Ojai City Council, Regular Meeting

Consent Calendar Exceptions

• Warrants for a personnel investigation and a deferred compensation plan were approved.
• An agreement for a shower facility for Ventura County residents was adopted.
• The building ordinance update was passed with a directive for a future climate report.
• All pulled items passed via roll call vote.

Arts Commission Grant Recommendations

• Staff presented grant recommendations totaling $100,000 for various arts organizations.
• The Council moved to approve the recommendations following public comment.
• One member abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.

Dignity Moves and Donation Policy

• Staff discussed furnished items for the Permanent Supportive Housing Project.
• Council members directed staff to separate the donation policy from the specific project.
• No motion was made pending further input before a future vote.

• The regular meeting of the City Council was held on Tuesday, December 9th. Following roll call, the Mayor moved to switch agenda items 14 and 15 to accommodate the Arts Commission, which was approved without objection.

Recognition and Introductions

• A Service Recognition Award was presented to City Attorney Matthew Summers for 10 years of service. New Police Chief Tyler Abbott was introduced and provided remarks regarding his background and policing philosophy. Community members and Council members offered comments regarding the departures of the former City Attorney and Police Chief.

Commission and Manager Reports

• The Arts Commission Chair reported on the commission's activities, including early grant distribution, the recruitment of new commissioners, and upcoming strategic planning. The City Manager announced an upcoming Finance and Budget Committee meeting scheduled for December 12th.

Public Comments

• Public comment addressed various topics. Several speakers discussed public transportation, specifically requesting expanded trolley service, increased frequency, evening routes, and improved staffing. Multiple speakers urged the Council to reinstate Anthony Palacios as Trolley Supervisor. One speaker discussed the housing project costs and bidding processes regarding Dignity Moves. Another speaker requested a meeting regarding missing children awareness. Additional comments were made regarding support for arts organizations and community events.

Consent Calendar

• The Council moved to pull items 3, 11, 12, and 13 from the consent calendar for individual discussion. The remaining consent items were moved and seconded, passing unanimously via roll call.
• Item 3 (Warrants): Council discussed a line item related to an internal personnel investigation by a law firm. The item was moved and seconded to approve. It passed 5-0 via roll call.
• Item 11 (Deferred Compensation Plan): Staff presented details regarding IRS Rule 457 and catch-up contributions for employees. The item was moved and seconded to approve. It passed 5-0 via roll call.
• Item 12 (Memorandum of Understanding): Staff discussed an agreement with Hope Obohai regarding a shower facility for Ventura County residents. The item was moved and seconded to approve. It passed 5-0 via roll call.
• Item 13 (Building Ordinance): The Council discussed the second reading of a building ordinance update. Council Member Whitman moved to adopt the item with an addition directing staff to provide a report within the first or second quarter of 2026 regarding potential minor modifications related to climate, geology, and topography. Mayor Gilman seconded the motion. It passed 5-0 via roll call.

Agenda Item 15 (Arts Commission Grant Recommendations)

• The Arts Commission Chair presented grant recommendations totaling $100,000 to various arts organizations. Public speakers expressed support for the arts and requested funding. Council Member Mang moved to approve the recommendations. The motion was seconded. The vote passed 4-0-1 via roll call, with Council Member Whitman abstaining due to a potential conflict of interest regarding grant receipt.

Agenda Item 14 (Dignity Moves and Donation Policy)

• Staff presented discussion items regarding "Furnished by Owner, Installed by Owner" items for the Ojai Permanent Supportive Housing Project and a proposed policy for commemorative naming and donations. Council members and staff discussed the timing of soliciting donations and the applicability of the naming policy to various projects. No motion was made. Council members directed staff to consider separating the policy discussion from the specific project and to allow for future input before returning the items for a vote.

Council Member Reports and Housekeeping

• Council members shared reports regarding the Gold Coast Transit District holiday free rides, a challenge coin tradition, and the Martin Luther King Day in the Bowl event. Council Staff noted that the January 27th meeting agenda would include a 2026 schedule, selection of a Mayor Pro Tem, and regional board selection. The meeting was adjourned.