Meeting Summary
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Animal Keeping Ordinance
- Staff presented a draft ordinance to restore animal keeping standards inadvertently removed in 2003.
- Public testimony highlighted conflicts between rescue/foster needs and concerns over animal dumping.
- The council voted to continue the matter and refer it to an ad hoc committee for redrafting.
- The committee was directed to return the revised ordinance to the council for the next agenda.
Pickleball Sound Mitigation
- Staff reported noise levels of 58–59 decibels and recommended operational hours and sound buffers.
- Council acknowledged resident complaints regarding sleep disruption and health impacts near the courts.
- A motion passed to investigate mitigation costs, research alternative sites, and establish interim operating hours.
- The council authorized up to $10,000 for an acoustic consultant to study sound mitigation for city facilities.
Planning Commission Attendance Policy
- Staff reported that three meetings were canceled last year due to a lack of quorum.
- Council discussed balancing attendance requirements with the retention of experienced commissioners.
- A policy was adopted declaring commissioners with four or more absences in 12 months as interim.
- The City Clerk will issue notices inviting applications to fill the position for a new permanent term.
Ventura River Watershed Adjudication
- Staff updated the council on litigation status and the City's application for a six-month extension.
- Discussion noted that basin adjudication concepts are increasingly viewed as obsolete by environmental standards.
- No formal motion or vote was recorded regarding changes to the litigation strategy.
Mountain Lion Endangered Species Resolution
- A council member reported that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution listing mountain lions as endangered.
- A request was made for the City Council to adopt a similar resolution and send support to the Fish and Wildlife Department.
- No formal motion or vote was recorded during this segment.
Tour Buses and Parking on North Signal Street
- Public testimony addressed safety concerns and emergency vehicle access issues caused by tour buses and RVs.
- Council discussed the impact of congestion on residents and the condition of the road leading to the Pratt Trailhead.
- A request was made for a staff report on regulating tour buses on narrow roads.
Bike Racks and Benches
- Staff reported on recent installations and the need for additional visible racks near parking spots.
- It was noted that some items could be funded through Measure C.
- No formal motion or vote was recorded in this segment.
Ojai Valley Museum Update
- A representative provided attendance figures for recent events and highlighted the current landscape exhibit.
- No formal motion or vote was recorded.
Historic Preservation Commission Update
- The Commission Chair noted that the pickleball issue was discussed in their recent meeting.
- No formal motion or vote was recorded.
Future Agenda Items
- Topics raised included housing development at the Franklin and Montgomery Corner site.
- Requests were made to address the well moratorium status and Clean Power Alliance rates.
- Updates were provided on the Paint Box Project, gas-powered engine ordinance, and water adjudication litigation.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Agenda Item 1: Approval of Agenda and Consent Calendar
- The meeting was called to order, and the roll was called. The agenda was approved without changes. The consent calendar was approved with the exception of Item I, which was removed for separate discussion.
Agenda Item 2: Public Hearing on Animal Keeping Ordinance
- A public hearing was held regarding a draft ordinance intended to restore animal keeping standards to the city code, which had been inadvertently removed during a 2003 zoning update. Staff presented a report defining large, medium, and small animals and distinguishing between commercial and non-commercial keeping. Public testimony addressed concerns regarding limits on the number of dogs and cats, with some speakers arguing the draft was too restrictive for rescuers and fosters, while others emphasized the need to prevent animal "dumping" and ensure humane care. Additional concerns were raised regarding the ordinance's interaction with existing rental agreements. Council deliberation focused on specific language, including a proposal to separate limits for dogs and cats rather than using a combined total.
- A motion was made to continue the matter and refer the ordinance to an ad hoc committee of two council members for further review and redrafting. The motion was seconded and passed. The ordinance was not approved in its current form. The committee was directed to return the item to the council, with a suggestion to aim for the next agenda.
Agenda Item 3: Pickleball Sound Mitigation Options
- Staff presented a report on noise complaints regarding pickleball courts at the Libbey Park campus. Measurements indicated noise levels of approximately 58–59 decibels. Staff recommended establishing hours of operation and investigating low-noise equipment and sound buffers. Public testimony was divided; residents near the courts described the noise as disruptive to health and sleep, while players emphasized the social and health benefits of the courts. Some players expressed willingness to use low-noise equipment or accept restricted hours. Council deliberation acknowledged the validity of the complaints and discussed mitigation strategies, including restricted hours, alternative sites, and sound barriers, noting that the landmarked status of the area limits construction options.
- A motion was made to direct staff to investigate the costs of sound mitigation measures, including sound buffers and green walls, and to research alternative sites, including coordination with the school district. The motion also included a directive to establish interim hours of operation to provide immediate relief. The motion was seconded and passed.
- Subsequent discussion regarding the pickleball courts near the Children's Memorial Garden highlighted concerns that the noise was incompatible with the garden's serene purpose. A motion was made and seconded to adopt interim measures, including implementing staff-recommended operating hours (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), posting signs regarding these hours, developing a standardized list of approved equipment, and requesting a proposal to hire an acoustic consultant (up to $10,000) to study sound mitigation for city recreational facilities. This motion was passed.
Agenda Item 4: Ventura River Watershed Adjudication Update
- Staff provided an update on the ongoing Ventura River watershed adjudication litigation, reporting that the City has filed an application for a six-month extension, scheduled to be heard on the 27th. The City of Ventura has filed a similar application. Discussion noted that the concept of adjudicating water basins is increasingly viewed as obsolete due to environmental laws and the need for adaptive solutions. It was noted that the City of Ventura has opened a complex situation regarding this issue. No formal motion or vote was recorded on changing the litigation strategy in this segment.
Agenda Item 5: Planning Commission Attendance and Quorum
- Staff reported that three of 22 Planning Commission meetings were canceled last year due to lack of quorum. Discussion ensued regarding attendance requirements, balancing the need for quorum with the retention of experienced commissioners.
- A motion was made and seconded to establish a policy where any council-appointed commissioner or board member who accumulates four or more absences in the most recent 12-month reporting period (as defined in commission protocols) shall be declared an interim commissioner. Under this policy, the City Clerk would issue a notice inviting applications, including from the incumbent, to fill the position for a new permanent term, with the incumbent serving on an interim basis until a new appointment is confirmed. An amendment was accepted to explicitly state "four or more" absences for legal clarity. The motion, as amended, was put to a vote and passed.
Agenda Item 6: Mountain Lion Endangered Species Resolution
- A council member reported that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to list mountain lions as an endangered species. A request was made for the City Council to adopt a similar resolution and send a letter of support to the Fish and Wildlife Department by April 3rd. No formal motion or vote was recorded in this segment.
Agenda Item 7: Tour Buses and Parking on North Signal Street
- Public testimony and council discussion addressed traffic and parking congestion on North Signal Street, specifically regarding tour buses and recreational vehicles. Concerns were raised about safety, emergency vehicle access, and the impact on residents. A request was made for a staff report on options for regulating tour buses on narrow roads and addressing the condition of the privately maintained road leading to the Pratt Trailhead. No formal motion or vote was recorded in this segment.
Agenda Item 8: Bike Racks and Benches
- Staff reported on the recent installation of several large bike racks and discussed the need for additional racks that are visible and close to parking spots. Staff indicated that some items could be funded through Measure C. No formal motion or vote was recorded in this segment.
Agenda Item 9: Ojai Valley Museum Update
- A representative from the Ojai Valley Museum provided an update on recent events, including attendance figures for a "Third Friday" event and a family fun day. The representative highlighted the current exhibit, "22 Miles: Ojai Valley Landscapes," which runs through April 19th. No formal motion or vote was recorded.
Agenda Item 10: Historic Preservation Commission Update
- The Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission noted that the pickleball issue had been discussed in their recent meeting and that the council's decision would be covered in their upcoming meeting. No formal motion or vote was recorded.
Other Business and Future Agenda Items
- Several topics were raised for future agenda consideration:
- Housing Development: Discussion occurred regarding the Franklin and Montgomery Corner site, with a suggestion to contract for construction documents or value engineering exercises.
- Well Moratorium: A request was made to place the status of the well moratorium on the agenda, noting that the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency retains jurisdiction.
- Clean Power Alliance: Requests were made for a report on current clean energy rates and the percentage of clean power received, as well as clarification on the difference between gas-powered and electric equipment used by city employees.
- Arts Commission: An announcement was made regarding the "Paint Box Project," a public art initiative to paint city utility boxes, with applications due March 23, 2020.
- Ojai Citizens for Clean Air: A representative thanked the council for passing the gas-powered small engine ordinance and the letter sent to the county regarding general plan deficiencies.
- Litigation Update: A brief update was provided regarding a lawsuit involving water adjudication, noting that a six-month extension was requested. It was stated that if granted, parties would not need to respond immediately; if denied, parties would need to evaluate their options. The outcome was expected to be known by Thursday.