City Council — 2020-10-13

Meeting Summary

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Ventura County moved to the Red Tier, allowing increased capacity for retail and gyms.
Testing at Sarzotti Park paused for repairs and resumes on Mondays.
Council members sought clarification on inconsistent outdoor gathering rules.
Public health concerns were noted regarding the Demonstration Garden and encampments.

Hotel tax revenue declined significantly in April but has since trended upward.
Reserves are projected to fall to 20% by September against a 50% goal.
Full-time staff positions were reduced from 30 to 24 through vacancy management.
Staff proposed potential reserve rebuilding options including Measure G and Prop 15.

Ventura County presented a new emergency shelter MOU for Nordoff High School.
City Manager expressed concern over staffing responsibilities given the small team size.
County representatives offered funding and clarified that costs should be shared proportionally.
Council voted to delay signing the MOU for two weeks to review liability and cost language.

Status: Ventura County has moved from the Purple (Widespread) Tier to the Red (Substantial) Tier. While case numbers rose county-wide, hospitalizations and ICU counts are trending downward.
Reopenings: Playgrounds and retail are open at increased capacity (up to 50%). Museums, places of worship, and gyms may reopen indoors with reduced capacity. Restaurants can reopen indoors at 25% capacity.
Testing: COVID-19 testing at Sarzotti Park was temporarily canceled for equipment repairs and will resume on Mondays.
Events: Council members raised concerns about inconsistencies in gathering rules (e.g., wedding receptions vs. outdoor performances at Libbey Park). The County is expected to release new guidance on outdoor gatherings within the week.
Health: Public health concerns regarding sanitation and health risks were noted regarding the Demonstration Garden and potential homeless encampments.

Revenue Impact: Hotel tax revenue plummeted from ~$310,000/month to $6,490 in April but has since trended upward. Property tax remains stable.
Reserves: Reserves dropped from 32% ($3.2 million) at the start of the emergency to a projected 20% ($1.78 million) by the end of September. The goal is a 50% reserve ratio ($5 million).
Staffing: To manage expenses, full-time employee positions were reduced from 30 to 24 through vacancy management.
Future Measures: Staff proposed potential reserve rebuilding options, including Measure G (Cannabis Tax) and Prop 15, or creating a Fiscal Stabilization Fund from existing tax transfers.

Proposal: Ventura County presented a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding emergency shelter operations, developed in response to past fires and Red Cross capacity limitations.
City Concerns: City Manager James expressed concern that the plan places primary responsibility on the City of Ojai to open and staff shelters at Nordoff High School, despite the City having only 24 staff members while the shelter primarily serves unincorporated county residents (80-90%).
County Response: County representatives emphasized collaboration, offering $800,000 in equipment, training, and mutual aid from other cities. They clarified that cost and responsibility should be shared proportionally.
Decision: The Council decided not to sign the MOU immediately. They voted to continue the matter for two weeks, tasking the City Manager and City Attorney to review the language regarding primary liability, staffing requirements, and cost sharing to ensure it reflects the unique situation of Ojai.

Mural: A Mandela mural will be painted at Libbey Park starting October 19th.
Future Agenda: The Council noted upcoming discussions on the REACH code (fences, hedges, walls).
Voting: Residents were reminded of voting locations and mask requirements.