Ojai City Council Special Meeting

Fire Safe Council Agenda Item

• Staff will present a Concept Review Item at the next meeting regarding the proposal.
• Recommendations include developing an RFQ scope or utilizing the existing Council submission.
• This approach allows for public input without delaying the process until fire season.

Arts and Community Goals

• Priorities include increasing funding for the Arts Grant Program and exploring bike paths.
• Staff will research design and costs for the Ojai Bike Trail extension to Soule Park.
• The Arts Commission may explore recommendations beyond standard advisory board functions.

Infrastructure Maintenance Goals

• Priorities involve land use agreements with the County and a Parking Concept Review.
• Staff will research accelerating the road paving timeline to reduce long-term expenditures.
• Bike trail maintenance negotiations will remain distinct from extension talks to avoid complications.

Public Safety Goals

• Priorities focus on creating a Traffic Safety Commission and establishing an e-bike policy.
• The Traffic Safety Commission proposal aims to vet complaints before they reach the Council.
• Code enforcement strategies will shift from reactive measures to proactive priority-based actions.

Chamber of Commerce Pilot

• Council supported a three-month pilot project proposal from the Chamber of Commerce.
• This initiative aims to renew organizational relationships while processing remaining agenda items.
• The next meeting is proposed for July 29th to allow time for this review.

Closed Session

• Discussion included public comment regarding a pending indemnification issue for a Council Member.
• Speakers argued full indemnification would be less costly than ongoing litigation.
• Additional requests included a public accounting of legal and staff expenditures.

• # Meeting Summary: Ojai City Council Work Session Subject: Goal Prioritization, Agenda Planning, and Public Comment Date Context: Pre-July (Next Meeting Proposed for July 29th) Location: Ojai City Council Chambers
• ## 1. Overview The Council convened a work session to review and prioritize "Goal" items regarding the city's General Plan or strategic initiatives. The meeting focused on Goals 3 (Arts/Community), 4 (Infrastructure), and 5 (Public Safety), following a previous clarification of Goal 2 (Fire Safety). Staff and Council members collaborated to vote on top priorities and refine agenda item wording.
• ## 2. Agenda Items & Decisions
• ### Goal 2: Fire Safe Council (Pre-Meeting Clarification)
• Discussion: Confusion regarding the upcoming July 24th meeting agenda item concerning the Fire Safe Council proposal.
• Resolution: Agreed to bring a Concept Review Item to the next meeting. Staff will present a recommendation to either develop an RFQ/RFP scope or utilize the existing proposal submitted by the Fire Safe Council. This allows for public input without delaying the process until fire season.
• ### Goal 3: Arts & Community
• Priorities: Council voted to prioritize:
• 1. 3A: Increase funding for the Arts Grant Program. 2. 3I: Explore Bike Paths/Community input (specifically the Ojai Bike Trail extension to Soule Park). 3. 3K: (Varied voting, generally Arts/Community support).
• Discussion:
• Bike Path to Soule Park: Historical impediments (bridge over river costs) noted. Decision to research design/cost before committing.
• Arts Commission: Discussed using the Commission to explore recommendations rather than just advisory boards.
• Soule Park: Linked with bike path negotiations with the County.
• ### Goal 4: Infrastructure Maintenance & Improvement
• Priorities: Council voted to prioritize:
• 1. 4G: Land Use Agreement with County regarding Ojai Bike Trail maintenance. 2. 4H: Parking Concept Review (Multiple Topics). 3. 4I: Research advancing road paving timeline to reduce expenditures.
• Specific Actions:
• Parking (4H): Shifted from a specific study to a Parking Concept Review. To include public parking availability, alternate transportation (trolleys, e-bikes), and wayfinding.
• Road Paving (4I): Council requested research into accelerating the paving timeline to potentially save money long-term by preventing road degradation (pave more now rather than wait for worse conditions).
• Bike Trail (4G): Staff to negotiate with the County regarding maintenance transfer. Council Member Mang suggested tying the trail maintenance negotiation with the extension to Soule Park, though Speaker 03 advised keeping them distinct to avoid one deal breaking the other.
• Mandatory Items: Items 4C (Stormwater), 4D (Pedestrian Crossings), and 4F (ATP Phase 2) are already in the CIP or staff work plans and do not require a vote to proceed, though they remain priority topics.
• ### Goal 5: Public Safety
• Priorities: Council voted to prioritize:
• 1. 5I: Research/Create a Traffic Safety Commission. 2. 5A: Create e-bike policy and educational campaign. 3. 5F: (Traffic Calming measures).
• Specific Actions:
• Traffic Safety Commission (5I): Proposed as a new commission to vet traffic complaints before they reach the Council. Staff recommended moving directly to "Create" rather than "Research."
• Traffic Calming (5E): Determined that a Speed Hump Policy is already in progress per previous Council direction; therefore, 5E does not require a new vote but will be executed.
• E-Bike Policy (5A): Distinguished from current enforcement (education first). Council supports a specific policy beyond the state Vehicle Code (e.g., lighting, helmets).
• Code Enforcement (5H): Discussed moving from reactive (complaint-based) to proactive enforcement based on Council-set priorities.
• ### Scheduling & Administration
• Recess: Discussed a recess for July/August due to the 4th of July holiday and travel.
• Next Meeting: Proposed for July 29th to allow time to process remaining agenda items (including the Chamber of Commerce proposal).
• Chamber of Commerce: Council supported bringing forward a 3-month Pilot Project proposal from the Chamber to renew their relationship immediately.
• ## 3. Closed Session & Public Comment The meeting moved into a closed session which included public comment regarding a pending indemnification issue involving Council Member Rule (Speaker 07).
• Mr. Miley: Requested the City follow through on an indemnity offer for Council Member Rule regarding a lawsuit. Cited Government Code 825 and argued no fraud or malice was present. Emphasized the need for closure and fairness.
• Starchild: Argued for full indemnification for Council Member Rule. Stated it would be less costly than litigation and is necessary to encourage future candidates who might face frivolous lawsuits for upholding transparency (Brown Act).
• Larry: Requested a public accounting of dollars spent on legal/staff time regarding this issue, noting the money could be used for fire hardening or housing.
• Council Member Rule: Briefly spoke at the conclusion, expressing pride in her son (a High Court English Barrister) who is studying for the California Bar to support her.
• ## 4. Adjournment The meeting concluded with the Mayor's thank yous and adjournment.