Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Haney, Blacks, Francina, Weirick
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Commissioner Appointment
- Item F was removed from the consent calendar due to an incomplete application form.
- Council agreed to contact the applicant to submit missing information via email or future public comment.
- A motion to approve the appointment was made, seconded, and passed.
Public Communication on Pickleball
- A resident presented usage data requesting an expansion of pickleball facilities at Libbey Park.
- Council requested the statistics be submitted in writing for the record.
- The item was noted for formal discussion at the March 3rd Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
Zone Change for 309 North Blanche Street
- Staff presented a proposal to rezone the property from Public Use to Medium Density Residential (R2).
- Council discussed water resource impacts and zoning consistency with surrounding single-family homes.
- A motion to adopt the CEQA exemption, amend the General Plan, and change the zone to R2 passed.
Police Services Contract Assessment
- Staff presented a consultant report highlighting the contract's age, high costs, and service disparities.
- Discussion covered the lack of progress on updates and concerns regarding traffic and bicycle safety.
- Council directed staff to share the assessment with county partners and formally request a prioritized update.
Active Transportation Program Design Review
- Staff presented 95% design plans for Ojai Avenue and revised Class 1 path designs for Maricopa Highway.
- Council directed staff to explore reducing curb extensions to fund improved lighting and crosswalks.
- Members instructed staff to attempt securing Caltrans approval for a separated path design while proceeding with the current option.
Maricopa Highway Design Motion
- A motion was made to proceed with the Class One design while attempting to adopt a preferred separated approach.
- The motion included a provision to eliminate off-curb parking on the north side of the highway.
- The motion failed following a roll call vote.
Parking Lot Design and Funding
- Council agreed to prioritize lighting and parking lot improvements over raised curbs.
- Members directed staff to include a left-turn pocket and consult an arborist to save two existing trees.
- The finalized design will serve as the basis for future grant applications.
Future Agenda Items and Council Reports
- The City Manager outlined upcoming topics including redistricting and skateboarding enforcement.
- Council inquired about the status of water-wise landscaping standards and Title 10 updates.
- Staff will investigate the Planning Commission's work plan and report back on next steps.
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.
Approval of the Agenda
- A motion was made to approve the agenda and was seconded. The motion passed.
Consent Calendar
- Item F (Commissioner Appointment) was removed from the consent calendar for separate discussion. A motion was made to approve items A through E and was seconded. The motion passed. Regarding Item F, Council members discussed the applicant's incomplete application form. It was agreed that the applicant would be contacted to complete the form or provide information via email or public comment at a future meeting. A motion was made to approve the appointment and was seconded. The motion passed.
Public Communication
- A member of the public presented data comparing usage statistics between tennis and pickleball courts at Libbey Park, requesting an expansion of pickleball facilities. Council members noted the request for the statistics to be provided in writing and informed the public that the pickleball item is scheduled for discussion at the March 3rd Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
Public Hearing: Zone Change and General Plan Amendment for 309 North Blanche Street
- Staff presented a report regarding a proposed zone change from Public Use (PL) to Medium Density Residential (R2) for the property at 309 North Blanche Street, formerly a Christian Science Society reading room. The applicant had originally requested High Density Residential (R3) zoning. The Planning Commission recommended R2 zoning based on compatibility with surrounding properties. Staff clarified density differences between R2 (8 units per acre), R3 (15 units per acre), and Village Mixed Use (VMU), noting differences in allowable commercial uses and height limits. Council members inquired about accessory dwelling units (ADUs), site coverage, and the neighbor notification process.
- Public comments were received from two parties. One adjacent property owner expressed concern regarding height and density implications compared to VMU, noting surrounding single-family properties, and requested the item be carried forward. The property owners presented their intent to remodel the existing structure without expanding the footprint, arguing R3 zoning is consistent with nearby multi-unit complexes, though they expressed willingness to accept R2.
- Council discussion focused on zoning consistency, the impact of state-mandated growth on water resources, and potential future development. One Council member recommended maintaining PL zoning or downzoning to R1 due to water insecurity. Other Council members supported the R2 designation, citing the applicant's current plans and the ability of the Planning Commission to enforce design and water conservation standards during subsequent design review.
- A motion was made to adopt the CEQA exemption determination, approve the resolution amending the General Plan Land Use Map from Public/Quasi-Public to Medium Density Residential, and adopt an ordinance changing the zone designation from PL to R2. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
City of Ojai and Ventura County Sheriff Agreement Update
- The Council received a report regarding an ongoing disagreement with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department concerning the city's proportional share of service levels. Staff acknowledged work done to date. The item was noted for future direction regarding potential next steps.
Police Services Contract Assessment and Update
- Staff presented a background report on the City of Ojai's police services contract with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, noting the contract dates from 1977 with a 1979 amendment and accounts for 30% to 40% of the city's budget. Staff noted formal requests for an update in 2018 and July 2020, with the contract remaining with the County Council without a specific timeline. An assessment by consultant Scott Whitney of CALSICO identified issues including the contract's age violating Government Code requirements, higher per capita costs than comparable cities, billing practices for countywide services, and a higher level of service paid for compared to unincorporated areas. The assessment also highlighted an outdated police station lease agreement.
- Discussion addressed the lack of progress on the contract update, disparities in service levels and costs, and concerns regarding traffic enforcement and bicycle safety. Public commenters emphasized the value of current patrol levels while others raised concerns about traffic enforcement gaps and the need for increased bicycle patrols. Staff clarified that the current contract does not allow the city to systematically dictate enforcement priorities.
- A motion was made to concur with the staff recommendation to receive the assessment and direct staff to share it with the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, the County CEO, the Sheriff, and other key partners, with a revised formal request to prioritize updates. The motion was amended to include dissemination to City Council members and other contract cities. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Active Transportation Program (ATP) Improvements on Maricopa Highway and Ojai Avenue
- Staff presented a report on ATP improvements covering Ojai Avenue (95% design), Maricopa Highway (35% design), and a proposed parking lot at The Meadows.
- Ojai Avenue: Staff reported the design is at 95% completion with modifications including decomposed granite at two locations, six new pedestrian crosswalks, a reduction in curb extensions from 18 to eight, and an increase in ADA ramp improvements from two to eight. Council members inquired about lighting improvements for pedestrian safety. Staff indicated no funding is currently available for lighting unless other items are removed or additional grants are secured.
- Maricopa Highway: Staff explained that the original design featuring a separated decomposed granite path was rejected by Caltrans. The revised design proposes a shared-use 10-foot path for pedestrians and bicycles, necessitating the removal of parking on the south side. To address parking loss, staff presented a proposal for a new parking lot in partnership with The Lamb Conservancy.
- Parking Lot at Ojai Valley Land Conservancy: Staff presented a preliminary design for an off-street parking lot accommodating approximately 22 vehicles, including bike racks, trees, permeable pavement, and a multipurpose trail. The estimated cost is $160,000. An optional modification to add a left-turn entry through the center median would require removing two existing oak trees and planting two new ones, adding an estimated $70,000 to the cost. Staff noted the City would be responsible for securing funding.
- Design Review and Clarifications: The meeting continued with a review of renderings for Ojai Avenue and Maricopa Highway. Council members questioned consistency in bike lane markings, curb extension dimensions, and landscaped buffers. Staff clarified that final designs would maintain consistency. Discrepancies were noted regarding the El Paseo Road intersection crosswalk, which appeared in the project summary but not in engineering plans. Staff explained the omission may have been inadvertent and confirmed the Council could request its addition.
- Discussion on Maricopa Highway focused on the safety of the Class 1 shared-use path, path width, shoulder buffers, and potential conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists. Staff noted Caltrans required buffers on both sides of the path. Questions regarding the intersection at the Y (Ojai Avenue and Maricopa Highway) were addressed, with staff explaining cyclists would be directed to utilize a new bike facility rather than making a direct right turn.
- Public Comment: Speakers expressed views on curb extensions, flashing beacons, lighting, and bike path classification. Concerns were raised regarding the safety of mixing pedestrians, cyclists, and dogs on a single Class 1 path, the need for improved lighting, tree removal, traffic congestion near schools, and parking availability. Some speakers supported the Class 1 path as a safer alternative to in-roadway lanes.
- Council Discussion:
- Ojai Avenue: Council members reached a consensus that the pedestrian crossing at the west end of El Paseo must be included. Concerns were reiterated regarding inadequate lighting at downtown crosswalks. Council members expressed a desire to explore reducing curb extensions to reallocate funds toward improved lighting and crosswalk safety. The safety of the shared-use section through the arcade was identified as a weak point. Staff confirmed a crosswalk is planned on the Mob Shop side of North Ventura. Council members directed staff to explore reducing curb extensions to fund better lighting.
- Maricopa Highway: Staff provided cost information on concrete versus asphalt for the Class 1 path. Council members expressed strong support for the Class 1 concept but raised concerns regarding path width and pedestrian conflicts. The issue of off-curb parking on the north side was discussed, with agreement that it should not be included in the final design. Staff confirmed Caltrans approved the Class 1 design and rejected a previously proposed separated pedestrian and bicycle pathway. Council members directed staff to attempt to secure approval for the separated design from Caltrans while acknowledging the Class 1 design is the current approved option.
- Decisions and Vote Outcomes: No formal motions were moved, seconded, or voted upon during the design review segments. The Council provided verbal direction to staff to: 1. Investigate the age of trees near the proposed parking lot entrance and report back. 2. Explore the feasibility of reducing curb extensions on Ojai Avenue to reallocate funds for improved lighting. 3. Attempt to secure Caltrans approval for a separated pedestrian and bicycle pathway design for Maricopa Highway, while proceeding with the Class 1 design as the current approved option. 4. Confirm the inclusion of the El Paseo pedestrian crossing and the North Ventura crosswalk in the final design.
Motion on Maricopa Highway Design
- Discussion continued regarding the Maricopa Highway bike path design, focusing on the choice between a preferred "prior" approach and the proposed Class One vertically separated design. Arguments were presented regarding traffic calming, multimodal street design, and impacts on local businesses and pedestrian safety. Concerns were raised about the environmental sensitivity of the concrete-heavy design and potential congestion. Agreement was expressed that off-curb parking should not be included in the final design.
- A motion was made to proceed with the Class One approach for the Maricopa Highway bike path. The motion included provisions to make every attempt to adopt the preferred "prior" approach if Caltrans could be persuaded to change their design, and to eliminate off-curb parking on the north side. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted. The motion failed.
Parking Lot Design and Funding
- Discussion shifted to the design and funding of the school parking lot improvements. Council members noted that funding would likely fall outside current grant allocations and suggested finalizing a design to pursue grant applications. The discussion focused on including a left-turn lane pocket to allow direct access to the parking lot without traversing church property. Concerns were raised regarding the potential removal of two trees to accommodate the left-turn pocket. It was agreed that an arborist should inspect the trees to determine if they can be saved or if alternative design options exist.
- A consensus was reached regarding the parking lot project. The Council agreed to prioritize lighting and parking lot improvements over raised curbs, potentially removing some curb extensions to fund the other items. The consensus included adding the El Paseo crosswalk, proceeding with a design that includes a left-turn pocket, and making every effort to save the two trees in question. This design would serve as the basis for future grant applications.
Future Agenda Items and Council Reports
- The City Manager provided a report on upcoming agenda items for the next meeting, including continued discussion of Maricopa Highway and parking lot items, redistricting, and enforcement regarding skateboarding and bicycles on sidewalks. The report noted the Planning Commission is scheduled to review the cannabis ordinance on March 2nd. A Council member inquired about the status of water-wise standards for landscaping and building. The City Manager indicated they would investigate the Planning Commission's current work plan regarding Title 10 updates and report back on how to proceed.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.