Meeting Summary
Present: Gilman, Lang, Whitman, Mang, Rule
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Police and Fire Leadership Transitions
- The Council honored outgoing Police Chief Trina Newman and Fire Chief Barry Parker for their service and promotions.
- Sheriff Fryhoff introduced incoming Police Chief Steve Jenkins, highlighting his 25 years of experience.
- County Fire Chief Gardner noted the incoming Division Chief is currently deployed with a federal Incident Management Team.
Warrants and Legal Fee Reporting
- Council Member Rule requested more current legal fee submissions to accurately track costs.
- The Council approved the warrants item after addressing concerns about the absence of specific legal bills.
Housing Element Review Compliance
- Staff clarified that the report format is dictated by the state Housing and Community Development Department.
- Discussion covered income level percentages, deed-restricted units, and the role of the Cabin Village project.
- The Council approved the Housing Element Review item following clarifications on ADU affordability designations.
Parks and Recreation Commission Chair
- Council Member Lang discussed the reinstatement of Susie Taylor as Chair after resolving communication issues.
- A motion to reinstate Susie Taylor as Chair was moved, seconded, and passed.
Cabin Village Project Site Approval
- Staff recommended approving the lower public works yard as the project site to secure state grant funding.
- The Council voted to approve the site and directed the City Manager to negotiate a development management agreement.
- Staff confirmed that soil testing is being expedited while noting no specific alternative site has been identified.
Cabin Village Design and Environmental Findings
- The project design includes 30 units with en-suite bathrooms, a communal courtyard, and permanent construction methods.
- A geologist reported trace arsenic and lead contamination, recommending further testing to delineate the extent.
- Staff outlined a mitigation plan for removing five protected oak trees and adhering to state fire codes.
Cabin Village Operations and Eligibility
- The project prioritizes current encampment residents with a soft determination of local connection.
- Operations will include case managers, a property manager, and security, but no on-site nursing staff.
- Staff corrected an error in the cost model regarding the number of required case managers.
Public Comment on Project Location
- Supporters of the Public Works Yard cited its viability, underused status, and proximity to services.
- Advocates for alternative sites like Kent Hall emphasized larger units, better safety, and lack of soil contamination.
- Concerns were raised regarding the 30-foot elevation change and access challenges at the Public Works Yard.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The regular meeting of the Ojai City Council was called to order on Tuesday, March 25. Following roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, a motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. The motion passed.
Presentations and Honors
- The Council honored outgoing Police Chief Trina Newman for her service from 2023 to 2025 and her promotion to Commander of the West County Patrol. Sheriff Fryhoff introduced incoming Police Chief Steve Jenkins, highlighting his 25 years of experience. The Council also honored outgoing Fire Chief Barry Parker for his service from 2022 to 2025 and his promotion to Assistant Fire Chief. County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner noted that the incoming Division Chief is currently deployed with a federal Incident Management Team.
Public Communications
- Members of the public addressed the Council on various topics, including environmental activism, food waste, the preservation of Pine Mountain, support for artists and blue-collar workers, sustainable housing concepts, and the displacement of long-term residents. Specific concerns were raised regarding the placement of cabin communities near single-family residences, a 64% increase in insurance costs due to wildfire risk, and the need for home hardening assessments. One commenter noted a lack of funding for the rental assistance program promised in the 2021 Housing Element. Council Member Rule commented on the rental assistance issue, expressing a desire to either implement the support or remove the promise from the Housing Element.
Consent Calendar
- Council Member Lang requested to remove Item H (Parks and Recreation Commission Chair) from the consent calendar for separate discussion. Council Member Rule requested to remove Item B (Warrants) and Item G (Housing Element Review) for separate discussion. A motion was made and seconded to approve the remaining consent calendar items (A, C, D, E, F, and I). The motion passed.
Consent Calendar Item B: Warrants
- Council Member Rule raised concerns regarding the absence of legal bills from specific firms in the current warrants, requesting that legal fees be submitted more current to accurately track costs. A motion was made and seconded to approve Item B. The motion passed.
Consent Calendar Item G: Housing Element Review
- Staff explained that the report format is dictated by the state Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). Discussion included clarification on income level percentages, the number of deed-restricted units, and the role of the Cabin Village project in meeting very low-income unit requirements. Public commenters and Council members discussed the affordability of listed units and the state law designation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as affordable for compliance purposes. Staff noted that entitled but unbuilt projects will contribute additional low-income units in the future. A motion was made and seconded to approve Item G. The motion passed.
Consent Calendar Item H: Parks and Recreation Commission
- Council Member Lang discussed the reinstatement of Susie Taylor as Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, noting that communication issues had been resolved. Council Member Rule moved to reinstate Susie Taylor as Chair. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Public Hearing: Design Review Permit for Permanent Supportive Housing (Cabin Village)
- Community Development Director Lucas Seibert presented the proposal for a permanent supportive housing project (Cabin Village) at the lower public works yard. The applicant is the City of Ojai, with Dignity Moves as the proposed developer. Staff recommended treating permanent supportive housing as a "similar use" to "offices/government services" due to the use of public funding and local control. Nineteen comments from the Planning Commission were addressed, resulting in nine specific plan revisions, including changes to unit size and windows. Eight technical reports were prepared covering soils, traffic, noise, and other factors. Staff recommended approving the lower public works yard as the location, accepting public comment, continuing the hearing until a development management agreement is negotiated, and directing the City Manager to negotiate the agreement for final Council approval.
Cabin Village Project Site Plan, Design, and Next Steps
- Presenters from Dignity Moves and City staff provided a detailed update on the project. The building footprint was shifted west to preserve mature oak trees. The project consists of 30 individual units, including two double units, organized into three buildings under a communal roof. Unit sizes were increased to 180 square feet, and each unit now includes an en-suite bathroom. The design incorporates a courtyard with a kitchen, restrooms, office space, a dog run, and raised garden beds. Construction methods were changed from modular to permanent methods, including straw bale, to ensure a 55-year lifespan. The landscape plan adheres to state fire codes with specific zones for planting and mulch. Five protected oak trees will be removed, with a mitigation plan proposed. The total project cost is approximately $10.8 million, relying on state grant funding. The operational model targets individuals currently residing in Ojai Tent Town. Staff outlined proposed exemptions under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). No formal motions were moved or voted upon during this portion of the meeting.
Environmental Site Assessment and Soil Contamination
- A professional geologist presented findings from a Phase 2 environmental investigation at the proposed site. Testing revealed two areas of concern: arsenic detected in a stockpile sample at 13 parts per million (ppm), and lead detected in one sample at 83 ppm, slightly exceeding the residential screening level. The geologist recommended "step-out" borings to delineate the extent of the lead contamination. If isolated, the lead can be removed during standard grading; if widespread, excavation and hazardous waste disposal would be required. The intent is to obtain a "no further action" letter from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Council members and staff discussed the severity of the contamination, potential costs, and the depth of future testing.
Cabin Village Project Eligibility and Operations
- Discussion addressed residency criteria, confirming that the project prioritizes current residents of the encampment with a "soft determination" of local connection. It was clarified that the project does not include on-site nursing staff and requires participants to be relatively independent. Situations involving severe mental health crises or non-compliance are handled on a case-by-case basis. Staff confirmed that on-site presence will include case managers, a property manager, and security. An error in the cost model regarding the number of case managers was noted and corrected.
Public Comment on Cabin Village Project Location
- Approximately 75 minutes of public testimony was recorded. Speakers were divided on the preferred location. Supporters of the Public Works Yard cited the site's viability, status as underused city-owned land, proximity to services, and the urgency of moving residents from tents. Supporters of alternative sites, specifically the Kent Hall site or the eight-acre campus, cited advantages such as larger living units, a park-like environment, better pedestrian safety, and the absence of soil contamination concerns. Concerns were raised regarding the 30-foot elevation change and access challenges at the Public Works Yard. Some speakers proposed alternative construction methods using natural materials. No formal motions were moved or voted upon during this portion of the meeting.
Council Discussion on Cabin Village Project Location
- Council members and staff discussed the project's feasibility, location, and financials. Staff confirmed that the Public Works Yard was selected after reviewing ten potential sites and noted that alternative sites had not undergone the same level of vetting. Staff addressed soil contamination concerns, stating that while testing is ongoing, the site is currently considered viable, though no specific "Plan B" site had been identified. Council members discussed accessibility challenges regarding the slope and required ramp length. Financial inquiries addressed the total costs of the interim program and the long-term operational budget, estimated at approximately $600,000 annually. One Council member raised concerns regarding the reliance on the "permanent supportive housing" model versus rental assistance. The Mayor responded that the grant requirements were clear and the project is one component of a broader housing strategy. No final decision or vote was taken on the project location during this discussion.
Approval of Lower Public Works Yard as Project Site and Development Management Agreement
- Discussion focused on the urgency of utilizing state encampment grant funding, with staff and Dignity Moves indicating that delaying the project could result in the loss of funding. Council Member Rule inquired about the feasibility of a "Plan B" site at the City Hall campus. Staff responded that soil testing is being expedited and the Council will be updated with additional information before any final action is taken. Council Member Lang moved to approve the lower public works yard as the project site to continue with the design review permit and to direct the City Manager to negotiate a development management agreement with Dignity Moves. The motion was seconded by Council Member Gilman. The motion passed.
Adjournment
- With no further reports or agenda items, the meeting was adjourned.