March 25, 2025 — Ojai City Council and Historic Preservation Commission Joint Meeting

Meeting Summary

Present: Gilman, Lang, Whitman, Mang · Absent: Rule

This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.

The Historic Preservation Commission requested an ad hoc committee to clarify commission functions and powers.
City staff agreed to coordinate the subcommittee with the City Attorney and development department.
Council directed the formation of the committee to discuss HPC roles and rules.
Discussion noted that the primary focus remains on HPC role clarification.

The HPC proposed celebrating the State Historic District designation with an Ojai Day display and official plaque.
City Attorney explained legal implications regarding CEQA analysis and potential tax benefits.
Council requested the HPC develop a full recommendation for the public relations campaign and installation.
The final proposal will be submitted for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget approval.

The HPC requested funding to update the non-compliant Historic Resources Survey last updated in 2011.
City Manager advised the commission to determine scope and methodology via an RFQ process.
Estimates suggest a comprehensive survey by an outside company could cost approximately $50,000.
The HPC will return with a formal recommendation and budget request for Council consideration.

Date: Tuesday, March 25th
Type: Special Joint Meeting
Bodies: Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and City Council
Presiding Officer: Mayor Gilman
Attendees: Mayor Pro Tem Lang, Council Members Whitman and Mang. Council Member Rule was absent. HPC Chair Gina McCattin, City Manager Harvey, and City Attorney Summers were present.

Mr. Montgomery led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call of the City Council was conducted. Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Lang, Council Member Whitman, and Council Member Mang were present. Council Member Rule was absent.

Motion: Speaker 01 (Council Member) moved to approve the agenda.
Second: The motion was seconded.
Vote: The motion was approved. All in favor voted "Aye." None opposed were noted.
Housekeeping: It was agreed to set a three-minute timer for discussion points during the HPC agenda items to ensure the subsequent council meeting could proceed on schedule. No objections were raised.

John Lambert addressed the meeting. He expressed appreciation for the HPC and City Council's work on the Taormina Historic District and the Libby Land Office rebuild. He noted a property owner issue on La Paz regarding vegetation removal and thanked both bodies for their assistance.

Discussion: HPC Chair McCattin stated the commission sought clearer direction on its functions, powers, and communication with city staff to avoid confusion. She proposed an ad hoc committee consisting of city staff, one or two council members, and two or three HPC members. The goal is to develop a flowchart for business conduct and clarify the HPC's role under the current ordinance.
Council Response: City Manager Harvey noted a separate agenda item regarding joint meeting schedules was scheduled for April 8th. He agreed to form the recommended subcommittee, coordinating with City Development Department (CDD) and the City Attorney.
Comments: Council Member Mang noted a similar committee in 2019 was effective. Council Member Whitman suggested the City Attorney provide a report on the legal role of the HPC.
Outcome: The Council directed the formation of the ad hoc committee to discuss HPC roles and rules. It was noted that while "Structures of Merit" were discussed, the primary focus of the committee remains on HPC role clarification.

Discussion: HPC Chair McCattin informed the Council that the Downtown Ojai State Historic District was placed on the California Register of Historic Resources in 2018 following a Caltrans pedestrian project. The HPC proposed celebrating this designation during Ojai Day with a booth or display and installing a $3,500 official plaque at the entrance to Libbey Park.
Clarification: Council and HPC members discussed the implications of the state designation for property owners. City Attorney Summers explained that the designation requires CEQA analysis for discretionary permits but allows exemptions for projects consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. It also enables the use of the State Historic Building Code and access to state and federal tax benefits. He noted that Mills Act benefits are not available without a local historic district designation.
Process: HPC Member Akins raised questions regarding the legal differences between state and local designations, referencing AI-sourced research. City Attorney Summers cautioned against relying solely on AI for legal citations.
Outcome: City Manager Harvey suggested the HPC flesh out a recommendation for the public relations campaign and plaque at their next meeting. The recommendation would then be brought to the City Council for approval and inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget.

Discussion: HPC Chair McCattin stated the City’s Historic Resources Survey, last updated in 2011, is out of compliance with the State of California's five-year recommendation. The HPC requested funding for an update. While an initial $8,000 request was made for a simple update, City Manager Harvey suggested a more comprehensive survey by an outside company.
Council Response: City Manager Harvey requested the HPC "reset" the item. He advised the commission to determine the scope and methodology via an RFQ process before returning to the Council with a recommendation and budget request. He estimated the cost could be around $50,000 for a proper effort.
Comments: Council Member Whitman and Council Member Mang expressed support for the initiative as a tool for community awareness and knowledge.
Outcome: There was agreement that the HPC would define the scope of the survey and return with a formal recommendation for Council consideration and budgeting.

Following closing remarks regarding the importance of historic preservation to the local economy, Mayor Gilman adjourned the special meeting.