Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Weirick, Blatz, Francina, Haney
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
Sheriff's Department Contract and Policing Alternatives
- Staff and the Sheriff's Office presented a draft shared services agreement addressing service levels, costs, and modernization standards.
- Council discussion highlighted non-compliance with the original contract term and higher-than-average per capita billing rates.
- The Council directed the City Manager and City Attorney to continue negotiations for a contract update compliant with state statutes.
Active Transportation Program and Maricopa Highway Demonstration
- Staff reported a 125% increase in pedestrian and bicycle activity under the current Maricopa Highway demonstration project.
- The Council voted to maintain two travel lanes while directing staff to study a bi-directional bike lane on the Nordoff side.
- Additional research was authorized to extend the bike lane to Church Street and evaluate moving curbs for enhanced safety.
Right-of-Way Acquisitions and Curb Extensions
- Council members reviewed federal funding requirements and estimated costs for acquiring right-of-way for Ojai Avenue curb extensions.
- A motion passed directing staff to return with a detailed scope analysis, cost estimates, and an evaluation of existing encroachment permits.
- Remaining agenda items regarding specific curb extensions and cost breakdowns were postponed to the next meeting due to time constraints.
City Manager Report and Administrative Updates
- The Council agreed to temporarily shift meeting start times to 7:00 p.m. during the summer season beginning May 11.
- Staff reported that 82 brush clearance notices were issued by the May 1 deadline.
- Upcoming agenda items for the May 11 meeting were outlined, including budget reviews and a pest management plan.
Fire Safety Preparedness
- The Council inquired about the status of the fire safety preparedness item.
- Staff indicated the topic would likely be addressed at the meeting two sessions from the current date.
Full summary
Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The Ojai City Council meeting for May 4, 2021, was called to order by Mayor Betsy Stix. A quorum was established following a roll call. Council Member Haney led the Pledge of Allegiance. A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda; the motion passed following a roll call vote. Staff confirmed that no commission reports were scheduled.
Public Communications
- Three individuals addressed the council on general topics. Wendy Larner opposed the electrification of city vehicles and buildings and the adoption of a resolution for electric trolleys, citing concerns regarding climate models, economic impacts, and local control. Tina Mayer and Rich Anderson addressed pedestrian safety on Brown and Fulton Avenues, urging the council to prioritize funding for speed bumps and support a broader traffic calming study that includes bike lanes and roundabouts.
Sheriff's Department Contract and Policing Alternatives
- Staff and City Attorney Matt Vega presented an overview of a proposed new shared services agreement with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, noting the existing agreement dates to 1976/1980 and accounts for approximately 35-50% of the city's budget. Key points of the draft proposal included authority for the Sheriff to enforce laws, minimum service levels of two deputy sheriffs for 24-hour coverage, city rights to recommend a Chief of Police, annual reporting requirements, a five-year term with annual termination rights, and cost calculations based on population. Assistant Sheriff Chris Dunn addressed the council, explaining that a standardized base contract is being developed by a coalition of cities. He noted issues with the city's draft proposal regarding minimum service levels and rate increases, and confirmed that deputies are equipped with body-worn cameras and receive Crisis Intervention Training.
- Public comment on the contract was provided by four individuals. Angelo Haynes urged prioritization of police reform, body cameras, and unarmed crisis intervention teams. Bill Miley expressed support for the contract, citing a lack of recent reports on poor performance. Nicolette Walker advocated for public inclusion in negotiations and community investment in social issues. Andra Belknap urged the deprioritization of low-level arrests and questioned minimum service levels.
- Council discussion focused on service levels, cost transparency, and negotiation strategy. Data was presented indicating the city has not been in compliance with the original 1980 contract's five-year term stipulation since 2012. Financial analysis showed the city's per capita billing is higher than the average of other contract cities. Council members debated the feasibility of creating a local police department versus negotiating a new contract. The consensus was to continue the work of the committee, including the City Manager and City Attorney, to negotiate a contract update compliant with state statutes. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon regarding the Sheriff's contract during this portion of the meeting.
Active Transportation Program (ATP) and Maricopa Highway Demonstration Project
- Staff presented a report on the Active Transportation Program, covering the Maricopa Highway Demonstration Project and proposed improvements along Ojai Avenue. Total construction funding was updated to approximately $3.45 million. Proposed design elements for Ojai Avenue included bike lanes, sidewalk infill, and curb extensions. For the Maricopa Highway demonstration, staff reported a 125% increase in pedestrian and bicycle activity. Staff recommended removing temporary "Armadillo" delineators and replacing them with flexible bollards. An alternative "Class One" bike lane concept involving moving the curb was presented, with an estimated cost increase of $300,000 to $500,000.
- Public comment on the ATP and Go Ojai projects included support for the proposed changes to improve safety and traffic calming, as well as opposition to the reduction of travel lanes from four to two due to concerns regarding emergency evacuation and traffic backups.
Motion on Maricopa Highway Demonstration Project
- A motion was made to maintain the two-vehicle travel lanes for the demonstration project but to direct staff to study and implement a bi-directional bike lane on the Nordoff side, removing parking and impediments as needed within the existing right-of-way. A substitute motion to restore four travel lanes and remove all parking was proposed but did not receive a second and was withdrawn. The original motion was clarified to include research on extending the two-way bike lane from the Y intersection to Church Street and researching moving curbs for safety. The motion passed unanimously.
Right-of-Way Acquisitions and Curb Extensions
- Council members discussed right-of-way acquisitions and temporary construction easements required for curb extensions on Ojai Avenue, noting estimated costs of approximately $30 per square foot. Staff explained that federal funding requirements mandate specific processes for these acquisitions. A motion was made to accept the City Attorney's recommendation to continue the discussion on right-of-way acquisitions. This motion directed staff to return with a precise evaluation of the scope, including a step-by-step analysis, justification, and cost estimates, and to confirm if existing encroachment permits could resolve issues. The motion passed unanimously.
Postponement of Remaining Items
- Due to time constraints, remaining agenda items regarding specific curb extensions and further cost breakdowns were postponed to the next meeting. Council members noted the need for a detailed cost analysis to understand trade-offs between project elements.
City Manager Report and Upcoming Agenda Items
- The City Manager provided a report on administrative matters. A consensus was noted to temporarily move meeting start times from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the summer, beginning May 11. The agenda for the May 11 meeting was outlined to include budget reviews, a COVID-19 update, a demographer contract review, a "MyOjai" app demonstration, and a pest management plan review. The City Manager also reported that 82 brush clearance notices were issued by the May 1 deadline. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon regarding these items.
Fire Safety Preparedness
- A Council member inquired about the status of a fire safety preparedness item. The Mayor and City Manager indicated the item would likely be addressed at the meeting two sessions from the current date. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon regarding this item.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.