Meeting Summary
Present: Gilman, Lang, Rule, Whitman, Mang
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Appointment of New City Attorney and Legal Services Agreement
- The Council approved a five-year contract with Alshire and Winder LLP following a competitive selection process.
- Clarification was provided that Sunny Soltani would serve as co-counsel alongside the firm's managing partner.
- The motion to approve the new legal services agreement passed without objection.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Fifth Amendment to Legal Services with Colitano, Highsmith, and Whatley
- An amendment was approved to allow the previous firm to continue handling specific pending matters for business continuity.
- The Council directed staff to return with a specific list of projects for future approval regarding continued representation.
- The motion passed with one abstention, followed by an acknowledgment of the outgoing attorney's service.
Passed 4–0 · abstained: Rule
Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Tiny Homes
- The MOU with Habitat for Humanity was extended to December 31, 2028, to align with federal grant timelines.
- Staff was directed to explore accelerating the project and provide legal advice on potential housing taxes and trusts.
- A friendly amendment adjusted the extension to 180 days with a required check-in at the 150-day mark.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Community Development Department Contracted Position
- The Council authorized a contract position for a Project Compliance Coordinator to ensure proactive code enforcement.
- Staff was directed to research the feasibility of converting this role into a permanent city employee position.
- The decision balances immediate compliance needs with a planned comprehensive study on staffing models.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Concept Review for Climate Resilience and Fire Preparedness Education Partnership
- Staff was authorized to draft a scope of services for a partnership with Nordhoff High School's Ag Science program.
- The proposal includes funding up to $50,000 for nursery expansion in exchange for native plants and student fire hardening assessments.
- The Council requested further clarification on school district approval and liability before making a financial commitment.
Passed 4–0 · abstained: Whitman
Historic Resource Inventory Survey Update
- The Council approved an additional appropriation of $25,050 to hire the Historic Resources Group for a survey update.
- The new survey will expand coverage to include structures built up to 1985, using the 2011 data as a baseline.
- Staff clarified that the survey identifies potential resources but does not automatically designate properties as historic.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Ratification of 2025 Historic Preservation Award Nominees
- The Council ratified the nominees for the 2025 Historic Preservation Awards as recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission.
- Recipients include individuals and teams recognized for Annual Awards and Lifetime Achievement.
- The motion to approve the nominations passed without objection.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The regular meeting was called to order on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Following roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, a motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda; the motion passed without objection. No commission reports were submitted. The City Manager's report included an announcement regarding the Christmas Caravan in Oakview on December 13, inviting participation via the Ojai trolley. During public communications, the City Clerk provided updates on Fair Political Practices Commission form automation and upcoming requirements related to Senate Bills 707 and 827. A representative from the Autism Society of Ventura County expressed support for the proposed climate resilience partnership with Nordhoff High School (Agenda Item 5), urging the inclusion of universal design principles. The consent calendar, consisting of minutes from previous meetings, was approved via a motion that was made, seconded, and passed.
Agenda Item 2A: Appointment of New City Attorney and Legal Services Agreement
- The City Manager presented the selection of Alshire and Winder LLP as the new City Attorney following a competitive Request for Qualifications process. Representatives from the firm introduced themselves and outlined their municipal law experience. Council members inquired about contract terms, the role of managing partner Sunny Soltani, and the transition from the previous firm. It was clarified that while government code specifies a single city attorney, Ms. Soltani would serve as co-counsel in practice. A motion was made and seconded to approve the five-year contract with Alshire and Winder LLP. The motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item 2B: Fifth Amendment to Legal Services with Colitano, Highsmith, and Whatley
- The City Manager explained that this amendment allows the previous firm to continue representing the city on specific pending matters to ensure business continuity. Council members discussed the scope of continued representation and the need for clarity on specific files. Council Member Rule requested that a list of proposed items for continued representation be brought back to the Council for approval, a direction the City Manager agreed to. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Fifth Amendment, with the condition that a list of specific projects be presented to the Council for future decision-making. One council member abstained. The motion passed. Following the vote, the Council acknowledged the service of the outgoing City Attorney and staff, and a brief recess was taken.
Passed 4–0 · abstained: Rule
Agenda Item 3: Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Tiny Homes at 408-410 North Montgomery Street
- The Community Development Director presented an amendment to the MOU with Habitat for Humanity Ventura County to extend the expiration date to December 31, 2028, to align with federal grant timelines. A Habitat for Humanity representative noted confidence in receiving federal funding but acknowledged the extended timeline provides flexibility. Council members inquired about funding status, the necessity of a ground lease versus an MOU extension, and the project timeline. Public comment was received from three speakers who supported the project, raised concerns regarding timeline feasibility without secured funding, and suggested the city consider a vacancy tax or housing trust. Council Member Whitman proposed a motion to extend the MOU for 150 days and direct legal counsel to work with Habitat for Humanity to return with recommendations on accelerating the project within 120 days. A friendly amendment was accepted to extend the MOU for 180 days with a check-in at 150 days. The motion also included direction for the City Attorney to provide advice regarding a vacancy tax, alternative housing tax, resident tax, and the establishment of a housing trust. The motion was made, seconded, and passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item 4: Community Development Department Contracted Position (Project Compliance Coordinator)
- The Community Development Director presented a proposal to amend the existing contract with Wildan to include a Project Compliance Coordinator, a position currently filled by a contractor. Discussion focused on the need for a dedicated role to ensure proactive code compliance for ongoing and post-construction projects, addressing concerns that previous efforts were reactive. Staff noted that while larger cities use building departments for this, smaller cities often assign it to overburdened planners. Council members discussed the pros and cons of maintaining a contract position versus creating a full-time city employee position, considering recruitment time, benefits, and property rights. It was noted that fees and penalties associated with non-compliance could help offset the cost of the position. The City Manager noted a comprehensive study on contracting versus in-house staffing is scheduled for the following year. A motion was made and seconded to accept the Project Compliance Coordinator position as a contract planning technician and to authorize staff to research the feasibility of a permanent position for future Council review. The motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item 5: Concept Review for Climate Resilience and Fire Preparedness Education Partnership with Nordhoff High School
- Council members Leslie Rule and Kim Mang presented a proposal for an educational partnership with Nordhoff High School's Ag Science program. The concept involves the City funding the expansion of the school's native plant nursery and greenhouse infrastructure. In return, the school would provide native plants for City properties and engage students in fire hardening assessments and community service projects. Discussion addressed transportation logistics, with Council members exploring in-kind donations or borrowing vehicles to avoid City liability and costs. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of formal approval from the Ojai Unified School District (OUSD) leadership and the proposal's inclusion of an ad hoc committee. Staff advised that any agreement must be with OUSD administration and clearly define the scope of services and liability. Council members expressed interest but requested clarification on available funds and competing projects, reaching a consensus to explore the program further without an immediate financial commitment. A motion was made and seconded to authorize staff to work with OUSD leadership to draft a scope of services for the partnership, with a funding range not to exceed $50,000, and to return to the Council for review. The motion passed.
Passed 4–0 · abstained: Whitman
Agenda Item 6: Historic Resource Inventory Survey Update
- Staff presented a proposal to hire the Historic Resources Group (HRG) to update the City's Historic Resources Inventory Survey. The existing survey, prepared in 2011 but never adopted, covered structures up to 1960; the new survey will cover structures up to 1985. The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended HRG. The budget previously approved was $63,000; the current request is for an additional appropriation of $25,050. Public comment included concerns about the accuracy of previous surveys and potential impacts on homeowners. Staff and the HPC Chair clarified that the new survey would use previous data as a baseline but would be conducted rigorously with local historian Craig Walker as a liaison. It was emphasized that the survey identifies potential resources but does not automatically designate properties as historic; formal designation requires a separate hearing process. A motion was made and seconded to authorize the additional appropriation of $25,050 and to enter into an agreement with the Historic Resources Group. The motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item 7: Ratification of 2025 Historic Preservation Award Nominees
- Staff presented the nominees for the 2025 Historic Preservation Awards as recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission. Nominees included Stephen Adams for an Annual Award; David Berger, Robert Kubiak, and Carrie Miller (Playhouse Theater team) for Annual Awards; and Robert Alice, Janelle Parsons, and David Brown (Gables of Ojai) for the Lifetime Achievement Award. A motion was made and seconded to ratify the nominations. The motion passed.
Council Member Reports and Adjournment
- Council Member Andy Gilman provided an update regarding open commission positions, stating that interviews will resume soon with candidates expected to be presented for ratification as early as the following week. The goal is to fill all vacancies over the next few months. No other reports were offered. The meeting was adjourned.