Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Francina, Rule, Lang
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At a glance
City Manager Transition
- Mayor Stix announced the resignation of Interim City Manager Mark Scott.
- Assistant City Manager Carl Alameda was appointed as Acting City Manager pending ratification.
- Recruitment steps for the permanent City Manager position will be addressed at the November 28th meeting.
Closed Session Report
- City Attorney Harvey reported on litigation risks involving housing developments and existing city lawsuits.
- The Council directed staff to continue processing applications while maintaining dialogue with developers.
- Consideration of public employee appointments related to the City Manager was deferred to the next meeting.
City Hall Campus Master Plan Engagement
- The Ojai Valley Green Coalition presented Year One engagement findings and community themes.
- Recommendations included executing an MOU, conducting site surveys, and addressing hazardous trees.
- Council members discussed potential next steps, including a mini-grant for garden cleanup.
Commission Reports
- The Arts Commission reported finding an original painting in the encampment and approved draft commissioner criteria.
- The Historic Preservation Commission agreed to rename the proposed district to the "Ojai Civic Center Historic District."
Rental Housing Rent Disclosure Ordinance
- The Council discussed an ordinance requiring developers to disclose rent and unit details in written communications.
- A motion passed to direct staff to revise the ordinance with specific disclosure requirements proposed by the City Attorney.
- The revision includes details on income limits, unit types, and protections under the Housing Crisis Act of 2019.
Commission Structure Ordinances
- The Council discussed four ordinances standardizing terms, nomination processes, and removal procedures for commissions.
- A motion passed to adopt the ordinances with a modification striking the residency requirement for the Arts Commission.
- The changes aim to allow non-resident artists to serve while maintaining non-political appointment principles.
Local Tenant Preference Policy
- The Council discussed adopting Senate Bill 649 to establish tenant preferences for lower-income individuals.
- A motion passed to adopt the ordinance with amendments clarifying geographic scope and fair housing language.
- The policy establishes a two-step preference system prioritizing current residents and those displaced within five years.
Citywide Speed Limit Proposal
- Staff recommended hiring a consulting traffic engineer to assess streets eligible for a 25 mph limit.
- A motion passed to retain an engineer to develop an implementation plan and community outreach strategy.
- The motion included an amendment to assess enforcement strategies alongside the speed limit reduction.
Future Agenda Items
- Council members discussed preparing a "peace policy" resolution for the next regular meeting.
- An ethics workshop for the council and staff was suggested for a December meeting.
- The expiration of the Pickleball MOU on December 31st was noted for future attention.
Other Matters
- A request was made to reconsider the recording of closed sessions, but no motion was taken.
- Discussion occurred regarding the formation of a joint committee with the school board, with no immediate action.
- The inclusion of commissioners in a potential ethics workshop was deferred to a future meeting.
Full summary
Call to Order and Administrative Announcements
- The meeting was called to order by Mayor Betsy Stix. Following the roll call and Pledge of Allegiance, the Mayor announced the resignation of Interim City Manager Mark Scott and the appointment of Assistant City Manager Carl Alameda as Acting City Manager, subject to ratification at the November 28th meeting. The Council was informed that recruitment steps for the City Manager position would be considered at that future meeting.
Approval of Agenda and Consent Calendar
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda; the motion passed. A subsequent motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar; the motion passed.
Closed Session Report
- City Attorney Ben Harvey reported on the previous evening's closed session, which covered four items: anticipatory litigation regarding housing developments by Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, Ojai Bungalows LP/Greenhawk LLC/Becker Group, and Ojai Kuyama Church LLP, as well as existing litigation in Ojai v. City of Ojai. The Council directed staff and counsel to provide information on litigation risks and options, continue processing development applications without delay, and open dialogue with developers. Consideration of a fifth item regarding public employee appointments related to the City Manager was deferred to the November 28th meeting.
Presentation: Ojai Valley Green Coalition
- Representatives from the Ojai Valley Green Coalition presented the Year One Community Engagement Report for the City Hall Campus Master Plan. The presentation outlined engagement activities and identified key community themes, including connecting with nature, repurposing the Carriage House, utilizing the site for diverse activities, involving youth, extending trails, and addressing the tent encampment. Recommendations included naming the site, executing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city, conducting a site survey, addressing hazardous trees, initiating mini-projects, and determining a response to the encampment. Council members thanked the presenters and discussed potential next steps, including a possible mini-grant for garden cleanup.
Commission Reports
- Arts Commission: The Chair reported on the discovery of an original oil painting, "Love Triangle" by Vladimir Makhaev, found within the encampment, and expressed interest in having the city clean and frame the artwork. The Chair also noted the Commission's approval of draft criteria for five to seven commissioners with terms not tied to election cycles, while deferring comments on residency requirements to the relevant agenda item.
- Historic Preservation Commission (HPC): The Chair reported that the Commission agreed to rename the proposed "Local Downtown Historic District" to the "Ojai Civic Center Historic District" to better reflect the area's history.
Public Comment
- Public comment was received on various matters, including library updates, a proposed ceasefire resolution regarding the conflict in Gaza, opposition to the ceasefire resolution, and inquiries regarding council funding and Youth Council accessibility. Speakers urged the Council to adopt a ceasefire resolution immediately, citing Ojai's status as an International City of Peace, while others argued against it without the return of hostages. Additional comments addressed the need for a code of ethics, apologies for past actions, and a petition to modify the Terra Mina Historic District Ordinance to allow low-income housing.
Rental Housing Development Rent Disclosure Ordinance
- The Council discussed an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to require developers to disclose specific information in written communications regarding proposed rental housing projects. Required disclosures include anticipated maximum rents for affordable units based on state income limits, the number and type of deed-restricted units, restriction durations, and market-rate unit details. Discussion focused on clarifying income standards versus household size, accounting for unit size in rent calculations, defining the scope of "written communications," and the distinction between legal and common definitions of "affordable." Public comment was divided between supporters seeking transparency and opponents arguing the information is already available.
- A motion was made by Councilmember Rachel Lang and seconded by Councilmember Andrew Whitman to direct staff to return with a revised ordinance. The revision was to incorporate adjustments proposed by the City Attorney, including requirements for disclosing anticipated maximum rents, applicable income limits for specific household sizes, unit types, bedroom counts, occupancy limits, restriction periods, and information regarding units protected by the Housing Crisis Act of 2019. The motion also authorized staff to determine if minimum income components should be included. The motion passed.
Ordinances Modifying Commission Structures
- The Council discussed four ordinances modifying the structure of the Planning, Historic Preservation, Arts, and Parks and Recreation Commissions. Proposed changes included standardized four-year terms, a nomination process involving the Mayor, a rotating Council member, and the commission chair, and the elimination of residency requirements for quorum calculations. A process for commissioner removal was also established.
- Discussion focused on residency requirements, particularly for the Arts Commission, with requests to strike the requirement for a majority of residents to allow for non-resident artists. The Council also discussed the principle of non-political appointments. A motion was made to adopt the ordinance with a specific modification to the Arts Commission section: striking the sentence requiring a majority of the commission to be city residents. The motion was seconded and passed.
Local Tenant Preference Policy for Affordable Housing
- The Council discussed an ordinance adopting Senate Bill 649 to establish a tenant preference policy for lower-income individuals in areas experiencing displacement pressures. The policy covers the city limits and the sphere of influence. Discussion addressed the geographic scope, fair housing litigation risks, and selection criteria.
- A motion was made to adopt the ordinance with amendments. The amendments clarified that residency evidence applies to the sphere of influence, replaced "affordable housing opportunities" with "fair housing" regarding alternative tenant selection plans, and established a two-step preference system: first priority for current residents of the area of interest or sphere of influence, and second priority for persons who work in the area or were displaced from it within the past five years. The motion was seconded and passed.
Proposed 25 Miles Per Hour Citywide Speed Limit
- Staff presented a report on state laws allowing for lower speed limits in specific zones and recommended hiring a consulting traffic engineer to assess eligible streets, develop an implementation plan, and create a community outreach strategy. Discussion covered the benefits of a citywide 25 mph limit, enforcement concerns, and the need for an engineering study to ensure legal compliance.
- A motion was made to retain the services of a consulting traffic engineer to identify eligible streets, prepare recommendations, and develop a community outreach plan. The motion included an amendment clarifying the goal of a 25 mph citywide limit (or lower where appropriate) and including an assessment of enforcement strategies. The motion was seconded and passed.
Councilmember Reports and Future Agenda Items
- Council members provided reports on the Film Festival and the Help of Ojai board meeting. The City Manager reported on an emergency preparedness meeting and the volume of public meetings attended by staff. Discussion ensued regarding future agenda items, including a proposed "peace policy" resolution and a code of ethics for the council and staff. It was suggested that the peace resolution be prepared for the next regular meeting and that an ethics workshop be scheduled for a December meeting. The expiration of a Pickleball MOU on December 31st was also noted.
Other Matters
- Recording of Closed Sessions: A request was made to place the recording of closed sessions back on the agenda for future reconsideration. No motion was made, seconded, or voted upon.
- Establishment of the 2-2 Committee: Discussion occurred regarding the initiation of a joint committee between two city council members and two school board members. It was suggested that a future agenda item be used to select the council members before extending invitations. No motion was made, seconded, or voted upon.
- Ethics Protocol/Workshop Special Meeting: A question was raised regarding whether commissioners should be invited to a potential ethics workshop. It was agreed to bring the matter forward for discussion at a future meeting. No motion was made, seconded, or voted upon.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.