Meeting Summary
Present: Gilman, Lang, Whitman, Mang, Rule
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At a glance
Motor Officer Introduction and Traffic Safety Strategy
- Deputy Eric Burnett was introduced as the new Motor Officer with 15 years of experience.
- A traffic safety strategy prioritizing education for e-bikers and young drivers was outlined.
- Peak collision times and specific high-risk intersections were identified for targeted enforcement.
- A reduction in mail theft was reported following mailbox hardening and a suspect arrest.
City Hall Campus Master Plan Update
- Kathy Nolan presented a progress report on the City Hall Campus Master Plan.
- Upcoming site cleanup activities and ongoing plan development were highlighted.
Authorization of First Amendment with Pristine Auto Detailing
- The contract was approved to maintain the trolley fleet and public works vehicles.
- On-site washing was confirmed as more cost-effective and environmentally compliant than external options.
- The City Manager clarified enforcement policies regarding drivers stopping to allow merges.
Wildfire Safety and Risk Mitigation Update
- The Council discussed allocating Measure C funds specifically for fire mitigation needs.
- A $1 million budget placeholder was added to allow flexibility in spending.
- Public comment supported hazardous tree removal and clear spending policies.
Adoption of Financial Policies
- Resolutions establishing budget, financial, and balanced budget policies were reviewed.
- Formalizing these policies was deemed necessary for fiscal oversight and securing grants.
- The resolutions were adopted to align with rating agency standards.
Workforce Housing Committee Formation
- A "2-plus-2" committee was established to engage with the Ojai Unified School District.
- Independent legal counsel will be retained to define parameters under Assembly Bill 2295.
- The committee will facilitate dialogue without decision-making authority until a formal proposal is presented.
Efficiency Requirements Ordinance First Reading
- An ordinance establishing efficiency requirements for single-family home renovations was introduced.
- A "FlexPath" approach allows property owners to choose measures to meet point thresholds.
- Exemptions for cost burdens, historic buildings, and fire hardening were included in the text.
- Appeal fees for hardship determinations were removed as part of the ordinance adoption.
Agenda Management Software Implementation
- Staff reported on the implementation of new Granicus agenda management software.
- Plans for public and staff training were discussed alongside written comment availability.
- The implementation plan was approved by the Council.
Warrant Register Approval
- Staff acknowledged the need for improved timeliness and detail in warrant reporting.
- The register was revamped to include line-item descriptions to address discrepancies.
- The updated warrant register was approved by the Council.
Closed Session
- The Council met in closed session regarding labor negotiations with unrepresented employees.
- Direction was provided to include the Human Resources Risk Manager as the city's negotiator.
Full summary
Special Presentations
- Chief Steve Jenkins introduced Deputy Eric Burnett as the new Motor Officer. Deputy Burnett outlined his 15 years of experience and a traffic safety strategy prioritizing education for e-bikers and young drivers, with enforcement reserved for non-compliance. He identified late afternoon through Saturday as peak collision times, citing unsafe speed, improper turning, and pedestrian/bicyclist interactions as primary causes, with specific focus on the "Y" intersection, Ojai Avenue, Grand Avenue, and the Arcade area. Deputy Burnett also reported a reduction in mail theft following mailbox hardening and a suspect arrest. Kathy Nolan of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition presented a progress report on the City Hall Campus Master Plan, highlighting upcoming site cleanup and ongoing plan development.
Public Communications
- Residents addressed the Council on various topics. Comments included an announcement regarding fall registration for the Miners Oaks Community Garden; support for extending trolley service to the east end; discussion of Assembly Bill 2295 regarding school district land-use authority and a request for voter approval on debt and affordable housing rent levels; a petition supporting the reinstatement of a suspended trolley supervisor; and congratulations to the Ojai Valley Museum's Executive Director. Additional public comments addressed trolley maintenance records and staffing, the timing of legal counsel retention for school district housing collaboration, opposition to the greenhouse gas ordinance due to cost concerns, bicycle lighting safety, Measure C allocation for fire hazard reduction, budget transparency requests, the City Hall Campus Master Plan and pickleball noise concerns, trolley service for seniors, corrections to Arts Commission minutes, and the Ojai Fire Safe Council proposal.
Consent Calendar
- Council Member Harvey requested to pull Item I (Authorization of First Amendment with Pristine Auto Detailing) from the consent calendar for separate discussion. The Council approved the remaining items on the consent calendar without further discussion.
Agenda Item 1: Authorization of First Amendment with Pristine Auto Detailing
- The City Manager explained that the contract is necessary for maintaining the trolley fleet and public works vehicles, with costs estimated at approximately $250 per week for washing and $1,200 for detailing, totaling a not-to-exceed amount based on prior year costs of roughly $48,000. The Manager noted that on-site washing is more cost-effective and environmentally compliant than external car washes. During public comment, a resident questioned enforcement policies regarding drivers stopping to allow merges; the City Manager clarified that such stops are cited when they impede traffic on open roads but are acceptable in bumper-to-bumper traffic. A motion was made to approve the authorization, seconded, and the item passed.
Agenda Item 2: Wildfire Safety and Risk Mitigation Update
- The Council discussed the allocation of Measure C funds for fire mitigation. Council Member Whitman expressed concern regarding setting a specific dollar amount without assessing other Measure C goals but agreed to a placeholder figure to allow flexibility. The discussion emphasized driving spending based on fire mitigation needs. Public comment supported fire mitigation, hazardous tree removal, and clear spending policies. A motion was made to add a $1 million budget placeholder for fire mitigation from Measure C, seconded, and the item passed.
Agenda Item 3: Adoption of Financial Policies
- The Council reviewed resolutions establishing a Budget and Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Management Policy, a Financial Policy, and a Balanced Budget Policy. Discussion centered on the timing of financial reporting and the benefits of formalizing these policies to improve fiscal oversight and align with rating agency standards. Staff noted the policies formalize existing practices and are necessary for securing grants and debt issuance. No public comments were received. A motion was made to adopt the resolutions, seconded, and the item passed.
Agenda Item 4: Joint City of Ojai and Ojai Unified School District Workforce Housing Committee
- The Council discussed forming a "2-plus-2" committee (two city and two school district representatives) to engage with the Ojai Unified School District regarding a proposed workforce housing project. Council members emphasized the need for independent legal counsel to understand parameters under Assembly Bill 2295 and to ensure alignment with community needs regarding affordability and traffic. The consensus was that the committee would facilitate dialogue without decision-making authority until a formal proposal returns to the Council. Public comment supported a collaborative approach. A motion was made to establish the committee and request legal counsel to define the scope of work, seconded, and the item passed.
Agenda Item 5: First Reading of Ordinance Amending Section 9-1 (Efficiency Requirements)
- Staff presented an ordinance establishing efficiency requirements for single-family home renovations and additions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The "FlexPath" approach allows property owners to choose from various measures to meet point thresholds based on project size. The ordinance includes exemptions for repairs, cost burdens exceeding 20% of project costs, historic buildings, seismic retrofits, and fire hardening, with an effective date of January 31. Council members discussed the flexibility of the scoring system, the role of the Community Development Director regarding cost burdens, and the appeal process for hardship exemptions, including a suggestion to waive appeal fees. Public comment included support for the manageable requirements and the cost burden exemption, as well as opposition citing increased costs for working families. A motion was made to introduce the ordinance for first reading, including the removal of appeal fees for hardship determinations, seconded, and the item passed.
Administrative and Operational Updates
- Arts Commission Minutes: A public speaker requested that minutes for October 17 and November 21, 2024, be returned for review due to incorrect recording of public comments. A motion to approve the minutes was made but subsequently withdrawn by the mover. No final vote was recorded.
- Agenda Management Software: Staff reported on the implementation of new agenda management software (Granicus), including plans for public and staff training. Discussion addressed the availability of written public comments for commissions versus the City Council. A motion was made to approve the implementation plan, seconded, and the item passed.
- Warrant Register: Discussion addressed concerns regarding the timeliness and detail of the warrant register, including discrepancies in reporting. Staff acknowledged the need for improved timeliness and noted the register has been revamped to include line-item descriptions. A motion was made to approve the warrant register, seconded, and the item passed.
- Trolley Service: The City Manager reported on active recruitment and training of new drivers, with a new driver scheduled for the Saturday shift. Two new trolleys are being retrofitted. Restoring Sunday service was identified as the immediate priority. No formal motion was taken on this status update.
- Library and Museum: Updates were provided on upcoming library events and the Museum's "Metamorphis" exhibition. No formal motions were taken.
- Closed Session: The Council met in closed session regarding labor negotiations with unrepresented employees and provided direction to staff to include the Human Resources Risk Manager as the city's negotiator. No reportable action was taken.