Meeting Summary
Present: Johnston, Blatz, Francina, Haney
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
Planning Commission Nominations
- Council Member Haney requested separate discussion for nominees due to concerns about their familiarity with regulations.
- The Council debated the nominee's qualifications before approving the two Planning Commission appointments.
- The remainder of the consent calendar was approved after removing the nomination item.
Ventura County Sheriff's Office Contract Review
- Community members called for contract renegotiation, citing outdated terms and requests for independent oversight.
- Council members acknowledged the need to reform the agreement while noting current budget constraints.
- The Council passed a resolution acknowledging the Black Lives Matter movement and opposing racism.
- No formal decisions were made regarding specific contract terms during this session.
Emergency Response and Coronavirus Update
- Staff reported a surge in local cases and new state mandates closing indoor dining and entertainment venues.
- Updates included expanded testing locations, eviction moratoriums, and warnings about pandemic-related scams.
- The Council confirmed that retail establishments remain open if they adhere to physical distancing and mask requirements.
Modification of Commission Structures
- Staff proposed an ordinance to reduce the Historic Preservation and Parks and Recreation Commissions from seven to five members.
- Discussion highlighted concerns over quorum stability versus arguments for improved efficiency and alignment with other commissions.
- The Council approved the first reading of the ordinance to modify the commission structures.
Community Organization Funding for Fiscal Year 2021
- Staff presented funding requests from the Arts Commission, Ojai Valley Museum, and Chamber of Commerce.
- The Council approved funding for the Arts Commission and Museum, and a six-month allocation for the Chamber.
- Decisions were made to allow for future reevaluation of funding based on the city's financial status.
Climate Park Memorandum of Understanding
- The Council discussed an MOU with Global Green to develop a concept for a Climate Park on city-owned land.
- Proponents emphasized the use of grant funds and lack of immediate city expenditure, while opponents raised concerns about gentrification.
- The Council approved the MOU for the design phase, noting it includes a termination clause and no construction commitments.
Building Code Amendment Referral
- Staff presented a request from the Climate Committee regarding a potential building code amendment.
- The Council voted to refer the item to the Building Appeals Board for review and recommendation.
- The Board will conduct a presentation and Q&A before returning the matter to the Council for a final decision.
City Manager and Council Reports
- The City Manager reported on legislative actions regarding a logging plan opposition and an industrial hemp ordinance setback.
- Updates included Southern California Edison's power shutoff notices and a request for a local customer resource center.
- Council members noted a global meditation event and an upcoming Community Advisory Committee meeting.
Invasive Tree Removal
- Concerns were raised regarding public reaction to an article about the removal of hundreds of invasive trees.
- The City Manager and Public Works Director agreed to prepare a detailed report and a walking tour to address concerns.
- No formal motion was taken, as the item remains scheduled for September.
Uranium Mine Issue
- The Council discussed the uranium mine issue and confirmed that a letter had already been sent by the Mayor and Council.
- No formal motion or vote was taken during this discussion.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The Ojai City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Johnny Johnston. A quorum was established following the roll call. Technical difficulties initially prevented Council Member Haney from connecting to the webinar; he was successfully connected after troubleshooting. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the City Manager.
Approval of the Agenda
- The agenda was presented for approval. No changes were requested. A motion to approve the agenda was made, seconded, and passed without objection.
Consent Calendar
- The Council addressed the consent calendar. Council Member Haney requested the removal of the reappointment of incumbents to commissions from the consent calendar for separate discussion.
- Planning Commission Nomination: Council Member Haney expressed concerns regarding a specific nominee for the Planning Commission, citing a lack of familiarity with the commission's duties and Title 10 regulations. Council Member Wyrick defended the nominee, citing local roots, interest in traffic calming, and enthusiasm to learn. Mayor Johnston noted that the Planning Commission is not intended to be a panel of professional experts.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve the balance of the consent calendar, excluding the Planning Commission nominee. The motion was seconded and passed.
- Planning Commission Nomination Vote: A separate motion was made to approve the two nominations for the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded. A voice vote was taken, and the motion passed.
Public Communications
- The Council moved the public comment portion of the meeting early to accommodate the number of speakers.
- Library Update: Ron Solorzano, Regional Librarian, provided an update on the Ojai Library's operations following a partial reopening, including walk-up service, summer reading challenges, and online resources.
- Maricopa Highway and Police Contract: Michael Shapiro commented on the Maricopa Highway beautification plan, citing past traffic fatalities and accidents. He also requested that the police contract include bans on chokeholds and racial profiling.
Ventura County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) Contract Review
- The Council discussed the review of the contract with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office (VCSO), policies, and procedures. A subcommittee had been tasked with reviewing the contract, crime statistics, and performance. The Council heard public comments on this item.
- Discussion Themes: Community members addressed the Council regarding the VCSO contract and policing. Key themes included budget allocation (noting approximately 30% of the city's budget is allocated to VCSO), the need for contract renegotiation as the agreement has not been updated in approximately 40 years, and calls for reallocating funds to social services such as mental health professionals and homeless services. Speakers also called for independent oversight, including a citizen review board with subpoena power, and greater transparency regarding police conduct and overtime pay. Personal experiences regarding over-policing, lack of de-escalation, and racial profiling were shared. Specific requests included banning chokeholds and racial profiling in the contract and establishing community forums for contract restructuring.
- Council Discussion: Council members discussed the necessity of reviewing and reforming the contract, acknowledging the economic impact of the pandemic on the city's budget. Discussion focused on the archaic nature of the existing agreement, the lack of defined service standards, and the need to clarify costs versus services provided. Council members debated the strategy of negotiating individually versus forming a coalition with other contract cities. The Mayor noted the city's current budget deficit and the difficulty of reallocating funds in the short term but affirmed the need to renegotiate the contract.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to direct staff to draft a resolution acknowledging the Black Lives Matter movement and stating the city's stance against racism, bigotry, and intolerance. The motion was seconded and passed.
- Outcome: No formal motions, votes, or decisions were recorded regarding the specific terms of the Sheriff's Office contract during this portion of the meeting.
Emergency Response and Coronavirus Update
- Staff provided an update on the coronavirus response, presenting statistics for Ventura County and the 93023 zip code. Data indicated a recent surge in total cases and hospitalizations, with the positive test rate in the county rising to approximately 5.86%. The 93023 zip code maintained one of the lowest infection rates in the county.
- State Mandates: Staff reported on new state mandates effective immediately, requiring the closure of indoor operations for dine-in restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums, and card rooms. Bars and breweries were required to close unless offering outdoor dining. Further restrictions were imposed on fitness centers, worship services, protests, non-essential offices, personal care services, hair salons, barbershops, and malls, limiting them to outdoor or pickup services where applicable. The City was advised to adhere to these state and county orders.
- Testing and Safety: Staff noted the expansion of drive-through testing locations in Santa Paula, Oxnard, and Ventura. The City and Ojai School District had offered locations for potential testing sites. A Council member inquired about the availability of roving testing vehicles. Staff reminded the public of existing executive orders, including a residential and commercial eviction moratorium and the city's face covering requirement. Staff warned residents of increasing scams related to the pandemic, including fraudulent contact tracing calls, fake housing listings, and fraudulent testing services. Regarding sports, staff clarified that team sports involving contact are not permitted, while non-contact individual activities are allowed. Plans to install additional signage at parks to discourage large gatherings were noted. Council members confirmed that retail establishments remain open provided physical distancing and face covering requirements are met.
Modification of the Structure of Commissions
- Staff presented an ordinance for the first reading to modify the structure of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. The proposal seeks to reduce the size of each commission from seven to five members, allowing each council member to appoint one commissioner. Staff reported that the Historic Preservation Commission prefers to remain at seven members, while the Parks and Recreation Commission supports a reduction to five members plus one non-voting youth member.
- Discussion: Concerns were raised regarding the reduction of the Historic Preservation Commission, citing the value of a larger body for meaningful discussion, quorum stability, and the inclusion of residents from outside city limits. Council members supporting the motion argued that a five-member structure improves efficiency, aligns with the Planning Commission model, and facilitates a rotating nomination process.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve the first reading of the ordinance. A motion to amend was proposed to separate the discussion of the Historic Preservation Commission from the Parks and Recreation Commission; however, the amendment was not seconded, and the original motion stood. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance passed.
Community Organization Funding for Fiscal Year 2021
- Staff reported that the recently adopted budget included $35,000 for the Arts Commission and $114,200 for community organization funding. Requests for funding were received from the Arts Commission ($35,000), the Ojai Valley Museum ($60,000), and the Chamber of Commerce ($51,000 for the first six months of the fiscal year).
- Discussion: Discussion focused on the financial constraints facing the city and the appropriateness of funding only the first six months to allow for future reevaluation based on the city's financial status.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve funding for the Arts Commission at $35,000, the Ojai Valley Museum at $60,000, and the Chamber of Commerce at $51,000 for a six-month period. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Memorandum of Understanding for Development of a Climate Park
- Staff and Council members discussed a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Global Green to develop a concept and proposal for a "Climate Park" on city-owned land behind City Hall.
- Discussion: Proponents described the project as an opportunity to leverage existing grant funds for invasive species removal and in-stream flow, potentially creating a unique ecological and educational site without immediate city expenditure. They emphasized that the MOU is for the design and proposal phase only and does not commit the city to construction or specific land use changes. Opponents expressed concern regarding the lack of detailed project information, the potential for gentrification associated with the organization's affluent donors, and the speed of the process given the upcoming council recess. Concerns were also raised about potential conflicts with existing users of the City Hall campus and the need for broader public vetting. Staff and proponents clarified that the MOU includes a termination clause allowing the city to end the agreement at any time without legal consequence and that no construction or ground disturbance would occur under this agreement.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to approve the MOU, and it was seconded. During the vote, two council members abstained citing a lack of sufficient information. The motion passed.
Building Code Amendment Referral
- Staff presented a request from the Climate Committee regarding a potential building code amendment. The Council previously discussed having the Building Appeals Board (BAB) review the item but had not formally directed them to do so.
- Discussion: Discussion clarified that the Council could attend the BAB meeting and that the item would return to the Council for a final decision. Public comments on the matter were noted but not read aloud.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made to refer the item to the BAB for review as a Title IX issue, where they would hear a presentation, conduct Q&A, and provide a recommendation to the Council. The motion was seconded and passed.
Council and City Manager Reports
- Council members provided brief reports, including a mention of a global meditation event centered in Ojai and a reminder of an upcoming Community Advisory Committee meeting regarding the Ojai Demonstration Project. The City Manager reported on two letters of support/opposition written in accordance with the city's legislative platform: a letter of opposition to a proposed logging plan on Pine Mountain sent to the Forest Service, and a comment letter to the County Agricultural Committee regarding an industrial hemp ordinance, requesting a half-mile setback from all city limits due to air quality and odor concerns. The City Manager also noted that Southern California Edison has begun issuing public safety power shutoff information and that the city has requested the establishment of a customer resource center in Ojai to assist residents during such events.
Break and Agenda Management
- The meeting was adjourned for a break. It was discussed that items arising during the break would be addressed by the City Manager and the Mayor in coordination with Council members to determine priorities and ensure urgent matters are included on the agenda. No formal motion was made, and no vote was taken.
Invasive Tree Removal
- Concerns were raised regarding public reaction to an article in the Ojai Valley News concerning the removal of hundreds of invasive trees. A request was made for a more detailed report and a walking tour of the area to explain the justification for the removal and address public concerns. It was noted that the item is currently scheduled for September. The City Manager and Public Works Director discussed preparing a report for the public. Council Member Wyrick expressed willingness to participate in a walking tour. No formal motion was made, and no vote was taken.
Uranium Mine Issue
- The uranium mine issue was discussed. It was noted that a letter regarding the mine had already been written and sent by the Mayor and Council. No formal motion was made, and no vote was taken.
Conclusion
- The session concluded with the announcement that the meeting was finished.