City Council — 2022-01-25

Pickleball Court Dispute

• Discussion focused on the conflict regarding pickleball court locations behind City Hall and Libbey Park.
• Council members discussed moving courts to Soule Park or Chaparral versus expanding the current site.
• The Council voted unanimously to refer the issue to the Park and Recreation Commission.
• The commission is charged with gathering facts and costs without a predetermined conclusion.

Housing Development Agreement

• Staff presented a development agreement for four properties intended to provide 65 housing units.
• The project includes 25 deed-restricted affordable units with 20 moderate and 5 low-income.
• Council added direction to prioritize rentals and explore preference for current tenants.
• The agreement was referred to the Planning Commission despite expressed drought conservation concerns.

City Treasurer Appointment

• The Council addressed a vacancy for City Treasurer requiring a fill by February 21st.
• Steve Olson was appointed to fill the vacancy until the November election.
• Two applicants were considered for the role during the discussion.

Administrative and Policy Updates

• The City Manager announced an upcoming community conversation regarding police services.
• Council reviewed a clean audit report from the City Treasurer with no exceptions.
• Members discussed updating Planning Commission criteria regarding parking requirements.
• Further studies were requested to back the high-fire risk area designation with data.

• This transcript records a City Council meeting in Ojai, focusing primarily on the ongoing debate regarding pickleball court locations, a housing development agreement, and administrative appointments.

Pickleball Court Dispute

• A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the conflict over pickleball courts currently located behind City Hall/Libbey Park.
• The Issue: Residents complain about noise interfering with the Children's Memorial Garden and nearby homes, leading to restricted play hours. Pickleball players argue the sport has outgrown the current location, is successful, and deserves a permanent home with full hours and night lighting.
• Proposed Solutions: Council members and staff discussed several options, including moving the courts to Soule Park (a long-term county-owned property), Chaparral, or near the skate park. Some suggested temporary expansion at the current site using tennis courts.
• Procedural Debate: Council members disagreed on whether to handle this via an informal ad hoc committee (which had met previously) or formally through the Park and Recreation Commission.
• Decision: The Council voted unanimously to refer the issue to the Park and Recreation Commission. The charge is to gather facts, figures, and costs (e.g., regarding temporary use of tennis courts) without a predetermined conclusion, rather than making an immediate decision to move the courts.

Housing Development Agreement

• Staff presented a development agreement for four properties intended to provide housing and meet affordable housing requirements.
• Projects: The agreement covers "Cottages Among the Flowers," World University, 304 S. Montgomery Street, and Mallory Way Bungalows.
• Impact: The project aims to create 65 housing units total, with 25 deed-restricted affordable units (20 moderate, 5 low-income).
• Council Action: The motion was to refer the project to the Planning Commission.
• Stipulations: The Council added direction to prioritize units as rentals rather than sales and to explore preference for current tenants. Mayor Sticks expressed concern about water conservation during a drought, urging caution on new development, but the referral proceeded.

City Treasurer Appointment

• The Council addressed a vacancy for City Treasurer, which must be filled by February 21st.
• Candidates: Two applicants were considered: Steve Olson and Jeff Raines.
• Outcome: After a vote, Steve Olson was appointed to fill the vacancy until the November election.

Other Business

• Community Policing: The City Manager announced an upcoming community conversation regarding police services and community-based policing.
• Staff Reports: The City Treasurer presented a clean audit with no exceptions. Council members discussed updating Planning Commission criteria regarding parking requirements (CEQA) and designating the city as a high-fire risk area, requesting further studies to back these designations with data.