City Council — 2021-02-09

COVID-19 Report

• Staff presented statistics and noted case numbers were stabilizing after holiday surges.
• Restrictions allowed indoor worship at 25% capacity but prohibited live audience sports.
• Vaccine appointments opened for residents aged 65 and older with a site expected in mid-February.
• The report was received and filed following public comment on school vaccination concerns.

Climate Committee Work Plan

• Staff proposed extending the committee to develop a greenhouse gas inventory and draft climate element.
• Council discussed scope and costs, noting the climate element is not legally required.
• A motion passed to prioritize the inventory without incurring new costs for a climate element.
• The committee will report back upon completion while participating in ongoing General Plan updates.

Mural Ordinance

• Staff presented an ordinance regulating murals on private commercial property.
• The measure requires review by the Public Art Jury and Historic Preservation Commission for historic structures.
• Council members clarified distinctions regarding property titles and text specifications.
• A motion to approve the ordinance was made and passed.

Audit Report

• Staff presented the annual independent audit which received an unqualified clean opinion.
• Findings regarding bank reconciliation and separation of duties were identified and addressed.
• Staff reported that all issues were either corrected or in the process of being corrected.
• The Council received and filed the report.

Goal-Setting Workshop

• Staff proposed a virtual workshop facilitated at no charge by a community member.
• The facilitator recommended two three-hour sessions focused on visioning and goal development.
• Council directed staff to coordinate with the facilitator to establish dates and session structure.

Council Reports and Other Business

• Members provided updates on external meetings including transportation and sanitation districts.
• Discussion occurred regarding the Chumash sign and a potential financial accountability committee.
• It was noted that the Solarizing Ojai initiative remains pending due to budget and pandemic impacts.

Closed Session

• The City Attorney reported a closed session regarding a conference with a real property negotiator.
• The discussion involved property owned by the school district.
• No reportable action was taken during the closed session.

Meeting Summary

Call to Order and Approval of Agenda

• The regular meeting was called to order. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, a motion to approve the agenda was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Closed Session Report

• The City Attorney reported that the City Council met in a closed session to discuss a conference with a real property negotiator regarding property owned by the school district. No reportable action was taken during the closed session.

Consent Calendar

• A motion to approve the consent calendar items was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

COVID-19 Report

• Staff presented a report on COVID-19 statistics, vaccination progress, and state tier restrictions. Staff noted that while case numbers were surging during the holidays, they were beginning to stabilize. The state announced changes allowing places of worship to open indoors at 25% capacity. Staff discussed the impact of these restrictions on city events, noting that live audience sports were not currently permitted, though commercial events could proceed with modifications. Staff reported that vaccine appointments were now open to those aged 65 and older, and a vaccination site in Ojai was expected to open in mid-February. Public comment was received regarding concerns over potential mandatory vaccinations for school children. Staff suggested directing such concerns to the school board. The report was received and filed.

Climate Committee Work Plan

• Staff presented the work plan proposed by the Climate Committee, which included extending the committee for six months to focus on developing a city-specific greenhouse gas inventory and a draft climate element for the General Plan update. Staff provided cost estimates for the climate element, noting it was not legally required and would require additional funding and consultant time beyond the current General Plan contract. A hard deadline of October exists for the Housing Element. Council members discussed the scope of the work, public engagement methods, and the sequence of the committee's tasks. Committee representatives joined the meeting to discuss the timeline and costs.
• A motion was made to direct the Climate Committee to prioritize the greenhouse gas inventory, report back to the Council upon completion, and participate in ongoing General Plan updates without incurring new staff or consultant costs for a climate element at this time. The motion was seconded. A vote was taken. One member abstained. The motion passed.

Mural Ordinance

• Staff presented the mural ordinance developed by the Arts Commission to regulate murals on private commercial property. The ordinance requires review by the Public Art Jury and, for historic structures, review by the Historic Preservation Commission to ensure historic significance is not adversely affected. Council members clarified the distinction between the title of the ordinance and the text specifying "private commercial buildings." Public comment was received regarding the impact of murals on historic properties. Staff indicated the Historic Preservation Commission review process addressed these concerns. Arts Commission members were given the opportunity to address the Council.
• A motion to approve the mural ordinance was made and seconded. The motion passed.

Audit Report

• Staff presented the annual independent audit report. Staff explained that a new audit firm was contracted after 16 years with the previous firm. The audit resulted in an unqualified clean opinion. One audit finding regarding bank reconciliation timeliness and three audit recommendations regarding separation of duties, treasury reports, and credit card approvals were identified. Staff reported that all issues were either corrected or in the process of being corrected.
• A motion to receive and file the audit report was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Goal-Setting Workshop

• Staff presented a proposal for a council goal-setting workshop to be held virtually via Zoom. A community member has offered to facilitate the workshop at no charge. The facilitator recommended two three-hour sessions focused on visioning and goal development. Council members discussed the logistics, including timing and public participation options. Council directed staff to coordinate with the facilitator to establish dates and session structure.

Council Member Reports and Other Business

• Council members provided updates on various external meetings and projects, including the Ventura County Transportation Commission, the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, and transit fare resumption plans. Discussion occurred regarding the Chumash sign at City Hall and the potential formation of a financial accountability committee to review community funding. It was noted that the "Solarizing Ojai" initiative remains pending due to budget and COVID-19 impacts. The next regular meeting time was announced.
• The meeting was adjourned.