Meeting Summary
Present: Johnston, Blatz, Francina, Haney, Weirick
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At a glance
Garden Committee Facility MOU
- Item F was removed from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion regarding location and scope.
- Staff must evaluate potential locations and allow for committee review before final approval.
- The amended item was approved alongside the remainder of the Consent Agenda.
Planning Commission Appeal: Fence at 603 Lyon Street
- Staff identified a zoning clearance error that led to a stop-work order after partial construction.
- The Council voted to affirm the Planning Commission decision with safety modifications for visibility.
- Provisions were included regarding reimbursement for modification costs and associated fines.
Coronavirus Update
- The City Manager presented data on case numbers, mask mandates, and cooling center operations.
- Updates included state tier classifications and risks regarding public safety power shutoffs.
- The item was informational and no motion was taken during the discussion.
League of California Cities Voting Delegate
- Council members discussed the selection of delegates for the upcoming virtual meeting.
- Council Member Wyrick was designated as the primary voting delegate.
- Council Member Francina was designated as the alternate delegate.
Eviction Moratorium Order
- The City Attorney explained how state law preempts local orders and modifies repayment timelines.
- Council voted to modify the residential eviction moratorium to align with state requirements.
- Staff and the City Attorney were directed to implement the necessary clarification or modification.
Fire Hazard Severity Map
- Officials recommended adopting a "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone" designation for the city.
- Public speakers expressed concerns regarding property values and the need for further data collection.
- The motion passed to continue the item for further study and a Fire Safe Council presentation.
Council and Staff Reports
- Reports covered an invasive species removal grant and greenhouse gas inventory requests.
- Updates were provided regarding the current status of the Reach Code.
- These items were informational and no motions were taken.
Full summary
Consent Agenda
- The Council discussed the Consent Agenda, which included a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding a Garden Committee facility (Item F). Item F was removed from the initial Consent Agenda for separate discussion. Council members questioned the location and scope of the facility. A motion was made to approve the Consent Agenda with Item F excluded. Subsequently, a motion was made to approve Item F with amendments requiring staff to evaluate potential locations and allowing for committee review. The amended item was approved, and the remainder of the Consent Agenda was approved.
Planning Commission Appeal: Fence at 603 Lyon Street
- The Council considered an appeal regarding a residential fence approved by the Planning Commission. Staff reported that a zoning clearance error occurred prior to the work, and a stop-work order was issued after the fence was partially constructed. The appellant completed the fence to prevent material deterioration. Staff recommended upholding the Planning Commission's decision with modifications to ensure safety, specifically regarding the visibility triangle at an intersection. The appellant requested reimbursement for modification costs due to the initial error. Council discussed the cost of modifications, the enforcement of the stop-work order, and safety implications. A motion was made to affirm the Planning Commission's decision with provisions regarding reimbursement and fines. The motion was amended and subsequently passed.
Coronavirus Update
- The City Manager presented an update on local public health conditions, including case numbers, state tier classifications, mask mandate compliance, and operations of cooling centers. The presentation also covered the potential for public safety power shutoffs due to heat and fire risk. The item was informational, and no motion was taken.
League of California Cities Voting Delegate
- The Council discussed the selection of a voting delegate for the upcoming League of California Cities virtual meeting. Council Member Wyrick was designated as the primary voting delegate. Council Member Francina was designated as the alternate.
Eviction Moratorium
- The City Attorney provided analysis regarding state and federal eviction moratoriums and their preemption of local orders. The presentation explained that state law modified the repayment timeline for residential tenants covered by the local order. A motion was made to modify the current residential eviction moratorium order to ensure consistency with the preempted state timelines, or alternatively, to issue a clarifying letter. The motion passed, directing staff and the City Attorney to implement the necessary clarification or modification.
Fire Hazard Severity Map
- The Building Appeals Board Chair and Building Official presented a recommendation to adopt a "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone" designation for the city. Discussion focused on the impact on insurance, enforcement authority, and the lack of granular data in existing maps. Public speakers expressed concerns regarding property values and the need for further data collection. A motion was made to continue the item to a future meeting to allow for further study and a presentation from the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council. The motion passed, and the item was continued.
Council and Staff Reports
- The Council received reports regarding an invasive species removal grant in Stewart Canyon, a request for a greenhouse gas inventory from the Air Pollution Control District, and the status of the Reach Code. These items were informational, and no motions were taken.