Ojai City Council, Regular Meeting

Voting System Reform

• Council debated shifting from district-based to at-large elections during the session.
• Members agreed to delay action pending the Huntington Beach outcome.
• Officials encouraged residents to collect signatures for a citizen-led referendum.

Annual Levy of Assessments

• Preliminary resolutions were approved for maintenance districts including lighting and landscape.
• Assessments for Plaza Maintenance will be reduced due to a healthy fund balance.
• A public hearing regarding necessary rate adjustments is scheduled for June 9th.

Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan

• Staff presented a draft plan with approximately $14 million in grant and Measure C funding.
• Reduced street rehabilitation budgets will extend the paving timeline to seven to eight years.
• Significant funding is allocated for the Dignity Moves permanent supportive housing project.

Aspire Broadband Agreement

• Proposals were reviewed for non-exclusive fiber internet installation using micro-trenching.
• No agreement will be executed until a micro-trenching ordinance is approved by Council.
• Staff noted that negotiations regarding street restoration and pricing are ongoing.

Other Business and Future Agenda

• Feasibility studies were discussed for citywide fire ember screens and rainwater tanks.
• A council member requested an appeal hearing regarding the Ojai Mountain Farm Plaza.
• Discussion occurred regarding seating composition on the Housing Authority commission.

• Here is a summary of the City Council meeting minutes:

1. Voting System Reform (Districts vs. At-Large)

• Discussion: Council members and public speakers debated whether to change the voting system from district-based to at-large elections.
• Arguments for Districts: Speakers argued districts protect demographic and economic diversity, preventing wealthy neighborhoods from overruling projects like a "cabin village." One council member noted that switching back to at-large could be a "60-year reversal of civil rights."
• Arguments for At-Large: Another speaker cited a previous 56% vote in favor of at-large elections, arguing the City Council should not initiate the change but wait for a citizen-led referendum.
• Outcome: The Council decided not to take action immediately. They agreed to wait for the Huntington Beach outcome and encouraged citizens to gather signatures for a referendum if they wish to change the system. No vote was passed to alter the current system.

2. Annual Levy of Assessments (Maintenance Districts)

• Districts 1 & 3 (Lighting/Landscape): Current assessment revenue is insufficient to cover costs because no inflation escalator was built into the original agreements. Staff indicated a Prop 218 process may be needed in the next 1–2 years to adjust rates.
• District 2 (Plaza Maintenance): Due to a healthy fund balance (used for the Rainbow Bridge parking lot and Plaza Arcade), assessments for this district will be reduced.
• Action: The Council approved the resolutions preliminarily approving the engineer's report. A public hearing is scheduled for June 9th.

3. Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

• Overview: Staff presented a draft CIP focusing on fiscal year 2026–27. Total funding is approximately $14 million, largely from external grants and Measure C, with none coming from the General Fund.
• Streets: The budget for street rehabilitation is reduced from $4.5 million to $2.5 million annually. Consequently, the 5-year paving plan may stretch to 7–8 years.
• ATP (Active Transportation Project): Plans are shifting from a bike path through downtown to a wider sidewalk with signage directing cyclists to the recreation trail to improve safety. Grant funding (~$4.5–$5 million) is secured for construction in 2027–28.
• Facilities: A major portion ($8 million) is allocated to the Dignity Moves permanent supportive housing project (expenditures split between current and next fiscal year).
• Climate & Parks: $1 million allocated for Climatec and $1.1 million for parks (including Libbey Park restroom remodel and Sarasota Park playground), mostly grant-funded.
• Feedback: Public comments focused on fiscal transparency, audit delays, and the need to review General Fund reserve policies. The plan will be adopted alongside the budget later.

4. Aspire Broadband Agreement Update

• Proposal: Aspire Broadband seeks a non-exclusive agreement to install fiber internet using micro-trenching technology (2-inch trench, minimal street disruption).
• Benefits: Lower consumer rates (approx. $50/month vs. $100 for current providers), city receives dark fiber for facility connections and park Wi-Fi.
• Concerns: Public comments raised issues regarding long-term costs (connection fees, pricing hikes), street restoration, impacts on oak roots, and potential monopoly concerns.
• Clarification: Staff clarified that no agreement is being signed tonight. The Council must first approve a micro-trenching ordinance to regulate construction. Negotiations on restoration and pricing details are ongoing.

5. Future Agenda Items & Other Business

• Fire Prevention: Discussion on a feasibility study for fire ember screens for the entire city, potentially seeking grant funding.
• Sustainability: Collaboration with students from the "Local Heroes Award" to utilize city buying power for rainwater tanks (400-gallon olive tanks).
• Ojai Mountain Farm Plaza: Council member requested an appeal hearing regarding a recent Planning Commission decision on seating and refrigeration at the site.
• Housing Authority: Discussion regarding seating on the Whispering Oaks Area Housing Authority commission.