Ojai City Council, Regular Meeting

Property Acquisition and Feasibility Study

• Council discussed purchasing 503 South Ventura Street for potential permanent supportive housing.
• A motion to acquire the property required a third-party feasibility study.
• Concerns regarding study costs led to an amendment limiting outside consultation to $10,000.
• The amended motion approving the acquisition subject to the study passed.

Mid-Year Budget Adjustment (Legal Services)

• The City Attorney requested additional funding for pending litigation and transition costs.
• Cited reasons included rigorous review of city agenda items and firm changes.
• Council approved the budget amendment to cover anticipated legal expenditures.

Ojai Valley Green Coalition Proposal

• The Council reviewed a funding proposal for site restoration and fire mitigation on City Hall.
• Public comment supported the initiative for its fire safety and community engagement value.
• Council approved a contract for $41,352 to authorize the professional services agreement.

Town Hall and Panel Policy

• Staff presented a draft policy outlining governance and resource usage for Town Hall meetings.
• One member expressed frustration regarding delays in approving a specific March 23rd meeting.
• The Council voted to continue discussion to the next meeting for further policy review.

• The City Council meeting covered several agenda items, including property acquisition, budget adjustments, nonprofit contracts, and policy drafting.

1. Property Acquisition and Feasibility Study

• The Council discussed purchasing the property at 503 South Ventura Street for potential permanent supportive housing. A motion was proposed to approve the acquisition subject to a low-cost, low-commitment feasibility study performed by a third party. Following concerns about the potential cost of the study, the motion was amended to require staff to produce the study with outside consultation not exceeding $10,000. The amended motion passed.

2. Mid-Year Budget Adjustment (Legal Services)

• The City Attorney requested an increase in the legal services budget for the remainder of the fiscal year, citing pending litigation (specifically Channel Keepers), transition costs between firms, and a shift toward more rigorous review of city agenda items. The Council approved the budget amendment to cover anticipated legal expenditures.

3. Ojai Valley Green Coalition Proposal

• The Council reviewed a proposal from the Ojai Valley Green Coalition to fund site restoration, educational workshops, and fire mitigation on the City Hall campus. Public comment strongly supported the initiative, emphasizing the value of fire safety and community engagement. The Council approved a contract for $41,352, authorizing the City Manager to execute the professional services agreement.

4. Town Hall and Panel Policy

• Staff presented a draft policy outlining governance, sponsorship, and resource usage for Town Hall meetings. Council Member Rule expressed frustration regarding delays in approving a specific Town Hall on law enforcement and immigration scheduled for March 23rd, noting she needed the policy finalized to secure city sponsorship. Other Council members requested more time to review the policy draft. The Council voted to continue the discussion to the next meeting, allowing Council Member Rule to draft a specific agenda item for her proposed Town Hall alongside the policy review.

5. Council Reports and Adjournment

• During council reports, a member raised concerns regarding emergency evacuation plans and the costs associated with implementing the new city logo on vehicles and uniforms. Staff responded that evacuation drills are being organized and that logo implementation costs will be addressed in future budget requests as needed. The meeting was subsequently adjourned.