Camarillo recognized with county public-works award; city employees honored

Camarillo, May 13, 2026 — The City of Camarillo received the 2025 Ventura County Project of the Year award from the American Public Works Association for the Dizdar Park renovation and expansion, and the council recognized individual staff achievements during opening presentations.

Joseph Dibb of the APWA Ventura County chapter presented the award and praised the city's investment in public spaces. "On behalf of APWA, a nationwide organization... I am pleased to be here tonight on behalf of APWA to present the City Of Camarillo with the Project of the Year Award," Dibb said.

The council also honored Fred Parr, lead water reclamation maintenance worker, as the California Water Environment Association’s first-place Mechanical Technician of the Year. Council members and the city acknowledged Parr’s contribution to water reclamation operations. "We here in the city of Camarillo are privileged to have Fred as one of our mechanics," said a city speaker during the recognition.

Separately, the council presented a certificate to Mark Stadler for receiving the Ventura County Leadership Academy public sector leader award; Stadler outlined the countywide Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training the program has run for 25 years and described annual refresher training for law-enforcement personnel.

The recognitions took place at the start of the meeting before the council began policy items and public hearings.