Meeting Summary
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
Special Meeting and Closed Session
- The council met in closed session to discuss anticipated litigation and a claim filed by Mr. McRae.
- No reportable action was taken on the items considered during the closed session.
- The special meeting was subsequently adjourned.
Fire Safety and Wildfire Preparedness
- A presentation covered wildfire history, ember impacts, and personal responsibility measures like defensible space.
- Staff confirmed existing evacuation coordination plans with the Sheriff's Office and Highway Patrol.
- Soule Park and the high school were identified as potential shelter-in-place locations.
Memorial Garden MOU
- Concerns were raised regarding language granting the Memorial Garden sole responsibility for maintenance.
- The item was amended to ensure joint coordination on vegetation and landscaping changes.
- The amended Memorandum of Understanding was approved by the council.
Fences, Walls, and Hedges Ordinance
- Council members noted a lack of distinction between living hedges and non-living structures in the draft.
- Previous enforcement of similar rules had led to public outcry, prompting a request for revision.
- The item was postponed to allow staff and the council to address these distinctions and unintended consequences.
Reach Code Amendment
- Presentations outlined a proposal to require zero-emission, all-electric buildings for new construction.
- Discussion highlighted concerns regarding affordable housing costs, grid capacity, and appeal processes.
- Staff was directed to draft an ordinance based on the discussion without committing to immediate adoption.
Coronavirus Update
- Case numbers in Ventura County and Ojai increased but are stabilizing with downward trends in hospitalizations.
- The county moved to the "Red" tier, allowing certain businesses to reopen with capacity restrictions.
- Council members discussed inconsistencies in county guidelines regarding outdoor gatherings.
Fiscal Year Budget Report and Reserve Fund Status
- A significant drop in hotel tax revenue necessitated reducing full-time employee positions from 30 to 24.
- Reserve levels decreased from $3.2 million to a projected $1.78 million.
- Strategies for replenishment include potential passage of Measure G and redirecting Transient Occupancy Tax.
Mass Care and Shelter Plan
- Concerns were raised that the current MOU places primary shelter responsibility on the City despite limited staff.
- County representatives described the agreement as a collaborative mutual aid arrangement providing resource access.
- The matter was continued for two weeks to review language and clarify responsibilities and cost-sharing.
Community Event: Mandela Mural Painting
- Discussion focused on an upcoming event to paint a Nelson Mandela mural at Libbey Park.
- The City Clerk noted that the organization "River Minions" typically receives an honorarium for this work.
- No formal motion or vote was taken regarding funding or the event.
Full summary
Special Meeting and Closed Session Report
- The City Clerk reconvened a special meeting. The City Manager and City Attorney reported that the council had met in closed session to consider two items regarding anticipated litigation and one regarding a claim filed by Mr. McRae. No reportable action was taken on these items. The special meeting was adjourned.
Agenda Approval and Consent Calendar
- The regular meeting was called to order. The City Clerk proposed moving Item 5 (Reach Code Amendment) to the first discussion slot to accommodate attendees. Council members requested to remove Item H (Fences, Walls, and Hedges) and Item J (Memorial Garden MOU) from the consent calendar for separate discussion. The agenda was approved with these modifications. The remainder of the consent calendar was moved, seconded, and approved without objection.
Public Presentation: Fire Safety and Wildfire Preparedness
- Bob Roper, Co-Chairman of the California Fire Safe Council, presented on wildfire readiness, discussing Ojai's fire history, the impact of embers versus flame fronts, and personal responsibility measures such as maintaining defensible space and hardening homes. During the Q&A, staff and council members discussed the availability of the presentation video, the impact of fire maps on insurance, and evacuation planning. Staff noted that a coordination plan exists with the Sheriff's Office and Highway Patrol for mandatory evacuations, identifying Soule Park and the high school as potential shelter-in-place locations.
Consent Calendar Item J: Memorial Garden MOU
- Council members discussed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Memorial Garden. Concerns were raised regarding language in Attachment B stating the Memorial Garden has "sole responsibility" for maintenance and repairs, which could imply unilateral authority to remove vegetation without city coordination. The item was moved as amended to ensure joint coordination on vegetation and landscaping changes, seconded, and approved.
Public Communications
- A resident commented regarding a property at 305 Palomar Road, describing an encroachment issue after replacing a fire hazard hedge. The speaker requested guidance on options other than removing the improvements. The City Clerk stated that the council cannot discuss specific cases during public communications but noted that staff would follow up with the resident to research precedents and options.
Consent Calendar Item H: Fences, Walls, and Hedges Ordinance
- Council members discussed the ordinance regarding fences, walls, and hedges. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of distinction between living hedges and non-living structures, as well as the need to consider lot size differentials and safety implications. It was noted that previous enforcement of similar rules had led to public outcry. A motion was made to postpone the item to allow the council to work with staff on a revised version addressing these distinctions and potential unintended consequences. The motion was seconded and passed. The item was postponed to the next regular meeting.
Reach Code Amendment (Item 5)
- Michelle Ellison, Chair of the Climate Emergency Mobilization Committee, and Amy Ryder of the Building Decarbonization Coalition presented on a proposed Reach Code for new construction to require zero-emission, all-electric buildings. The presentation covered benefits regarding cost savings, health outcomes, and safety. Council members discussed the proposal, noting support but also raising concerns regarding affordable housing costs, conflicts with ADU metering policies, interactions with PACE programs, and the need for an appeal process for unanticipated circumstances.
- In a subsequent segment, public comments were received generally supporting the measure, citing public health benefits and alignment with state climate goals. Concerns were raised regarding electrical grid capacity and potential costs for specific appliances. Staff clarified that the proposal applies only to new buildings and ADUs, not existing structures. A motion was made to direct staff to draft an ordinance based on the discussion and the goals of the reach code, with the understanding that this step would not commit the council to adopting the final ordinance immediately. The motion was seconded and passed.
Coronavirus Update
- Staff presented an update on the coronavirus emergency, noting that case numbers in Ventura County and Ojai had increased but were stabilizing, with hospitalization and ICU counts trending downward. The county had moved from the "Purple" tier to the "Red" tier, allowing for the reopening of certain businesses with capacity restrictions. Staff noted that outdoor business operations were encouraged and that COVID-19 testing at Sarzotti Park was temporarily suspended for repairs. Council members discussed inconsistencies in county guidelines regarding outdoor gatherings.
Fiscal Year Budget Report and Reserve Fund Status
- Staff presented the first quarterly budget review and a report on financial reserves. The report highlighted a significant drop in hotel tax revenue due to the coronavirus emergency, necessitating a reduction in full-time employee positions from 30 to 24. Reserve levels were reported to have decreased from $3.2 million to a projected $1.78 million. Staff outlined strategies for reserve replenishment, including the potential passage of Measure G (cannabis tax), redirecting a portion of the Transient Occupancy Tax, and investigating revenues from Propositions 15 and 19. No formal motion was made regarding the budget report.
Mass Care and Shelter Plan (County-City Agreement)
- Staff and representatives from the Ventura County Human Services Agency and Office of Emergency Services presented an updated Mass Care and Shelter Plan and a related Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Staff expressed concern that the current MOU language places primary responsibility for shelter operations on the City of Ojai, despite the city's limited staff size and the fact that local shelters historically serve a majority of unincorporated county residents. County representatives explained that the MOU is a collaborative mutual aid agreement providing access to county resources. Council members questioned the language regarding "primary responsibility" and the timeline for city involvement.
- A motion was made to continue the matter for two weeks, directing the City Manager and City Attorney to review the MOU language in consultation with county representatives to ensure the agreement reflects a true mutual aid structure with clarified responsibilities and cost-sharing provisions. The motion was seconded and passed.
Council Member Reports
- Council members provided brief reports, including reminders to vote in the upcoming election and to wear masks. One member inquired about the procedure for placing items on a future agenda.
City Manager's Report
- The City Manager's Report was introduced, but no content from the report was included in the meeting record.
Community Event: Mandela Mural Painting
- Discussion focused on an upcoming community event to paint a mural of Nelson Mandela at Libbey Park, scheduled to begin on October 19. The City Clerk noted that the organization "River Minions" typically receives an honorarium for this work and invited members to contribute funds. No formal motion was made, and no vote was taken.
Future Agenda Items
- The City Clerk outlined items for the next meeting, including a discussion on the mass shelter, a report or draft ordinance regarding the Reach Code, and topics concerning fences, hedges, and walls. No formal motion was made, and no vote was taken.
Adjournment
- The meeting was concluded. No formal motion was made, and no vote was taken.