City Council — 2024-07-09

Unhoused Community Advisory Committee

• Council directed staff to return with a formal proposal for an advisory committee regarding the unhoused community.
• The motion passed without requiring a specific site identification before forming the commission.
• Staff was instructed to return with the proposal as soon as reasonably possible.

Residency Ordinance Amendment

• The council amended the Municipal Code to protect members who involuntarily lose residency provided they intend to remain in the district.
• Discussion focused on the definition of intent versus specific timeframes regarding the loss of seat.
• A motion to replace intent-based language with a fixed extension failed before the original measure passed.

Council Member Compensation

• Council approved increasing the monthly stipend for members to the state legal maximum of $988.
• The adjustment aims to promote equity and diversity by enabling non-retired individuals to serve.
• The increase will take effect after the certification of the next election.

Staff Salary Schedule

• A resolution amended the citywide salary schedule for Fiscal Year 24-25 based on external compensation studies.
• The adjustment is effective July 22, 2024, and intended to improve employee competitiveness and retention.
• Total staff increases are to remain within the previously approved budget threshold.

Building and Safety Contract

• The council approved a two-year contract with Willdan Engineering for Building and Safety services.
• The agreement utilizes an hourly model with a total cost cap of $540,000.
• This contract replaces the firm previously providing these engineering services.

Agenda Management System

• The council authorized an agreement with Granicus for new Peak Agenda software.
• The system will improve workflow efficiency, public comment tracking, and video indexing.
• The approved cost for the software implementation is $29,000.

City Attorney Agreement

• The council approved a Fourth Amendment to the agreement with the Highsmith and Watley firm.
• The amendment implements a 5% rate increase on legal fees and services.
• Public concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest in litigation were addressed during discussion.

City Manager Employment

• A vote approved a First Amendment to the City Manager's employment contract.
• Key changes include expanding down payment assistance to properties within a six-mile radius.
• The loan repayment structure was converted to a balloon payment upon sale or separation.

Closed Session

• Closed session items were reviewed by the council at the conclusion of the open meeting.
• The council decided to continue the closed session items to a future meeting.
• No final action was taken on the executive session agenda items during this session.

• Here is a summary of the Ojai City Council meeting transcript:

Meeting Overview

• The City Council of Ojai convened to address several agenda items including the formation of an unhousing advisory committee, amendments to residency ordinances, compensation adjustments for council members and staff, and various contracts for city services.

Key Agenda Items and Decisions

1. Unhoused Community Advisory Committee

• Item 3: The council voted (5-0) to direct staff to return with a formal proposal for a future advisory committee (commission) regarding the unhoused community.
• Conditions: The motion passed with no requirement to wait for a specific site to be identified before forming the commission. Staff is to return "as soon as reasonably possible."
• Previous Vote: An earlier motion regarding an ad hoc committee passed 3-2.

2. Residency Ordinance Amendment (Item 3)

• Proposal: Amended Municipal Code 2-6.107 to protect council members who involuntarily lose residency (e.g., eviction) from losing their seat, provided they intend to remain in the district. The change was proposed to be retroactive to March 19, 2020.
• Debate: Council Members discussed the definition of "intent" versus specific timeframes. Public commenter Larry Steingold questioned the retroactivity and potential for gaming the system. Council Member Francina highlighted the personal hardship of housing instability.
• Amendment Attempt: A motion to replace the intent-based language with a fixed 100-day extension failed (3-2).
• Outcome: The original motion passed 3-2 (Mayor Stixx voted No).

3. Compensation Adjustments

• Council Compensation (Item 4): The council voted (4-1) to increase the monthly stipend for City Council Members to $988 (the state legal maximum for General Law cities). The increase is intended to promote equity and diversity by allowing non-retired individuals to serve. It will take effect after the next election certification. Mayor Pro Tem Whitman voted No, citing discomfort with self-votes, though the City Attorney noted members can decline the funds later.
• Staff Salary Schedule (Item 5): The council unanimously (5-0) adopted a resolution amending the citywide salary schedule for Fiscal Year 24-25. The adjustment, effective July 22, 2024, is based on a compensation study by Bryce Consulting and MRG Consulting to improve employee competitiveness and retention. Total staff increases will remain within the approved $250,000 budget threshold.

4. Contracts and Agreements

• Building & Safety Services (Item 6): The council unanimously (5-0) approved a two-year contract with Willdan Engineering ($540,000 total cap) to replace the previous firm. The contract utilizes an hourly model rather than a percentage of permit fees.
• Agenda Management System (Item 7): A unanimous (5-0) vote authorized a $29,000 agreement with Granicus for new software (Peak Agenda). This will improve workflow efficiency, public comment tracking, and video indexing for council meetings.
• City Attorney (Item 8): The council approved (4-1) a Fourth Amendment to the agreement with Highsmith and Watley (City Attorney Colin Taunton), implementing a 5% rate increase. Public concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest in litigation were raised but the amendment passed.
• City Manager Employment (Item 9): A unanimous (5-0) vote approved a First Amendment to City Manager Ben Harvey's contract. Key changes include expanding down payment assistance to properties within a six-mile radius (not just city limits) and converting the loan repayment to a balloon payment upon sale or separation.

5. Council Reports

• Council Member Ruhle: Reported on upcoming housing panels and participation in a broadband ad hoc committee, advocating for municipal ownership of fiber optic networks.
• Council Member Francina: Noted an upcoming meeting with the Ventura County Transportation Commission regarding the ATP project and bike trail extension.
• Mayor Stixx: Thanked organizers for the successful 4th of July Parade.

6. Closing

• Items 10 and 11 (Closed Session items) were continued to a future meeting.
• The meeting was adjourned.