Meeting Summary
Present: Gilman, bang, Rule, Lang, Whitman
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
FoodShare Ventura County Presentation
- FoodShare presented a $50 million proposal for a new 85,000-square-foot facility in Oxnard to double food distribution capacity.
- The organization currently serves 254,000 residents but turned away 8 million pounds of produce last year due to space constraints.
- Council members inquired about service area definitions, facility features, and potential barriers for Ojai partners.
- No motion was made or vote taken on the proposal.
Libbey Park Tennis Courts Ordinance
- The Council debated an ordinance restricting Libbey Park tennis courts to tennis-only use, with stakeholders expressing mixed views on community access.
- Discussion focused on defining exceptions for Ojai Day events and determining responsibility for potential court damage.
- The motion to approve the ordinance as proposed failed, and the Council directed staff to refine the language with the tennis group.
- Staff will return with a revised version for a new first reading after incorporating feedback on the Ojai Day exception.
Ventura County Civil Grand Jury Report – Fireworks
- Staff reported 14 fireworks-related calls in the past year and discussed the grand jury’s recommendation for a host liability ordinance.
- Council members reviewed the legal implications of host liability, noting that current law generally requires negligence for liability to attach.
- The Council modified the city’s response to clarify that it enforces the Ventura County Fire Protection District’s prohibition on illegal fireworks.
- The motion to modify the response and submit the report passed, with the city agreeing to consider developing its own host liability ordinance.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
City of Ojai Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy
- Staff presented a policy framework requiring mandatory human review of all AI-generated content and restricting use to approved enterprise tools.
- The policy aims to ensure accountability, protect confidential data, and maintain public trust through transparency and bias monitoring.
- Council members inquired about fact verification processes and staff training requirements for using AI systems.
- The motion to approve the AI Use Policy as proposed passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Other Business / Council Member Reports
- Council members provided updates on the Public Safety Commission’s development of a comprehensive traffic mitigation policy.
- Discussions addressed the overlap between the Disaster Committee and the Public Safety Committee to prevent redundant work.
- A vacancy on the Public Safety Commission was noted, with applicants currently being reviewed to fill the position.
Closed Session
- No closed-session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Agenda Item: FoodShare Ventura County Presentation
- Jennifer Caldwell, Chief Development Officer for FoodShare Ventura County, presented a report on the organization’s operations and a proposal for a new facility. She detailed current services, including the distribution of 21 million pounds of food to 254,000 residents in Ventura County, and noted that 8 million pounds of produce were turned away last year due to space limitations. Caldwell outlined a $50 million proposal for an 85,000-square-foot facility in Oxnard designed to double capacity to 40 million pounds by 2040. The project is 91% funded, with a request for the City of Ojai to support the remaining $5 million, potentially through a "paver program." Council members asked questions regarding the service area definition, potential barriers in Ojai, and facility features such as a commercial kitchen and disaster recovery capabilities. Caldwell confirmed that food distribution to Ojai partners is free of charge. No motion was made or vote taken.
Agenda Item: Consent Calendar
- The Council reviewed the consent calendar. Council Member Rule requested clarification on Item 4 regarding CalPERS retirement ACH payroll expenses, specifically distinguishing between three separate line items totaling approximately $670,000. Staff explained that these represented different components of the unfunded liability and back pay. A motion was made and seconded to approve Consent Item Number 4. The Council conducted a roll-call vote, and the motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item: Ordinance Amending Article 5 of the Ojai Municipal Code (Libbey Park Tennis Courts)
- The Council discussed an ordinance to prohibit the use of Libbey Park tennis courts for any activity other than tennis. Public comments were received from various stakeholders, including the Ojai Tennis Tournament Executive Director, a Tennis Club President, and members of the Historic Preservation Commission and Oakview Neighborhood Council. Comments included support for preserving tennis-specific use, concerns regarding unauthorized signage, and opposition based on community use and the availability of other courts. Council members debated the scope of potential exceptions, specifically regarding Ojai Day, and the inclusion of a sunset clause or review period. Staff confirmed that the ordinance language would restrict use to tennis only, with exceptions requiring specific ordinance language.
- A motion was made to approve the ordinance as proposed. Following discussion regarding the need for a specific exception for Ojai Day events and the involvement of the tennis community in determining potential court damage, the Council decided not to proceed with the ordinance as drafted for second reading. The motion to approve the ordinance as proposed failed. The Council voted to direct staff to work with the tennis group to refine the language regarding the Ojai Day exception and to bring a revised version back for a new first reading.
Agenda Item: Ventura County Civil Grand Jury Report – Fireworks
- The Council reviewed the county civil grand jury report regarding public complaints about fireworks. Staff reported 14 total fireworks-related calls in the city over the past year, seven of which were specific calls for service. The discussion focused on the report’s recommendation for the city to consider adopting a "social host" or "host liability" ordinance. Staff clarified that the city currently falls under the Ventura County Fire Protection District’s ordinance, which prohibits illegal fireworks but includes exemptions for public displays. Council members discussed the legal implications of host liability, noting that current law generally requires negligence or knowledge of the activity for liability to attach. Staff noted that the risk of unknown illegal activity is lower in Ojai because short-term rentals are not permitted.
- A motion was made to modify the city’s response to the grand jury report. The modifications included correcting the language to state that the City of Ojai enforces the prohibition on the discharge of fireworks established by the Ventura County Fire Protection District, rather than implying the city has its own separate prohibition ordinance. Additionally, the response to Recommendation R-02 was modified to state that the city will consider whether to develop its own fireworks host liability ordinance, subject to further review. The motion to modify the response and submit the report passed.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Agenda Item: City of Ojai Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy
- Staff presented a proposed AI Use Policy establishing a framework for the responsible use of AI systems by city departments. Key provisions included mandatory human review of all AI-generated content, restrictions to approved enterprise tools (Madison AI and Copilot) that do not access the public web, and requirements for transparency and bias monitoring. Staff explained that the policy aims to ensure accountability, protect confidential data, and maintain public trust. Council members asked questions regarding the verification of facts, the training required for staff, and the potential for future public-facing tools. Staff confirmed that the system cites sources and that staff must independently verify facts and laws before using them in official documents.
- A motion was made to approve the AI Use Policy as proposed. The motion passed.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Other Business / Council Member Reports
- Council members provided updates on the Public Safety Commission’s work regarding speed hump and traffic calming policies, noting that a more comprehensive traffic mitigation policy is being developed. They also discussed the overlap between the Disaster Committee and the Public Safety Committee to avoid redundant work. Additionally, a council member noted that a commissioner for the Public Safety Commission was missing and that applicants are being reviewed to fill the vacancy. No formal motions were taken on these reports.
Public Comment / General Discussion
- An unidentified speaker addressed the assembly, referencing a previous discussion regarding individuals who are "not in control" and noting that new people are arriving. The speaker also expressed gratitude for assistance from Ojai and mentioned a specific individual without providing further details. No motions were made, seconded, or decided.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned.