Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Whitman, Rule, Francina · Absent: Lang
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At a glance
Agenda Modifications
- Items regarding traffic officers, general plan contracts, and conference voting were removed from the current agenda.
- These deferred items are scheduled for discussion at the September 9th meeting.
- The remainder of the agenda was approved without further changes.
Council Residency Ordinance
- Public comment focused on the retroactive nature of the proposed residency termination rules.
- Staff explained the intent to align the ordinance with the onset of the housing crisis.
- The item was continued to the next meeting to ensure full Council participation.
Council Compensation Ordinance
- The Council voted to approve the ordinance increasing compensation for members.
- One council member abstained from the vote on this measure.
Cabin Village Security Services
- Discussion addressed the financial burden of security services and the lack of county contribution.
- The Council approved the amendment to the security services agreement.
On-Call Trade and Professional Services
- A modification was adopted to require a reporting mechanism for expenses prior to payment.
- The Council approved the items with a two-tiered approach for emergency and non-emergency services.
Oil and Gas Phase-Out Resolution
- Staff presented a resolution supporting the acceleration of phasing out oil and gas extraction.
- Public comment urged adoption to protect public health and the climate.
- The Council passed the resolution in support of Senate Bill 1137.
Cabin Village Site Selection
- Staff presented four potential locations, excluding industrial zones and properties outside city jurisdiction.
- Extensive public comment covered infrastructure costs, safety, and community impact for each site.
- The Council selected the Signal Street Lower Public Works Yard as the project site.
Cabin Village Ad Hoc Committee
- Staff proposed forming a committee to facilitate community engagement for the project.
- The Council approved the staff recommendations and directed the selection of a neighborhood member.
Pavement Rehab Project Contracts
- Staff recommended awarding construction, management, and design contracts along with funding adjustments.
- Discussion included project scope, street conditions, and the removal of speed cushions.
- The Council approved all five staff recommendations for the 2024 project.
Closed Session
- The City Attorney reported on a closed session regarding anticipated litigation and employee representation.
- No reportable action was taken on either item discussed in the closed session.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The meeting was called to order. Mayor Harvey, Mayor Pro Tem Whitman, Council Member Ruhl, and Council Member Francina were present. Council Member Lange was present via Zoom but was unable to vote due to a staff error regarding agenda posting; she was permitted to make comments.
Closed Session Report
- The City Attorney reported that the Council met in closed session regarding anticipated litigation related to communications from the California Restaurant Association and Congress labor negotiators, and an item regarding underrepresented employees. No reportable action was taken on either item.
Agenda Approval and Modifications
- A motion was made to remove Agenda Items 4 (Traffic Motor Officer), 6 (General Plan Contract Modification), and 7 (Identification of Voting Members for the Cal Cities League of California Conference) from the current meeting to be addressed at the September 9th meeting. The motion was seconded and passed. The remainder of the agenda was approved.
Commission Reports
- The Arts Commission presented a report on the installation of new art at Kent Hall, noting the goal of using art to enhance community wellness and emotional awareness.
Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation
- A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Rick Rain, the City's Homeless Services Coordinator, recognizing his leadership in relocating an encampment, establishing boundaries, and supporting operations while the city pursues a long-term cabin village solution.
General Public Comment
- Members of the public provided comments on historic preservation, school safety regarding the ATP project, city communications, fire mitigation costs, the Libby Bowl contract, affordable housing, a mayoral candidacy announcement, council representation, and the Cabin Village project.
Consent Calendar
- The Council reviewed the consent calendar. Items G, H, I, J, N, and O were pulled for separate discussion.
Item H: Ordinance Amending Ojai Municipal Code Section 2.2-6.107 (Termination of Residency for Council Districts)
- Public comment was received regarding the retroactive nature of the ordinance. Staff explained the retroactivity was intended to align with the onset of the housing crisis during the COVID-19 shutdowns. Council members discussed the implications of the residency requirement, the Voting Rights Act, and affordable housing availability. A motion was made to continue the item to the next meeting to allow for full Council participation. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. No action was taken on the ordinance at this meeting.
Item I: Ordinance Amending Ojai Municipal Code Section 2-1.204 (Increasing Compensation for City Council Members)
- A motion was made to approve the item. The motion was seconded and passed. One council member abstained.
Item J: Amendment to Agreement for Security Services (Cabin Village/Encampment)
- Public comment was received regarding the budget for security services and requests for long-term cost projections. Council members discussed the financial burden on the city and the lack of county contribution. A motion was made to approve the item. The motion was seconded and passed.
Items N and O: On-Call Trade and Professional Services
- Mayor Pro Tem Whitman requested a modification to include a reporting mechanism for expenses prior to payment. The City Manager agreed to a two-tiered approach for emergency versus non-emergency services. A motion was made to approve Items N and O with the modification to include a reporting requirement. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item G: Resolution in Support of Phasing Out Oil and Gas Production
- Staff presented a resolution supporting Senate Bill 1137 and the acceleration of phasing out oil and gas extraction in California. The City Attorney confirmed the referendum hold on the bill was no longer in effect. Public comment was received from representatives of Climate First Replacing Oil and Gas (CFROG), students, and other activists urging adoption of the resolution to protect public health and the climate. A motion was made to pass the item. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item 2: Cabin Village Proposed Location List
- The City Manager presented a report on four potential locations for the Cabin Village project: Ojai Avenue, Maricopa Highway, the Lower Public Works Yard, and Rotary Park. Staff clarified that the state grant requires the project to remain within city jurisdiction and that industrial zone properties were excluded based on prior council direction. The City Attorney clarified that property owners are not legally required to sell their land for a specific purpose. Public comment was received from 19 speakers regarding the proposed locations, with arguments for and against specific sites based on cost, infrastructure, safety, and community impact. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon regarding the selection of a specific site during this portion of the meeting.
Agenda Item: Site Selection for Permanent Homeless Housing (Cabin Village)
- Public comment continued regarding site selection, with significant discussion on the Public Works Yard (Signal Street) and alternative locations. Speakers addressed infrastructure costs, safety concerns, proximity to residences and schools, and the urgency of securing state grant funding. Council members discussed the feasibility of the Signal Street site, including unknown infrastructure costs and soil contamination, versus the Maricopa Highway site. Staff and representatives from Dignity Moves addressed timelines and infrastructure requirements. A motion was made to select the Signal Street Lower Public Works Yard as the site for the Cabin Village project. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: Ad Hoc Committee for Cabin Village Community Engagement and Communication
- Staff presented a proposal to form an ad hoc committee to facilitate community engagement regarding the Cabin Village project. Discussion ensued regarding the composition of the committee. A motion was made to proceed with the staff recommendations for the committee and to direct the City Manager to select an additional member from the neighborhood of the selected site. The motion was seconded and passed.
Agenda Item: 2024 Annual Citywide Pavement Rehab Project Award of Contracts
- Staff presented a report regarding the 2024 annual paving project, including five recommendations: awarding the construction contract to the low bidder (Toro), awarding the construction management contract to Phoenix Engineering, awarding the design contract for the 2025 project, removing temporary speed cushions on Drown Avenue, and authorizing an additional appropriation from Measure C. Discussion covered the project scope, street conditions, and the removal of speed cushions. Public comment included requests to add or remove specific streets and proposals regarding funding. A motion was made to approve all five staff recommendations. The motion was seconded and passed.
Council Member Reports
- Council members provided updates on dialogue with the School District regarding workforce housing, the advancement of broadband infrastructure projects, and a presentation on the Becker Development Agreement.
City Manager Report
- No report was provided by the City Manager.
Future Agenda Items
- The City Clerk noted that a working agenda document is maintained. Council members were reminded to submit items for future consideration. A question was raised regarding a response to a comment made by a school principal concerning parking drop-off procedures.
Status Update on School and Caltrans Discussions
- Mayor Harvey reported that discussions are underway with the school and Caltrans regarding a specific situation, and a potential remedy will be presented to the City Council.
Bike Trail Extension
- Les Gardner discussed the bike trail extension, noting that plans exist and the project will eventually be completed, though the timeline is uncertain.
Y Intersection Traffic Configuration
- Les Gardner raised concerns regarding the traffic configuration at the Y intersection, specifically the placement of directional arrows. He proposed seeking assistance from Caltrans to address the issue.
Adjournment
- The meeting was formally adjourned.