Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Francina, Rule, Lang, Whitman
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
Proclamation for Outgoing Parks and Recreation Commissioner
- The Council honored Ryan M. Firestone for eight years of service on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
- Staff highlighted his contributions to the Libbey Park renovation, Sarasota master plan, and pickleball committee.
- Mayor Stix read the official proclamation recognizing his tenure and volunteer work.
Arts Commission Grant Program
- The Arts Commission announced the availability of 2024 grant applications for nonprofits and individual artists.
- Grants are capped at $5,000 with micro-grants of $2,500 or less encouraged for local programs.
- Priority consideration will be given to proposals emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, and environmental impact.
Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget Adoption
- The Council approved a balanced $14.9 million budget prioritizing staffing, police services, and deferred maintenance.
- A $7.38 million Capital Improvement Program was funded largely by Measure C for projects like the ATP and park repairs.
- Discussion included future revenue options, sales tax increases, and establishing an RFP process for community funding.
City Manager Recruitment Process
- Staff presented a recruitment plan for an interim City Manager due to the current manager's scheduled departure.
- The Council approved a motion to interview interim candidates in a closed session to ensure privacy.
- The approved process also includes a discussion on the strategy for filling the permanent City Manager position.
Request for Indemnification of Councilmember Rule
- The Council considered a request to indemnify Councilmember Rule regarding a lawsuit over alleged confidential disclosure.
- After public comment and legal review, the Council voted to deny the indemnification request at this time.
- A subsequent motion to collectively request the plaintiffs dismiss the lawsuit resulted in a tie vote.
Rental Rate Disclosure Ordinance
- The Mayor proposed directing staff to draft an ordinance requiring rental rate transparency in new development agreements.
- The measure aims to clarify the legal definition of "affordable" housing versus market-rate units in solicitations.
- The Council voted to direct staff to draft the ordinance for future consideration.
City Manager's Report and Agenda Priorities
- Staff confirmed the cannabis lounge item remains pending but is not prioritized for the immediate upcoming meeting.
- Council members requested a separate analysis of sales tax options and a review of fossil fuel divestment in city investments.
- Discussion included potential speed limit changes under new state laws and creating a committee for homelessness grants.
Future Agenda Items
- The Mayor raised concerns about a newspaper article misinterpreting a previous resolution on Brown Act violations.
- The City Attorney advised against rescinding the resolution to avoid reopening litigation risks.
- The Council agreed to place the issue of the article and potential resolution rescission on a future agenda.
Closed Session
- The Council authorized a closed session to interview candidates for the interim City Manager position.
- The session will also include a discussion regarding the process for recruiting a permanent City Manager.
Full summary
Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The meeting was called to order by Mayor Betsy Stix, who confirmed a quorum. A roll call was conducted, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda; the motion passed. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar; the motion passed.
Proclamation for Outgoing Parks and Recreation Commissioner
- The Council presented a proclamation honoring Ryan M. Firestone for his eight years of service on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Recreation Manager Luis Gomez spoke regarding Mr. Firestone's contributions to projects including the Libbey Park playground renovation, the Sarasota master plan, and the pickleball ad hoc committee. Mr. Firestone addressed the Council, expressing gratitude and encouraging action on the commission's pickleball recommendations. Mayor Stix read the proclamation recognizing Mr. Firestone's tenure and volunteer work. A photo opportunity was held.
Commission Reports
- The Arts Commission announced that the 2024 Arts Grants application is available online. The program funds nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists for programs in Ojai, with grants capped at $5,000 and micro-grants of $2,500 or less encouraged. The application deadline is September 22 at 4:00 p.m. Priority consideration will be given to applicants emphasizing innovation, inclusivity, impact, education, mentorship, heritage, and the environment.
Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
- Public comment was opened for items not on the agenda. Speakers addressed traffic safety, requesting lower speed limits or speed bumps on Ojai Avenue and North Fulton Street. Concerns were raised regarding Arts Commission procedures, specifically alleging that assigning individual areas of responsibility to commissioners limits public input and may violate the Brown Act. Comments regarding pickleball included suggestions to utilize vacant tennis courts at Matilija Junior High School and advocacy for a city-wide 25 mph speed limit. Additional comments addressed budget transparency, tree maintenance funding, sales tax increases, and funding sources for the ATP project and deferred maintenance.
Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget Adoption and Salary Schedule Approval
- City Manager James Vega and Finance Director Ben Harvey presented the proposed budget, which is balanced at $14.9 million in revenues and expenditures. Key points included staffing and police services as the largest general fund portions, increased maintenance budgets to address deferred maintenance, and a $7.38 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funded largely by Measure C. Major CIP projects include the ATP project, paving, Sarasota Park playground equipment, and facility repairs. A $400,000 contingency fund was included. Funding for pickleball courts is included in the Parks and Recreation Commission's five-year CIP plan for years three and four.
- During the public hearing, speakers addressed the lack of direct community funding, the need for wildfire protection plan grants, requests for contract monies for resident services, concerns over unfunded liabilities, and updates on the Ojai Valley Museum. Council discussion focused on the June 30 deadline for budget approval, future revenue generation options including sales tax increases, and establishing a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for community funding requests. Council members also discussed exploring tax increases for the March 2024 election and county partnerships on homelessness.
- A motion was made to approve the budget and salary schedule. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
City Manager Recruitment Process
- Staff presented a report regarding the recruitment process for an interim City Manager, noting a tight timeline due to the current City Manager's scheduled departure. Staff recommended holding a closed session to interview interim candidates to ensure privacy and attract qualified applicants. The recommendation included a potential discussion on the process for filling the permanent position, including the possibility of hiring a recruiter. Questions were raised regarding interview formats and logistics.
- A motion was made to follow the recommended process for the recruitment of the interim City Manager, including the closed session. The motion was amended to include discussion of the permanent position process. The amended motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Request for Indemnification of Councilmember Rule
- The Council considered a request for indemnification for Councilmember Rule regarding a lawsuit filed against her individually for alleged disclosure of confidential information from a closed session. Councilmember Rule stated she acted with honest intentions and noted the District Attorney determined her violation of the Brown Act was not malicious. The City Attorney advised that the Council must determine if the actions were within the scope of employment and whether exceptions for fraud, corruption, or malice applied. The City Attorney also advised that Councilmember Rule should recuse herself from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
- Public comment was received from individuals urging the denial of indemnification, arguing the disclosure was a willful violation of the law, and others arguing the lawsuit was frivolous and indemnification was necessary to support elected officials. The attorney for the plaintiffs clarified the lawsuit was against the individual for disclosure of confidential information. Council discussion included debate on the applicability of the Tort Claims Act, the cost to taxpayers, and the precedent of indemnifying actions taken against legal advice.
- A motion was made to request that the plaintiffs drop the lawsuit. This motion was seconded. A substitute motion was subsequently made to deny the indemnification request at this time, without prejudice to future requests based on new facts or arguments. The substitute motion was seconded. The Council voted on the substitute motion to deny the indemnification request. The motion passed.
- Following the vote, a motion was made for the Council to collectively request that the plaintiffs dismiss the lawsuit. This motion was seconded. The Council voted on this motion. The vote resulted in a tie, and no action was taken. Councilmember Rule departed the meeting prior to the conclusion of this item.
Rental Rate Disclosure Ordinance
- The Mayor proposed directing staff to draft an ordinance requiring rental rate transparency for new development agreements. The intent was to clarify the legal definition of "affordable" housing versus common public understanding by requiring developers to disclose specific rental rates for deed-restricted units and to explicitly state that market-rate units have no rent restrictions. The City Attorney explained the ordinance would regulate information in solicitations and ballot materials rather than land use, noting the need to analyze First Amendment boundaries. Public comment included concerns that the ordinance could create regulatory hurdles or be redundant, while other comments supported the measure as necessary for transparency.
- A motion was made to direct staff to draft an ordinance requiring rental rate transparency for Council consideration. The motion was seconded. The Council voted on the motion. The motion passed.
Council Member Reports
- Council members reported on attendance at the Pride Walk and the Lavender Festival. Concerns were raised regarding the prioritization of unfinished staff projects, specifically the cannabis lounge item, which had not been placed on the current agenda.
City Manager's Report
- The City Manager reported on the upcoming July 11 meeting agenda, which includes the approval of an interim city manager appointment, an update on the recruitment process, and the pavement management plan. The tax options analysis was noted as ongoing but not ready for the July 11 meeting. The cannabis lounge item was confirmed as a pending item but not prioritized for the immediate meeting.
- Discussion ensued regarding the prioritization of agenda items. Council members discussed breaking down tax proposals, specifically suggesting a sales tax analysis be addressed separately and sooner. A request was made to analyze the city's investment portfolio regarding fossil fuel divestment; the City Attorney noted limitations due to state-run funds and suggested waiting to see if the state legislature adopts SB 252. A request was made to include a speed limit change discussion within the pavement management plan; the City Attorney clarified this would require a separate agenda item but noted recent state law changes may allow the Council to adopt lower speed limits without a full traffic engineering analysis in certain circumstances. A proposal was made to create a temporary city-sanctioned committee to investigate grant opportunities for homelessness services; it was agreed that directing staff on homelessness response would be a future agenda item.
Future Agenda Items
- The Mayor raised a concern regarding a newspaper article quoting the Deputy District Attorney, which the Mayor felt misinterpreted a previous Council resolution regarding Brown Act violations. The Mayor suggested rescinding the resolution to correct the record. The City Attorney advised against rescinding the resolution, noting that the Deputy District Attorney had accepted the city's prior commitment and rescinding it could reopen the possibility of litigation. The City Attorney recommended letting the matter lie. The Council agreed to place the issue of the newspaper article and potential resolution rescission on a future agenda item for discussion. No vote was taken on the matter during this meeting.
Adjournment
- The meeting was formally adjourned.