Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Arts Commission Service Recognition
- Christine Golden was honored for 14 years of service, including roles as Arts Commission Chair and CAPA Chair.
- Her tenure accomplishments included leading public art tours, overseeing the Paint Box project, and creating a mural ordinance.
- Ms. Golden accepted a commemorative plaque and delivered remarks acknowledging her contributions.
Consent Calendar
- The calendar was approved with a directive for staff to develop additional regulations regarding gas-powered landscaping equipment permits.
- Public concerns regarding safety and economic viability for commercial landscapers were noted for the equipment ban item.
- Clarification was provided that the Animal Services Agreement revision aligns the city contract with current county code.
Multi-Family and Affordable Housing Development Agreement
- A public hearing was held on a proposal for 65 units across four sites, including 25 deed-restricted affordable units.
- Extensive public comment raised concerns regarding historic preservation, traffic, water supply, and tenant displacement.
- The Council voted to remand the matter to an ad hoc committee to negotiate further with the developer on outstanding issues.
Formula Business Regulations Urgency Ordinance
- The Council adopted an urgency ordinance to prohibit tour bus parking on residential streets during special events.
- A friendly amendment was added to limit rental booth spaces in Libbey Park and review the developer's marketing plan.
- The motion to adopt the ordinance with these amendments passed.
Historic Preservation and League of Cities Items
- Staff recommended postponing the historic preservation discussion and League of Cities voting delegates due to a lack of firm deadlines.
- The Council concurred with the recommendation to delay these agenda items.
- The motion to postpone both items passed.
Formula Business Regulations Emergency Ordinance Extension
- Staff recommended extending the emergency ordinance to maintain the moratorium on new formula business regulations.
- The extension was intended to allow time for continued community outreach.
- The motion to extend the ordinance passed without public comment.
Residential Sprinklers in ADU Construction Appeal
- An appeal was filed regarding the City's failure to schedule a hearing on a requirement for sprinklers in a new ADU.
- The Council voted to continue the item to the next available date to ensure homeowner presence.
- One council member recused themselves from the vote on this matter.
Future Agenda Items and Governance Discussions
- A motion was made to place a resolution declaring Ojai a reproductive rights sanctuary city on a future agenda.
- Discussions occurred regarding codifying rules to reduce public comment time limits based on speaker volume.
- A special meeting in early August was proposed to address a referendum on ending the directly elected mayor system.
- The group discussed implementing ranked choice voting to eliminate districting, noting it would require a public vote.
Full summary
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- The meeting was called to order with a quorum present. Following a roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of the Agenda
- A motion was made to approve the agenda and seconded. The motion passed.
Presentation: Arts Commission Service Recognition
- A presentation was held to recognize Christine Golden for 14 years of service on the City's Arts Commission. Her tenure included roles as Chair of the Arts Commission, Public Art Committee Chair, and CAPA Chair. Accomplishments noted included leading public arts tours, overseeing the Paint Box project, creating a mural ordinance, and establishing the Guardian Angel program. Ms. Golden accepted a plaque and delivered remarks.
Commission Reports
- No commission reports were submitted.
General Public Comment
- The Council established a three-minute time limit for public comments. Speakers addressed various topics, including an announcement of a candidacy for City Council, updates on pickleball court demand, concerns regarding public comment time limits, library events, theater performances, the Planning Commission's stance on the cannabis industry, requests for an Active Transportation Plan update, advocacy for increased Arts Commission funding and a ban on single-use plastics, housing priorities, historic designation for the Mallory Way Houses, concerns regarding the permit process for gas-powered landscaping equipment, and inquiries regarding net units in proposed developments.
Consent Calendar
- Public comment was received regarding Item D (Ban on Gas-Powered Landscaping Equipment) and Item E (Ventura County Animal Services Agreement). Concerns regarding safety, economic viability, and permitting for commercial landscapers were raised for Item D. For Item E, clarification was requested regarding the timeline and potential for future amendments. Staff confirmed Item E was a revision to an existing five-year agreement to match county code. A motion was made to approve the consent calendar, subject to directing staff to develop additional regulations regarding the permitting process for gas-powered equipment (Item D). The motion was seconded and passed.
First Reading: Revised Animal Services Agreement
- A motion was made to conduct the first reading of the revised agreement with Ventura County Animal Services. The motion was seconded and passed.
Public Hearing: Proposed Development Agreement for Multi-Family and Affordable Housing
- The Council opened a public hearing on a proposed development agreement for 65 units across four sites: Cottages Among the Flowers, Mallory Way, World University, and a lot on South Montgomery Street. Staff presented the background, noting the proposal includes 25 deed-restricted affordable units (20 moderate income, 5 low income) with a 55-year restriction. Staff addressed historic preservation requirements, CEQA compliance, and a relocation agreement for displaced tenants. Council members inquired about government monetary assistance applicability and income limits. Public comment was extensive. Speakers raised concerns regarding water supply, traffic congestion, environmental impacts, the adequacy of affordable housing, historic preservation, and the bundling of four projects into a single ten-year agreement. Specific concerns included the potential displacement of current tenants, the removal of historic structures, the exemption from full CEQA review, and insufficient parking. Staff noted approximately 42 public comments were submitted, with the majority opposing the project. Following public comment, the Council discussed the agreement. A motion was made to deny the development agreement. This motion was seconded. A substitute motion was then proposed to direct staff to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under CEQA. This motion was seconded but subsequently failed to receive a second after further discussion. A substitute motion was then made to remand the matter to an ad hoc committee (comprised of Councilmembers Blatz and Wyrick) to negotiate further with the developer. The motion included instructions to consider issues raised during the meeting, bring in an affordable housing consultant, and address concerns regarding historic overlays, housing vouchers, relocation, and the project timeline. The motion was seconded. Vote Outcome: The motion to remand the matter to the ad hoc committee for further negotiation passed. The development agreement was not approved or denied at this time.
Urgency Ordinance for Formula Business Regulations (Mitigation Considerations for Special Events)
- The Council discussed an urgency ordinance intended to prohibit tour bus parking on residential streets during special events. A motion was made to approve the urgency ordinance as written. During discussion, a friendly amendment was proposed to limit the number of rental booths and spaces in Libbey Park and to review the developer's marketing plan. Vote Outcome: The motion to adopt the urgency ordinance, including the amendments, passed.
Historic Preservation Discussion and League of Cities Voting Delegates
- Staff recommended postponing the historic preservation discussion and the League of Cities voting delegates items due to a lack of firm deadlines. The Council concurred with the recommendation. Vote Outcome: The motion to postpone these items passed.
Extension of Emergency Ordinance on Formula Business Regulations
- Staff recommended extending the emergency ordinance continuing the moratorium on new formula business regulations to allow continued outreach. A motion was made to extend the ordinance and was seconded. No public comment was received. Vote Outcome: The motion to extend the emergency ordinance passed.
Appeal Regarding Residential Sprinklers in ADU Construction
- An appeal was filed regarding the City's failure to schedule an appeal hearing before the Buildings Appeal Board concerning a requirement for residential sprinklers in a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU). A motion was made to continue the item to the next available date to allow for the presence of the homeowners. The motion was seconded. One council member recused themselves from the vote. Vote Outcome: The motion to continue the appeal hearing passed.
Council Member Reports
- Council members provided updates on various topics, including a march for reproductive rights and suggestions to improve website instructions for locating staff reports.
City Manager's Report
- The City Manager provided updates on the Measure C Solar Project, the installation of a new City Hall sign, fee waivers for upcoming concerts, and the scheduling of future meetings regarding the General Plan Update, an Evacuation Guide, and a Chamber Mixer.
Future Agenda Items
- Reproductive Rights Sanctuary City: A motion was made to place a resolution declaring Ojai a "right-to-choose" sanctuary city on the agenda. The motion was seconded.
- Public Comment Time Limits: A discussion occurred regarding the reduction of public comment time limits when a high number of speakers sign up. A proposal was made to codify a rule automatically reducing time limits based on the number of speaker cards.
- Directly Elected Mayor Referendum: A group expressed interest in gathering signatures for a referendum to end the directly elected mayor system. A motion was made to hold a special meeting in early August to address this item. The motion was seconded.
Discussion on Ranked Choice Voting and Districting
- The meeting included a discussion regarding the potential implementation of a ranked choice voting system as a method to eliminate districting. Participants noted that such a change would require a public vote and would not take effect until the election following that vote.
Discussion on Special Meeting and Ballot Measures
- The group discussed convening a special meeting to address ballot measures to shift to an appointed mayor and to implement ranked choice voting for all five council seats. It was clarified that measures placed on the November ballot would not impact the upcoming election. One member expressed support for holding a special meeting on these issues.
Adjournment
- The meeting was formally adjourned.