Posted on December 8, 2025
Mayor Martha McQueen Lejeune delivered Port Hueneme’s annual State of the City, saying the city made progress on shoreline protection, parks, public safety and local economic development and setting priorities for 2026.
Lejeune said partnerships with the Port of Hueneme, the U.S. Navy and “Tunnel Islands Harbor” produced “a rare mid cycle dredge,” currently placing sand on Hueneme Beach to counter erosion and reopen shoreline for recreation. “These efforts resulted in a rare mid cycle dredge, which is currently placing sand on our beach and ensuring our shoreline remains open, safe, and ready for generations to come,” she said.
The mayor described the Bubbling Springs Park revitalization as a multiyear, multimillion‑dollar undertaking that added the city’s first dog parks, an inclusive playground, shaded picnic areas, fitness zones, walking paths and upgraded baseball and T‑ball fields. “From concept to ribbon cutting, it reflects the heart of Port Hueneme,” Lejeune said.
On public safety, Lejeune credited the Port Hueneme Police Department’s enforcement and community outreach with addressing reckless driving and increasing trust between officers and residents. She announced a donated non‑apprehension drug‑detection dog, Gator, who will join K9 Giorgio after a community donation by Reach. She also noted increased use of drones for investigations and that the Newport‑Hueneme dispatch communication center is “now fully operational,” improving response coordination.
Lejeune provided specific performance figures for beach safety: lifeguards performed more than 50 rescues, made about 1,700 preventive actions, and the junior lifeguard program enrolled 183 participants in its 38th year.
On infrastructure, the mayor said the Ventura Road sewer replacement was completed, a project described as critical to citywide wastewater reliability. The city is transitioning crosswalk markings near schools to durable thermoplastic ladder‑style striping to improve visibility and longevity.
Lejeune highlighted partnerships that supplied community benefits, including scholarships and public‑event funding, and said the City Council formed a veterans advisory ad hoc committee to explore a possible veterans commission and expand veteran resources into 2026. She also noted the Surfrider Foundation Ventura chapter has begun a volunteer dune restoration at Hueneme Beach Park to restore roughly 2.5 acres of coastal dune habitat.
On economic development, the mayor said Sprouts Farmers Market has announced intentions to open at Oliveira Plaza and that a Channel Islands Harbor development referenced as the “Carl’s project” was approved by the county and the coastal commission; she suggested both projects will contribute to area revitalization.
Lejeune closed by thanking council members, city staff and volunteers and said the city will continue work on short‑term rental regulations, rightsizing the cannabis program, economic development and neighborhood engagement in 2026. “Together, we are shaping a future that is bright, that is resilient, and that is full of hope and promise,” she said.
The address contained few policy specifics on timelines or budgets for some initiatives, and the mayor deferred some implementation details to staff and future council work, noting several items will continue into 2026.
