Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Francina, Rule, Lang, Whitman
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
Police Department Update
- Chief Newman reported two juvenile arrests and increased patrols during school dismissal and weekends.
- Rumors of robberies and organized crime were denied, with most thefts attributed to unlocked entry points.
- Residents were urged to secure their properties to prevent burglaries.
Public Works Update
- Traffic congestion at the Y intersection is caused by a Caltrans paving project, not the ATP project.
- The roadwork involves lane merging and storm drain improvements expected to last until late December.
- Caltrans is evaluating signal timing while residents are advised to use alternate routes.
Elephant Rights Ordinance
- Public comment highlighted the measure as groundbreaking for establishing rights for non-human animals.
- Council discussion noted the significance of the ordinance as the first of its kind in the nation.
- The Council voted to approve the ordinance despite suggestions to focus on local wildlife.
City Hall Campus Management and Homeless Services
- The City Manager presented options ranging from immediate relocation to allocating up to $200,000 annually for on-site supervision.
- A medium-term strategy involving the Encampment Resolution Fund Grant was discussed for transitional housing.
- The Council authorized the City Manager to proceed with strategies and budget allocations up to $200,000.
Active Transportation Program (ATP) Grant
- Staff reported 95% design completion with a June target for construction bidding to retain funding.
- Concerns regarding cost overruns and Phase 2 funding were addressed by the Ventura County Transportation Commission.
- The Council unanimously approved proceeding with both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project.
City Council-Initiated Revisions to Commission Ordinances
- New residency limits were established, capping non-resident members on seven-member commissions at three.
- Existing commissioners will be grandfathered through current terms, with new appointments aligned to council terms.
- Appointments were determined to be "at-will," requiring a majority Council vote for removal.
Mayor's Youth Council
- The Mayor proposed a volunteer-led council to engage high school students in local government.
- Public comment raised concerns about the name appearing politicized and the lack of school district involvement.
- The Council directed staff to move forward with creating the youth council in collaboration with proposed coordinators.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bart's Books. A quorum was established following a roll call of the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Francina, and Council Members Ruehl, Lange, and Whitman. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of the Agenda
- Public comment was received regarding the inclusion of a Youth Council item. A speaker requested the item be tabled, citing concerns that the Mayor had represented the city without a prior Council vote or staff report, and arguing for prioritization of housing and homelessness issues. The Mayor responded that the item sought feedback on a common program model, would be self-selected from schools with no staff time or money required, and that the City Manager had instructed notification of schools. The City Manager added that the item was placed on the agenda to allow discussion of legal and liability issues before action. A motion was made to approve the agenda with a request to move Item 4 (ATP) to follow Item 3 (Commissions) to accommodate county staff. The motion was seconded and passed.
Police Department Update
- Chief of Police Trina Newman provided an update on juvenile activity, reporting two arrests related to throwing items at individuals. Additional foot and bike patrols were deployed during school dismissal and weekends. The Chief addressed rumors of robberies and organized crime, stating no robberies had occurred and no organized crime crews were identified. Most thefts and burglaries involved entry through unlocked doors or windows; residents were urged to secure properties.
Public Works Update
- Public Works Director Lindy Palmer addressed traffic congestion at the Y intersection on Ojai Avenue, clarifying that delays were caused by a Caltrans paving project involving lane merging, curb replacement, and storm drain improvements, not the ATP project. The project is expected to continue until the end of December. Caltrans is evaluating traffic signal timing, and residents were advised that alternate routes may be utilized.
General Public Comment
- Several members of the public addressed the Council on non-agenda items, including thanks for road improvements, a request to prioritize SB 649 regarding affordable housing, corrections regarding a previously tabled valet parking item, appreciation for prioritizing City Hall campus property and homeless services, and comments on the historic nature of the current leadership.
Consent Calendar
- A motion was made to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item E (Elephant Rights Ordinance), which was pulled for separate discussion. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item E: Elephant Rights Ordinance
- Public comment was received regarding the ordinance establishing rights for non-human animals, specifically elephants. A representative from the Non-Human Rights Project described the measure as groundbreaking. A resident questioned the scope of the ordinance regarding which animals would receive rights. Council Member Rule noted the significance of the ordinance as the first of its kind in the nation. Council Member Whitman stated the topic was more appropriate for a resolution than a law and suggested focusing on local wildlife. The Council voted to approve Item E. The motion passed.
City Hall Campus Management and Homeless Services
- The City Manager presented a report on the City Hall campus, identifying safety and public health concerns regarding a growing unhoused encampment. Two approaches were outlined: immediate relocation, noted as legally difficult, or allocating resources estimated at $150,000–$200,000 annually for on-site supervision, rules, and condition improvements. A medium-term strategy involving the "Encampment Resolution Fund Grant" was discussed, which could fund transitional housing units and operating costs. Council members asked questions regarding costs, timelines, funding sources, legal requirements under Martin v. Boise, and potential sites. Public comment was received from the Ojai Homeless Task Force, the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, and various residents regarding shelter needs, garden revitalization, safety concerns, and regional approaches to homelessness. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Francina and seconded by Council Member Whitman to authorize the City Manager to move forward with strategies and budget allocations of up to $200,000 for the maintenance of the City Hall campus property, including involvement with County staff and the task force, and to return to the Council with a report. The motion passed.
Active Transportation Program (ATP) Grant for Bicycle Safety and Traffic Improvements on Maricopa Highway
- Staff presented a report on the ATP grant project for Maricopa Highway, noting design work is approximately 95% complete with a target to award the construction bid by June to retain funding. Concerns were raised regarding cost overruns, inflation, and the potential for Phase 1 costs to consume funds needed for Phase 2. Representatives from the Ventura County Transportation Commission confirmed Phase 1 funding is secured but noted Phase 2 may require additional sources. Public comment included support for safety improvements and concerns regarding cost, eminent domain, and environmental impact. Public comment continued regarding the project, with some speakers opposing it due to cost and traffic concerns, while others supported it for safety and sustainability. Council members discussed financial uncertainties, contractual obligations, and school logistics. It was noted that design revisions to Phase 1 are no longer feasible without jeopardizing funding. A motion was made to proceed with both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the ATP. A counter-motion to approve only Phase 1 and defer Phase 2 was proposed but withdrawn following staff clarification that the grant agreement likely obligates the city to proceed with both phases if Phase 1 is approved. The original motion to approve both phases was seconded and passed unanimously.
City Council-Initiated Revisions to Commission Ordinances
- The Council reviewed a staff report regarding proposed amendments to ordinances governing city commissions. Public comment addressed concerns about politicization, loss of institutional memory, and the need for continuity. Council discussion focused on commission size, non-resident member limits, appointment processes, and quorum requirements. The Council established directions for revisions:
- Residency: A maximum of three non-residents on seven-member commissions and two on five-member commissions. The Planning Commission was set at a maximum of one non-resident, with a provision to approve up to two if necessary.
- Terms and Appointments: Existing commissioners were to be "grandfathered" through current terms, expiring upon certification of the 2024 election results. New appointments would align with new council terms. For seven-member commissions, the first five seats would be appointed by district council members, and seats six and seven nominated by the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, subject to Council ratification. Term length was set at four years.
- Removal: Appointments were determined to be "at-will," requiring a motion by any council member and a majority Council vote for removal.
- Operations: Council liaison rotation was extended from three to six months. Staff was directed to ensure strict adherence to Brown Act requirements and develop a formal onboarding and training process. It was acknowledged that commissions do not have independent spending authority.
- A motion was made and seconded to direct staff to draft a revised ordinance incorporating these directions. The motion passed.
Mayor's Youth Council
- The Mayor introduced a proposal to establish a "Mayor's Youth Council" to engage high school students in local government, involving three volunteer coordinators facilitating monthly meetings. Public comment expressed concerns about the name appearing politicized, the lack of school district involvement, and residency requirements for coordinators and students. Other speakers supported the initiative as a way to engage youth in civics. Council members discussed the proposal, with suggestions that students name their own organization and focus on youth-specific issues. A motion was made and seconded to direct staff to move forward with the creation of a youth council in collaboration with the proposed coordinators. Following clarification regarding Council involvement in student selection and input from the Ojai Unified School District, the motion was declared passed.
Council Member Reports
- Council Member Rachel Lang reported on a dinner attended by council members in Sacramento. Mayor Bart's Books reported on a conference attended and noted that the peace flag was raised on Sunday. The Peace Committee members were thanked for the event.
Adjournment
- A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. During the roll call vote, the motion failed, and the Council continued with the next agenda item. Following the conclusion of the Youth Council item, the meeting was adjourned.