Meeting Summary
Present: Johnston, Blatz, Francina, 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
Public Safety Funding and Community Energy
- Council discussed funding allocation for a school resource officer and motorcycle traffic safety mitigation.
- Members requested additional information regarding renewable energy sources and contracting details.
- Staff was directed to gather further answers to address Council inquiries on both topics.
- Both items were continued to allow time for the City Manager to collect necessary information.
Operating Budget Workshop
- Staff presented a proposed budget projecting a deficit of approximately $946,000 due to coronavirus-related revenue impacts.
- Council members inquired about revenue tracking, CARES Act assistance, and essential service classifications.
- No formal budget adoption occurred during this workshop session.
- Staff will incorporate feedback and return with a revised budget proposal.
Coronavirus Response and Updates
- Staff updated the Council on public health orders, testing availability, and specific reopening protocols.
- Discussion covered city requirements like face coverings and business self-certification checklists.
- An ad hoc committee was appointed to recommend protocols regarding evolving public health orders.
- The 4th of July parade planning item was scheduled for the next meeting agenda.
Commercial Evictions Moratorium
- Staff presented a resolution to impose a local moratorium on commercial evictions.
- The City Attorney clarified interactions between the local moratorium and existing state orders.
- The Council adopted the resolution to provide tenant protections and repayment timelines.
General Plan Annual Progress Report
- Staff presented the required 2018 and 2019 General Plan Annual Progress Report.
- The Council received the file for submission to the Housing and Community Development office.
- The motion to receive and submit the report passed without public comment.
Closed Session
- The Council met to consider labor negotiations for underrepresented employees.
- No reportable action was taken during the closed session.
Full summary
Closed Session Report
- The Council met in closed session to consider labor negotiations for underrepresented employees. No reportable action was taken.
Approval of Agenda
- The agenda was presented for approval. A Council member requested that items D and F be pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion. A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the consent calendar as amended. The motion passed.
Consent Calendar Items D and F
- Item D (Citizens' Option for Public Safety Funding): Discussion took place regarding the allocation of funds for a school resource officer and concerns regarding motorcycle traffic safety and enforcement in the community. It was suggested that staff investigate the feasibility of using funds for focused motorcycle mitigation.
- Item F (Community Energy Corporation): A request was made for additional information regarding renewable energy sources and contracting details.
- Outcome: A motion was made and seconded to continue both items D and F to allow staff and the City Manager to gather further answers and information. The motion passed.
Public Comment
- Two public comments were read into the record. One concerned noise levels from pickleball activities near South Ventura Street. The second was a budget submission from the Ojai Valley Museum. Both were recorded for the record and forwarded for review.
Operating Budget Workshop
- Staff presented the proposed operating budget, noting a projected deficit of approximately $946,000 due to coronavirus-related revenue impacts. The presentation detailed mandatory versus discretionary spending and outlined potential reductions, including transfers to the TOT fund and equipment replacement fund, as well as a hiring freeze.
- Discussion: Council members inquired about revenue tracking from online vendors (Wayfair Act), potential CARES Act assistance for Sheriff’s costs, and the classification of community organization funding. It was noted that while some items are termed "discretionary," they serve essential functions.
- Outcome: No formal budget adoption occurred. Staff will incorporate Council feedback and return with a revised budget proposal.
Coronavirus Report
- Staff provided an update on county-wide case statistics, testing availability, and public health orders.
- Reopening Orders: Updates were given on the "Stay Well Ventura County Order," which allows certain retail and manufacturing to reopen with curbside or pickup service. Clarification was provided regarding hotel operations, confirming restrictions on leisure travel.
- City Requirements: The Council discussed the City’s additional requirements, including a mandatory face covering ordinance and a business self-certification checklist.
- Paid Sick Leave: The City Attorney provided legal clarification on federal paid sick leave requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, noting applicability based on employer size.
- 4th of July Parade: Discussion occurred regarding the potential for the annual parade and the placement of chairs on Ojai Avenue. Concerns were raised regarding crowd safety, social distancing, and the risk of attracting visitors from other regions.
- Playgrounds and Parks: Plans to reopen parking lots at parks were discussed, while playgrounds remain closed per state and county orders.
- Ad Hoc Committee: A proposal was made to form an ad hoc committee of two Council members to recommend protocols regarding evolving public health orders.
- Outcome: An ad hoc committee was appointed. The 4th of July parade planning item was scheduled for the next meeting agenda.
Moratorium on Commercial Evictions
- Staff presented a resolution to impose a local moratorium on commercial evictions.
- Discussion: The City Attorney and Council members discussed the interaction between the proposed local moratorium and existing state Judicial Council orders which block eviction lawsuits. Discussion focused on tenant protections, affirmative defenses, and repayment timelines for back rent.
- Outcome: A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution as written. The motion passed.
General Plan Annual Progress Report
- Staff presented the 2018 and 2019 General Plan Annual Progress Report, which was required by state government code. No public comment was received. A motion was made and seconded to receive the file and submit the report to the Housing and Community Development office. The motion passed.
Council Reports and Next Steps
- Council members provided updates on various topics, including the school board negotiating contract, air pollution control data, groundwater sustainability plans, and water rate increases.
- Outcome: Several items were approved for the next meeting agenda, including a discussion on the Casitas water rate increase, cannabis tax ballot language, and a written status report on 5G telecommunications. The meeting was adjourned.