Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Haney, Blatz, Francina, Weirick
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At a glance
Recognition of Brian and Lisa Berman
- The Council presented a proclamation honoring the Bermans for their peace-building contributions in the Ojai Valley.
- The proclamation acknowledged their upcoming relocation to Poland to assist Ukrainian refugees.
- The Bermans addressed the Council regarding their local history and future humanitarian plans.
Cannabis Consumption Lounges
- Staff proposed allowing up to three indoor-only lounges within M1 industrial zoning districts with strict operational limits.
- Council members debated zoning locations, safety regulations, and the timing of the decision relative to the upcoming election.
- The Council voted to defer the decision until January to allow the newly elected council to review a revised staff report.
Events Mitigation Outcomes and Special Event Policy
- Staff presented a new policy centralizing applications and implementing real-time sound monitoring to mitigate noise and traffic.
- The policy includes a 75-exhibitor cap for Libbey Park festivals and a moratorium on new large-scale events.
- The Council approved the Special Events Policy as recommended by staff.
Winter City Council Meeting Schedule
- Staff recommended canceling regular meetings on Election Day, Thanksgiving week, and Christmas week.
- Council members confirmed that critical items like the Building Code Update would be addressed in other scheduled sessions.
- The Council voted to cancel the meetings on November 8, November 22, and December 27.
City of Ojai Internship Program Modification
- Staff recommended expanding the internship program to include high school-aged students alongside college students.
- Amendments were adopted to remove the 30-unit requirement, driver's license mandate, and specific degree restrictions.
- The Council passed a resolution modifying the program to increase accessibility for younger participants.
Holy Cross Daycare Closure and Ojai Unified School District Collaboration
- A Council member proposed agendizing a discussion on collaborative actions with the school district regarding the daycare closure.
- Members expressed willingness to facilitate a meeting with the school board to address community concerns.
- No formal motion was taken on this item during the meeting.
Closed Session
- The City Attorney reported that the Council would convene in closed session to discuss anticipated litigation.
- No reportable action was expected to result from the closed session discussion.
Full summary
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- The meeting was called to order, a quorum was established following a roll call, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of the Agenda
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Recognition of Brian and Lisa Berman
- The Council presented a proclamation recognizing Brian and Lisa Berman for their contributions to promoting peace in the Ojai Valley, including work with the International Day of Peace, community listening circles, peace vigils, and Peace Poles. The proclamation noted their upcoming relocation to Poland to assist Ukrainian refugees with the One Humanity Institute. Brian and Lisa Berman addressed the Council regarding their history in Ojai, their peace-building work, and future plans. No formal motion or vote was taken on this item.
Commission Reports
- No reports were submitted by the commissions.
Public Communications
- Several members of the public addressed the Council on items not on the agenda:
- Sean Higdon spoke regarding the closure of Holy Cross Preschool and the resulting childcare crisis, urging support for Recreation Department programming expansion and a comprehensive review involving the library and school district. Council Member Blatz responded that discussions on expanding programming are ongoing, noting staffing and licensing as significant hurdles.
- Leslie Rule announced a League of Women Voters forum for Council members scheduled for October 20th and stated her candidacy for District 1.
- Robin Gerber addressed public service ethics regarding a previous meeting where the Mayor advocated for an exception to the electric landscape equipment ordinance for gas-powered chainsaws. The Mayor clarified the exception was considered for trees larger than 14 inches in diameter.
- Ron Solorzano, Regional Librarian, provided an update on library programming, including a CSU Channel Islands lecture series, a "One County One Book" discussion, and events with California Lutheran University.
- Karina requested an update on the speed study for Drown Avenue due to safety concerns.
Consent Calendar
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar. The motion passed unanimously.
Cannabis Consumption Lounges
- Staff presented a report proposing to allow up to three cannabis lounges within M1 (industrial/manufacturing) zoning districts. The proposal outlined on-site consumption (smoking, vaping, edibles) with no take-out, limiting licenses to three existing dispensaries, restricting locations to the M1 zone, requiring indoor-only operations with odor control, and setting operating hours from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The proposal included safety plans and guest registration but no membership fee requirement.
- Council members questioned the rationale for not expanding the zone to the East End, consultation with neighbors outside the M1 zone, regulations on non-infused food and intoxication monitoring, separation of dispensary and lounge areas, cannabis tax revenue, and federal banking restrictions.
- Public comment was received from representatives of Shangri-La and Sespe Creek Collective, who advocated for approval, arguing for commercial zones over industrial zones, removal of signage restrictions, and allowance of ancillary cultivation. Other speakers, including property managers and business owners near existing dispensaries, expressed concerns regarding safety, liability, traffic, parking, and impaired driving. Additional speakers supported legalization to destigmatize use and provide a safe environment, suggesting extended hours and non-infused food allowances.
- Council discussion focused on zoning, operational regulations, and the timing of the decision. Members debated proceeding immediately versus deferring to the newly elected council in January, considering the upcoming election. Concerns were raised regarding the placement of lounges in industrial zones versus commercial zones.
- A motion was made to defer the decision on the cannabis lounge ordinance until January, when the new council is seated. The motion proposed that the current council not accept the staff report in its current form, provide written feedback to staff regarding desired substantive changes, and have staff present a revised report to the new council. The motion was seconded. The motion to defer the decision passed.
Events Mitigation Outcomes and Special Event Policy
- Staff presented a report on the city's event policies, aiming to balance Ojai's character as an event community with the need to mitigate negative impacts. Data compared event numbers from 2019 to the current year, noting consistent major park festivals, a slight increase in commercial Libbey Bowl events, and a significant increase in community events attributed to previous fee waiver policies.
- Staff presented a new Special Events Policy designed to centralize applications and address concerns regarding noise, traffic, and crowding. The policy included a centralized application process, on-the-ground staff presence, real-time sound monitoring with automated alerts for decibel levels exceeding 70 dB, a cap of 75 exhibitors for Libbey Park festivals, and a moratorium on new large-scale festivals. Specific details regarding the upcoming Ojai Day were provided, including the 75-exhibitor limit, a focus on local businesses and disaster preparedness, and plans for an "Ojai Night" after-hours event.
- Discussion focused on the definition of "legacy festivals," with Council members expressing concern that the term could allow events to change character. Staff clarified that legacy events must be operated by a 501(c)(3) or other non-profit entity and adhere to exhibitor limits. The Lavender Festival was cited as an example where ownership changes had altered the event's character; staff noted organizers are working to meet the non-profit requirement. Discussion also covered vendor limits, traffic mitigation strategies including tour bus parking locations, the inability to force school district cooperation for parking, and the need for a dedicated budget for Ojai Day.
- A motion was made to approve the attached Special Events Policy as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded. The vote passed.
Winter City Council Meeting Schedule
- Staff recommended canceling regular City Council meetings scheduled for November 8 (Election Day), November 22 (Thanksgiving week), and December 27 (Christmas week). Staff noted the Building Code Update would be addressed through a Building Appeals Board review and the adoption of a "holdover" building code, scheduled for October 25 and December 13 meetings. A special meeting was noted for October 18.
- Council members discussed the impact of cancellations on the Building Code Update and confirmed no other critical items required a November meeting. A motion was made to cancel the meetings on November 8, November 22, and December 27. The motion was seconded. The vote passed.
City of Ojai Internship Program Modification
- Staff presented a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission to modify the City's internship program to allow high school-aged students to participate, as the current program is limited to college students. Staff confirmed insurance and liability reviews found no barriers to expansion.
- Council members discussed eligibility criteria, including the requirement for a "public service" degree, the 30 college unit requirement, and the valid driver's license requirement. Staff agreed to clarify the degree requirement to allow any degree or certificate and to remove the 30-unit and driver's license requirements to increase accessibility.
- A motion was made to adopt the resolution modifying the internship program with amendments: expanding eligibility to include any accredited college or continuing education; clarifying that any degree or certificate is acceptable; removing the 30 college unit requirement; removing the valid driver's license requirement; and ensuring the minimum hour requirement is consistent for high school students. The motion was seconded. The vote passed.
Council Member Reports
- Council members provided updates on various activities, including the installation of a new County Supervisor, the completion of 77 affordable housing units in Fillmore, community feedback on speeding and street paving, plans to survey residents on cannabis issues, the Ojai Studio Artists event, and a Planning Commission meeting concerning a housing overlay for the Legion property. A resident raised concerns regarding the potential impact of the overlay on existing small businesses, which staff clarified was a framework for future design incorporating existing activities.
City Manager's Report
- The City Manager reported on the launch of the community disaster guide, noting an electronic version is available and printed copies will be distributed at Ojai Day, followed by distribution to local businesses and hotels. The report addressed a resident inquiry regarding street paving on Drown Street, confirming funding has been set aside for a design study with meetings planned after the election. A question was raised regarding potential water pollution on the Adamson property; staff indicated this is under discussion by the Planning Commission and will be revisited in November.
Holy Cross Daycare Closure and Ojai Unified School District Collaboration
- A council member discussed the closure of the Holy Cross daycare and proposed agendizing a discussion on potential collaborative actions with the Ojai Unified School District to address community pressure. The proposal included seeking a meeting with the school board. Another council member expressed willingness to assist, noting existing contact with a school board member and parents organizing on the issue. No formal motion was moved, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Closed Session
- The City Attorney reported that the council would convene in closed session to consider one item regarding anticipated litigation involving facts and circumstances not yet known to potential plaintiffs. The City Attorney stated that no reportable action was expected from the closed session. The meeting proceeded to closed session. No vote was taken on this item.