Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Ventura County General Plan Letter
- Staff and a representative presented a letter regarding environmental policy and climate concerns.
- A Council Member suggested distributing the document to all City Councils within Ventura County.
- The Council directed staff to send the letter to the County and local City Councils.
Animal Keeping Ordinance Public Hearing
- Staff presented a draft ordinance to restore animal keeping standards removed during a 2003 zoning update.
- Residents testified on nuisance issues and raised concerns regarding specific language ambiguities.
- The Council continued the matter to an ad hoc committee to review and refine the ordinance.
- The committee is scheduled to report back no later than the last meeting in April.
Pickleball Sound Mitigation Options
- Staff reported noise complaints and measured levels ranging between 55 and 60 decibels.
- Public testimony was mixed between concerns on noise disturbance and support for community utility.
- The Council established operating hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and required approved equipment.
- Approval was granted to hire an acoustic consultant for up to $10,000 to investigate sound mitigation.
Ventura River Watershed Report
- The City Attorney provided an update regarding the Ventura River watershed adjudication litigation.
- The City has filed for a six-month extension with a hearing scheduled for the following Thursday.
- Council members discussed broader implications of adjudication versus collaborative management.
- No action was taken as the item remained informational.
Attendance Policy
- The Subcommittee presented a draft policy requiring commissioners with excessive absences to become interim members.
- Council members debated the balance between accountability and retaining experienced members.
- A motion was amended to change the absence threshold to four or more absences in a 12-month period.
- The amended motion passed to approve the attendance policy as Council policy.
Full summary
Opening Business
- The meeting was called to order, and the roll was called. A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda with the exception of Item I, which was pulled for separate discussion. The consent agenda was approved without objection, excluding Item I.
Agenda Item I: Ventura County General Plan Letter
- Staff and a community representative presented information regarding a letter to the Ventura County Planning Department and Board of Supervisors concerning environmental policy impacts and climate concerns. A Council Member suggested distributing the letter to all City Councils within Ventura County. The Council directed staff to distribute the letter to the County and to the City Councils of Ventura County.
Agenda Item II: Public Hearing on Animal Keeping Ordinance
- Staff presented a draft ordinance to restore animal keeping standards removed from the code during a 2003 zoning update. The proposal included standards for large, medium, and small animals, humane treatment, and manure management based on Ventura County regulations. During the public hearing, residents testified regarding previous nuisance issues involving manure and the need for enforcement tools. Others raised concerns regarding specific language ambiguities, including exemptions for therapy animals, definitions of animal types, and limits on pet numbers in relation to residents, particularly regarding animal rescuers.
- Council members discussed the need to clarify language regarding humane treatment standards, exemptions, and pet limits. Concerns were raised regarding the potential impact on foster animals and the balance between pet ownership rights and neighborhood health and safety. A motion was made to continue the matter to an ad hoc committee consisting of Council Members Weirich and Francina to review and refine the ordinance. The motion was seconded. There was no objection, and the motion was ordered. The committee is scheduled to report back no later than the last meeting in April.
Public Comment
- Several members of the public provided comments on various topics. These included updates on the Ojai Valley Museum, concerns regarding traffic and parking on North Signal Street, support for the gas-powered small engine ordinance, and an announcement regarding the Arts Commission’s “Paint Box” project. The City Manager noted that the parking issues on Signal Street would be reviewed with Public Works.
Agenda Item III: Pickleball Sound Mitigation Options
- Staff reported that four complaints regarding noise from pickleball courts at the City Hall/Libbey Park campus had been received. Measured noise levels ranged between 55 and 60 decibels. Staff recommended limiting hours of play and investigating low-noise equipment or sound buffers. Public testimony was mixed, with some speakers citing noise disturbance and impacts on property values and the planned Memorial Garden, while others emphasized the health benefits and community utility of the courts.
- The Council discussed several mitigation strategies, including restricting operating hours, standardizing equipment (paddles and balls), utilizing acoustic consultants, and exploring alternative sites. A motion was made to establish operating hours (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), require approved equipment, and authorize the hiring of an acoustic consultant for up to $10,000 to investigate sound mitigation for recreational facilities. The motion was seconded and approved without objection.
Agenda Item IV: Ventura River Watershed Report
- The City Attorney provided an update regarding the Ventura River watershed adjudication. The City has filed for a six-month extension in the litigation, with a hearing scheduled for the following Thursday. Council members discussed the broader implications of adjudication versus collaborative management, noting that a member recused himself from this item due to legal representation of parties in the case. No action was taken; the item was informational.
Agenda Item V: Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Attendance Policy
- The Ad Hoc Subcommittee presented a policy draft requiring commissioners appointed by the Council who accumulate more than three absences in a 12-month period to become interim members and reapply for the position. Council members discussed the impact of the policy on long-serving commissioners and the Planning Commission, debating the balance between accountability and retaining experienced members.
- A motion was made to approve the attendance policy as Council policy. The motion was amended to change the absence threshold to "four or more" and to specify the reporting period as defined in Commission protocols. The amended motion was seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed.
Council Reports and Future Agenda Items
- Council members provided updates and requested future agenda items on several topics:
- Mountain Lions: A request was made to place a resolution supporting the listing of mountain lions as an endangered species on a future agenda.
- Short-Term Rentals: Staff confirmed that short-term rental enforcement is currently ongoing.
- Small Engines: Staff reported on the electric engine program, including incentives and enforcement tools. A suggestion was made to utilize stickers to identify compliant electric equipment.
- Housing: A request was made to study the Franklin and Montgomery Corner site for housing development, potentially involving construction documents.
- Water Wells: A discussion regarding the well moratorium was requested.
- Clean Energy: Council members requested a report on the Clean Power Alliance rates and usage.
- Parking/Bikes: Staff reported on the Parking Committee's work regarding bike racks and benches, noting recent installations and plans for future sites.