Meeting Summary
Present: Johnston, Blatz, Francina, Haney, Weirick
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Active Transportation Program (ATP) and Maricopa Highway/Ojai Avenue Design Review
- The Council accepted the 35% design report for safety improvements and directed staff to return with a 60% design and cost estimate.
- Staff was instructed to investigate the Nordoff High School driveway cut issue and consult the State Architect regarding mandatory parking lot upgrades.
- A separate motion passed to fund an $8,000 schematic analysis by the engineering firm to optimize the school entry design.
Historic Landmark Designation for Perkins-Baker Residence
- The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended designating the 1920s Tudor Revival property as City Landmark Number 28.
- Current owners expressed support for the designation, though no formal motion was taken during this meeting segment.
Designation of Voting Delegate for SCAG
- Councilmember Ryan was nominated and designated as the City's voting delegate for the Southern California Association of Governments.
Mid-Year Budget Update
- Staff reported that a projected $55,000 funding gap is expected to close due to contract savings and higher-than-projected revenues.
- The update highlighted a deferred maintenance backlog exceeding $20 million and noted that Measure C is key to addressing these needs.
Legislative Platform
- The Council created an ad hoc legislative committee to review a draft program for responding to legislative requests without individual approvals.
- Councilmember Randy and the Mayor were designated as the members of this new committee.
Waste Management and Recycling Updates (SB 1383)
- Representatives discussed state mandates requiring organic waste recycling ordinances by 2022 and penalties for non-compliance by 2024.
- Staff and Council discussed the necessity of local ordinances and the challenges of insufficient infrastructure for waste diversion.
Ventura River Watershed Adjudication
- Staff reported that the City's request to stay court processes for six months to facilitate settlement discussions has not yet been granted.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Active Transportation Program (ATP) and Maricopa Highway/Ojai Avenue Design Review
- The Council reviewed the 35% design report for the Active Transportation Program (ATP), a project funded by a $2.5 million construction grant. The proposed scope includes pedestrian crossing safety improvements, sidewalk infill, tree infill, and the establishment of Class 1 and Class 4 protected bike lanes on Maricopa Highway and Ojai Avenue. Staff presented design details, including a Class 4 protected bikeway from Cabrillo to El Roblar and curb extensions on Ojai Avenue.
- Significant discussion focused on the entry design for Nordoff High School. Staff initially proposed a new driveway cut near the athletic field to prevent traffic stacking. However, the Ojai Unified School District indicated that this option would trigger mandatory parking lot redesigns and ADA compliance reviews, costs which the district cannot currently fund. Consequently, the district proposed a modified entry using flexible delineators to create a right-turn-only lane as an alternative. Staff noted this alternative was "suboptimal" but feasible while further discussions on funding and state architecture requirements continued.
- Public comment regarding the project included support for safety improvements and climate mitigation, alongside concerns about traffic congestion, emergency vehicle access, and the potential for increased accidents due to lane reductions. Speakers also raised issues regarding truck management, landscaping, and the impact of the design on school access. Staff clarified that emergency services and the Disaster Council had vetted the plan, determining that lane reductions would not impede emergency response.
- A motion was made to accept the 35% design report and direct staff to return with a 60% design and cost estimate. The motion included a directive for staff to investigate the driveway cut issue further and consult with the State Architect to determine if the current design triggers mandatory school parking lot upgrades. The motion was seconded and passed.
- Subsequently, a separate motion was made to direct the engineering firm (ALTA) to develop a schematic instrument to analyze the optimal design, including the proposed driveway cutout, for review by both the City Council and the School Board. The motion specified that the cost for this analysis should not exceed $8,000 and would be paid by the city. This motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: Historic Landmark Designation for Perkins-Baker Residence
- The Historic Preservation Commission presented a recommendation to designate the Perkins-Baker residence as City Landmark Number 28. The presentation detailed the property's 1920s Tudor Revival architecture and the historical significance of its original owners. The current owners expressed support for the designation. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend the designation to the City Council. While the item was discussed and a request was made to consider it out of order, no formal motion was moved, seconded, or voted upon regarding the landmark designation within the provided transcript segments.
Agenda Item: Public Hearing
- A public hearing was opened regarding an unspecified item. Public comments were received, and the hearing was subsequently closed. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item discussed during the hearing. The motion passed.
Agenda Item: Consent Agenda
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda. The Council approved the consent calendar without objection.
Agenda Item: Designation of Voting Delegate for SCAG
- The Council discussed the designation of a voting delegate for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). A nomination was made for Councilmember Ryan. With no other nominations or objections, Councilmember Ryan was designated as the voting delegate.
Agenda Item: Mid-Year Budget Update
- Staff presented a mid-year budget update indicating that a previously projected $55,000 funding gap was expected to be closed due to contract savings, vacancy management, and revenues exceeding projections. The budget was projected to be balanced with minimal surplus, meaning the city would not increase its General Fund reserves to meet the 50% reserve policy target. Staff highlighted a deferred maintenance backlog estimated at over $20 million and noted that Measure C, a hotel tax increase on the March 3rd ballot, is a key component of addressing these needs. The Council acknowledged the report; no formal motion was taken.
Agenda Item: Legislative Platform
- Staff proposed the creation of a legislative platform to allow the city to respond to requests for support or opposition letters without requiring individual Council approval for each item. A motion was made to create an ad hoc legislative committee consisting of two Council members to review a draft program and make recommendations. The motion was seconded and passed. Councilmembers Randy and the Mayor were designated as the ad hoc committee members.
Agenda Item: Waste Management and Recycling Updates (SB 1383)
- Representatives from Agriman and E.J. Harrison presented on the impact of state legislation SB 1383, which mandates the reduction of organic waste in landfills. The speakers explained that the mandate requires cities to implement ordinances mandating organic waste recycling by 2022 and establish mechanisms to penalize non-compliant producers by 2024. Challenges regarding insufficient infrastructure to handle required waste diversion and difficulties in the dry recycling market were discussed. Council members and staff discussed the necessity of local ordinances to comply with state mandates and the timeline for infrastructure development. No formal motions were moved or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Ventura River Watershed Adjudication
- Staff provided a report on the Ventura River watershed adjudication. The City Council had previously directed the city to join a request by the City of Ventura to the court to stay all processes, including deadlines for individual landowners to respond, for at least six months to facilitate settlement discussions. Staff clarified that the stay has not yet been granted by the court. No motions were moved or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Council Reports and Library Update
- Council members provided reports on various activities, including attendance at APCD meetings and observations regarding solar operations and air quality programs. The Regional Librarian provided an update on upcoming library programming. No formal motions were taken on these reports.
Agenda Item: Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
- Public comments were received on topics not on the formal agenda, including food waste management, noise from pickleball activities, and the proposed Maricopa Highway project. The Council noted that no action could be taken on these non-agenda items but referred relevant concerns to staff.