Ojai City Council Regular Meeting

Future Agenda Adjustments

• Budget update and reserve policy items were moved to the first April meeting to optimize the schedule.
• The Housing Trust item was deferred from the immediate agenda while remaining a strategic goal.
• Council goals and tactics discussion was added to prioritize immediate matters for the upcoming session.
• A ninety-day pickleball update was scheduled for presentation in the next meeting.

Local Issues Only Resolution

• A resolution was introduced to prioritize legislative actions on issues directly impacting the local community and county.
• Discussions addressed concerns regarding national distractions versus the interconnectedness of global issues.
• Amendments changed the language from "shall only consider" to "shall prioritize" to broaden the scope.
• The modified resolution passed unanimously to focus council time on local infrastructure and safety.

Roadway Pavement Cuts Moratorium

• Public Works proposed an ordinance restricting utility pavement cuts on newly paved streets for three to five years.
• Staff confirmed this standard practice helps preserve road quality and reduce repair costs through coordination.
• Exceptions were included for emergency situations requiring immediate access to underground utilities.
• Council approved the ordinance unanimously to implement these restrictions effective immediately.

Construction Cost Accounting Act Amendment

• An ordinance was proposed to update the bidding threshold limit to align with the State Controller's latest increase.
• The update includes language to automatically adjust to future state increases without additional legislative action.
• Staff characterized the change as a routine administrative update effective from January of the current year.
• Council approved the ordinance unanimously to ensure compliance with state regulations.

• This transcript records an Ojai City Council meeting where several agenda items were discussed and voted upon. Below is a summary of the proceedings:

1. Agenda Planning & Working Agenda (Items 1 & 2)

• Budget Items: The Council discussed the agenda for the 11th. It was agreed to move the "Mid-year budget update" and "Budget reserve policy" to the first meeting in April to clear room on the agenda.
• Pickleball & Housing: A 90-day pickleball update will be presented. The "Housing Trust" item will be removed from the immediate working agenda but kept as a strategic goal to be fleshed out later.
• Goals & Tactics: "Council goals and tactics continued" was added to the agenda for the 11th to prioritize immediate discussion.

2. Resolution on Local Issues Only (Item 3)

• Proposal: Council Members Gilman (Speaker_13) and Whitman (Speaker_11) introduced a resolution to limit the Council's legislative and administrative actions to issues directly impacting the local community, excluding national, international, or global issues with no direct application.
• Debate:
• Support: Proponents argued this would prevent divisive global issues (citing recent debates on Gaza and other international conflicts) from distracting the Council from local priorities like roads, safety, and fire.
• Opposition: Opponents (including Council Member Rule and several public speakers) argued that global and national issues (such as immigration, climate change, and the Gaza conflict) are interconnected and directly impact local residents. They warned the resolution would silence constituents and limit the Council's ability to represent the community fully.
• Process Concerns: Some Council members expressed frustration that the resolution was drafted without full Council awareness or prior discussion, noting it felt reactive to past events.
• Amendments: The language was amended during the meeting.
• Scope: The boundary was expanded from just the "City of Ojai" to include the "Ojai community and County of Ventura."
• Wording: "Shall only consider" was changed to "shall prioritize."
• Outcome: The amended resolution was passed unanimously.

3. Moratorium on Roadway Pavement Cuts (Item 4)

• Proposal: Public Works Director Ballmer introduced an ordinance establishing a moratorium on utility pavement cuts in newly paved streets (5 years for asphalt, 3 years for slurry seal) to preserve road quality and reduce repair costs. Exceptions would be made for emergencies.
• Discussion: Staff confirmed this is standard practice in other jurisdictions. They are implementing quarterly utility meetings to coordinate projects.
• Outcome: The ordinance was approved unanimously.

4. Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act Amendment (Item 5)

• Proposal: An ordinance to update the bidding threshold limit to align with the State Controller's latest increase (previously $75,000), effective Jan of the current year.
• Discussion: This is a routine administrative update; the ordinance includes language to automatically adjust to future state increases.
• Outcome: The ordinance was approved unanimously.

5. Adjournment

• No council member reports or city manager reports were presented. The meeting was adjourned.