Meeting Summary
Present: Gilman, Lang, Rule, Meng, Whitman
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
City Operations and Public Safety Updates
- A motorcycle deputy is now active to focus on e-bike safety education rather than citations.
- The El Roblar Hotel front section is open to the public while rear construction continues.
- Sunday trolley service is targeted for resumption in early to mid-July pending driver hiring.
- A police pop-up event is scheduled to address criminal activity at Foothill Road and Lane.
Vandenberg Space Force Base Launch Letter
- The Council approved a letter opposing increased rocket launches at Vandenberg.
- The final document incorporates specific resident comments into the draft text.
- Staff confirmed the public comment period for the launch proposal remains open until July 7.
Senate Bill 79 Housing Legislation
- The Council voted to send a letter opposing Senate Bill 79 despite concerns about local jurisdiction.
- Discussion highlighted the tension between state overreach and the city's prior resolution on local issues.
- The motion passed via roll call vote to formally register the city's opposition.
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Adoption
- The Council adopted a $33.9 million budget with a projected 116% General Fund balance.
- Specific amendments increased funding for the Historic Preservation Commission, Museum, and Animal Services.
- Additional allocations were approved for Arts Commission grants and Ojai Day mandala creation.
- Staff will provide detailed budget presentations and audit plans at the August meeting.
Compensation Plan and Staffing Adjustments
- A 1.8% cost of living adjustment was approved for most city classifications.
- The "Assistant City Manager" title was reclassified to "Assistant to the City Manager."
- New classifications for a Deputy City Manager, Homeless Services Coordinator, and Lifeguard were added.
- Measure C funds will support the addition of 1.5 maintenance worker positions.
Communication Support Services Contract
- The Council approved a $136,000 agreement with Trapeze Smith for social media and newsletter services.
- The contract includes a provision to revisit vendor selection next year to consider local options.
- Discussion weighed the benefits of specialized municipal experience against local hiring.
Wildfire Safety and Risk Mitigation Proposal
- The Council accepted the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council proposal for wildfire risk mitigation services.
- An amendment was added to include a 90-day assessment period before full contract implementation.
- Funding for the project is available through Measure C and includes grant-funded beacon boxes.
Future Agenda Items
- Staff will prepare a report on the inactive Building Appeals Board to determine its future status.
- Future meetings will explore energy conservation ordinances and proactive code enforcement strategies.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- The regular meeting of the Ojai City Council was called to order on Tuesday, June 24th. A roll call confirmed the presence of the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Council Members. The meeting proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
Approval of Agenda
- A motion was made to approve the agenda and was seconded. The motion passed without objection.
City Manager's Report
- City Manager Ben Harvey provided updates on several operational matters:
- Motorcycle Deputy: A motorcycle deputy is now operating in town, focusing on educational interventions and visibility, particularly regarding e-bike safety, rather than issuing citations.
- El Roblar Hotel: The front portion of the property, including the main building, two restaurants, the pool, and poolside bungalows, has been granted temporary occupancy and is open to the public. The rear building remains under construction.
- Trolley Service: The city is on track to resume Sunday trolley service, potentially in early to mid-July. Two trolleys authorized for purchase are being outfitted, and driver interviews are ongoing.
- Police "Pop-Up": Chief Jenkins announced a police presence event scheduled for Thursday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the corner of Foothill Road and Foothill Lane to address criminal activity and engage with residents.
Public Communications
- Three members of the public addressed the council on items not on the agenda:
- Larry Steingold: Suggested the approval of movable cameras for specific areas to address criminal activity.
- Eric Ryder: Advocated for the immediate hiring of two new trolley drivers to ensure system reliability and restore Sunday service.
- Alicia Marinas: Congratulated the city on meeting the 20% fare box ratio for the trolley and requested the hiring of two new drivers to restore Sunday service.
- Starchild (Clay Creasy): Urged the council to declare Ojai a sanctuary city regarding immigration enforcement. Mayor Pro Tem Lange responded that the "Ojai Values Act" is scheduled for the next meeting.
- Allison: Spoke regarding the proposed increase in rocket launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base, citing property damage and environmental health concerns, and urged the council to submit a letter opposing the increase.
- Following public comment, the Human Resources Manager and City Manager clarified that two trolley driver candidates are undergoing background checks, with additional interviews scheduled. They noted that hiring requires specific endorsements, licensing, and background checks, and that advertising is being placed on trolleys to expand the candidate pool.
Consent Calendar
- Item G (Housing Authority Appointment): Council Member Whitman requested clarification on the residency of the appointee, Angela Bradley. Staff confirmed she is a resident of Whispering Oaks in the Ojai area. A motion was made to approve Item G, seconded, and passed.
- Remaining Consent Items: Council Member Whitman requested the removal of Items G, I, and J from the consent calendar for separate discussion. A motion was made to approve all remaining consent items except G, I, and J. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item I: Letter Regarding Vandenberg Space Force Base Launch Increases
- The council discussed a draft letter opposing the proposed increase in rocket launches at Vandenberg. Council members noted the letter was well-drafted. Council Member Whitman suggested incorporating additional comments from a resident, Steve Colame, into the final document. Council Member Lange noted the public comment period for Vandenberg remains open until July 7th. A motion was made to submit the letter incorporating Mr. Colame's comments into a single document. The motion was seconded and passed via roll call vote.
Item J: Senate Bill 79 (Housing Legislation)
- The council discussed a letter opposing Senate Bill 79. Council Member Rule expressed concern that the bill is an overreach by the state and does not apply to Ventura County, noting a prior resolution to avoid commenting on issues outside the county. Council Member Whitman argued that the state bill would override local control regardless of the city's stance. Council Member Lange noted the prior resolution was worded to prioritize local issues rather than strictly ban outside commentary. A motion was made to approve sending the letter opposing SB 79. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was held, and the motion passed.
Public Hearing on Recommended Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget and GAN Appropriations Limit
- Staff presented the recommended budget and the Gann Limit (GAN) calculation. The recommended budget includes $33.9 million in expenditures and $10.5 million in transfers, with a General Fund budget of $16.8 million. Key initiatives include funding for 1.5 maintenance worker positions via Measure C, general plan updates, and a citywide fee study. Projected ending fund balance is 116% of the General Fund, with reserves at $19.5 million. The city is currently well below the GAN limit.
- Council members discussed the flexibility to amend the budget during the hearing versus deferring changes. It was noted that while the council has latitude to adjust line items, significant new initiatives should ideally be discussed in future meetings. Specific budget adjustments discussed included:
- Historic Preservation Commission (HPC): An amount of $63,000 was proposed to be moved to the HPC account to cover a Historic Resource Inventory survey, potential Mills Act assistance, and training memberships.
- Ojai Valley Museum: The museum requested an increase in funding from $60,000 to $75,000 to account for inflation and increased visitor traffic.
- Animal Services Contract: A discrepancy was noted between the budgeted amount ($100,000) and the actual contract amount ($122,175.42).
- Ojai Day: Unaccounted revenue from vendor application fees ($17,000) was identified, and a proposal to add a $5,000 line item for mandala creation was discussed.
- Park Maintenance: Discussions covered Clough Vista Park and Daily Park, including routine maintenance, native landscaping proposals, and tree loss.
- Other Items: Discussions included legal department costs, street tree maintenance, capital improvements, electricity contract services, energy efficiency upgrades, street maintenance expenditures, pension liability, and interest income.
- Public comment was received regarding the museum funding, HPC allocation, data entry errors, classification of Measure C funds, budget presentation methods, and the animal shelter contract.
Voting on Budget Amendments
- The Council proceeded to vote on specific budget amendments: 1. Historic Preservation Commission: A motion to add $63,000 to the budget for a historical survey was moved, seconded, and passed. 2. Ventura County Animal Services: A motion to adjust the budget to $122,000 (an increase of $22,000) was moved, seconded, and passed. 3. Museum Operations: A motion to increase funding from $60,000 to $75,000 was moved, seconded, and passed. 4. Arts Commission Grants: A motion to increase funding from $30,000 to $100,000 was moved, seconded, and passed. 5. Ojai Day Mandala: A motion to add $5,000 for contracted labor costs for the Ojai Day mandala was moved, seconded, and passed. 6. Measure C Allocation: A request to create a future agenda item to research the allocation of Measure C funds was approved by consensus. 7. Legal Services Protocol: A request to create a future agenda item to establish a protocol for initiating and approving legal services was approved by consensus. 8. Soule Park Pool Feasibility: A proposal to add a $150,000 line item for a feasibility study was discussed. The Council agreed to withdraw the specific line item request and instead add a concept review item to the working agenda for future discussion.
Adoption of the Budget
- A motion was made to approve the budget as amended, including the GAN limit. A friendly amendment was proposed to instruct staff to provide detailed budget presentations, an audit plan, and future budget review timelines. The Council agreed to withdraw the friendly amendment and instead add the requests as future agenda items to be addressed at the first meeting in August. The motion to approve the budget as amended, including the GAN limit, was moved, seconded, and passed.
Statement of Investment Policy
- A motion was made to adopt the resolution regarding the Statement of Investment Policy. Staff clarified that the document was included in an errata. The motion was moved, seconded, and passed.
Compensation Plan and Salary Adjustments
- Staff presented a recommendation to amend the compensation plan, including a 1.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all classifications except the City Manager and elected officials. The proposal included adding the classification of "Assistant to the City Manager" and deleting the "Assistant City Manager" classification. Additionally, the proposal included adding 1.5 full-time equivalents to the maintenance worker classification, funded by Measure C.
- Council members discussed the title "Assistant to the City Manager" and the possibility of exploring a 2.5% COLA in the future. A motion was made to approve the compensation plan amendments, including the 1.8% COLA and the reclassification of the Assistant City Manager position. The motion was moved, seconded, and passed.
Discussion on City Manager Staffing and Job Classifications
- Council members and staff discussed the potential creation of an "Assistant to the City Manager" position versus a "Project Program Manager" role. Staff noted the Assistant to the City Manager role would focus on legislative analysis and council request intake, while a Project Program Manager would be required for large-scale construction projects. Staff clarified that an Executive Assistant role is not currently needed. The discussion addressed the career path for the Assistant to the City Manager and the financial implications of new positions.
- During public comment, residents expressed concerns regarding the proposed 8% salary increase for the City Manager compared to the 1.8% or 2.5% COLA for other employees. Commenters questioned the necessity of hiring a separate project manager and advocated for extending the City Manager's down payment assistance benefit to other employees.
- A motion was made to approve the reclassification of positions, including the addition of a Deputy City Manager and maintaining the Assistant City Manager career ladder. The motion also addressed the inclusion of classifications for a Homeless Services Coordinator and a Lifeguard. The motion was seconded and passed.
Communication Support Services Proposal (Trapeze Smith)
- Staff presented a proposal for a professional services agreement with Trapeze Smith for communication support services for the upcoming fiscal year, including social media management and the quarterly Ojai Outlook newsletter. The requested amount was $136,000. Council members discussed the benefits of using an agency with specialized municipal experience versus hiring locally. One council member suggested extending the current agreement for 90 days to investigate local vendors.
- A motion was made to approve the contract with Trapeze Smith for the upcoming fiscal year, including an agreement to revisit the vendor selection process in the following year to consider local options or issue a request for proposal. The motion was seconded and passed.
Concept Review: Wildfire Safety and Risk Mitigation Services
- Staff presented a follow-up item regarding wildfire safety, offering the Council options to either proceed with a proposal from the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council ($482,788) or develop a new list of desired services for an RFQ/RFP. Funding is available through Measure C. Council members and staff, including representatives from the Ventura County Fire Department and CAL FIRE, discussed the "Zone Zero" concept, enforcement timelines, mutual aid, and the use of beacon boxes.
- Representatives from the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council presented their proposal, emphasizing a long-term partnership. They clarified that specific items, such as 42 beacon boxes, are funded through grants. They addressed the relationship between the Firewise community plan and the TerraMina-style plan, stating support for both. Regarding evacuation, they explained that their assessment included fire scenario simulations.
- Public commenters expressed strong support for the proposal, citing the urgency of wildfire threats and the need for home hardening assessments. Council discussion focused on the scope of the proposal, potential duplication of services with other agencies, and the allocation of taxpayer funds. Council members debated the timing of implementation versus the need for further due diligence.
- A motion was made to accept the Ojai Fire Safe Council proposal as submitted, with an amendment to include a 90-day assessment period to review the contract and emerging information. The motion was seconded and passed.
Council Member Reports
- Council members provided brief reports on community events and personal announcements, including attendance at the Humane Society's fundraiser, an invitation to speak at the European Animal Rights Law Conference, an invitation to join the City's float for the 4th of July parade, and participation in the Pride event.
Future Agenda Items
- Council members proposed two items for future consideration: 1. Revisit the Clean Power Alliance regarding an ordinance on energy conservation and efficiency. 2. Explore proactive code enforcement strategies, moving beyond the current complaint-driven model.
Future Agenda Item: Building Appeals Board Review
- Councilmember Andrew Whitman introduced a future agenda item regarding the Building Appeals Board (BAB), noting that the board has not held a meeting since November 2022. He requested that staff prepare a report to determine whether the board should continue to operate or be consolidated into existing council functions.
- During the discussion, the City Clerk inquired whether the BAB serves as a mechanism to appeal and reverse council decisions. Renee Roth clarified the distinct legal pathways for planning permits versus building permits. It was noted that the council could serve as the BAB to consolidate these streams. Councilmember Whitman acknowledged the information and stated that given the board's inactivity, there is no immediate urgency to address the matter, and it would likely not be scheduled for the August meeting. No formal motion was moved, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.