Ojai City Council Regular Meeting

City Manager Salary Adjustment

• The Council approved a salary adjustment following a city-wide compensation review.
• The City Attorney confirmed the agenda was published timely and prior discussions focused on performance.
• Public concerns regarding notice and process were addressed before the final vote.

Council Protocol Updates

• Meeting procedures were amended to reflect specific Brown Act requirements for special meetings.
• A new requirement mandates a preliminary vote to authorize items during closed sessions.
• Implementation of audio or video recording for closed sessions was deferred for future review.

4th of July Parade Float

• The Council selected a sustainability-themed design featuring electric vehicles.
• Native wildflowers and reusable banners were included to support environmental goals.
• The selection aims to promote community unity through the city's parade participation.

Future Agenda Items

• The City Manager will begin providing a brief oral report prior to public comment.
• Staff was tasked with analyzing state housing legislation impacts before a position is taken.
• Discussions regarding Vandenberg, traffic calming, and Chamber of Commerce contracts were scheduled for the next agenda.

City Council Meeting Summary

1. City Manager Salary Adjustment

• The Council voted to approve a salary adjustment for the City Manager following a contentious debate.
• Concerns: Public comment (Starchild) urged postponing the vote due to insufficient public notice and potential Brown Act violations regarding closed-session discussions on compensation.
• Response: The City Attorney confirmed the prior discussions were lawful (focused on performance evaluation rather than compensation agreement) and that the open session vote "cured" any potential issues. The agenda had been properly published more than 72 hours in advance.
• Justification: The City Manager explained the raise was part of a city-wide compensation review based on median data from 13 comparable agencies, aimed at retention in a high-cost-of-living area.
• Vote: The motion passed with three votes. Council Member Rule abstained due to concerns over the Brown Act process, and Council Member Mang voted No.

2. Staff Vacancy Report

• The Council received a state-mandated report (Assembly Bill 2561) regarding staff vacancies and recruitment efforts. Several positions were listed as vacant (e.g., Assistant City Manager, Accounting Specialist). The report was unanimously received and filed.

3. Council Protocol Updates

• The Council updated its protocols regarding meeting procedures:
• Special Meetings: Language was added to reflect Brown Act requirements that only three council members or the presiding officer may call a special meeting.
• Closed Sessions: A new protocol was adopted requiring a briefing and a preliminary vote at the start of a closed session to determine if it should proceed on that specific item.
• Recording Sessions: Public comment strongly advocated for audio/video recording of closed sessions to prevent "he said, she said" disputes and ensure accountability. However, the Council deferred the decision on implementing recordings to a future workshop or RFQ process.
• Vote: The protocol amendments passed unanimously.

4. 4th of July Parade Float

• The Council selected a theme and design for the city's participation in the parade.
• Theme: "Rooted in Nature, Growing Together."
• Design: The float will feature two electric vehicles symbolizing sustainability, reusable banners, and native wildflowers.
• Decision: The selection was made to support community unity and environmental goals.

5. Future Agenda Items & Reports

• The Council scheduled several topics for discussion at the next meeting or future agenda:
• New Reporting: The City Manager will begin delivering a brief (approx. 2-minute) oral report prior to public comment at future meetings.
• Vandenberg Air Force Base: A city statement regarding current hearings was scheduled for the next agenda.
• State Housing Legislation (SB 79): The Council requested an analysis on a state bill that could impact local control over building heights near transit corridors before taking a position.
• Traffic Calming: A proposal to install signage or temporary measures to calm traffic on downtown streets (Drown and North Fulton) was set for discussion.
• Chamber of Commerce: A discussion regarding a potential contract with the Chamber was scheduled.

Meeting Adjourned.