Ojai City Council Special Meeting

Parade Chair Regulation Policy

• Staff presented options for regulating chair placement including labeling and ADA access requirements.
• Council members agreed to a two-week placement period and limited items to folding or camping chairs.
• Implementation was set for the following year to allow time for adequate public outreach.
• Staff was directed to draft the policy resolution for council review before final adoption.

Well Construction Ordinance Repeal

• Staff recommended repealing the ordinance due to overlapping requirements with county groundwater agencies.
• Council concerns regarding local control led to a preference for suspension over immediate repeal.
• Action on the repeal was deferred to preserve the city's ability to reactivate control if needed.
• Staff will draft an ordinance to suspend the permitting process for the July 14 meeting.

Council Liaison Protocol Resolution

• A resolution was presented to update protocols for council liaison assignments to commissions.
• Council members approved a modification to establish six-month assignment periods instead of annual ones.
• The Public Safety Commission was added to the rotation to better distribute meeting attendance requirements.
• Staff committed to including public comments in packets provided to the liaison council members.

Meeting Summary: Ojai City Council Special Meeting – June 16

Opening and Agenda

• The meeting began with the Mayor calling for roll call, confirming the presence of council members including Mayor Gilman, Mayor Pro Tem Mang, Council Members Lange, Wood, and Ruhle (remote). Following the Pledge of Allegiance, a motion was made to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded, and the agenda was approved by a unanimous vote.

Item 1: Options for Regulating Placement of Chairs on the 4th of July Parade

• Staff presented three options for regulating chairs placed along the parade route: implementing a policy restricting placement to one week prior to the parade with labeling and ADA access requirements; establishing an encroachment permit process in coordination with Caltrans; or taking no action to maintain the current tradition. Staff recommended that any policy be implemented for the following year to allow for adequate public outreach.
• During public comment, one speaker requested a placement start date earlier than one week (suggesting two weeks) and priority for businesses. Another speaker supported a regulated policy with chair labeling.
• Council discussion focused on the duration of the placement period and types of furniture allowed. While staff initially suggested one week, some council members expressed a preference for a two-week period based on community interest. The council agreed to limit items to folding or camping chairs, excluding larger furniture such as sofas. It was decided that the policy would take effect the following year rather than the current year.
• A motion was made to direct staff to draft a policy for review that includes a two-week placement period, restrictions on furniture types, ADA access requirements, and identification labeling for chairs. The motion was seconded and passed by a unanimous vote.

Item 2: Repeal of Ordinance Pertaining to Well Construction

• Staff and the City Attorney presented an ordinance to repeal Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 7 of the Ojai Municipal Code regarding well construction permits. Staff explained that the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency (OBGMA) and the Ventura County permit processes currently cover the same requirements, creating redundancy. Staff recommended repeal to streamline the process.
• During public comment, a speaker suggested suspending the ordinance rather than repealing it to retain the city's ability to reactivate control over well permitting in the future should circumstances change.
• The council discussed the implications of repeal versus suspension. Concerns were raised regarding maintaining local control and the ability to veto permits if OBGMA standards diverged from city interests in the future. Staff noted that suspending the ordinance could be accomplished via a new ordinance at a future meeting. The council decided to defer action on the repeal and directed staff to draft an ordinance to suspend the current permitting process for review at the July 14 meeting. No vote was taken on the repeal during this meeting.

Item 3: Consider Changing Council Protocols

• The City Manager presented a resolution to update council protocols regarding commission liaison assignments. The proposal included adding the Public Safety Commission to the rotation and adjusting the assignment period. Staff suggested an annual rotation, though a six-month rotation was also discussed to maintain better relationships and distribute meeting attendance requirements.
• Council members expressed a preference for a six-month rotation over an annual one to ensure more frequent engagement with commissions. It was also agreed to maintain the existing rotation cycle rather than using a lottery system for assignments. Additionally, a request was made to include public comments in the packets distributed to liaison council members; staff agreed to coordinate this with department liaisons.
• A motion was made to approve the resolution updating council protocols with a modification to establish six-month assignment periods. The motion was seconded and passed by a unanimous vote.

Adjournment

• There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.