Ojai City Council Special Meeting

Energy Efficiency and Fire Hardening Ordinance

• Council agreed to separate energy efficiency from fire-hardening initiatives to expedite the efficiency mandate.
• Staff will update ordinance recitals to acknowledge concurrent fire-hardening benefits of efficiency measures.
• Discussion highlighted the long-term value of electrification and preparing homes for future energy needs.

Goal 6: Diversifying Economy and Tourism Management

• Council prioritized tactics for economic diversification, tourism management, and an incubator investigation.
• Tactic 6A was modified to explicitly include the restoration of Sunday trolley service.
• Staff identified several existing tactics currently in motion that do not require new prioritization.

Goal 7: Climate Resiliency

• Council granted flexibility to use Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles when Zero Emission Vehicles are unavailable.
• New tactics were added to investigate habitat restoration funding and allocate Measure C revenue.
• Council prioritized tactics regarding habitat restoration, energy education grants, and alternative building materials.

• The City Council held a meeting focused on refining strategic goals and tactics regarding energy efficiency, fire mitigation, economic diversification, and climate resiliency. The session concluded with the prioritization of specific tactics for Goals 6 and 7, following public comment and staff updates.

Energy Efficiency and Fire Hardening Ordinance

• Separation of Initiatives: The Council agreed to separate the new energy efficiency ordinance from fire-hardening initiatives. This decision allows the efficiency mandate to move forward more quickly for a first reading at the next meeting.
• Fire Hardening Benefits: While separated, staff agreed to update the ordinance recitals to acknowledge that efficiency measures (such as double-pane glass and electrification) provide concurrent fire-hardening benefits.
• Debate: Council members debated whether efficiency mandates were "performative" or negligible in effect. Counterarguments highlighted the long-term value of electrification (e.g., induction stoves) and preparing homes for future energy needs.

Meeting Process and Timeline

• Time Limit: The Mayor proposed a 9:00 PM natural stopping point to prevent meeting fatigue. The Council agreed, with the remaining agenda items to be addressed at the September meeting.
• Goals vs. Tactics: Staff clarified that while the Council has adopted nine goals, new tactics can be added as priorities, or urgent issues can be brought forward via a two-member request.
• Fire Mitigation Input: The Fire Chief urged immediate action on fire mitigation, noting that while state mandatory fire codes may arrive between 2025–2028, local action should leverage current momentum to reduce wildfire risk.

Goal 6: Diversifying Economy and Tourism Management

• "Freebies" (Items Already in Motion): Staff identified several tactics currently being executed that do not require prioritization but remain in the plan:
• 6A: Trolley restoration (specifically Sunday service).
• 6C: Chamber of Commerce committee.
• 6E: Broadband franchise agreement.
• Tourism Plan: Already in development via consultants.
• New Tactic (6I): A new tactic was added to investigate business incubator models (specifically Ventura County’s program) to support local startups.
• Prioritized Tactics: The Council voted to prioritize 6D (Economic Diversification), 6G (Tourism Management/Signage), and 6I (Incubator Investigation).
• Trolley Modification: Tactic 6A was modified to explicitly include the restoration of Sunday service.

Goal 7: Climate Resiliency

• City Fleet Policy: The Council granted flexibility to allow Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) in the city fleet when Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) are unavailable, provided they are charged nightly and used primarily within the city.
• Habitat Restoration (7M): A new tactic was added to investigate federal and state funding for habitat restoration and rewilding projects at the urban-wildland interface (e.g., Shelf Road) to aid in fire and flood mitigation.
• Measure C Policy: A new tactic was added to develop a policy for the allocation of Measure C revenue, ensuring funds are directed toward voter-mandated areas like fire mitigation and capital improvements.
• Prioritized Tactics: The Council voted to prioritize 7M (Habitat Restoration/Rewilding), 7H (Grant/Education Program for Energy), and 7G (Alternative Building Materials).
• "Freebies": Several items were noted as already in motion, including the Climate Action Plan (7F) and the Flexpath energy program (7K).

Public Comment

• Tom Maloney (OVLC): Emphasized nature-based solutions, habitat acquisition, and the link between river adjudication and fire mitigation.
• Tanya Parker: Urged the Council to fund non-profits (like OVLC, Fire Safe Council) directly using Measure C, noting they leverage private and federal dollars for climate resilience.
• Bill Miley: Suggested tourist surveys, low-cost energy audits, rainwater catch basins, annual public reporting, and audio recording of closed meetings.
• Larry Steingold: Requested that fire hardening be moved to the forefront of all planning, arguing it takes precedence over other issues.

Next Steps

• The Council adjourned at 9:00 PM. Staff will present a monetized list of the prioritized tactics and required budget amendments at the September meeting.