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Ojai City Council Special Meeting

BodyCity Council
MeetingSpecial Meeting
Date📅 December 2, 2025

Meeting Summary

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Present: Gilman, Lang, Rule, Whitman, Mang

This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.

At a glance

City Attorney Appointment and Legal Services

  • The Council appointed Alshire and Winder LLP to serve as the new City Attorney under a five-year contract.
  • An amendment was approved to retain the previous firm for business continuity during the transition.
  • Staff was directed to submit a list of specific continued items for future Council decision.

Habitat for Humanity Tiny Homes MOU Amendment

  • Staff presented a request to extend the existing Memorandum of Understanding until December 2028.
  • The Council approved a 180-day extension with directions to accelerate the project timeline.
  • City Attorney was instructed to research advice regarding vacancy taxes or alternative housing taxes.

Project Compliance Coordinator Contract

  • Council approved a proposal to contract with a Project Compliance Coordinator for code compliance duties.
  • Staff was directed to investigate options for creating a permanent full-time position in the future.
  • The contract proposal was accepted as presented by the Council.

Climate Resilience and Fire Preparedness Education Partnership

  • Council members and school representatives presented a concept for a fire hardening and climate resilience partnership.
  • The project involves funding a native plant nursery and student internships at Nordhoff High School.
  • Staff was authorized to draft a scope of services with funding not to exceed $50,000.

Historic Resource Inventory Survey Update

  • Staff recommended updating the Historic Resources Inventory Survey to include structures built up to 1985.
  • The Council authorized an additional appropriation of $25,050 for the consultant Historic Resource Group.
  • Designation as historic will still require a separate process with property owner notification.

Historic Preservation Award Nominees Ratification

  • Staff presented nominees selected by the Historic Preservation Commission for annual and lifetime achievement awards.
  • The Council ratified the nominees selected for their contributions to historic preservation.
  • The motion passed to approve the list of nominees as presented.

Full summary

Meeting Summary: City of Ojai City Council

  • Date: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

Administrative Proceedings

  • The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gilman. Following a roll call, the agenda was approved via motion and second. The consent calendar, consisting of minutes from prior meetings, was moved, seconded, and approved without objection.

Item 1: City Attorney Appointment and Legal Services Agreements

  • The Council discussed the appointment of a new City Attorney following a competitive request for qualifications process.
  • Appointment of Alshire and Winder LLP: Council members met with representatives from the firm, including Bethany Burgess, Carrie Raven, and Cody Parker. The proposed five-year contract was reviewed. Public questions were addressed regarding the availability of managing partner Sunny Soltani and the role of the previous City Attorney's office in contract review.
  • Decision: Council Member Rule moved to approve the contract appointing Alshire and Winder as the new City Attorney. The motion was seconded by Council Member Mang. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
  • Retention of Previous Counsel: The Council discussed an amendment to the legal services contract with the previous firm, Colitano, Highsmith, and Whatley, to allow for business continuity and special counsel services during the transition. Council Member Whitman moved to approve the amendment with the condition that a list of specific items continued with the previous firm be brought back to the Council for future decision. The motion was seconded.
  • Vote Outcome: Mayor Pro Tem Lang (Yes), Council Member Mang (Yes), Council Member Whitman (Yes), Council Member Rule (Abstain), Mayor Gilman (Yes). The motion passed.

Item 2: Habitat for Humanity Tiny Homes MOU Amendment

  • Staff presented an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of tiny homes at 408-410 North Montgomery Street. The existing MOU expires at the end of 2025; Habitat for Humanity requested an extension to December 31, 2028, to align with federal funding and grant timelines.
  • Discussion: Council members questioned the timeline relative to construction dates and federal funding certainty. Public commenters supported the project but raised concerns regarding timelines, funding gaps, and the potential for a city vacancy tax or housing trust. Staff and Habitat for Humanity representatives clarified that the project relies on federal funding subject to NEPA reviews, though they remain committed to completing the project even if funding is delayed.
  • Decision: Council Member Whitman moved to extend the MOU for 180 days, with direction to City Attorney to work with Habitat for Humanity and report back within 150 days with recommendations to accelerate the project. The motion also included direction to City Attorney to research advice regarding vacancy taxes or alternative housing taxes. A friendly amendment was accepted to adjust the timeline parameters.
  • Vote Outcome: Council Member Whitman (Yes), Council Member Mang (Yes), Council Member Rule (Yes), Mayor Gilman (Yes), Mayor Pro Tem Lang (Yes). The motion passed unanimously.

Item 3: Project Compliance Coordinator Contract

  • Staff presented a proposal to contract with a Project Compliance Coordinator to handle code compliance, currently managed by Wildan via a contractor. The Council discussed the efficiency of a contract position versus a permanent City employee.
  • Decision: Council Member Mang moved to accept the contract proposal as presented, with direction to staff to investigate options for a permanent full-time position for future consideration. The motion was seconded by Council Member Rule.
  • Vote Outcome: Council Member Mang (Yes), Council Member Rule (Yes), Mayor Gilman (Yes), Mayor Pro Tem Lang (Yes), Council Member Whitman (Yes). The motion passed unanimously.

Item 4: Climate Resilience and Fire Preparedness Education Partnership

  • Council Members Rule and Mang, alongside Ms. Cohen from Nordhoff High School, presented a concept proposal for an educational partnership involving fire hardening and climate resilience. The proposal involves funding a native plant nursery at Nordhoff, student internships, and fire hardening assessments for community properties.
  • Discussion: Council members inquired about OUSD leadership approval, budget specifics, transportation logistics, and potential county funding contributions. Ms. Cohen stated there is no immediate deadline and flexibility regarding scope.
  • Decision: Council Member Lang moved to authorize staff to work with OUSD leadership to draft a scope of services for the project, with funding not to exceed $50,000. Council Member Rule seconded the motion.
  • Vote Outcome: Council Member Whitman (Abstain), Council Member Mang (Yes), Council Member Rule (Yes), Mayor Gilman (Yes), Mayor Pro Tem Lang (Yes). The motion passed.

Item 5: Historic Resource Inventory Survey Update

  • Staff presented a recommendation to update the City's Historic Resources Inventory Survey, originally prepared in 2011 but never adopted. The survey is to be updated to include structures built up to 1985. The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) recommended the consultant Historic Resource Group (HRG), requiring an additional appropriation of $25,050.
  • Discussion: Public commenters raised concerns regarding the accuracy of previous surveys and their impact on property owners' rights. HPC Chair and staff explained that the new survey aims to correct past inconsistencies and that designation as historic still requires a separate process with property owner notification.
  • Decision: Mayor Gilman moved to authorize the additional appropriation for the survey and the agreement with HRG. Council Member Rule seconded the motion. Council Member Whitman requested confirmation regarding the budget availability.
  • Vote Outcome: Mayor Pro Tem Lang (Yes), Council Member Rule (Yes), Mayor Gilman (Yes), Council Member Mang (Yes), Council Member Whitman (Yes). The motion passed unanimously.

Item 6: Historic Preservation Award Nominees Ratification

  • Staff presented the nominees selected by the Historic Preservation Commission for the Annual Preservation Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominees included Stephen Adams (Annual), David Berger, Robert Kubiak, and Carrie Miller (Annual), and Robert Alice, Janelle Parsons, and David Brown (Lifetime Achievement).
  • Decision: Council Member Whitman moved to ratify the nominees. The motion was seconded by Council Member Mang.
  • Vote Outcome: Council Member Whitman (Yes), Council Member Mang (Yes), Council Member Rule (Yes), Mayor Pro Tem Lang (Yes), Mayor Gilman (Yes). The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member Reports and Adjournment

  • Mayor Pro Tem Lang reported that several commission openings exist and interviewing is expected to begin soon. Following a check for further business, the meeting was adjourned.