Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Haney, Blatz, Francina, 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
Recognition of Kathy Nolan
- The Council presented a plaque to honor Kathy Nolan's 12 years of service on the Planning Commission.
- Mayor Stix highlighted her leadership on the Complete Streets policy and landscape standards.
- Nolan accepted the award and emphasized the importance of community engagement in her remarks.
Ratification of Commission Appointments
- Staff presented four appointments to the Historic Preservation and Parks and Recreation Commissions.
- Public comment was received in support of the nominees, with two appointees introducing themselves.
- The Council voted to approve the ratification of all four appointments.
Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Adoption
- The proposed $13.4 million balanced budget prioritizes deferred maintenance and rebuilding emergency reserves.
- A motion passed to adopt the budget while separating the Ojai Valley Museum funding into a reserve draw.
- Remaining community organization funding was deferred to the Budget and Finance Committee for detailed review.
Reach Code Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations
- The Committee recommended eliminating most exemptions to require new buildings to be "electric ready."
- A motion to remove all exemptions failed, but a subsequent motion to retain only affordable housing and hardship exceptions passed.
- The adopted resolution requires all new construction to be electric ready with limited specific exceptions.
CalPERS Retired Annuitant Position
- The City Manager requested approval to hire retired administrator Lindy Moore Palmer for specific projects.
- Council confirmed the part-time position would not include compensatory time or additional benefits.
- The motion to appoint Ms. Palmer and amend the salary schedule passed.
Special Housing Overlay Request
- The American Legion requested a Special Housing Overlay for a property at 801 East Ojai Avenue.
- The Council voted to indicate interest in the overlay pending a concept review and Planning Commission presentation.
- The approved motion includes a waiver of fees for the non-profit applicant.
Council and City Manager Reports
- Council members reported positive progress on ongoing mediation efforts.
- The City Manager noted concerns regarding tour bus parking and noise at the recent Lavender Festival.
- Staff is preparing a report on event management and installing permanent sound monitoring equipment.
Discussion on Additional Reach Codes
- Council discussed the potential creation of additional Reach Codes for construction practices and remodels.
- Members expressed a need to gather data before amending policies or reconvening an ad hoc committee.
- The Chair concluded the discussion without a formal motion, designating it as a future agenda item.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The meeting was called to order by Mayor Betsy Stix, who confirmed a quorum was present. A roll call was conducted, and all council members were present.
Approval of the Agenda
- A motion was made to approve the agenda and seconded. The motion passed upon a roll call vote.
Presentation of Plaque to Kathy Nolan
- The Council presented a plaque to Kathy Nolan in recognition of her 12 years of service to the City's Planning Commission. Mayor Stix acknowledged Nolan's work as Chair of the Complete Streets and Landscape Committees, noting her contributions to the Complete Streets policy, the water-efficient landscape ordinance, and landscape standards. Nolan accepted the plaque and addressed the Council regarding her volunteer service and the importance of community engagement. Several Council members offered remarks expressing gratitude for her service. A group photograph was taken.
Public Communications
- The Council received public comments on items not on the agenda. Speakers included Anson Williams, who announced his candidacy for Mayor; Wendy Larner and Tim Kraut, who requested evening lighting and additional courts for pickleball; Jill Dolan, who promoted an upcoming theater production; Leslie Rule, who argued against placing new pickleball courts at Soule Park due to accessibility and traffic concerns; and Brenda Kraut, who advocated for converting underutilized tennis courts at Libbey Park. City Manager James Han noted that the Recreation Commission has formed an ad hoc committee to review pickleball issues, with recommendations expected soon.
Consent Calendar
- A motion was made to approve the consent calendar and seconded. The motion passed upon a roll call vote.
Ratification of Commission Appointments
- The City Manager presented a staff report regarding the ratification of four commission appointments: Gina McCattin and Jenny Pribor to the Historic Preservation Commission, and Susie Taylor and Nelson Walker to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Public comment was received in support of the reappointments. Gina McCattin and Nelson Walker introduced themselves; Jenny Pribor was unable to speak due to technical difficulties, and Susie Taylor was not present. A motion was made to approve the appointments and seconded. The motion passed.
Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Adoption and Community Funding
- The City Manager presented the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23, which is balanced at $13.4 million. Key priorities included deferred maintenance, restoring service levels, continuing priority projects, and rebuilding emergency reserves. The general fund reserve is projected to increase to 36%. A record $10 million was proposed for Capital Improvement Projects, funded largely by Measure C. Additionally, $151,000 was allocated for community organization funding, though 13-14 applications totaling over $340,000 were received.
- Public comment was received from representatives of the Ojai Valley Museum, the Chamber of Commerce, the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, and the Ojai Community Farmers Market regarding funding requests and sustainability initiatives.
- Regarding the adoption of the budget, a proposal was made to separate the approval of the general budget from the decision on community organization funding. The City Manager recommended adopting the budget as proposed and deferring the specific allocation of community organization funds to a future meeting to allow for a detailed review of applications.
- Subsequently, a motion was made to approve the budget with two adjustments: moving $60,000 for the Ojai Valley Museum into a separate line item funded by a draw on reserves, and keeping the remaining community organization funding at $151,000 to be referred to the Budget and Finance Committee for detailed evaluation. The motion was seconded. Following a roll call vote, the motion passed.
Reach Code Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations
- The City Manager presented recommendations from the Reach Code Ad Hoc Committee regarding the city's building code for energy usage. The current code requires new construction to be all-electric with specific exemptions. The Ad Hoc Committee recommended eliminating most exemptions, requiring all new buildings to be "electric ready" unless a property owner demonstrates hardship, while retaining exemptions only for freestanding ADUs and affordable housing.
- Public comment was received from residents and committee members. Some speakers argued against removing exemptions, citing concerns about energy reliability and costs, while others urged the removal of all exemptions, arguing that all-electric construction is the most cost-effective approach.
- During council discussion, a motion was made to amend the Reach Code to remove all exemptions, including those for freestanding ADUs and affordable housing, with a provision for staff to investigate hardship cases. This motion was seconded but failed for lack of a second.
- Subsequently, a motion was made to require all new construction to be "electric ready," with the only exceptions being affordable housing and hardship exemptions. This motion was seconded. The motion passed.
CalPERS Retired Annuitant Position
- The City Manager presented a request to hire Lindy Moore Palmer, a retired public works administrator, as an extra part-time employee to assist with specific projects. The presentation explained the CalPERS requirement for City Council approval of the appointment and salary schedule for retired annuitants returning to work. Council members confirmed that the position would not include compensatory time or other benefits. A motion was made to accept the recommendation, adopt the resolution amending the salary schedule, and appoint Ms. Palmer. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Request to Apply Special Housing Overlay (SPL) to 801 East Ojai Avenue
- The City Manager presented a request from the American Legion to apply a Special Housing Overlay (SPL) to a property at 801 East Ojai Avenue to facilitate affordable housing development. Three options were presented: take no action, provide feedback while leaving the applicant to follow the standard process, or direct the Planning Commission to review the application to expedite the process. Public comment was received advocating for an expedited review and a waiver of fees due to the non-profit status of the property owner.
- A motion was made to require the applicant to submit the correct forms and pay standard fees before further action. This motion was seconded. A competing motion was made to indicate interest in an SPL overlay zone pending a basic concept review with minimized staff time, a presentation to the Planning Commission, and a waiver of fees. This motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Council Member and City Manager Reports
- Council members reported on ongoing mediation efforts, noting positive progress. The City Manager provided updates on upcoming community events, including Independence Day festivities, the Sterling Concert Series, and a new community film series. Concerns were raised regarding the recent Lavender Festival, specifically issues with tour bus parking, noise levels, and intensity of use in Libbey Park. The City Manager noted that permanent sound monitoring equipment is being installed and that a report on event management and tour bus restrictions is being prepared for a future agenda item. Council members discussed the need for a tour bus management plan and interim enforcement measures. No formal motions were taken on these items.
Discussion on Additional Reach Codes
- Discussion centered on the development of additional "Reach Codes" regarding construction practices and remodels. A speaker proposed reconvening an ad hoc committee to address these codes using a "bottom-up" approach. Another member expressed willingness to participate but noted uncertainty regarding the specific motion, emphasizing the need to gather data before amending policies. The Chair intervened to conclude the discussion, stating that the matter would be addressed as a future agenda item. No formal motion was moved, seconded, or voted upon.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.