Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Whitman, Lang, Rule
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
Tiny Homes Permanent Supportive Housing Project: Encampment Update
- Staff reported on the resident steward model, private security deployment, and bidding for wilderness tents.
- Recommendations included forming a Location Task Force, a Communication Ad Hoc Committee, and a Permanent Advisory Body.
- Public comment emphasized the need for clear criteria, diverse representation, and long-term sustainability planning.
- No formal motions were voted upon during this informational update phase.
Tiny Homes Permanent Supportive Housing Project: Property Search
- The Council directed the City Manager to engage the Ojai Valley Board of Realtors as a property search committee.
- The committee is tasked with developing specific site criteria and identifying locations within the sphere of influence.
- An amendment allowed the City Manager to assess the realism of a 60-day deadline and report back by August 27 if needed.
- The motion passed with provisions for a pro bono agreement and a preference for sites near services.
Tiny Homes Permanent Supportive Housing Project: Community Engagement
- Discussion compared town hall meetings against the creation of an ad hoc committee for community input.
- A substitute motion directed the City Manager to return with a recommendation on communications strategy and committee authority.
- The Council deferred the immediate establishment of an ad hoc committee pending further staff analysis.
- The motion to delay committee formation and seek a staff recommendation passed.
Tiny Homes Permanent Supportive Housing Project: Future Advisory Committee
- Staff was directed to prepare a formal proposal for a commission to oversee the unhoused project.
- The proposal must be returned as soon as reasonably possible without requiring a purchased property site first.
- The motion passed to initiate the planning for this future oversight body.
Ordinance Amending Municipal Code 2-6.107 (Termination of Residency)
- The ordinance allows council members to retain seats if they involuntarily lose district residency but remain in the city.
- A motion to extend the relocation period from 30 to 100 days for displaced members failed.
- The Council approved the ordinance as originally recommended with retroactive application to March 19, 2020.
Ordinance Amending Ojai Municipal Code 2-1.204 (Council Compensation)
- The Council approved an ordinance increasing monthly compensation from $760 to the state maximum of $988.
- The salary increase will take effect following the certification of the next election.
Resolution Amending Salary Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-25
- The resolution implements a citywide classification and compensation study to address inflation and update titles.
- Changes include adding permanent part-time classifications for transit drivers and removing outdated roles.
- Two effective dates were established: July 22, 2024, for general updates and December 23, 2024, for council increases.
Two-Year Contract Agreement for Building and Safety Services
- The Council approved a two-year contract with Willdan Engineering effective through June 30, 2026.
- The agreement caps annual costs at $270,000 and replaces a percentage-based fee with an hourly rate structure.
Resolution Approving Agreement with Granicus
- The Council approved a three-year agreement for the Granicus "Peak Agenda" software system.
- The purchase aims to improve agenda management, public comment handling, and public records requests.
- The total cost for the system is approximately $29,000.
Fourth Amendment to City Attorney Legal Services Agreement
- The Council approved a 5% rate increase compounded over three years for Highsmith & Watley.
- The amendment is effective August 1 and contingent upon positive annual performance evaluations.
First Amendment to Employment Agreement for the City Manager
- The amendment expands the eligible area for down payment assistance to a six-mile radius of the city.
- It also modifies the repayment structure and adds a reimbursement of up to $5,000 for moving expenses.
Closed Session
- The Council reviewed the status of remaining closed session items.
- Items 10 and 11 were continued to a future meeting.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The meeting was called to order by Mayor Betsy Stix. A roll call confirmed the presence of Mayor Stix, Mayor Pro Tem Whitman, Council Member Lange, Council Member Ruhle, and Council Member Francina. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Agenda
- A motion was made to approve the agenda and was seconded. The motion passed.
Public Comment (General)
- Members of the public addressed the council on various topics, including updates on the library's summer reading program and cooling center status, requests for improved communication regarding homelessness and affordable housing, advocacy for a community pool, proposals for rental assistance and a permanent housing commission, and questions regarding electric vehicle charging during grid outages and stop sign installation processes.
Consent Calendar
- Council Member Ruhle requested to pull Item B (Casitas Municipal Water District) from the consent calendar for clarification. A motion was made to approve all consent calendar items except Item B, which was seconded and passed. Following clarification that the $83,000 expenditure was for laying fiber optic conduit during street repairs to connect the Park and Rec department, a motion was made to approve Item B. The motion was seconded and passed.
Tiny Homes Permanent Supportive Housing Project: Encampment Update and Task Force Recommendations
- City Manager Ben Harvey presented a staff report regarding the City Hall encampment and the tiny homes project. Updates included the implementation of a resident steward model by St. Francis Challenge, the deployment of private security, and a bid process for platforms and wilderness tents in the Encanto area. Recommendations for the tiny homes project included forming a Location Task Force with the Ojai Valley Board of Realtors, a Communication Ad Hoc Committee, and a Permanent Advisory Body. Public comment addressed the need for clear criteria, long-term planning, diverse committee representation, and concerns regarding the project's sustainability and potential impact on the local homeless population. No formal motions were voted upon during this informational phase.
Tiny Homes Permanent Supportive Housing Project: Property Search and Task Force
- Discussion focused on the formation of a task force to identify potential locations. An amendment was proposed to direct the City Manager to develop specific criteria and specifications for the search, with a preference for locations near services. A motion was made to direct the City Manager to request the Ojai Valley Board of Realtors serve as a task force to identify proposed locations, designate the group as the "Ojai Valley Board of Realtors Property Search Committee," and develop criteria. The motion included provisions for a 60-day deadline, a pro bono agreement, and inclusion of properties within the sphere of influence. The motion was amended to allow the City Manager to determine if the 60-day deadline was realistic, with a requirement to report back to the Council by the August 27th meeting if necessary. The motion passed.
Tiny Homes Permanent Supportive Housing Project: Community Engagement and Advisory Committee
- Discussion centered on methods for community engagement, comparing town hall meetings to the creation of an ad hoc committee. Concerns were raised regarding the need for a unified communications strategy. A substitute motion was proposed to direct the City Manager to return to the Council with a recommendation regarding the communications component and the authority of any ad hoc committee, rather than immediately establishing the committee. The motion passed.
Tiny Homes Permanent Supportive Housing Project: Future Advisory Committee
- Discussion addressed the formation of a future advisory committee or commission to oversee the unhoused project. A motion was made to direct staff to return with a formal proposal for constructing a commission for the unhoused project, with no requirement for a property site to be purchased before the commission is formed. An amendment was added to specify that the proposal should be returned "as soon as reasonably possible." The motion passed.
Ordinance Amending Municipal Code 2-6.107 (Termination of Residency for Council Districts)
- The City Manager presented a staff report regarding an ordinance to amend rules for the termination of residency for council members. The proposal allows a council member to retain their seat if they involuntarily lose residency in their district but maintain the intent to remain in the district and reside within city limits, with retroactive application to March 19, 2020. A motion was made to amend the proposal to extend the relocation period from 30 days to 100 days for members displaced through no fault of their own. The motion to amend failed. Subsequently, a motion was made to approve the administrative report and the ordinance as originally recommended. The motion passed.
Ordinance Amending Ojai Municipal Code 2-1.204 (Increasing Compensation for City Council Members)
- The City Attorney presented a staff report recommending an ordinance to increase the monthly compensation for City Council members from $760 to the state-mandated maximum of $988, effective after the certification of the next election. A motion was made to approve the increase. The motion passed.
Resolution Amending Salary Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-25
- Management Analyst Will Pettener presented a report on a citywide classification and compensation study. The proposal included two salary schedules: one effective July 22, 2024, to update citywide classifications and address inflation, and a second effective December 23, 2024, to implement the council member salary increase. The report detailed adjustments to classification titles, the addition of permanent part-time classifications for transit drivers, and the removal of outdated classifications. A motion was made to approve the resolution. The motion passed.
Two-Year Contract Agreement for Building and Safety Services with Willdan Engineering
- Principal Planner Maura Macaluso presented a report regarding a two-year contract with Willdan Engineering for building and safety services, effective through June 30, 2026. The contract is capped at $270,000 per year, replacing a percentage-based fee model with an hourly rate structure. A motion was made to approve the proposed contract. The motion passed.
Resolution Approving Agreement with Granicus for Agenda Management System
- Deputy City Clerk Weston Montgomery presented a report on purchasing the Granicus "Peak Agenda" software system to improve agenda management, public comment handling, and public records requests. The total cost is approximately $29,000 over three years. A motion was made to approve the agreement. The motion passed.
Fourth Amendment to City Attorney Legal Services Agreement
- The City Manager presented a report on a proposed fourth amendment to the legal services agreement with Highsmith & Watley. The amendment includes a 5% rate increase compounded for three years, effective August 1, contingent upon positive annual performance evaluations. A motion was made to approve the amendment. The motion passed.
First Amendment to Employment Agreement for the City Manager
- The City Manager presented a report on a proposed first amendment to his employment agreement following a six-month performance evaluation. The amendment adjusts the down payment assistance provision for a residence purchase, expanding the eligible area to within a six-mile radius of the city and changing the repayment structure. It also adds a reimbursement of up to $5,000 for moving expenses. A motion was made to approve the amendment. The motion passed.
Council Member Reports
- Council members provided reports on upcoming participation in housing panels, appointments to broadband infrastructure committees, meetings with the Ventura County Transportation Commission, and the success of the 4th of July Parade. Comments were made regarding the 2022 voter decision to eliminate districts and the potential consideration of a ranked choice voting system.
Closed Session Items
- The Council addressed the status of remaining closed session items. It was decided to continue Items 10 and 11 to a future meeting.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.