Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Staff Introduction
- Assistant City Manager Carl Alameda introduced Will Pettner as the new Management Analyst.
- Pettner will lead budget development and special projects, including an EFR grant for encampments.
Mayor's Youth Council Presentation
- Three council members presented on group activities, including monthly meetings and guest speakers.
- Topics covered homelessness, water scarcity, and the importance of youth voices in local government.
Short-Term Rental Ordinance Exemption
- Council discussed an amendment to allow owner-occupied properties to rent for one month instead of three.
- Debate focused on enforcement difficulties, potential loopholes, and the legal definition of "domicile."
- The item was continued without a final vote to allow staff to provide clarifications and gather public input.
General Plan Update
- Staff requested direction on five areas, including contract extensions, budget adjustments, and a Climate Action Plan.
- Council voted to extend the consultant contract and proceed with a standalone Climate Action Plan component.
- A Tourism Management Plan was approved, while work on the proposed housing overlay was ceased.
- Legal consultation was authorized for housing issues, and budget amendments were approved with a $450,000 cap.
Ordinance to Prohibit Glue Traps
- Staff and a PETA representative presented on the inhumane nature of glue traps and available alternatives.
- Discussion centered on the effective date, debating between an immediate ban and an amortization period.
- The council passed the ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of glue traps with a 30-day effective date.
Closed Session
- The City Manager noted that scheduled closed session items would be continued to a future date.
Full summary
Opening Remarks and Agenda Approval
- The Mayor opened the meeting with remarks regarding the tone and civility of a recent special meeting. A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. The motion passed.
Staff Introduction
- Assistant City Manager Carl Alameda introduced Will Pettner, the new Management Analyst. Pettner's background includes work with the Ontario Public Service, the City of Pasadena's public health department, and the City of La Cañada Flintridge's Public Works Department. He will lead budget development and special projects, including an EFR grant for the encampment.
Mayor's Youth Council Presentation
- Three members of the Mayor's Youth Council presented on the group's activities, including monthly meetings and guest speakers. Topics discussed included homelessness, water scarcity, and the importance of youth voices in local government.
Public Comment
- The public comment period addressed the following topics:
- Homelessness and Encampments: Speakers discussed the unhoused population near City Hall, suggesting amenities such as showers, washrooms, and laundry services. Concerns were raised regarding the growth of the encampment, sanitation issues, and the lack of permanent placement plans.
- Water Scarcity: Speakers warned of potential future water scarcity, citing groundwater depletion and advocating for conservation measures such as graywater recycling and rainwater harvesting.
- E-bike Safety: A speaker urged the council to enforce state laws regarding age restrictions, helmet use, and passenger transport on e-bikes.
- Short-Term Rentals and Housing Policy: Comments addressed the commoditization of housing, the need for a "right to housing" policy, and the impact of short-term rental restrictions on property owners.
- Ceasefire Resolution: Speakers expressed gratitude for the council's process regarding a recent ceasefire resolution.
- Glue Traps: One speaker intended to discuss a ban on glue traps but was advised to submit written comments as the item was scheduled for later in the agenda.
Consent Calendar
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent calendar with the exception of Item I (Short-Term Rental Ordinance Exemption), which was pulled for separate discussion. The motion passed.
Item I: Short-Term Rental Ordinance Exemption
- Council Member Rule proposed an amendment to the short-term rental ordinance to create an exemption for owner-occupied properties, allowing rentals of at least one month (rather than three) for owners who intend to reoccupy the unit. Discussion focused on enforcement difficulties, potential loopholes, and the definition of "domicile." The City Attorney clarified that establishing domicile requires both intent and factual actions. Public comment was reopened on the item.
- Council Member Rule moved to pass the ordinance with the exemption language. Council Member Francina seconded the motion. Council Member Whitman offered a substitute motion to pass the ordinance as written, requesting clarification on the "establishment of domicile" language. Council Member Lang offered a friendly amendment to the substitute motion, suggesting the ordinance be passed as is, with staff to return with new language for future discussion.
- Discussion continued regarding the definition of "domicile" and federal law constraints. Staff recommended retaining the term "domicile" without importing specific case law definitions. Council Member Rule moved to accept the City Manager's recommendation to continue the item, directing staff to provide clarifications and allowing time for public input. The motion was seconded and passed. No final vote on the ordinance was reached.
General Plan Update
- Community Development Director Lucas Cybert presented an update on the General Plan, noting it has not been updated in 25 to 30 years. Staff requested direction on five areas: extending the contract with consultant Ramey and Associates through 2025; budgetary adjustments of $174,000 for contingencies and an evacuation plan; pursuing a Climate Action Plan or Climate Element; creating a Tourism Management policy; and establishing land use direction for the Bryant Street area and a housing overlay along Ojai Avenue.
- Discussion focused on balancing local control with state housing requirements, the scope of the Climate Action Plan, and the implications of the housing overlay. Public commenters expressed concern that the process moved too quickly to specific development issues without establishing comprehensive policies first.
- A motion was made to split the original comprehensive motion into separate votes for each component. The motion to divide the question passed. The following motions were subsequently made, seconded, and passed:
- Contract Extension: Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract extension with Ramey and Associates.
- Climate Action Plan: Proceed with Option B (a standalone component with policies integrated throughout other elements) and direct staff to seek cost reductions.
- Tourism Management Plan: Approve the inclusion of a Tourism Management Plan component.
- Legal Consultation: Direct staff to obtain a proposal from Attorney Sonny Soltani for legal assistance regarding housing issues and the General Plan.
- Housing Overlay: Cease all work on the proposed housing overlay in the downtown and Ojai Avenue areas.
- Budget Amendments: Approve necessary budget amendments to fund the approved items, with a direction to seek economies and a not-to-exceed cap of $450,000 for the additional components.
Ordinance to Prohibit Glue Traps
- The Council considered an ordinance to prohibit the sale and use of glue traps within the City of Ojai. Staff and a representative from PETA presented on the inhumane nature of glue traps and available alternatives. Public commenters generally supported the ban, though some expressed concern regarding alternative pest control methods. Discussion centered on the effective date of the ordinance, with debate over an immediate ban versus an amortization period for retailers.
- A motion was made to introduce the ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of glue traps, with an amendment to set the effective date at 30 days after passage rather than one year. The motion was seconded and passed.
Other Business
- The Council received reports regarding a recognition event for a former constable. The City Manager noted that closed session items scheduled for later in the meeting would be continued to a future date. The meeting was adjourned.