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
Arts Grant Awards Ratification
- The Council discussed the Arts Commission's recommendation to award nearly $30,000 in grants selected by an ad hoc committee.
- Concerns were raised regarding the transparency of the selection process and the acceptance of late applications.
- The Council failed to reach the required three affirmative votes to approve the awards due to abstentions and calls for review.
- The item was continued to a future meeting for further analysis and discussion.
Arts Grant Process and Rent Stabilization
- A motion was passed to continue the arts grant application process review for two weeks to ensure document access.
- The Rent Stabilization Ordinance report was received and filed without immediate implementation.
- Staff was directed to return with a future implementation report following review by the new City Manager.
City Manager Employment Agreement
- The Council reviewed a proposed agreement for Ben Harvey including a $250,000 salary and various allowances.
- The agreement includes at-will termination provisions and severance conditions.
- The Council voted to approve the employment agreement and appoint Mr. Harvey as City Manager.
Mayor Pro Tem Appointment
- Multiple nominations were considered for the 2024 Mayor Pro Tem position, including the incumbent and other council members.
- A substitute motion was made to appoint Council Member Whitman to the role based on rotation tradition.
- The Council voted to approve the substitute motion, appointing Council Member Whitman as Mayor Pro Tem.
Regional Board Appointments
- The Council finalized liaison and alternate appointments for various local, county, and regional boards.
- Specific assignments were made for the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Council Members to organizations including the Air Pollution Control Board and SCAG.
- A motion to approve the 2024 Regional Board Appointments as discussed was passed.
Encampment Resolution Funding Grant
- Staff presented a two-phase proposal to address the homeless encampment using existing funds and a state grant application.
- Public comment highlighted support for immediate action versus concerns over budget details and cost-sharing agreements.
- The Council voted to authorize the City Manager to execute the grant application for competitive funding.
- The City Manager was directed to engage the Ojai Valley Green Coalition to convene a stakeholder working group.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Opening Procedures
- The meeting was called to order by Mayor Betsy Stix. A roll call confirmed the presence of the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem Francina, and Council Members Ruhl, Lange, and Whitman, establishing a quorum. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mayor Stix delivered an opening statement outlining conduct guidelines, emphasizing civility and prohibiting disruptions such as side conversations, clapping, or booing. Mayor Pro Tem Francina announced a special meeting scheduled for the following Tuesday regarding pickleball and Soule Park courts, requesting that public comments on these topics be reserved for that session.
Approval of the Agenda
- Council Member Whitman moved to remove Item 5 (ERF grant regarding homelessness) and Item 6 (General Plan) from the agenda, citing the need for the new City Manager's input on costs and administrative guidance. Council Member Lang seconded the motion to remove Item 6 but expressed hesitation regarding Item 5. Council Member Whitman subsequently withdrew the motion to remove Item 6. The motion to remove Item 5 was not seconded. The Council voted to approve the agenda with Item 5 remaining on the docket.
Commission Reports
- The Arts Commission Chair reported on commission activities, including a presentation by the Carolyn Glasso Bailey Foundation and the review of a five-year strategic plan. The Chair presented a slate of recommended arts grant recipients totaling just under $30,000, selected by an ad hoc committee from a record number of applicants. The report included a recommendation for the Council to consider a peace grant for an art installation and a request to fill a vacant commissioner seat.
Public Communications (General)
- The Council opened the floor for public comment on items not on the agenda. Speakers addressed various topics, including a greeting from Sheriff Jim Fryhoff, requests to focus on city-centric issues, and multiple requests to pass a ceasefire resolution regarding the conflict in Gaza. Other comments linked local housing issues to tourism revenue sources, requested a special meeting on pickleball involving sound testing, and raised concerns regarding community safety and the interpretation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.
Consent Calendar
- The Council considered the Consent Calendar. Mayor Pro Tem Francina moved to pull Items G, H, I, and J for separate discussion. The motion to approve the remaining Consent Calendar items was made and passed.
Item H: Ratification of 2023-2024 Arts Grant Awards
- The Council discussed the ratification of the Arts Commission's grant recommendations. Mayor Pro Tem Francina raised concerns regarding the selection process, noting that an ad hoc committee reviewed applications behind closed doors rather than the full commission, and questioned the transparency and funding disparities. Staff and the Arts Commission Chair explained that the ad hoc process was legal and aligned with the strategic plan to increase community involvement. They clarified that two applications believed to be late were indeed submitted after the extended deadline. Council Member Whitman stated he would abstain due to potential conflicts of interest. Council Member Lang expressed support for the grants but recommended a future review of the process. Council Member Ruhl expressed concern over the late submission issue and supported a pause to review the process. The City Attorney advised that the Council has full discretion to approve, deny, or modify the grants but requires at least three affirmative votes to spend the funds. With Council Member Whitman abstaining and Council Member Ruhl indicating a need for further review, the Council did not reach the necessary three votes. The matter was continued for further analysis and discussion at a future meeting.
Item 1: Arts Grant Application Process and Rent Stabilization Ordinance Update
- Regarding the arts grant application process, a motion was made to continue the item for two weeks to ensure all council members and the public have access to the same documents. The motion was seconded and passed. Regarding the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, the Mayor Pro Tem requested the item be returned as a future agenda item for closer review by the new City Manager, noting that no landlords had registered and a recommended staff position remained unfilled. A motion was made to approve receiving and filing the report and directing staff to return with an implementation report. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 2: Proposed Employment Agreement for City Manager
- The City Attorney presented a proposed employment agreement for Ben Harvey as the new City Manager. The proposal included a salary of $250,000, allowances for a cell phone, auto, and temporary housing, and a down payment assistance loan. The agreement is terminable at will by the Council with severance provisions, or for cause without severance. Public comment was received from former colleagues and community members. A motion was made to approve the employment agreement and appoint Mr. Harvey as City Manager. The motion was seconded and passed. Mr. Harvey is scheduled to begin employment on January 29.
Public Comment (Gaza Resolution and Local Issues)
- Public comment was received primarily concerning a resolution regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. Speakers urged the Council to reconvene a previously adjourned meeting to vote on the resolution, citing humanitarian concerns and the city's status as an "International City of Peace." Other speakers opposed the resolution, arguing it was outside the Council's jurisdiction and could cause division. Additional comments addressed local housing issues, the encampment, and the need for inclusive community dialogue. The Mayor noted interest in forming a listening circle to address community concerns.
Item 3: Nomination and Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem
- Discussion regarding the appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem for 2024 involved multiple nominations. Council Member Ruhl initially moved to reappoint the current Mayor Pro Tem, Francina. A substitute motion was made by the Mayor to appoint Council Member Whitman as Mayor Pro Tem, citing the tradition of rotating the position. Council Member Whitman seconded the substitute motion. Council Member Ruhl expressed opposition to Council Member Whitman's appointment. The Mayor Pro Tem suggested Council Member Lang as an alternative. Council Member Ruhl then moved to nominate Council Member Lang, but the motion did not receive a second and was withdrawn. The Council proceeded to vote on the substitute motion to appoint Council Member Whitman as Mayor Pro Tem. The vote passed.
Item 4: Selection of Council Representatives to Local, County, and Regional Boards
- The Council reviewed and finalized liaison and alternate appointments for various regional organizations. Appointments included Council Member Whitman to the Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board; the Mayor to the Clean Power Alliance and Ojai Unified School District; Council Member Ruhl to the Ojai Valley Sanitary District and Ojai Valley Green Coalition; and various other assignments for the Mayor Pro Tem and Council Members Lang and Ruhl to boards including the Ventura County Animal Services, Economic Development Collaborative, Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency, Gold Coast Transit District, SCAG, VCOG, VCTC, and VRSD. Council Member Lange requested to serve on the Audit Budget Committee, and Council Member Ruhl agreed to step down from that specific committee to accommodate the request. A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Francina and seconded by Council Member Lange to approve the Regional Board Appointments for 2024 as discussed. The motion passed.
Item 5: Authorization to Execute Grant Application for Encampment Resolution Funding
- Staff presented a report regarding a grant application under the State of California Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) program to address the homeless encampment at the City Hall campus. The proposal outlined a two-phase approach: Phase one involves utilizing $200,000 in previously allocated funds to construct wilderness tents on elevated platforms; Phase two involves applying for state grant funding to construct interim housing units provided by Dignity Moves, along with infrastructure and case management services. Staff clarified that the grant application does not obligate the city to a specific long-term location, though the Kent Hall site was used for costing. Presentations were provided by the Ventura County Continuum of Care and Dignity Moves regarding the competitive nature of the grant and project examples. Public comment was received with speakers expressing support for immediate action due to safety and health risks, while others urged a delay until the next funding round to allow for further planning, budget review, and input from the new City Manager. Concerns were raised regarding the proposed location, lack of a detailed budget, and the absence of a formal cost-sharing agreement with the county.
- Council Member Ruhl moved to authorize the City Manager to execute the grant application for competitive funding under the ERF Program (Round 3) and to engage the Ojai Valley Green Coalition to convene a stakeholder working group. Council Member Francina seconded the motion. Council Member Whitman expressed concern that applying without a budget or cost-sharing agreement would eliminate leverage. Council Member Lang stated the grant provides flexibility to develop a better plan. Mayor Stix expressed a preference to wait for the next funding round to allow for more research and input. The motion to authorize the grant application and direct the City Manager to engage the Green Coalition was put to a vote. The motion passed.
Administrative Action and Adjournment
- It was recommended that agenda items seven and eight be continued to a future meeting. The Council agreed to this recommendation. Council Member Ruhl made a closing statement thanking attendees. The meeting was paused for a break and subsequently adjourned.