Meeting Summary
Present: Johnston, Blatz, Francina, Haney, Weirick
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
Pandemic Financial and Operational Update
- Revenues are projected to drop by $1.2 million, leaving the city with approximately five to six months of cash flow.
- Tennis and pickleball courts will reopen on May 2 with single-player restrictions, while other park amenities remain closed.
- Staff is investigating a line of credit as a contingency and developing virtual recreation programs.
- The May 9 concert was postponed, and city commissions will resume via Zoom for time-sensitive items.
Active Transportation Project Design Approval
- A new design for Maricopa Highway improvements near Nordhoff High School was presented, including a new driveway and left-turn lane.
- The proposed changes add an estimated $300,000 to the project cost, with total consultant estimates reaching $360,000.
- Council members discussed traffic flow, bike lane classifications, and funding sources before approving the design for state review.
- A motion passed to support the design submission to the Department of General Services and proceed with funding negotiations.
Gasoline Engine Equipment Ordinance Enforcement
- Staff reported that initial enforcement efforts have focused on education and verifying electric equipment availability.
- Council members debated delaying enforcement for "trimmer mowers" due to limited electric alternatives.
- The Council directed staff to investigate electric options and rental availability before the next meeting.
- Enforcement will proceed with discretion, prioritizing education and warnings over fines during the pandemic.
Council and Staff Reports
- An $864,000 grant was secured for invasive plant removal and fire risk mitigation in Middle Stewart Canyon Creek.
- The City Manager announced the initiation of the process to solicit new auditors and the start of the year-round weed abatement program.
- Council members highlighted broadband investment needs, federal forest policy concerns, and a community graduation banner project.
Future Agenda Items
- Staff confirmed that legislative letters regarding uranium mining and Forest Ranger reductions can be sent without a specific motion.
- The Council agreed to place a commercial eviction moratorium on the next agenda to address tenant confusion.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Consent Calendar
- The meeting was called to order, and a roll call confirmed a quorum. The agenda was approved as submitted by the City Manager. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar. The motion passed.
Coronavirus Impact and Pandemic Response Update
- The City Manager presented an update on the financial and operational impacts of the pandemic. Revenues are projected to decrease by $1.2 million through May 31, with a potential additional reduction of $500,000 if closures extend through June. It was noted that the CARES Act currently excludes cities with populations under 500,000, and Ventura County will not distribute its allocated funds to smaller cities. Average monthly expenses are approximately $830,000, primarily for employee costs and sheriff services. Previous cuts totaling $150,000 annually represent an 8% reduction. The city holds approximately $5.3 million in available funds, providing an estimated five to six months of cash flow. Staff is investigating a line of credit as a contingency.
- Regarding public services, tennis and pickleball courts are scheduled to reopen on May 2 with single-player-only restrictions, hand sanitizing stations, and signage. Sewell Park has reopened, while playgrounds, skate parks, and barbecue pits at Serzotti and Libbey Parks remain closed due to social distancing concerns. Council members discussed the impact of closures on children and the presence of non-residents in parks. Suggestions were made to limit court operating hours and explore a limited trial opening for the skate park with staffing and capacity limits. The City Manager noted the skate park lacks a specific exemption in the current public health order. The May 9 concert at the Libbey Bowl was postponed. City commission meetings will resume in May via Zoom for time-sensitive items. The 4th of July committee is preparing for the parade, subject to public health orders. The Recreation Department is investigating childcare options and developing virtual programs. The face covering requirement remains in effect for essential business transactions. No formal motion was made or voted upon during this segment.
Active Transportation Project (ATP) / Maricopa Highway and School District Traffic Safety Improvements
- The City Manager and Public Works Director presented an update on the Active Transportation Project regarding improvements to Maricopa Highway in front of Nordhoff High School. A new design developed in collaboration with the school district includes a new driveway cut near the athletic field, parking lot restriping, median removal, a left-turn lane addition at Pirie Road, and modifications to the Church Street driveway approach. The school board provided preliminary approval. The proposed design adds an estimated $300,000 to the project cost, with consultants estimating total costs at approximately $360,000 broken down into four sections: parking lot striping and remodeling ($126,000), the median and left-turn lane at Pirie Road ($90,000), the new athletic field driveway, and the Church Street approach ($31,000).
- Council members discussed the timeline, noting a two-month delay to coincide with the school year. Concerns were raised regarding the design's accommodation of vehicle traffic versus active transportation, the removal of drop zones from the highway, and the lack of consensus from the Bicycle Coalition. The Public Works Director clarified traffic flow patterns, lane widths, and the inclusion of drop zones on the highway and within the school parking lot. Discussion also covered the necessity of Class 4 bike lanes versus lower-cost alternatives, safety concerns regarding mixing pedestrians and cyclists in the parking lot, and the lack of visible bike racks and pedestrian paths in current drawings. Questions were directed at funding sources, specifically whether ATP grants could cover highway improvements versus parking lot costs on school property. It was clarified that the motion was to approve the design for submission to the State Department of General Services (DSA) for review, not to commit final funding amounts, as the school district's contribution and final grant allocations would be negotiated after DSA approval.
- A motion was made to support the design for submission to the DSA and to proceed with negotiations regarding funding with the school district. The motion was seconded. Following a roll call vote, the motion passed.
Enforcement of Gasoline Engine Landscape Equipment Ordinance
- The Council discussed the enforcement of the ordinance banning gasoline-powered landscape equipment, which became effective the previous day. Staff reported that enforcement efforts have focused on education and scheduling appointments with businesses to verify the availability of electric equipment. A specific concern was raised regarding "trimmer mowers," a specialized piece of equipment with limited electric availability. Council members debated whether to enforce the ban immediately on this item or to delay enforcement to allow for further research into competitive electric options. Discussion also covered enforcement strategies for property owners who might hire non-compliant contractors to evade the law. Staff noted that property owners could be cited if it could be proven they knowingly hired operators using prohibited equipment after being put on notice. Council members expressed a desire to prioritize enforcement against commercial operators while utilizing education and warnings for residential users, particularly given the ongoing pandemic. One member suggested issuing warnings during the emergency declaration and implementing fines afterward.
- No formal motion was made or voted upon during this segment. The Council directed staff to investigate the availability of electric trimmer mowers and other alternatives, including rental options, and to report back at the next meeting. The Council agreed that enforcement should proceed with discretion, prioritizing education and avoiding arbitrary actions during the pandemic, while maintaining the legal requirement for compliance.
Council Reports
- Council Member Reports: One member reported on an APCD meeting and highlighted the potential for Ojai to become a destination for remote workers and tourists post-pandemic, emphasizing the need for broadband investment. Another member thanked the California Association of Governments for a virtual workshop on the Go Ojai project and noted ongoing work on an animal ordinance. A third member expressed concern regarding federal policies on National Forest extraction activities, including uranium mining and the reduction of ranger stations, and stated the Council is monitoring these issues.
- City Manager Report: The City Manager announced an $864,000 grant received for invasive plant removal and natural environment restoration in Middle Stewart Canyon Creek, which will also aid in fire risk mitigation and aquifer recharge. The report also noted the initiation of the process to solicit new auditors, as the current firm has served longer than recommended. Additionally, the start of the year-round weed abatement program was announced, with inspections and notices to be sent by May 31st.
- Community Update: The City Clerk noted a grassroots effort by citizens and the school board to create a graduation banner display downtown, as the traditional ceremony was disrupted.
Future Agenda Items
- Legislative Letters: A request was made to send letters expressing concern regarding increased uranium mining in the Lake Casitas watershed and the reduction of Forest Ranger services. Staff confirmed these items fall under the city's existing legislative program and can be sent without a specific motion.
- Commercial Eviction Moratorium: A request was made to revisit the issue of a commercial eviction moratorium at the next meeting, citing confusion among commercial tenants regarding the city's stance compared to other jurisdictions. The Council agreed to place this item on the next agenda.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned. No motions were moved, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.