Ojai City Council and Arts Commission Joint Meeting

Arts Commission Presentation

• Chair West outlined the five-year plan goals, including establishing a city-sponsored art center.
• Commissioners reported on standardizing budgeting and implementing online grant applications.
• Vice Chair Steiner updated the collection status, noting deferred maintenance on several pieces.
• Staff identified split maintenance responsibilities between the City and private building owners.

Integration and General Plan Discussion

• Council members discussed weaving arts goals into existing General Plan elements rather than creating an addendum.
• The Commission expressed concern regarding the liaison model and requested arts goals in staff performance reviews.
• Participants explored dedicating Transient Occupancy Tax revenue to arts, culture, and recreation.
• Council and Commission discussed quantifying the creative economy and prioritizing public art maintenance in budgets.

Meeting Summary: Special Joint Session of City Council and Arts Commission

• Date: September 9th
• Attendees: Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Lang, Council Members Rule (remote), Mang, and Whitman (absent/remote). Arts Commission Chair Smitty West, Vice Chair Steiner, and other Commissioners were present. City staff were in attendance.

Proceedings

Agenda Approval

• Council Member Rule moved to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted with all present members voting in favor. The agenda was approved.

Arts Commission Presentation

• Arts Commission Chair Smitty West presented an overview of the Commission's five-year plan. The plan includes goals to establish a city-sponsored art center and commission a landmark public artwork. Commissioners reported on accomplishments over the previous 18 months, including the standardization of budgeting, implementation of online grant applications, and the division of functional roles among commissioners.
• Vice Chair Steiner provided an update on the public art collection. A conservation assessment conducted by LA Art Labs found no immediate hazards but noted deferred maintenance. Specific works were reviewed:
• Trumpen Sound Arch: Recently conserved.
• Big Red Roller: Requires conservation; the artist prefers it remain in its current location.
• Corten Steel Horse: Stable, requires cleaning.
• Paul Lindhart Works: Stable, though one crack requires examination.
• Douglas Lochner Works: One work stable; "Reflections of Ojai" at Bryant Park is described as a "total loss" due to previous sandblasting by the building owner.
• Other Works: Issues of corrosion, graffiti, and access restrictions were noted for several pieces. Maintenance responsibilities were identified as split between the City and private building owners.

Public Comment

• The Clerk reported no in-house public comment cards were received. Two Zoom participants were available but did not submit comments.

Discussion on Integration and General Plan

• The Council and Commission discussed integrating arts goals into the City’s General Plan and economic diversification efforts.
• General Plan Integration: Council Member Lang noted plans to work with consultants on an economic diversification study where arts goals could be woven into existing elements rather than creating a separate addendum. Council Member Whitman suggested the Commission review draft General Plan elements to provide specific recommendations.
• Staffing and Support: The Commission expressed concern regarding the "liaison model" and high turnover of City liaisons, contrasting it with other departments that have dedicated staff. The Commission requested that arts implementation goals be integrated into staff performance reviews. City Manager Harvey discussed upcoming strategic communication meetings to address commission input.
• Funding and Grants: Council Member Lang mentioned a goal to dedicate a portion of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to arts, culture, and recreation. Commissioners discussed the $100,000 grant budget, noting high interest and considering future adjustments for emerging artists or separating individual artist applications from organizational ones.
• Economic Impact: The group discussed the need to quantify the creative economy's impact, referencing Ventura County and Los Angeles County studies. Council Member Whitman noted the need to prioritize public art maintenance within Capital Improvement planning and annual budgets.

Adjournment

• Following the discussion, Mayor Gilman adjourned the meeting. No further motions or votes were recorded.