Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Weirick
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At a glance
Emergency Services Presentation
- The scheduled presentation by the Office of Emergency Services was canceled due to the presenter's unavailability.
- Staff rescheduled the item for a tentative date in December pending confirmation.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance
- Staff presented an ordinance creating a two-year pilot program for up to ten movable tiny homes per year.
- The proposal mandates specific fire-hardening standards and requires units to be accessory to primary structures.
- Council discussion covered financial implications, deed restrictions, and unit transport methods before approving the ordinance.
Redistricting Public Hearing
- Staff and a consultant presented 2020 Census data and demonstrated mapping software for the second required public hearing.
- Public comments addressed minority representation, demographic balancing, and a potential mapping error in District 3.
- The council confirmed the mandatory nature of the process under state law and encouraged continued public participation.
Fire Safe Council Grant Agreement
- The Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council presented a grant agreement requiring a $50,000 city cash match for wildfire protection planning.
- Discussion focused on fund allocation for staff time, integration with disaster plans, and potential insurance rating impacts.
- The council authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement and requested a six-month expenditure status report.
Planning Commission Work Program
- Staff presented a prioritized work list with the General Plan Update ranked as the highest priority item.
- Following public request, the council added a parking program study to the list of eight items.
- The work plan was approved by consensus to serve as a guide rather than a strict hierarchy.
Meeting Start Times and Venue
- Staff reported on current 6:30 p.m. start times held outdoors at the Libby Bowl.
- Public comment suggested earlier times to accommodate families and winter weather conditions.
- The council voted to move the regular meeting start time to 6:00 p.m. and hold closed sessions on a separate date.
Council and Manager Reports
- The Mayor reported on the upcoming 20th-anniversary Storytelling Festival.
- The City Manager noted that upcoming Disaster Council and Budget Committee meetings will be recorded.
- A request was made to distribute minutes and a year-end summary of Disaster Council activities.
Full summary
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by a staff member.
Approval of Agenda
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. The motion passed.
Presentation by Office of Emergency Services
- A scheduled presentation by Patrick Maynard, Director of the Office of Emergency Services, was not held due to the presenter's unavailability. The item was rescheduled for a tentative date in December, to be confirmed.
Commission Reports
- No commission reports were presented.
Public Communications
- Three members of the public provided comments on items not on the agenda regarding wildlife safety due to climate change, hospital temperatures, and earthquake faults with a suggestion to revisit solar microgrid discussions. One member withdrew their comment to address a specific agenda item later in the meeting. No additional comments were received via the Zoom queue.
Consent Calendar
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar. The motion passed.
Ordinance Amending Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Requirements (Tiny House Pilot Program)
- Staff presented an ordinance establishing a two-year pilot program allowing up to 10 movable tiny homes per year to be treated as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The ordinance requires units to be located in backyards, accessory to a primary structure, and meet specific fire-hardening standards, including Class A roofs and NFPA compliance. Public comment was provided regarding potential capacity charges from the Ojai Valley Sanitary District and water district bond payments. Council discussion addressed financial implications for property owners, potential deed restrictions for low-income housing, and methods for moving units (motorized transport or crane placement). A motion was made and seconded to approve the ordinance. Following a roll call vote, the motion passed.
Public Comment on COVID-19
- Dr. Halvorson provided a medical opinion on COVID-19, discussing vaccination efficacy, safety data, public health guidelines, case rates in Ventura County, and the roles of the city council versus state and public health officers regarding school vaccination requirements.
Second City Council Redistricting Public Hearing
- Staff introduced the second of four required public hearings regarding redistricting under the Fair Maps Act to receive input on "communities of interest." Gabriela Morales of Redistricting Partners presented 2020 Census data noting population deviations among current districts and demonstrated the "District R" software for public map submission. Council discussion addressed software features, anonymity, and contact information. Public comments were received regarding the efficacy of the current district system for minority representation, the need to balance demographics rather than segregate by lot size, and a request to correct a potential mapping error in District 3. Council discussion addressed the mandatory nature of the process under state law, estimated costs, and legal limitations on reducing the number of districts. The City Attorney noted a pending state Supreme Court case that might exempt small cities in the future but is unlikely to impact the current cycle. The council agreed to proceed with the redistricting process as mandated and encouraged public participation. No formal motion was moved or voted upon during this item.
Grant Agreement with Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
- Chris Dan, Executive Director of the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council, presented on a grant agreement and the city's $50,000 budget allocation. The presentation detailed two grants: a Cal Fire Fire Prevention Grant and a State Fire Assistance (SFA) Grant for a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The city's $50,000 allocation serves as the required cash match for the SFA grant. Discussion focused on the use of funds for staff time and administrative expenses, integration with the city's disaster plan, and potential impacts on insurance ratings. Concerns were raised regarding fiscal responsibility and staffing levels, countered by arguments regarding the leverage of external funding and critical safety needs. Council Member Miley moved to authorize the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council for an amount not to exceed $50,000, with a directive for staff to schedule a six-month status report on total expenditures in April 2022. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Planning Commission Work Program
- Staff presented a prioritized work list developed by the Planning Commission, with the General Plan Update elements ranked as the highest priority. Public comment requested the addition of a parking study. Council discussion addressed the operational nature of the list versus a strict hierarchy. The council agreed to add a parking program study to the list, resulting in eight items to be treated as a guide rather than a strict priority order. The work plan, including the addition of the parking study, was approved by consensus.
City Council Meeting Start Times and Venue
- Staff reported on current practices of holding meetings at 6:30 p.m. outdoors at the Libby Bowl. Public comment suggested earlier start times to accommodate families and address winter weather, while other comments noted potential conflicts with dinner routines. Discussion addressed logistical challenges regarding closed sessions and health orders. Mayor Stix moved to set the regular meeting start time at 6:00 p.m. and to hold closed sessions on a different date. Council Member Miley seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted, with one abstention, and the motion passed.
Council Member and City Manager Reports
- Mayor Stix provided a report on the upcoming 20th-anniversary Storytelling Festival. The City Manager reported on upcoming Disaster Council and Budget Committee meetings, noting they would be recorded. A request was made to distribute minutes and a year-end summary of the Disaster Council's activities.
Future Agenda Items
- No future agenda items were proposed or discussed.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.