired earlier this year. Cooper is…

Ventura County Public Works Agency announces Michaela Brown as new Director of Water and Sanitation Department

by Community Contributor • June 29, 2016 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency has named Michaela Brown as the Director of the Agency’s Water and Sanitation Department. Brown is scheduled to start on June 20. Brown brings more than 25 years of in-depth engineering…

Ventura County Public Works Agency Appoints J. Tabin Cosio New Central Services Director

by Community Contributor • June 29, 2016 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency appointed J. Tabin Cosio as Director of Central Services. Cosio replaces Janice Turner, who served the VCPWA for 35 years and retired earlier this year. As director of the Ventura County…

New Traffic Signal at Wendy and Gerald Drive Enhances Pedestrian Safety

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2016 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Transportation Department and Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks commemorated the completion of the long-awaited new traffic signal at the intersection of Wendy and Gerald Drives. The new signal provides a safer…

Ventura County Public Works Agency highlights careers, hands-on demonstrations for over 500 students

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2016 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — In what’s becoming a favorite educational experience among local students, Ventura County Public Works Agency’s National Public Works Day public event on Tuesday, May 17, aims to pique students’ interests in the Public Works sector. With over…

Ventura County Public Works Agency announces nearly 40 percent drop in traffic collisions on County roads

by Community Contributor • April 5, 2016 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The number of traffic collisions on County roads has dropped by almost 40% in a decade, the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) announced recently. The trend toward fewer accidents has mostly been downward since the County…

Ventura County Public Works Agency, Supervisor Zaragoza Tours New Juvenile Justice Center Solar Project

by Community Contributor • February 29, 2016 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Supervisor John C. Zaragoza joined the Ventura County General Services Agency (GSA) and Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) to tour the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) Solar Project on March 9. The project, which began construction in October…

Local

by Amigos805.com • April 1, 2014 • Comments Off

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara), along with many of her colleagues, demanded that the House of Representatives vote on a comprehensive immigration reform bill by signing a discharge petition on H.R. 15, the bipartisan Border Security, Economic…

Local news

by Amigos805.com • November 1, 2013 • Comments Off

Santa Barbara County Second District Supervisor Janet Wolf recently visited the Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at SBCC Wake Campus, where she met staff and teachers and toured the campus with CLL Executive Director Andy Harper. Supervisor Wolf visited CLL…

Ventura County Public Works Agency names Bonfiglio Allen, Flores Employees of the Year

by Amigos805.com • May 30, 2013 • Comments Off

County agency announces 2013 winners at official Public Works Week resolution VENTURA COUNTY – Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) awarded two veteran personnel with “Employee of the Year” accolades at the Public Works Week resolution on Tuesday, May 21, the…