Meeting Summary
Present: Gilman, Lang, Whitman, Mang, Rule
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At a glance
Gold Coast Transit District Update
- Representatives presented an annual update covering operational statistics, a $40 million 2026 budget, and a transition to hydrogen fuel cell buses.
- The district outlined a five-year service plan recommending extended weekday evening hours pending additional funding.
- Staff confirmed that no federal funding cuts are currently anticipated and that state funds supplement fare revenue for youth riders.
Community Aquatics Program
- The City Manager reported on a meeting with the school district and YMCA to explore restarting the program.
- The Council is awaiting a cost proposal from the YMCA regarding staffing before a formal proposal is presented.
Dignity Moves Development Budget and Schedule
- Staff and architects presented a validated $12.667 million budget and a schedule targeting July 2027 completion for the permanent supportive housing project.
- The presentation detailed value engineering measures, such as reducing compressed rock panels, and an "Adopt a Room" donation program.
- Technical clarifications were provided regarding HVAC systems, flooring, and the project scope to meet the state grant cost cap.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lang, Gilman
Cabin Village Budget and Schedule Review
- Public comment focused on advocating for the Honor Farm site over the Maintenance Yard due to safety and accessibility concerns.
- Speakers criticized the submitted document as an estimate rather than a firm budget due to the lack of a selected general contractor.
- The Council voted to not receive and file the current budget document, opting instead to proceed with a detailed review in October.
Rental Assistance Program for Hope of Ojai
- Staff presented a concept to allocate $100,000 from the unprogrammed general fund to Hope of Ojai for rental assistance.
- Council members discussed parameters including prioritizing Ojai residents, maintaining eligibility flexibility, and establishing reporting requirements.
- The Council directed the City Manager to return in October with a formal agreement and scope of work incorporating these parameters.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
General Plan Update Progress Report
- Staff reported a shift from focus groups to surveys for gathering input on the Economic Diversification Element and Climate Action Plan.
- The update confirmed that the Safety Element revision is included in the current process to address fire and flooding hazards.
- The Council voted to receive and file the report with the understanding that survey questions will be reviewed prior to release.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Future Agenda Items and Council Reports
- Council members requested future reports on the legal authority to enforce "Zone 0" fire safety requirements and a list of prohibited plants.
- A request was made to reschedule the Mallory Way agenda item to avoid a conflict with a Jewish holiday, requiring re-noticing.
- Members suggested adding a feasibility study for permanent supportive housing on the Honor Farm to the future agenda.
Full summary
Call to Order and Roll Call
- The regular meeting of the Ojai City Council was called to order on Tuesday, September 9. Roll call confirmed the presence of Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Lang, and Council Members Whitman, Mang, and Rule. Council Member Rule participated remotely in compliance with Government Code Section 54953B3. All actions were to be taken via roll call. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Agenda Approval
- A motion was made to approve the agenda and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Presentation: Gold Coast Transit District
- Representatives from the Gold Coast Transit District presented an annual update covering the district's mission, service area, and operational statistics, including 17 routes, 61 buses, and 21 vans. Key topics included the 2026 budget of approximately $40 million, primarily funded by state and federal sources; the transition to hydrogen fuel cell buses; and updates on fare structures and specialized services. The district also outlined a five-year service plan with recommendations to extend weekday evening hours pending funding. Council members asked questions regarding federal funding, bus schedules, and fare revenue. The General Manager stated that no federal cuts are currently anticipated and that state funds supplement fare revenue for youth riders.
City Manager's Report
- The City Manager reported on two items: 1. Community Aquatics Program: A meeting was held with the school district, a non-profit, and the Channel Islands YMCA to explore restarting the program. The City is awaiting a cost proposal from the YMCA regarding staffing before presenting a proposal to the Council. 2. Agenda Management System: The agenda packet was successfully created using a new management system.
Public Comment
- Members of the public addressed the Council on various topics:
- Library Services: The Regional Librarian announced the "One County, One Book" program and a children's event, and noted a temporary library closure is expected in a few months.
- Prescription Drug Disposal: A resident inquired about the removal of the drug drop-off canister at the police station. The Police Chief explained the removal was a departmental decision due to costs, noting the nearest disposal location is in Ventura. A Council member emphasized the importance of a local site to prevent environmental contamination.
- Traffic and Safety: Concerns were raised regarding inconsistent speed limits and unsafe bicycling. The City Manager noted that speed limit variations are intentional based on Caltrans data and that a citywide review is underway.
- General Plan Safety Element: A speaker urged the Council to update the 35-year-old Safety Element to address fire and flooding hazards.
- Cabin Village Location: Multiple speakers discussed the proposed location for the permanent supportive housing project. Concerns were raised regarding the maintenance yard site, citing fire hazards, access issues, and symbolism. Alternatives such as the Honor Farm were proposed, with suggestions to co-locate the project with a community resilience center.
- Emergency Assistance: A representative requested a $25,000 donation to the Ojai Emergency Assistance Program to support families facing immigration enforcement fears and other hardships.
Consent Calendar
- Items 2–4: No items were pulled. A motion was made to approve items 2 through 4 and seconded. The motion passed.
- Item 5 (Storm Drain Inspection): Council Member Mang requested clarification on the scope. Staff explained the project involves CCTV inspection and cleaning of storm drains within the upcoming paving project area to identify necessary repairs proactively.
- Item 6 (Paving Plan): Council Member Whitman inquired about Libby Street. Staff confirmed the street is on the next year's paving plan, contingent on the completion of the storm drain inspections from Item 5.
- Motion on Items 5 and 6: A motion was made to approve items 5 and 6 and seconded. The motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Dignity Moves Development Budget and Schedule
- Representatives from Dignity Moves, along with project architects and staff, presented the validated budget and schedule for the permanent supportive housing project. The project aims to house up to 30 individuals with a target completion date of July 2027. The total project cost is $12.667 million, fully covered by a State ERF grant, including construction and soft costs. The schedule indicated construction documentation would be finalized in 10 weeks, with permits submitted in early November and construction starting in early February 2027. The presentation covered value engineering measures, such as reducing the scope of compressed rock panels and modifying foundation insulation, as well as the "Adopt a Room" donation program. Technical clarifications were provided regarding HVAC systems, flooring, and project scope.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lang, Gilman
Cabin Village Budget and Schedule Review
- Public comment focused on the project location and the adequacy of the submitted budget and schedule. Speakers advocated for the Honor Farm site over the Maintenance Yard, citing accessibility and safety concerns. Regarding the budget, speakers expressed concern that the document was an estimate rather than a firm budget due to the lack of a selected general contractor. Criticisms included delays in the timeline, value engineering that removed specific features or substituted materials, and a potential shortfall in sewer hookup charges.
- Council discussion addressed a motion to reject the budget and schedule and propose a feasibility study for the Honor Farm. Staff clarified that the current agenda item was limited to receiving and filing the budget or rejecting it, and that a feasibility study would require a separate future item. Dignity Moves representatives stated the document was an interim budget based on pre-qualified bidders and that the Development Management Agreement (DMA) required the City to receive the budget at this stage. They noted the project is contractually obligated to be built within a cost cap and that value engineering is standard. The Mayor noted that previous exploration of the Honor Farm resulted in the County deeming the site unavailable.
- Council members debated whether to receive and file the current budget or delay action. One member proposed a motion to receive and file the information while directing staff to schedule a detailed review for late October. A substitute motion was made to not receive and file the current budget document but to proceed with the plan for the October review meeting. The substitute motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion to not receive and file passed.
Concept Review: Rental Assistance Program for Hope of Ojai
- Staff presented a concept review for allocating $100,000 from the unprogrammed general fund to Hope of Ojai for a rental assistance program. Representatives from Hope of Ojai explained their current funding limitations and requested flexibility to assist households earlier in the crisis cycle. Council members discussed parameters including prioritizing Ojai residents, maintaining flexibility in eligibility, and establishing reporting requirements. A motion was made to direct the City Manager to return to the Council by the first meeting in October with a formal agreement and scope of work for the $100,000 allocation, incorporating the discussed parameters. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
General Plan Update Progress Report
- Staff provided an update on the General Plan Update, noting a shift from focus groups to surveys for gathering community input on the Economic Diversification Element and the Climate Action Plan. Staff confirmed the Safety Element update is included in the current process. Council members discussed balancing resident and tourist needs and the desire to review survey questions prior to release. Public commenters expressed concerns about the reliance on surveys and the urgency of updating the Safety Element. A motion was made to receive and file the progress report, with the understanding that the Council would review survey questions prior to their release. The motion was seconded. A roll call vote was conducted, and the motion passed.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Future Agenda Items and Council Reports
- Council members provided reports on upcoming road closures and an invitation to a Ventura County Council of Government dinner. Requests were made for future reports on the City's legal authority to enforce "Zone 0" fire safety requirements, prohibiting flammable fences and sheds, and creating a public advisory list of prohibited plants. Staff noted that enforcement involves resource considerations and existing litigation. A request was made to reschedule the Mallory Way agenda item to avoid a conflict with a Jewish holiday; staff indicated this would require re-noticing the public. A suggestion was made to add a feasibility study for permanent supportive housing on the Honor Farm to the future agenda.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.