Meeting Summary
Present: Blatz, Francina, Haney, Stix, Weirick
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
Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts
- The Arts Commission presented the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award to Barbara Hirsch.
- Hirsch was recognized for her advocacy, board service, and contributions to the Municipal Art Collection.
- She accepted the award and delivered remarks thanking the Council and Commission.
Ojai Unified School District Update
- Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Morse reported steady enrollment and a return to in-person attendance for 75% of students.
- The district presented a stable budget with doubled reserves and outlined facility improvements including a new pool plan.
- Updates included the $45 million Measure K bond, a Nordoff campus master plan, and a new library partnership at Miners Oaks.
MyOjai Smartphone App
- Staff demonstrated the new "MyOjai" app for submitting service requests with photos and tracking status.
- Council members inquired about emergency use, transit ticketing integration, and repair timeline tracking.
- Staff clarified the app is not for emergencies and confirmed internal tracking capabilities for budgetary decisions.
COVID-19 Update and Executive Orders
- Staff noted Ventura County is approaching Yellow Tier thresholds with a state reopening plan for June 15.
- The Council voted to lift six executive orders effective June 15, contingent on state restrictions being lifted.
- Eviction moratoriums were retained for future consideration while allowing the City Manager to grant limited extensions.
Budget Workshop
- Staff presented a draft budget projecting $10.5 million in revenues and a $150,000 shortfall.
- Proposed expenditures include restoring vacant positions, increasing police costs, and funding General Plan updates.
- Public comment requested increased park and tree maintenance, which staff noted would be addressed in the next workshop.
Community Organization Funding Requests
- Representatives from the Museum, Fire Safe Council, and Chamber of Commerce presented funding requests totaling $100,000.
- Council members debated the appropriateness of funding these requests given the current budget deficit.
- The Council voted to receive and file the requests, deferring a decision until the budget review is complete.
Redistricting Consulting Services
- Staff recommended contracting with Redistricting Partners for demographic consulting services required by law.
- The timeline includes establishing a website by June 1 and adopting a final map by April 2022.
- The Council approved the service agreement for an amount not to exceed $70,000.
Council Member and Staff Reports
- The Mayor Pro Tem reported on Oxnard's waste diversion decision and requested a follow-up on VMU zoning.
- A Council Member promoted Emergency Preparedness Day and thanked staff for the recent Arbor Day event.
- The City Manager noted the start of zebra crossing removals and public interest in preserving some as artifacts.
Historical Artifacts and Upcoming Agenda
- Discussion occurred regarding retaining historical artifacts for potential use in a centennial time capsule.
- The tentative agenda for the May 25th meeting includes a second budget workshop and General Plan finalization.
- No formal motions were made or votes taken on these items.
Pride Month Declaration
- The City Clerk reported a request from the Diversity Collective to declare June as Pride Month.
- No motion was moved, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
ATP Demonstration Project and Parking Configuration
- Staff clarified the project involves an immediate phase to widen parking spaces and a longer-term bike lane analysis.
- No formal motions were made or votes taken on these items.
Community Forest Management Plan
- A council member inquired about the scheduling of the Community Forest Management Plan update review.
- Staff confirmed a draft was received and a future meeting would be scheduled to move the item forward.
Full summary
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- The meeting was called to order with a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The City Clerk made a statement regarding the need for civil discourse and cooperation following the previous week's meeting.
Approval of the Agenda
- A motion was made to approve the agenda and was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Presentation: Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts
- The Arts Commission Chair presented the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts to Barbara Hirsch. The presentation detailed Hirsch's advocacy for the arts in Ojai, including her service on various boards, work with Operation Picasso, and contributions to the Municipal Art Collection. Barbara Hirsch accepted the award and delivered remarks thanking the Council and the Arts Commission.
Presentation: Ojai Unified School District Update
- Dr. Tiffany Morse, Superintendent of the Ojai Unified School District, presented an update on the district's status. Key points included steady enrollment, a return to in-person attendance for 75% of students, and a stable budget with doubled reserves. Facilities updates covered a mural at the Matilla Hub, basketball court improvements, and plans for a disc golf course. The presentation addressed the $45 million Measure K school bond, a master plan for the Nordoff campus, and planning for a new pool. Student and family services highlighted mental health support, technology distribution, the Family Fund program, and community partnerships, including a joint project with the Ventura County Library system to establish a public library at Miners Oaks Elementary School.
Commission Reports
- No commissioners were scheduled to provide reports.
Public Communications
- No members of the public were scheduled to speak during this segment.
Consent Calendar
- A motion was made to approve the consent calendar and was seconded. Prior to the vote, a member of the public provided comments regarding the allocation of reserve funds for legal representation in the Ventura River Watershed adjudication, expressing dissatisfaction with the City of Ventura's involvement and criticizing local planning decisions. Following the public comment, a roll call vote was conducted, and the motion to approve the consent calendar passed.
Discussion Item: MyOjai Smartphone App
- Staff presented the launch of the "MyOjai" citizen request management application, developed in partnership with GoGov. The presentation included a demonstration of features allowing residents to submit service requests with photos and location data, track status, and receive push notifications. The system includes a web-based portal and mass alert capabilities. Council members asked questions regarding time-sensitive situations, integration with public transit ticketing, and repair timeline tracking. Staff clarified that the app is not for emergencies, that transit ticketing is not yet available but is being explored, and that the system provides internal tracking data for response times and budgetary decisions. Security measures, including the ability to block abusive IP addresses, were also discussed.
COVID-19 Update and Executive Orders
- Staff presented an update on the city's pandemic status, noting Ventura County remains in the Orange Tier but is approaching Yellow Tier thresholds. Staff outlined differences in restrictions between tiers regarding gathering sizes and venue capacities, and noted the state's plan to fully reopen the economy on June 15, subject to vaccine availability and case rates. City Hall remains open by appointment through June 15, with plans to reopen to the general public on June 16 with safety measures. Council and Commission meetings are currently virtual but planned to transition to a hybrid format starting June 16. Updates on upcoming events confirmed that "Art in the Park" and outdoor markets are permitted under current guidelines. The Fourth of July parade awaits Caltrans encroachment permits. The Sterling concert series is scheduled for July 17, the Music Festival was postponed to September, and Ojai Day is being planned as a scaled-down event. The vaccine clinic at Nordoff was extended through May 22.
- Regarding executive orders, staff recommended reviewing which orders to maintain or lift in anticipation of the June 15 state reopening. A motion was made to direct the City Manager to lift Executive Orders 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 effective June 15, while retaining Executive Orders 2001 and 2004 (eviction moratoriums) for future consideration. The motion included provisions to notify affected businesses and the public and to empower the City Manager to grant limited, case-by-case extensions. The motion was amended to include a phased approach at the City Manager's discretion and to condition the lifting of orders on the state actually lifting its restrictions on June 15. The amended motion was seconded. The Council voted on the motion, and it passed.
Budget Workshop
- Staff presented the first budget workshop for the fiscal year, outlining a strategy to restore service levels reduced during the pandemic. The proposed budget projects revenues of $10.5 million, below pre-pandemic levels but higher than the current fiscal year. Revenue projections were detailed for property tax, hotel tax, sales tax, and cannabis tax. Staff noted impacts from deferred property tax payments and expected recovery in hotel and sales tax revenues. The budget includes an anticipated $650,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding. Expenditures include the restoration of vacant positions, reinstatement of the $100,000 prepayment for retiree medical benefits, a 5% increase in police costs, increased PERS rates, and one-time expenses for the General Plan update, Housing Element update, and redistricting. A $200,000 contingency fund was included. The draft budget shows a $150,000 shortfall. Staff noted a recent redistricting bid was lower than budgeted, potentially creating savings of $25,000 to $30,000. The next workshop will focus on Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and Measure C funding. During public comment, a citizen requested restoration of funding for park maintenance, tree maintenance, and community outreach. Staff responded that tree maintenance levels are proposed to increase in the next workshop, with costs largely covered by Measure C funds. No motions were made or voted on regarding the budget during this segment.
Community Organization Funding Requests
- Representatives from the Ojai Valley Museum, the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council, and the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce presented requests for city funding.
- The Ojai Valley Museum requested $50,000 for fiscal year 2022, detailing reopening efforts, safety measures, and collaboration on the city's 100th anniversary.
- The Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council requested $50,000 to support wildfire risk mitigation, including a grazing program and pursuit of a CAL FIRE grant.
- The Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce discussed its second year of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city, efforts to support local businesses, and the formation of the Ojai Digital Media Alliance.
- Council members debated the city's financial position and the appropriateness of funding these requests given the current budget deficit. A motion was made to receive and file the funding requests, deferring a decision until the budget review was complete and all financial information was available. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Redistricting Consulting Services
- Staff presented a recommendation to contract with Redistricting Partners for demographic consulting services related to the legally required redistricting process following the release of new census data. The City Manager explained the timeline includes contracting immediately, establishing a website by June 1, receiving census data by September 30, holding public hearings, and adopting a final map by April 2022. Redistricting Partners noted the process is legally mandated regardless of ongoing litigation regarding at-large voting systems. They clarified that existing council members would need to reside in new district boundaries to run for re-election in 2024. Council members expressed frustration with the cost and legal requirements but acknowledged the lack of alternatives. A motion was made to approve the service agreement with Redistricting Partners for an amount not to exceed $70,000. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Council Member Reports
- The Mayor Pro Tem reported on a decision by the City of Oxnard to divert solid waste to a private facility, citing environmental and traffic concerns. He also noted the need to finalize a lease rate for the Sheriff's Department and requested a follow-up on the review of the VMU zoning classification.
- A Council Member promoted Emergency Preparedness Day on May 27 at Libbey Park and thanked staff for the recent Arbor Day event.
- The City Manager reported that the removal of zebra crossings had begun as part of the demo project modifications and noted public requests to preserve some as historical artifacts.
Historical Artifacts and Upcoming Council Agenda
- Discussion occurred regarding the retention of historical artifacts, specifically mentioning PB, Harmon Zuckerman, and David Ensign, for potential use in future projects such as a centennial time capsule. The tentative agenda for the May 25th Council meeting was outlined, including a second budget workshop focused on CIP and Measure C, finalization of the General Plan vision and guiding principles, a request regarding the pesticide management program, and a COVID-19 update. No formal motions were made or votes taken on these items.
Pride Month Declaration
- The City Clerk reported receiving a contact from the Diversity Collective requesting a declaration of June as Pride Month to support the LGBTQ community. No motion was moved, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
ATP Demonstration Project and Parking Configuration
- Clarification was sought regarding the final decision on parking changes for the ATP demonstration project. It was explained that the project involves two phases: an immediate phase to widen parking spaces from eight feet to nine and a half feet, and a longer-term phase involving the analysis and potential removal of parking spaces to accommodate a two-way bike lane. No formal motions were made or votes taken on these items.
Community Forest Management Plan
- A council member inquired about the scheduling of the Community Forest Management Plan update review. It was stated that a draft from the consultant was received shortly before the meeting and would be reviewed, with a future meeting scheduled to move the item forward. No formal motions were made or votes taken on this item.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned. No motions were made or votes taken.